Overview

BeginningattheBeginning.

Whatagreatbeginningitis!WearegoingtospendquiteabitoftimeonthefirstfewchaptersoftheBibleinthisseries,theycoversomeprettyfundamentalconcepts,soit’sworthspendingthetimetotryandgetthesefoundationstonesconcretedinright.Wedon’thoweverwanttoendupbeingdryandboring;wewanttoinspirethechildrenwiththegreatnessofGod,thewonderofcreation,Hisamazingloveforus,andHisdesiretobringallthingsbacktowheretheybelongandmakeamoregloriousnewcreationthatwewillenjoywithHimforever.

Week Passage Lesson1 Genesis1:1-25 God’sGreatWord2 Genesis1:1-25,Psalm19:1-6 God’sGreatWorld3 Genesis1:26–2:25 ThePeopleHeLoves4 Genesis2:15-3:1-6 TheRuleGodGave5 Genesis3:1-24 TheMessSinMakes6 Genesis3:15-21 TheSaviourGodPromises

Week1

God’sGreatWordGenesis1:1-25

Aim

FortheChildrentounderstandthatGodiseternal,HemadeeverythingbySpeakinganditwasallgood!God’swordispowerful,lifegivingandgood.

Wherearewegoing?

Wewanttoestablishimportantfoundationsthatwewillbuildon–God’sgreatness,ruleandgoodness.HerulesallthingsbecauseHemadeallthings,Hisiswordbringslifeandgoodnesssoitcanbetrusted.Godiseternal,aboveandoutsideallthatHemade,soHeknowsthebeginningfromtheend,wecanbeconfidentthatHeisincontrol.Godisgood–onlygoodthingscomefromHim.

Notestohelpwithunderstandingthepassage

Genesis1iswrittenwithpowerfulpictorialandpoeticlanguage,itislikeanartiststretchingwideablankcanvas,andthenfillingitwithbeautyandwonderbeforeoureyes.MajortheologicalfoundationalstonesareputinplaceforusthattherestoftheBiblestorybuildson.God’seternalnature,andcharacterisestablishedinv1,theonewhoalltherestofthisbookisaboutisnotintroducedHeisjustthere,“Inthebeginning,God”.HistriunenatureisanotherfoundationstonesetaswearetoldofthepresenceofHisspirit,v2,andthenthepresenceandpowerofhisword,v3,sointhefirst3verses,wehavethetrinity–father,sonandspirit,asJohnthegospelwriterexplainstous,John1:1-4,14“thewordwaswithGod,andthewordwasGod…ThewordbecamefleshandmadeHisdwellingamongus.”JesusisthewordofGod–hewasthereinthebeginning–heputskinontocomeandbethefullexpressionofwhoGodisinhislifeonearth,deathandresurrection.

SowegettoknowwhoGodis,thenwearetoldwhatGodislike,Hisgoodness,ruleandpoweraredemonstratedintherestofthechapter.Weseethepowerandbeautyofhiswordthatmakesallthings,“andGodsaid…anditwasso”isrepeated.WearealsorepeatedlytoldthatallthatHemadeisgood,thedetail,varietyandwonderofcreationreflectsthepower,majestyandcreativityoftheonethatmadeit.Theseversessparkmuchcontroversyanddebate,evenamongstChristians,howevertheimportantissuethatitaddressesisnothowGodmadetheworld,butwhoGodis,andwhyhemadeallthings.Godiseternal,andgoodandmadeallthingsbyhislifegivingword,forHisglory;thesearethefundamentalprincipleswewanttosetinconcreteintheheartsandmindsofourchildren.

Children’sstoryinchurch

YouWillNeed:Selectionofchildren’sstorybooks,Bible,largeblacksheet,pileofA4papercutintospeechbubbleshapes,thickmarkerpenandsellotape(onadispenserwouldhelp)youwillstickonthespeechbubblesasyougo.Youcouldpreparethisbeforehandandhavethemstuckonthebackofthesheet,andjustaddafewextrasastheideaistomaketheblanksheetlookfull.

WhattoSay WhattodoIt’sthestartofanewschoolyear,thestartofanewclass,anewschoolforsomeofyou,andit’sthestartofanewseriesinJuniorChurch,andyouknowwherewearestarting…AttheBeginning!!Whataverygoodplacetostart!Thebeginningofthegreateststory,Iwonderwhatyourfavouritestoryis…..

Haveatableatthefrontwithavarietyofchildren’sbooksonandaBible.Holdupavarietyofstorybooks–atlas,animalbook,adventurestory.

Oh,youlikethatone,tellushowitstartsThewaystorystartstellsusalotaboutthestory,ifitstarts,“onceuponatime”,youknowit’satraditionaltale,astory

Volunteercomesoutandsitsatthetable,Ilovebooks,therearesomanytochoosefrom–“Ooh,Ilovethisone”(holdsup3littlepigs)

that’sbeentoldforyearsthattriestotellyousomethingabouttheworld.

“itstarts,onceuponatimetherewere3littlepigs”

Nice,informationbooks,tellingyoustuffyouneedtoknow,lotsoflistsanddetails,interesting…

Thisone’sgreat–it’sgotloadsofanimalsinandinformationaboutthemholdsupanimalatlas

Howdoesthatonestart?Sothatbookstartsbytellingyouaboutthemaincharacter,themouseandgetsstraightintotheadventure,Icanjustimaginethelittlemouse,walkingalongindeepdarkwood.Thestartofabooksetsthesceneforusofthewholestory.

OhandIlovethisone–(holdsuptheGruffalo)Reads“amousetookastrollthroughthedeepdarkwood”“DoyouwanttoknowhowtheBiblestarts?(reads)InthebeginningGodcreatedtheheavensandtheearth”

TheBiblestartswithamazingwords,“inthebeginningGod–Godwastherebeforeanythingelse,Hedoesn’thaveastart,Heisjustthere,andHeisthemaincharacter”

Whatdoescreatedmean?

Wellitmeansthattherewasnothingthere,itwasabitlikethis,andGodwasalltherewas,andthenGodspoke,andwhenGodspeaks,amazingthingshappen

PutblacksheetovertablePutacrownonthetablevolunteerhaspileofpaperspeechbubbles

Godspokeoutlight,andtherewaslightAndhespokeskyandtherewassky,andstars,andmoonandsun.Tellmewhatyourfavouriteanimalis?AcceptresponseGodmadethat,byspeaking.What’sthebestthingyoucanthinkofthatlivesinthesea?–Godmadethatbyspeaking?Mountains,rivers,thebeach–Godmadebyspeaking

Write“Light”onthebubbleandputitonthetable,thensky,sun,moonetc.WriteresponsesonpaperandstickontablewithhelpfromyourvolunteerWalkroundcongregationgettingresponses,writeordrawanswersontothespeechbubblesandstickthemontotheblackcloth.

GodfilledtheworldwithlifebyHisword,Godmadeit,byhisword,itwasgood!

Stickeachspeechbubbletothesheetsoyoucanholditup(youcouldalsohavethempre-tapedtotheotherside)

TheBiblestartsinanamazingway,becausetheBibleislikenootherbook,theBibleisfullofGod’samazingwords,andjustlookwhatHiswordscando!!NootherbookhasGod’samazinglifemakingwordsin,nootherbookhelpsusknowtheonewhomadeusandlovesus.

Holdupsheetfilledwithspeechbubblesfullofwords/pictures

It’sgoingtobegreatlearningmoreaboutthegreatbeginning,anditallstartedwithGod,andHisgoodword.ThisbookisbetterthananyotherbookbecauseitcontainsGod’swords,Hiswordcanbetrusted,Hiswordistrue,andHiswordbringslife–nootherbookcandothat.

HoldupBible

Let’ssing InTheBeginningLESSONPLAN

Crèche

TeachingTime

Haveabagofitems,plastic/toyanimals,fruit,yellowballasthesun,tinfoilcoveredballasthemoon,someplasticstars.Takeitemsoutofthebag1atatimeandaskthechildrenwhattheyare,reenforce,“yes,it’satiger,andGodmadeitbyspeaking”,asyouproduceeachitemaskthechildren,“whomadeit?Howdidhemakeit”toreenforceGodmadeallthingsbyHisword.

PlayTime

Havesomeplaydoughoutatthetable,encouragethechildrentomakesomething,askthemwhattheyaremakingandwhattheyareusing,modelananimalforthem,askthemwhatitis,askthemiftheythinkitisagoodsnailthatyouhavemade.RemindthemthateverythingGodmadewasgood.

MakeTime

HaveafoldedpieceofcolouredcardasthecoverforaBible,write“TheBible”onthefront.Givethechildrenapieceofpapercutoutlikeaspeechbubbletostickinsidetheir‘Bible”theycanthendraw,orstickstickerstofillthespeechbubblewithallthethingsGodmade.

JUNIORCHURCH

Game

Labelthe4wallsoftheroomasSky,land,spaceandthesea,asyoucalloutthedifferentplacesthechildrenhavetolistentoyourwordsandruntothisspace,thenaskthemtoactoutsomeofthelifethatGodfilledthisspacewith,e.g.fish,bird,star,tiger,etc.,asthegameprogresses,thechildrenhavetocomeupwiththeirowncreation.

YoungerOnes

TeachingTime

Givethechildrenasheetoftinfoil,ormodellingclay,andaskthemtomakesomething,discusswiththemwhattheyaremaking,whattheyareusing,andwhattheythinkofwhattheyhavemade.Usethisasanintroductiontorecappingtheteaching,haveanitemyouhavemade,“Imadethissnailbyrollingthedough,itisquitegood,butnotalive,whataboutyours?”RemindthechildrenthatGodmadeareallivetiger,awhale,andaplanetjustbyspeaking,anditwasgood.HighlightthatGod’swordissoamazing,that’swhyit’ssospecialthatwehaveitwrittendownforusintheBible.

DiscoverandDoHaveafoldedsheetofcardasaBiblecoverwiththewords“TheBible,greateststoryever”onthefront.Getthechildrentostickalargepaperspeechbubbleinsideandfillitwithdrawings/stickersofallthethingsGodmadebyspeaking.Remindthechildrenastheyaremaking,thatGod’swordbringslife,ittellsushowwecanknowtheonewhomadeus.OlderOnes

TeachingTime

Usesomeairdryingclayandgetthegrouptomodelsomething,itdoesn’tmatterwhatitlookslike,theideaistobeabletothinkabouthowGodmadeallthingsbyspeakinganditwasgood,soifyoucanonlymakeaslug,anditlooksrubbish,thendon’tworryaboutit,butbeimpressedbyaGodwhoissocreativethatHecancomeupwiththousandsofdifferentkindsoffishofallcoloursandshapes,andmakethemjustbyHisword!!Keepthecreationsaswewillusetheminafutureweek.DiscussandAct

Lookatthepassagetogether,focusonverses1-3,readthemaloud,giveoutwipeboards/penandpaperandgetthemtoanswer

• WhatisspecialaboutthestartoftheBible• Whoisthere• WhatdoesGodmake• HowdoesHemakeit• Whatisitlike• WhatisspecialaboutGod’sword

IfyouhavetimelookatJohn1:1-4,14,whoisJohntellingusisGod’sword?HighlightthatGodiseternal,andfathersonandspiritweretherebeforethebeginningofallthings.RemindthemthatGod’samazinglifegivingwordiswrittendownforus,sothatwecanknowHim.

Week2

God’sGreatWorld

Genesis1:1-25,Psalm19:1-6

Aim

ToinspirethechildrentograspsomethingofthegreatnessofGoddemonstratedthroughtheworksofcreation.Hesetsspaces,thesky,land,sea,space(theheavens)andfillsthemupwithallkindsofamazinglife.Thevariety,greatnessandbeautyofallHehasmadetelluswhatGodislike.

Wherearewegoing?

Buildingonlastweek,wewillconsiderinmoredetailthewonderandvarietyofalGodmade,byHisword.WewanttofocusonthefactthatHefilledupeachspaceHecreatedwithlife,andthisspeaksofhowgreatHeiswithoutusingwords.WecanlearnsomethingofthepowerandmajestyofGodwithoureyes.WewanttoputtogetheroverthesefewweeksthatweneedtohearGod’slifegivingword,seeHispower,andbeinfriendshipwithHimtoenjoyHimfully.

Notestohelpwithunderstandingthepassage

InGen1:3-10Godorganisessetspaces,nightandday,skyandwater,landandsea,fromnothing,Hecreatesorder,setsboundariesforeach,andthenfillseachonewithanabundanceoflife,v11,thelandwithvegetation,plants,seeds,andfruittrees.V16theskywiththesunmoonandstars,thisversehasthegreatest‘throwaway’line,thedetailofmakingthesunandmoon,andthen“healsomadethestars”thethousandsoflightsweseeinthenightsky,themilkyway,ohyeah,Hemadethemtoo!V20-21Godfillstheseaandlandwithallmannerofcreatures,flyingones,swimmingones,crawlingones,wildones,livestocksothatitteemswithlife,andwillonlyincrease.AllthatGodmadeisgood,v21,v25andithastheabilitytogetbetter,v22,fromglorytogreatergloryisGod’splanforcreation.

Psalm19explainsforushowcreationspeakswithoutwordsofthegreatnessofGoditscreator,theheavensareshouting,theskiesproclaiming,revealing,showing,helpingusunderstandhowgreatGodis,v3theydon’tusewords,butv4theirmessageisheardeverywhere,creationtellsushowgreatGodis,anotherwaywehearHimspeak.ThroughHisword,throughHisworld,andaswewilllaterlearnthroughHisson.

Anoteoncreationvsevolution,andothertheoriesofbeginning–therearemanythingsthatwedonotknowabouthowGodmadetheworld,somanypeopletryandworkitout,theyaremakingguesses,oftencleverguessesatwhathappenedbasedonwhattheycanfind.Someofthethingstheyfindoutmightberight–butthebigthingtorememberisnoonewastherebutGod,heknowsus,hehastolduswhatweneedtoknow.

StoryinChurch

Youwillneed:Rucksack/suitcasefilledwithbeachtowel,suncream,toyanimal,walkingboots,camera,yellowballoon,whiteballoon,blueballoon,greenballoon,redballoon/heartballoonwithamanalreadydrawnonit.

Whattosay WhattodoTheSummerholidaysmightfeelagesago,butIhavefoundabagthatIhaven’tunpackedyet!!Let’shavealookwhat’sinhere…Ohaholidaytowel–cananyonetellmewheretheywent?Suncream–didanyonegoanywheretogetasuntan?

Comeonwithbagpackedwithitems.Pullout1atatimeanddescribe

Toy–didyouseeanywildlife?Boots–Didyouwalkupamountainandseeagreatview?Camera-Whatisthebestthingyousawthissummer?It’sfantastictogetoutandaboutisn’tit,weseesomuchmorethanwenormallydo–andit’snotagrey,madeofconcrete,coveredintarmacandfullofpeople,orshapedlikealittlescreen.Itisgreengrass,sparklysea,goldensand,blueskies,andhighmountains.It’sGod’sgreatworldthathemade,byspeaking.

ShowcreationpicturesonscreenHolduptheclothfromlastweekwithspeechbubbleson

Godmadeitall,outofnothing,byspeaking,anditwasgoodAndtheBibleteachesusthatwhenwelookatthewondersofourworld,weshouldrememberabigger,wider,morewonderfulGodwhomadeeverything

Godspokeandmadelight–hecalleditday,andinthedayheplacedthesun

BlowupyellowballoonDrawsunon

Godcalledthedarknessnight,andfilleditwiththemoonandstars,andplanetsYouknowIreadthatourmilkywayhas300billionstarsin,300billionJustinthatbit,that’smorethatIcancount,Goddidthat,byspeaking–it’samazing,andyouknowwhattheBiblesays–“healsomadethestars”Iwantaroundofapplausemostdaysforgettingeveryonetoschoolontime,andGodalsomadethestars–WOW!Hemadethem,byspeaking,itwasgood

BlowupwhiteballoonDrawmoonandstarson

Godgatheredthewatertogetherandfilleditwithlife,fish,dolphins,bluewhales,turtles,octopus,tinyshellfish,hecouldhavemadejustonekindoffish,justasilverone,buthedidn’tfulloflife,fullofvariety,fullofbeauty–itwasgood!

Blowupblueballoon,drawonfish

Godmadetheland,andfilleditwithlife,everytree,everyanimal,madebyspeaking.Youknowifyouhadneverbeentothezoo,orseenananimalbook,andItoldyoutherewasacreaturewhowasbiggerthanyourcarandhadskinlikearmour,andhadanosethatstretcheddowntoitstoes,andearslikeflags,youwouldthinkIwasmad–Godcameupwiththat!Heisamazing,Hehasgreatideas,Heisfunny,Hisimaginationisbeyondbrilliant,andHeispowerful.

Drawanelephantonballoon,don’tshow,revealafter–Godcameupwiththat

Godmadeallthesespaces–thesky,outerspace,theland,thesea,andhefilledthemalltoburstingwithallkindsoflife.TheBibletellsusthattheworldGodmadeshoutstouswithoutwordsabouthowgreatHeis,theheavensdeclareHisglory,andwecanknowthisLifeGiving,speakingGodthroughHisGreatword,andHisgreatworld.

Pointtoballoons,holdupBible

Sonexttimeyoulookatabeautifulview,seethestars,feelthewarmsun,watchanatureprogrammeonTV,thinkwhatdoesthistellmeabouttheonewhomadeit.

Let’ssing Almightycreator–sovereigngrace

LESSONPLAN

Crèche

StoryTime

Haveabagwithanimals,fish,glowstars,ayellowball(ballpool/tennis)asthesun,ballwrappedintinfoilasthemoon,and4piecesofcolouredfeltpaperrepresentingsky(lightblue),space(black),land(green)andsea(darkblue).

Pullobjectsfromthebag,askthechildrentonamewhattheyare,forthesunetc.,describe,thisbrightshininglightthatcomesoutatdaytimeandaskthemtoputthemintherightplace.Godmadealltheseplacesandfilledthemupwithlife,Godmadeitall,byspeakinganditwasgood–thumbsup!Actoutwiththechildren...Heisverybig–

biggerthananelephant,stretchtall.Heisverystrong–strongerthanthelightfromthesun,showmuscles.Heisverywide–widerthanspace–stretchwide;andhemadeandcaresforatinylittlefish–tuckupinaball.

PlayTime

Askthechildrentomaketheirownlandsusingtheplayanimals,ifyouarefeelingbraveyoucouldfillalargeplasticboxwithsomewaterandcreateaseateemingwithlife–childrencouldhaveagoatfishingouttheplasticfishorducks,asyouplaydiscuss,“whomadethis–howdidhemakeit”

MakeTime

Childrendecorateananimalmask,orstickstarsontoblackpaperasaspacepicture,orstickanimalstickersontogreenpaperasalandfulloflife.

JUNIORCHURCH

Game

Have4largecanvases/piecesofcolouredfabriconthefloorasspace,sea,skyandland,givethechildrenavarietyofcollagematerials–paperplates,tinfoil,plasticanimals,feathers,oddsocks,glowstars,ballpoolballs,newspaper–givethemademonstrationtoinspirethem…I’mputtingsomenewspaperinthislittlestripysocktomakeafishforthesea,coveringthisplateinfoiltomakethemoonetc.

Spiltthechildrenintogroupsandgivethemaspacetofill–askthemtofilltheirspacewithlife,whenfinishedtakeaphotoforourwebsite/Instagram.

Infants

TeachingTime

Discusswiththechildrenthattheyusedthestufftheycouldfindtomaketheir“world”,Godmadeeverything,outofnothing,byspeakinganditwasgood.Askthechildrenwheretheywentonholiday–haveabagofpropstopromptthemlikeinthestory–takethisdiscussionfurther,whentheyanswer–“Iwenttotheseaside”,askthem“whenwelookatthesea,whatdoesittellusaboutwhatGodislike?”discussdifferentaspectsofcreation,thegreat,thesmall,thedetail,thevariety,thevastness–allthatGodmadetellsushowgreat,powerful,wide,strong,careful,intimateHeis,whatanamazingGod–andwecanknowHim.

DiscoverandDo

Makeananimalmask/creationcollagepicture

Juniors

TeachingTime

LookattheversesintheBible,highlighthowGodislikeanamazingartiststretchingoutbigcanvasesandthenfillingthemwithcolour,andlife,andvariety.Lookatv16–“Healsomadethestars”AskthegroupwhattheythinkeachaspectofGod’screationrevealsaboutHim.

LookupPsalm19:1-2–askthemtorewriteitintheirownwordsonthewipeboardsandthensharewiththegroup.

DiscussandAct

Worktogethertocreateacreationcanvas–splitthecanvasintosectionsandthenfilleachsectionwithlife.

Youcould–usetissuepapertosectionoftheday,night,sealand.

Cutcardintoshapesofstars,fish,birds,anelephantandcoverthecutoutshapeswithfoil.

Encouragethegroupasyouworkthatyouwantthistobegood–wecanhangituponthewallinchurchandenjoyit.GodmadeallthingsgoodbyHiswordtobeenjoyed,andsowemightknowandenjoyHim.

PrintoutthewordsofPsalm19andaddtothecanvas.

Week3

ThePeopleHeLoves

Genesis1:26-2:25,John1:1-14

Aim

ForthechildrentounderstandthatGodiseternalandunlikeanyoneoranythingelse,HeisGodthefather,SonandHolySpirit3andyet1.GodmadeusinHisimage,wearedifferenttotherestofcreation;wearemadebyGodtobelongtoHim.

Definitionbelong=tohavearightfulplace,ahome,tobeincludedin,connectedto,inunionwith.

Wherearewegoing?

WewantthechildrentounderstandsomethingofthegreatnessofGod,thereisnonelikeHim.GodmadeMandifferentlytotherestofcreation,Hebreathedhislifeintous;wehaveeternityplacedwithinus.WeweremadetobelongtoGod,forrelationshipwithHim,tofitwithHim,underHimiswherewearesafe,athomeandaccepted.WeseeapictureofhowwefitwithGod,inthewaywomanfitswithman.Godraisedusabovecreationandcalledus“verygood”wearehisbestbit,thisshouldchangehowweviewGod,ourselvesandoneanother.WebelongtoGod,wewillnevertruly“belong”anywhereelse.

NotestohelpwithunderstandingthePassage

Inthecreationaccountweseethewholetrinityinaction–Theypre-existeverything,theyarenotmade,v1,GodtheFathercreates,v2,GodtheHolySpiritmoves,v3theWord/expressionoftheFatherishowthingsaremade.FromJohn1:1-3,14weunderstandthatJesusistheWordofGod,atcreationJesusisthespokenword,hisministryonearthwasthewordwithskinon–incarnation.

V26highlightsagainthewholepersonofthetrinitybeingatworkinmakingmankind“letusmakemankindinourimage”andthewaywearemadeisdifferent–Ch.2:7thismarksusoutfromtherestofcreation.Godstatesoncemankindismadeandtheirpurposeisgiventhatitisnow“verygood”v31,wearethebestbitofcreation,wearemadetobelongtoGod,toknowandenjoyHim.

Chapter2isapause,andrewindsection–westartwiththerestofday7,andthenwerewindovertheeventsgivingsomemoredetail–manhadareasontobemade,v5therewasajobforhimtodo.V7manwasformedfromthedust,differentlyfromtherestofcreation,GodbreathedHislifeintous,theeternalGodbreatheseternityintous,wearemadeinawaythatreflectssomethingofwhoHeis–mind,bodyandspirit,justlikeamirrorshowssomethingoftheonewholooksinit,weshowsomethingoftheonewhomadeus.Thisiswhatmakesusdifferentfromcreation,wearemadeforeternity;wehaveasoul.

Manisplacedinabeautiful,richgarden,Heisgivenajobtodo,v15toworkandcareforthegarden,andaruletolivebyv16-17,hemusttrusttheGodwhomadeHimtoknowwhatisbestforHimandgetonwithHisjobofenjoyingandimprovingit.WhatafabulousjobGodgivesAdam,takewhatisfantastic,andmakeitmorefantastic,fromglorytogreaterglory.Bringmorelife,givefunnames,imaginehowfunmustthathavebeen,v19“hereyougoAdam,whatdoyouwanttocallthisbundleoffurImade,howaboutthisflappingbird?”Adamwasgiventhejobofgrowing,addingmorecolourandenjoying,hewastocarryonreflectingthegloryoftheGodhebelongsto.

GodnowgivesAdamcompany,ahelper,v21-22womanismadeastheperfectfitforhim,theyaremadetobetogether,madetohelponeanother,theGodwhomadeusknowswhatisbestforus,thisistheteamhemakes,thisismarriage,anythingelseisnotGod’sideaofmarriage.NotethatAdamneedstotellherhowGodwantsthemtolive,Hewasgiventherule,underGod,hesetstheruleandsheistohelphimfollowit.

Whatglory,innocenceandperfectionishere,howsadthatitissoquicklylost.Howsadthatwedonottrusttheonewhomadeustoknowwhatisbestforus;buthowkindandgraciousHeis,thatonedayallthiswillberestored.HisglorywillbeallthegreaterforwhatithastakenforHimtorestoreus,therestofhistoryspeaksofHisloveandpatienceasHewaitstorestorewhatwaslost.HowHelovesusthatHewoulddothatforus,howhelovesusthatHewantsbackwherewebelong,howHelovesusthathewillraiseustoglory,andwewillglorifyHimandthepurposeforwhichweweremadewillfinallyfulfilled.

StoryinChurch

Youwillneed:heartmirror/largemirrorwithpersonoutlineon,heartshapedballoon,markerpen,bucketofplasticanimals.

Whattosay WhattodoGodcreatedouramazingworldoutofnothing,byspeaking,anditwasgoodHemadetheheavens,andfilleditwiththestarsandplanets,hemadetheseaandskyandfilleditwithallkindsoffishandbirds,andhemadethelandandfilleditwillallkindsofamazinglife…OfallthecreaturesGodmade,Ithinkmyfavouriteis…

ProduceareadyblownupgreenballoonDrawonananimal,andturntoshow.

Canyouguesswhatitis…yesit’san……WhatisyourfavouriteanimalthatGodmade?Whatisfirstonyourlisttoseewhenyougotothezoo?Theelephants,themonkeys,themajesticlion?

Produceplasticanimals/softtoyanimalsfrombucket.

WellIwanttotellyousomethingsobrillianttoday,youknowwhatGod’sfavouritethingisinallcreation,letmetellyouTherewasonethingincreationthatGodmadedifferently,notbyspeaking,morethanthat,hebreathedHisownlifeintoit,hetookdustandshapedit,likeasupersandcastle,andthenGod,theeternal,powerful,amazingGod,breathedhislifeintowhatHishandshadshaped…

Blowupaheartballoonwithastickmanreadydrawnonit

God’sfavouritethinginallcreation,isyou,youweremadedifferentlyfromeverythingelse,youweremadetobelongtoGod,tobeathomewithhim,tobesafeinhiscare,tobehappyandenjoyoneanother’scompany,tobegreatfriends.

Showballoontochildren

TheBiblealsotellsusthatwearemadedifferentlyfromtherestofcreation,wearemadeintheimageofGod,wearemadetoshowsomethingofwhatHeislike–whenIlookinthemirror,IcanseewhatIlooklike,ittellsyoualotaboutme,Ihaveblueeyes,brownhair,thatisn’tmeinthemirror,that’sjustanimageofme,itreflectsme.WeshowsomethingofwhatGodislikeinwhoweare,wecanbecreative,apainter,amusician,afootballer,athinker,awriter,asmiler,allthegoodthingswedoreflectthegoodonewhomadeus.

Holdupheartmirror

SoyouaremadetobelongtoGod,youfitbestunderhiscaretoreflecthisgoodness–underhisrule,underhisprotection,underhiscareiswhereyoubelong–Godsays“youaremine”AndGodgivesusajobtodo…

GetmalevolunteerPutupanumbrellawithheartsonoverthevolunteer,givethemthemirrortohold

Don’tyouloveitwhenyouaregivenanimportantjobtodo,yourMum,yourDad,yourteachertrustyouwithabigresponsibility,itmakesyoufeelsospecial–Godgavethefirstmananamazingjobtodo–Tovolunteer-youarethebestthinginallcreation,Godisgivingyouajobtolook,youareunderGod’scare,andGodisputtingallthatHehasmadeunderyourcare–everythingthatGodhasmadeisforyoutoenjoywithHim,plantit,nameit,growit,enjoyit,loveit–givethisguyaname,swimwiththatdolphin,playtickwiththatbear,thisisthebestjobever,enjoythegreatstuffHehasmade,andenjoyHim!Whatareyougoingtocallthis,whereareyougoingtoplantthis,whatwouldyoulikefortea,pineappleororanges?WHATABOSSJOB!

Guyholdsumbrellaandthenstandsonachair–putselectionofobjectsonthefloor.

AndI’llmakeaperfectfriendtohelpyoudothisjobtogether,someonejustrightforyou,thisisfantastic–youarewhereyoubelong,thisiswhatyouweremadefor,tobehereunderGodtogether.

FemalevolunteercomesoutandjoinsAdamonthechairundertheumbrella,heputshisarmroundher

Youwouldthinkyouwouldneverwanttobeanywhereelse,butintheplaceyoubelong…butsadlythat’snotwhathappenstodayisit,thisisnotwhatthingsarelikeanymore…peoplesayIwanttodoitdifferentlyfromwhatGodsays,IknowbetterIdon’twanttobetoldwhattodo,I’llmakemyownrulesthanksI’lldecidethatpeopledon’tmatter,IcantreatthemlikeanimalsNothingiswhereitbelongs,thisisamess…whocansortthisout?OnlyGodcan.

WomanwalksoffTakeumbrellaoffmanandchuckPullmandownfromthechairpushhimofftositdownandstickanimalonit

Youknow,inaworldthatisinamess,IcanstillknowthesafetyofGod’scare,Icanliveinaworldthatisinamess,intheplaceIbelong,waitingforthedayGodwillputallthingsrightagainNomatterwhatanyoneelsesays,Godsays,youbelongtome,youareprecious,youdon’tworkanywhereelsebutundermycare

LookaroundyouatthemessofstuffchuckedonthefloorPickupumbrellaandwalkthroughthestuffunderit.

YouknowtheBiblestartswiththeallthefantasticmakingoftheworld,thestars,theplanets,theseas,allinchapter1,youknowtherestoftheBible,andtherestofhistoryisaboutus,thestoryofGodandHispeople,thestoryofgettingbacktowherewebelong,Godlovesussomuch,thatHewilldoallHecantogetusbacktowherewebelong.

Let’sSing Almightycreator

LESSONPLANI

Crèche

StoryTime

Haveafewplayanimalsready–askthechildrentonamethem,askthechildrenwhichistheirfavourite?RemindthechildrenthatthebestthingthatGodmadewasus,hemadeustobelongtoHim,tobeHisspecialtreasure–stickaheartsticker/postitnoteoneachchild–youweremadetobelongtoGod.

Useyourplasticanimals,andhavesomepiecesofpaper/feltaslandandbowlofwaterasseaetc.askthechildrenwheretheythinkeachonebelongs,wheredoesthefishbelong–inthesea,putinthebowlofwater,wheredoesthiselephantbelong,intheseaorontheland…finishbyremindingthechildrenthatwearemadedifferently,wearemadetobelongtoGodputaplayfigureinyourhandandholdcarefully–GodmadeustobelongtoHim.

PlayTime

Playwiththeanimalsandothertoysaskingthechildrentoputthemwheretheybelong,chatasyouplayremindingthemthatwebelongtoGod.

MakeTime

Askthechildrentodecorateapictureframewithstickersandstickongems,makeahandprint–gold/silverpaintonablackbackgroundlooksgood.Havewetwipesattheready.Putthehandprintintheframe,write“IbelongtoGod”ontheframe.

Ifchildrenhategettinghandsmessy–drawroundtheirhandonasheetofcolouredpaperandcutout.

JUNIORCHURCH

Game

Haveavarietyofplasticanimals,fish,andfruitonatableattheothersideoftheroom–haveafruitbowl,abowlofwater,andsomegreenmaterialonatableontheotherside.Childrentakeitturnstorunacross,selectananimal,andputitwhereitbelongs.Finishthegamebyintroducing2playfigures/actionmen–wheredotheybelong.

Getthechildrentogiveideas,remindthemofthestoryinchurch–overcreation,underGod

YoungerOnes

TeachingTime

Askthechildrenwhattheirfavouriteanimalis,favouriteplace,youcouldhavesomeanimalpicturebooksouttopromptthisdiscussion.TellthechildrenthatGodthinksthebestthingHemadeisyou…putaheartsticker/postitnoteoneachchildasyoutalk,GodmadeyoutobelongtoHim.Godmadeyouinhisimage,passroundalittlemirror,whatareyougoodatdoing?Godmadeyouthatway.

Givethechildren3simplepictures–aworld,amanandwoman,acrownwithGodon–askthemtoputthemintherightorder–theplacetheybelong–manandwomanunderGod’scrown,worldundermanandwoman.

Godmadeusandknowsusbest,webelongtoHim,weneedtolistentoHim,wemessthisup,jumbleuppictures,weneedGodtoputitrightagain.

DiscoverandDo

Getthechildrentodoahandprintonapieceofcard,thereissilverpaintandblackcardinthebox.Leavetodry,decorateapictureframewithstickersandpensandwrite,“IbelongtoGod”ontheframe,andputthehandprintinside.

Thereareenoughframesforeveryoneinthebox.

OlderOnes

TeachingTime

ReadGen1:26-31–getgroupreadywithpenandpaper/wipeboards,asyouread,giveachildajob,youarelisteningoutforwhodidthemaking,youlistenforwhatwasmade,whatwasitlike.Shareresponsesattheend.

GivethegroupacutoutcircleastheworldGodmade,apieceofpaperwithastickmanandacrownwithGodwrittenon–askthemtoputthemintheordertheybelong.Askthemwhatgoeswrongwhenwemessthisup?WhatifIdecideIthinkit’sbettertohave2menhere,orIdon’twanttolistentoGod,orIthinkIcantreatpeoplelikeanimalsandshovetheminalorry,orletthemdrowninthesea,isthisOK?Asyoutalkmessupthepictures.

WhenwethinkweknowbetterthanGod,thingsgetinarealmess,theonlyonewhocansortthisoutisGod.WhenwecometoHimsayingyouknowbest,youmadeus,webelongtoyou,helpus,hewill,andonedayhepromisestoputitallrightforever.

DiscussandAct

Decorateaphotoframe,andputyourhandprintinsidetheframe–write“IbelongtoGod”ontheframe,givethemasfewinstructionsaspossible,getthestuffoutonthetable,stickongems,frames,pens,andtellthemtogetcreative–reflectyourcreator,goforit,youareintheframe,youareHisbestbit.

Asyouworkchatmoreaboutwhythingsaren’tthewayGodmadethemanymore,askthemwhenGodwillputthingsrightforever.

Frames,card,stickongemsareinthejuniorchurchbox

Week4

TheRuleGodGave

Genesis2:15-3:6

Aim

ForthechildrentounderstandthatGodgavethemallthingstoenjoy,Hisrulewasgoodandgaveusfreedomtostayintheplacewebelonged.WehavetoknowGod’sgoodword,andtrustHisgoodheartsowecanspotalie.

Wherearewegoing?

ThisweekwewanttocovertheimportanceofknowingGod’sgoodwordandheart.GodgaveusfreedomtoliveunderHisrule,Heisnotadictatorwhomaderobots,butwiththegoodfreedomHegavecomestheoptiontorejectHim.WewantthechildrentograspthatGod’srulewasgood,hewasnotsettinganimpossibletask,orbanningapples,butgivingthemthefreedomtoenjoyhim,meansthefreedomtowalkaway.Wewillendthisweekonthecliffhangerofthewordsofthesnake,andhopefullytheywillunderstandtheproblem,thesnaketellsthemtodoubtGod’swordistrue,andthatHisheartisgood–thestartingpointofallsin.

Notestohelpwithunderstandingthepassage

GodplacesAdaminawonderfulgarden,v8thisisarichandgloriousplace,therearerivers,preciousstones,lotsofminerals,meaningthelandisburstingwiththepotentialformoreandmorelife.AdamisgivenALLkindsoftreesthataregoodfortheeyeandpleasingforfood,v9,itisnotaparticulartypeoffruitthatheisnotallowed,butjustthefruitfromaparticulartree,i.e.Goddidnotbanapples,justapplesfromthisparticulartree.

GodgivesAdamallthingstoenjoy,andwithEveashisperfectfithelper,theplanisthattheyremainunderGod’sgoodruleintheplacetheybelongmakingwhatisalreadyglorious,evenmoreglorious.Whatajob,namingandenjoyinganimals,plantingstuffthatjustgrowsbecausethegroundissogoodandtherearenoweeds.Fromallthislife,theyaretaskedwithbringingmorelife,plantit,growit,eatit,andenjoyittogetherintheplaceyoubelong,underGod’sgoodrule.

TheserpentspeakstoEve,3:1,hiswordsdripwithpoison…“DidGodreallysay”–sowstheseedofdoubtaboutthereliabilityandgoodnessofGod’sword,thechaptersuptothispointhavebeenjampackedwithevidenceofthewonderandgreatnessofGod’slifegivingword,andnowthesnakehissesdoubtintoherear.

ItisworthnotingthatGodgavetheruletoAdam,AdamhasclearlytoldEve,howeverEveaddsalittle,v3“andyoumustnottouchit”whetherthiswashis,orherembellishmentwedon’tknow,butit’sasubtleadditionthataddsnothingreally,butbeginstobuildapictureofGodasakilljoy,andtheserpentisonitlikeaflash.Hisargumentoverthenextfewversescanbasicallybeboileddownto“Godisnotgood,andHiswordisnottrue”.

HowsadthatinveryplacewhereEveissurroundedbytheevidenceofGod’sgoodandlifegivingword,shewouldbelievealie,thetreesaredrippingwithfruitmadebyHisgoodandlifegivingword,shecanhearthebirds,therivers,seethewonderofallHehasdoneallaroundher,whatwillshedo,willshelistentoalie,ortrusttruth?

Wemaythinkwewoulddobetterinhershoes…butwearesurroundedbycreation,thatthoughmarred,shoutsofthegloryofthecreator,andwehavethetruthofwhoGodisplacedwithinus,wearemadetobelongtoHimandweknowit.WehavethecompletedperfectwordofGodinourhands,howoftendowedoubtthatGodisgoodandHiswordisright,listencarefullyandyouwillthehissofthesnakeonTV,inyoursciencelesson,perhapsinyourschool,fromyourfriends,fromtheleadersinourcountrythattellyouthatwehavemovedon,thatGod’swordisnotrelevantanymore,thatitisoutdated,thatitcan’ttelluswhatisrightorwrong,weknowbetter.WeneedtoknowthetruthofGod’sword,andtrustHisgoodheartsowearereadytospotlies.

Youwillneed:Bible,umbrellafromlastweek,largecutoutcardboardheartandspeechbubble,2labels–“Good”andalargetoysnake

StoryinChurch

Whattosay WhattodoThismorningwearegoingbacktothatgreatbeginning,wheneverythingwasasitshouldbe,thefirstfewchaptersoftheBible,thestorythatopenswiththeamazingwordsofaneternalGod.“InthebeginningGodmadetheheavensandtheearth.”Godmadeeverything,outofnothingbyspeakingWhatwasitlike?…itwasgood.SowecanknowforsurethatGod’swordisgood,becauselookatwhatHiswordcando,hiswordbringslife,Hiswordmadeallgoodthings,God’swordisalwaysgood

readfromBibleholduplargecardboardspeechbubble–sticktofrontofpulpitstickword“GOOD”onspeechbubble

LastweekwelearnedhowGodmadeus,thebestthingofallofcreation,Hisfavourite,madebyGodtobelongtoHim,toliveunderhiscare,Hemadeustoloveus,andsothatwecouldloveandenjoyHimGod’swordisgood,becauseGodisgood,Hisheartisgood,Heonlyeverdoesgoodthings,Hewantswhatisbestforus,forustobewherewebelong.Hisheartisalwaysgood

Holduplargeheart–sticktofrontofpulpitStickword”GOOD”ontheheart

SowhenGodmadeAdam,thefirstman,inHisimage,underhiscare,heputHiminagoodplace,abeautifulgarden,andgaveHimallgoodthingstoenjoy.Thisgardenwasamazing,everykindoffruitgrewthere,apples,bananas,grapes,pineapples,peaches,nectarines,everykindoffruityoucanthinkof,andAdamwastoldHecouldenjoythemallfromeverytree,except1,1treeinthemiddleofthegarden,thetreeoftheknowledgeofgoodandevil.

Holdupfruitbowl–takeitemsoutasyoutalk

Adamwasn’tmissingoutthough,therewaseverykindoffruitforhimtoenjoy,itwasn’tlikethiswastheonlytreewithappleson,justthiswastheonlytreehewasn’ttoeatfrom.GodgavethisrulebecauseHeisgood,andhisheartisgood

Pointtospeechbubbleandheart

ThisgoodrulethatGodgaveisthewayGodallowsAdamandEvethefreedomtochoosetostayintheplacetheybelong–totrustHisgoodheartandlistentoHisgoodword….Willtheydoit,willtheyrememberthose2bigthingsaboutGod.

Putupumbrellafromlastweek–placecrownonthetop,holdoveryourhead

putdownumbrella–AdamandEvetogetherenjoyedthisamazingplaceGodhadgiventhem,enjoyedbeingfriends,enjoyedcaringforwhatGodhadmade,andenjoyedmakingwhatwasalreadygreat,betterstill,let’splantmorepineapples,let’stakethecheetahforawalkandwatchitrun…imaginehowamazing,untilonedayinthegardencameasneakyserpent,whocametoEvewhileshewasonherown.

Holduplargetoysnake,actoutfollowing

Talkslowlyandquietly,dragoutthesss…ThefirstwordstheserpentsaidtoEvewere“didGodreallysssssay,didGodrrreallysssssssay”theserpentwantstoattackthese2bigtruths,youcan’ttrustGod’sword!Infact,that’snottrue.

Pointtospeechbubble

Andwhatdoyouthinkhegoesfornext,whenEvetellsHimwhatGodsaid,you’veguessedit,hegoesforthenextthing–“heisnotgood,heisstoppingyoufromdoingwhatyouwant”.TheserpenthisseshisliesatEve,tellingherthatGod’swordisnotgood,andHisheartisnotgood.

Pointtoheart

Rememberwheretheyare,surroundedbythegoodthingsthatGodhasgiventhem,thatweremadebyhisamazingword,howcouldsheseeallthis,andthinkthatGod’swordwasn’tgood,thathisheartwasn’tgood,thatHedidn’twantwhatwasbest..Youknow,wemightthinkifweweretherewecouldhavedoneabetterjob…

BUT–IamsurroundedbytheworldGodmade,IcanseeHisgoodnessinthethingsHehasmade,Ihavethefullstory,God’sgoodwordinmyhandstoknowandread,IknowthatGod’swordisgood,thathisheartisgoodjustasmuchasEvedid,andeventhoughreallyIknowit’strue,Ihearthehissofalie,maybeonTV,maybefrommyfriends,perhapsinschoolthattellsmethatGoddoesn’tknowwhatisbest,thathewantstospoilourfun,thatweshouldenjoyourselvesand

HoldupBible

forgetabouthim,andmakeupourownrules,andIchoosetolistentoalieandnotthetruth.TheliesIchoosetolistentomeansthatIchooseliesnottruth–Mywordsarenotgood,myheartisnotgood–IamnotlikeGodatall!

RipspeechbubbleRipheart

Thisisaproblemthatonlysomeonewhoneversaidawrongword,thatneverdoubtedGod’sgoodword,thatknewGod’sgoodheart,thatalwaystrustedHim,thatwasperfectcanfix,onlyJesuswaslikethat.

Holduppieces

Weneedtoknowthetruth,weneedtoknowJesus,weneedtohelpeachotherunderstandandrememberGod’sword,weneedtoreadit,weneedtoseewhatGodhasdone,whatJesusislike,sowearereadytospotthelies,thehissofthesnake,andwhenwehearit,squashit.

Standonthesnake

Let’sSing Supersaviour

LESSONPLAN

Crèche

StoryTime

Holdupapaperspeechbubbleandheart–remindthechildrenthatGod’swordisgood,heonlysaysgoodthings,thatHisheartisgood,heonlydoesgoodthings.Holdupafemaleplayfigure–tellthemthatEvewaslivinginthebeautifulplaceGodmade,shecouldseeallaroundherthegoodthingsGod’swordhaddone,andhowkindhewas.Godaskedhertodo1thing,nottoeatfrom1tree,shecouldhaveanykindoffruitshewanted,butjustnotfrom1tree.Holdupabowlofchoppedupfruit,take1pieceoutandputitontheside.Plonkdollinthefruitbowl,Evehasallthistoenjoy,butGodwantshertotrustHim,andlistentoHisrule.

Bringontoysnake/sockhandpuppet–thesnaketoldEvethatGodwasnotgood,thathewasbeingmean,thatsheshouldeatthisfruit,isthesneakysnaketellingthetruth?Encouragethechildrentoshout“NO,Godisgood”atthesnake,whodoyouthinksheshouldlistento–thegoodGodwholovesher,orthesnake?WeneedtorememberthatGodisgood,andhisheartisgood,sowecanbereadytolistentoHimandnotalie.

PlayTime

Enjoyeatingthefruittogether,remindthechildrenthatGodgavethemallthisgoodstufftoenjoy.

MakeTime

Colourinasnakemobileandstickstickersonit,getthechildrentopracticesaying–“no,Godisgood”tothesnake.Therearepre-cutsnakemobilekitsinthecardboardboxlabelledjuniorchurchautumninthecupboard.

JUNIORCHURCH

Game

Playasimplegamelikeduck,duck,goose,afterafewturns,whenprobablysomeonehasdoneitwrongonpurpose,runroundmorethanonceetc.Discusswiththekidsthatrulesaretheresothatthegameisn’tspoiled,itcanbeenjoyed.Imagineifinthemiddleofafootballgame,someonejustdecidedtheywouldputupanothergoalonthehalfwaylineandbroughtonanotherballandstartedkickingitin,thegamewouldberuined!!Imagineifinyourschoolakiddecidedtoridetheirbikeroundyourclassroom–itwouldnotbeOK,peoplewouldgethurt.Rulesaretheretoprotectus,andtohelpusenjoy–God’srulewasjustthesame.

OR–playsplatthesnake–haveathickcardboardtube/postertube,aplasticsnakeandarolledupnewspaper–postthesnakedownthetube–kidstakeitinturnstohaveagoattryingtohitthesnakeasitcomesout.

YoungerOnes

TeachingTime

Havealargebowlofchoppedupfruit/stufftomakealargebananaspilt–bananassquirtycreametc.,tellthechildrenthatyouarehavingafruitpartytogether,andyouhaveallthisgoodstuffforthemtoenjoy,takeout1

grape/banana(leavingothersinthebowl)andsaysoIknowyouwanttojoininmyparty,Iamgoingtoaskyounottoeatthisgrape.Askthechildren,iftheythinkthisisOK?Pointouttothemthatthereisplentyforthemtoenjoy,askthemiftheythinkyouarebeingmean?Remindthemthatifyouwerebeingmean,therewouldbenofruitpartyatall.Usethistoillustratestory.

RemindthechildrenthatGodgaveAdamandEveallgoodthingstoenjoy,butaskedthemnottoeatfromjust1tree,iftheyhadrememberedallthetimethatGod’swordwasgood,andhisheartwasgood,wouldtheyhavethoughtthisrulewasunfair?Recapstory.

Holdupaspeechbubbleandheart,askthechildrenwhatGod’swordislike,andwhathisheartislike.Weneedtorememberthissowearereadytospotthelieswehear.Remindthemthatwecan’tdothis,butJesuscan,andHepromisestohelpus.

DiscoverandDo

Enjoyeatingthefruitandchattingtogether–youcoulddipinsomemeltedchocolate??Asyoueat,remindthechildrenthatGodgavethemgoodthingstoenjoy,becauseHeisgood.

Make–asnakemobile–craftkitsareinthebox,encouragethechildrentotellthesnakethat“God’swordisgood,God’sheartisgood”

HavetheBeginnersBible,andBigpicturestoryBibleoutsothechildrencanhavealookatthestoryforthemselves,OntheBeginnersBibleAppthereisagoodgame–youhavetochoptheapplebeforeEvecangetitsothesnakedoesn’twin,itgetsharderasitgoeson–wecan’tkeepitup,wecan’tbeatthesnake,butJesuscan.

OlderOnes

TeachingTime

Askthegrouptomakeabananasplitthatwecanenjoytogether–givethemsquirtycream,bananas,sprinkles,chocolatebuttonsetc.I’veboughtthisstuffbecauseIwantustoenjoyittogether,toshowmethatyouwanttojoininIwouldlikeyounottousethis…choose1item.Askthegroupiftheythinkthisisfair,iftheythinkyouarebeingmean?

Enjoythestufftheymaketogether–remindthemthatGodwantedustoenjoyHim,allthegoodthingsHegave,andthattheonlywaytodothiswasbylivingunderHisgoodrule.

DiscussandAct

Lookatthepassagetogether–focusonthewordsofthesnaketoEve,andgetthemtotalkabouttheproblem–thesnakestartsbygettingEvetodoubtGod’sword,andthinkhedoesnotwantwhatisbestforher.Talkabouthowourworldtellsusthesamelie…giveexamples–Xfactor–whatyoulooklikemattersmost,Adverts–whatyouwearmattersmost,whatabouttheinsideoutfilm–whodowethinkshouldbeincontrol?TryandgetthemtothinkalittlemoreaboutwhattheyhearandseeandwhetherthisisthesameastheBible.

Week5

TheMessSinMakes

Genesis3:1-24,Romans5:12-21

Aim

ForthechildrentounderstandthatsinisrejectingGod’sgoodrule.AdamwasthebestbitofallGodhadmade,therepresentativeofallcreation,whenhemessedup,everythingwasmessedup,weneedaperfectrepresentativetoputitallright.

Wherearewegoing?

Forthechildrentofullyunderstandthatsinisnotjusteatingthewrongapple,todothistheyneedtohaveafirmgraspofthelessonswehavetriedtoteachoverthelastfewweeks.OnlywhenweunderstandthegoodnessofGod’sword,demonstratedthroughcreation,theuniquenessofourrelationshipwithHim,madetobelongtoGodandthegoodnessofHisrulethatallowsusfreedomunderHiscaredoestheexchangeofHistruthforaSnake’slie,Hisrule,forourownreallystink.

Thisweekwearefocusingonunderstandingtheeffectsofthefall,andthatinAdamallfell,hewasthepinnacleofGod’screation,hewasmadetobelongtoGod,raisedupaboveallthatwasmade,sowhenheblowsitalongwithEve,everythingisspoiled,likeadominorallyeffect,weallshareAdam’sproblem.WeneedaperfectrepresentativewhocanalwaysliveunderGod’sruletoputrighttheproblemthatsinstarted.

WewanttohelpthechildrenunderstandthatpushingGodasidetakeseverythingoutoftherightplaceitbelongs,soallthingsnowbearthecurse.Relationshipsarespoiled,creationismarred–nowinsteadoffullyreflectingthegloryofGod,likeasmashedmirrorweseeonlyfragmentsoftheformerglory.

GodcallsAdam,heholdsHimtoaccountforHiswrongdoing,Adamhasnoanswerbuttotryandplaceblameonsomeoneelse,Jesus,ourperfectrepresentativestandswithaperfectaccount,Heisblameless,hedoesnotneedtoplaceblameonsomeoneelse,insteadhetakesours,whatamazingrepresentative!

Notestohelpwithunderstandingthepassage

AdamandEveswapthetruthforalieintakingthefruit,v6theyarebothculpable,Adamwaswithher,heastheheadoverEveandtheheadofcreationunderGodtotallyblowsit.V7,theireyesareopened,theirinnocenceislost,theytryandcoverthemselves,theytryandhide.Theyknowtheyareguilty,theyknowtheyneedtocoveruptheirsin,theyknowtheyshouldn’tbeinGod’spresence,thebesttheycandotocovertheirsinisafewleaves,theireffortstocoversinarelaughable,theirsituationisdesperate.

V9,GodcallsAdam,andholdshimtoaccountforhisactions,andthatgloriousbeginning,thatwonderfulbelongingrelationshipnowhasanewemotionpreviouslyunknowntoAdam,plonkedlikeatombstoneinv10,Adamknowsfear–heisafraidoftheGodwhomadeHim,becauseheknowsHeissinful.Whenfacingthejudgementhedeservesv12,AdamtriestoplaceblameonEve,GodcallsEvetoaccount,v13,shetriestoplaceblameontheserpent.Thisisplaygroundstuffandisactedoutineveryheartandhomemostdays…“Itwasn’tme,it’snotmyfault.”

Thereisnodiscussion,itiscleartheyareresponsiblefortheiractions,agoodGodhastopunishsin,Hisrighteousnessdemandsit.Godnowactsfrombottomuptocurse/punishthesnake,thewoman,theman,deathandseparationaretheresult.AllcreationiscursedunderAdamastheheadofcreation.Wearegivenpointerstothecomingsaviour,v15thepromisedsnakesquasher,v21,thebettercoveringthatGodmakesforsinthatinvolvessacrifice,butwewilllookatthesenextweek,thisweekourfocusistherepresentative.

Romans5helpsusunderstandthehugenessoftheactionsinGenesis3.Romans5:12“justassinenteredtheworldthroughoneman,anddeaththroughsin,inthiswaydeathcametoallpeople.”WearealllinkedtoAdam,weareallstuckinsin,weallhavethesameheart,hestoodforusinthegardenandblewit….Kidsoftenfeelasenseofinjusticeatthis,Ididn’thaveachance,thisistrue,wedon’t,weareconnectedtoAdaminoursinfulnature,thisleadsustolongforabetterrepresentativetostandforus,v19,“justasthroughthedisobedienceoftheonemanthemanyweremadesinners,soalsothroughtheobedienceoftheonemanthemanywillbemaderighteous”.

Theposhtheologytermforthisisfederalheadship…justsoyouknow!

Jesusistherepresentativewelongfor,theonewholivedunderGod’srule,theonlyonewhowhencalledtoaccountforHislifecouldtheverdictbepronouncedasblameless.Jesusdidnotneedtopointthefingeratanyoneelse,hedidnotneedtotryandcoverup,orplaceblameelsewhere,hewasrighteous,andyethechosetotakeourblame,andgiveusHisrighteousness,HewaseverythingthatAdamwasn’t;Adam’ssinwasgreat,Jesusgiftofrighteousnesswasgreater.

Therearemanyquestionsthatweaskwhenlookingatthis,andthatthechildrenmayask,don’tfudge,remindthemoftheprinciplethatifitseemstouslikeGodhasgotitwrong,weknowthatthatcan’tbetruesothereissomethingthatwehaven’tunderstood,weneedtothink,talk,prayandreadon.TheonethingwecanknowforsureisthatGodisgoodandhiswordistrue.

StoryinChurch

Youwillneed:Cardboardheart,speechbubble,2“Good”labels,bluetack,chair,umbrella,animals,eitherheartmirrorandhammer/anothercardheart,leaves,Jengablocks.

Thiswillneedalittlerunthroughsoyouareconfidentwiththeblocks,standthemrightdistanceetc.,Jengastyleblocksareeasiertousebecausetheystayup.Ifyouwanttosmashamirror,placeahandtoweloveritfirsttostopanybitsflyingoutandhurtingsomeone!!Otherwisejustripupanotherheart,sinisserious,weneedtoknowthatsoweareallthemoregratefulforJesus!

Whattosay WhattodoGod’sbeginningwasgood,itwasgreatHemadeallthingsoutofnothing,byspeakingHiswordbroughtlife–Hiswordisgood

StickspeechbubbleonfrontofpulpitStickgoodonspeechbubble

Godmademankind,thebestbitofallHehadmade,wearemadeinhisimagetobelongtoHim,toliveunderHiscare,allhemade,andallhedidwasgoodHiswordisgood,Hisheartisgood

StickheartonfrontofpulpitStickgoodontoheart

Nomatterwhat–thisistrue,God’swordisgood,Hisheartisgood,anyonewhosaysotherwiseislying,anytimeIthinkotherwise,I’mwrong,ifitseemslikeHeisn’t,there’ssomethingIdon’tunderstand,ifIfeellikethisisn’ttrue,itisstilltrue.

Pointto/bangfistonthespeechbubbleandheart.

Backinthegarden,forAdamandEvethisbattleishappening,thesnakeishissinghisliestothem,God’swordisnottruehisheartisnotgood,forgethim,beyourownboss.

Holduptoysnake

RememberthatGodmadeAdam,thebestbitofcreation,thepinnacle,thetopofthetower,raisedabovewhatwasmade,MadeinGod’simage,tobelongtoHim,toliveunderhiscare

Putsomecreaturesonthefloor,standuponachair,holdheartmirror,Putupumbrellaoveryourhead

Godgavethemonegoodruletoliveby,onetreetoleave,thesnakehisseshislies,Godisnotgood,God’swordisnottrue…TheylistenTheyeatItallfallsapart

Sayslowlyandsadly,dropumbrella,jumpdownfromchairkickcreaturesoutoftheway(behindsokidsdon’tfiddle)

Youknowtheminutethishappened,everythingchanged,theybrokeGod’s1goodrule,theyswappedwhatwastrueforabigfatlie,andtheyknewit.Adamandevefeltsomethingtheyhadneverfeltbefore,theywereashamed,theywereafraid,andtheytriedtohidetohidefromeachother,to

Smashheartmirrorwithhammer/ripupheartHoldupsomeleaves

hidefromGod,tocoveruptheirsin,youknowthebestplantheycouldcomeupwithforhidingtheirsin…leaves!LEAVES!!I’vereallymessedup,I’vedonewhatiswrong,howcanIcoveritup,theytriedtohidetheirsin,theytriedtohidefromGod,isthisgoingtowork?

Putleavesoverthesmashedmirror/rippedheart

God,thefriendthey’dwalkedandtalkedwithinthegarden,theonewhoisonlyevergoodcameandcalledthem,theyhadneverneededtohidefromHimbefore,HecalledAdam’sname,whereareyouAdam–answer,hidinginsin!

Pointattheleaves

AdamcomestostandbeforeGod,GodasksAdamifHehasbrokenHisgoodrule,andAdamsays,“itwasn’tme,itwasherfault”andpointstoEve,andthenEvesays,“itwasn’tme,itwashim”andpointstothesnake

Actoutpointing

Theyknewtheyhaddonewrong,theyjustwantedtoblamesomeoneelse.Wedothatdon’twe,whenwearecaughtoutdoingsomethingwrong,wesay,hemademe,shemademe,evenwhenweknowitisn’ttrue,wejustwantsomeonetoblame!

Asyoutalk,standsomeJengablocksuponatabledominorallystyle

BecauseGodisgood,hehastopunishsin,thesnake,thewoman,theman,theland,theanimals,allwillnowknowpain,allwillnowknowdeath,youseeAdamwasthebestbitofallGodmade,Hewastherepresentativeforallofcreation,forEve,foreverything,evenforus,forallofmankind,weareallhere,andthisishimhere….Sowhenheblowsit,itmessesupthelot

Lineupblocks,holdupfirstblockwithAdamwrittenonitKnocktheblocksdown.

Adamwasourrepresentative,hestoodforusall,andHegotitwrong,wearestuckwithhim,wesharehisproblem,thisisrubbish,thisisamess.Ifonlywehadabetterrepresentative,ifonlytherewasanotherAdamwhogotitright,ifonlytherewassomeonewhoneverbrokeGod’slaw,whoalwayslivedunderhisrule,whocoulddosomethingnooneelsecando,wouldn’titbegreattopushthisbottomblockandmakeitallstandupagain,Ican’tdothat,they’realldown,theyallneedpickinguponebyone

Becauseofsininourworld,inourhearts,wearealldown,wewillknowpain,wewillknowdeath,butthereisabetterrepresentative,whokeptGod’slawallthetime,whowasperfect,whowasblameless,whoneverhadtosay,“itwashisfault,itwasherfault”becausetherewasneverareasonforhimtohideanythingfromGod.Jesuswasblameless,hedidthejobAdamcouldn’t,hedidn’tneedtoblameanyoneelseforanything,hewasnotdown,instead,hetookourblame,hetookoursin,hetookourdeath,andheroseagain,sothatwecanbemaderightinhim,

ProduceablockfromyourpocketwithJesuswrittenon,standitupStarttostanduptheotherblocks

Jesusistheonlyonewhocanhelpus,Adam’ssinwasgreat,wearelinkedtohim,Jesusgiftisgreater,healonecanliftus,onlyhecansortoutsin.

Sing Supersaviour

LESSONPLAN

Crèche

StoryTime

RemindthechildrenthatAdamandEveforgotthe2bigthingsthatweretrue,Godisgood,andhisheartisgoodandtheylistenedtotheliesofthesnakeanddisobeyedGod.ShowthemthepicturefromtheBeginnersBible.

StandupsomeJengastyleblocks,remindthemthatAdamstartedtheproblem,anditspreadtoeverything,knockdowntheblocks.Remindthechildrenthattheonlyonewhocanhelp,theonlyonewhoisnotstuckinsinisJesus,produceablockandstanditup,becauseofHim,becauseHecantakeourblame,wecanbemaderightagain,starttostandblocksup.

PlayTime

Playwithtoppleblocks,remindthemAdamstartedtheproblem,onlyJesuscanfixit.

MakeTime

Haveaheartthatisrippedin2–thechildrenfixitbystickingon2plastersintheshapeofacross,writeweneedJesusontheheart,remindthechildrenthatonlyJesuscanfixoursinfulhearts.

JUNIORCHURCH

Game

Have2setsoftoppleblocks/Jenga–getthechildreningroupsandaskthemtosetupadominorally,pointswillbeawardedforthebestshape,andthemosteffectivetopple–allblocksdown.Aftertheyhavehadaturn,make1largelongrun–remindthechildrenthatAdamwasthefirstmanovercreation,ourrepresentative,whenhefellhetookeveryoneandeverythingwithhim–knockdownthewholerun.

Infants

TeachingTime

Produceaspeechbubbleandheartandaskthechildrenwhat2bigthingstheyneedtoremember.God’swordisgood,Hisheartisgood.ShowthemapicturefromthebigpicturestoryBibletorecaptheevents.

Usingtheillustrationofthedominorally,repeataminirun,whenAdamandEvesaidnotoGod’srule,everythingwasspoiled,theytriedtohide,theytriedtoblamesomeoneelse,thisdidnotwork.Godhastopunishsin,weareallstuck.Produceanextrablockwiththelabel“Jesus”on–JesuswasdifferentfromAdam,HealwayskeptGod’slaw,Healwaysdidwhatwasright,heneverneededtohideorcoverupanything–standuptheblock,Jesusistheonlyonewhocantakeoursin,heistheonlyonewhocansortoutthesinproblem,heistheonlyonewhocansortusout–pickupsomeblocks.

DiscoverandDo

Usingapaperplateasabackgroundstickonblueandgreentissuepapersoitlookslikeaglobe,riporcuttheworldtoshowhowsinhasspoiledGod’sgoodworld,stickthepiecesbacktogetherwithstickingplasterintheshapeofacrosstoremindthechildrenthatonlyJesuscanfixthesinproblem.

OR–makeamosaicpicture–therearesomestickonfoammosaickitsinthebox,thepiecesneedtobecarefullyputtogethertocompletethepicture–GodremakesabrokenworldforHisglory.

Juniors

ReadRomans5:12-

Asyougothroughittogether–fillinacomparisonchart,1columnlabelledAdam,theotherJesus–whatdidAdamdo?Whateffectdidithave?Theothercolumn,whatdidJesusdo,whateffectdidithave.

RemindthechildrenthatweareintheAdamcolumn,wearejustlikehim,weneedJesusjustasmuchasHedidtobeabetterrepresentativeforusbeforeGod.

TeachingTime

DiscussandAct

LookatanewspaperorwatchaTVnewsclipyouhavedownloaded–chatabouthowmanythingshavegonewrongremindthechildrenthatthisisallbecauseofsinintheworld,itaffectseverything,itmeanourworldisbroken,itmeansthatwehavesinfulhearts,weneedJesustobeourbetterrepresentativeandsortoutthesinproblem,wehavetowaitforthedaywhenGodwillmakeallthingsnewagain.

Therearebigchatstobehadaboutthispassage–encouragethemtoaskquestionsasyoucompleteacrafttask,itdoesnotmatterifthisisnotsomethingwonderfulforthemtotakehome,thisisjustanaidtodiscussion,withsomethingtodowhileyouchatithelps!Therearemosaickits,crossdanglerkeyringsintheboxyoucoulduse.

Youcouldtrymakingawholeclasscollagepicture,usingalargecanvas/sheetofcardandrubbishandcleaningproducts.Glueabinbagoverthecardasbackground,useblueJclothsandgreenscouringpadstomakeaglobe,bitsoftinfoilasstarsinspace,drawon,orcutatearthroughtheworld,soweseeourworldisbroken,oncecompletedstickacrossshapeoverthisinElastoplast–theproblemAdamstartedonlyJesuscanfix.

Week6–TheSaviourGodPromises

Genesis3:15-21

Aim

ForthechildrentounderstandthekindnessandgraceofGodthatHedoesnotleaveHispeoplestuckintheirsinwithnohope,Hepromisestodestroytheserpent,coveroursinandbringusbacktotheplacewherewebelong.TherestoftheBible,andtherestofhistorytellsusthisbiggeststory.

Wherearewegoing?

WewantthechildrentoseethatGodisthesamegreat,kindandgoodGodthatHewasatthestart,Hiswordisgood,Hisheartisgood,andHewilldowhateverittakestogetusbacktotheplacewebelong(anditwillcostHimdearly).Hispromisecanbetrusted,thebetterrepresentativethanAdam,wholivesperfectly,anddiesblamelesslydoescome;Hecannotbeheldbydeath,becauseHewasnotstainedbysin,soHeroseagain–soallwhobyfaithmakeJesustheirrepresentativewillberaisedfromdeathtolife,andwillonedayenjoybeingbackwherewebelong.

Notestohelpwithunderstandingthepassage

BecausewearemadeforrelationshipwithGod,tobelongtoHim,hecaresforus,Godcomestothegarden,v8inthecooloftheday,hestillseeksthem,Hecallsthem,v9.Godknowsfullwellwheretheyare,andwhattheyhavedone,butbecauseofthevalueoftherelationshiphecallsthemtoaccount,‘whathaveyoudone’.Thesnakeisnotasked,heisjustcursed.God’spunishmentforsindemonstratesHisgoodness,becauseHeisgood,becauseHeislife,becauseallthatHedoesisgood,Hecannotacceptsin,hemustputastoptoit,deathistheresult.

V14-15Godannouncesadeathsentenceonthesnake,thepicturewearegivenisthatawoman’ssonwillkillthesnake–stampingonasnake’sheadisthebestwaytokillasnake.Intheprocessthesnakewillharmtheman.ThispointsusforwardtoJesus,sonofGod,bornofwoman,whodefeatssin,butindoingsobearsthecurseofsin,thepoisonofdeath.

Themanandwomantothispointhavehadnoneedforclothes,thisisapowerfulpicturethathelpsusunderstandtheyhadnothingtobeafraidof,noreasontobeembarrassed,noreasontohide,noreasonforshameorguilt….Untilnow,theywanttohidefromeachother,theywanttohidefromGod.Thecoveringtheymakeforthemselvesispathetic…leaves!!Figleaveswearetold,whichasleavesgoarequitenice,andquitebig,buthardlyadequate.V21Godmakesthemabettercovering,fromanimalskin,somethingiskilledtomakeacoveringforthem.Godinhiskindnessprotectsthem–theworldisgoingtobeatougherplacetolivenow,theelementsaregoingtobeagainstthem,theyaregoingtoneedprotection.Thisisapointerforward,toprotectandcoverthemfromtheconsequencesofsin,somethingelsehastodietogivethemwhattheyneed,untilthedeathofJesustherewillbemoreandmoresacrificesneededtocoversin,becausethesindoesn’tstop,theywillneedabettersacrificeforsinthatcanstandforever.

V23-24–Godsendsthemoutofthegarden,awayfromHispresence.Heplacesaflamingswordinthewaysotheycan’tgetbackandeatfromthetreeoflifeandliveforever.ImaginethemessofsinfulpeoplelivingforeverinafallenworldawayfromGod!Theonlywaybackwouldbetogounderthesword,andbearthepresenceofHolyandperfectGod.

Jesusistheonewhocrushesthesnake,Jesusistheonewhotakesthedeathcurseofsin,Jesusistheonewhomakesabettercovering,JesusistheonlyonewhocanstandblamelesslyinthepresenceofaholyGodandtakethesword,takethepunishmentthatsindeserves.OnlyHecannotbeheldprisonerbydeath,becauseonlyHewassinfree.Heistheoneweneed,Heistheonewelongfor,Heistheonewhocangetusbacktotheplacewebelong.

Revelation21:1-5–Edenwillberestoredoneday,wewillbebackwherewebelong,rev22:1-5wewillbetherebecauseofthelamb,theperfectsacrifice,thebettercovering,thegreatestrepresentative,thesupersaviour.

StoryinChurch

Youwillneed:Chair,umbrella,AdamandEveactors,heartandspeechbubble,toysnake,fluffyblanket,toyanimal–sheep/goatpreferably,binoculars

Whattosay WhattodoInthebeginning,GodmadeallthingsoutofnothingspeakinganditwasallgoodGod’swordmadeallgoodthings,HiswordisalwaysgoodGodlovedwhathehadmade,hetookcareofit,andhisfavourite,Hisbestbitwasthepeoplehemade.

Stick/pointtospeechbubbleonpulpit

Godmadepeopledifferently,hemadetheminHisimagetobelongtoHim,toliveunderhiscare,helovesus,Hisheartgood.

Pointtoheart

ThepeopleGodmadelivedinthegardensurroundedbygoodthings,spendingtimewithagoodGod,alltheycouldseewaswhatGod’sgoodwordhadmade,theyenjoyedbeingwithGod,theyknewhelovedthem,theywalkedandchattedwithGod,theyknewHisheartwasgood.

AdamandEvevolunteercomeoutstandonchair,underumbrellawithanimalsonthefloor

ButthenthesnakecamewhisperinghisliestoAdamandeve,tellingthem,God’swordisnotgood,hisheartisnotgood,youneedtotakeover.

Holduptoysnake

Theylistenedtohislies,thepeoplewhohadthebestchanceofgettingitright,gotitwronganditallfellapart.Adamourrepresentative,andEvehishelper,blewit,theonesatthetopofcreationmessedup,nowallofcreation,andallofusarestuckinsin.

AdamandEvedropumbrella,getdownfromthechair,takesnake,andputonthechair

Theyknewstraightawaytheyhadmessedup,theyfeltsomethingtheyhadneverfeltbefore,theywereashamed,theyfeltguilty,theywereafraidofGod,becausetheyknewHewasperfectandtheyweren’t,sotheyhid.

AdamandEvehidebadlyatthefront–crouchdownandholdupaleafinfrontoftheirfaces

Doyouthinkthisisagoodhidingplace??Youknowinaworldnowmessedupbysin,theyaregoingtoneedmorethanleavestoprotectthem.

GodcametothegardenandspoketoAdamandEve,andthesnake,hetoldthesnake–youarecursedOnedayawoman’ssonwillfightyouandwin,youwillhurtHim,butHewilldestroyyou

PickupthesnakefromthechairanddropitonthefloorStandonit

ToAdamandEvehesaid,lifewillbehardnow,sinspoilseverything,sinbringspain,sinbringssadness,sinbringsdeath,sinhasputastainoneverything,youwillneedprotection,youwillneedmorethanleavesSoGodtookananimal,andkilledit,andcoveredthemwiththeanimal’sskintoprotectthem

TakeleavesfromAdamandEveTaketoyanimalfrombehindpulpit,holditupasyousayKilledit,putitbehindandtakeoutafluffyblanketthatyouwraproundAdamandEve

AdamandEvehadtobesentoutofthegarden,awayfromGod,awayfromthetreeoflife,Godcannotletsingoonforever,hecannotignoreit,becauseheisgood–BUT,hiswordisstillgood,andHehassaid2verygoodthings!

AdamandEvewalkoff.Pointtotheheart

ThesnakewillbebeatenbyaspecialsonAsacrificecanmakeacoveringtoprotectyou

HoldupsnakeHoldupanimal

Thiswasthestartofthestory,thisisjustthebeginning,AdamandEveneededtotrustGod’sgoodword,andtrustGod’sgoodheartwaitingforhimtosendasnakecrushingson,tosendaperfectlycoveringsacrifice–JESUS!

LookthroughbinocularsWithlabelJesuson

Weknowtheendofthatstory,GoddidsendJesusthesupersaviourtobeatsin,tocoversin,andhedid,butthatisn’ttheendofthestory,wearenowwaitingtobebackwherewebelongjustlikeAdamandEve,wehavetorememberthatGod’swordisgood,Hisheartisgood,andHehaspromisedtomakeallthingsnewoneday,whenJesus

Lookthroughbinoculars

comesbackagainandGodputseverythingright.Andallthetimewearewaiting,GodiskeepingHispromise,andshowinghowgoodHisheartisashewantsmorepeopletohearaboutJesusandputtheirtrustinhim

Jesusisthesaviourwhocametosortoutsin,Jesusisthesaviourwhowillcomebackandmakeallthingsnew,sooneday,wecanbebackwherewebelong.

Let’ssing SuperSaviour

LESSONPLAN

Creche

StoryTime

Have2playpeople,animalssetuponatowelorblankettolooklikealittleland.RemindthechildrenthatGodmadeagoodworld,hisheartwasgood,hiswordwasgood.Thenthesnakecameandtoldthemalie,hesaidGodwasnotgood,andhiswordwasnotgood.AdamandEvelistenedtothesnakeanddisobeyedGod–holdupatoysnake,thisspoiledthegoodworldGodhadmade,andeverythinginit,knockoverthelandyouhavemade.lifewouldnowbehardforthem,theywouldgethurt,theywouldgetsad,theywoulddothingswrong.ButGodsaidagoodthing–Hesaidaspecialboywouldbebornwhowouldsquashthesnake,putsnakeaway.AndGoddidakindthing,hegavethemacovertokeepthemwarmsotheywouldknowthatGodwoulddoallhecouldtokeepthemsafe–putalittlecoverroundtheplaypeople.

Jesusisthespecialsonwhosquashedthesnake,Jesusistheonewhocankeepussafe,Jesusistheonewhowillmakeallthingsrightagainoneday,AdamandEvehadtolookanwaitforhimtocomeforthefirsttime,lookthroughbinoculars,andhedid,wenowhavetowaitforhimtocomebackoneday,andhewill.

PlayTime

Makesomeimaginationlandswiththeplayanimals–playsomeexploringgames–theyhavetodogoodlookingtofindanitemyouhavehidden,

MakeTime

Makecardboardtubebinocularsandstickcrownsonthem–Jesusistheonewearelookingforwardtoseeing

JUNIORCHURCH

Game

Playstuckinthemud,emphasisethatwhentheyare“stuck”theyarewaitingandlookingoutforarescuertosetthemfree.

Or–Playsnakesandrescuersparachutegame–childrensitinacircleonthefloorwithlegsoutstretchedholdingtheparachute.Thesnakeisundertheparachuteandbitesatthefeetofthepeople,oncebittentheyhavetoshotforhelp–therescuerrunstopullthemawayfromthesnakebeforehecanpullthemunder.Sameidea–theyneedarescuer.

YoungerOnes

TeachingTime

RemindthechildrenthattheperfectworldGodmadewasspoiledbysin–usepicturesfromtheBigpicturestoryBibletorecapevents.AdamandEvehadsinned,anditneededtobepunished,butGodsaidagoodthing,holdupspeechbubblecutfromcard,hesaidhewouldsendaspecialsontosquashthesnake,drawasnakeonthespeechbubble,thesonwillbeatthesnake,butthesnakewillhurttheson,drawacrossoverthesnake.ThenGoddidakindthing,holdupacardboardheart,Godgavethemclothestoprotectthem,ananimalhadtodietocoverthemandkeepthemwarmandsafeinaworldthatishard,theeffectsofsinhavetobecovered,drawalambonthespeechbubble–drawacrossoverthelamb.AdamandEvearesentoutofthegarden,butGodtellsthemthatonedaythey

willbebackwheretheybelongbecauseofthesonwhosquashedthesnake,Jesus,becauseofthelambwhocoveredsin,Jesus.Hedidcome,hewillcomeagainsowecangetbacktothegardenwherewebelong.

DiscoverandDo

Decoratesuperherogliders–therearekitsinthebox

OR–makesomecardboardtubebinoculars–welookforwardtothedayJesuscomesback.

Olderones

DiscussandAct

Lookattheversestogether–make2pilesofBiblesnexttoeachother–acrownonone,amanandwomanontheother–discusshowsinnowseparatesusfromaperfectGod–Godsaysagoodthing–drawaspeechbubbleonawipeboard–awoman’ssonwillcrushthesnake–Goddoesakindthing,drawaheart,hegivesthemacoveringforsin–byprovidingclothes–animalissacrificed.Arescuerwillcometosortoutthisproblem–makeabridgeofacross.

Make-Asuperheroglider–acrosskeyring–thereareBakerRosskitsinthebigcardboardboxinthecupboardlabelledJuniorChurchAutumn.Therearelotsofthingstochataboutthispassageandlotsofquestions,encouragethemtochatandaskasyoumake.