Grades 1-3
Introductory Activity – Act It Out
Materials: no materials needed
Choose a child to begin the game. Tell her to pantomime something she likes to do. She can use only movements, no words or sounds. Encourage the other kids to guess what she is doing. After the kids guess, choose another child to pantomime. Continue as time allows. Tell kids that they will hear about something Jesus did when He was a boy.
Live It Out
Game – Life-Size Gameboard
Materials: construction paper, tape, large numbered cube
On several pieces of construction paper, make a simple drawing of the temple. Mix the temple pieces with the blank pieces. Use construction paper to create a gameboard path across the room. Tape the paper to the floor.
Group kids into teams and tell each team to choose one kid to be the “game piece.” Tell game pieces to stand at the start of the gameboard path. Team 1 rolls the numbered cube and the game piece moves that number of spaces. If the game piece lands on a temple space, the team can answer a review question from the Bible story. If the team gets the answer correct, the game piece can move ahead 1 space. Continue until a game piece reaches the end of the path. To lengthen the game, start a new game piece for a team when the first game piece reaches the end.
Craft – Footprints of Growth
Materials: construction paper, scissors, markers
Give each child a piece of construction paper and ensure everyone can access scissors and markers. Instruct them to trace around their shoes on the paper and cut them out. Direct them to write the Life Point on the front of the footprint and decorate it. Tell them to write a way they are growing like Jesus on the back of the foot. Allow volunteers to show their footprints to the rest of the class and share how they are growing like Jesus.
Grades 4-6
Introductory Activity – Questions & Answers
Materials: slips of paper, pens, large cup
Give each child a slip of paper and a pen. Instruct them to each write a question about God and place it into the large cup. Pull their questions out of the cup and answer them to the best of your ability. If you do not know the answer to a question, that is ok! Tell them you’re unsure of the answer but will research it this week and tell them the answer next week. After you’ve answered the questions, tell the kids that in the lesson today, Jesus spent much time in the Temple learning from the teachers. Write the Life Point on the board and say it together.
Live It Out
Game – Weekly Verse Scramble
Materials: slips of paper, pen, envelopes
Write the Weekly Verse on slips of paper, one word per paper. Make two sets. Place each set in an envelope. In class, form two groups of kids. Give each group an envelope and instruct them to put the words in order. If needed, give the groups hints to help them complete the challenge. After both groups have finished, say the Weekly Verse together.
Craft – Life Point Reminder
Materials: white construction paper, thin-line permanent markers, watercolor paints, cups of water, paintbrushes
Talk about the Bible story and say the Life Point. Guide kids to print the Life Point on white construction paper. They can add other designs with the markers and paint over the design with watercolors. Talk about God’s message in the Bible as kids continue to make their reminders. Suggest kids place the reminders in their rooms or other locations to remember that Jesus grew and began to fill God’s plan for Him.
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