Treasure Hunt Adventure Guide Leader's Handbook by Biblica

Adventure Guide

Testament

Welcome to the

Treasure Hunt Bible Adventure Guide Leader’s Handbook.

We have put together some tips and ideas to help you get the most from this children’s discipleship programme.

If you have a Treasure Hunt Bible read the front section carefully – this will help you to understand why the Treasure Hunt Bible was developed. Then read the Leader’s Guide and Teaching Notes well in advance of starting your class. Depending on the amount of time that you have you may find that there is too much information to get through in one lesson. So we have added a Lesson Planner section in this Leader’s Handbook. Each lesson is divided in two to help you get the most from the content. You can adapt this according to the time you have to teach, and the needs of your class. All of these aides will help you to be well prepared as you lead your Treasure Hunt Adventure Classes.

Leader’s Guide

General Notes – Adventure Guides – New Testament –

Units 1 to 3

There have been many requests for a Treasure Hunt Bible (THB) guide that can be used in a group or individual setting. The aim is to take the children on a journey through the Bible. Therefore, we have created the Treasure Hunt Bible Adventure Guide

The Treasure Hunt Bible Adventure Guide is an extension of the Treasure Hunt Bible. It takes everything we did in the THB one step further and offers six units constructed around a specific theme. Each unit has eight Adventures. The New Testament Adventure Guides are comprised of 3 units.

The Treasure Hunt Adventure Guide can be used in a classroom setting, at home with the family during family devotions or informally as a devotional guide for slightly older children. The aim is for the content to be interactive and adaptable to a variety of situations. It is written with the child reader in mind but is also a manual for group leaders, teachers, parents and even older brothers and sisters.

The same principles used in the THB are used here. Each Adventure is built on the principles of experiential learning. This means that the material is presented in such a way that children learn by doing. Through activities, the children are led to think about the themes of the specific Adventure, and then to practise the truths that they learnt in the lesson.

We also continue to focus on the different ways in which children learn new things and incorporate them into their lives. This is done through: – group work – discussions – simple explanations about Bible passages and truths – problem solving – opportunities for research – opportunities to use various sources to gather information – opportunities for hands-on, practical activities

We haven’t forgotten that children have preferred ways of learning. These are taken into account. We often use a picture or pictures of the Wayees or list the name of the Wayee at the top of the section heading. These are your clues as to the kind of learning that will take place.

About the Wayees:

þ Greeny, the antelope, who loves nature hunts.

þ Talky, the monkey, who learns by talking, discussing, asking questions, telling stories and reading with others.

þ Thinky, the elephant, who loves problems, thinking through problems and solving them.

þ Arty, the meerkat, who always sees pictures in her head and learns best by drawing, painting and making sketches and mind maps.

þ Joinme, the hippopotamus, who is always bringing people together. She learns by doing things with other people, by sharing and by working in a group.

þ Inny, the tiger, who always has a book with him. He learns by reading and writing down what he learns. He likes to learn on his own, and he likes to set goals for himself.

þ Crafty, the jaguar, who is always on the go. He learns by doing, building and inventing. Sitting down to read a book seems like a waste of time to this one!

þ Hearty, the bear, who shows his emotions openly. You never have to wonder what his mood is. He always focuses on feelings, both his own and other people’s. He will always look for the feeling behind words or deeds.

þ Hummy, the zebra, who loves music. She loves making music, and she learns best through music, movement, singing and writing songs.

The units in this book follow the sequence of the camp sites in the Treasure Hunt Bible (pages 10 & 11). The camps on the map are marked 1 to 6 (Genesis to Revelation).

For the Treasure Hunt Adventure Guides we are naming the units Old Testament Adventure Guides 1 to 3 and New Testament Adventure Guides 1 to 3. You will be working with the New Testament Units. A copy of the Campsite appears at the back of the Adventure Guide for your convenience. The marker shows where you are.

New Testament – Unit 1 – God sends his Son

In Unit 1 the children learn that Jesus came to earth as a human baby to show his followers how to live and why he chose to die on the cross.

New Testament – Unit 2 – God’s new people

Unit 2 shows the difference Jesus’ death and resurrection made to his followers. The Holy Spirit came to live in them and gave them the power to follow and obey Jesus. He also showed them how to share the good news about Jesus with the rest of the world.

New Testament – Unit 3 – God’s church today

Unit 3 explains that Jesus’ followers are waiting for Jesus to come back to earth to take them to heaven. In the meantime they are still following in his footsteps, showing his love to the world and using the gifts his Holy Spirit gives them. Each unit has eight Adventures that develop the theme of the unit. Each Adventure has the same structure and provides ways for the children to participate in various activities so that they can learn by doing, as well as finding out more about the topic by reading about it, discussing various issues surrounding the topic and thinking about the topic. Then they are led to make certain decisions regarding their life as a follower of Jesus – again with opportunities for hands-on practising and doing.

Each Adventure has the following format:

Let’s begin

The Adventure begins with a fun activity to introduce the topic and also to get the children thinking about some of the issues that will be raised.

Ready, steady, go

This is a discussion or explanation based on the activity the children have just done. They are led to reflect on what they learnt and think about what they experienced doing the activity.

Let’s talk

This is the link between the activity and the Scripture reading. Questions are asked and information shared so that the children begin to think about the things that this Adventure will bring to their attention.

Let’s read the Bible

The THB aim is to help children to personally engage with God’s Word from a young age. Reading the Bible is the heart of each Adventure. God speaks to each child through his Word. There are questions and explanations that lead the child to discover related truths and facts in God’s Word.

Let’s understand

This section is usually a discussion to make sure that the children understand what the Scripture portion is all about. It helps to bring the truths of the Adventure to their attention.

Let’s do it

These are fun activities with a purpose. The activities ensure that the truths taught in the Adventure are understood and accepted. The children practise or apply what they learnt, or do an activity that demonstrates what they learnt.

There are three types of activities.

Each type has an icon for easy identification.

Group activity – for use in a classroom or Sunday school setting. Most of them will also work in a family setting.

Family activity – for use in a family setting. Some will work in a group setting too.

Individual activity – for the child to do as a follow-up at home.

Note that the activities are interchangeable. A teacher/group leader can use them as needed.

Story time

Who doesn’t love a story? Each Adventure has a story that can be linked to its theme. It can be read to the group or individually. It can also be retold by the teacher/group leader. We have chosen stories from all over the world. This will expose children to different cultures and add to the sense of adventure.

Discussion of the story and its link to the theme is encouraged. Give each child an opportunity to say what they like or do not like, what inspires them, and how the story moves them.

Map of the world. A fun map is included so that the children can plot their journey around the world as they read the stories each week. See the map at the back of each unit.

Let’s pray

In this section the children are progressively taught about prayer. Various ideas and approaches to prayer are shared. The children learn that prayer is talking to God as one talks to a friend. They learn that prayer is also about listening to what God wants to say to them. The prayer is often linked to Scripture so that the underlying goal of Scripture engagement is always strengthened.

Let’s live it

Everything that the children heard, read and learnt has to become a part of their lives. In this section they reflect on what they learnt. They are then encouraged to make some decisions on how they will live out what they learnt in their everyday lives.

Teaching Notes

The Teaching Notes help you to prepare for the class. Under each Adventure, you will find a list of items that you need to bring to class for the activities.

Activity Sheets

At the back of each unit you will find pictures, patterns and other information the children will need so that they can do the activities.

Unit 1 God sends his Son

Teaching goals

1. God comes to us

2. Jesus brings joy

3. Jesus tells us about God’s kingdom

4. Jesus is always ready to help

5. Jesus is all-powerful

6. Jesus keeps his children safe

7. Jesus is our Saviour

8. Jesus is our King

This unit is about God’s plan of salvation for everyone who believes in him. God came to us in the form of his Son Jesus to teach us about his kingdom and to demonstrate his great love for us by giving up his life. Every Adventure in this unit will highlight a different aspect of Jesus’ life and ministry.

Adventure1 sets the scene by discussing the day God became a human baby. The children discover that Jesus was a human being just like them and knows exactly what it is like to be human. He understands them. They also discover something about his childhood and how he obeyed his parents.

Adventure 2 is about the joy and happiness and peace of God’s kingdom. (This is a recurring theme in this unit.) In this Adventure they find out about the wedding in Cana, where Jesus added to the people’s happiness by turning water into wine and celebrating with them.

Adventure 3 is about God’s kingdom. The children find out that it is important to obey the laws of God’s kingdom. They learn that the laws of God’s kingdom are different from any other laws. They are all about loving God and loving others.

Adventure 4 shows Jesus caring deeply about people. The children find out how he helped people by giving them food and using a small child to help him. This child reminds children to have faith, to offer themselves to God, to share, to give whatever they have and to receive many blessings in the process.

Adventure 5 is about Jesus’ power as it is demonstrated by his miracles. The children discover that Jesus only did miracles to help people, never for any other reason. His miracles showed his power, but especially also his love. They learn that he is the Lord of the universe and that he holds them in his hand.

Adventure 6 is about learning that Jesus is the good shepherd. They learn about the work of shepherds. The children are led to experience the feelings of safety and comfort that comes from knowing that they are children of God.

Adventure 7 is about thinking of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. The focus is on his love for us and his willingness to pay for our sins by giving up his life for us.

Adventure 8 is about sharing the joy of Jesus’ resurrection. They also discuss his last instruction to his followers as well as his promise that he would always be with his followers.

Unit 2 God’s new people

Teaching goals

1. An exciting beginning

2. Loving and obeying

3. Enemies wake up

4. Everyone is welcome

5. An enemy’s life is changed

6. Everyone is important

7. The church grows

8. Paul shows and tells

After Jesus’ resurrection he went back to his Father, but sent his Spirit to live in his followers. Jesus’ followers became his church. This unit describes the beginning of the church, and the way the Spirit helped them and gave them power to spread the good news about Jesus far and wide.

Adventure 1 is about the coming of the Holy Spirit and how he gave his followers power. As a result of their words and joy many people became believers. Children learn that the Spirit also lives in them and gives them courage to follow Jesus and love for his people.

Adventure 2 is about the first Christians, and that Jesus’ followers are always recognised by their love for God and their love for one another. They discuss ways to show their love for God and for one another.

Adventure 3 shows that as the number of Jesus’ followers increased so did the number of their enemies. They discover that the believers chose to obey God, not the people who wanted them to keep quiet about Jesus, and that the Spirit gave them courage and took away their fear. Children think about ways in which believers are persecuted today.

Adventure 4 is about discovering that God didn’t intend there to be any discrimination at all in the church. Everyone who believes in Jesus is part of the church. They look at the story of Peter and Cornelius, and how God told Peter that he treats everyone the same.

Adventure 5 helps the children think more about how everyone who believes in Jesus is part of the church, this time focussing on the fact that it does not matter what they did before they became believers. They find out how God changes people by looking at Paul’s conversion.

Adventure 6 looks at the role of anonymous believers who are willing to obey the Lord and do what he tells them to do without worrying about their own safety or happiness. Because of them, the church grew rapidly, and because of them the church still grows. Children examine the role of anonymous believers in Paul’s life, and think about their own role as part of Jesus’ church.

Adventure 7 shows how the church continued to grow beyond the borders of Judea because many apostles were willing to go wherever the Lord sent them. The children also find out that suffering is part of every believer’s life.

Adventure 8 is about Paul’s example. The children find out more by looking at Paul’s adventures in a prison in the town Philippi. Paul’s life and deeds were his greatest testimony, and children think about living in such a way that their actions, words and attitude point to Jesus.

Unit 3 The church today

Teaching goals

1. Jesus is coming back

2. Jesus sent his Spirit

3. Jesus gave his followers a job

4. Jesus’ followers love one another

5. Jesus’ followers wear armour

6. Jesus’ followers receive gifts

7. Jesus’ followers are like a body

8. Looking forward to going home

The last unit is about the church of today. Jesus’ followers are still relying on the power of the Holy Spirit in them, still working to obey Jesus’ instruction to spread the good news about his salvation all over the world, and still waiting for him to come back. In this unit the children will discover how they should live as part of the church while waiting for Jesus’ return.

Adventure 1 is about discovering more about Jesus’ promise to come back. They discuss what we know about that day, and focus on one of the ways they can spend time as they wait – by getting to know God through his Word.

Adventure 2 is about discovering more about the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They also get some practise in learning to listen to his voice.

Adventure 3 is about discovering more about Jesus’ command to spread the good news of his salvation all over the world. They learn what they can do in their situation, and how one part of spreading the good news is living a life of obedience to the Lord. They get some practise in becoming more like Jesus.

Adventure 4 is about discovering more about Jesus’ command to love one another, and that they can only do that by allowing the Spirit to grow his fruit in their lives. They discuss the meaning of the different kinds of spiritual fruit they are to bear.

Adventure 5 is about discovering that Jesus’ followers have special armour to protect them against their enemies and they learn how they can put on their armour.

Adventure 6 is about discovering the various gifts of the Spirit, with the focus on those gifts that are relevant to the children. They also learn more about the greatest gift of all – love.

Adventure 7 is about discovering what it means to say that the church is Christ’s body. They learn that they have a specific job in the church, a job that only they can do.

Adventure 8 is about the believers’ forever home, and the children discover a few good things about that home.

Teaching Notes

Unit 1 New Testament: God sends his Son

List of Adventures

1. God comes to us

2. Jesus brings joy

3. Jesus tells us about God’s kingdom

4. Jesus is always ready to help

5. Jesus is all-powerful

6. Jesus keeps his children safe

7. Jesus is our Saviour

8. Jesus is our King

God comes to us. This unit is about God’s plan of salvation for everyone who believes in him. God came to us in the form of his Son Jesus to teach us about his kingdom and to demonstrate his great love for us by giving his life. Every Adventure in this unit will highlight a different aspect of Jesus’ life and ministry.

Adventure 1 God comes to us

Adventure 1 sets the scene by discussing the day God became a human baby. Children discover that Jesus was a human being just like them. He knows exactly what it is like to be human. He understands them. They also discover something about his childhood and his obedience to his parents.

Preparation for Adventure 1 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of the Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 1 of the THB Adventure Guide: God sends his son

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s begin

Party Planner – you will find an example in the Activities section on page 54. You will need:

þ a sheet of paper for each child in the group

þ extra crayons or felt-tip pens for decorating

Let’s do it

Group activity

You will need:

þ a box in which to put the objects/drawings listed below

þ baby clothing, straw, a model of a manger, a star, a shepherd’s crook, a donkey, a sheep or some wool, a purple cloth, a small gift-wrapped box, something gold like a ring, incense, a camel, an angel, a crown

If these aren’t easy for you to find, let each child draw one item in the list above.

Family activity

Group and Family Activities are usually interchangeable. If you decide to do this as a Group activity, you will need to do the following preparation. The week before the activity ask the children to bring photos of when they were babies. Tell them to ask their parents/care givers about their birth and baby years so that they can share the stories in the group.

Individual activity

Each week encourage the children to do the Individual activity at home as a follow-up and to remind them of everything they learnt in class.

Advance planning for Adventure 2

Let’s do it

(Group or Family Activity)

Both activities will require the children to bring a small snack to class.

Adventure 2 Jesus brings joy

Adventure 2 is about the joy, happiness and peace of God’s kingdom. (This is a recurring theme in this unit.) In this Adventure the children find out about the wedding in Cana, where Jesus added to the people’s happiness by turning water into wine and celebrating with them.

Preparation for Adventure 2 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of the Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 1 Adventure Guide: God sends his Son

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s begin

You will need:

þ drinking straws, cotton balls or ping pong balls, paper plates, bag of raisins, refuse bags, balloons

þ ice cream and cones

Present each child with an ‘Ice Cream Torch’ for participating in the Fun Olympics. If this is difficult to arrange, you can give the children another small treat as a prize. Make sure every child receives a prize.

Let’s do it

Group activity

The week before this activity, ask the children the to bring snacks along to give away to other people.

Family activity

If you choose to do this as a Group activity, you will also need

þ a small snack for each child

Pool the snacks that you’ve asked them to bring so that everyone shares.

Adventure 3 Jesus tells us about God’s kingdom

Adventure 3 is about God’s kingdom. The children find out that the laws of God’s kingdom are different from any other laws. They learn that it is important to obey the kingdom’s laws. The laws of God’s kingdom are all about loving God and loving others.

Preparation for Adventure 3 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of the Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 1 Adventure Guide: God sends his Son

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s begin

To make this activity more fun, make crowns and sashes for the king or queen and the queen mother to wear.

Let’s live it

You will need:

þ a sheet of paper for each child

þ crayons, felt-tip pens and pencils

Adventure 4 Jesus is always ready to help

Adventure 4 shows that Jesus cares deeply about people. Children find out how he fed people and used a small child’s offering to help him. This child reminds children to have faith, to offer themselves to God, to share, to give whatever they have, and that they will receive many blessings in the process.

Preparation for Adventure 4 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of the Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 1 Adventure Guide: God sends his Son

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s begin

You will need the following items for each child in your group:

þ a square piece of paper and a pair of scissors

Let’s do it

Group activity

You will need the following items for each child in your group:

þ paper

þ crayons

Adventure 5 Jesus is all-powerful

Adventure 5 is about Jesus’ power as it was demonstrated by his miracles. The children discover that Jesus only did miracles to help people and never for selfish reasons. His miracles showed his power, but especially also his love. They learn that he is Lord of the universe and that he holds them in his hand.

Preparation for Adventure 5 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of the Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 1 Adventure Guide: God sends his Son

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s begin

Decide if you are going to have each child do their own experiment or if you are going to do one experiment for the class.

To do the experiment you will need:

þ glass/es

þ water

þ square/s of cardboard at least 5 centimetres (2 inches) wider than the rim of the glass

þ bucket/s or a basin/s (if there isn’t a wash basin in the classroom)

Then follow the instructions under Let’s begin on page 26.

Let’s do it

Group activity

You will need the following items for each child in your group:

þ two sheets of paper

þ crayons

Adventure 6 Jesus keeps his children safe

Adventure 6 helps children discover what it means when we say Jesus is the good shepherd. They find out about the work that shepherds do. They are led to experience the feelings of safety and comfort knowing that they are children of God.

Preparation for Adventure 6 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of the Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 1 Adventure Guide: God sends his Son

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s begin

You will need:

þ several lengths of cloth to use as blindfolds for each sheep

The shepherds must all be calling out at the same time, and the sheep must try to find their shepherd while they are blindfolded.

Let’s do it

Group activity

You will need the following for each child in your group:

þ a sheet of paper

þ crayons

Family activity

See the pattern of footprints on page 58. This can also be used as a Group activity

You will need the following for each person in the group:

þ a sheet of paper

þ crayons, felt-tip pens

Let’s pray

You will need:

þ light-weight card for each child to make a bookmark of the prayer

þ crayons, felt-tip pens

Let’s live it

You will need the following:

þ a postcard-size sheet of paper for each child to write their favourite verse on

þ crayons or felt-tip pens for decorating

Advance planning for Adventure 8

Prepare a list of the items needed. Ask the children to enlist the help of their parents/caregiver or an older sibling to collect these items. They must bring the items to class on week 7 so that you can be sure you have everything you need for the Let’s begin activity in week 8.

þ a plastic tray – the lid of a 5-litre ice cream container or any shallow plastic tray

þ one small flowerpot or a cottage cheese or similar sized container

þ 10 small stones or shells

þ 1 large flat stone – big enough to cover the mouth of the flowerpot or cottage cheese container

Adventure 7 Jesus is our Saviour

Adventure 7 helps the children think about Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. The focus is on his love for them and his willingness to pay for their sins by giving his life for them.

Preparation for Adventure 7 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of the Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 1 Adventure Guide: God sends his Son

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s begin

You will need the following for each child in your group:

þ a sheet of paper

þ crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s do it

Group activity

You will need the following:

þ roll of newsprint or brown paper

þ paints and brushes or crayons

Family activity

You will need the following:

þ paper

þ crayons

þ old magazines

Adventure 8 Jesus is our King

Adventure 8 encourages children to share in the joy of Jesus’ resurrection. They also discuss his last instructions to his followers as well as his promise that he will always be with his followers.

Preparation for Adventure 8 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of the Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 1 Adventure Guide: God sends his Son

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s do it

Resurrection Garden

Make sure that you have collected enough items from the children so that each child has what they need for their garden.

You will also need:

þ a bag of sand – enough to fill each garden and cover the flowerpot/cottage cheese container

þ greenery, flowers, leaves and other things to decorate the garden

þ one toothpick for each child

þ paper to make resurrection flags

þ glue, crayons, felt-tip pens

Unit 2 New Testament: God’s new people

List of Adventures

1. An exciting beginning

2. Loving and obeying

3. Enemies wake up

4. Everyone is welcome

5. An enemy’s life is changed

6. Everyone is important

7. The Church grows

8. Paul shows and tells

God’s new people. After Jesus’ resurrection he went back to his Father, but sent his Spirit to live in his followers. Jesus’ followers became his church. This unit describes the beginning of the church, and the way the Spirit helped them and gave them power to spread the good news about Jesus far and wide.

Adventure 1 An exciting beginning

Preparation for Adventure 1 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 2 of the THB Adventure Guide: God’s new people

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s begin

To make a volcano you will need:

Step 1

þ a cup

þ baking soda

þ water

þ a spoon

Step 2

Now you need:

þ 2 cups of white vinegar

þ ½ cup of cold water

þ 2 teaspoons of dishwashing liquid

þ 2 drops of food colouring

þ an empty 2-litre plastic bottle

Let’s do it

Family activity

You will need:

þ a sheet of paper for each person

þ crayons or felt-tip pens

þ a pair of scissors

Individual activity

This activity can be used as a Group activity as well. You will need:

þ a sheet of paper for each child

þ crayons or felt-tip pens

þ a pair of scissors

Adventure 2 Loving and obeying

Adventure 2 is about the first Christians. The children learn more about the first Christians, and that Jesus’ followers are always recognised by their love for God and their love for one another. They discuss ways to show their love for God and for one another.

Preparation for Adventure

Each child will need:

• their copy of Treasure Hunt Bible

2 class

• a copy of Unit 2 of the THB Adventure Guide: God’s new people

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s begin

You will need:

þ a sheet of paper for each child

þ crayons

Let’s do it

Group activity 1

You will need:

þ one card for each child (half with a minus sign and half with a plus sign)

þ 4 sweets for each child

Group activity 2

You will need:

þ large sheets of newsprint paper (enough for the number of times you will play the game) and large enough for a child to be able to lie down on

þ crayons

Family activity

þ each person must have a sheet of paper with a big heart drawn on it

Adventure 3 Enemies wake up

Adventure 3 shows that as the number of Jesus’ followers increased so did the number of their enemies. The children find out that Jesus’ followers acquired enemies when their numbers kept increasing. They discover that the believers chose to obey God, not the people who wanted them to keep quiet about Jesus, and that the Spirit gave them courage and took away their fear. Children think about ways in which believers are persecuted today.

Preparation for Adventure 3 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 2 of the THB Adventure Guide: God’s new people

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s begin

For the experiment you will need:

þ a bowl

þ ½ cup of milk

þ dishwashing liquid

þ a cotton bud

þ food colouring, more than one colour if you can

Let’s do it

Group activity

You will need:

þ a map of the world

þ paper to make flags

þ toothpicks

þ glue

þ re-usable putty-like adhesive to attach the flags to the map

Family activity

You will need:

þ a container with a lid

þ a felt-tip marker

Individual activity

If you decide to do this as a Group activity you will need:

þ one sheet of light-weight cardboard for each child

þ crayons, felt-tip pens, scissors, rulers, pencils, glue

Adventure 4 Everyone is welcome

Adventure 4 is about discovering that God didn’t intend there to be any discrimination at all in the church. Everyone who believes in Jesus is part of the church. They learn about the story of Peter and Cornelius and how God told Peter that he treats everyone the same.

Preparation for Adventure 4 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 2 of the THB Adventure Guide: God’s new people

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s begin

You will need the following items for each child in your group:

þ square sheet of paper

þ gold, red and green crayons or felt-tip pens

You will find complete instructions on page 59. Make an example in advance so that the children can have a completed sample to follow.

Let’s do it

Group activity

You will need the following items for each child in your group:

þ paper

þ crayons

Let’s live it

You will need the following for each child in your group:

þ a sheet of paper

þ crayons or felt-tip pens

Adventure 5 An enemy’s life is changed

Preparation for Adventure 5 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 2 of the THB Adventure Guide: God’s new people

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s begin

You will need the following items for each child in your group:

þ a pencil and an eraser

Let’s do it

Group

activity

You will need the following items for each child in your group:

þ seven strips of paper for each child

þ felt-tip pens or pencils

þ tape to stick their paper strips to their chests

Family activity

If you decide to do this as a Group activity, you will need the following items for each person in your group:

þ a sheet of paper

þ crayons and felt-tip pens

Individual activity

If you decide to do this in class as a Group activity, you will need the following items for each child in your group:

þ a sheet of paper

þ crayons and felt-tip pens

Adventure 6 Everyone is important

Preparation for Adventure 6 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 2 of the THB Adventure Guide: God’s new people

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s do it

Group activity

You will need the following items for each child in your group:

þ a small bowl

þ a spoon

þ snacks, such as pieces of fruit, popcorn or ice cream

Family activity

You will need the following:

þ a recipe (if you don’t have a recipe of your own use the one on page 61)

þ ingredients and apparatus to make the recipe

Individual activity

If you decide to make this a Group activity you will need the following for each child in the group:

þ paper for each child

þ tape to secure the paper around the thumb

þ a variety of items they can use to demonstrate the difficulty of using their hand without their thumb, such as combs, hairbrushes, toothbrushes, pencils

Let’s live it

You will need the following:

þ felt-tip pen (try to get one that will wash off)

Adventure 7 The Church Grows

Preparation for Adventure 7 class

Each child will need

• their copy of Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 2 of the THB Adventure Guide: God’s new people

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s begin

This activity can easily be changed to suit your circumstances.

þ 5 containers with lids (such as ice cream containers)

þ 5 cards for writing instructions

þ pens and crayons

þ a sheet of paper for each child in the group

Before the lesson:

The leader or another person writes the various tasks (see below) on paper and puts them in containers

Arrange the containers all over the room or play area

Put a ‘village leader’ at each station

Each child gets a card or piece of paper

Village 1 Write on the card: Say the alphabet out loud.

Village 2 Write on the card: Touch your toes without bending your knees five times.

Village 3 Write on the card: Drag yourself by your elbows around the village leader or hop around them on one leg.

Village 4 Write on the card: Run three times around the village leader – backwards.

Village 5 Write on the card: Spin around ten times and then walk five steps in a straight line.

Let’s do it

Group activity

You will need the following:

þ cloaks for the two children who will play Paul and Barnabas (you can make the cloaks from black refuse bags)

þ 2 walking sticks

þ sheets of paper to write the town names

þ felt-tip pens

þ re-usable putty-like adhesive or tape

Advance planning for Adventure 8

Let’s begin

Ask children to bring a favourite, interesting or funny item from home to use in the Show and Tell time. There is a suggested list in Adventure 8 on page 46.

Adventure 8 Paul shows and tells

Preparation for Adventure 8 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 2 of the THB Adventure Guide: God’s new people

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s begin

Make sure all the children have something to share in the Show and Tell time.

Let’s do it

Family activity

If you decide to use this as a Group activity you will need ropes to tie up Paul and Silas.

Unit 3 New Testament: The church today

List of Adventures

1. Jesus is coming back

2. Jesus sent his Spirit

3. Jesus gave his followers a job

4. Jesus’ followers love one another

5. Jesus’ followers wear armour

6. Jesus’ followers receive gifts

7. Jesus’ followers are like a body

8. Looking forward to going home

This unit is about the church of today. Jesus’ followers are still finding out that the Holy Spirit helps them to be brave and obedient. He also helps them to love others just as Jesus showed them. And they are waiting for him to come back. In this unit the children will discover how they should live as part of the church waiting for Jesus’ return.

Adventure 1 Jesus is coming back

Preparation for Adventure 1 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of the Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 3 of the THB Adventure Guide: The church today

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s begin

You will need:

þ a small container such as a hollowed out eggshell, a yogurt container or any similar small container for each child

þ soil to fill the container

þ grass seeds

þ water

þ felt-tip pens or paints and brushes to decorate the containers

þ you could also bring strips of ribbon, buttons and other decorations to use in decorating the grass heads

Let’s do it

Group and Individual activity

Each child will need their Treasure Hunt Bible

Let’s live it

This is what I will remember

You will need the following for each child in your group:

þ a sheet of paper

þ crayons

Adventure 2 Jesus sent his Spirit

The second adventure is about discovering more about the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They also get some practise in learning to listen to his voice.

Preparation for Adventure 2 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of the Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 3 of the THB Adventure Guide: The church today

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s begin

You will need music for the game.

Let’s do it

Group activity

You will need the following for each child in your group:

þ a sheet of paper

þ crayons, pens or pencils

Adventure 3 Jesus gave his followers a job

In the third adventure children think about Jesus’ instruction to spread the good news of his salvation all over the world. They learn what they can do in their situation, and how one part of spreading the good news is living a life of obedience to the Lord. They get some practise in becoming more like Jesus.

Preparation for Adventure

Each child will need:

3 class

• their copy of the Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 3 of the THB Adventure Guide: The church today

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s do it

Individual activity

This can also be a Group activity. If you decide to use it as a group activity, you will need the following for each child in your group:

þ a sheet of paper

þ crayons, pens or pencils

Let’s live it

This is what I will remember

You will need the following for each child in your group:

þ a sheet of paper

þ crayons

Adventure 4 Jesus’ followers love one another

Preparation for Adventure 4 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of the Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 3 of the THB Adventure Guide: The church today

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s begin

You will need the following:

þ a very large sheet of newsprint or brown paper

þ sheets of brightly coloured paper

þ felt-tip pens

þ scissors

þ glue

Let’s do it

Group activity

You will need the following:

þ a device with which to play praise music. You can use a flash drive, USB stick, MP3 player, your cellphone or even a tape recorder. Or someone can play the piano or a musical instrument

þ enough chairs for all the children in your group

þ sheet of paper and felt-tip pens

þ a poster size sheet of paper

Individual activity

This can also be a Group activity

See the picture of the orange on page 56.

Let’s pray

You will need the following for each child in your group:

þ a strip of paper suitable to make a bookmark

þ crayons or felt-tip pens

Advance planning for Adventure 5

Ask the group to collect and bring recyclable materials to class for the Group activity next week. Things such as old newspapers, cardboard, rubbish bags, wool, string and any other objects that can be used to make armour. Make sure that you have enough extra materials for visitors or children who are unable to contribute.

Adventure 5 Jesus’ followers wear armour

Adventure 5 is about discovering that Jesus’ followers have special armour to protect them against their enemies and they learn how they can put on their armour.

Preparation for Adventure 5 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of the Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 3 of the THB Adventure Guide: The church today

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s do it

Group activity

You will need the following:

þ the recyclable materials you collected (make sure that you have enough for all the children in your group)

þ crayons, paints and brushes

þ glue, tape, stapler and staples

Individual activity

This can also be used as a Group activity

If you use this as a group activity, you will need the following:

þ a sheet of paper for each child in your group

þ one-hole punch

þ a ball of string for the shoelaces

Let’s live it

This is what I will remember

You will need the following for each child in your group:

þ a sheet of paper for each child

þ crayons or felt tip pens

Adventure 6 Jesus’ followers receive gifts

Adventure 6 is about discovering the various gifts of the Spirit, with the focus on those gifts that are relevant to the children. They also learn more about the greatest gift of all – love.

Preparation for Adventure 6 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of the Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 3 of the THB Adventure Guide: The church today

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Adventure 7 Jesus’ followers are like a body

Adventure 7 is about discovering what it means to say that the church is Christ’s body. They learn that they have a specific job in the church, a job that only they can do.

Preparation for Adventure 7 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of the Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 3 of the THB Adventure Guide: The church today

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s do it

Group activity

You can make photocopies of the jigsaw pattern on page 62 if you think it will be difficult for the children to copy it by hand.

You will need the following for each child in your group:

þ a sheet of medium-weight cardboard

þ crayons, felt-tip pens

þ scissors

Individual activity

This can also be done as a Group activity.

Advance planning for Adventure 8

Let’s begin

Ask the children to bring old magazines and newspapers to class next week. Make sure that you have enough magazines and newspapers for those who are unable to bring.

Let’s pray

Each child must try to find a feather and a flower to bring to class next week. Make sure that you have extra for those who are not able to bring.

Adventure 8 Looking forward to going home

The last adventure is about the believers’ forever home, and the children discover a few good things about that home.

Preparation for Adventure 8 class

Each child will need:

• their copy of the Treasure Hunt Bible

• a copy of Unit 3 of the THB Adventure Guide: The church today

• a pencil, eraser, crayons and felt-tip pens

Let’s begin

You will need the following for each child in your group:

þ a sheet of paper

þ crayons, felt-tip pens

Let’s do it

Group activity

You will need the following:

þ a large sheet of cardboard for the collage

þ magazines and newspapers

þ scissors

þ glue

þ a sheet of paper for each child

þ crayons, felt-tip pens

Individual activity

This can also be done as a Group activity

Let’s pray

You will need the following for each child in your group:

þ a feather and a flower

þ a sheet of paper

þ crayons, felt-tip pens

Lesson Planners UNIT 1

THB Adventure Guide Unit 1 New Testament:

Group leaders and teachers often find there is more material in a unit than they can cover in the allotted time. This Teacher’s Manual offers suggestions on how you can divide the Treasure Hunt Bible (THB) Adventure Guide material so you can use it effectively.

You may also have your own ideas on how to divide the material. Whichever one you choose, remember the aim of each unit, and make sure you cover it in your lessons.

Try to accommodate as many of the learning styles as you can. You won’t be able to use all of them in one lesson but try to use all of them over one unit.

Remember that we tend to focus on the learning styles we are most comfortable with, so be aware of your own learning style. Even though you may not be comfortable with the other learning styles, don’t let it prevent you from using them so that all the children can learn. You may find you enjoy them yourself.

You know the children in your group best, so adapt the learning materials to their needs. Study each adventure carefully and decide which approach will work best for the children in your group. Some children need a lot of activity, while others like to sit quietly and listen to their teacher. Their needs can also change from day to day. Be aware of their current moods and try to be ready for any challenge. An impossible task? Of course! But the Lord will guide you and teach you. You can trust him!

Unit 1 - Adventure 1 God comes to us

In Unit 1, the children will learn that Jesus came to earth and lived among the people to show them how to live full of joy and peace. He also wanted to show them how much God loved them.

In Adventure 1, the children learn about Jesus’ birth and his childhood. He was a baby and a child just like them. He knows what it is like to be a child. You can divide Adventure 1 into two lessons:

a. Jesus’ birth

b. Jesus’ childhood

Adventure 1a Jesus comes to earth as a baby

Let’s begin

Plan a welcome party with the group. Use their suggestions in the party planner (see Unit 1, page 54).

If you don’t have time to plan the party, decorate the room with balloons and welcome signs. When the children arrive, tell them that this lesson is a welcoming party. Give all the activities a festive mood so that the children feel welcome.

Ready, steady, go

Discuss welcoming parties and birthday parties, and then do this activity in full. Discuss Jesus’ birth and read Luke 2:8–16.

Let’s do it

Do the Group activity. You can do it before the Let’s talk activity. Gather the objects or pictures together before beginning the activity and put them in a bag. Give each child a chance to take out one object or picture. The child must explain how it relates

to Jesus’ birth. If they don’t know, they can put the object back and take out another one. Allow the other children to help if the child doing the activity is struggling to relate the object to Jesus’ birth.

You can also arrange the objects in the correct sequence and then ask the children about them. At the end of the activity, you will have covered the story of Jesus’ birth.

Let’s talk

Explain that God sent Jesus to live with a human family because he loves us all. Read about Jesus’ family in Mark 6:3.

Let’s read the Bible

Do this activity in full.

Read the verses given in this section and discuss them with the children.

Let’s understand

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Story time

Read or tell the story of the soldiers’ first Christmas in the First World War. If you don’t have time for it, leave it for the next lesson.

Let’s pray

Read Matthew 11:25–26.

Explain this portion of scripture, and then pray together.

Thank the Lord for sending his Son to us.

Ask the Lord to help you all to understand his Word.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember activity.

Concentrate on helping the children memorise Luke 2:10–11. Repeat the verse a few times, and then let the children repeat it together. Get volunteers to repeat the verse aloud from memory. Tell the other children to help if the volunteers forget part of the verse.

For the next lesson

Ask the children to find out about the day when they were born and the day of their baptism, christening or dedication. Ask them to bring photographs if their parents or guardians allow it (see the Family activity in the Let’s do it section in Unit 1, page 7).

Adventure 1b Jesus was a child just like you

Let’s begin

Start by doing the Family activity from the Let’s do it section (see Unit 1, page 7). Adapt it for a group setting.

Ask the children to tell you about the day they were born and the day of their baptism, christening or dedication. Keep in mind that different churches have different traditions. The children can show each other photographs of this special day. If the lesson takes place at your church, show them the baptismal font or the place where baptisms take place.

Ready, steady, go

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s talk

Go through this activity again in full.

Ask the children questions about Jesus’ birth to see how much they remember from the last lesson.

Ask them: What happened on the day he was born that was special? How do these events show us that Jesus was not an ordinary baby?

Tell the children how everyone thought Jesus was an ordinary baby and boy like all the other babies and boys in the village.

Ask them: Who was Jesus really?

Let’s read the Bible

Repeat this activity in full.

Let’s understand

Do this activity in full.

Make sure the children understand that Jesus was the same as all the other children in Nazareth but, at the same time, he was different from them.

Let’s do it

Do the Individual activity and adapt it for a group setting. Before this lesson, try to find a book about the meaning of people’s names or use the internet to look up the children’s names and their meanings. Make a list of them so that you have it with you for this activity.

Ask the children what their names mean. Some may know and others may not. Tell everyone what their names mean according to the book or the list from the internet. Children are usually intrigued by the meaning of their names.

Story time

Read or tell the story of the soldiers’ first Christmas in the First World War, if you didn’t do this activity in the last lesson.

Let’s pray

Repeat this activity in full. Pray together.

Thank the Lord for each child in your group. Thank him that he has a special plan for each one of them. Ask the Lord to help you all to obey him in everything you do.

Let’s live it

Focus on the This is what I will do activity. Discuss the angel’s news and why it was good news for everyone on earth. Let the children decide who they want to tell about the angel’s good news. Send them off to go and do it.

Unit 1 - Adventure 2 Jesus brings joy

In Adventure 2, the children learn about the joy that Jesus brings into our lives. The adventure starts at the wedding at Cana, a joyful occasion, where Jesus turned water into wine so that the festivities could continue.

You can divide Adventure 2 into two lessons:

a. Jesus brings us joy

b. We can give joy to other people

Adventure 2a Jesus brings us joy

Let’s begin

Practise for the Fun Olympics. Divide the children into teams. Give each team a chance to take part in the different events.

You don’t have to hand out prizes as this is a practise session before the Fun Olympics in the next lesson.

Ready, steady, go

Ask the children which of the Fun Olympic events they enjoyed the most. Then ask them about other activities they enjoy.

Ask them: Have you noticed that you have more fun when you help one another? Explain how when they argue about whose turn is next or about using the equipment or toys, someone will always become unhappy or lonely.

Let’s talk

Tell the children about Jesus’ life in Nazareth. His father was a carpenter, and he taught Jesus to be a carpenter too. Do Crafty’s activity (see Unit 1, page 11). List all the items the children name.

Tell the children about God’s announcement after Jesus was baptised by John. And how, from that moment on, Jesus wasn’t a carpenter any more. He was ready to do the work God had planned for him.

Reassure the children that Joseph, Jesus’ father on earth, had other sons who could help him in his carpenter shop. Remind them what the Bible says about Jesus’ family in Mark 6:3. Jesus’ new job was to tell people about God and about his love for them. Tell the children they will learn how he did this.

Let’s read the Bible

Do part of this activity with the group.

Read John 2:1–2, and end with the question: What did Jesus do so that the people of Cana could continue to enjoy the wedding feast?

Then tell them that they will find out in the next lesson.

Let’s understand

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s do it

Do the Family activity and adapt it for a group setting. Make sure you have a supply of funny stories to tell or riddles for the children before you begin this activity.

Read Proverbs 17:22 and then do the activity. End the activity by giving each child a snack if you can.

Story time

Read or tell the story of the unhappy boy who discovered joy. If you don’t have time for it, leave it for the next lesson.

Let’s pray

Do this activity with the group.

If you had snacks at the end of the Let’s do it activity, pray together and thank the Lord for the snacks. If you didn’t have snacks, remind the children to pray before every meal. Give them an example of a mealtime prayer. Here are some well-known prayers you can share with them:

Bless us, Lord, and the food you have given us to enjoy. Amen.

Lord, thank you for the food before us, the family and friends beside us and the love between us. Amen. God, we thank you for this food. For rest and home and all things good. For wind and rain and sun above. But most of all for those we love. Amen.

We thank you, Lord, for all you give; the food we eat, the lives we live. Please send your blessings to our loved ones far away. And help us all to live our days with thankful hearts and loving ways. Amen. Lord, make us truly thankful for these and all other blessings. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I want to remember activity. Remind the children that Jesus wants us to be full of joy. He gives us joy when we belong to him and follow him. But we must make the decision to stop complaining or being grumpy and to start counting our blessings.

Help the children to memorise Philippians 4:4.

Adventure 2b We can give joy to other people

Let’s begin

Do the Fun Olympics again, but this time it will be a competition. Remind the children that the Fun Olympics isn’t about having good sports skills. Allow each team to choose one or two members (depending on numbers) to take part in each event. Every team member must take part. Teammates must encourage and cheer on the participants. And everyone must applaud the winning team.

Give everyone a snack as a prize for taking part and having fun together.

Ready, steady, go

Ask the children: Have you noticed that you have more fun when you share it with friends? Tell them how helping other people or giving them something is also a lot of fun!

Let’s talk

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s read the Bible

Ask the children questions about the first part of the story of the wedding at Cana to see how much they remember from the last lesson.

Read John 2:1–2 again and then John 2:6–11.

Let’s understand

Do this activity in full.

Emphasise the two aspects of Jesus’ miracle at Cana:

1. Jesus did this miracle because he wanted to bring joy to his followers.

2. He also did the miracle to show the people his power. He is the Son of God, and he is all-powerful.

Let’s do it

Do the Group activity

You don’t have to go to a nearby park if you don’t have time. You can do the activity in the grounds of the building where you are having your lesson. Go outside to pick up litter. If you can’t do it for half an hour, do it for five to ten minutes. Afterwards, praise the children for picking up the litter and let everyone wash their hands. Put the snacks that the children brought together and divide it among the children. They must go and offer it to people outside. If there are no people outside, tell them to take it home and give it to someone else.

In the next lesson, ask them what happened when they gave the snacks away.

Story time

Read or tell the story of the unhappy boy who discovered joy, if you didn’t do this activity in the last lesson.

Let’s pray

Repeat this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity.

Give the children some time to think of things they can do for others when they get home. In the next lesson, ask them what happened.

Unit 1 - Adventure 3 Jesus tells us about God’s kingdom

In Adventure 3, the children learn about God’s kingdom. Jesus told us about God’s kingdom and showed us that its laws were different from other kingdom’s laws. God wants us to love him and love other people.

This adventure is based on the parable of the Good Samaritan. The focus must be on giving the children opportunities to do good things for other people.

You can divide Adventure 3 into two lessons:

a. People in God’s kingdom are kind

b. People in God’s kingdom help one another

Adventure 3a People in God’s kingdom are kind

Let’s begin

Play the game with the group.

In this lesson, you may only have time to have one royal family and a few activities. If the child who is playing the king or queen can’t think of a silly order, give them some suggestions.

Ready, steady, go

Discuss some of the laws the children would like to have in their kingdom if they were a king or queen.

Let’s talk

Do this activity in full.

Let’s read the Bible

Do this activity in full.

Let’s understand

Do this activity in full.

Let’s do it

Ask the children what happened when they gave the snacks from the last lesson away. Then do the Individual activity and adapt it for a group setting. Put all the children’s names in a container. Each child must take out one name. Then they must be kind to or do something kind for that person. They must be kingdom-children to that person.

Explain that being kind means doing ordinary, everyday things, like saying ‘Hello’ every morning or helping to pick up something that someone dropped. Tell the children to look for opportunities to be kind.

Tell the children that they must report back on their kind deeds in the next lesson.

Story time

Read or tell the story of the girl who helped to build a house for a Sunday school. If you don’t have time for it, leave it for the next lesson.

Let’s pray

Help the children to memorise the Lord’s prayer. Say the prayer together a few times, using the pictures as a guide. Then say the prayer together without the pictures.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember activity. The children must choose the part of the story they want to remember. Tell them to draw it on a sheet of paper and let them take it home with them.

Adventure 3b People in God’s kingdom help one another

Let’s begin

Ask for volunteers to share a story of another child being kind to them. Remind the children of the story of the Good Samaritan. Let them role-play the story. Do the role play twice with different role players the second time.

Ready, steady, go

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s talk

Discuss God’s kingdom and its rules with the children. Talk about the man who asked about God’s laws.

Ask the children: What was Jesus’ answer? What are the most important two rules in God’s kingdom?

(Answer: Love God; love people.)

Let’s read the Bible

Repeat this activity in full.

Let’s understand

Repeat this activity in full.

Ask the children: What did Jesus tell us to do? Then repeat these short instructions a few times:

• Help people.

• Be kind.

• Love others.

Let’s do it

Ask the children to report back on the kind things they did for the person whose name they picked.

Ask them: Did you find a way to be kind or to help the person? How were you kind to them? Then do the Group activity

Discuss the different situations in which a child at school may need a Good Samaritan. (Examples: spilling their water, falling down and getting hurt, not being able to reach somewhere high, not knowing where to go, forgetting a pencil or book at home, someone being mean to someone else.)

Choose one of the situations and role-play it with the group. Repeat the role-play using as many different situations as you can in the time available.

Remind the children that they must be kind in practical and everyday ways.

Story time

Read or tell the story of the girl who helped to build a house for a Sunday school, if you didn’t do this activity in the last lesson.

Let’s pray

Repeat the Lord’s prayer, first with the pictures and then without them.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity.

Read Colossians 3:12–14 and tell the children to make a list of the things you read in it.

• Be kind.

• Don’t be proud.

• Be gentle.

• Be patient.

• Put up with one another.

• Forgive one another.

• Love one another.

Let the children work in pairs to think of ways in which they can do these things at school and at home.

Unit 1 - Adventure 4 Jesus is always ready to help

In Adventure 4, the children learn that Jesus loved people. One day, he showed them that he loved them by giving them food because they were hungry. When he found a boy who wanted to help, he accepted his help. Then he turned two small fish and five small loaves of bread into enough food for thousands of people. Jesus can use whatever we give him, even when we are small and don’t feel important, and perform miracles with our gifts. You can divide Adventure 4 into two lessons:

a. Sharing is helping

b. The Lord does great things with our small deeds

Adventure 4a Sharing is helping

Let’s begin

Demonstrate the strange thing that happens to a square piece of paper when you cut off a corner. Sharing is like that. You think you are going to lose something but in the end you have more!

Ready, steady, go

Discuss the topic of sharing.

Ask the children what they share at home (such as food, TV, toys) and at school. Most children find it difficult to share with others.

Ask the children how they feel when their parents or teachers expect them to share. Ask them: What do you hate most about sharing? What do you like about sharing?

Explain that we often are unwilling to share but, once we do, we find that sharing is good. (Examples: sharing food, which can become a feast; or sharing toys, which can help them make friends and may lead to better games.)

Let’s talk

Do this activity in full.

Tell the children how Jesus was always willing to help people. Then read Hebrews 4:15, and tell the children that Jesus understands their feelings. Discuss how easy it is to get lost in a crowd (in shops, on the street, at a sports stadium, at church) when you are small.

Ask the children to share their stories of becoming lost in a crowd. Most children will have a story to tell, so limit the time for this. Then talk about the large crowds that followed Jesus.

Let’s read the Bible

Read John 6:1–9.

Ask the children: Where do you think the people were going to get food?

Discuss the boy who was in the crowd. Nobody noticed him, but he was listening to Jesus. He heard Jesus saying that the people were hungry. Everyone around him was hungry, but he was happy because his mother had given him food for the day. He had only enough food for himself, and the crowd was big.

Ask the children: Do you think the boy could help the hungry crowd?

Stop this activity after discussing the question: What did Andrew think when the boy offered his food?

Tell the children they will find out how the little boy helped Jesus to feed the hungry crowd.

Let’s understand

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s do it

Do the Group activity

Change the term ‘give away’ at the beginning of this activity to ‘share’.

Story time

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity.

Encourage the children to talk to their parents or a friend about giving something to someone else and then to go and do it.

Adventure 4b The Lord does great things with our small deeds

Let’s begin

Ask the children if they remember what happens when you cut off corners from a square piece of paper. You can do a quick demonstration to remind them.

Ready, steady, go

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s talk

Discuss the following with the children: feeling sad, lonely, hurt, small or scared. Tell the children that everyone feels like that sometimes. Talk about Jesus when he was their age.

Ask them: Did Jesus ever feel these feelings?

Read Hebrews 4:15, and discuss it with the children.

Remind the children that Jesus knows exactly how they feel. That’s why he was always ready to help. That’s why the day that the little boy decided to help Jesus was a very good day.

Let’s read the Bible

Ask the children questions to see what they remember from the last lesson. Then read John 6:1–14.

Let’s understand

Do this activity in full.

Let’s do it

Do the Family activity and adapt it for a group setting. You can also combine some of the elements of the Individual activity with the Family activity

The children can help one another identify their gifts and/or talents and the things they love to do. Help them discover different ways of sharing their gifts and interests to help others.

Story time

Read or tell the story of the young man who gave everything that he had and asked God to use it.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember activity.

Ask the children which verse they want to memorise. Repeat the verse together several times. The children can write the verse on cards or in their notebooks. Ask them to learn the verse by heart during the week.

Unit 1 - Adventure 5 Jesus is all-powerful

In Adventure 5, the children learn about one of Jesus’ miracles. Jesus only did miracles to help people. He loved people, and he wanted to show them his love. His miracles also showed them that he was all-powerful. He could do things that other human beings couldn’t do. You can divide Adventure 5 into two lessons:

a. Miracles show Jesus’ love

b. Miracles show Jesus’ power

Adventure 5a Miracles show Jesus’ love

Let’s begin

Show the children how to hold a glass of water upside down without spilling any water.

Ready, steady, go

Explain the difference between magic and science (see Unit 1, page 29). Then explain what a miracle is.

Let’s talk

Tell the children that Jesus often performed miracles that showed that he was in control of nature and used the miracles to help people. That’s why he turned water into wine and fed thousands of people with two fish and five loaves. Jesus could also control the weather. Tell the children that they will read about that next.

Let’s read the Bible

Read Mark 4:35–41.

Discuss the questions in this activity.

Let’s understand

Discuss the questions in this activity but only refer to the miracle told in Mark 4:35–41. Emphasise that Jesus’ miracles showed his power, but they especially showed his love for his disciples. He wanted to show them that he would always keep them safe, even in a storm.

Let’s do it

Do the Family activity and adapt it for a group setting. Ask the children to share stories about Jesus helping them and their families in a special way. Then tell them to draw a picture of the event for them to take home.

Story time

Read or tell the story of the family that was saved in a special way. If you don’t have time for it, leave it for the next lesson.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity. Ask the children to share their pictures with their families and to ask family members about other occasions when Jesus helped them.

Adventure 5b Miracles show Jesus’ power

Let’s begin

Do the Group activity (see Unit 1, page 31) as an introductory activity.

Ready, steady, go

Ask the children if they remember the difference between magic tricks, science and miracles.

Let’s talk

This lesson focuses on another one of Jesus’ miracles, which showed his power over Satan and his evil spirits. The evil spirits knew who Jesus was, and they were afraid of him. They knew that he was the Son of God and that he was stronger than they were.

Let’s

read the Bible

Read Mark 5:1–20. Discuss the questions in this activity.

Let’s understand

Discuss the questions in this activity but only refer to the miracle told in Mark 5:1–20. Emphasise that Jesus’ miracles showed his power but, more than that, it showed his love for people. He didn’t want people to be tormented by evil spirits. He wanted them to be happy and safe. That’s why he sent the evil spirits away. He could do it because he was stronger than those spirits, and stronger than their leader, Satan.

Let’s do it

Do the Family activity again and adapt it for a group setting. The Family activity refers to everyday miracles, while the Group activity, which you did in the Let’s begin section of this lesson refers to miracles in nature.

Discuss miracles in nature and everyday miracles with the children. Remind them that everyday happenings in nature are all everyday miracles (such as the sun rising every morning, rainbows, flowers blooming, trees growing from small seeds, animals that have adapted to their environment).

Other everyday miracles include the children’s health, their parents being able to work and provide for them, having parents, being able to go to school, having good friends, and church. Let the children draw their three favourite everyday miracles and put them up on a wall. Tell the children to talk to their family members about other everyday miracles.

Story time

Read or tell the story of the family that was saved in a special way, if you didn’t do this activity in the last lesson.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity.

Let’s pray

Use the activity in the This is what I will do section to pray together. Give the children the opportunity to thank the Lord for a miracle they experience every day.

Unit 1 - Adventure 6 Jesus keeps his children safe

In Adventure 6, the children learn what it means when we say Jesus is the good shepherd. They learn that he wants to be their good shepherd, to care for them and keep them safe. You can divide Adventure 6 into two lessons:

a. Jesus is the good shepherd

b. Jesus is my shepherd

Adventure 6a Jesus is the good shepherd

Let’s begin

Play the listening game with the group.

Ready, steady, go

Discuss the experience of listening for the shepherd’s voice and following it. Ask the children: Was it difficult or easy? Was it always easy to hear the shepherd’s voice? What confused you? What helped you?

Don’t discuss the section about following someone who didn’t show you the right path. You will discuss this in the next lesson.

Let’s talk

Tell the children about a shepherd’s job in the time of the Bible.

Let’s read the Bible

Read John 10:1–6 and 11–13. Discuss the questions in this activity. Don’t read Psalm 23. You will do this in the next lesson.

Let’s understand

Don’t discuss the comparison with Psalm 23 in this lesson. You will do this in the next lesson. Tell the children what John 10:11 means. Explain why Jesus was going to die for his followers.

Let’s do it

Do the Family activity and adapt it for a group setting. Tell the children to take their timelines home to show their families.

Story time

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s pray

Do this activity with the group. Allow the children to pray for their families and friends.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember activity.

Adventure 6b The Lord is my shepherd

Let’s begin

Play the listening game again.

Ready, steady, go

Ask the children if they remember the different kinds of shepherds. There are good shepherds and bad shepherds.

Ask them: What do bad shepherds do? Have you ever followed someone who didn’t show you the right way?

This is a difficult, but important subject. This is a chance to help the children to be aware of bad people. Teach them that they shouldn’t follow an adult or older child because they are older than them. Teach them the tips given in this activity and help them to memorise them.

Let’s talk

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s read the Bible

Read Psalm 23 with the group.

Ask the children: Who was David’s shepherd?

Let’s understand

Discuss all the things that David’s shepherd did for him.

Ask the children: Why was David never afraid? How can you be like David?

Ask them about the things Jesus said in John 10 to remind the children that Jesus is their shepherd, and that he loves them so much that he was willing to die for them.

Let’s do it

Do the Group activity

Story time

Read or tell the story of a young man who followed Jesus because he knew Jesus was his shepherd.

Let’s pray

Do this activity with the group.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity.

Unit 1 - Adventure 7 Jesus is our Saviour

In Adventure 7, the children learn more about Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Because he loves us, he was willing to die for us. He died so that we could be his followers and live with him for ever in heaven.

When this adventure is divided into two parts, there will be some repetition. This will help the children to remember and reflect on what they have learnt.

You can divide Adventure 7 into two lessons:

a. Jesus died for us

b. Jesus died for us because he loves us

Adventure 7a Jesus died for us

Let’s begin

Show the children the recipe (see Unit 1, page 59).

Encourage them to write their own recipe. Help them if they have any difficulties.

Ready, steady, go

Do this activity in full.

Discuss the ways in which God shows us that he loves us.

Let’s talk

Tell the children about Jesus’ ministry, his capture and his trial. Don’t focus on the terrible and cruel aspects of his crucifixion and death. Keep the focus on Jesus.

You will discuss what Jesus said as he was dying on the cross in the next lesson.

Let’s read the Bible

Read Mark 15:29; 31–32; 39.

Discuss Jesus’ crucifixion and the events and people around it.

Let’s understand

Do this activity in full.

Let’s do it

Do the Family activity and adapt it for a group setting. Encourage the children to do the same activity at home with their families.

Story time

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember activity. The children can make bookmarks shaped like a cross with Mark 15:39 written on it.

Adventure 7b Jesus died for us because he loves us

Let’s begin

Begin the lesson with the Story time activity. Read or tell the story of the candy cane. If you can’t find a real candy cane to show the children, you can make one with wire bent in the correct shape and covered with red and white paper. Use the picture in the story as a guide. Hand out pictures of candy canes to the children or have them draw candy canes as memory aids. Explain the meaning of the shape and the colours used in a candy cane.

Ready, steady, go

Ask a few volunteers to explain the meaning of the candy cane to the class, using the pictures you gave them or their own drawings. Allow the other children to help the child explaining if they have difficulties.

Encourage the children to show their pictures to their families and to tell them what it means.

Let’s talk

Discuss Jesus’ life and how he was betrayed and sentenced to death. Again, don’t focus on the terrible and cruel aspects of his crucifixion and death. Focus on his words on the cross as described in the next activity.

Let’s read the Bible

Read the verses from Luke 23 listed in this activity one at a time. Discuss each verse with the children.

Let’s understand

Repeat this activity in full.

Let’s do it

Do the Group activity

Story time

If you have time, you can ask children to explain the meaning of a candy cane again.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity.

Read John 3:16 and explain to the children how someone can become a child of God.

Unit 1 - Adventure 8 Jesus is our king

In Adventure 8, the children learn how Jesus died for us on the cross, and then he rose from the dead! And since that day, he is always with each one of his followers. That is his promise to us. He also told his followers what they had to do while they were here on earth. You can divide Adventure 8 into two lessons:

a. Jesus is alive

b. Jesus is always with us

Let’s begin

Adventure 8a Jesus is alive

Play the game of contrasts, ending with sad and happy faces.

Ready, steady, go

Do this activity in full.

Discuss the feelings of sadness and happiness. Then discuss what the disciples felt after Jesus died.

Let’s talk

Do this activity in full.

Explain how the sad and scared disciples suddenly became bold and happy.

Let’s read the Bible

Do this activity in full.

Let’s understand

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s do it

Do the Group activity.

Compare the resurrection garden with the pictures that the children drew of Jesus’ crucifixion on the roll of paper in Adventure 7.

Ask the children: Which one makes you sad? Which one makes you happy?

Story time

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember activity.

Adventure 8b Jesus is always with us

Let’s begin

Do the Individual activity (see Unit 1, page 43) as an introduction to this lesson. Let the children draw the outline of a cross on a sheet of paper. Then they must write or draw some of the things they did wrong today inside the cross. Try to find pictures or real-life examples of the life cycle of a butterfly and explain it to the children.

Ready, steady, go

Read John 1:9.

Explain how Jesus can also change us, just as he changes caterpillars into butterflies.

Let’s talk

When Jesus died and rose from the dead, his followers also changed from being very sad to very happy.

Review and discuss the events around Jesus’ resurrection.

Let’s read the Bible

Repeat this activity in full.

Let’s understand

Do this activity in full.

Read Matthew 28:18–20.

After Jesus had risen from the dead, he often met with his followers to explain to them what was going to happen. He also gave them a job, and the promise in these verses.

Let’s do it

Do the Family activity and adapt it for a group setting. The children can draw the meals they want to have when Jesus visits them. They can also make a list of questions to ask him.

This is a fun activity because the children can use their imagination. Remind them that Jesus is always with them even though they can’t see him. They can also talk to him wherever they are!

Story time

Tell or read the story of Mother Teresa.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity. Make sure that you link this activity to Mother Teresa’s story.

What do you remember?

You can spend one lesson on the activities mentioned in Unit 1, page 52. You can divide the children into teams and make this activity a fun, competitive event.

Competitive event 1

1. All the teams must find the Bible passages. The first team to find a passage must ask a team member to stand up.

2. The first team to have all their members standing in a row wins 100 points.

3. Everyone must congratulate the winners.

Competitive event 2

1. Assign a Bible passage to a team.

2. Each team must read their Bible passage aloud, one team at a time.

3. The first team member must only read the first two words, then the next team member reads the following two words. The team must continue this pattern until they reach the end of the Bible passage.

4. The team who read their Bible passage without stumbling wins 100 points.

5. Everyone must congratulate the winners.

Competitive event 3

1. Each team must connect the Bible passage to the correct picture.

2. The first team to do this must stand up. Check their answers.

3. Give the team 100 points for each correct answer.

4. Everyone must congratulate the winners.

Non-competitive event

1. Divide the children into teams.

2. Each team must role-play the story of one of the Bible passages.

3. Everyone on the team must have a role, even if they have to be part of the setting (a rock or tree) or by producing background noise (waves or wind).

Around the world

Tell the children to complete their trip around the world on the map in Unit 1, page 53.

Lesson Planners UNIT 2

THB Adventure Guide Unit 2 New Testament:

In this Teacher’s Manual, we continue to offer a suggestion on how you can divide the Treasure Hunt Bible (THB) Adventure Guide material, so that you can use it effectively, and still deliver the main message of the adventure.

You may also have your own ideas on how to divide the material. Whichever one you choose, remember the aim of each unit, and make sure you cover it in your lessons.

Try to accommodate as many of the learning styles as you can. You won’t be able to use all of them in one lesson but try to use all of them over one unit.

New Testament Unit 2 God’s new people

In Unit 1, the children discovered more about Jesus’ life. They also discovered that, although he was put to death, he rose from the dead and then went back to his Father in heaven. In Unit 2, the children will discover what happened next. What did his disciples do? Was Jesus still with them as he had promised? And how could that be?

Unit 2 - Adventure 1 An exciting beginning

In Adventure 1, the children learn what happened when Jesus left his disciples and followers and went back to his Father in heaven. At first, they were very sad, but then something very exciting happened to them. They learnt that Jesus was still with them! His Spirit was going to live in them and help them. That made them so happy that many other people also wanted to be like them and began to follow Jesus. You can divide Adventure 1 into two lessons:

a. A miracle!

b. The beginning of the church

Adventure 1a A miracle!

Let’s begin

Demonstrate the experiment of the volcano in a bottle. Practise this at home first before the lesson. Also make sure that your baking soda is fresh.

Ready, steady, go

Explain what caused the liquid to overflow in the bottle. Remember to link the overflowing liquid to the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s talk

Do this activity in full.

Let’s read the Bible

Explain what the disciples did after Jesus went back to heaven, then read Acts 2:1–4. Make a list of the four things that happened in the room. Explain that this was the miracle that changed Jesus’ followers – and the whole world. Stop at this point.

Let’s understand

Go through the first three paragraphs of this activity. Focus on the fact that the Holy Spirit lives in Jesus’ followers to help them.

Let’s do it

Do the Group activity. Focus on how the Holy Spirit helps Jesus’ followers when they are afraid.

Tell the children to write a rap song about 2 Timothy 1:7.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember activity.

Adventure 1b The beginning of the church

Let’s begin

Do the Individual activity (see Unit 2, page 7) as an introduction to this lesson. Demonstrate how a real torch works. The children must draw a torch on a sheet of paper and write the entire verse on their torch. If you don’t have enough time, only do the demonstration.

Ready, steady, go

Remind the children that the Holy Spirit lives in everyone who follows Jesus. Explain how the Holy Spirit helps them.

Let’s talk

Ask the children questions about the miracle of the coming of the Holy Spirit to see how much they remember from the last lesson. This section can overlap into the Let’s read the Bible for the questions and answers.

Let’s read the Bible

Read Acts 2:1–4 again and then continue from where you stopped in the last lesson. (Start with the paragraph: There were many people in Jerusalem.)

Explain that the previous lesson was about the coming of the Holy Spirit. This lesson is about the effect the Holy Spirit had on the disciples and the growth of the church. (Peter lost his fear and he told a large crowd about Jesus. Many people then believed in Jesus. It was the beginning of the church).

Let’s understand

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s do it

Do the Family activity and adapt it for a group setting if you have time. Ask the children to talk about their church.

Create the puzzle in the Family activity in Unit 2, page 7.

Story time

Read or tell the story of the famous tightrope walker.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity.

Unit 2 Adventure 2 Loving and obeying

In Adventure 2, the children will learn more about the first Christians and that Jesus’ followers are always recognised by their love for God and their love for one another. They will also learn different ways to show their love for God and for one another. You can divide Adventure 2 into two lessons:

a. Learning to obey God

b. Practise loving others

Adventure 2a Learning to obey God

Let’s begin

Do this activity in full.

Ready, steady, go

Do this activity in full.

Explain that we show God that we love him by obeying him. Tell the children they will learn ways in which to show God that they love him.

Let’s talk

Do this activity in full.

Let’s read the Bible

Do this activity in full.

Read Acts 2:42–47 and discuss the questions in this section.

Let’s understand

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s do it

Do one of the Group activities

These activities help the children to practise some of the ways in which they can show God that they love him. They do this by learning how to share and to work together.

Story time

Read or tell the story of Jock, the dog who showed his love for his master by obeying him.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember activity. Help the children to memorise John 13:34–35.

Adventure 2b Practise loving others

In this part of the adventure, the children learn that loving is doing. For children in this age group, loving means saying kind words, doing kind deeds, and sharing with and helping others.

Let’s begin

Do the Family activity and adapt it for a group setting. Divide the children into small groups of five to six children if the group is large. Place the completed hearts on the wall as a reminder of the different things the children can do to show God’s love to others.

Ready, steady, go

If the children worked in small groups, ask them to share their ideas with the other groups. Remind the children that we do these things because we love God and want to obey him. We obey God when we show love and kindness to other people

Let’s talk

Ask the children questions about the previous lesson to find out how much they remember. Ask them: What happened to Jesus’ followers when the Holy Spirit came to live in them? How did they change?

(See Acts 2:42–47.)

Let’s read the Bible

Read Acts 2:42–47 again. Let the children fill in the missing words in the statements about Jesus’ followers (see Unit 2, page 12).

Then discuss these points with them.

Let’s understand

Do this activity in full.

Let’s do it

Do a different Group activity to the one from the previous lesson. Or do the Individual activity in the form of a questionnaire that the children can complete. Acknowledge the fact that sharing is difficult, but also remind the children that the Holy Spirit will help them. Challenge the children to practice sharing.

Story time

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity.

Unit 2 Adventure 3 Enemies wake up

In Adventure 3, the children find out that Jesus’ followers acquired enemies when their numbers kept increasing. They discover that the believers chose to obey God, not the people who wanted them to keep quiet about Jesus. The Spirit gave them courage and took away their fear. The children reflect on the ways in which believers are persecuted today. You can divide Adventure 3 into two lessons:

a. Not everyone is happy

b. What happens today?

Adventure 3a Not everyone is happy

Let’s begin

Demonstrate the experiment with the milk, colours and dishwashing liquid.

Ready, steady, go

Do this activity in full.

Explain why the colours disperse in the experiment.

Let’s talk

Do this activity in full.

Let’s read the Bible

Do this activity in full.

Read Acts 5:17–21, 27–32 and 38–42.

Discuss what happened to the leaders of Jesus’ followers.

Let’s understand

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s do it

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Story time

Read or tell the story of the man who was willing to die for Jesus.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember activity.

Ask the children to choose one verse from the scripture they want to memorise. Then help them to memorise it.

Let’s begin

Adventure 3b What happens today?

Do the Individual activity and adapt it for a group setting. Help the children make Chinese paper lanterns. Make sure that you have enough paper and scissors.

If this isn’t possible, you can show them how to make one and encourage them to make their own lanterns at home.

Ready, steady, go

Tell the children about the Christians in China who are punished because they follow Jesus. Tell the children that whenever they see these lanterns, they should remember that many people in the world are not allowed to follow Jesus.

Let’s talk

Ask questions about the things you discussed in this activity at the previous meeting to find out how much the children remember.

Let’s read the Bible

Ask the children questions about what happened to the leaders of Jesus’ followers to see how much they remember from the last lesson.

Read Acts 5:17–21, 27–32 and 38–42 again if you think it is necessary.

Let’s understand

Do this activity in full.

Let’s do it

Begin by discussing the introduction to this activity. tell the children about some of the countries where Christians are persecuted. (You can find out more at www.kidsofcourage.com.)

Then do the Group activity

Story time

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity.

Unit 2 Adventure 4 Everyone is welcome

In Adventure 4, the children discover that God didn’t intend there to be any discrimination at all in the church. Everyone who believes in Jesus is part of the church. They look at the story of Peter and Cornelius, and how God told Peter that he treats everyone the same. You can divide Adventure 4 into two lessons:

a. Everyone is welcome

b. Everyone must hear the good news

Let’s begin

Adventure 4a Everyone is welcome

Print sheets with the lines and words of the paku-paku on them (see Unit 2, page 59). This will be quicker than having the children write the words themselves. Show the children how to fold it correctly. Then they can colour in the triangles as shown.

Ready, steady, go

Demonstrate how the paku-paku works. Let the children practise and then play with one another.

Collect the paku-pakus at the end of this activity and store them for the next lesson.

Let’s talk

Do this activity in full.

Let’s read the Bible

Do this activity in full.

If you don’t have a lot of time, leave out the activity based on Acts 10:44–48.

Let’s understand

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s do it

Do the Group activity. Sing the song a few times.

Story time

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember activity.

Adventure 4b Everyone must hear the good news

Let’s begin

Hand out the paku-pakus and allow the children to play with them.

Ready, steady, go

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s talk

Ask the children questions to see how much they remember from the last lesson. Ask them: Did Jesus’ followers keep quiet about their good news? What did they do? Who did they talk to at first? What did God want them to do?

Let’s read the Bible

Ask the children questions to see how much they remember about Paul and the other apostles. Read Acts 10:34–35 again and emphasise the three things Peter learnt. Read Acts 10:44–48 and discuss the questions in this section.

Let’s understand

Do this activity in full.

Let’s do it

Do the Individual activity and adapt it for a group setting.

Story time

Tell or read the story of the homeless boy who found a family.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity.

Unit 2 Adventure

5 An enemy’s life is changed

In Adventure 5, the children continue to think about the fact that everyone who believes in Jesus is part of the church, this time focussing on the fact that it does not matter what they did before they became believers. They find out how God changes people by learning about Paul’s conversion. You can divide Adventure 5 into two lessons:

a. Jesus changes enemies into friends

b. Jesus asks us to be kind to our enemies

Adventure 5a Jesus changes enemies into friends

Let’s begin

Let the children do the word search.

Give the children a set amount of time to find as many of the words as they can or let them do it together as a group. If you choose the first option, give each child a turn to show a word they found.

Ready, steady, go

Do this activity in full.

Let’s talk

Do this activity in full.

Let’s read the Bible

Do this activity but stop after: Saul obeyed the Lord in everything he did.

Let’s understand

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s do it

Do the Individual activity and adapt it for a group setting. Tell the children that everyone’s drawings will be different, and that is okay!

Story time

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember activity.

Adventure 5b Jesus asks us to be kind to our enemies

Let’s begin

Do the Family activity as an introduction to this lesson. Adapt it for a group setting. Children find it difficult to love their enemies, so explain why loving their enemy is important. Give or discuss ideas for the children to show kindness to the people who don’t like them or whom they don’t like.

Ready, steady, go

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s talk

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s read the Bible

Ask the children questions to see how much they remember from the last lesson. Then read Acts 9:17–18 and discuss Ananias’ task.

Help the children to imagine how Ananias felt when God told him to go help the man who hated the Christians.

Let’s understand

Do this activity in full.

Let’s do it

Do the Group activity

Story time

Read or tell the story of the man who made friends with his enemies.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity.

Unit 2 Adventure 6 Everyone is important

In Adventure 6, the children learn about the role of unknown believers who are willing to obey the Lord without worrying about their own safety or happiness. The church grew rapidly because of them, and it is still growing today. The children examine the role of unknown believers in Paul’s life, and think about their own role as part of Jesus’ church. You can divide Adventure 6 into two lessons:

a. Who is important?

b. Important!

Let’s begin

Adventure 6a Who is important?

Do the quiz in Unit 2, page 34.

Ready, steady, go

Discuss different jobs and why they are important.

Let’s read the Bible

Read Acts 9:10–17, which is about Ananias, an ordinary follower of Jesus in Damascus. Leave out Acts 9:23–25 and Acts 9:27–28. You will do this in the next lesson.

Let’s understand

Ask the children: Who was more important, Saul or Ananias?

Discuss Ananias’ role in Saul’s life and what would have happened if he had not obeyed God’s order to help Saul.

Let’s do it

Do the Group activity

Story time

Read or tell the story of the boy who helped to save the life of another child.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity in full.

Adventure 6b Important!

Let’s begin

Begin the lesson with the Let’s talk activity.

Ready, steady, go

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s talk

This activity has been covered in the Let’s begin section.

Let’s read the Bible

Read Acts 9:23–25 and Acts 9:27–28.

Explain what happened to Saul on the road to Damascus. (He met Jesus, and his life was changed).

Explain why Saul’s name changed to Paul. (God gave Saul a new name to show that his life had changed. It showed that he was no longer the same person who had Christians arrested and put in jail. He was a new person.)

Let’s understand

Ask the children questions to see how much they remember from the last lesson. Explain how ordinary believers saved Paul’s life. They didn’t have important jobs, and they weren’t famous.

Explain how we know nothing about them – not even their names. Yet God had very important jobs for them. In God’s eyes, they were important!

Let’s do it

Do the Individual activity as a group and adapt it for a group setting. It will demonstrate that even small parts of our bodies are important. Give the children tasks that they can do in the lesson like washing their hands, untying a knot, writing or cutting with scissors.

Story time

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember activity.

Unit 2 Adventure 7 The church grows

In Adventure 7, the children find out how the church continued to grow beyond the borders of Judea because many apostles were willing to go wherever the Lord sent them. You can divide Adventure 7 into two lessons:

a. Going to faraway places

b. Going to faraway places today

Adventure 7a Going to faraway places

Let’s begin

Set up villages 1 and 2 only for this activity. Leave the other villages for the next lesson. Hand out a card to each child and tell them to write their name on it.

Let the children go on the journey to these two villages. At the end of the journey at village 2, collect all the cards and store them for the next lesson.

Ready, steady, go

Do this activity in full.

Discuss journeys with the children.

Let’s talk

Do this activity in full.

Let’s read the Bible

Do this activity but stop before the reading of Acts 14:26–28. Tell the children to follow Paul and Barnabas’ journey on the map in their Treasure Hunt Bible (page 466).

Let’s understand

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s do it

Do the Family activity and adapt it for a group setting. Prepare well for this activity before the lesson.

Story time

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity.

Adventure 7b Going to faraway places today

Let’s begin

Set up villages 3, 4 and 5 for this activity.

Hand out the children’s cards from the previous lesson. Let the children finish their journey.

Ready, steady, go

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s talk

Ask the children questions to see how much they remember from the Let’s read the Bible activity of the last lesson.

Ask them: What happened in Antioch? Why were Paul and Barnabas a good team? Name some of the places they visited.

Let’s read the Bible

Read Acts 14:26–28 and complete this activity.

Ask the children: What was the most important thing about Paul and Barnabas’ journey?

Let’s understand

Do this activity in full.

Let’s do it

Do the Individual activity as a group. Do some research about modern missionaries before the lesson. Try to find a missionary group that your church supports.

Discuss modern missionaries with the children and tell them about the missionaries that your church supports.

Story

time

Read or tell the story of a long journey that happened many years ago.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember activity.

Unit 2 Adventure 8 Paul shows and tells

In Adventure 8, the children will learn more about Paul and how he is a good example of a follower of Jesus. Paul’s life and deeds were his greatest testimony. The children will learn about living in a way that points their words, actions and attitude to Jesus. You can divide Adventure 8 into two lessons:

a. Paul tells the good news

b. Paul shows how Jesus changed him

Adventure 8a Paul tells the good news

Let’s begin

Do the Show and Tell activity with the group.

Ready, steady, go

Do this activity in full.

Let’s talk

Do this activity in full.

Let’s read the Bible

Read and discuss Acts 16:11–16 only in this activity. Leave Acts 16:22–25 for the next lesson.

Discuss what happened in this Bible passage. End this activity before the paragraph beginning with: Paul stayed in Philippi for a while.

Let’s understand

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s do it

Do the Group activity

Even though you haven’t discussed Paul’s experience in Philippi, tell the children that he had bad experiences in some places that he visited. They will find out more in the next lesson.

Story time

Read or tell the story about people spreading the Word of God even when it wasn’t easy.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity.

Adventure 8b Paul shows how Jesus changed him

Let’s begin

Start this lesson with the Let’s talk activity. There will be an opportunity for an activity later in the lesson.

Ready, steady, go

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s talk

Ask the children questions to see how much they remember about Paul from the last lesson. Read Acts 16:11–16.

Ask the children: Did the people in Philippi listen to Paul’s message?

Discuss what happened next.

Let’s read the Bible

Continue this activity at the paragraph beginning with: Paul stayed in Philippi for a while. Discuss the events in the rest of this activity with the children.

Let’s understand

Do this activity in full.

Let’s do it

Do the Family activity and adapt it for a group setting. Arrange the room for this activity before starting this lesson.

Story time

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember activity.

What do you remember?

You can spend one lesson on the activity mentioned in Unit 2, page 52. You can divide the children into teams and make this activity a fun, competitive event.

Competitive event 1

1. All the teams must find the Bible passages.

2. The first team to find a Bible passage must ask a team member to stand up. The first team to have all their members standing in a row wins 100 points.

3. Everyone must congratulate the winners.

Competitive event 2

1. Each team must connect the Bible passage to the correct picture.

2. The first team to do this must stand up. Check their answers.

3. Give the team 100 points for each correct answer.

4. Everyone must congratulate the winners.

Non-competitive event

Each team must tell the story of one of the pictures and its Bible passage.

Around the world

Tell the children to complete their trip around the world on the map in Unit 2, page 55.

Lesson Planners UNIT 3

THB Adventure Guide Unit 3 New Testament:

You may also have your own ideas on how to divide the material. Whichever one you choose, remember the aim of each unit, and make sure you cover it in your lessons.

Try to accommodate as many of the learning styles as you can. You won’t be able to use all of them in one lesson but try to use all of them over one unit.

New Testament Unit 3 The church today

Unit 3 is about the church today. Jesus’ followers still rely on the power of the Holy Spirit in them to help them, still work to obey Jesus’ instruction to spread the good news about his salvation all over the world, and still wait for him to come back. In this unit the children will discover how they should live as part of the church while they wait for Jesus’ return.

Unit 3 Adventure 1 Jesus is coming back

In Adventure 1, the children will learn more about Jesus’ promise to come back. They discuss what we know about that day and focus on one of the ways they can spend time as they wait –by getting to know God through his Word. You can divide Adventure 1 into two lessons:

a. Waiting for Jesus

b. Getting ready for Jesus’ coming

Adventure 1a Waiting for Jesus

Let’s begin

Make sure you have small containers and seeds. The children must decorate their containers and then plant the seeds. Tell them to take their ‘grass head’ home and water it regularly. They must check it every day and record what they see.

Ready, steady, go

Do this activity in full.

Let’s talk

Do this activity in full.

Let’s read the Bible

Do this activity in full.

Let’s understand

Do this activity in full.

Let’s do it

As the Let’s begin activity takes up a lot of time, you can leave out this section. However, if you do have time to spare, do the Individual activity and adapt it for a group setting. Divide the children into teams and see how many Bible verses each team can recite from memory.

Story time

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember and the This is what I will do activities in full.

Adventure 1b Getting ready for Jesus’ coming

Let’s begin

Ask the children to share how long the ‘hair’ of their ‘grass heads’ has grown.

Ready, steady, go

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s talk

Briefly discuss Jesus going away to heaven.

Let’s read the Bible

Read John 14:1–3. Discuss Jesus’ promise.

Let’s understand

Read 2 Peter 3:14–15 again. Discuss God’s patience. Jesus will only come back when everyone on earth has heard the good news about Jesus.

In the meantime, we must prepare for that day. The rest of this lesson will be about one of the ways in which we can prepare – getting to know the Bible.

Let’s do it

Do the Group activity.

Story time

Tell or read the story of the man who had to wait and trust in God’s promises.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full again.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember and This is what I will do activities in full again.

Unit 3 Adventure 2 Jesus sent his Spirit

In Adventure 2, the children learn more about the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They also practise how to listen to his voice. This lesson isn’t long, but it is an important one. When you divide it into more than one adventure, there will be repetition that will help to reinforce the message. You can divide Adventure 2 into two lessons:

a. The Holy Spirit

b. Our forever friend

Let’s begin

Adventure 2a The Holy Spirit

Play the game in this section.

Ready, steady, go

Discuss the game in this activity.

Let’s talk

Discuss the disciples’ feelings when Jesus left them and went to his Father in heaven.

Let’s read the Bible

Do this activity in full. Make a list of other names for the Holy Spirit, and another list of everything he does.

Let’s understand

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s do it

Do the Individual activity and adapt it for a group setting. The children must help one another to find as many words as possible.

Story time

Read or tell the story of the father who supported his son.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember activity.

Let’s begin

Adventure 2b Our forever friend

Play the game in this section again if you have time. Then go on to the Let’s read the Bible activity without further discussion.

Ready, steady, go

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s talk

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s read the Bible

Ask the children questions to see how much they remember about the last lesson. Read John 14:16, 17, 26 and 27, and go through the list of the things that the Holy Spirit does again.

Let’s understand

Discuss this activity in full.

Remember to link this activity to the game played in the Let’s begin activity.

Let’s do it

Do the Group activity

The children don’t have to make a list of what the Holy Spirit does again.

Story time

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity. Spend time on this activity. Tell the children to sit quietly while they think about the Holy Spirit and listen to him. You can play soft, soothing music to create a calm atmosphere. End the lesson by telling the children that it doesn’t matter if they couldn’t hear the Holy Spirit. Explain that they must practice listening to the Holy Spirit at least once a day. Also explain that the Holy Spirit sometimes doesn’t say anything but makes us calm or takes away our worries and fears.

Unit 3 Adventure 3 Jesus gave his followers a job

In Adventure 3, the children reflect on Jesus’ command to spread the good news of his salvation all over the world. They learn what they can do in their situation, and how they can spread the good news by obeying God. They get some practise in becoming more like Jesus. You can divide Adventure 3 into two lessons:

a. Tell the good news about Jesus

b. Jesus’ Spirit in you

Adventure 3a Tell the good news about Jesus

Let’s begin

Choose one of the two games in this activity for the children to play.

Ready, steady, go

Do this activity in full.

Let’s talk

Do this activity in full.

Let’s read the Bible

Read Matthew 28:16–20. Discuss the three parts of Jesus’ instruction to his followers. Make sure the children understand what it means for them in their situation.

Let’s understand

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s do it

Do the Group activity

Story time

Read Gladys Aylward’s story.

Let’s pray

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:6. Use the verse as a prayer in this activity.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember activity.

Adventure 3b Jesus’ Spirit in you

Let’s begin

Play the game you didn’t choose for the last lesson.

Ready, steady, go

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s talk

Ask the children questions to see how much they remember about the last lesson. Continue the discussion about Jesus’ last instructions to his followers.

Let’s read the Bible

Read Matthew 28:16–20. Ask the children to name the three things they must do and to explain what it means.

You don’t have to spend a lot of time in this activity.

Let’s understand

Do this activity in full.

Discuss easy and practical things the children can do to spread the good news to the world. Remind them that the world, in their situation, is their neighbourhood and school – the people they see and meet every day.

Tell them that at their age it is more important to show God’s love by their actions than by their words.

Let’s do it

Do the Individual activity and adapt it for a group setting. It is an extension of the Let’s understand activity.

Story time

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s pray

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:7.

Use the verse as a prayer in this activity.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity in full.

Unit 3 Adventure 4 Jesus’ followers love one another

In adventure 4, the children learn more about Jesus’ command to love one another, and that they can only do that by allowing the Spirit to grow his fruit in their lives. They discuss the meaning of the different kinds of spiritual fruit.

You can divide Adventure 4 into two lessons:

a. Practise being kind

b. Some more practise

Let’s begin

Do this activity in full.

Adventure 4a Practise being kind

Hand out large sheets of paper as well as heart-shaped papers to each child at the beginning of this activity.

Collect the trees at the end of the activity and store them for the next lesson.

Ready, steady, go

Do this activity in full.

Encourage children to be honest. Children in this age group often find it difficult to describe their feelings, especially feelings of goodwill.

Let’s talk

Do this activity in full. Briefly talk about last words.

Let’s read the Bible

Read John 15:12 only.

Discuss the meaning of this verse.

Let’s understand

Read Galatians 5:22–23. These verses explain how we can love one another. Discuss how people behave when they are loving. You don’t need to discuss every aspect of the fruit of the Spirit in this activity. You will continue with that subject in the Let’s do it activity. However, stress that the Holy Spirit helps us to be this kind of person.

Let’s do it

Do the Group activity.

Story time

Read or tell the story of the German athlete who showed his love by giving advice to a competitor, an American athlete.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember activity.

Adventure 4b Some more practise

Let’s begin

Hand out the children’s trees and the heart-shaped papers from the last lesson. The children must write another thing that they like about the person whose name is on the heart.

Ready, steady, go

Ask the children if they found it easier or more difficult to find another nice thing to write about their friends.

Let’s talk

Remind the children that the last words a person says before they leave are usually important. Discuss Jesus’ last instructions to his followers again.

Let’s read the Bible

Read John 15:12 to remind the children how important these words were to Jesus. Then read James 2:15–16.

Explain to the children that John tells us that we must love one another, while James tells us how to love one another. We have to be kind to one another and help one another.

Let’s understand

Read Galatians 5:22–23 again. Ask the children to name ways in which they can show the fruit of the Spirit.

Let’s do it

Do the Individual activity and adapt it for a group setting. This activity will help the children to define the aspects of the fruit better.

Story time

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity.

Unit 3 Adventure 5 Jesus’ followers wear armour

In Adventure 5, the children discover that Jesus’ followers have special armour to protect them against their enemies, and they learn how to use that armour. This adventure will be divided differently from the rest. You can divide Adventure 5 into two lessons:

a. Jesus helps!

b. A suit of armour

Let’s begin

Adventure 5a Jesus helps!

Childhood can be scary. Help the children identify what scares them by doing this activity with them. Tell them that everyone, even adults, are scared of certain things.

Ready, steady, go

Do this activity in full.

Take your time and listen as the children talk about their fears.

Let’s talk

Do this activity in full.

Read John 17:15 and John 16:33 and then discuss them.

Explain what Jesus’ words mean and make sure the children understand them.

Let’s read the Bible

Read Ephesians 6:10–13 together.

Give the children time to fill in the missing words in the sentences in the first part of this activity. Check the children’s work by asking them to volunteer their answers. You will continue with the rest of this activity in the next lesson.

Let’s understand

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s do it

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Story

time

Read or tell the story of the man who did many things for God, even though he had many enemies and was often scared.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full. End the lesson here.

Let’s begin

Adventure 5b A suit of armour

Ask the children questions to see how much they remember about the last lesson. Tell the children that in this lesson, they will learn how God helps us to fight back.

Ready, steady, go

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s talk

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s read the Bible

Ask the children questions to see how much they remember about the last lesson. Read Ephesians 6:10–13 again. Then read Ephesians 6:14–18 and discuss the armour of God.

Let’s understand

Do this activity in full. Make sure the children understand the meaning of each piece of armour.

Let’s do it

Choose between the Group activity or the Family activity to do with the group.

Story time

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full again.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember and the This is what I will do activities in full.

Unit 3 Adventure 6 Jesus’ followers receive gifts

In Adventure 6, the children learn about the gifts of the Spirit, with the focus on those gifts that are relevant to children. They also learn more about the greatest gift of all, love. You can divide Adventure 6 into two lessons:

a. The Spirit gives us gifts

b. Did you receive a gift?

Let’s begin

Do this activity in full.

Adventure 6a The Spirit gives us gifts

Ready, steady, go

Discuss giving and receiving gifts.

Let’s talk

Ask the children questions to see how much they remember about the last lesson. Read the list in this activity to remind the children of how the Holy Spirit helps us.

Let’s read the Bible

Read 1 Corinthians 12:4–6 and discuss how the Spirit gives gifts to Jesus’ followers. Then read 1 Corinthians 12:8–10, which mentions some of those gifts. Don’t discuss the various gifts in this activity. Focus on why the Spirit gives us gifts. Read 1 Peter 4:10, which explains the purpose of the Spirit’s gifts.

Let’s understand

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s do it

Do the Group activity

Story time

Tell the story of a group of people who used their gifts to help one another and many other people.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full. End the lesson here.

Adventure 6b Did you receive a gift?

Let’s begin

Begin this lesson with the Let’s talk activity.

Ask the children questions to see how much they remember about the last lesson. Do the Let’s talk activity in full again.

Ready, steady, go

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s talk

This activity has been covered in the Let’s begin section.

Let’s read the Bible

Ask the children questions to see how much they remember from the last lesson. Ask them: Who get gifts? Why does the Spirit give his gifts to Jesus’ followers?

Then read 1 Corinthians 12:4–6 and 1 Peter 4:10.

Let’s understand

Make a list of the different gifts and place it somewhere where the children can look at it and reflect on them.

Discuss the different gifts the Holy Spirit gives to Jesus’ followers. Then discuss the greatest gift of all. Explain why all the gifts are useless without the gift of love. Read 1 Corinthians 12:31 and 1 Corinthians 13:1–3.

Tell the children that if they don’t know what gifts the Holy Spirit wants to give them, they can begin using the gift of love for now. Also remind them that using a gift means giving it away.

Let’s do it

Do the Family activity and adapt it for a group setting. Children often find it difficult to identify their gifts. This activity may help them identify their gifts. Remind them that their gifts may change as they grow older.

Story time

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember and the This is what I will do activities in full.

Unit 3 Adventure 7 Jesus’ followers are like a body

In Adventure 7, the children learn what it means to say that the church is Christ’s body. They also learn that they have a specific job in the church; a job that only they can do. You can divide Adventure 7 into two lessons:

a. A body with many parts

b. All the body parts have to work together

Adventure 7a A body with many parts

Let’s begin

Play the Body Games with your group.

Ready, steady, go

Do this activity in full.

Let’s talk

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s read the Bible

Answer the question at the end of the Ready, steady, go activity by reading 1 Corinthians 12:12–14.

Then read 1 Corinthians 12:15–20 and answer the questions that follow.

Let’s understand

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s do it

Do the Family activity and adapt it for a group setting. Choose only one or two of the activities listed if you don’t have a lot of time.

Story time

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember activity.

Adventure 7b All the body parts have to work together

Let’s begin

Begin the lesson by doing a Family activity that you didn’t have time for in the last lesson. If you did all the activities, repeat one or two of them again.

Ready, steady, go

Remind the children that every part of their body is important, even those parts they never think about.

Let’s talk

Do this activity in full.

Discuss the different kinds of Christian churches. Explain to the children that they are all part of the body of Christ. Also remind them that there are many different kinds of people and jobs in their church. And all of them are important.

Let’s read the Bible

Ask the children questions to see how much they remember about the last lesson. Ask them: Why are Jesus’ followers like one body? Why are there many different parts in the body (why are we all different)?

Let’s understand

Do this activity in full.

Emphasise 1 Corinthians 12:25–26 and explain how the different parts of the church work (see the bullet list in Unit 3, page 42).

Let’s do it

Do the Group activity if you have time. Otherwise leave it out of this lesson.

Story time

Read or tell the story of the man who took care of those who couldn’t take care of themselves.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will do activity.

Unit 3 Adventure 8 Looking forward to going home

In Adventure 8, the children learn about the believers’ forever home, and they discover a few good things about that home.

You can divide Adventure 8 into two lessons:

a. A wonderful place

b. Always with Jesus

Let’s begin

Adventure 8a A wonderful place

The children pretend that they are going to live on Mars. Help them plan for their trip and new life.

Ready, steady, go

Do this activity in full.

Discuss going to places the children don’t know much about.

Let’s talk

Do this activity in full.

Find out what Jesus told his followers about heaven.

Let’s read the Bible

Do this activity in full.

Then discuss the answers to the questions with the children.

Let’s understand

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s do it

Do the Group activity.

Story time

Read or tell the story of the first men on the moon.

Let’s pray

Do this activity in full. End your adventure here.

Adventure 8b Always with Jesus

Let’s begin

Start this lesson by doing the Individual activity in the Let’s do it section. The children can do it together as a group, or individually to see who gets it right first.

Ready, steady, go

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s talk

Discuss the fact that no one knows what heaven looks like. Explain to the children that we do know two important things: 1. Jesus promised that his followers will go there one day. 2. Jesus will be there with his followers.

Let’s read the Bible

Read Revelations 21:1–4 and 22:1–5. Discuss the Bible passages and the questions in this activity.

Let’s understand

Discuss the good things we do know about heaven. Put a list of these things about heaven on a wall.

Let’s pray

Do the Family activity and adapt it for a group setting. Leave out the section where the family watches the sunrise together. Read Revelations 22:5 together and then use the things listed in that verse in a prayer that everyone can thank God for together.

Let’s do it

This activity has been covered in the Let’s begin section.

Story time

Leave out this activity in this lesson.

Let’s live it

Do the This is what I will remember and the This is what I will do activities in full.

What do you remember?

You can spend one lesson ending Unit 3 and Adventure 8. Do the quiz in Unit 3, page 52. Then play one of the groups favourite games in this unit again.

Around the world

Tell the children to complete their trip around the world on the map in Unit 3, page 55.

Treasure Hunt Bible Adventure GuideTM Leader’s Handbook - New Testament

The “NIrV”, “New International Reader’s Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Used with permission.

ISBN: 978-1-64976-362-4