Sample Primary Teacher Guide Fall

Primary

Sep | Oct | Nov 2020

TEACHER GUIDE

UNITS

1: The Church 2: Women of Faith

3: Daniel and His Friends

Grades 1 & 2 adaptable to Grade 3

Primary

Volume 89 Number 1 Sep • Oct • Nov 2020 PRIMARY TEACHER GUIDE is also available in Spanish from Gospel Publishing House. Mis Amigos Maestro (order number 62-2121) includes lessons for September 2020 through February 2021.

PRIMARY TEACHER GUIDE is available on tape for the legally blind. For more information contact the AG National Center for the Blind.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (NCV) are taken from the New Century Version®.

Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version.

PRIMARY TEACHER GUIDE (ISSN 10593268) is published quarterly by Gospel Publishing House, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802-1894.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PRIMARY TEACHER GUIDE, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 658021894.

For information on quality discipleship resources for all ages, visit our Web sites: www.GospelPublishing.com www.MyHealthyChurch.com or call toll-free 1-800-641-4310.

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Teacher Guide • TEACHING HELPS The ABCs of Salvation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Five Steps to a Successful Sunday School Class.

Learning Styles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Inductive Bible Study.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lesson Plan Form.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Light Crew. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Unit 1 Overview.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Unit 2 Overview.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Unit 3 Overview.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Coming Next Quarter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Evaluation Form. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Bulletin Board Ideas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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November 1—Four Friends Stand for God. . . . . . . .

November 8—Daniel and the King’s Dream. . . . . . .

November 15—Three Hebrews Face a Fiery Furnace.

November 22—Daniel and the Writing on the Wall. . .

November 29—Daniel and the Lions’ Den. . . . . . . .

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• LESSONS UNIT 1: The Church September 6—A Caring, Growing Church. . . . .

September 13—Great Leaders of the First Church.

September 20—The Church Today. . . . . . . . .

September 27—The Church around the World. .

Unit 2: Women of Faith October 4—Ruth Is Kind. . . . . . . . . . . .

October 11—Abigail Makes Peace. . . . . .

October 18—Esther Rescues Her People.

October 25—Lydia Helps Paul. . . . . . . .

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Unit 3: Daniel and His Friends

Cover Photo: RF Creative | E+ | Getty Images © 2020 by Gospel Publishing House 1445 N. Boonville Ave. Springfield, MO 65802 Printed in U.S.A.

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The ABCs of Salvation Leading a Child to Christ

Evangelism is a privilege. There’s nothing quite so exciting as helping a child accept Jesus as Savior. As you teach, look for opportunities to lead children to Christ. When a child responds to a salvation invitation, use this plan to guide them as they accept Jesus as Savior.

Admit you are a sinner.

• Read Romans 3:23 with the child: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” • Say, “Everyone disobeys God. That is sin.”

• Ask, “Do you understand that you have sinned?”

Believe in Jesus.

• Read John 3:16 with the child: “‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’”

• Say, “God hates sin but loves each of us—even though we all sin. He loves us so much that He gave Jesus, His Son, to die and take the punishment for our sins.”

• Lead the child in the sinner’s prayer:

Dear Jesus, I am a sinner. I have disobeyed You. Please forgive me. Come into my heart and life. Help me love and follow You. Thank You for the gift of salvation. Amen.

Confess that Jesus is your Lord.

• Read Romans 10:9 with the child: “Confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord.’”

• Say, “Asking Jesus into your heart is the start of a new life, a life where Jesus is your leader, your Lord. He will never leave you alone.”

• Ask, “What has happened to you?” and let the child respond.

• Encourage the child to tell someone about his or her new life with Jesus.

What Now?

• Encourage the child to: 4 Talk to Jesus every day in prayer, asking Him for help to live for Him. 4 Readers: Read the Bible every day. Start by reading the Gospel of Mark.

4 Non-readers: Ask someone to read Bible stories to you.

4 Ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” when you’re not sure what to do.

4 Go to church.

Primary Teacher Guide

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Steps to a Successful Sunday School Class

Start with Curriculum

You’ve made the right choice in choosing this curriculum. It provides solid biblical teaching that your students will enjoy and understand. Lessons are designed for easy preparation, and the activities will keep your stu-

dents interested as the lesson is reinforced. As you begin lesson preparation, list all the curriculum pieces you will be using:

 Primary Teacher Guide— 13 easy-to-use lessons, plus helpful hints and tips  Primary Resource Packet— lesson helps for your classroom  Primary Bible Visuals— fun-to-use Bible characters bring the story to life  Primary Lesson Pages— lesson activities for students  Primary Handwork Packet— creative crafts for hands-on learners  Kidz World— take-home paper that reinforces the lesson through the week

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Think about Your Class Next, consider what you already know about your class. ✔ Time—How much class time do you have? Consider total time (after greeting, transitions, etc.) as well as actual teaching time. Estimating the time it will take for each activity will help you decide which ones to use. ✔ Setting—What is your classroom setting? Do you have a table and chairs, or is your room arranged in centers? Is there a kitchen nearby? Are the bathrooms close? If you have to trek down the hall for a drink or bathroom break, include this in your estimated time. ✔ Teachers—How many teachers and helpers do you have? Choose or modify activities based on the amount of supervision required. ✔ Students—Who are your regular attendees? How do they learn best? Do you frequently have visitors? It’s a good idea to plan your lesson for the regular attendees, but be prepared in case of visitors.

Now consider what you know about your regular students.

You may want to keep notes (see sample) on each student describing how he or she learns best.

s old Nate—boy, 6 year gets in trouble He g. in by hear

Learns er s the first to answ for talking, is alway d an to es to listen a question, and lov . tell stories, etc

years old Michaela—girl, 8 uching. She to & ns by seeing

Lear , getting dressed up loves pretty things, ites neatly. and colors and wr

ars old Austin—boy, 8 ye ic, moving. He’s athlet

Learns by ven rough—play, enjoys energetic—e . rarely sits down, etc

ars old Amber—Girl, 7 ye ing &

by mov Learns primarily ays moving, alw is e Sh touching. g! talking, and touchin

If your regular students cover all the learning styles (like the sample note), you won’t have to plan other activities for less frequent attendees. If your class has primarily one or two learning styles*, you will want to have variations or additional activities ready for visitors. *To learn more about learning styles see page 5.

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The Teacher Focus will help you become familiar with the lesson and how it relates to your students. “Life Application”and “We Believe” will show you how to apply to your students’ lives the doctrine that the lesson teaches.

C. Telling God’s Word Targets Nate & Michaela (hearing & seeing)

B. Songs, Worship, Offering

A. Bag Blocks Targets Michaela & Amber (touching)

This curriculum is flexible so you can rearrange the activities to best suit the needs of your classroom.

You may have a standard way you begin class. For example, allowing the children to play with blocks or another game helps them get comfortable quickly. Use the activity to introduce the lesson and then begin the Bible story.

*Have Michaela pass out visuals.

Telling the Bible story will interest students who learn by hearing. Using visual aids like the Bible Visuals will target those who learn by seeing.

By allowing the students to participate in displaying the visuals, you keep them interested and involved in the story.

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A C

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Plan Your Lesson At this point, sit down with your Primary Teacher Guide and adapt the lesson to fit the needs of your class. Highlight, circle, or mark the activities that your students will enjoy and, most importantly, will meet their learning styles. Here is a sample lesson overview of one way to teach the lesson.

Primary Teacher Guide

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Plan Your Lesson cont.

Options for Extra Time: Bible Story Skit Find-It Poster

If you have students who have not made a commitment to Christ, or you are not sure of the spiritual walk of visitors, it’s a good idea to present the plan of salvation and give them the opportunity to accept Christ. You never know when a student might be ready to make such a life-changing decision.

Have additional activities prepared in case you have additional time or need to recapture their interest.

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G. Handwork

D. S tudent Books Targets Michaela (seeing & touching) Using activities, like this one, from the Lesson Pages will appeal to students who learn by sight and touch. These activities will help them better retain the lesson.

Targets Michaela & Amber Craft activities will target your touch learners, while keeping your sight learners involved as well. Movement learners may not be interested in doing crafts. You might want to have an optional activity available for them. (Have a helper available to oversee that activity.)

E. Hit the Target Targets Austin, Michaela, & Amber (moving & touching) Games are a great way to review.

Activities that get students moving will keep your movement learners involved and help them better retain the lesson.

F. LIGHT Crew Targets Michaela (seeing & touching) Primary Teacher Guide

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H. Take-Home – Ask these questions as parents pick up. *What problem did David face? *How did God help David? *Why was he not afraid?

Asking leading questions as parents pick students up can help the students share about the lesson. It can also help parents ask about the lesson as they look at the handwork and read Kidz World during the week.

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Take a closer look at . . .

LEARNING STYLES Teach the Lesson As you teach the lesson, constantly evaluate: • Your students—What things are you ­discovering about them and how they learn?

• Your lesson—Are the children grasping the concept and objective presented in the lesson?

• The activities—Are they working well? Is the order flowing like you’d hoped?

• The time—Is service running late? Do you have extra activities or games planned? Are you keeping your students’ attention? What fun activities can you do to reinforce the lesson?

SEEING (visual) Miguel likes to “see” his world.

He enjoys colors, contrast, bulletin boards, and videos. He gets bored when there are no visuals.

HOW TO TEACH MIGUEL:

• Display posters from the Resource Packet • Show the Bible Visuals with the story • Use object lessons

HEARING (auditory) Alison “hears” her world. She loves to hear stories and listens when you tell her to do something. She becomes bored when she hears information she already knows.

Evaluate After each class, evaluate the lesson as a whole using the questions from step four.

HOW TO TEACH ALISON: • Tell Bible and life-application stories • Use listening and sharing activities • Sing songs and listen to skits from the Resource Packet CD

Evaluation: nt well. we son les * The d I had the bonus * Service ran late—gla option activity! the Bible review * The students loved n to get them game. Note: Any optio ner! win a is g up and movin

There’s no “secret formula” for a successful Sunday School class, and there’s no guarantee that all your students will remember what you teach them and apply it to their lives. But God promises that His Word will not return void.

And by following these five simple steps, you can teach biblical ­principles so many of your students remember and apply them—and that’s what teaching is all about.

TOUCHING (tactual) Stephanie likes to “feel” and “feel good about” her world.

She needs to “get in touch” with new concepts and learns best when she can feel and compare information.

HOW TO TEACH STEPHANIE:

• Use interactive posters from the Resource Packet • Make crafts and use play dough or finger paints • Use role play with puppets to explore feelings

MOVING (kinesthetic) Zack loves to experience his world through movement. He moves a lot during class and loves ­participating in things like dramas, action songs, and plays.

HOW TO TEACH ZACK: • Act out the Bible story • Utilize activity centers • Play movement games for review or memory work • Sing action songs

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Inductive Bible Study

by LeRoy Bartel

An inductive approach to Bible study is important because it places emphasis on the Bible itself. Although teachers who use the inductive method of Bible study recognize the value of commentaries and other books about the Bible, they study the Bible first—even before their teacher guide.

A teacher who practices inductive Bible study begins with the Bible. Once he knows the Bible passage that a particular lesson is based on, he seeks to lay aside all preconceived notions about what a passage teaches and come to it with innocence of eye—looking at it as though he were seeing it for the very first time.

What are the stages of inductive Bible study?

How can those who teach children use it to enrich and give direction to their teaching?

What is the main focus of the Bible passage? To answer this question, the teacher recognizes that a passage teaches one primary truth—one “big idea”—and then seeks to find that truth in the words used in the Bible text.

The “big idea” is usually a word or phrase in the Bible text itself that summarizes the emphasis of the passage. The teacher assumes that although there may be several supplementary truths, there is only one major, central truth.

How is the main truth developed in the passage? The second thing a teacher does is pay attention to how this “big idea” is developed in the Bible passage. This calls for analysis— evaluating how the biblical writer makes his point.

In the great stories of the Bible this is usually expressed in a series of scenes or episodes— snapshots, if you please. In the Epistles we try to follow the writer’s train of thought—his chain of logic.

How does the passage fit into a wider context? At this stage we also pay attention to how the passage we’re studying fits into the broader context before and after the passage.

A wise and effective teacher will be sure her teaching focuses on the central truth emphasized in the passage. She will try to find creative ways to get her students to learn what the Bible actually teaches. She wants them to explore the Bible passage, not a story told about that passage.

Observation— Look at the passage

Interpretation— Look back in time

At what point in your teaching preparation do you pick up your Bible? Tragically, many who teach children rarely actually study the Bible.

They spend almost all of their preparation time reading the lesson guide. In fact, when they teach their lesson they often hold their lesson guide—not the Bible. Yet in Sunday School we claim to teach the Bible. And, indeed, it should be our primary textbook!

That’s why we, as Sunday School teachers, should use the inductive method of Bible study as we prepare to teach.

Why use the inductive method?

In observation, the first stage of inductive study, we look closely at a Bible passage and seek to answer some fundamental questions: What does the passage say? How does it say it?

How does the passage fit in its Bible context?

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At this stage, the teacher looks for clues in the passage that tell what was happening back then and there. What was the situation? What were the circumstances? What did Bible people feel? What human problems did they face?

What was the Bible context? The clues to answer these questions are to be found in the passage itself or in the broader context around the passage. The teacher then looks at what the passage says against this backdrop. In doing this, what the passage teaches often comes to life!

How can I help children experience the world of the Bible passage? This is such an important stage for those who teach children!

The teacher will seek to move children back to the world of “then and there.”

She will seek to let them hear the sounds, smell the odors, taste the food, feel the emotions, and wrestle with the problems Bible characters faced. She will try to find creative ways to let students hear God’s Word and experience His power.

Application—Look ahead

In application, a teacher asks, “How does this passage apply to my students, here and now?” She seeks to identify situations and circumstances in the passage that are similar to the ones children face every day.

How does this Bible passage relate to my students? Did a Bible character face an impossible problem? What seems impossible to children today? How did God solve the Bible story problem? How might He solve a modern problem?

How can I enhance life application in my class? Once the questions above are answered, a teacher should select appropriate life application stories and/or activities to

help her students understand how the truth of the passage relates to their daily lives.

Response—Look within

During response time the effective teacher attempts to lead the children to personally respond to the truth of the Bible passage. The key question is, “What does God want us to do as a result of what this passage teaches?”

It is at this stage that the intended meaning of the passage becomes personally real to the children. During response time the child experiences the power and authority of the Bible in his life. He hears God speaking to him personally through His Word! It is at this point that God’s Word changes and transforms children’s lives.

The Bible is central

We must never simply teach about the Bible.

We must teach the Bible itself. As valuable and helpful as teaching materials are, we cannot afford to let children think we simply teach the lesson manual. We must clearly and evidently teach the Bible to them.

An inductive approach to Bible study best prepares a teacher of children to teach God’s Word so it results in changes in the children’s lives.

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Lesson Plan

Date:______________________________

Title/Bible Story:________________________Focus:_________________________

Discovering God’s Word ● Arrival Time Activities______________________________________________________________________________________ ● Songs___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ● Worship_________________________________________________________________________________________________ ● Offering_________________________________________________________________________________________________ ● Lesson Lead-In____________________________________________________________________________________________

Telling God’s Word ● Bible Story_______________________________________________________________________________________________ ● Altar Time_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Applying God’s Word ● Life Application___________________________________________________________________________________________ ● Student Book_____________________________________________________________________________________________ ● Memory Verse____________________________________________________________________________________________ ● Review__________________________________________________________________________________________________ ● Resource Packet___________________________________________________________________________________________

Taking God’s Word Home ● Handwork Packet__________________________________________________________________________________________ ● Take-Home Paper__________________________________________________________________________________________ Make one copy per lesson to create a lesson-at-a-glance planning page.

© 2020

Permission to duplicate for classroom use only.

LIGHT Crew

What is it? How do I use it?

The Name & Purpose

“LIGHT” is an acrostic for “Looking Into God’s Holy Truth.” LIGHT Crew projects are designed to motivate children to learn the weekly memory verses.

The Format

Each lesson contains a weekly LIGHT Crew question and verse answer. These are located in the “Applying God’s Word” lesson section.

Each week take class time to memorize the verse and to introduce the LIGHT Crew question.

Encourage the children to review the verse and question during the week.

To aid review, the questions and verses are printed in Kidz World, the take-home paper.

The next week, as each child arrives for class, ask him last week’s question. After he quotes last week’s verse, record his memorization. Be sure to keep track of each child’s memorization since you will award certificates at the end of the quarter.

Use the chart poster and chart stickers from the Primary Resource Packet to keep track of each student’s memorization.

play that lesson’s card. Tape the top of the card to the wall so it may be flipped up.

Each card has a lesson picture and the LIGHT Crew question on the front. The memory verse answers are printed on the back in both KJV and NIV versions.

Certificate: A photocopy master for a reward God’s People certificate is provided in the resource packet.

Duplicate a copy for each child and fill in the blanks. Present the certificates the first Sunday of the next quarter after the children have said the final memory verse.

This is to certify that

_______________________________________ has memorized _________ Bible verses during Fall 2020.

_______________________________________ (Teacher)

_______________________________________ (Children’s Pastor)

What about Absentees?

LIGHT Crew is designed to recognize each verse learned, so perfect attendance is not required.

However, if you wish to help children learn missed verses, provide a few minutes at the beginning or end of class to work individually with children to help them learn missed verses.

LIGHT Crew Items

Flip Cards: Prominently display these colorful cards at the children’s eye level. Each week dis-

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Unit 1 Overview The Church

These four lessons describe the First Church as well as the role of the Church in today’s world. The Church today is to be the body of Christ, just as that first Church in Jerusalem was. The Church today is to be loving, growing, and missionary-minded like the Church in the Book of Acts.

God’s plan for His Church and His people has not changed. Help your students desire the baptism in the Holy Spirit, enjoy participation in their local church, and enjoy supporting missions around the world.

Unit 1 Objectives

By studying these four lessons, the child will: • discover stories about the Church, then and now • feel glad he is a part of the Church • participate in his local church

Room Decorations

Find-It Theme Poster: The resource packet contains this colorful poster for your classroom. Display it at children’s eye level.

My Church: On a poster or newsprint, print “My Church” in large outline letters. Encourage the children to draw inside the letters. They will draw pictures of things, people, and activities from church.

This project may be completed in one setting or added to on a weekly basis. Hang the poster at the children’s eye level.

Light Crew Review

Each week, ask each arriving child the LIGHT Crew question from the previous week.

The child can flip up the appropriate LIGHT Crew card to read the verse and check his memorization. Use the Chart Poster and Stickers from the resource packet to track each child’s memorization efforts each week.

A recognition certificate, copy master Sheet 6, is provided to encourage memorization.

Award these certificates on the first Sunday of December, after the children have recited all verses from the fall lessons.

Arrival Time Ideas

Church Poster: This colorful poster reinforces Unit 1. It is found in the resource packet.

Doctrines Poster: This poster reinforces the four key beliefs of Spirit-filled Christians.

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Peanut Butter Clay: Use homemade peanut butter clay to make lesson-related shapes such as a church, a world globe, a body shape, etc.

Here’s the recipe: • Mix together 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 cup corn syrup, 11⁄4 cups nonfat dry milk, and 11⁄4 cups powdered sugar.

• Add powdered sugar or milk by the spoonful to reach desired consistency.

• Add food coloring as desired.

Safety Note: Before bringing peanut butter clay to your classroom be sure no child who uses your classroom is allergic to peanuts.

Balloon Throw: You will need a large, round balloon. To play, a child throws the balloon up and says something she is thankful for before the balloon hits the floor.

Adapt the game by letting the children say the memory verse, name a job to do in the church, or name a way to help a missionary.

Church Leaders: You will need items that church workers use. For instance, offering bags for ushers, a blanket for nursery workers, an instrument for musicians, a Bible for pastors and teachers, a baking pan for meal preparation, a broom, etc.

Let the children play with the items. As they play, discuss the different jobs and why each is important in our church.

Song Suggestions

These songs are provided on the CD in the Primary Resource Packet� They complement the unit lessons. Printed music is provided in the packet.

“Many Ways to Worship” “I Worship You” “So Glad” “Women of Faith” “Everything I Do”

Worship Ideas

Make Music: Give each child a rhythm instrument. Explain that each instrument makes a specific sound. As each sound is important to a band, so each person is important in the church.

Let each child play his instrument alone. Then have the entire class play a song together.

Follow the Leader: Explain, “There were many great leaders in the Early Church. God wants us to learn to be leaders too.”

Choose a child to be the worship leader for one song. Then let another child lead the next song. Let several students lead.

Church Prayer Bag: See the instructions for a church offering bag below. Use the bag for prayer request slips instead of for offerings. You may wish to take home the slips after each class so you can pray for the requests.

Unit Offering Ideas

Offering Bag: Make an offering bag. You will need an 8- by 16-inch fabric strip and two 18-inch lengths of wire. (Wire is coat-hanger weight.)

Fold a 1-inch hem in each end of the fabric.

Stitch the hem edges in place. Fold the fabric in half with the hems out. Stitch the sides, stopping below the hems. Turn the pocket inside out.

Run a wire through each hem. Curve the wires to shape the bag. Twist the ends together and cover with colorful plastic tape.

Share with the class how our money is given in the church. Then explain that it is used to do God’s work.

Adaptation: Borrow an offering bag or plate used in your adult church services.

Church Offering Container: Locate a churchshaped offering box at a Christian bookstore.

Or make one from a half-pint milk carton painted white. Add a steeple made from toothpicks and clay. Cut a slot in the carton for coins.

Use this as the offering container for Unit 1.

Snacks: Ask parents about food allergies. Never serve any snack to your students unless you are certain that it is safe for all of them.

ALLERGY ALERT !

ALERT!

JBQ & Bible Fact-PakTM

You may use the Bible Fact-Pak Question Cards to learn and review questions related to the lessons in this unit. The questions that apply are these: Lesson 1: 16 Lesson 2: 233, 499 Lesson 3: 419, 420, 425, 426, 428 Lesson 4: 424, 560 Primary Teacher Guide

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Lesson 1 • September 6, 2020

A Caring, Growing Church UNIT 1: The Church

Teacher Focus

Those first weeks after Pentecost must have been exciting. New believers came to Christ daily; people were baptized in the Holy Spirit; God revealed himself through signs and wonders. Such amazing growth presented practical problems, however. Many of the new believers were visitors to Jerusalem and were not prepared for a long-term stay. Yet everyone contributed money and possessions to meet the needs of others.

Help the children understand the excitement of those early days. Help them also see the love the believers had for one another, how everyone was willing to share so all had enough. Help children understand that, even today, God wants His children to love one another and take care of each other.

Objective

The child will be able to name ways the members of the Early Church cared for one another.

Life Application

Compassion: To help each child identify ways he can show care and concern for others.

We Believe

Memory Verse

Active compassion is a hallmark of true Christianity.

Bear ye one another’s burdens. Galatians 6:2 (KJV) Carry each other’s burdens. Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

Bible Text Acts 2:42–47; 4:32–37; 6:1–7 LESSON STEP

ACTIVITY

MATERIALS NEEDED

Discovering God’s Word 5–10 minutes

❏ Arrival Time Activities ���������������� See pages 10 and 11. ❏ Songs, Worship, Offering ����������� See page 11. ❏ LIGHT Crew ���������������������������������� LIGHT Crew Card 13, chart, and certificates from summer resource packet

❏ Attendance ������������������������������������ Handwork packet sticker pictures

❏ Lesson Lead-In

❏ Trading Game ������������������������� Plastic bowls, checkers

❏ Helpers ������������������������������������ Items for children to carry—books, toys, craft supplies, etc.

Telling ❏ Bible Story ������������������������������������ Visual 1 of the Primary Bible Visuals, Bible, flannel board God’s Word ❏ Altar Time 15–20 minutes ❏ Evangelism Emphasis ����������� Bible, “The ABCs of Salvation” on page 1

❏ Helper Prayers ������������������������ No supplies needed

Applying ❏ Life Application ���������������������������� See page 15.

God’s Word ❏ Primary Lesson Pages ��������������� Lesson 1, Invisible Ink 15–20 minutes ❏ Memory Verse ❏ LIGHT Crew ���������������������������� LIGHT Crew Card 1

❏ Burden Bearing ���������������������� Heavy book such as a dictionary or encyclopedia

❏ Bible Review

❏ Pair Play ���������������������������������� Treats, bag or box, ten unique numbered puzzle pieces cut from five paper hearts ❏ Bible Review Questions �������� Primary Resource Packet Sheet 7 or questions on page 16 Taking God’s ❏ Primary Handwork Packet ������ Activity 1, sticker Word with Me ❏ Primary Resource Packet 5–10 minutes ❏ Caring Church Picture ���������� Sheet 8, markers or crayons ❏ Bible Books Activity �������������� Prepared posters, mounting putty ❏ Take-Home Paper ������������� Kidz World Primary Parents’ Guide

Discovering God’s Word (5–10 min.)

Handwork Packet Attendance Picture

Arrival Time Activities: Prepare at least one activity. See pages 10 and 11.

Songs, Worship, Offering: See page 11 for worship and prayer ideas.

LIGHT Crew: Reward each child for the verses he learned last quarter. A certificate was provided in the summer resource packet.

Attendance: An attendance picture with matching stickers is provided in the Primary Handwork Packet.

LESSON LEAD-IN Focus student attention with one or more of these hands-on ideas.

Trading Game: You will need plastic bowls and checkers.

This game is played in pairs. Give each pair of children a bowl containing 10 or 12 checkers. To play, one child grabs a handful of checkers. His partner takes the remaining checkers. Then both children count their checkers. Whoever has more checkers gives away checkers until both have an equal number of checkers.

Say, “Our game is about sharing. So is our Bible story.”

Helpers: You will need one item for each child. Choose a child and hand things to him. Say, “It looks like you have too much to carry. Do you need help?” Choose another child to help. Take items from the first child and give them to the second child. Repeat the process until each child has something to carry.

Conclude by saying, “God wants all of us to help each other.

Today we will learn how Christians helped each other.”

OPTION

Telling God’s Word

Teacher Tips Bold type indicates words for the teacher to say to the students.

(15–20 min.)

BIBLE STORY This Bible story is from Acts 2:42–47; 4:32-37; 6:1–7. Use the Bible text, this printed story, and the visuals to teach students about the members of the Early Church caring for one another.

Paragraph headings provide an outline for use in telling the story.

Figures 1A, 1B & 1C

THE CHURCH BEGINS On the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit first came to baptize God’s people. Peter preached and many people believed on Jesus.

All those people became part of the First Church.

THE FIRST CHURCH SHARES The people in the First Church shared. If someone did not have enough food, they shared with that person. (Display Figure 1A from Visual 1 of the Primary Bible Visuals.)

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Figure 1D

If someone needed money, the people in the church shared money. (Display Figure 1B.) If someone needed a place to stay, the people in the First Church shared their homes. (Display Figure 1C.) The people in the First Church loved and cared for each other.

POOR WIDOWS The widows in that church were very poor. A widow is a woman whose husband has died. The widows needed help just to have food every day. (Display Figure 1D.) THE FIRST CHURCH FEEDS WIDOWS The First Church helped widows. They gave them food every day. But some widows did not get enough food. They were hungry and upset.

Figure 1E

CHURCH LEADERS CARE The First Church didn’t want any of the widows to be hungry.

So the church leaders came up with a plan. (Display Figure 1E.) They called a meeting of the church to explain their plan.

A CHURCH MEETING The leaders said, “Choose seven good men who are full of the Holy Spirit and who are wise. They will take care of feeding the widows.”

THE SEVEN DEACONS ARE CHOSEN The people in the First Church liked the idea. They chose seven men that they called deacons. Now the seven deacons would make sure all the widows were fed.

THE DEACONS FEED WIDOWS The deacons did their job well. Soon all the widows were fed every day. (Replace Figure 1D with Figure 1F.) Now all the widows were cared for. They were loved.

Figure 1F

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THE CHURCH GROWS Guess what happened because the people of the First Church took care of each other? The First Church grew and grew and grew. It grew because all the people loved Jesus and loved each other too. The Christians took care of each other.

BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS Those Christians in the First Church gave us good examples.

They showed love for each other by sharing, by praying together, by praising God together, and by finding a way to feed the hungry widows.

The Christians in the First Church did what our memory verse tells us to do. They worked to “Carry each other’s burdens.”

(Galatians 6:2, NIV). (Say the verse in unison several times.)

Because the people in that First Church loved and helped each other, their church grew every day.

WE CAN HELP OUR CHURCH GROW Did you know we can be like the Christians in the First Church? We can love each other and take care of each other like they did. Then our church will grow too.

ALTAR TIME Evangelism Emphasis: The men and women of the First Church were willing to share with each other because they were full of Jesus’ love. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, He gives us so much love that we want to help other people. Have you asked Jesus to live in your life and forgive your sins? If you have not, you can do that today.

(Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as you present the plan of salvation and lead any children who respond in the sinners’ prayer. Also see “The ABCs of Salvation,” page 1.)

OPTION

Helper Prayers: Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes.

Think of all the people that you know. Choose one person out of all those people. Ask God to help you do one kind thing for that person this week. Thank God because He will help you show love and care for someone else. (You may also lead the class in praying for each other. Point out that praying for someone is a way to show love and care for that person.)

OPTION

Classroom Control Tips 1. State your classroom rules frequently.

2. Provide plenty of time for students to talk and move. This makes sitting still and listening to the Bible story easier.

3. Notice and compliment good behavior.

4. When you correct, tell the child what you want him to do.

Primary Lesson Pages Answers

Applying God’s Word (15–20 min.)

Use one or more of the following activities to help your students explore ways they can show compassion to others.

LIFE APPLICATION Use these examples to help your students apply the Bible to life.

• Marcus has a friend who spilled his lunch. What should Marcus do?

• Tina’s church is collecting clothes for some families who need them. Tina has two pink sweaters. What should Tina do?

• Kayla sees her friend fall off her bike and scrape her knee.

How can Kayla show care for her friend?

• Austin is sitting by a visitor in his Sunday School class. How can Austin show care for the visitor?

Invisible Ink

STUDENT BOOK Give each child a copy of Lesson 1 from Primary Lesson Pages. Review the Bible story and complete the activities. Also turn to the center of each student book and let the children

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complete the invisible ink activity. Save the invisible ink page for use in Lesson 2.

Let’s Talk: These questions help parents discuss Sunday School with their child. This week’s questions are: What did the people in the First Church share? How did the First Church help widows? What caused the First Church to grow? What are some ways we can care for others?

Teacher Tip “LIGHT” Crew means: L ooking I nto G od’s H oly T ruth LIGHT Crew Card 1

MEMORY VERSE LIGHT Crew: Read question 1 and the verse answer from the LIGHT Crew Card. Then add the card to the display. Explain that whoever can say the verse next week will earn a sticker.

The question and verse are in Kidz World.

Question 1: How can Christians show love and concern for others?

KJV Answer: Bear ye one another’s burdens. Galatians 6:2 NIV Answer: Carry each other’s burdens. Galatians 6:2 Burden Bearing: You will need a heavy book such as a dictionary or large encyclopedia.

Say the verse and explain, “This verse is not just about helping each other with heavy things. We help carry each others’ burdens each time we help someone.”

Let the class form pairs. Each pair in turn will work together to carry the heavy book across the room. Then they will lead the class in saying the verse. Repeat until each child has participated.

OPTION

BIBLE REVIEW

Teacher Tip Repetition assists learning. When you refer to what the children have already learned, you help them cement their learning.

Handwork Activity 1

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Pair Play: You will need treats, a bag or box, and five heart shapes. Cut each heart into two unique puzzle pieces. Number each half-heart puzzle piece. Place the pieces in a bag or box.

Let each child in turn draw a puzzle piece and answer the corresponding question. Help each child answer correctly.

When all the puzzle pieces have been awarded, let the children find their partners by matching the puzzle pieces. When a pair has completed a heart, give those two children treats.

Questions: Also see Sheet 7 of the Primary Resource Packet.

1. What did the people in the First Church do when someone needed a place to stay? (They shared their homes�) 2. What did the people in the First Church do when someone needed money or food? (They shared their money and food�) 3. What group of people did the First Church feed daily? (widows) 4. What is a widow? (a woman whose husband has died) 5. Why did some of the widows get upset? (They were not getting enough food�) 6. Who called a church meeting to help with the problem of the hungry widows? (the church leaders) 7. How many men did the church choose to help feed widows? (seven)

8. What did they call the seven men who fed the widows? (deacons) 9. Because the people in the First Church loved and cared for each other, what happened every day? (The First Church grew�) 10. Can you name a way we can care for each other? (Accept any reasonable answer� Offer clues as needed�)

Caring Church Picture, Sheet 8

Taking God’s Word with Me (5–10 min.)

Have the students complete one or more activities to remind them to show compassion to others as the First Church did�

Bible Books Activity

HANDWORK PACKET You will need a copy of Activity 1 and the matching sticker from the Primary Handwork Packet for each child.

Give each child an activity. Help her punch out the cards and add the sticker. Then help her fold the cards and sign them. Urge her to give the cards to people who need encouragement.

RESOURCE PACKET Caring Church Picture: You will need markers or crayons and for each child a copy of Sheet 8 from the Primary Resource Packet.

Help the children find the hidden items and color the picture.

As they work, review today’s Bible story with them.

OPTION

Bible Books Activity: You will need mounting putty and the prepared posters from the resource packet.

Prepare the posters by cutting apart the mini-poster and the books. Cut out each book section. Mount the mini-poster under the bookshelf poster.

The children will match the precut book pieces to the spaces on the bookshelf poster. These posters are designed to help children learn the books of the Bible and their organization.

Save the pieces for use in Lesson 2.

OPTION

TAKE-HOME PAPER Give each child a copy of Kidz World and the Parents’ Guide to take home.

EVALUATION 1. Was each child able to name ways the members of the Early Church cared for one another?

2. Did I help each child identify ways he can show care and concern for others?

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COMING Next Quarter _______ Stories about Jesus UNIT 1

Jesus Comes to Earth December 6, 2020 An Angel Appears to Mary December 13, 2020 God Speaks to Joseph December 20, 2020 The First Christmas December 27, 2020 Wise Men Visit Jesus

UNIT 2

Jesus Begins His Ministry January 3, 2021 Jesus Obeys His Parents January 10, 2021 Jesus Is Baptized in Water January 17, 2021 Jesus Chooses His Helpers January 24, 2021 Jesus’ First Miracle January 31, 2021 Jesus and Lazarus

UNIT 3

Jesus Loves Sinners February 7, 2021 Jesus Forgives a Sinful Woman February 14, 2021 Jesus Chooses a Tax Collector February 21, 2021 Jesus Meets Zacchaeus February 28, 2021 The Woman at the Well

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NOTES ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________

GOD’S PEOPLE FALL 2020 BULLETIN BOARD

Materials • Blue and green bulletin board paper • Pens or pencils • Construction paper • Glue • Scissors • Tape or stapler • Cotton balls Instructions 1. C over the bulletin board with light blue paper. Make a green strip of grass and a few green bushes. Staple cotton balls to the board to create clouds.

2. C ut out a large church shape that fills y our bull tin board. Then draw as many windows and door shapes out of white paper as you have students. Cut three sides of the windows or doors to help them fold on one edge.

3. The children will draw themselves, inside the church door or window, participating in Sunday School, cleaning, worshipping, listening, etc.

WE ARE GOD'S CHURCH

STORIES ABOUT JESUS WINTER 2020–21 BULLETIN BOARD

Materials • Pink bulletin board paper • K idz World kid figure from Primary Resource Packet for winter • Scissors • Stapler and staples • Aluminum foil • Felt-tip pens • Construction paper • Large-tipped marker Instructions 1. Cover your bulletin board with pink paper.

2. Assemble the Kidz World kid figure.

3. Cut out the title, “Sweet Ones for Jesus.”

(Or print it on the background with a large-tipped marker.)

4. Using construction paper, create a wagon from a red rectangle, two black circles, two red hearts, and a black wagon handle shape.

5. Cut several candy shapes out of brown paper and aluminum foil.

Let each child write his name on a strip of white paper.

6. Assemble the bulletin board as shown above.