September 13—God Calls Samuel

Optional Activities On-the-Spot Time Fillers that Teach

At times when an adult service may run long, or during holidays or when the weather changes, children may have extra energy and need a break. Consider using or adapting some of these activities to fill time or to “get out the wiggles.” Drop the Hanky

Children stand in circle. One child moves around the outside of the circle carrying a hanky. When he drops it behind a child, that child follows him around the circle. The first child takes the place of the second child who then becomes “It.”

Application: Drop a lesson-related item.

I Spy

Children sit together and close eyes as the leader hides a lesson-related item so it is visible. Children open eyes and look for item. When they see it, they raise their hands and point it out.

Hide the Thimble

Children should close their eyes as the leader hides a thimble in the room. They try to find the thimble. The leader gives hints, such as, “Amy is warm. Luke is cold.” The child finding the thimble may hide it.

Application: Hide a lesson-related object. The child finding it may answer a question or name an item or person from the lesson.

Dog and Bone

One child sits in a chair with his back to other children. A “bone” is beneath his chair. One child “steals” the bone and returns to his seat. “It” tries to guess who has the bone.

Application: “Steal” lesson-related item, such as the jug that David took from King Saul.

Freeze

Children listen to music as they walk in a circle. When the music stops, the children freeze in place.

Application: Play lesson-related music. When it stops, children freeze and say the memory verse.

Fall 2020

Musical Chairs

Children sit in a circle of chairs which have been placed back to back. Provide enough chairs for all but one child. While music plays they walk around the circle. When the music stops, all but one child should find a seat.

Application: The child left standing may say the memory verse or respond to a question. Vary the game by passing lesson-related items as the music plays.

Beanbag Toss

Children toss a beanbag into a container. The container may have a lesson-related picture or object attached. If the child succeeds, he may answer a question or name a person or object from the lesson.

Bowling

Make bowling pins from two-liter soft drink bottles. When a child says the memory verse or answers a lesson-related question, he may take a turn bowling.

Memory Game

Make matching picture cards. Mount them onto poster board. Place them facedown. The children take turns turning over two at a time. If the cards match, they may keep them; if not, the cards are turned facedown again.

Look for other games that can be adapted to reinforce lesson truths. Consider storing supplies and games in boxes on shelves or in closets for easy access.

Teachable Treats

Cut a lesson-related shape from a piece of bread, lunch meat, and cheese slice using a cookie cutter or knife. Allow the children to build a sandwich or add toppings to their treat. (Always remember to check for food allergies before serving any snack.) Toppings could include peanut butter, shredded coconut, icing, granola, raisins, candies, or mini marshmallows. Ask review questions from the lesson as the children enjoy their treats.

Little Missionaries Missions Activities for Preschoolers

Missions is telling people about God’s love. Missionaries take the good news to people far away.

A quarterly page to teach children the concept of missions and provide opportu nities for them to participate in missions through telling of God’s love, prayer, and giving. The “Little Missionaries Song” (track 20) and “Little Missionaries Sound Off” (track 21) are recorded on the CD in the Resource Packet.

Words to Say

Say, “Missions is telling people about God’s love. God loves (Vanessa) and (Stephen) and (Abby) so-o-o much. God wants (Miguel) to tell others that He loves them too. Some missionaries go far, far away to tell people that God loves them. That makes God very happy.”

Giving to Missions

Cover a small table with an ethnic-type table cover. On the table, beside the offering container, place coins from various countries. As the children give their offerings, explain that people in other countries may give different types of coins to God.

Little Missionaries Action Verse

I can walk; I can run. (Walk in place; run in place.) I can talk and pray. (Put hands to mouth; fold hands.) I can say that God helps you (Point to self; point up; point to child.) Each and every day. (Shake finger.)

“God’s Love” Game

Have the children stand up and form two lines. Give each child a paper heart with God’s Love written on it and a piece of looped tape on the back. Tape a large map to the wall on the opposite side of the room. Have the first child in line hop, skip, etc., to the map and tape his heart on a country. When he gets back, the next child in line will do the same. Continue until both teams are through. Take off the hearts and say, “God loves (Name of each country).”

Praying

Cut out pieces of paper and write the name of a different country on each one. Each week, let one child pull a piece of paper from a box or basket. Take time to pray especially for the children of that country.

Little Missionaries Sound Off

(Sing as a military cadence. Play track 21 from the CD*.)

Teacher Children God loves people everywhere. (Echo.) Go and tell them of His care. (Echo.) Sound off. Jesus Sound off. Loves us. Sound off. JESUS LOVES US! JESUS LOVES US!

Tell the good, good news to all. Jesus loves us—one and all. (Repeat “sound off.”) (Echo.) (Echo.)

Little Missionaries Song

(Tune: “Over the River and through the Woods.” Play track 20 from the CD*.)

Over the mountains, across the sea (Fingertips form mountain; wavy hand motions.) The missionaries go (Walk in place.) To tell the people about God’s love, (Hug self.) So everyone will know. (Stretch arms wide.)

Notes