Grades 1–6: Worshiping God — Session 1: Samuel in the Tabernacle (June 7)

Grades 1-3

Introductory Activity – KWL Chart

Materials: large piece of paper, marker

Make three columns on the paper. Label the columns: K, W, L.
Tell kids that you will be talking about the church and things the church does. Ask kids to tell you anything they know about what the church does. List these ideas under K (for Know). Then ask kids to tell you something they would like to know about the church; list these ideas under W (for Want to Know). Say that after the large group time, they can list things they have learned in the L column.

Live It Out

Game – Sweep It Up

Materials: brooms (at least 1 per team), sturdy paper or plastic plates, markers (2 colors), tape

Mark two team zones, one at each end of the game area. Print the words of the Life Point on plates, one word per plate. Make a set of words in each marker color. Mix the plates and scatter them throughout the game area.
Say the Life Point together. Group the kids into two teams and assign each team an end zone. Also assign each team one of the colors. Tell teams that they must sweep the words of their assigned color into their zone (past the tape); they must sweep the words in order. Give each team a broom and team members will take turns sweeping words. Give the signal to start the game. As words are collected, each team works to assemble the Life Point. If a team sweeps a word out of order, pick it up and return it to the game area. When a team gets all the words in order, they should say the Life Point together. Help kids identify ways your church learns from God and ways your church listens to God. Shuffle teams, mix and scatter plates, and play again as time allows.

Craft – Decorative Pillow

Materials: heavy-duty paper towels; shredded paper, plastic bags, or polyester stuffing; markers; hot glue guns

Give each child two paper towels. Lead them to print the verse on a paper towel and decorate it. They can decorate their other paper towels as they choose. Talk about the Bible story and how Samuel heard God’s voice when he lay down to sleep. Help each child glue the paper towels together (decorated sides out) on three sides. Tell kids to carefully stuff their pillows with shredded paper or plastic bags. When the pillows are lightly stuffed, help each child glue the final edge closed. Tell kids that these pillows can help them remember to listen and learn from God.
Note: You can glue the two towels together along three sides before decorating, if you prefer.

Grades 4-6

Introductory Activity – Pass the Pen Relay

Materials: white board, dry erase markers

Group the kids into two teams. Tell teams to stand in single file lines. Give a marker to the first player on each team. Say the Life Point together. On your signal, the first players run to the board, write the first word of the Life Point, and run back to teams to hand off the marker. The next players run to write the next word, and so on. If a player needs help, the team can tell him the next word. Say that today kids will hear a story about someone who learned to listen to God. Erase the board, mix the teams, and play again as time allows.

Live It Out

Game – Collision Ball

Materials: tape, 2 balls of different colors (or one ball marked with a star)

Make a tape line at each end of the game area. Tape the midline of the game area, too. Designate the “scoring ball” by color or by marking a star with marker. Set the scoring ball on the midline. Place the other ball (the kicking ball) on one end of the game area.
Group the kids into teams. Gather teams at the end of the game area with the kicking ball. Tell them that the far line is the goal line. Ask Team 1 a review question. If the team is correct, a player can kick the kicking ball and try to hit the scoring ball, making it roll over the goal line. If the scoring ball does not cross the goal line, both balls stay where they land. Ask Team 2 a review question. If the team is correct, a player kicks the kicking ball from where it stopped, trying to knock the scoring ball across the goal line. Award 1 point for each correct answer; award 5 points if the goal line is crossed. After the ball crosses the goal line, reset it on the midline and place the kicking ball back at the starting line to continue the game.

Craft – Name Plates

Materials: heavyweight paper, markers, other available art supplies

Tell kids they can make name plates. Tell them to fold paper in half lengthwise (like a tall skinny card). Show them how to open the paper up and stand it like a tent along its long edges. Lead kids to print their names as large a possible between the fold and one edge. They can use the materials to decorate around their names. Say that God called Samuel’s name. God knew who Samuel was. Say that God knows who each person is. Talk with kids about things they have learned and know about God. They can print some of these things on the backs of their name plates. Thank God that your church is place to learn and listen to Him.