Curriculum OverviewThis After School Program Manual is structured to provide supplemental academic assistance for at-risk students. While academic improvement is the primary focus of the program, we also want to provide an enjoyable and fun environment, as well as foster character-building and skills in ethical judgment-making. Each semester is broken into approximately three-week-long segments in which students participate in themed interactive lessons, games, crafts, and optional Bible activities.

Integrity/Honesty

Bible Lessons

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Verse - You must not steal. You must not cheat people. You must not lie to each other. – Leviticus 19:11

Discussion Questions

What do you think integrity/honest is? What are some examples of what integrity is? What are some examples of what integrity is not? Can you think of any times when you showed integrity in your life? Can you think of any times when you were not honest? What happens when we do the things listed in our verse? Why do you think God tells us to be honest?

Daniel & the Lions’ Den Interactive Puppet Show (See Appendix A)

Games

Bomb Ball

This game is played sitting down with the group forming a circle to face each other. Children first practice saying the Bible verse. Then one person begins play by holding the ball. He or she says the first word of the verse, and then tosses the ball to another person who then must say the firs and second words of the verse. That person then tosses to another person who must say the first, second and third words. Play continues until the entire verse has been successfully recited. When someone makes a mistake, that child must go to the center of the circle, where he or she receives a “bomb of love,” in which the rest of the group may appropriately tag, pat on the back multiple times, or mess up that child’s hair. Everyone returns to their original seat.

Seven Up, Heads Up

Seven students (or fewer, depending on the group size) are chosen to go to the front of the class. The rest of the class put their heads down on the table or desk with their fist resting on the table, thumb pointing up. The seven must each go touch someone sitting down. If touched, the student must put his or her thumb down. Each student gets one chance to guess who touched him or her, and if guessed correctly, they change places.

A variation of this game involves everyone putting their heads down. A leader then chooses one person to be “it.” Then that person taps the thumbs of six people, who must all go to the front of the room. “It” then yells, “Seven up!” in a distorted voice

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to make the game more humorous. Everyone then tries to guess which of the seven is, “it”.

Crafts

Certificate of Integrity

Prepare a certificate for each student that they can color, decorate, and take home as a reminder to make honest decisions.

Daniel & the Lions’ Den puppets

Make puppets for each character in the Bible story using brown paper bags, pipe cleaner, googly eyes, markers, and other available craft items.

Activities

Food Chain Object Lesson

Find pictures of animals that make sense in a food chain, such as worm-small fish-big fish-snake-bear. Then explain to students how each animal must be larger than the previous one in order to eat the animal beneath its level in the food chain. Then explain that in the same way, if you make a mistake but try to cover it up, the problem gets bigger and harder to cover up.

Put pictures on board. Use real-life examples:

o Small fish – Imagine your mom just baked fresh chocolate chip cookies. She tells you not to eat one, though, because it will spoil your dinner but you take one when he isn’t looking.

o Big fish – Your little sister sees you take the cookie so you tell her not to tell your mom.

o Snake – Mom asks you why you’re not hungry at dinner and you lie by saying you don’t feel well.

o Bird – The next night your sister tries to steal a cookie too but gets caught. She gets into big trouble with your mom.

o Bear – Your sister tells your mom that you did stole a cookie last night and told not to tell.

Give each child two construction paper links to write a consequence(s) of not having integrity on each. (lack of confidence, lose friends, unhappiness, guilt)

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Have each child come up to read their link and connect to the chain Show how each link adds more weight and makes the chain longer

For middle school students, read 2 Samuel 11:1-26 What did David do wrong? How many bad decisions did he make? What should he have done? Join in on chain activity with younger kids

Honesty Quiz (For middle school students)

HONESTY QUIZHow honest are you? Most people think they are pretty honest people, but about 83 percent of Christian teens also believe that moral truth depends on a particular situation. Take this short quiz to see if you are as truthful as you think you are:

1. Your best friend asks you if she looks good in her new prom dress. You: A. Tell her she looks good, even though the dress washes her out. B. Advise her to get a tan. That will help with the coloring. However, don't tell her why. It will just hurt her feelings. C. Tell her to return the awful dress. She can look better, and you'll help her.

2. A friend tells you he's been using steroids, and he wants you to promise not to tell anyone. You: A. Promise, then tell your parents. B. Promise and don't tell anyone. C. Don't promise. You know he's in trouble and he really needs help.

3. You get out of the store and realize the cashier gave you an extra $5 in change. You: A. Go home. Hooray! An extra $5. It's the cashier's fault, after all. B. Slip the $5 back on the counter by the cashier. C. Give the money back to the cashier.

4. When the teacher left the classroom someone wrote a nasty word on the board. The teacher asks you after class if you know who did it. You: A. Say you weren't paying attention. You don't want people to hate you. B. Tell her you think it was a certain person, but you just aren't sure. C. Sure you tell her. It was really nasty and that person should be held accountable.

5. You overhear some people talking and whispering about a friend of yours. You don't say anything, but later your friend asks you if people are talking about her. You: A. Tell her you haven't heard anything. Why hurt her feelings? B. Tell her you heard something, but sugar-coat it. C. Tell her what you heard and help her solve the problem.

Scoring Key:

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Give yourself the following points for each answer:

A=1

B=2

C=3

5-7: You are a moral liar, meaning you often lie to protect the feelings of others or protect your standing among friends. While you don't lie for the sake of lying, you can find ways of telling the truth that will increase your honesty quotient and keep others from feeling crushed.

10-12: You usually only lie when it depends on someone's feelings. While you may think you are protecting the person, it really isn't. Try to work on being more forthcoming and honest in the way you deal with situations. If you are tactful, you will find that the truth comes out much easier.

15-13: You are a truth-monger. Just be sure that you are not being too brutal in your honesty. Otherwise, keep up the good work.

Psalm 37:37 - "Look at those who are honest and good. For a wonderful future lies before those who love peace." (NLT)

Respect

Bible Lessons

Verse – Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. – Matthew 7:12a

Discussion Questions

What do you think respect means? What are some examples of respect? Can you think of any rules you have that help you respect others? How have you been respectful today? How have you not been respectful today?

Samaritan Woman Monologue (Appendix B)

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Games

Wheelbarrow Race

Separate children into teams of two. Show children how to make a wheelbarrow with their partner. Explain that one partner holds the legs of the other while they run on their hands. Have groups of four race one another. Each winning team sits aside from the rest of the group, and the winning teams from each group will race each other for the championship. Then ask the following questions:

Did anyone get frustrated with their partner during the game, and if you did, how did that change the way you treated them?

How did you treat your partner? Did anyone feel that their partner was unkind during the race? Who felt that their partner was kind?

Penny Toss

Materials: ten pennies for each child, plus ten pennies scattered across the floor near a wall

The object of this game is to have the most pennies at the end of the time or when all the pennies have been won.

To play, call up one child at a time to say the memory verse. If they can say the verse with no help, they may throw five of their pennies. If they need some help but mostly know the verse, they may throw two pennies. They must try to bounce each penny off the wall to land on one of the pennies that is lying on the floor. If they can throw one of their pennies and have it land on another penny, they pick up both of the pennies. If their penny doesn’t touch another penny, it must be left there. The game is over when time is up or all the pennies are gone. The person with the most pennies at the end of the game wins.

Show Your Ticket

Materials

A 3-by-5 card for each player with the names of places on them. There must be at least two cards with each place on it) and a list of all of the places for the conductor.

The object of the game is to be able to find a chair whenever the conductor calls the place on your card.

Set Up

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Have all of the children sit in a chair in a circle. Give each child a card (you may draw pictures for non-readers). Choose one player to be the conductor. They should not have a chair. Give the conductor a card of his own so he may play when he is no longer conductor.

How To Play

The conductor stands in the middle of the circle with the list of places. The conductor calls out one of the places on the list. There should be two people who have this place on their card. These two

people have to get up and switch places before the conductor can get their chair.

If the conductor sits in a chair before the other person with the ticket, the person left standing becomes the conductor.

The game is over when time is up.

Discussion

1. How did you show respect in this game?You obeyed the conductor when he called the place that you had.

2. If someone didn’t obey the conductor in this game, would the game have worked? Why? No, because there would be nothing fun about the conductor and the one other person trading places.

3. How did you feel when you were the conductor and people were yelling at you to call their place? Why?

Crafts

Respect the Environment

Use old shoeboxes, empty toilet paper rolls, plastic bottles, newspaper, and any other recycled material to create an art project that shows how you can treat the environment respectfully.

Activities

R-E-S-P-E-C-T Song

Referenced from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMNgSipjEPg

Pixar short film

Search online for the video titled, “For the Birds.” This may be found on YouTube.

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Kindness

Bible Lessons

Verse - Show mercy to others; be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. – Colossians 3:12b

Discussion Questions

What does kindness mean? (having or showing a tender [easily moved by another’s distress], considerate [having regard for the needs or feelings of others], and helping nature).

What makes a person kind? What makes a person unkind? Do you know many people who are kind? Who are they, and what do they do

to show their kindness? What are some ways you can practice being kind at school and at home?

Jesus Feeds the Crowd (See Appendix C)

Games

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The Banana Game (See Appendix C)

Crafts

Recycling

Use scrap paper to make collages.

Activities

Lyles & the Kindly Viking

Watch the movie by VeggieTales.

Kindness Skit (See Appendix C)

Scheduling Kindness

Demonstrate to students how to make a weekly schedule.

Example

Monday – Go to grocery store

Tuesday – Wash the dog

Wednesday – Do laundry

Thursday – Clean the house

Friday – Have fun!

After you’ve shown them how a schedule is filled out, tell them, “I am going to pass out a schedule for each of you to use next week. You will be filling your schedule with kind things you will do each day. If you do them all and check them off for each day, you will get a prize. Let’s think of a list of things that you might want to do next week.”

Ask the children for ideas on how they can be kind and write that list on the board. The children can use this list to help them with ideas for their week of kind deeds.

Next, give the children a schedule to fill out and make sure they have a pencil. Tell them the following: “Take this schedule, look at the list of kind things you can do, and choose one kind thing for each day. After you have decided what you will do on

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each day, write those things in your weekly schedule. When you are finished, one of the staff would like to see your work. Remember, if you do these things and check them off next week, you will get a prize!”

After the children are through and you are done checking their schedule, make sure that they take their schedules home. You may want to let their parents know about the schedule so they can help the child remember.

(See Appendix C for “Kindness Schedule” template.)

Thankfulness

Bible Lessons

Since everything God created is good, do not reject any of it, but receive it with thanks. – 1 Timothy 4:4

Discussion Questions

What dis the meaning of thankfulness? What are some examples of what thankfulness is? What are some examples of what thankfulness is not? Can you think of any times when you showed thankfulness in your life? Can you think of any times when you were not thankful? What happens when we do the things listed in our verse?

Activities

Negative to Grateful statements /skits

Many instances in life, even when given good things, we take things for granted and always wanting something better than what we have. This fun, interactive skit activity will aid in teaching students a different outlook on these moments our lives. Depending on the number of students and age levels within your classroom, group your students in groups of two or three. Give each group a scenario depicting a situation when given something good, even if it is not what was expected or particularly wanted, and how to receive it with thankfulness. Have each group act out a negative and positive response to the scenario.

“I’m thankful for you” letter

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Open the activity by sharing a story of a moment you have felt very thankful for someone today or recently this week. For this activity have each student reflect an instance when they were filled with great gratitude towards someone else. Instruct the students to write a letter to that person expressing their gratitude and how much they are thankful for them.

Ten Lepers Lesson

Discussion Questions

Why did the ten lepers call out to Jesus? What did Jesus do for the men that he met on the road? How many of the men said thank you to Jesus for what he did? How did Jesus feel about the ones who didn’t say thank you? What did the men have to do to be healed by Jesus? Have you ever done something special for someone and they didn’t say

thank you? Can you tell us about it? How did you feel?

Closing pointThe Bible says that only one of the lepers returned and praised God in a loud voice! Just as the men were shouting for Jesus to have mercy and heal them at the beginning of the story. This man was now shouting in a loud voice to thank God for what He had done to heal him. He bowed down in front of Jesus and thanked Jesus.

See link for detailed description of lesson: http://ministry-to-children.com/thanksgiving-jesus-and-the-ten-lepers

Crafts

Thanksgiving Turkeys

Supplies

Brown, red, orange and yellow construction paper Pencil or marker Scissors Glue Googly eyes (optional) Printed stencils (optional)

This is a fun Thanksgiving craft activity for elementary aged students. This is a great activity to help children recognize the blessings and good things in their lives.

See link for a detailed description of craft activity: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/thanksgiving/thankfulturkey/

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Garland of Gratitude

Supplies

Colored construction paper Colored pencils Spray bottle (filled with water) Scissors Twine or natural-colored string Double-sided tape

A great craft activity on thankfulness, especially in preparation for the thanksgiving holiday. A fun way to add color to the classroom and it is fun for the students to go around the classroom reading each other’s thoughts and thanksgivings.

For full instructions follow this link for more details: http://spoonful.com/crafts/garland-of-gratitude

Games

Grateful A-Z

Have everyone sit in a circle. Have one leader begin the “Grateful A to Z” game by saying one word that begins with the letter “a” of what they are grateful for. Have the person sitting to the left of the leader continue the game by saying a word that begins with “b” and describes what they are grateful for. Continue by having each person take a turn in saying a grateful word for the next letter of the alphabet. Continue taking turns in a clockwise motion and through the whole group circle until you reach the last letter of the alphabet, “z.”

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Giving

Bible Lessons

Verse - Give, and you will receive. You will be given much… The way you give to others if the way God will give to you. – Luke 6:38

Memory Verse Activity

Look up the sign language for each word in the memory verse. Teach the students the memory verse using American Sign Language and have the kids practice the verse using signing. American Sign Language web link: http://aslbrowser.commtechlab.msu.edu/browser.htm

Activities

Giving Skit

Characters

Maria Jen

Scene

Maria is at her house working on Christmas presents to give people and Jen comes over. Maria is working at a table on some crafts.

Dialogue

Jen: (walks into the room where Maria is.) Hey, Maria. Your mom said you were back here making something.

Maria: Hey, Jen. Yeah, I am making some Christmas presents for my family.

Jen: Wow, I haven’t even thought about what I am going to get people. I just wrote out my Christmas list of what I want people to get for me.

Maria: Really? I used to do that. But I think that it is more fun to give people things for Christmas. Plus, whenever I get my hopes up for something, I usually end up getting disappointed anyway. So, if I think more about what I am giving, I have a better time at Christmas.

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Jen: I guess that is true. I have never really thought about that. I remember once when I made this thing for my mom. I just couldn’t wait for her to open it, and I didn’t even care that much about what I got.

Maria: Yeah, I think you have the idea. You end up getting so much more than you ever wanted! So, are you going to get started on your family’s gifts?

Jen: I guess so! Where do I start? (Sits down and begins to work)

Discussion

What was Jen focused on this Christmas? Do you think that if she got all of it, she would be really happy? Why do you think Maria wanted to make her family presents?

“The Giving Tree” story

Begin the lesson by reading the story The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein, to the class or having older students read it aloud to younger ones. After reading the story, discuss it with the class, make sure that as many students as possible have a chance to describe the meaning they find in the story. If you prefer and have enough copies, have students read the story in small groups and brainstorm possible “message” of the story. Share the ideas with the whole class orally and/or on an interactive whiteboard.

Crafts

Encouragement Chain

PurposeKids will be kids, so they don't always say positive things to one another. This activity will help them practice giving encouraging words.

Materials

Various Colored Construction Paper: One per child Glue sticks

Directions:

1. Give each child one construction paper with enough paper strips (about 1-1/2" by 9") to equal the number of children in the class.

2. Tell the children: Write each person’s name on each one of your strips. Note: Call out one name at a time and spell it so everyone writes each

name at the same time.

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3. Tell the children: Think and write one kind or positive thing about each person.

Note: Help the younger ones spell, and the older ones to brainstorm kind words.

4. Tell the children: Pass out the strips to the children whose names are on them.

5. Tell the children: You can help each other paste them into chains using glue sticks.

6. Tell the children: Take home your Encouraging chains and hang above your beds or special spaces so that whenever you feel sad or not good you can go your chain and read about all the good things your friends love and like about you.

Games

Memory Verse Jar Game

Materials:

2 small balls/lemons/something that rolls a small jar a copy of the verse for each child

Object: To roll the ball closest to the jar so you can quote the verse and obtain points for your team.

1. Give each child a copy of the verse and have them study it for a while. If you think that your students know the verse already, this time is not necessary.

2. Divide the children into two teams. You can use their teams from recreation or you can divide them between the girls and the boys. These are just a few ideas.

3. Allow each team to choose who will be the first players on their team to play.4. Team A’s player takes his ball and rolls it toward the jar.5. Team B’s player takes her ball and rolls it toward a jar.6. The player whose ball is closest to the jar may attempt to say the verse.7. If the player is able to quote the verse, he receives 5 points.8. If the player is not able to quote the verse, no one receives any points.9. The winner is the team with the most points when time is called.

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Joy

Bible Lessons

Verse - You will teach me God’s way to live. Being with you will fill me with joy. At your right hand I will find pleasure forever. – Psalm 16:11

Discussion

What is joy? Is joy a feeling or an action? How do you give joy? When have you received joy?

-OR-When have you felt joy?

What does God tell us joy is? What does God tell us joy is not?

Interactive Bible Lessons

The Prodigal Son – Looking for Joy in All the Wrong Places:

Goal

To help students understand that joy can be found in their present situations, and that ultimately if we go looking for joy or satisfaction in anything but God we will never be satisfied.

Objective

Watch a Lego version of the Prodigal Son story from the Bible and discuss it

Plan

Show YouTube video, “Lego Bible Stories: The Lost Son” from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_FUlo3WngI&feature=related

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think the son wanted to leave home? He was dissatisfied with what he had.

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2. Where did he go looking for joy? To another city, far away from home with his dad’s money to spend it on lots of stuff not good for him and where no one would make him obey any rules.

3. Did the son find joy in spending money and living wildly? For a while, yes, but it didn’t last. His friends left him.

4. Why do you think the son went back home? He realized that he had made a mistake and couldn’t keep on doing what he was doing.

5. The older brother was jealous that his younger brother got a huge party even though he had been so bad and then returned home. Was this fair? What should the older brother’s attitude have been? It was fair because no one deserves to be treated well since we all do things that are wrong. But God chooses to give us good things because he loves us. The older brother should have forgiven his brother like the father did.

6. Why do you think Jesus told this story? This is how God sees us. He is the Father who loves us and accepts us with open arms no matter what we’ve done.

7. What do you think will bring you joy? (Ask children to raise their hands to answer.)

8. Where is the best place to look for joy? (Ask children to raise their hands to answer.)

Interactive Lessons

Alternative Retelling of “The Prodigal Son”

Read the following story:There was once a little boy who went to the fair with his family. At first he was very excited. But as the day wore on, he became more and more unhappy with the way his parents were “controlling” how the family spent their money at the fair. In anger, he asked if he could have all the money they planned to spend on him that day. He wanted to hold it and decide when and how to spend it. Once his parents had given him the money, the boy ran off to spend it as he wished. He gorged himself on mini-donuts and went on lots of rides. Just as his money ran out, he started to feel ill. Suddenly he felt very alone and scared. The fair wasn’t fun at all with no family around and no more money to spend. Finally, a gruff midway worker offered him a job cleaning up the vomit on one of the rides and picking up garbage. At this point, the boy decided that spending the remainder of the day with his parents, even though he would have no more treats or rides, would be far better than working on the midway. He searched and searched until he found his mother and father. They were overjoyed to see him. Can you guess

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how they celebrated his return?*From Canada Focus on the Family @ http://kidsofintegrity.com/joy-bible-stories

Discussion:

1. Why do you think the son wanted to leave his parents and do his own thing at the fair? He was dissatisfied with what he had.

2. Where did he go looking for joy? Away from his family where he could spend his parents’ money on lots of stuff not good for him and where no one would make him obey any rules.

3. Did the son find joy in spending money and doing whatever he wanted to do? For a while, yes, but it didn’t last. He got sick and lonely.

4. Why do you think the son went back to his parents? He realized that he had made a mistake and couldn’t keep on doing what he was doing.

5. The older brother was jealous that his younger brother got a huge party even though he had been so bad and then returned home. Was this fair? What should the older brother’s attitude have been? It was fair because no one deserves to be treated well since we all do things that are wrong. But God chooses to give us good things because he loves us. The older brother should have forgiven his brother like the father did.

6. What do you think will bring you joy? (Ask children to raise their hands to answer.)

7. Where is the best place to look for joy? (Ask children to raise their hands to answer.)

Activities

Take one; Take two; Take three!

Purpose: In this activity, you will get to practice responding in a gentle & loving way to people or situations when you would normally get upset or respond in a mean way.

1. Children pick a number out of a bag.2. The narrator dramatically reads the scenario and the child responds.3. After the first “take” we may need to discuss with the child a proper way to

respond. Then give the child a second “take.”

Scenarios

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You are walking home from school and take a shortcut through Mr. Smith’s yard. He’s a lonely but grouchy old man and yells, “Get off my grass!” How do you respond?

You are at the beach with your family, and you decide to build a sandcastle. You’ve been working on it for a while and are very impressed with it. As you are gathering some seashells to decorate it, a bully runs through it on purpose and laughs: “Ha ha!” How do you respond?

You are playing Legos with your brother (or sister), and he (she) has some pieces you need for the character you are building. You ask him (her) if they will give you that piece but he/she says, “No. I need it for my building.” How do you respond?

You get home from school, and your mom has had a very hard day at work. You turn on the TV, but then your mom snaps at you, “Turn off that racket! I’m tired, so go get into something quiet!” You’re a little offended, but you respond by….

You can’t find your favorite toy, but then figure out that your little brother (or sister) took it. You are really mad and want it back. How do you respond to him (her)?

You are outside playing tag during recess and accidentally push Johnny a little too hard. He runs to the teacher and says, “_______ pushed me!” [in a very whiney voice]. The teacher approaches you and asks, “Did you push Johnny over?” How do you respond?

You are in line for lunch at school, and a boy jumps in front of you, ignoring you and talking to the kid in front of him. How do you respond?

You are at after-school program doing your reading with a staff member. You went to the bookshelf and picked out a book. On your way back to the table another kid says, “THAT book is for little kids!” How do you respond?

You are working on your math homework in afterschool program, and you get to a problem that you’ve tried over and over but can’t seem to get the right answer. Your helper shows you how to do it but you still can’t get it. How do you respond?

“I’ve Got the Joy in My Heart” Song:

Sing the “I’ve Got the Joy in My Heart” song, and follow the song with the Spanish version, “Yo Tengo Gozo en Mi Corazon.”

See links to access lyrics:

(English) http://childbiblesongs.com/song-04-ive-got-the-joy-in-my-heart.shtml

(Spanish) http://www.gomissionstomexico.com/manualspanishsongsvbs.html

Crafts

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Thankfulness Times Ten

Materials

Bible, colored construction paper, scissors, crayons, markers

Start by having the children tell you a time when you felt joyful and why you had joy. Tell them there was a person in the bible that had an attitude of gratitude that gave him pure joy.

Read the story in the bible, Luke 17:11-19.

Discussion

Who was joyful and expressed an attitude of gratitude? Why was the man joyful Who helped him to feel joyful?

Today we are going to make joyful reminders to use when we pray?

Instructions

1. Fold a sheet of paper in half.2. Then place your hand so that your pinkie finger lines up with the edge of the

paper, and trace around your hand. Note: Show them how to trace around their hand, but not around the

side of the pinkie.3. Now, cut around the hand shape, but not around the side of your pinkie.

That way you will make a hand print card.

When everyone has made a hand print card, say: Now think of ten things that you are joyful for and write one of those things one each finger (or thumb) of your card. When you pray, you can open your card and find lots of things to be grateful and joyful for.

Love

Bible Lessons

Verse - Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not become angry easily. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Discussion

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What is love? Is love a feeling or an action? How do you give love? When have you received love?

-OR-When have you felt love?

What does God tell us love is? What does God tell us love is not?

Activities

Heartfelt Greeting Letter

Write a letter to someone you like a lot (or even love). It can be one of your friends, or a person in your class (student or teacher), or a member of your family, or a neighbor, or anyone else you may admire. Tell this person how you feel and why you like, love, or admire him or her. Print out a template of a big heart and make copies for each student to write their letters.

“Child of God” (Object lesson)

MaterialsShoe box with lidSquare mirror

TopicsChild of God, God's Love, Self-Worth

PreparationFasten mirror to the bottom of the inside of a shoe box. Decorate shoe box as desired.

What you will doYou will tell the children you have a picture of one of God’s children inside the box. You will have them come up one by one and look inside the box. When they look inside, the children will indeed see a child of God when they look in the mirror. What you will sayIn this box, I have a very special picture. The reason it is so special is because it is a picture of someone who is very important to God. You may know this person, but I'm not sure. I want each of you come up when I call your name, and take a look inside the box. Then, without saying a word, go back and sit down. Don't say anything until everyone has had a chance to look inside the box. Then, I will ask if

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anyone knows who the person is. Discussion1. Who did you see inside the box?2. Did you think it was going to be you?3. Did you know that you are a child of God and special to Him?4. How many different pictures were in the box?5. Who is your Heavenly Father?

Love Report CardsObjective

Have children fill out the S.A.Y. Yes! Report Card and discuss how simply believing in the leader will help them get the prize.

Goal

To help children understand that that it is impossible for us to be perfect, but God still loves us so much that He provided a way for us to be saved in Jesus. If we simply believe in Him, we are saved.

Materials

Two copies of the S.A.Y. Yes! Report Card for each student (one blank and one with all check marks plus a big A+ on it), candy for prizes

Preparation

Write the following grading scale on the board:No X   =   AOne X   =   BTwo X   =   CThree X   =   DFour or more X   =   F

Plan

Have each child write his/her name on the card. Say, I am going to ask you ten questions. If you have done the thing that I’ve

read, put an X in the box next to that number. If you have never, not even once done what the sentence said, put a check in the box.

Now before we start you must understand that no one except me will see the report card. Everyone who gets an A+plus on the test is going to get a piece of candy. Everyone who does NOT get an A+ on the test will have to go outside the room instead of participating in getting candy.

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Now, notice that our grading scale does not have an A+. So there’s NO WAY any of you can get an A+.

Discussion

1. I told my mom something that was not the whole truth.2. I said something that made someone else feel bad. (Including my brother

or sister.)3. I did not do exactly what my teacher told me to do. (I disobeyed him/her.)4. I thought something bad about someone.5. I took something that was not mine.6. I used something that was not mine, without asking permission from the

person to whom it belonged.7. When someone did something that made me mad, I did not forgive

him/her.8. When I was angry, I did something that was wrong, like saying something

bad, or hitting someone.9. I was jealous of something that someone else had, that I didn’t have.10.I bragged about something that I had, or did to someone else.

Take every child’s report card and say, Now since no one receives an A+, you all must go outside the room. Do you think that’s fair? (Explain that it is fair, because we’ve all done wrong.)

Now I want you all to know that I truly care about you and want all of you to be able to receive the prize I have for you. Do you believe that I care about you and that I will help you? If so, raise your hand.

Separate those who raise hands from those who don’t raise their hands. To those who raise hands, give a new card with check marks and an A+. This is very similar to what someone else has done for you. Can anyone

tell us of how someone has loved him or her first? (Jesus. He gave His life so that we would never have to be separated from Him, and His Father, God the Father. Our sin separates us from the love of god until we believe that Jesus is the Son of god, that He died to pay the price for our sins, we repent of our sin, and ask Jesus to take control of our lives.

Because of what Jesus has done for you, do you want to show Jesus love? If so, how can you show Him love?

Examples

Read the Bible and learn more about Him. Pray and talk to Him. Show love to other people, and people will see God’s love in us. Tell other people about Him. Serve Him by helping others even when we won’t get anything for it.

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Teach other people what we know about Him. Sing songs to Him and praise Him. Give to Him by giving money to those in need.

Crafts

Golden Rule books

The activity begins with an introduction to the golden rule and its importance to each student’s lives and others around them. This lesson teaches the values of respect, kindness, love, care and consideration of others through words and actions using comic strips. This will educate students on good moral values in a fun and educational activity.

See link for the comic strip template and worksheets: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/0876281722_TheGoldenRule.pdf

Games

Steal the bacon

Materials: Something to use as the bacon

Setup

Have the students break up into two teams. Each team forms a line, facing each other. Number each team, start the numbering from the opposite ends. Try to

match students age-wise, as much as possible.

To Play:

1. The bacon (rag, chalk eraser, twig, etc.) is laid in the center, between the two teams.

2. The leader calls out a number.3. The two players with that number, run to the center and try to grab the

“bacon.”4. However, if you are holding the “bacon” and the opposing player tags you,

his team receive the point. 5. If you grab the “bacon,” and are unable to make it back to your line without

being tagged, your team wins a point.

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6. Players may pick up the “bacon,” and drop it if they think they are going to be tagged.

7. The “bacon” may be kicked or tossed, BUT, it must be carried across the line.

Discussion

Does anyone think that you can show love, when you are playing a game like this?

If someone does, can we do it? Can anyone remind us of our memory verse? From the verse, can anyone think of any ways to show love to each other,

when we play games?

Warmth of the Cross game (Hot/Cold game)

How to play

1. Send the searcher out of the room.2. While he's gone, the hider stashes the item in a safe place.3. Call the searcher back into the room and have him start searching.4. The hider helps the searcher by yelling out, "warm" when he is headed in

the right direction and "cold" when he isn't. 5. When he finds the item, swap places. The searcher becomes the hider and

vice versa. Note: Make the game more fun by coming up with extreme adjectives,

rather than just "warm," "hot," "cool" and "cold." Here are some more words to use that just may improve your child's vocabulary:

o Frigid or freezing: When he's strayed very far away.

o Scalding, sweltering, scorching, searing: All these "s" words are great for when he's practically stepping on the item.

o Subzero: Means he's headed in the wrong direction.

o Antarctic: When he's left the "continent" and isn't even in the general vicinity of the item.

o Caliente: Teach your kids some Español while you're at it!

o Ice Cubes: Nowhere near it.

o Glacier: Absolutely nowhere near it.

o Tropical: In the general vicinity.

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o Boiling: It's right under his nose.

Peace

Bible Lessons

Verse - You, Lord, give true peace. You give peace to those who depend on you. You give peace to those who trust you. – Isaiah 26:3

Discussion

What does peace mean? Is peace a feeling or an action? What does peace look like? When have you felt peace? What does God tell us peace is? What does God tell us on how we can get peace? Where do you use it being heard? Where would we like to see peace?

Activities

Peace Body Map - Finding Peace Within Yourself:

Materials

Poster paper

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Markers

Purpose: We can’t control what others do in our world; but we can do a lot to make ourselves at peace. Discussion:

What can a person do to find peace in himself? (Be calm, Be kind, Be cooperative, Find good things about each day and focus on them…not the bad.)

Peace Body Map:

Ask the children to label uses of their body in peaceful ways – examples could include: I use my hands for helping, I use my mouth for saying kind things, I use my stomach to eat foods that I enjoy, I use my legs to exercise when I am stressed, I use my arms to hug, I use my heart to love my parents, etc.

Crafts

Peace Collage

Materials

Poster paper Magazines Newspapers Scissors glue

Create a Peace collage to hang around the classroom and for kids to take home to remind themselves to take time to focus on being peaceful. Have the students cut out peaceful pictures, sceneries, words or images from magazines or newspapers. Have them glue the collage of images onto poster paper and hang up in the classroom or at home.

Origami Peace Cranes

Fold and create origami peace cranes using origami paper. Look up peace crane instructions online or use the following link for step by step instructions on how to make a peace crane: (video link) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9VF3gdf_Hk –OR- (step by step) http://www.monkey.org/~aidan/origami/crane/

Stress Balls craft

Materials

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Small bag of Rice Bag of flour Bag of dried beans Balloons funnels

Brainstorm/Discussion

Ways to make our bodies peaceful

Exercise, sing, think good thoughts, relax, listen to music, go for a quiet walk, etc.

Express: Sometimes we don’t feel very peaceful inside and we need to take a few minutes to get calm and peaceful. A good way to do that is to squeeze our peace balls.

Instructions

1. Make peace balls (or stress balls): Fill balloons with flour, rice, cornmeal, dried beans, etc. You should use latex balloons, and you may want to double them.

2. Have materials out for children to play with a little – let them feel the materials, pour it back and forth. Put it in and out of funnels, and then decide which to put into their balloons – the activity itself will be calming for children – they will enjoy pouring, and feeling the material in their hands. (The plastic shoe boxes are good for holding this material.)

3. Children will fill their doubled balloons with a material – which ever felt best to them.

4. After, they can write the word peace on their balls with markers– or whatever they may choose to call it. 

Note: While the children are doing this activity, it would be a good time to play classical music and ask them to work quietly.

5. Peace Circle: Each person squeezes their ball and tells something good about themselves and how they handle tough situations.

Keep in mind: For some children, we as teachers will be the only positive role model a child might come into contact with to see how life situations should be

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handled. We can model the gentleness and peacefulness that is needed and exercises to help teach students how to find peace within them.

Games

Peace Web (yarn)

Materials

A large ball of yarn

This activity can be played with any number of people, the larger the better. The only thing that you'll need is a large ball of yarn. Ask the participants to form a circle and to sit close to one another. One of the participants should be holding the ball of yarn. That participant should give share something good that someone in the group did for them that day. Once that person is finished speaking, they should toss the ball to the person in the circle they recognized when sharing, while still holding on to the end of the yarn. That person then gives their own moment of goodness, and holds on to the yarn while tossing the ball of yarn to the person they had recognized in their own sharing. Continue the web until everyone has been recognized at least once. When everyone has had a chance to speak, you'll notice that a web has formed.

Purpose

This activity shows participants how everyone is affected in a large group, the power of many people working together, and how everyone can work effectively when doing their part. In addition, you can throw a balloon on top of the web and instruct the participants to work as a group to support the balloon by tightening the web. This teaches the group the importance of communication, which is needed to prevent the ball from falling.

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Patience

Bible Lessons

Verse - But Lord, You are a God who shows mercy and is kind. You don’t become angry quickly. You have great love and faithfulness. – Psalm 86:15

Discussion Questions•How would you explain patience?•Does patience react quickly or is it slow and calm?•Where do you see patience in your life?•What causes you to be most impatient?•How does this verse explain the patience that the Lord has for us?

The Parable of the SowerThe children are introduced to the Parable of the Sower by a brief explanation of what a parable is and how this particular Parable is connected to patience. After an introduction, the students will listen to the Bible story The Parable of the Sower. See link for detailed description of lesson.http://www.farmafrica.org.uk/downloads/churches/lesson-2.pdf

Crafts

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Herbert the Snail LessonThe kids learn a song about Herbert the Snail who practices patience. See link to website for lyrics of the song. http://www.hisandhernandezmusic.com/store/Details.cfm?ProdID=6544

Sad/Happy Face LessonThe children are given the appropriate materials to make one happy face and one sad face to interact with a story regarding patience. Once the kids make their faces, the teacher explains to the children that they are to interact with the story by putting up their happy or sad face when they notice the main character (the dragon) being patient or not during the story.

Materials•Paper plates•Popsicle sticks•Different colored yarn•Markers•Googly Eyes

StoryA long time ago in a peaceful land far, far away, there once lived a dragon called Rufus. Rufus was the only dragon to exist in those days. He was the only descendent of the last dragons on the planet, and the royal family considered him to be the guardian of the kingdom.

Rufus was about to turn one year old, and the king and queen were going to organize a birthday party for him. On the morning of his birthday, Rufus came down for breakfast from his tower as he did every day. But today something was wrong – there was no breakfast waiting for him!

Annoyed, he went to the palace living room and flung open the doors. Thinking no one was there; he burst into tears, opened his mouth and filled the room with flames. To his surprise, he opened his eyes to see the whole room full of people wanting to celebrate his birthday. Luckily, Rufus didn’t set anyone on fire, and the only things that got burnt were the candles on the cake. As they celebrated Rufus the dragon’s birthday, he learned that there was no need to be annoyed because they hadn’t prepared his breakfast – for there are much more important things in life, like being happy and smiling all day long.

Story of the Apple Tree LessonThe children watch a story online called The Apple Tree. See link for story, http://www.familyfunshop.com/shortmoralstoriespatience.htm. After the kids watch the story and discuss how the boy in the story took the time to have patience and watch a beautiful tree grow, the kids will create their own trees. The leader can

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walk outside with the kids to gather leaves of any sort and grass to use for their tree. Once enough leaves have been gathered for the craft, the kids will create their own tree from their leaves and a popsicle stick as the trunk.

Materials•Leaves and grass•Popsicle sticks•White paper to glue tree and leaves onto•Glue

Activities

The Ugly Duckling Story LessonThe kids learn about the story of the Ugly Duckling and how it is connected to patience.

Discussion Questions•How did the Ugly Duckling have to be patience throughout the story?•Do you think it was fair he had to wait to be a beautiful swan?•Does patience always mean that you will get your way?•What if the duckling never became beautiful on the outside, would his patience have been worth it? Why?•How does the Ugly Duckling remind you of situations in your life?

Dramatic Interpretation of the Sowing of a Seed LessonThe leader of this lesson reads the story of a farmer planting his seeds. After the story is read to the children, each child is given a part in the drama, wearing a nametag of their part. The leader then reads the drama as each child acts out their part. http://www.farmafrica.org.uk/downloads/churches/lesson-2.pdf• (Farmer) The farmer sowed some seeds in his field- show the action of scattering seeds.• ( 2 Birds) Some seeds fell onto the path and the birds quickly ate them- Some of the children can be birds; some seeds.• ( 2 Plants) Some seeds fell onto rocky ground, where there wasn’t much soil. The seeds grew quickly into plants. But because the roots were not in good, deep soil, the plants couldn’t get enough water. When the sun shone down they got too thirsty and then died- The children can act out the growth of the seeds, the suns hot rays, and then the plants collapse.• (2 Plants/ 2 Weeds) Some seeds fell into an area that was full of weeds. As the plants tried to grow, the weeds got in the way, and the plants died- Some of the children can be weeds; some plants.• (2-3 Plants) But some seeds feel onto goof ground, so the plants grew well- The children can be tall, strong plants.

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-When they had grown, the farmer harvested lots of plants- You can show how a farmer harvests a crop.

Planting a Flower LessonJust like the interactive drama regarding planting of a seed, the children are taught how to plant their own flower. Sowing a seed is a process, a process of patience, when the beautiful result is not displayed overnight. However, teaching the children to tend for their own plant will show them that having patience can produce a wonderful flower. Each child is given the materials to plant some wild flowers. Before the kids plant their seeds, they are to decorate individual cups (or pots) which will be helpful to distinguish one cup from another.

Materials•Plastic Cups•Soil•Wild Flower Seeds•Water•Pens and stickers for decoration of cup

Games

What time is it Mr. Fox LessonKids are taught the connection between patience and the game What Time is it Mr. Fox. Sometimes is seems easier to rush and get ahead, but when we rush things are not accomplished or fulfilled correctly and wholeheartedly.

GameMr. Fox starts out at one end of a field, room, or designated area with his back to the group. The group at the other end then yells out “What time is it Mr. Fox?” Mr. Fox then calls out a time that is on the even hour (1 o'clock - 12 o'clock). The group then takes that many steps. When the group gets to where the fox is, but not past him, and asks the time, the fox can yell "Midnight!" They then turn and chase the group. Those that he catches are to sit out. The last one left becomes the fox.

BingoThe game Bingo is a game of patience and self-control. When competition is involved, kids become impatient very often. However, Bingo can teach kids that sometimes things are out of their hands, like getting their number called in Bingo, but being patient allows the game to be fun and worthwhile. You can print out a Bingo template online such as, http://www.dltk-cards.com/bingo/bingofinish-card.asp .This template is really fun because it allows the leader to pick from multiple themes and colors, all free of cost.

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FaithBible Lessons

Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real, even if we do not see it. – Hebrews 11:1The Meaning of FaithPass out scarp paper and pencil to the children. Instruct the kids to number papers 1-3. Have the kids write “T for True and F for False.”1. Faith means “to believe.” (T)2. We can understand everything about God. (F)3. Everything God promises will happen. (T)

Discussion Questions• Faith is believing in something even though you might not be able to see it or explain. “Do you believe in air?” You can’t see it, but it’s there whether or not you believe in it. “What happens if the oxygen in our air disappeared?” Whether you believe the oxygen in the air is actually there or not, you need it to live. We also need God to live and just like air, we’d stop existing without him. In fact, He made air for us to live!• Do you know what God looks like? Do you know why God does does some of the thing he does? “ We can’t understand Him completely, but based on what we do know we put our faith in Him.” “What are some things we do know about God?” ( He sent Jesus, He created the universe, He loves us, He lives in Heaven, He is perfect).• God always does what He said he would do. “Did you know that the rainbow is a sign God made to remind us that he keeps his promises”?

The Rainbow and the PromiseThis lesson is to help children understand that God always keeps his promises and that we must have faith that He follows through with what He says.Plan•Act out the scene of the animals in the ark.•The teacher will give each child an animal that they are going to act out from the Ark story.•The teacher will be Noah (the narrator) and the children are to listen to the instructions from Noah as to where they are to go in the Ark.

- Create a circle with chairs, symbolizing the inside of the ark.- Call out each animal to enter the Ark by Biblical order.

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- Pretend to be in the storm, “it’s rained for 40 days! We need to pray that God dries up the water and pets us find land.”

- Ask each child (animals) to make a request or prayer to God.- The, “Guess what everyone! Our prayers (requests) worked, we have

landed! You may all come out of the Ark now.”• After the reenactment read The Rainbow and the Promise• http://www.essex1.com/people/paul/bible11a.html

Activities

Real vs. ImaginaryTeaching the kids what they believe in and how it is connected with the meaning of faith. Show the kids an array of photos and ask them by a show of hands, which photo is real or imaginary? How do you know?

Debrief. How do we know what was real and what isn’t (personal experience, history books, others who might have seen something)?

Give a paper and pencil: write down some things you know are real and things that are imaginary. Use your list to draw a picture of what you believe in.

Games

Blind Fold Obstacle CourseCreate an obstacle course in a spacious enough area where there can be four to six kids going through the course at once. After the course has been created, pair the children with one partner. Explain to the kids how we can have faith in other people like being guided through an obstacle course and not running into the objects on the course. The object of the game is to have each group get through the course without running into the objects, while being blindfolded. After one partner goes through the course with the blindfold on and the other instructs, they switch roles. You can switch things up on the course (having the kids walk backwards, only allowing the words right and left to be used as guidewords).

Crafts

Paper Mache BowlsDesign individual paper mache bowls with your children. Each child is given a balloon that is taped onto a cup for structure, and there is a marker around the

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balloon that instructs not to place paper shreds below the line. Once the children have received their balloon, they are to take magazine paper shreds and place them in a bowl that is mixed with water and glue, dip paper in conservatively. Place paper shreds over balloon and above designated line. This crafts is a two to three day craft. There must be multiple layers of paper to create a bowl at the end. Once there have been enough paper layers and the paper has dried, pop the balloon. The children can now paint their balloons and create designs.

Materials•Balloons•Red plastic cup•Tape•Magazine shreds•Water and glue•paint

ForgivenessBible Lesson

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If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. – Matthew 6:14

Rules Lesson

Place children into groups of two and given them a poster paper and markers. Partners are to make a list of all the rules they can think of from home, school, ASP programs and write these rules numbered on a piece of paper.

•After the children have been given ten minutes or so to write out all of their rules, collect the posters and go over the rules with them.

- “How does this huge list make you feel?”- “I am going to make this list easier so we do not have such a big list. I am

going to put all these rules into only two.”- Love the Lord God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind,

and with all your strength.- Love your neighbor as yourself.

•Ask the children to explain what these two rules mean to them.- “Each of the rules we wrote down goes under one of these two rules from

Jesus.”•Explain to the children that every time they break one of these rules, you have to pay $100 dollars. “How much do you think you owe by now?”

- “Would you be able to pay off such an amount for all of these rules that you have once broken if they were all worth $100?”

• Make a blank check for each child and write out the total debt that each child would have accumulated by now for breaking all of these rules.

- “This is what Jesus did for you, we owed more then we could pay off to God, but since Jesus was perfect He paid all of our debts.” Let’s thank Him!

The Gift of Forgiveness

Wrap an empty box. Sit in a circle and talk about how forgiveness is a gift that you can give to your friends and family members. Pass the gift around the circle and have the children say something that they could forgive or have forgiven in the past. Discuss how important it is to forgive and how giving the gift of forgiveness will make both you and the person you are forgiving feel better.

Crafts

Stained Glass Cross or Peace Sign

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Make stained glass crosses or peace signs and hang them in windows that receive proper sunlight. Create the crosses and peace signs out of packing tape and colorful tissue paper. The cross and peace signs remind the children that when they see the sun glowing through the stained glass, they are reminded of their sins and what Christ went through to forgive us and offer our lives peace. For detailed description of the lesson, see web link. http://www.kidsofintegrity.com/forgiveness-kids%E2%80%99-corner.

Materials•Packing Tape•Scissors•Colorful tissue paper

100 Dresses LessonOver a period of two days, read the Book 100 Dresses. Began the lesson with discussion questions to pump the kids brains with where forgiveness is seen in the story and how the character in the story can resonate with all the kids in different ways.

Activities

The Hundred Dresses LessonOver a period of two days, read the Book 100 Dresses. Began the lesson with discussion questions to pump the kid’s brains with where forgiveness is seen in the story and how the character in the story can resonate with all the kids in different ways.

Discussion Questions

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•Why was Wanda different from the other kids?•How would you define someone who is different?•How do you feel about people who are different?•Have you ever felt like Wanda, and how so?

Story BookDay two of The Hundred Dresses lesson, finish the book with follow up questions. Once you have gone over questions and answers, create mini books for each child and ask them to create their own ending to the story that would display forgiveness in the story. When all the booklets have been turned in after twenty minutes or so, allow a few of the children to read their endings aloud and explain why they chose that particular ending to display forgiveness.

Games

Can Bag LessonThis lesson is to physically acknowledge what forgiveness does to our body, soul, and mind. Begin the game by breaking kids in groups of three if there are enough leaders for each group. Hand each child a shopping bag and one by one drop a canned food into each bag, symbolizing someone or something that caused hurt at one point in their lives. Drop multiple cans in each bag with examples of hurt for each can. After the bags are heavy enough, have the children walk around holding their bags, which displays how heavy it is on our physical and mental being when we do not forgive others yet hold grudges. After you have walked around for a while explaining the burden of grudges, begin taking the cans out of their bags, symbolizing how each can removed is a huge burden off their whole body. After all the cans have been removed, debrief over the game and ask the children how they felt about their burdens and the forgiveness that followed.

Self-ControlBible Lessons

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For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. – 2 Timothy 1:7

Verse ComprehensionBreak kids into two’s and give each group a verse. Have the groups discuss what the verse means and have the pairs write their verse on the board and share with the group what their verse means. You can use verses: Proverbs 29:20, Ecclesiastes 7:9, Proverbs 29:11, and Proverbs 14:17, all verses displaying self-control.

Discussion Questions Have you ever said or done anything and later you wished you hadn't? What does the Bible say about doing or saying things without thinking first? What does it mean to speak without thinking? When are you tempted to speak without thinking first? What does it mean to "get angry quickly"? What does it mean to let your anger run wild? How can you stop yourself from being foolish?

Activities

Self-Control and Self-Discipline LessonDiscuss and go over quote, -“You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you.” After you have gone over this quote, discuss the differences between self-control and self-discipline and how this quote is related. After the children understand the difference between the two, pass out the self-control worksheet, you can find worksheet on the following link. Fill in the first two scenarios and then have the group come up with different self-control and self-discipline scenarios. http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit538/lesson4_attachments/1.html.

Games

Ninja Game

The purpose of this game is relating self-control through our bodily movements. Before you begin this game go over how self-control and our body are linked and this game is to demonstrate respecting others space while being a ninja. This game

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also teaches that fighting is never the solution, but creating boundaries behind contact games is a way to demonstrate self-control.

Begin with the players standing in a circle facing one another. They should be at least two arm lengths apart.

They bow to one another and then take a martial arts pose. Each player must choose to hop or strike on their move. A strike must be aimed at the other player’s hand. The defender is allowed

to move that hand. If the attacker hits that hand, it becomes out of play. Once a player loses both hands they are eliminated.

There can be only one champion, but then you’re free to restart the game.

Scenario GameBreak kids up into four to three groups. Give each group a scenario that involves a conflict that can have redemption through self-control. Allow each group to read over their scenario and delegate parts to act out. Each group is allotted ten minutes to recreate their scenario, but involving self-control in the place of the conflict. After ten minutes of prepping, groups reenact their story to one another. Allow a few minutes between each group to allow the other groups to commit on the scenario and how self-control was involved.

- “Katie’s brother Jose comes home from school crying because he has been getting bullied at school. This really bothers Katie and she decides to confront the bully at school the next day. Katie finds the bully Paul, and begins to scream at him. Paul doesn’t respond and Katie becomes even angrier because he isn’t showing any emotion, Katie responds to his emotionless face and hits him.”

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Appendix A – Integrity/Honesty

1) Daniel & the Lions Den Interactive Puppet Show

First, students make puppets using brown paper bags, colored pipe cleaner, and other craft items. Characters needed include advisors, King Darius, Daniel, an angel, and lions. (The number of puppets and characters needed depends upon the number of students participating.) We adapted the Daniel story into a skit using DLTK’s site: http://www.dltk-bible.com/cv/daniel_and_the_lions.htm. A leader narrates the story, and students acting in the skit are given verbal prompts when it is time for their character to speak. Lines for each character should be written out on slips of paper and given to each actor. The characters used here are as follows:

Advisor #1 Advisor #2 King Darius Daniel Angel Lions

This is a story about a guy named Daniel who lived in Babylon a long, long time ago. The king's name was Darius and he liked Daniel.  He knew that Daniel was a good worker so he decided to put Daniel in charge of the whole country.  The other servants of the king were very jealous of Daniel and they tried to find something that would get Daniel in trouble.  They were trying to get him fired, but Daniel obeyed God so they couldn't find anything.

Finally these men said to each other, (Advisor #1) "We can't find any reason for the king to fire Daniel.  The only way we could get him to disobey the king is if we made a law against his god."  So they went to king Darius and said, (Advisor #2) "O great king, you are so wonderful that no one should pray to anyone but you."

The king said, (King Darius) "That sounds like a great idea!"  Then the men continued, (Advisor #1) "All of your workers have agreed that this should be done and that anyone that prays to any other god should be thrown into the lions den." 

The workers lied and said that everyone who worked for the king agreed, but of course they never talked to Daniel because they knew he wouldn't agree.  The king didn't know this, so he made the law and it couldn't be changed.

When Daniel heard about the new law he did what he always did.  He went home to a room upstairs and opened the windows that looked out over the city.  Three times that day he went down on his knees and prayed to God just like he always had.

(Daniel) “Dear Lord, You are holy, righteous, and good. Thank you for always caring for me. Please protect me from my enemies and help me obey you. Amen.”

These men went as a group to Daniel's house and found him praying and asking God for help.  So they ran straight to the king and told him, (Advisor #2) "Your worker Daniel is ignoring your command.  We have seen him praying to his God three times today."

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When the king heard this he was very sad.  He really liked Daniel and he didn't want him to die.  He tried everything to get the law changed to stop Daniel from being thrown in the lions' den, but the men came to him and reminded him that the law could not be changed and Daniel would have to be punished.

So at the end of the day the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den. (Lions make a “roar” sound.)  The king said to Daniel, (King Darius) "I hope your God who you serve and pray to will rescue you!"

A large, heavy stone was rolled in front of the den and the king went back to his palace with tears in his eyes.  That night King Darius couldn't eat or sleep he was so worried for Daniel.

The next day, as soon as the sun came up the king got up and ran to the lions' den.  As he got closer he shouted, (King Darius) "Daniel, has your God who you serve and pray to rescued you from the lions?"  The king waited quietly for a response.

Then all of a sudden Daniel said, (Daniel) "O king, live forever!  My God sent an angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me because I have done nothing wrong."

The king jumped with joy and immediately ordered that Daniel be removed from the den.  And when Daniel was lifted from the den, there wasn't even a scratch on him because he trusted in God.

The king knew that the men had tricked him into punishing Daniel so he punished them.

After that the king made a new law and he said, (King Darius) "Daniel's God is great, and I order that everyone in my kingdom must respect the Lord God, who rescued Daniel from the hungry lions."

Appendix B – Respect

Samaritan Woman Skit

Materials: costume for the Samaritan woman (maybe some extra makeup, her hair a little messed up, cheap, large jewelry, etc.)

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Use an expressive staff or volunteer to play the part of the Samaritan woman who reads and acts out the following monologue:

(Samaritan woman rushes into room, out of breath. When she sees the children she gets a big smile on her face.)

Hi there! Oh, I am so glad to see you all! Have you heard about Jesus? (Let the children respond). You have? Have you talked to Him? Because He talked to me. (acting proud that He did) Oh, do you have time for me to tell you the story of when He talked to me because it is my favorite story to tell and I am running around trying to tell everyone I can and I just happened to run into you! (NOT letting the children respond – as if she doesn’t even want to know.) Great! I’ll get started. You are so nice. (almost sarcastic)

Well, you see one day I was going to the well to get some water. You do know what a well is, don’t you? (Let the children respond) Anyway, I went to the well and there was a Jewish man sitting by the well. Now let me tell you, where I come from men are not allowed to talk to women in public. Also, Jews were not allowed to talk to Samaritans. Oh by the way, I am a Samaritan! So when I saw this Jewish man that I didn’t know, I wasn’t expecting him to talk to me. So I was just going on about my business when he said, “Will you give me a drink?” Can you believe it? I was so shocked I didn’t know what to say at first. Then finally I said, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman, how can you ask me for a drink?” I thought he might get mad at me for asking him or yell at me or something, but do you know what he did? He said to me in the sweetest voice, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

Now, I’m not the brightest girl around, so I wasn’t exactly sure what all that meant, so I just got back to the question he asked. I said to him, “Sir you have nothing to draw water with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob who gave us this well?” I really thought that would get him because I could see he had nothing to get the water with and I knew that no one is greater than Jacob who is the father of all the people in Israel. So what do you think he said to this? Let me tell you. This is where it really gets good.

He said, “Everyone who drinks from this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water that I give him will never thirst. The water that I give him will become a spring of water welling up into eternal life.” When he said that, I really got excited. I mean, with my own spring I’d never have to come back to this well again. I could even sell the water that comes from my spring. Then I thought, this is a really nice man. He was willing to talk to me and drink from my bucket, even though any other Jew that I have

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ever met would have died before they drank after a Samaritan, and now he was going to give me this gift he had of living water.

So I asked Him for it. But then He caught me a little off guard. He said once again in a very sweet voice, “Go call your husband and come back.” Now, my personal life was a little mixed up and I didn’t think it was any of His business, so I said, “I have no husband.” Then, He really got me. This is when I knew He wasn’t just some Jewish guy asking for a drink. Get this. He says to me, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is that you have five husbands and the man you now have is not your husband. What you said is quite true.”

How had he known about my personal life?! I was so shocked. The thing about it was, he wasn’t even rude about it, even with divorce being so looked down upon where I’m from, and I’d been divorced quite a few times! He acted as if He accepted me anyway, even knowing all the bad things about me! Well, He said He was the Christ, the one people had been saying for years was supposed to come and save Israel. That was all I needed to hear. I was out of there. And that’s why I’m here to tell you and everyone I can find that if Jesus could love me, a Samaritan woman, and give me eternal life, he can give it to you too!

Well, I better go. I hope each one of you will take Jesus up on his offer of eternal life. He doesn’t turn anybody down! That is for sure. And one last thing. I guarantee that He will treat you with respect, no matter who you are. I was the last person He had to show respect to, but He did anyway. See you later!

Discussion Questions:

1. What was the woman so excited about? (She had met Jesus and she knew that she had eternal life.

2. What did it mean when Jesus talked about living water? (It means that if you ask Jesus into your life to forgive your sins, that you can live forever. The well of life will never run out.)

3. Why do you think Jesus wasn’t worried about talking to the Samaritan woman? (Because He loved her so much, He was willing to risk people talking about Him badly.)

4. How do you think the Samaritan woman felt when He told her about all of her past husbands?

5. How do you think Jesus felt when she went and got all of her friends to come and meet Him? (Happy because He knew that she had really believed in who He was.)

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Let’s read some verse that ell us how we are to treat each other. Look up Romans 12:10 and Philippians 2:3.

6. What does the verse in Romans say about respecting each other? (It says to be devoted to one another in brotherly love and to honor one another above yourself.)

7. After hearing this Bible story today, what is one reason why we should honor one another above ourselves? (So that we can be like Jesus and help others to understand how much Jesus loves them.)

8. What does the verse in Philippians say about showing respect to others? (It says to consider others better than yourself.)

9. What does it mean to consider others better than yourself? (It means to think of others as more deserving of something, their needs should come first.)

10.What are some ways that you can show others that you consider them higher than yourself? (Let them go first, think of their needs first, make sure their needs are met before you meet your own, etc.)

11.Who are some of the people that you should show this kind of respect to? (Other children at school and in the children’s program, people you pass on the street, anyone!)

Take some time now and pray with the children in your group. Ask God to bring to their mind ways that they can show respect and people that they should show respect to each day.

Appendix C – KindnessJesus Feeds the Crowd

Children’s Church Lesson: Jesus Feeds the 5,000

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From http://ministry-to-children.com

Text: John 26:1-14 (you can also find this story in Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:32-44; Luke 9:10-17)

Learning Objectives: After this lesson, children will demonstrate knowledge of the key people and events in this passage … by retelling the story back to the teacher at the end of the session. Key points include:

1. Situation: Large crowd follows Jesus up the mountain.2. Problem: No food for all the people.3. Complication: Jesus tells his disciples to feed the crowd.4. Complication: A young boy shares his lunch – but it’s not enough5. Resolution: Jesus performs a miracle by multiplying a small boys

gift.

Target Age: Kindergarten – 5th

Items Needed: Marked Bible for this passage. Prepare the copy in advance by highlighting

the significant points to emphasize. Underlining words or ideas that will need additional explanation. I typically make small notes in the margin.

Snack. If you have snack in your children’s church this would be a perfect way to integrate the snack and the lesson. You could keep it basic with goldfish or go for something bigger with real bread and cooked fish.

Explanation: This story has several great themes to bring out for the children. Sometimes it has been reduced to a story about sharing, but the main focus is on Jesus supernaturally providing for his followers. There is a lesson in the fact that God chose to use the young boy’s gift, just don’t let that overshadow the main point about the divinity of Christ.

There is also the theme of compassion in this text. When Mark tells this story in Mark 6:34-44, he points out that the miracle was motivated by Jesus’ compassion for the crowd and a concern that they might faint without food returning home. There is certainly a lesson here about caring for the hungry.

This miracle is also a set-up for an upcoming lesson on Jesus as the “bread of life” in John 6:25-40. You might hint to the kids that Jesus is going to give the people something better than food next week.

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

Read

John 26:1-14

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One Page Teaching Plan

Hook

Take out your snack and begin to eat it in front of the class. Wait for someone to ask you to share. Assure them you will share after the lesson, but ask them to think about how they would feel it there wasn’t enough food for everyone. Say, “In today’s story, we are going to learn about a time when Jesus make food for 5,000 families out of one small snack.”

Book

Active Listening: Ask the children to listen carefully for the details of the story, so that they can re-tell it to you afterward.

Read (and summarize) John 6:1-14. Be sure to engage the children with good story telling. Key points include:

1. Situation: Large crowd follows Jesus up the mountain.

2. Problem: No food for all the people and they are getting really weak.

3. Complication: Jesus tells his disciples to feed the crowd.

4. Complication: A young boy shares his lunch – but it’s not enough

5. Resolution: Jesus performs a miracle by multiplying a small boys gift.

Review: Read the following statements. Have the children stand up if this was something that happened in this story. If it didn’t happen in this story they should sit with arms crossed – even if they are true statements taught in other parts of the Bible the children should remain seated.

Jesus turned regular water into wine to save a wedding party.

Jesus told his disciples to feed the 5,000 families.

A young boy offered to share his five loaves of bread and two fish.

Satan tried to get Jesus to turn stones into bread.

God sent down bread falling from the sky to feed the Israelites.

Jesus told the disciples to pick up all the leftover bread.

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Look/Took

Talk About It: Ask the children to discuss the following questions to better understand the story.

Why do you think Jesus wanted to feed the 5,000 families?

What do you think the little boy was feeling when he saw Jesus use his gift for the miracle?

What does this story tell you about whom Jesus really was?

Test: Ask several volunteers to come up to the front to re-tell the story to the class. If they need help prompt them with questions like “what happened next.”

Kindness Skit

Characters

Marian, Reuben, Bobby

Scene: Maria is playing with a doll in her room. Her brother Reuben and Bobby, his best friend, are playing in the other room. Reuben sees Maria and decides to do something mean to her.

Reuben: I’m going to tear the head off Maria’s doll and see what she does.

Bobby: Are you sure that’s a good idea?

Reuben: It’ll be fun! Besides, she was mean to me yesterday. I asked her to get me a glass of water and she wouldn’t do it! She deserves it! (REUBEN then grabs the head off Maria’s doll.)

Maria: Give it back, Reuben! (She yells and chases REUBEN.)

Bobby: Reuben, give it back to her and leave her alone! (He grabs the doll head from REUBEN and gives it back to Maria.) Remember, what we’ve been learning at the church about kindness. Even when someone has been unkind to us, we should still be kind to them.

Reuben: Okay, okay, you’re right! Let’s go watch TV. It’s not that fun being mean to her anyway.

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Debrief

Who acted kind in this skit? Bobby did because he helped Maria.

Would you have done what Bobby did?

Wait for kids’ response.

Let’s pray and ask God to help us act with kindness.

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My Week of Kindness Name ________________________________

DAY: ACT OF KINDNESS: COMPLETE:

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

I verify that I have completed my week of kindness. Signature: ___________________________

My parent/guardian verifies that I have completed Signature: ___________________________my week of kindness.

The Banana Game

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This game is great fun. When I played this game with the children (Primary 1) in my Sunday School class, they enjoyed it so much that they want to play it again.

This game can be used to teach kids about kindness ... that we have a choice to be kind even when people are mean to us. The object of this game is to get three bananas of the SAME colour and not to have a monkey!

Game Pieces

Introduce one stack of cards: 4 different colored bananas + 1 monkey. Each stack is a horizontal row (of the Game Sheet) ... cut up and stapled together (see full-size Game Sheet ).

Bananas are of eight different colours: red, green, blue, yellow, black, white, purple and brown.

Game Objective

In this game, the objective is to get three bananas of the same colour and to not have a monkey. The first one to accomplish this goal must shout "Ba-na-na-na!"

Game Play

To play the game, ask another player for a banana that is a colour you want (i.e., one that is the same colour as one of your coloured bananas).

Ask, "May I have a red banana?"

If you are the other player then you can do the following (depending on what you have in your hands) ...

1. If you have a red banana + monkeythen give either one; it is your choice.

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2. If you have a red banana + no monkeythen you must give the red banana to the person.

3. If you don't have a red banana then say, "Sorry! Go climb a tree."

Then it is the other person's turn to ask; you can ask for any coloured banana but not the same colour as the one you had just given away.

Note: If the children are shy then you may want to stipulate an additional rule: "You cannot ask the same person again and again. Ask 3 other different persons before you can ask the same person again."

Play the Banana Game

Play the game until there are several children who had achieved the goal. Prepare a small snack/toy for each of the winners.

Discussion

Who has no monkey? Why did you give away your monkey? How many of you have >1 monkey? How do you feel when your friend gave you a monkey? How do you feel when someone pushes you? What do you feel like doing?

Cry, shout at him, push back, etcBut God tells us to be kind to each other (Eph 4:32) – memory verseJesus said, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute (hurt) you."

How many of you have 2, 3, 4 monkeys? Why didn’t you give away your monkeys?

Note: You may want to award a prize to the one who did not give away any monkey because it is not nice.

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