4.4date:

God Takes Care of Me

LESSONOVERVIEW

blessings

© 2012 David C. Cook. TruResources™ are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders.

Explore::15–20 min.

Discover:: 10–15 min.

Respond:: 5 minutes

Bless::5 minutes

Connect::15–30 minutes

lijah had a message for King Ahab from the Lord God. A drought was coming to the land of Israel. There would be no rain or dew for a few years. Then the Lord told Elijah to leave

and hide himself. God told Elijah to drink water from the brook and that the ravens would bring his food. Elijah obeyed God’s words. Everything happened just as God had said. The ravens brought him bread and meat to eat and he drank from the brook. God took care of Elijah.

Elijah Fed by Ravens1 Kings 17:1–6

Ponder Point:

E

Inspire

A few years ago, my husband and I were leading a youth group at the small church where my husband grew up. We truly loved the ministry God had given us. Though challenging, the relationships that we were building with our young students were also incredibly rewarding. God allowed us to see life change and healing in ways that we never dreamed. We looked forward to the years of ministry that we saw ahead. We planned to be there to watch as the students we had worked with since junior high graduated high school, went to college, got married, and started families of their own. And then, suddenly and unexpectedly, everything changed.

A disagreement with some of the other leaders within the church made it clear that it was time for us to leave the ministry we loved so much. The next few months were more difficult than I could have ever anticipated. Though I knew what we had done was right, that did not make the good-byes and hurt feelings any easier.

At first, we had almost no contact with the ministry we left behind. Then, slowly, we began to receive calls and visits from people who had been touched by the ministry. Parents of some of the students we worked with came forward with stories we had never heard before. Students themselves visited and encouraged us. I was blown away. What began as a dark and difficult period of time in my life became an uplifting experience that I had never expected. God used this difficult season to show me just how much He cares for me.

Alyson CrockettTruBlessings Team

N O T E S :

2

4.4

© 2012 David C. Cook

blessings

Equip

The prophet Elijah was sent to Israel during the reign of King Ahab, Israel’s sixth king. Scripture tells us that Ahab was a wicked man who “did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, even more than any of the kings before him” (1 Kings 16:30 NLT). Ahab married a Sidonian woman named Jezebel who enticed Ahab into the worship of Baal. Under Ahab, the worship of the one true God was completely abandoned for this false god and the wicked acts his worshippers practiced.

Ahab’s acts angered God more than any of the other kings before him (1 Kings 16:33). He sent Elijah to tell Ahab of the judgment for his sins: For three and a half years, Israel would see a severe drought. After speaking God’s words to Ahab, Elijah was then directed by God to leave the land and retreat to a place called Kerith.

At Kerith, God cared for Elijah in a most unusual way. While his water was provided from the naturally occurring brook, ravens brought Elijah’s daily bread and meat. Though God could have chosen another way to care for Elijah, every bit of food that he ate during this time came from this bird that would have been deemed “unclean.” Elijah’s traditions would have been shaken by this provision, and perhaps God used this time to prepare Elijah to care for those involved in the unclean practices of idol worship. Whatever the reason for His unusual means, God cared for Elijah. The same can be said of us. Though He may choose to use the most unlikely means to display His care, God cares for us.

N O T E S :

3

4.4

© 2012 David C. Cook

blessings

Support

God used the most unlikely of means to show His care for Elijah. Though it is certainly unusual for his bread and meat to be brought by birds, the choice of a raven seems even more odd. Ravens were scavengers who were associated with death. The fact that God used the ravens would certainly have challenged Elijah’s traditions. God used this unclean animal to bless Elijah during his time at Kerith.

The Lord God does not always show His care for us in the ways we expect. Sometimes we have times of drought in our lives. It is during these droughts that we are brought to a place where we rely on God to provide for our daily needs, whether physical or spiritual, and He may choose to do that in ways we never would have considered.

As you prepare your lesson this week, meditate on Elijah’s experience with the ravens. In what ways did God’s use of the ravens make His care for Elijah that much more evident? Consider some of the times in your life that God has used an unexpected circumstance or person to show His care for you. Where is God asking you to challenge your traditions or to move beyond your comfort zone so that He can show you just how much He cares for you?

N O T E S :

4

4.4

© 2012 David C. Cook

blessings

Lesson OverviewExperience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare

Explore::Small Group

15–20 min.

Exploration stations create space for children to engage in hands-on activities as they begin their time of worship.

Option 1: Care for Me Collage• magazines• scissors• paper, 1 piece per child• glue sticks

Option 2: Food Tracing • Plate & Food Die Cut Stencil (available at

www.orientaltrading.com)• white paper plate, 1 per child• colored pencils

Transition Song

Discover::Large Group

10–15 min.

Facilitate interactive games, songs, and storytelling, allowing children to participate in discovering God’s Word.

Welcome • Bible• Opening Theme Song• Hamilton puppet• Hamilton’s house• collage from Explore Option 1

The Big God Story• storyboard (whiteboard or felt board)• felt or magnets (depending on your storyboard)• The Big God Story pictures: heart, mouth, ear,

water, food (see Resource Folder)• scissors

Respond::Large Group

5 min. Create space for children to celebrate God together in worship through music.

Song of Celebration• Suggestion: “God of Love” from Songs from the

Playhouse by TruWorship

Bless::Small Group

5 min. Bless the children that they may experience God fully.

• Bible (for the blessing)• snack

N O T E S :

5

4.4

© 2012 David C. Cook

blessings

Lesson Overview

N O T E S :

Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare

Connect::Small Group

15–30 min.

Games, songs, manipulatives, sensory and art activities are used to help children reinforce what they experienced in large group.

Option 1: Bread Painting• table covering• piece of bread, 1 per child• small cups• milk• food coloring• small paintbrushes• optional: toaster

Option 2: Can You Find It?• jacket• piece of bread• shoes• baby doll

Option 3: Feather Rubbing• feathers from Lesson 4.3• crayons with the wrappers removed• paper

Hamilton’s Box of Fun• box or basket to hold objects• musical instruments (mini orchestra can be found at

www.gymboree.com)• small balls (not bouncy balls or other small objects

children could choke on; consider Feel & Roll Bumpy Balls from www.lakeshorelearning.com)

• silk scarves or other items for dress-up• wooden blocks• chunky cars and/or trucks• Cleanup Song• God Takes Care of Me coloring page (see

Resource Folder)

6

4.4

© 2012 David C. Cook

blessings

This time is designed for activities to be set up around a table for all the children to explore. You can decide how many different Explore options you want to have each week depending on your number of children. Some of the options allow more than one child to engage in the activity at once. The children can rotate around the activities during the Explore time.

Option 1: Care for Me Collage 2’sSuppLieS• magazines; scissors• paper, 1 piece per child• glue sticks

pRepAReCut out pictures of food, clothes, families, and homes from the magazines.

Set upPlace the magazine cutouts on the table. Put a piece of paper and a glue stick at each child’s seat.

enGAGeInvite the children to the table. God loves you and cares for you. God cares for you so much that He gives you everything you need. He has given you a family, food, clothes, and a place to live. Can you choose some pictures that show things God gives you, and then glue them on the paper? Help children through this process by picking up a picture and saying, “Does God give you (insert name of item)?” If they say yes, then encourage them to glue this picture on their paper.

Option 2: Food Tracing 3’sSuppLieS• Plate & Food Die Cut Stencil (available at www.orientaltrading.com)• white paper plate, 1 per child• colored pencils

Set upSet the supplies on the table.

enGAGeInvite one child at a time to the table. elijah had no food or water. But God cared for elijah. God gave him water from a river and sent a bird to bring him food. What kind of food do you like? We are going to trace some yummy foods onto the plate.

Children move into a large group setting and participate in discovering God’s Word through storytelling, worship, and interactive experiences.

Transition Song: Choose a fun song to cue children to find their Story Spots.

Explore:: 15–20 min.

Exploration stations create space for children to engage in hands-on activities as they begin their time of worship.

Host and Small Group Leaders

eXpLORe | DISCOVER | RESPOND | BLESS | CONNECT

Small GroupS E C T I O N

N O T E S :

STORY SPOTS“Story Spot” refers to an item used to mark the place where each child sits. Consider using carpet squares, small circle-shaped rugs, or large, sturdy place mats. When children hear the transition song, cue them to choose a Story Spot, place it in the large group gathering space, and sit down. At the close of your time together in The Big God Story, encourage children to return their Story Spots to their original location.

7

4.4

© 2012 David C. Cook

blessings

WelcomeSuppLieS• Bible• Opening Theme Song• Hamilton puppet• Hamilton’s house• collage from Explore Option 1

Hi, kids! Welcome! i am so excited to be here with you today. Let’s all celebrate God by singing and dancing together! (Play the Opening Theme Song from TruBlessings worship and lead kids in dance and celebration.)

that was great! now, let’s all sit down on our Story Spots—it’s time to hear part of the Big God Story! Have you seen Hamilton the Hedgehog this morning? Shall we call him and ask him join us? (Children will answer.) On the count of three, let’s call him together. Are you ready? One, two, three. Hamilton, where are you? (Encourage kids to call for Hamilton.) Hmmmm … Maybe he’s hiding. Let’s try again. Hamilton, where are you? (Have a volunteer available to be Hamilton the Hedgehog puppet “walk” the puppet out of his house holding a collage. It’s okay if the children see the volunteer with the puppet on her hand.)

Hi, Hamilton! i’m so glad you are here with us today. Look what Hamilton brought with him. (Hamilton shows a collage.) Hamilton, did you make that? (Hamilton nods.) Some of us made collages like that today too! they show some of the ways God cares for us—and you, too, Hamilton.

Are you ready to hear this part of the Big God Story? (Hamilton nods excitedly.) Me too! But before we get started, do you know where we can find the Big God Story? (Have Hamilton nod his head and gesture to the Bible.) that’s right—the Bible! God gave us the Bible so we can learn about Him! We read the Bible to learn about God and about His Son, Jesus! And i know that you love to dig, dig, dig right into God’s Word to find out what He has to say to us. isn’t that right, Hamilton? (Hamilton nods his head.) Let’s all stand up and sing our Bible Song together.

Discover:: 10–15 min.Host, Worship Leader, & Storyteller

Children move into a large group setting and participate in discovering God’s Word through storytelling, worship, and interactive experiences.

EXPLORE | DiSCOVeR | RESPOND | BLESS | CONNECT

Large GroupS E C T I O N

AS YOU BEGIN STORYTELLINGAs you begin the storytelling section of Discover, have a volunteer available to be Hamilton the Hedgehog using the puppet you provide. Or, you may choose to act as the storyteller and the puppeteer. Encourage Hamilton to come out of his house. Consider having a facade that is part of your stage/teaching area. This facade can act as a puppet stage to conceal puppeteers. However, if this is not an option, if children see the volunteer with the puppet on his/her hand, encourage the volunteer to interact with Hamilton and the children. Their participation will help kids to see the puppeteer and puppet as separate characters.

Ponder Point:

God Takes Care of Me

8

4.4

© 2012 David C. Cook

blessings

Bible Song (sung to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”) Now it’s time to hear God’s WordHear God’s WordHear God’s WordNow it’s time to hear God’s WordSo let’s look in the Bible

As the song ends, have children return to their Story Spots. Hamilton can model this for children by sitting quietly as he listens to The Big God Story. Volunteer can return him to his house with his little face peeking out, or she may choose to sit quietly with him throughout the storytelling section.

The Big God Storyelijah is Fed by Ravens1 Kings 17:1–6

SuppLieS• storyboard (whiteboard or felt board)• felt or magnets (depending on your storyboard)• The Big God Story pictures: heart, mouth, ear, water, food (see Resource Folder)• scissors

pRepARePrint the pictures and cut out each image. Place felt or magnets on the back of each image.

Okay, friends, before we get started, let’s all pray together and ask God to teach us. (Lead the kids in a Prayer of Release as you prepare to hear God’s Word.)

in the Big God Story, we learn that God loves us and takes care of us every day. God knows us, and He always gives us what we need! today, we made collages just like Hamilton. they are filled with pictures of clothes, houses, and family. We also traced pictures of food. these are all ways God shows He cares for us. today in the Big God Story, we remember how God took care of elijah, too.

God loved elijah and elijah loved God. (Place the heart on the storyboard.) Boys and girls, can you say, “God loves elijah”? (Say, “God loves Elijah” with the children.) God also likes to talk to us. Did you know that God can talk to you and me? in the Big God Story, we learn that God talks to people all of the time. God even talks to people today. (Place the mouth on the storyboard.) Can you say, “God talks to elijah”? (Say, “God talks to Elijah” with the children.)

God told elijah that there would be no rain for a long time. Do we need rain? Yes, we do. Do you remember why we need rain? (Allow kids to respond.) Right! We need it to give us water to drink. And rain helps yummy fruits and vegetables to grow from the ground.

PRAYER OF RELEASEA Prayer of Release is a prayer asking God to remove any distractions that would get in the way of hearing from and responding to Him. As we pray, we dedicate this time to the Lord and ask to be filled with knowledge and understanding from Him, giving God His rightful role as teacher.

We can begin to model this posture of prayer with the children in our care. To lead two- to three-year-old children, pray a simple prayer thanking God for His presence and asking Him to teach you as you gather together. For example: “Thank You, God, for being with us. We ask that You would teach us today.”

EXPLORE | DiSCOVeR | RESPOND | BLESS | CONNECT

The Big God Story is written for a two- to three-year-old audience and can be told in its entirety for an older audience, but may need to be

shortened if the class is on the younger side.

“TELL ME AND I FORGET. SHOW ME AND I REMEMBER.

INvOLvE ME AND I UNDERSTAND.”

—Chinese proverb

9

4.4

© 2012 David C. Cook

blessings

there was a king named Ahab who did not love God. He did not like the words God gave to elijah about the rain. the king was very mean. God also told elijah to go and hide. elijah listened to God and went and hid. (Place the ear on the storyboard.) Can you say, “elijah listens to God”? (Say, “Elijah listens to God” with the children.) When elijah was hiding, he had no food or water. God told elijah to go to the river and drink water. God also sent a raven to bring elijah some bread and meat to eat. (Place the water and food on the storyboard.) God took care of elijah. Can you say, “God gave elijah water and food”? (Say, “God gave Elijah water and food” with the children.)

the Big God Story tells us that we don’t ever need to worry about anything, because God loves us and will take care of us. God took care of elijah when he had no water or food. Do you think elijah knew that God loved him? Yes, he did. elijah didn’t have to worry about anything, because God was with him.

it makes my heart so happy to know that God loves us. God cares for me and He cares for you!

Have the children say good-bye to Hamilton as he goes back into his home and thank him for coming to be a part of The Big God Story.

EXPLORE | DiSCOVeR | RESPOND | BLESS | CONNECT

N O T E S :

10

4.4

© 2012 David C. Cook

blessings

Song of CelebrationFriends, God is so good! He loves us so much that He takes care of us all of the time. Boys and girls, can you give yourself a hug and say, “God cares for me”? God loved elijah and God loves us. Let’s stop and sing a song together that talks about God’s love.

Lead kids in a celebratory worship song. Suggested song: “God of Love” from Songs from the Playhouse by TruWorship.

Respond:: 5 min.

Children have the opportunity to respond to God as they celebrate Him within the faith community.

Worship Leader

Large GroupS E C T I O N

EXPLORE | DISCOVER | ReSpOnD | BLeSS | CONNECT

N O T E S :

A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words of encouragement and guidance. A blessing can be offered in order to ask God’s Spirit to overflow from the child’s life in such a way that blesses others, while it can also be prayed over a child for the purpose of declaring God’s protection, joy, or wisdom.

Gather the children around you to bless them. Pray this prayer of blessing over each child:

__________ (name a child), God cares for you and loves you.

Open a Bible and read 1 John 4:8b:

God is love.Snack: If you want to tie in the snack with the lesson, you can serve pigs in a blanket or crackers and pepperoni. As the kids eat, sit down with them and engage them in conversation. Make sure to consider any food allergies or check with parents ahead of time.

Bless:: 5 min.

This time is set aside for leaders to spend a few moments blessing the children in their small groups.

Small Group Leaders

Small GroupS E C T I O N

11

4.4

© 2012 David C. Cook

blessings

Option 1: Bread PaintingSuppLieS• table covering• piece of bread, 1 per child• small cups• milk• food coloring• small paintbrushes• optional: toaster

pRepAReFill small cups with milk. Add a few drops of food coloring to the milk. Stir to mix it well.

Set upPlace a piece of bread in front of every child. Place the cups of colored milk and paintbrushes in the middle of the table.

enGAGeGod took care of elijah by giving him food and water. What kind of food did the raven bring elijah? Allow the children to respond. the raven brought elijah bread and meat. We are going to paint a piece of bread today. You can paint whatever you would like on the bread. Optional: You can toast the bread after the kids paint it and let them eat it. Adding a little butter to the toasted bread makes it even yummier.

Option 2: Can You Find It?SuppLieS• jacket• piece of bread• shoes• baby doll

Set upHide the items around the classroom.

enGAGeInvite the children to join you on the floor. God cares for us in so many ways. Can you think of different ways that God cares for us? (Encourage the children to answer.) that’s right! God gives us family, food, homes, and clothes—everything we need! We have hidden some things that God gives us around the room. First, can you help us find a jacket? Allow the kids to look around the room for the jacket. After the

Connect:: 15–30 min.

Games, songs, manipulatives, sensory and art activities are used to help children reinforce what they experience in large group.

Small Group Leaders

Small GroupS E C T I O N

EXPLORE | DISCOVER | RESPOND | BLESS | COnneCt

N O T E S :

12

4.4

© 2012 David C. Cook

blessings

EXPLORE | DISCOVER | RESPOND | BLESS | COnneCt

first item is found, have your group gather again before you ask them to find the next item. Continue until all of the items have been found.

Option 3: Feather RubbingSuppLieS• feathers from Lesson 4.3• crayons with the wrappers removed • paper

pRepARePeel the wrappers off the crayons before class.

enGAGeInvite the children to join you at the table. Place a piece of paper at each seat. We learned about a raven that brought elijah some food. Birds have feathers all over their bodies. We are going to make a feather rubbing today. First, you will put a feather under your piece of paper. then, you can choose any color crayon you like. next, you can rub the crayon back and forth on the paper over the feather like this. Demonstrate for the children how to make the rubbing. When you’re finished, what will you see? that’s right—it’s a picture of your feather!

Ongoing Connect Option

Hamilton’s Box of FunInvite the kids to your circle time area and sing together:

Hamilton’s Box (sung to the tune of “Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?”)

Where, oh where is Hamilton’s Box? Oh where, oh where can it be? It’s full of fun toys that we sure like a lotOh where, oh where can it be?

Pick one or two kids to help find the box or basket. Once it’s found, you can place it in the middle of your circle time area and invite the kids to come and explore what is inside. Ask: Come on over, everyone! What fun things can we explore today? Let’s take turns playing with things and even play together.

When it’s time to put the toys away, cue the kids with a Cleanup Song. (Choose a fun song that your children will recognize as the Cleanup Song each week, possibly with a circus theme or other recognizable sound that is different from other music.)

Hamilton’s Box of FunThis is a fun resource to encourage the kids to interact with each other by sharing toys and using their imagination with different objects. This activity can be utilized at the beginning or end of the service, if time permits.

ME AT TWO AND THREE:Children 24 to 36 months of age are beginning to develop an interest in pretend play. You can encourage imagination and pretending by prompting children to sing and dance as a means of acting out the various parts of a simple story.

13

4.4

© 2012 David C. Cook

blessings

N O T E S : SuppLieS• box or basket to hold objects• musical instruments (mini orchestra can be found at www.gymboree.com)• small balls (not bouncy balls or other small objects children could choke on; consider

Feel & Roll Bumpy Balls from www.lakeshorelearning.com)• silk scarves or other items for dress-up• wooden blocks• chunky cars and/or trucks• Cleanup Song• God Takes Care of Me coloring page (see Resource Folder)

Set upPut a variety of fun objects/toys in box. Hide box or basket somewhere in the room. Clean objects each week after use.

EXPLORE | DISCOVER | RESPOND | BLESS | COnneCt

HomeFront Monthly: Every four weeks we highlight one of the 10 environments. For each new environment, parents should receive HomeFront Monthly. This resource gives families ideas for how to create fun, spiritually forming times in their homes—setting aside a sacred space for family in the midst of their active, everyday lives!

HomeFront Weekly: Be sure to send home the HomeFront Weekly for next week’s lesson! This preteaching tool for parents encourages families to spend time in God’s Word together before children arrive at church. TruBlessings will spend two weeks on the same part of The Big God Story and Ponder Point, and each Weekly covers four weeks’ worth of lessons. It is designed to trifold with an editable field that allows you to fill in the dates for the weeks that will be covered.

14

4.4

© 2012 David C. Cook

blessings