Anglican Early Elem

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8 Early Elementary – Lesson 1

LESSON 1

JJJThis symbol will appear whenever preparation takes more than five minutes or whenever supplies are needed that are not included on the list of standard materials (on page 6).

Bible Basis: John 1:43-49

Lesson Focus: Jesus knows all about us.

Memory Verse: This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. 1 John 3:16

Jesus Knows Me

Understanding the BibleJesus had been at the Jordan River where John had baptized Him (Matt. 3:13; Mark 1:9). Before leaving for Galilee, Jesus found a third disciple from Bethsaida (in addition to Peter and Andrew). This was Philip.

Philip of Bethsaida is not to be confused with Philip the evangelist who taught and baptized the eunuch of Ethiopia (Acts 21:8).

Philip told his friend Nathanael (also called Bartholomew) about Jesus.

Nathanael responded with contempt. Nathanael was from the village of Cana, about four miles from Nazareth. He may have looked down on Nazareth because a Roman army garrison was there. Nazareth was also in the vicinity of several trade routes, so it was somewhat pluralistic.

Philip didn’t argue with Nathanael. Personal contact with Jesus is more convincing than any argument.

Jesus revealed His omniscience to Nathanael. Nathanael followed Jesus.

Bible Response:Children will apply the Bible story through the week by remembering something that Jesus knows about them.

□ Bible Beginnings, p. 4, pencils; Storytime for Lesson 1 and Parents’ Section

4

Bible Activity Choices:Children will review and explore how Jesus knew about Nathanael and knows all about them.

□ Storytelling and Verse Practice: Bible Beginnings, pp. 5–6, scissors

□ “My Feelings” Book: Early Elementary Make-It/Take-It for Lesson 1, stapler, crayons

□ Tossing Game: Beanbag or foam ball or rolled and stuffed sock

3

Bible Story:Children will learn that Jesus knew all about Nathanael. Teach John 1:43-49: Jesus Knew All about Nathanael

□ Bible Story: Bible, Teaching Aid 2 and Bible Timeline (from Early Elementary Creative Teaching Aids)

□ Bible Story Review: One copy of Bible Beginnings, p. 5, scissors

□ Memory Verse Practice: One copy of Bible Beginnings, p. 6, scissors

2

Bible Readiness:Through an activity and discussion about getting to know people, the children will get ready to learn that Jesus knows all about us.

□ Getting to Know You Activity: Bible Beginnings, p. 3, pencils

□ Sharing Time: No materials needed

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LESSO

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9Early Elementary – Lesson 1

Children usually are not interested in what we can teach them until they feel that we are interested in getting to know them and care for them. By demonstrating that your students are important enough for you to get to know, they will more easily learn from the Bible lesson that you teach.

Here are some ways to help you begin the spiritual journey on which you will lead your students.

— Give attention to the children. Get down on their level. Listen to them and respond to what they tell you. Let them know through word and action that they are important to you.

— Let the children know that you care about their needs and concerns. Tell them that even though you are just getting to know them, Jesus knows all about them, and He loves them and can help them too.

— Take personal comfort in Jesus who knows all about us because He made us, He goes with us, and He knows what we think, need, and feel.

When Teaching the Bible to Early-Elementary Students . . .

Give the children who arrive early something meaningful to do. Provide one or more of these activities after you greet them by name.

Attendance Chart and Bulletin Board – As children arrive, have them add their names to the attendance chart and place a sticker in the appropriate spot each week. Use the basket and apple from Make-It/Take-It pages 3 and 31 respectively to create a bulletin board. Have students write or draw on the apple what they are thankful for. They can add an apple to their basket each week.

Name Tags – Jesus knows our names, but some in your class might not know and remember everyone’s name. Put out small papers and markers. Ask children to make their own name tags.

Invisible Ink – This project comes from the top half of the first Invisible Ink page in the center section of Make-It/Take-It. Show kids how to rub the side of the pencil over the picture to make the invisible ink appear.

Early Bird Options

Teacher DevotionalRealizing that Jesus knows all about our private thoughts and actions can be a source of either fear or comfort. But it is a fact! Psalm 139:1-12 confirms that all we feel, think, do, and say is known to God in heaven. There are no secrets from God.

Which word best describes how you feel knowing that Jesus knows all about you?

Jesus knows all about each one of us. He wants us to be comforted by His unlimited knowledge and wisdom. He loves us and He can never love us less regardless of what we think, say, or do.

But He also wants us to live in obedience to His Word. And He wants us to respond in faith as disciples devoted to following Him. When Nathanael learned that Jesus knew all about him, he responded with belief. He knew with confidence that Jesus is the Son of God and chose to become His disciple.

As you begin a new week, ask God to remind you often that you are loved with an endless love. And pray that you will have the courage and wisdom to follow Him wholeheartedly so that every word, thought, and action will be pleasing to Him. This is our act of worship.

1 Bible ReadinessLESS

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Link to Last Week

Getting to Know You ActivityGather the children around you and hand out Bible Beginnings, page 3, and pencils. After talking about what the pictures show, have the children move aroung the room asking each other if they like the different items in the pictures. When they find our what others like, have the others write their name in the square that shows what they like. One person can write their name on several things. Children can just make a mark or write the first letter of their names if they don’t want to write their names.

When the moving and talking slow down because they have talked with all or most of their classmates, gather the children with you.

Let’s talk about what you know about others.

22 Who do you know that likes carrots? Let the children tell the names of people they found who like carrots.

22 Who do you know that likes camping and sleeping out in a tent? Let the children tell the names of people they found who like this.

Continue with these types of questions for cats, pizza, books, and soccer. Let the children tell what they know about their classmates.

Ask the children to write their names on their papers. Then collect the papers and pencils.

You know some things about the people in our class. Let’s talk more about knowing about people.

Sharing Time22 How do you get to know people? Let the children think and

talk. They might say that they ask questions just like they did in the opening activity. Others might talk about watching what people do. Friends and family might help the children get to know others.

22 Who knows you? Encourage everyone to tell their ideas, even if answers are repeated. You will probably hear about parents, brothers, sisters, other family members, friends, neighbors, teachers, God, and so on.

22 Who do you think knows all about you? Let the children think and talk. If necessary, encourage them to name who knows them the best. Accept what they say. The rest of this Bible lesson will teach them who really knows all about them.

There is someone who knows all about us. In today’s Bible story, a man named Nathanael meets someone who knows all about him.

Ask your students what they shared during the

past week. Continue the conversation asking what

they think God feels about their sharing and why. Be encouraging and share your experiences, too.

LESSON 1 FOCUS: Jesus knows all about us.

MM Through an activity and discussion about getting to know people, the children will get ready to learn that Jesus knows all about us.

MATERIALS: □ Bible Beginnings, page 3 □ Pencils

2 Bible StoryLE

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Jesus Knew All about Nathanael: John 1:43-49

Before class, study the Scripture passage for this Bible lesson and read through the Bible story given below. Practice the story to be comfortable telling the story instead of reading it.

Create and hang the Bible Timeline. The directions and reproducible are found on the PraisePac CD. The Bible is God’s Word. The Bible has two parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old begins when God created the world and tells how God helped people know about Him and how to love Him back. The New Testament tells us all about Jesus beginning with His birth. Jesus shows us more about God.

Today’s Bible story comes from the Book of John in the New Testament. The Book of John shows that Jesus is the Son of God. Place the “Book of John” piece onto the New Testament part of your Bible Timeline. Show the children where John 1:43-49 is in the Bible. Keep your Bible open to John 1:43-49 as you tell the story.

MM The children will learn that Jesus knew all about Nathanael.

MATERIALS:Bible Story:

□ Bible □ Teaching Aid 2 □ Bible Timeline

Bible Review: □ One copy of Bible

Beginnings, page 5 □ Scissors

Bible Verse Practice: □ One copy of Bible

Beginnings, page 6 □ Scissors


God sent His Son, Jesus, to help people know about His love. Jesus selected some men to follow Him and learn from Him. These men would learn to teach others about God’s love. They would be called Jesus’ disciples. A disciple is a person who learns from someone else. Jesus’ disciples would learn from Him.

Jesus had already picked three disciples, and He was going to choose more. There was a man named Philip. Jesus wanted Philip to be one of His disciples. As Jesus was going to Galilee, He said to Philip, “Follow me.” Philip immediately went with Jesus and became a disciple.

Philip was so excited about being picked by Jesus that he went to tell his friend Nathanael.

Philip found Nathanael sitting under a fig tree. (Show Teaching Aid 2, half scene.) Philip said, “Nathanael, I just talked with Jesus. He is the Son of God. He is the one that God’s Word tells us about. Jesus grew up in Nazareth, just as the Scriptures say, and He is here right now!”

Nathanael laughed and said, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”

Philip was still excited. He pointed to Jesus. “Come and see,” Philip said.

Philip and Nathanael went to Jesus. (Show Teaching Aid 2, full side.)

Just as Nathanael walked up to Jesus, Jesus said to him, “Nathanael, you are a good man who loves God. I know you always tell the truth.”

Nathanael was surprised that Jesus knew all about him, even though he had never met Jesus before. Jesus knew Nathanael’s name without asking. Jesus knew that he worshiped God and was honest, yet Nathanael had never been around Jesus. Nathanael was surprised at all that Jesus knew about him. He asked Jesus, “How do You know me?”

Jesus answered, “I saw you sitting under the fig tree. I knew you before Philip called you to come.”

Nathanael said to Jesus, “You are the Son of God.” Nathanael knew that only Jesus, the Son of God, could know these things about him. That is why Nathanael told Jesus, “You are the Son of God.” Then Nathanael happily followed Jesus and became one of His disciples.

Jesus knew all about Nathanael. He knew about his life, where he went, and how he felt about things. Jesus knew all about Nathanael before He ever saw him, because Jesus is the Son of God.

Jesus knows all about us, too. He knows where we’ve been and where we’re going. He knows what we think and feel. Jesus knows all about us and loves us.

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Memory Verse Practice Memory Verse:This is how we know what love is: Jesus

Christ laid down his life for us.

1 John 3:16

Bible Story Review Questions22 Who told Nathanael about Jesus? (Philip

told Nathanael about Jesus.)

22 What did Philip say about Jesus? (Philip said that Jesus is the Son of God. He grew up in Nazareth.)

22 What did Jesus tell Nathanael? (Jesus told Nathanael that he is a good man who loves God and tells the truth.)

22 Why was Nathanael surprised at all that Jesus knew about him? (Nathanael had never seen or met Jesus.)

22 How did Nathanael know that Jesus is the Son of God? (Nathanael knew that only God’s Son could know all about him.)

22 Who knew all about Nathanael? (Jesus knew all about Nathanael.)

22 Who knows all about us? (Jesus knows all about us.)

Bible Story Review ActivityCut apart the four Bible story picture cards from one page of Bible Beginnings, page 5. Spread them in random order on a table, the floor, or a chalkboard tray so all of the children can see the cards. Tell the

children to follow your directions.Raise your hand if you know which picture card

shows Jesus talking to Philip. Wait for the children to respond. Ask one child to go get the correct card and show it to everyone. Have the class check for the correct card. It shows Philip (in the brown coat) talking with Jesus.

If you can find the picture card that shows what Philip did next, stand up. Let the children look and stand up. Have a child go get the card and show it. Have the others sit down. Reinforce that Philip went and spoke to Nathanael (sitting under the tree). Philip said, “Come see Jesus.”

Lift one foot off the floor if you know which picture shows what Philip and Nathanael did. Let them look and you look for lifted feet. Have a child with a lifted foot walk to get the picture. Let everyone check. Philip and Nathanael lifted their feet to walk to Jesus!

Put up four fingers if you know the last picture in the story. Watch for their fingers. Let one with four fingers up get the fourth picture. Let everyone check the card. Reinforce that Jesus talked with Nathanael. Nathanael learned that Jesus knew all about him. Philip is standing with Nathanael, listening to Jesus.

Repeat the activity if time allows to let more kids go get the correct cards.

Show the memory verse word cards, page 6 in Bible Beginnings, one card at a time. For each card, point to the picture and talk about words that the pictures may represent. As a class, determine that the heart shows love, the picture of Jesus helps us know the words “Jesus Christ,” and the crosses remind us that Jesus died for us.

Be sure to talk about how the crosses remind us that Jesus died for us. The words in the memory verse “laid down his life for us” mean that Jesus died for us.

Slowly say the verse aloud while laying down each card. Point to each word on the card as you say it, but let the children say the picture words. Repeat the verse this way a few times.

If you have time, mix up the cards. Have children put them back in order using the pictures as clues. Read the verse each time it is mixed up and unscrambled.

Memory Verse Practice

3 Bible Activity ChoicesLE

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‘My Feelings’ Book □ Make-It/Take-It for Lesson 1

□ Stapler

□ Crayons

Jesus knows all about us—even how we feel. Let the children make this fun book that helps them remember that Jesus knows what they feel because He knows all about us.

Show the craft page as you explain how to separate and fold the parts. As the children change the expressions in their books, ask them to tell a partner about a time they felt the way the face looks. For example, they might talk about being sad when a pet died, or angry when a little brother broke something.

Tossing Game □ Beanbag or ball or rolled

and stuffed sock

This game helps the children remember that Jesus knows about us, while learning about each other.

Players sit in a circle. The leader (a child or an adult) tosses the beanbag or other soft object to another player. The one who catches the beanbag tells something about himself and tosses the beanbag back to the leader. The leader tosses the beanbag to another player who tells something and tosses the beanbag back. Continue the pattern until the leader says, “Jesus knows all about us,” and a number under 20. Players toss the beanbag around the circle, counting aloud each toss until the number said by the leader is reached. The player with the beanbag when the last number is said becomes the new leader.

MM Children will review and explore how Jesus knew about Nathanael and knows all about them.

To help the children review and explore what they learned from the Bible story, offer as many of these choices as possible.

Storytelling and Verse Practice allows the children to review both thte Bible story and the memory verse. The Tossing Game is a circle game that helps review that Jesus knows all about us. Offer a table craft that helps children explore their feelings with “My Feelings” Book.


□ Bible Beginnings, pages 5 and 6,

□ Scissors

Let the children use these colorful cards to review the Bible story from John 1:43-49, and the memory verse.

Show the page as you tell them to cut apart their cards. Ask them to arrange their cards in order. Have them tell the Bible story to a partner and practice saying the memory verse together. Both activities will help the truth of God’s Word be planted in their hearts and minds.

Storytelling and Verse Practice

4 Bible ResponseLESS

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TAKE-HOMES

Prayer Time

□ Storytime for Lesson 1 and Parents’ Section

□ Story Pictures and Verse Cards

□ “My Feelings” Book

□ Invisible Ink Picture

□ Reminder Page

MM Children will apply the Bible story through the week by remembering something that Jesus knows about them.

MATERIALS: □ Bible Beginnings, page 4 □ Pencils

Extra-Time Activity: □ PraisePac CD (from Early

Elementary Creative Teaching Aids)

□ CD player


Here is a suggestion for a prayer you might teach your class. Dear Jesus, thank You for knowing all about me. Please help me remember that You know all about me. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Practice your class prayer aloud and slowly a few times so the children can learn the prayer. Then ask everyone to pray together.

After the children have finished cleaning up, gather them back together with you for the last part of the lesson.

Our Bible story told us that Jesus knew all about Nathanael. Jesus knows all about us, too.

22 What is something Jesus knows about you ? Let the children have time to think and talk. They might tell about favorite games, foods, or activities, abilities, their names, fears, wishes, and what makes them happy or sad, and so on.

Sometimes we need a reminder of what we know. Let’s make our reminders that Jesus knows all about us.

Hand out pencils and Bible Beginnings, page 4. The front side, page 3, was used in Step 1.

Read the title and directions at the top. Have the children draw or write in the frame something that Jesus knows about them.

Jesus knows what you put on your paper. He knows all about us. Whatever we think, feel, say, and do, Jesus knows. Jesus knows all about us and loves us as we are.

22 What are you going to do with your reminder so you will remember this week that Jesus knows all about you? Let them think and talk. Encourage them to tell their plans. Accept their ideas because they will be the most meaningful. Children might talk about places to put their page, or ways to carry it with them during the week at school, home, or play.

Let’s thank Jesus for knowing all about us. We can also ask Him to help us remember that He knows all about us.

Extra-Time ActivityWe are important to Jesus. Teach the children the Unit 13 song “We Are Important to Jesus,” from the PraisePac CD. The song is easy to learn. Play the song on the CD two times. Then invite the children to sing along with you. As the children leave your room, ask them to remember that Jesus knows all about them.

1-1022 3Lesson 1

Lesson 1People Search

Show Who You Know Likes . . .

Directions: Ask the children to find classmates who like any of the above things and activities. Children write the names of the ones who like the item or activity in each picture. If the children can’t write

names, they can make marks such as an X to show they know someone who likes the thing or activity.

carrots camping

cats pizza

soccerbooks

4 Lesson 1

Jesus Knows All about Me

Jesus knows all about us.Draw or write what Jesus knows about you.

Directions: Have the children draw or write something Jesus knows about them.

1-1022 5Lesson 1

Jesus Knows All about Nathanael

Directions: Have the children cut apart these story cards. They use the cards to retell the Bible story.

This is how w

e know w

hat

love is:

6 Lesson 1

Directions: Have the children cut apart these cards. Let them arrange their cards in order to make the memory verse.

Memory Verse Cards

1 John 3:16

Jesus Christ

laid down

his life for us.

3

EARLY BIRD OPTION LESSON 1

Thank You, God.

Early Bird Option for Lesson 1

Have the children punch out this basket and the apple on page 31. Make more apples by tracing their apples onto paper. Then they cut out their extra apples. Ask the children to draw pictures or write words on their apples to show what they are thankful that God knows about them. Children might show they are thank-ful that God knows they need food, homes, clothes, bikes, skates, friends, family, and even apples they can pick in the fall! Show the children how to open the slits in their baskets. Have them insert their apples and tape them on the back side. Put the baskets on a class bulletin board with this title: “Thank You, God, For . . .”

4

JESUS KNOWS ALL ABOUT US LESSON 1

Jesus knows all about us.

3B 1

A

5

FOR PARENTS In class today your child heard that Jesus knew all about Nathanael, even before He met him (John 1:43-49). At home this week, have your child show you how this booklet works. Enjoy playing with the different expressions, emphasizing the fact that Jesus knows how we feel all the time, whether we’re happy, sad, afraid, or angry. Talk about things that make your child feeldifferent ways, such as fights, storms, parties, and so on. Review the memory verse together: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us” (1 John 3:16).

6

42

FOR TEACHERBefore class:• Remove this page from the book.During class:• Remove the margins and open the six slits.• Show your students how to fold the paper back on

the short Line A, then on Line B to make a booklet. As they open the top and the bottom part of each page, they will fold the pages back along the dotted lines. (Hint: the booklet will work better if you staple it after it is assembled.)

• Let your children color the eyes and the mouths.• Show your class how to change the expressions on

the faces by choosing different eyes to go with different mouths.

Talk about:• The Bible story telling how Jesus, God’s Son, knew

all about Nathanael even before He met him.• The fact that Jesus knows all about us, too.• How happy we can be that Jesus knows how we

feel. We are important to Jesus.• Things that make us feel different ways: happy, sad,

afraid, or angry.

A Take-Home Paper

for Early Elementary

Lesson 1Jesus Knows All about NathanaelBible Story based on John 1:43-49

Jesus asked Philip to be His helper. Philip was so happy that he ran to tell his friend

Nathanael right away. He found his friend sitting under a fig tree.

Philip told him, “I just talked to Jesus! He’s the Son of God!”

Nathanael laughed. He did not believe Philip. But Philip said, “Come and see for yourself.”

So the men ran to find Jesus.

Jesus said, “Nathanael, you are one who always tells the truth.”

Nathanael asked, “How do you know all about me?”

Jesus said, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip talked to you.”

Nathanael thought, Only the Son of God could know all about me.

Then Nathanael cried out, “Jesus, You are the Son of God!”

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Copyrighted material; permission required to reproduce.

Fig trees were grown for their fruit more than 5,000 years ago.

Fig wasps carry pollen down the hollow tube into the fruit. The pollen from the wasp makes the flowers bloom inside the bulb. The seeds grow when the flowers are done blooming.

Fig trees grow in hot, sunny places. They can grow 10–30 feet tall. The

branches and leaves provide cool shade.

The fruit is really a bulb shape with a hollow tube. The bulb holds many flowers. The flowers bloom inside the fruit. After the flowers bloom, the fruit grows seeds.

Figs can be eaten fresh or dried. They are a good-for-you and good tasting treat! When we take a bite, the seeds inside make a crunchy sound.

Ask an adult to buy a fresh fig for you at the grocery store. At home, cut it apart together and see what you find inside. Scoop out the inside and try it on a cracker.

Some people like fig bars. I’d rather munch

on a leaf.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. 1 John 3:16

Lay People, Bishops, Priests, and Deacons—Ministry in Our Church

In this Edition

This quarter investigates

Church Ministries

• Anglican Family Edition: Thanking

and Praying for Our Minister

• Coming up on the Church Calendar

• Lighting the Lamp: Anglican activities for Toddlers and

Preschoolers

• Lighting the Lamp: Anglican activities for Elementary Students

• Lighting the Lamp: Anglican activities for

Youth

September, 2012

TORCHpassing the

the angLiCan eDitiOn

suPPLeMent

Throughout their history, Anglicans have had bishops, priests (also known as presbyters), and deacons. According to The Catechism, (Offices of Instruction), in The Book of Common Prayer, “The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.” Each is “to represent Christ and his Church” in the following ways:

n Lay PeoPLe – “to bear witness to Christ wherever they may be; and according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.”

n BishoPs – “particularity as apostle, chief priest, and pastor of a diocese; to guard the faith, unit, and discipline of the whole Church; to proclaim the Word of God; to act in Christ’s name for the reconciliation of the world and the building up of the Church; and to ordain others to continue Christ’s ministry.”

n Priests – “particularly as a servant of those in need; and to assist bishops and priests in the proclamation of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments.”

(Excerpted from 1979 BCP, p. 855-56.)

Every Christian has a ministry. Take some time this quarter to explore your ministry.

• Contemplate your gifts. Make two lists: “What I really enjoy doing” and “What I know I do well and what others have told me I do well.” Write 10 items on each list. Then analyze your lists. What relationships do you find between them? You could even ask a trusted friend to look at your lists and see what he or she notices.

2PASSING THE TORCH

• Read Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12; and Ephesians 4:7-13. What does 1 Corinthians 12 imply about the importance of the various gifts? How do you see your gifts fitting into these passages?

• What is the ministry of the laity? How do you fit into that ministry with your gifts?

• Invite a priest or deacon to join you in discussion and give their understanding of ordination. How do they understand their particular ministry in the church? Ask them what they believe the ministry of the laity is. (Before your discussion, let them know the topic you want to discuss as well as the definitions you are using from The Book of Common Prayer.

• Continue to pray privately and with others about your ministry. Here is a prayer from page 256 of The Book of Common Prayer, 1979, to get you started.

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful

people is governed and sanctified; Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now for ever. Amen.

Bishop’s mitre (hat); bishop’s shepherd’s crook

3PASSING THE TORCH

October is Clergy Appreciation Month. Take time this month for your family to recognize and honor your parish clergy (and family). You’ll need a time to plan, another time to prepare, and a third block of time to carry out your plan.

Planning Time• Begin with a prayer. One way of respecting and

honoring clergy is praying for them.• Talk together about which priest, deacon,

director of Christian education, or any other ordained or lay minister in your parish your family especially appreciates. (Or you may choose to do this for your bishop.) Emphasize that we are all ministers in our church, but some people are set apart for special ministries.

• Brainstorm a way your family can personally recognize and honor that leader. It may be a gift of baked goods, an invitation to lunch, a promise to pray for them, an offer to have their kids at your house along with a gift card for a “date night” for the minister and spouse, an invitation for a birthday celebration, etc. Be sure to include a “Thank you” card that has been created by your family.

A Time to PrepareSpend time preparing. Give each family member an age-appropriate task. Maybe it’s a baking time, getting a gift card, or making a card. Don’t forget to talk about how your family will send the thank-you item.

Time to GiftBegin with a simple prayer of thanksgiving for the minister and family. Then, as a family, share your gift with the clergy member. Back at home, as a family, be sure to continue to keep your minister in your prayers.

Prayer for the Diocese(from The Book of Common Prayer)

O God, by your grace you have called us in this Diocese to a goodly fellowship of faith. Bless our Bishop(s) [here add the Christian name of your bishop] and other clergy [here add the Christian name(s) of the ordained staff members at your parish], and all our people. Grant that your Word may be truly preached and truly heard, your Sacraments faithfully administered and faithfully received. By your Spirit, fashion our lives according to the example of your Son, and grant that we may show the power of your love to all among whom we live; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 1979 BCP, p. 817

“thank You” time

Anglican Family Edition

Thank you for teaching us God’s Word

4PASSING THE TORCH

Coming Up on the Church Calendar

Early Christians organized their year to remember and celebrate the important events of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, and the beginning of the Church. For more information, consult The Book of Common Prayer. Here are a few select events.

Ember Days – Sept. 19, 21, 22The early church used Ember Days for fasting and ordinations. Now, seminary students use Ember Days to write “Ember Letters” to their bishops updating them on their studies and spiritual lives. Ember Days occur four times a year on the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of the Ember Week. Ember Weeks are the week after Holy Cross Day (Sept. 14), after the third Sunday in Advent, after the first Sunday after Lent, and after Pentecost Sunday.

St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist is celebrated September 21 on the Church Calendar. Matthew was a tax collector Jesus called away from his collection table and his wealth. Tax collectors were corrupt and deemed social outcasts. Later Jesus selected Matthew as one of the 12 apostles. As an apostle entrusted with spreading and preserving the Good News, Matthew wrote one of the four Gospels, for which he is called an evangelist. Traditional color used in churches is red for martyrdom.

Growing in Christian Fellowship: A theme for the Season after Pentecost. This focus is rooted in Acts 2:42. The early Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” All Christians have ministries and are called to encourage each other in following Jesus.

St. Andrew, Apostle, is celebrated on November 30. Andrew, another apostle, is associated with joyful evangelism for telling his brother, Peter, about Jesus. A fisherman, Andrew followed Jesus to “fish” for people. A men’s organization, The Brotherhood of St. Andrew, models itself on this apostle, and members commit to evangelism. Traditional color used in churches is red for martyrdom.

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5PASSING THE TORCH

Anglican Activities for Reaching Out with Jesus’ Love to Toddler/2s and Preschoolers

In Your Toddler/2 Classroom

September ActivitiesTie in to the theme of orders this month by talking about the Bible each week. After Talk

Time, show the Bible to your toddlers. Briefly talk about your clergy [call them by name] teaching the Word of God, the Bible. Celebrate St. Matthew on September 23 (September 21 on the Church Calendar). Before class, tape some quarters or half dollars to the table using packing tape. Make copies of page 12 of this supplement. As a craft, let children make rubbings of the coins using scrap paper and crayons. Then let them color the picture as you tell the story of Matthew printed on the bottom of the page.

November ActivitiesReview how clergy teach the Word of

God, the Bible, as you introduce the Bible story. Clergy are God’s helpers, too. Set up an activity center on November 25 for St. Andrew’s Day. Cut out large fish shapes or gather large plastic fish. Have toddlers put the fish in a towel net while an adult or youth helper tells the following story: Andrew was a fisherman. He told his brother about Jesus. Jesus made Andrew an apostle. Andrew told many people about Jesus.

Lighting

the Lamp

Reproduce and send home Anglican Family Edition (Page 3 of this supplement).

October ActivitiesContinue the theme of the orders by

inviting a member of your clergy to visit your classroom to talk with the children in the activity centers. Encourage your priest or deacon to wear a stole.

One way to Grow in Christian Fellowship is to pray for each other. Take a picture of each family represented in your class or make copies from a pictorial directory. Each week, show a picture of one of your families and pray for that family as a class. (You may want to continue this through the year.)

Lighting

the LampAnglican Activities for Reaching Out

with Jesus’ Love to Elementary-Aged Students

In Your Preschool ClassroomReproduce and send home Anglican Family Edition

(Page 3 of this supplement).

September ActivitiesTie in to the theme of orders this month by talking about the Bible each week. As

you, show the Bible to your toddlers. Briefly talk about your clergy [call them by name] teaching the Word of God, the Bible.

Celebrate St. Matthew on September 23 (September 21 on the Church Calendar). Since today’s lesson is about Matthew, just add a couple activities. As a Welcome Time Activity, create a money table by taping some quarters or half dollars to the table using packing tape. Let children make rubbings of the coins using scrap paper and crayons. Print out page 12 of this supplement as an additional Step 3 activity. Read the story and let the children color the page.

6PASSING THE TORCH

November ActivitiesReview how clergy [refer to your clergy by

name] teach the Word of God, the Bible, as you introduce the Bible story.

Set up a Step 3 center on November 25 for St. Andrew’s Day. Fill a shallow pan with paper fish shapes with a paperclip on each fish. Let children catch fish with a magnet on a string and unsharpened pencil while an adult or youth helper tells the following story: Andrew was a fisherman. He told his brother about Jesus. Jesus made Andrew an apostle. Andrew told many people about Jesus.

October ActivitiesContinue the theme of the orders by inviting a member of your clergy

to visit your classroom to talk with the children. Encourage your priest or deacon to wear a stole.

One way to Grow in Christian Fellowship is to pray for each other. Take a picture of each family represented in your class or make copies from a pictorial directory. Each week, show a picture of one of your families and pray for that family as a class as part of your worship time. (You may want to continue this through the year.)

7PASSING THE TORCH

Lighting

the LampAnglican Activities for Reaching Out

with Jesus’ Love to Elementary-Aged Students

In Your Early Elementary Classroom


October Activities November ActivitiesConclude the quarter theme of ministry by inviting in a member of your church’s clergy. Ask your visitor to bring in a Bible, a clergy vestment, a communion cup, and a baptism shell and talk about the objects and how they are used in worship.

Talk about St. Andrew on November 25 (November 30 on the Church Calendar). As a Step 3 activity, share this story: andrew brought his brother Peter to meet Jesus. Peter and andrew were fishermen. Jesus told them that they would go fishing for people. Later, as an apostle, andrew “fished” many people for Jesus. Give each child a copy of the fish on page 14 of this supplement. Invite each child to write something about Jesus on the fish and share it with someone during the week.

Introduce Growing in Christian Fellowship. Before class, make several copies of the heart template on page 13 of this supplement. Using the NIrV version of Romans 12:9-16, write one way of showing love on each heart. In class, let the children decorate the hearts. Read them together. Each week, have the class choose a heart and challenge them to use that method of showing love to others throughout the week.

As part of your classroom worship, stand in a circle. Remind them that Jesus’ apostles taught the Word of God. Your clergy teach the Word of God. Pass a Bible around the circle. The person handing the Bible says, “The Word of the Lord.” The receiver responds, “Thanks be to God.”

September ActivitiesIntroduce your students to the ministry by creating a photo display of the deacons, priests, and bishops who serve your church. Introduce the theme by sharing: In our church, we have deacons, priests, and bishops. They teach God’s Word. They give Communion and baptize. Each week during prayer time, pray for the clergy of your church.

Celebrate St. Matthew on September 23 (September 21 on the Church Calendar). As a Step 3 activity, set out a piece of butcher paper, markers, and some Bible storybooks. Share the following story about Matthew: Matthew cheated people out of their money. Then Jesus asked Matthew to follow Him. Later Jesus chose Matthew as an apostle—to tell about Jesus. Matthew wrote the Book of Matthew in the Bible. Have children draw pictures of what they know about Jesus using the storybooks as reference.

8 PASSING THE TORCH

Lighting

the Lamp

sePteMBer aCtivitiesIntroduce your students to the ministry by creating a photo display of the deacons, priests, and bishops who serve your church. Introduce the theme by sharing: In our church, we have deacons (they help serve communion and read the Gospel in the service), priests (worship, baptize and give Communion; teach God’s Word), and bishops (oversee other priests in the diocese). Each week during prayer time, pray for the clergy of your church.

Celebrate St. Matthew on September 23 (September 21 on the Church Calendar). As a Step 3 activity, set out a piece of butcher paper, markers, and Bibles. Share the following story about Matthew: Matthew cheated people out of their money. Then Jesus asked Matthew to follow Him. Later Jesus chose Matthew as an apostle—to tell about Jesus. Matthew wrote the Book of Matthew in the Bible. Have children draw pictures of what they know about Jesus. Use the Bibles as reference.

OCtOBer aCtivitiesIntroduce Growing in Christian Fellowship. Before class, make several copies of the heart template on page 13 of this supplement. In class, read the NIrV version of Romans 12:9-16. Let the children write different ways of showing love to others on the heart. Each week, have the class choose a heart and challenge them to use that method of showing love to others throughout the week.

As part of your classroom worship, stand in a circle. Remind them that Jesus’ apostles taught the Word of God. Your clergy teach the Word of God. Pass a Bible around the circle. The person handing the Bible says, “The Word of the Lord.” The receiver responds, “Thanks be to God.”

nOveMBer aCtivities Conclude the quarter theme of ministry by inviting in a member of your church’s clergy. Ask your visitor to bring in a Bible, a clergy vestment, a communion cup, and a baptism shell and talk about how they are used in worship.

Talk about St. Andrew on November 25 (November 30 on the Church Calendar). Make a “lake” of yogurt veggie dip and surround it with goldfish crackers. Provide celery or carrot stick fishing poles. As a Step 3 activity, share this story: Andrew brought his brother Peter to meet Jesus. Peter and Andrew were fishermen. Jesus told them that they would go fishing for people. Later, as an apostle, Andrew “fished” many people for Jesus. Let children dip their fishing poles in the dip, then in the crackers as you talk about what it might mean to fish for men.

In Your Elementary ClassroomReproduce and send home Anglican Family Edition

(Page 3 of this supplement).

Anglican Activities for Reaching Out with Jesus’ Love to Elementary-Aged Students

Kamehameha and EmmaWHERE THEY LIVED: HawaiiWHAT THEY DID:Kamehameha IV (1834–1863) and Emma (1836–1885) were the King and Queen of Hawaii. They invited Anglican missionaries to Hawaii. Kamehameha and Emma built St. Andrew’s Cathedral, several schools, and Queen’s Hospital. Kamehameha began the translation of The Book of Common Prayer and the Hymnal into Hawaiian. St. Andrews continues the Hawaiian tradition today with a weekly service using Hawaiian language prayers, hymns, Scripture, and a sermon in English.

HEroES for CHrISt: ACtIvItYWrite “Jesus loves you” in Hawaiian on the board. Challenge children to learn how to say it, then tell it to others. They could also share the story of Kamehameha IV and Emma.

Hawaiian words: Lesû aloha oeSay it: Ee yeh SOO ah LOW ha oi

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Use on Nov. 25. Nov. 28 on the Church Calendar.

Heroes for Christ

9PASSING THE TORCH

Hero for Christ

In Your Upper Elementary Classroom


Lighting

the Lamp

Henry MartynWHEN HE LIVED: 1781–1812WHAT HE DID: Henry Martyn wanted to be a missionary in India. His rector, Charles Simeon, encouraged him. So Henry Martyn sailed for India. Henry showed much respect for the people of India. He listened to them, and they listened to him tell about Jesus. In India, Henry translated the New Testament and The Book of Common Prayer into Hindustani. Other scholars helped him with Persian and Arabic translations of the Bible. Henry Martyn also went to Persia (now known as Iran) to finish the Arabic Bible. At age 31, he died in Turkey while

being treated for an illness. His Bible translations helped many people find new life in Jesus.

Hero for Christ: ActivitySome languages do not have an alphabet. Translators have to create alphabets to translate the Bible into those languages. It’s like making a code. Have students create a simple code using a symbol for each letter of the alphabet. Then have them translate “God loves you” into their coded alphabet.

November Activities Conclude the quarter theme of ministry by inviting in a member of your church’s clergy. Ask your visitor to bring in a Bible, a clergy vestment, a communion cup, and a baptism shell and talk about how they are used in worship.

Talk about St. Andrew on November 25 (November 30 on the Church Calendar). Make a “lake” of yogurt veggie dip and surround it with goldfish crackers. Provide celery and carrot stick fishing poles. As a Step 3 activity, read together John 1:35-42 and Luke 5:1-11. Let students dip their fishing poles in the dip, then in the crackers as you talk about what it might mean to fish for men.

September ActivitiesIntroduce your students to the ministry by creating a photo display of the deacons, priests, and bishops who serve your church. Introduce the theme by sharing: In our church, we have deacons (they help serve communion and read the Gospel in the service), priests (worship, baptize and give Communion; teach God’s Word), and bishops (oversee other priests in the diocese). Each week during prayer time, pray for the clergy of your church.

Celebrate St. Matthew on September 23 (September 21 on the Church Calendar). As a Step 3 activity, set out a piece of butcher paper, markers, and Bibles. Matthew wasn’t the kind of guy one would think Jesus would choose. He was a cheat—the lowest of the low. But Jesus chose him anyway. Matthew would later become an apostle and write a book of the Bible. Have students read Matthew’s story in Matthew 9:9-13 and create a rebus puzzle equation that shows Matthew’s change from lowest of the low to apostle.

October ActivitiesIntroduce Growing in Christian Fellowship. Have students read Romans 12:9-16. Have your preteens create a list of ways to show love to others. Each week, have the class choose one item from the list and challenge them to use that method of showing love to others throughout the week.

Use this month to explore one of the duties of priests by looking at baptism in The Book of Common Prayer. Each week, talk about and say together a section of the Baptismal Covenant (1979 BCP p. 304).

(Use on Oct. 14 or 21; Oct. 19 on the Church Calendar)

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10PASSING THE TORCH

In your MIDDLE SCHOOL ClassroomLighting

the Lamp


Anglican Activities for Reaching Out with Jesus’ Love to Youth

Sister Constance and Her Companions— Martyrs of Memphis Sister Constance was a gifted artist and teacher sent from the Community of St. Mary in Peekskill, New York to Memphis, Tennessee in 1873 to help start a school. She, along with other nuns, were invited by the Episcopal Bishop of Tennessee to assist him with a home for Civil War orphans as well as with a girl’s school.

In 1878, an epidemic of yellow fever struck the city (over 5,000 died). Constance, along with other nuns, stayed in the city to care for the sick and dying until they too died. She and Sisters Theda, Ruth, and Frances are often

called the “martyrs of Memphis” because they gave their lives serving Jesus.

Back in time Discussion:How do you think Constance and the others found the courage to do what they did? Read Philippians 1:21. How does that verse summarize the martyrs of Memphis?

sePteMBer aCtivitiesThroughout the month of September explore the different areas of ministry. Choose one of the following areas each week and look up the ordinations and the Scripture passage. What do they tell about that ministry? Pray for specific clergy in your church who are part of that ministry.

Bishop Hebrews 5:1-10Priest Ephesians 4:7, 11-16Deacon Acts 6:2-7All Christians Romans 12:1-8

Celebrate St. Matthew on September 23 (September 21 on the Church Calendar) with a Step 3 activity using Bibles. Matthew wasn’t the kind of guy one would think Jesus would choose. He was a cheat—the lowest of the low. But Jesus chose him anyway. Matthew would later become an apostle and write a book of the Bible. Have students read Matthew’s story in Matthew 9:9-13 and talk about how Jesus sees the lowest of the low? What does that mean for each of us?

OCtOBer aCtivitiesIntroduce Growing in Christian Fellowship. Have students read Romans 12:9-16. Let the children write a list of ways to show love to others. Each week, have the class selectone item from the list and challenge them to use that method of showing love to others throughout the week.

Label butcher paper with All Christians/Deacons/Priests/Bishops. For the month of October, ask students to fill in Challenges, Commitments under each using the Prayer Book and Bible as resources. Add these as petitions as you pray for the clergy of your church.

nOveMBer aCtivities Conclude the quarter theme of ministry by inviting in a member of your church’s clergy. Ask your visitor to talk about their specific role in ministry.

Talk about St. Andrew on November 25 (November 30 on the Church Calendar). Read Matthew 4:18-22 and John 1:35-42. Andrew stopped and yielded to God. He let God lead him in being a fisher of men. For the rest of his life Andrew continued to tell people about Jesus. Let teens go to separate areas of the room to consider their attitudes and actions they are ready to let go of to allow God to take control. Have students write a personal prayer about dropping that net and following Jesus to let God be in control and help them fish for men.

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Use on September 9

Back in time

Reproduce and send home

Anglican Family Edition (Page 3

of this supplement).

Lighting

the Lamp

11PASSING THE TORCH

September ActivitiesEmber Days on September 19, 21, and 22. The early church used Ember Days for fasting and ordinations. On Ember Days now, seminary students write “Ember Letters” to their Bishops updating them on their studies and spiritual lives. Write an Ember Letter to your leader or another significant adult in your life.

Celebrate St. Matthew on September 23 (September 21 on the Church Calendar) with a Step 3 activity using Bibles. Matthew wasn’t the kind of guy one would think Jesus would choose. He was a cheat—the lowest of the low. But Jesus chose him anyway. Matthew would later become an apostle and write a book of the Bible. Have students read Matthew’s story in Matthew 9:9-13 and talk about how Jesus sees the lowest of the low. What does that mean for each of us? Conclude by praying the prayer on page 244 of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer together.

October ActivitiesIntroduce Growing in Christian Fellowship. Study Acts 2:42 together throughout the month. As a class, come up with a month-long commitment to encourage each other in studying God’s Word together, meeting with each other for encouragement, celebrating the Lord’s Supper, and spending time in prayer.

Throughout the month of October explore the different areas of ministry. Choose one of the following areas each week and look up the ordinations and the Scripture passage. What do they tell about that ministry? Pray for specific clergy in your church who are part of that ministry.

Bishop Hebrews 5:1-10Priest Ephesians 4:7, 11-16Deacon Acts 6:2-7All Christians Romans 12:1-8

November Activities Conclude the quarter theme of ministry by inviting in a member of your church’s clergy. Ask your visitor to talk about their specific role in ministry.

Talk about St. Andrew on November 25 (November 30 on the Church Calendar). Read Matthew 4:18-22 and John 1:35-42. Andrew stopped and yielded to God. He let God lead him in being a fisher of men. For the rest of his life Andrew continued to tell people about Jesus. Let teens go to separate areas of the room to consider their attitudes and actions they are ready to let go of to allow God to take control. Have students write a personal prayer about dropping that net and following Jesus to let God be in control and help them fish for men.

Back in time

Use on November 11 or 18. November 14 on the Church Calendar.

In Your High School

Classroom

Bishop Samuel Seabury (1729–1796)On November 14, 1784, Samuel Seabury became the first consecrated North American Bishop. Prior to his consecration, any candidate for ordination in the New World had to travel to England. The trip would last around two years and included arduous sea voyages. Seabury was consecrated

by bishops in the Scottish Episcopal Church rather than England because Seabury, as a citizen of the new United States, could not swear the required loyalty oath to the King. Charles Inglis was consecrated the first Anglican bishop in Canada. He is recognized in the Canadian Church Calendar on August 13.

Back in time: DiscussionAs you think about Samuel Seabury’s ministry as a bishop, think about your own bishop. How, as a

class, can you pray for your bishop? A starting place could be the prayer on page 817 of The Book of Common Prayer, 1979.

12PASSING THE TORCH

Matthew left his money table to follow Jesus. Matthew wrote the Book of Matthew in the

Bible. Matthew wrote about Jesus.

September 23 (September 21 on the Church Calendar)

Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use only.

St. Matthew’s Day

The Holy

Bible

13PASSING THE TORCHPermission granted to reproduce for classroom use only.

Heart Pattern

Make copies of this heart. Write, or have children write, ways to show love based

on Romans 12:9-16.

October

14PASSING THE TORCH

fish PatternNovember 25 (November 30 on the Church Calendar)

Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use only.

Make a copy of this pattern for each student. Have each child write or draw one thing about Jesus on the fish and

share it with someone.

Teacher’s Guide

Each lesson provides step-by-step instructions to help you prepare and teach, with Bible background, tips for teaching kindergarten and first graders, and a variety of activities to help your students learn and apply the Bible lesson.

One per teacher recommended.

Creative Teaching Aids

An essential resource for presenting the Bible lesson, this packet contains a variety of posters, games, 3D models, and puzzles, as well as an attendance chart, a music CD, and more.

One per class recommended.

Make-It Take-It

This in-class student craft book is full of hands-on projects and crafts—like games, 3D booklets, pop-up cards, and mobiles—that are effective in reinforcing and applying the Bible lessons.

One per student recommended.

Storytime

Equip parents with this weekly paper, which presents the Bible story, a contemporary story applying the Lesson Focus, activities, and a fun Family Faith section.


Passing the Torch Making the Anglican Edition of Bible-in-Life work for you and your church takes little work through the help of this free online resource. Passing the Torch provides lesson tools for teachers, students, and family activities for growth in the Anglican tradition.

One per teacher recommended.

Bible Beginnings

This student book offers a variety of full-color class activities for all parts of your lessons—Bible story character masks, games, puzzles, puppets, and Bible story and memory verse sequence cards.


EARLY ELEMENTARYThe Anglican Edition provides children in kindergarten and first grade with a Sunday school experience that opens their hearts and minds to God’s Word and the love of Jesus as they begin to build upon their foundation of faith.

Anglican Early Elem

Documents

Transcript of Anglican Early Elem