god gives us families I god gives us friends I god gives us the church
Custom-created videos accompany every Echoes lesson. Right before Step 2, a three-minute video introduces each unit theme. A guide, found with the videos, ties the unit theme to the day’s lesson.
Unit family devotions, along with the videos, can be sent to your families to continue learning at home.
You can stream these videos from the site or download them to your own device.
Get the lesson videos at EchoesCurriculum.com/Video
ECHOES
Preschool Teacher’s Commentary
A self-contained teaching program for use with Preschool Creative Teaching Aids, Preschool Make-It/ Take-It, and My Sunday Pictures.
Echoes is a multicultural curriculum published quarterly by David C Cook. Visit our website at DavidCCook.org.
Contact us at 1-800-323-7543 (U.S. only). In Canada, visit parasource.com (Canada Only) or 1-800-263-2664 (Canada Only).
To equip the church with Christcentered resources for making and teaching disciples who obediently transform today’s generations…David C Cook is a nonprofit organization dedicated to international Christian education.
Bible background with black biblical heritage highlights, and other teacher helps combine with easy-to-teach lessons for preschoolers. One per class.
Preschool Creative Teaching Aids
Visual and audio resources (Bible art posters, moveable figures, and PraisePAC) enhance the lessons in the Teacher’s Commentary. One per class.
PraisePAC features four songs that correlate with each of the three units per quarter along with media files containing lead (song) sheets and lyric sheets. Both full and accompaniment versions are available for each song.
Lesson Videos
Each unit features a different video showing children living out their faith in everyday life. These three-to-fourminute video segments highlight the monthly unit theme.
Preschool Make-It/Take-It
A craft booklet used during Bible Application allows students to explore what they have just learned in the Bible story. One per student.
My Sunday Pictures
This in-class and takehome card connects the Bible stories and lessons taught in church to each child’s home. One per student.
Digital Bundle
The Preschool Teacher’s Commentary, Preschool Creative Teaching Aids, Preschool Make-It/ Take It, and My Sunday Pictures are also available in a digital format. Need one bundle per class.
There are two downloadable guides to help bring the videos into the lives of your students:
Video Connection Guide: These tie-ins can be used at the beginning of the Step 2 Bible Story. Each lesson has a tie-in that connects the theme of the video to the day’s Bible story or lesson focus.
Family Devotions Guide and the lesson videos it connects with are available for the families in your church. Email the guides to families or download them and print them for each unit. Families can use the devotion on its own or also stream that unit’s lesson video to help their family learn and grow together. These devotions are a great way for families to build faith in everyday life!
Lesson videos, video guides, and devotion guides can be found at EchoesCurriculum.com/video
Superintendent’s Handbook has multi-grade material, on a common Biblical theme, to open and close the Sunday school hour.
Find ways to spark your heart and ignite your children’s ministry. Go to MinistrySpark.com and sign up to receive more free resources.
Step by Step through
the Lesson
You know what will work best for your group, your space, and your time. Feel free to adapt each lesson to the needs of your students. Teacher Pages give you an overview of the lesson while helping you prepare for what you will teach.
STEP 1
Life Need includes an activity and discussion to help children connect with each other and with God’s Word.
STEP 2
Bible Learning gives children an opportunity to hear the Bible story and learn what the Bible says about the Bible truth. You can use the script word-for-word but use your own expressions. Includes a quick review.
STEP 3
Bible Application allows children a time to explore key themes and takeaways through activities including a memory verse and crafts.
STEP 4
Life Response gives children a chance to respond to God’s Word by applying it to everyday life.
Ella Baker A Model of Servant Leadership
By Juliet Liu
Among the many who played a role in the civil rights movement of the mid-twentieth century, Ella Baker stands out as a unique representation of leadership. Ella Baker shows the meaning of Christlike leadership—not seeking to be a charismatic person in the spotlight but accepting the role of a quiet servant, one who raises others up. She demonstrates that true leadership is rooted in giving and empowering others.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1903 in the state of Virginia, Ella Baker grew up in a family that valued education and community activism. Her grandmother was born into slavery, and her parents instilled in her a strong sense of justice and the importance of standing up against inequality. After college, she began a career as a teacher. Soon her passion for activism took center stage in her professional and personal life. This activism was rooted in the stories her grandmother told, about what it was like to grow up enslaved.
Activism and the NAACP
Baker demonstrated her commitment to civil rights in the 1930s when she began working with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Beginning as a volunteer, her hard work and determination advanced her to several leadership roles. Throughout the 1940s, Baker acted as the organization’s first field secretary.
Baker believed in the power of ordinary people to effect change, and her role only made her more certain. This belief would shape her approach to leadership throughout her life, as she began to witness that real power lies in collective action, not in the visibility of individuals.
SCLC and the Importance of Collective Action
In 1957, Baker founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others. As she worked with Dr. King, Baker began to see her vision of leadership diverge from many male counterparts in the SCLC. Several of these men emphasized a centralized, charismatic leadership model: they believed only strong leadership would drive the civil rights movement forward. But Baker advocated for the opposite—a more decentralized, democratic approach to organization. She believed that leadership should not just arise from public speakers in the limelight but from ordinary members of the community. For Baker, it was essential to nurture the skills and voices of those who might otherwise remain unheard.
TEACHER TRAINING
It only takes a couple minutes … teacher training articles and videos are online! Visit http:// EchoesCurriculum.com/training
SNCC and the Empowerment of Young Leaders
Baker’s commitment to empowering others became especially evident in her approach to youth activism. She understood the necessity to engage young people in the civil rights movement and recognize their capacity to drive change. While the SCLC and the NAACP had always made efforts to convince young activists to join their existing organizational structure, Baker feared that young students would not be taken seriously or allowed to contribute in
their own unique ways. Baker encouraged the college students to create their own movement. Thus Baker inspired a generation of young men and women to an active rather than passive role in the struggle for civil rights.
A Quiet
Leader
Behind closed doors, Baker challenged Dr. King. She argued that, if people were tempted to worship and follow him as an extraordinary hero, this would not be good for the movement. An emphasis on other charismatic leaders might cause ordinary citizens to question their own ability to make meaningful contributions. Ella Baker did not back down from conflict, and she continued to grow the movement in her own ways.
Baker famously stated, “Strong people don’t need strong leaders.” This philosophy emphasizes the importance of empowering individuals to take ownership of their activism. It is all too easy to tell ourselves, Someone else can be the one to do it. But Baker encouraged individuals to think critically and to take action; she fostered that sense of agency.
Defined by humility and a focus on service rather than personal acclaim, Baker’s leadership style was effective. As she worked behind the scenes, provided support and guidance to others—while deliberately avoiding the spotlight for herself—Baker modeled a different path. Her mentorship extended beyond mere guidance; she invested in the growth, contributions, and success of all those around her.
Legacy
Ella Baker’s life reminds others of the leadership style of Jesus, who told His disciples that anyone wishing to be a leader must first be a servant of others (Mark 10:43–45). She embodied this principle, demonstrating that true leadership is not about seeking power or recognition but about lifting others up and serving the community. Baker’s legacy lives on and continues to influence activists and leaders today, especially those who value collaboration and community engagement. In a world that values charisma and personal glory, Baker’s example says, Think again. She teaches that effective leaders emerge from the community, driven by a passion for justice and a commitment to the good of others.
Photo credit: Public Domain
BIBLE BASIS
Hannah and her husband have baby Samuel (1 Sam. 1:1-23).
BIBLE TRUTH
God gives us families.
BIBLE MEMORY VERSE
“Love one another.”
John 13:34
LESSON AIM
Students will learn that families come from God.
THEME FOR UNIT 1: God Gives Us Families
UNIT BIBLE MEMORY VERSE: John 13:34
CHURCH/HOME THEME: Our God Gives
GOD GIVES HANNAH A BABY
1 2 3 4
LIFE NEED (3–5 MINUTES)
Students will talk about their families Materials: “The Family” Teaching Aid 2
BIBLE LEARNING (10–15 MINUTES)
Teach with large pictures the Bible story about Hannah, Elkanah, and the baby God gave them—Samuel Review the Bible story with questions Materials: Bible, “God Gives Hannah a Baby” Teaching Aid 3
BIBLE APPLICATION (10 MINUTES)
Practice the Bible memory verse with a rhyme Make a craft picture of baby Samuel Materials: Preschool Make-It/Take-It for Lesson 1, crayons; Optional—cloth scraps, baby blanket
LIFE RESPONSE (10 MINUTES)
Read a story about a loving family God gave two children Thank God for the families He has given them Materials: My Sunday Pictures Lesson 1 and Family Card A
This symbol means extra preparation or supplies are needed.
Lesson Video for Step 2! Check out the contents page for details.
Understanding the Bible
Samuel’s story begins in the hill country of Ephraim (EE-fray-m) at a place called Ramathaim (RAY-mah-THAY-m), near Shiloh. For about 300 years the Old Testament tabernacle was set up at Shiloh, so it became the worship center for Israel prior to Jerusalem (1 Sam. 1:3, 24; 4:3).
When one compares Zephaniah 1:1 with 1 Samuel 1:1, one can see that each verse traces the man being talked about back for four generations (“the son of” so-and-so is found four times). For Jewish people, family roots were very important.
Samuel’s father, Elkanah, had two wives, which was common in early Bible times. In those days, polygamy was tolerated under the law of Moses (Deut. 21:15-17). However, it was not God’s original intention, for as Jesus taught, it could cause great misery (Matt. 19:38).
The names of Elkanah’s wives were Hannah and Peninnah. In the Bible, names often mean something special. The name “Hannah” means “grace.” In 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Hannah praises God for how He has “graced” her with His favor.
Hannah had been childless—a tragedy for women of that day. Because children are a blessing from God, the absence of children was sometimes considered a punishment for sin. Peninnah may have suggested this and used it to hurt Hannah.
Bible-time Jewish men were required by law (Deut. 16:16) to attend three sacred festivals annually (“year after year;” 1 Sam. 1:7). The three required annual feasts were Passover (or Unleavened Bread), Pentecost (or Weeks), and Tabernacles (or Booths).
While attending a feast in Shiloh, the religious center of the nation at that time, Hannah left the feasting to pray at the tabernacle. She told God of her anguish over her childlessness. Hannah vowed that she would dedicate her child to the Lord’s service (1 Sam. 1:11). Then she prayed, “May your servant find favor in your eyes” (vs. 18).
The priest, Eli, observed Hannah moving her lips without sound and reprimanded her for being drunk at the tabernacle. Hannah explained that she was not drunk but was praying because of her sorrow. When Hannah told him of her longing, she received his blessing.
Hannah conceived and a son was born. Hannah named her son Samuel, which means “asked of God” (vs. 20). Samuel was a special gift from God—not only for his parents, but also for all of Israel. Samuel served as a prophet and anointed Saul as king, then David.
Understanding Your Students
This lesson deals with a much wanted and much loved baby. Your preschoolers need the security of knowing that they too are wanted and loved. They need to discover that they are a gift from God.
Each preschooler may have different issues depending on the care his or her family gives. In the Life Need section this week, children will talk about their families. The activity will help children focus positively on families and care.
Classroom Tips
As you work with your children this week, here are more ways to help them feel secure and know that they are loved.
Say the names of your students often to personalize the lesson for each child. Be aware of family situations so you can relate the lesson to each child. If a child lives with Dad, point out that the child and Dad are a family. If a child lives with her grandparents, explain that God gave her grandparents who could be her family, loving and caring for her.
Point out that families show love in different ways. Some bring their children to Sunday school to learn about God’s love; others teach them at home, and all want to hear what their child has learned. Mention similarities between Samuel’s Bible-time family and your students’ families.
Worship Activities
Guide your children to worship. Worship time is a time when we tell God how much we love Him. We worship by giving offerings, singing songs, and praying. You may use the song “Love One Another” on the PraisePAC audio files from your teaching aids packet, or sing a class favorite.
Choose a child to collect offerings. Say a prayer for the offering.
Thank God for families and their care. Dear God, You give us everything we have. Thank You for giving us our families. We love our families. We love You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Before Class
Kneel or pull up a low chair so you can look right at the children and give them a big smile as they arrive. Give each child a personal greeting. I’m so glad to see you. Today we will talk about families and how God gives us our families. Have children give their offerings, You may provide a special container or use a basket. Before class, write each child’s name on the Fall Attendance Chart from your teaching aids packet. Show children how to mark the attendance chart using a small sticker, writing an X, or coloring a square.
Getting Started
The following activities will prepare the children for the story of God giving Hannah and her husband a family.
Bulletin Board: Before class, remove page 3 of the Make-It/Take-It booklet and open the die-cut windows and door. Follow the directions for putting the display together. God gives us families. Your family lives in a house.
Family Collage: Provide magazines, scissors, glue sticks, crayons, and construction paper. Have children cut pictures from magazines to make a family collage. They can glue their pictures onto construction paper. God gives us families. Tell me who the people are in your collage.
Life Need
3-5 minutes
Objective: Students will talk about their families.
Once the children are seated in a circle and ready to listen, use the Teaching Aid 2 poster from your Creative Teaching Aids packet to talk about the different people in families. Identifying family members helps the children understand the Bible story where God gave baby Samuel to Hannah and her husband, Elkanah.
I have a picture of a family that I would like to show you today. (Show the poster, Teaching Aid 2.) This family is enjoying the outdoors. Who do you see in the picture? (Dad, mom, sisters, brother.)
After the children have identified who is in the picture, point to a specific figure such as the man. Who is this? (Dad.) What kinds of things does a dad do? (The children may give a variety of answers including work, cook, mow the lawn, wash dishes, play, etc. Be aware that some children may not have a dad at home. If some of them talk about an uncle or grandfather, accept this as a perfectly reasonable answer.)
Point to the woman. Who is this? (Mom.) What kinds of things does a mom do? (Again this will have a variety of answers. Most will probably have to do with caring for a child, working, telling stories, etc.)
Continue by pointing one at a time to the older and younger sisters, and the brother. Some of your children will not have siblings. Ask them what they think it would be like to have a sister or a brother.
(Hold up the poster.) We talked a lot about this family. Let’s talk about your families.
Who are the people in your family? (Children will have a variety of responses. They may include grandparents, aunts, or uncles. Affirm their answers.)
What does your father do? (Give time for the children to answer. Be sure the children include home activities such as read stories, cook, mow the lawn, give baths, etc., as well as workplace ideas. “I don’t know” is a perfectly good answer.)
What does your mother do? (As with the previous questions, try to get the children to give details that make their families unique.)
Our families are special. Today we’re going to learn that God gives us families. Our Bible story today will tell us about a family that had no children. As you hear the story, listen for the mother’s name and how God gave her a baby.
“The Family” Teaching Aid 2
Bible Learning
10-15 minutes
Objective: Students will learn how God gave Samuel to his loving parents.
Show “God Gives Hannah a Baby” (Teaching Aid 3) as directed in the story below. Suggestions are made in parentheses within the story for ways your students can imitate you as you pretend to care for a baby.
Bible Story
Today’s story comes from the Bible. It is found in the book, or part, of the Bible called 1 Samuel. (Show the children where 1 Samuel is in your Bible. Keep your Bible open to 1 Samuel 1 as you tell the story. Show Teaching Aid 3.) The Bible tells us that there once lived a woman named Hannah. (Point to Hannah.) She was married to a man named Elkanah [el-KAY-nuh]. (Point to her husband.) Hannah and Elkanah loved each other very much. But most of all they loved God.
God had made Hannah and Elkanah’s family very special. But Hannah wanted their family to grow. She was sad they didn’t have any children. (Point to baby Samuel. Put teaching aid aside.)
“God Gives Hannah a Baby” Teaching Aid 3
One day Hannah and Elkanah went to a special tent-church to worship God. While Hannah was there, she asked God for something special. (Fold hands as if praying.) Hannah prayed for a baby boy. She cried while she was praying, because she was so sad. She promised God that if He gave her a baby boy, she would have the boy serve God.
Eli, the priest at the tent-church, saw Hannah praying and crying. He saw that while she was praying, not a sound came out of her mouth. He talked to Hannah about what was wrong.
Hannah said, I’ve been praying here because I am very sad.”
Eli told her, “Go in peace. May God give you what you have prayed for.”
Early the next day Hannah and Elkanah worshiped God and then walked home. She didn’t feel quite so sad anymore.
Soon God answered Hannah’s prayers. Hannah and Elkanah had a baby boy. They named him Samuel. (Bring out Teaching Aid 3 and point to Samuel on the poster.) God had given them baby Samuel for their family.
Hannah and Elkanah liked to take care of little Samuel. (Have the children pretend to hold a baby. Then have them rock and feed the “babies.”) They gave him food to eat. They gave him milk to drink. They dressed him every day and kept him safe. (Let each child pretend to wrap a baby in a blanket.) And they loved Samuel. (Hug yourself.)
(Point to each person on the poster as you say his or her name.) Hannah and Elkanah were happy that God had given them little Samuel. They thanked God for Samuel and took very good care of him. They were glad that God had given them a family. God gives us families too.
Bible Story Review
Review the Bible story with these questions. Children may point to Teaching Aid 3 as they give their answers.
1. Who prayed for a baby in the Bible story? (Hannah).
2. Who did God give to Hannah and Elkanah? (God gave them a baby boy, Samuel.)
3. How would you feel if you wanted something as much as Hannah wanted a baby? (Children may have a variety of answers. They may feel sad, want to cry, or be angry, and so on.)
4. Who gives us families? (God gives us families.)
3
Bible Application
10 minutes
Objective: Students will learn that God gives them their families.
Bible Memory Verse
Our Bible memory verse is in the rhyme we will learn today. Repeat the verse after me: “Love one another” John 13:34. God gives us families to love. Teach this poem to your children.
love one another
God made me, (Point to self.)
God made you. (Point to someone else.)
God made my family, too! (Hug self.)
God loves me, (Point to self.)
God loves you. (Point to someone.)
He said, “Love one another,” too! (Hug self.)
Our Bible memory verse is in the poem. Did you hear it? “Love one another.” Say the Bible memory verse together: “Love one another” John 13:34. Do the action rhyme again.
Handcraft
Remove Lesson 1 from each child’s Make-It/Take-It before class.
Let’s make a picture of Hannah’s baby, Samuel, to help you remember that God gives us families. We can color the picture and add a blanket to keep the baby warm.
Optional—You may wish to bring a baby blanket for your students to feel. Talk about the soft blankets babies need to keep warm.
Each child can choose a crayon to color the picture. Optional—Provide small pieces of fabric or colorful paper for your children to glue over the blankets.
Talk about how children are a gift from God and that God gives us families.
Hannah took special care of Samuel. What things did she do? (Fed him, gave him milk to drink, gave him clothes to wear, wrapped him in a blanket, loved him.)
Show your picture to your family when you go home today. Your family will love to see what you are learning in Sunday school.
Make-It/Take-It for Lesson 1
Life Response
10 minutes
Objective: Students will learn that God gave them their families and thank God for them.
Read aloud to your students “God Made the Family” from My Sunday Pictures, Lesson 1 back.
Present-Day Story
Anthony and Tiana were excited to go to church on Saturday. There was a special event at their church for families.
Anthony and Tiana and their mom and dad were excited to wear their matching T-shirts.
The pastor talked about how it is God’s plan for each of us to have families.
Each family learned more about God from the Bible, they sang songs of praise, they prayed together for their family and for God’s blessings. They made crafts together, and they even played games together.
“Anthony,” Tiana said, “This was the best day ever! I am so happy we got to spend the day doing fun things with our family.”
“Yes, this was the best day ever!” Anthony said, “Dad, thank you for bringing us to church today.” Anthony gave his dad a big bear hug.
“Son,” Dad said. “I am so blessed to have you and Tiana and your mom in our family.”
“Let’s pray together and thank God for our family,” Mom said.
The family held hands and together they prayed for each other.
Closing Activities
In our story, Anthony and Tiana are glad that they spent the day with their family doing fun things together.
Show children the Bible picture story on My Sunday Pictures In today’s Bible story, God gave baby Samuel to Hannah and Elkanah. God gave them
their family.
God gives us families too. Families love us and take good care of us. They help us when we need help.
Help your class recall things their families do for them. God is good to give us families who take care of us. Let’s clap for the family God gave us. Name and clap for each child’s family.
Show your students how to bow their heads as you say a short prayer. Dear God, we learned in our Bible story that You gave Samuel to Hannah. You give us our families too. Thank You for each of our families. We love them, and we love You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Make sure your students have their Make-It/TakeIt picture of baby Samuel and My Sunday Pictures for Lesson 1.
You will also send home the My Sunday Pictures Family Card A. Explain to parents that the Family Card gives them information on what their child will be studying in Sunday school, the action rhyme they are learning in class to help them memorize the verse, as well as ideas for activities to do with their child.
Say a personal goodbye to each child. I am so glad you could come today. Remember to thank God for your family this week. And love one another!
Lesson 1 (back)
Lesson 1 (front) Family
Explaining God’s Plan of Salvation
Salvation is a free gift through Christ Jesus. God sent His Son because He loves us, and He desires close relationship with us now and through eternity.
God draws us to salvation, then equips us to be His followers. Students taking their “first steps” have learning needs that differ from those who have been “walking with the Lord” for a time. This is one reason why the lessons you teach to little ones differ from the lessons for older students—but the theme is the same—God’s call.
For preschoolers, the basics will be beginning to understand God’s salvation and a relationship with Him. Thus, preschool lessons this quarter focus on how we are important to Jesus, how He helps us, and how God made the world.
As you discuss these Bible lessons with your preschool students, also remember that each student is developmentally different. Students may not be immediately spiritually mature enough to go through all the steps to become what we understand about being a Christian or having a relationship with God. Small children may not fully understand accountability to God for their sins and the forgiveness that Christ makes possible.
However, learning that God loves them and wants to forgive their sins will prepare them for the time when they are ready to receive Christ as Savior. You and your church family have the responsibility to work with the family to provide this information and an environment for this learning.
For those who do express an interest in personal salvation, try talking with them and their parents or a guardian. Prior to that meeting, you may want to meet on this subject with the pastor or one of the church officers. You may also want to read the Scriptures listed to prepare to share this information naturally with both groups as you are led by the Holy Spirit.
Steps to Becoming a Christian
1. Respond to God’s invitation to salvation
Jeremiah 31:3; John 3:16
2. Seek a relationship with the Lord
Isaiah 55:6-7; Matthew 6:31-33
3. Confess your sins
Romans 3:23 and 10:9-10;
1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 John 1:9
4. Repent of your sins
2 Chronicles 7:14; Luke 13:3 and 15:7; Acts 17:30
5. Ask God to save you
Romans 10:13
Steps for a Close Relationship with God
1. Listen to the Holy Spirit John 14:26; John 16:13-14
2. Adjust your life to God’s will
Jeremiah 18:1-6; Matthew 22:37-38; John 5:17, 19-20, and 8:47
3. Learn to be God’s servant Matthew 20:26-28; Philippians 2:5-8, 13
4. By faith, join God in His work
Amos 3:7; Hebrews 11:2429; James 5:17-18
5. Remain faithful to God Philippians 3:4-14
STANDARD CLASSROOM SUPPLIES
Preschool Teacher Commentary
My Sunday Pictures (student book and take-home)
Preschool Creative Teaching Aids
Preschool Make-It/ Take-It (1 per child)
Bibles
Bible-time clothes
Clear tape
Construction paper, scrap paper
Cotton balls
Craft sticks
Crayons and washable markers
Dress-up clothes
Story board
Glue or glue sticks
Media player
Paper clips
Pencils
Play dishes and food
Play dough (purchased or homemade)
Scissors
Self-adhesive hook or glue dots
Yarn, string, or thread
NEW from THE CHOSEN
Discover the WONDER, WISDOM, and FUN of JESUS through the eyes of young children.
Based on season one, episode three of the groundbreaking TV show, The Chosen, this book will provide little readers with a new experience of Jesus–His kindness, His sense of humor, His availability, and His love for “the least of these”–through the eyes of children just like them learn about who Jesus really is.
Written by Amanda Jenkins, with illustrations by Kristen Hendricks, and based on the script by Dallas Jenkins, this book offers a new and precious way to learn about who Jesus really is.
creative teaching aids
*While it is possible to download a .ZIP compressed file to a mobile device, you may need to install a helper App first, like UnZip or
Digital products are subject to the End User License Agreement (EULA) found at DavidCCook.org/EULA/ and any additional terms or restrictions that may accompany the product. Digital products cannot be returned, sold, or relicensed. This product license is good for 6 months. After 6 months, you must purchase another license.
Illustrators: Robert Korta, Warren Ludwig, Tony Morris, Donna Kae Nelson, Loretta Riddle
Fill in the calendar dates and your children’s names. Hang this chart on the wall in a low place where it is accessible to children. Help your students mark their attendance each week by coloring in the square, drawing a happy face, or adding a small sticker. God cares for us! That’s what your students will hear in the Bible lessons this quarter. They’ll learn that God gives them families to love and care for them; He gives them friends to help each other; and He gives them the people in their church to love them and teach them about Jesus.
Please remember that some children’s attendance may be sporadic because of special circumstances. When a child misses a week, try to call or send a note. Or make a special point of telling him that you missed him when you see him again. That will make your little student feel happy. He will know that he is cared for—by you!
Reproducible Wooly Pattern
Materials:
1/2 yard white fake fur or fabric; scraps of pink felt for ear lining; scraps of black felt for hooves and nose; two 1/2 inch brown buttons for eyes (optional: brown felt); 1/2 yard 1/4-inch-wide red ribbon; 1 bell; white thread; disappearing ink marking pen for cloth; fabric glue; black embroidery floss
Instructions:
Enlarge the pattern pieces by 135%; add a 1/4 inch seam allowance to Back 1, Front 2, Tail 3, and Hoof 4; add a 1/2 inch hem allowance to bottom of Back 1 and Front 2. Lay pieces 1, 2, and 3 on wrong side of white fabric and outline with marking pen. Mark dart lines of Back 1 and Front 2 on wrong side of fabric. Cut out pieces 1, 2, and 3. In the same manner, cut Hoof 4 and Nose 6 from black fabric and Inner Ear 5 from pink fabric.
Pin Tail 3 pieces right sides together and sew, leaving the top open. Clip curves and turn right side out. Pin Back 1 pieces right sides together along
center back. Sew the center back seam. Cut along slash line of dart. Fold back along slash line, right sides together. Insert Tail 3 and sew along dart line.
On Front 2, cut along center line of darts about one inch. (Do not cut all the way to dart end.) Pin darts and sew. With right sides together, pin center front seam (which includes the nose shaping), opening the dart seams to lie flat. Sew the center front seam.
Pin Hoof 4 pieces to the ends of the arms on Back 1 and Front 2, right sides together. Sew the hooves onto the arms.
With right sides together, pin Back 1 to Front 2. Sew the seam. Clip all the curves and turn right side out. Fold up the bottom hem 1/2 inch and stitch.
Sew the buttons on Front 2 at the dart points for eyes. If you have very young preschoolers, you may want to use felt pieces for eyes instead of buttons. Glue Nose 6 and Inner Ear 5 pieces in place with fabric glue using the markings on the pattern as a guide. Embroider a mouth, following the stitching guide on the pattern. Thread the bell onto the ribbon. Tie the ribbon around Wooly’s neck, cutting off the excess.
The Family Teaching Aid 2 • Lessons 1, 3
Make-It Take-It ® craft book
GETTING STARTED
Here is a pattern for your children to color and use in Lesson 1, Getting Started. Use the house on this page to assemble a bulletin board display with the children in your class.
Remove this page from the book and open the die-cut windows and door. Print each child’s name on their house. Have the children color the houses. Let your students choose colors they like, not necessarily “right” colors, so
each house will be unique. While they are coloring, you may take pictures of the children to mount inside the house windows. You may title your bulletin board display “God Gives Us Families.”
“Love
one another.”
John 13:34
FOR PARENTS
Today your child learned that God gives us families just as God gave Hannah and Elkanah their baby, Samuel.
Find a special place at home to display this handcraft project to let your child know how important he is to you. Discuss some ways God helps you care for him such as providing food, clothes, and a home. Then let him listen as you thank God for him.
Practice the Bible memory verse together: “Love one another” (John 13:34).
My Name is:
Bible Craft Activities!
Preschoolers will be delighted with all the things to do in this Make-It/Take-It craft book. Designed for in-class use, your students can do these crafts with little or no help! Perforated projects make prep time easy. Only basic classroom supplies are needed. Preschoolers will transform these pages into books, story puppets, popup cards, and puzzles, all with the goal of helping them remember the Bible lesson each week.
n Sunday school this month, your child will learn that God has provided families to love and care for children today just as He provided for people in Bible times. Be sure to reinforce these lessons throughout each week as you pray, play, and work at home.
◾ Hannah and her husband have baby Samuel (1 Samuel 1:1-23).
◾ Boaz and Ruth marry and have a child (Ruth 1–4).
◾ Abraham’s and Lot’s servants quarrel (Genesis 13:1-12).
◾ Abraham and Sarah have Isaac (Genesis 21:1-6).
Family Time
Even a simple gathering in the backyard can be fun when you take the camera along.
Family Faith Steps
Get the whole family in the picture by asking a neighbor to help. Smile!
There are many stories about families in the Bible. Read some of them with your family this month. What can your family learn from other families in the Bible?
Thank God for your child at bedtime. Have him say “Thank You, God, for my family.” Relate more prayers of thanks to the events of the day. For example, “Thanks, God, for the fun we had together at the birthday party.”
Every four or five weeks your child will bring home a My Sunday Pictures Family Card with information and activities to use throughout the unit. Your child will also get a weekly card with the Bible story for you to read together and activities to do with your child.
Learning God’s
Word
The memory verse is in the last line of the poem. Practice this rhyme together.
Illustrators: Bible illustrations by Constanza Basaluzzo; present-day illustrations by Cedric Taylor. Fall 2025
God Gives Hannah Baby Samuel
This story is based on 1 Samuel 1:1-23.
Baby Samuel’s mommy and daddy loved each other very much. They also loved God. And they loved the baby boy God had given them. (Point to baby Samuel.) They named the baby Samuel.
Samuel’s mommy and daddy liked to take care of him. They gave him food to eat. (Have your child pretend to eat.) They gave him milk to drink. (Have your child pretend to drink milk.) They dressed him every day and kept him safe. (Pretend to dress a baby.)
Samuel’s parents probably did some of the same things your parents do with you. Perhaps they held Samuel close and hugged him. (Hug your child.) They probably talked to him a lot and taught him new words to say.
Samuel’s parents thanked God for giving them their family. They took good care of little Samuel.
Lesson 1
God Made the Family
Bible Truth: God gives us families.
Anthony and Tiana were excited to go to church on Saturday. There was a special event at their church for families.
Anthony and Tiana and their mom and dad were excited to wear their matching T-shirts.
The pastor talked about how it is God’s plan for each of us to have families.
Each family learned more about God from the Bible, they sang songs of praise, they prayed together for their family and for God’s blessings. They made crafts together, and they even played games together.
“Anthony,” Tiana said, “This was the best day ever! I am so happy we got to spend the day doing fun things with our family.”
“Yes, this was the best day ever!” Anthony said. “Dad, thank you for bringing us to church today.” Anthony gave his dad a big bear hug.
“Son,” Dad said. “I am so blessed to have you and Tiana and your mom in our family.”
“Let’s pray together and thank God for our family,” Mom said.
The family held hands and together they prayed for each other.
Family Time
Make a list of things your family likes to do together. Choose one thing and plan to do it as a family this week. You might take photos or record your family together. Save your list and continue to do one thing on the list as your time allows this month. Talk about how God gave you your family and pray for all the people in your family as well as extended family members. Name each family member in your prayer. Practice the Bible memory verse using the action rhyme found on Family Card A. Bible Memory Verse
