October 19, 2014K-1 Grades–Unit 22, Session 1

Morning – At – Glance

SESSION TITLE: Nehemiah Heard News of Jerusalem

Bible Passage: Nehemiah 1-2

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

What did Nehemiah want to do? Nehemiah wanted to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls.

UNIT CHRIST CONNECTION God restored a faithful remnant and reminded them of His promise of a new covenant through Jesus Christ.

MEMORY VERSE NEW – We’re adding a verse each month until we finish the whole chapter! The new verse is bold.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.”

Psalm 23: 1-3 ESV

9:00/11:00 – 9:25/11:25WELCOME & CONNECT

SUPPLIES: SG Binder, Books of the Bible Cards, memory verse cards, dry erase board & marker, Whiffle ball

OfferingTake Attendance

Books of the Bible Memory Verse Review

9:25/11:25 – 9:30/11:30PLUG IN & OPENING QUESTION

SUPPLIES: activity page, paper, markers, map, popsicle stick puppet, 2 cardboard bricks, 2 velcro strips

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?How would you get there?

9:30/11:30 – 10:10/12:10LARGE GROUP & PRAYER

Take your SG Binder with you – Attendance Roster and Shepherding Guide are inside

10:10/12:10 – 10:25/12:25BIBLE STORY REVIEW

SUPPLIES: Bibles, timeline, map of the return, bean bags,10 straws, 10 ping-pong balls, 20 dominoes

10:20/12:20 – 10:25/12:25PREPARE FOR PARENT PICK-UP

Hand-out Big Picture Cards & connect with parents

Bible Story--Nehemiah Heard News of Jerusalem

1 ©: The Gospel Project, edited by Dustin Youngstrom

October 19, 2014K-1 Grades–Unit 22, Session 1

Nehemiah 1–2

(The bolded script highlights the most important points when you review with your kids)

Nehemiah (nee huh MIGH uh) was a Jew, one of God’s people. God’s people had lived in Babylon for many years until King Cyrus let them go home. Some of God’s people went home to Judah, but some of them stayed in Babylon. Soon, the king of Persia took over Babylon. He became the new king. Nehemiah stayed and worked for the king of Persia. (Nehemiah was the king’s cupbearer.)

One day, some men came from Judah. Nehemiah asked, “How are God’s people doing in Jerusalem?”

The men had bad news. “The people are in trouble. They are ashamed. The walls around Jerusalem are broken down, and the gates have been burned down.”

When Nehemiah heard this, he sat down and cried. Nehemiah prayed and fasted for several days. “Yahweh, God,” he prayed, “let Your eyes be open and Your ears hear my prayer. We have sinned against you. Please remember Your words to Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples. But if you return to Me and obey Me, I will gather you from the ends of the earth and bring you to the place I have chosen.’ Please, Lord, hear my prayer.”

Nehemiah went back to serving the king, but he was still sad. The king noticed Nehemiah’s mood and asked Nehemiah, “What’s wrong? Why are you sad?”

Nehemiah was afraid; no one was supposed to be sad around the king. Nehemiah told the king, “The city where my ancestors are from is in trouble. It is in ruins, and the gates of the city have been burned down.”

“What do you want to do?” the king asked.

Before Nehemiah answered the king, he prayed. Then Nehemiah said, “Please send me to Jerusalem so I can rebuild the city.”

The king agreed to send Nehemiah to Jerusalem. He gave Nehemiah letters to keep him safe as he traveled. If anyone tried to stop him, Nehemiah could show that he had the king’s permission to go to Jerusalem. Also, the king made sure Nehemiah had wood to help rebuild the city gates and wall. He even sent some men from his army to protect Nehemiah.

Nehemiah arrived safely in Jerusalem. He didn’t tell anyone why he was there. After three days, Nehemiah got up in the middle of the night and went to look at the city’s walls. Then he told the people there, “We are in trouble. The city is ruined, and the gates have been burned down. Come, let’s rebuild Jerusalem’s wall.”

Nehemiah told the people how God had helped him, and he told them everything the king had said and done. The people said, “Let’s start building,” and so they did. Christ Connection: Nehemiah trusted that God would keep His promise to protect His people and give them a home. When we trust in Jesus, we have a home in heaven with God. Jesus obeyed God perfectly. He died on the cross and rose again so we can have a home with Him forever in heaven.

BIBLE STUDY

2 ©: The Gospel Project, edited by Dustin Youngstrom

October 19, 2014K-1 Grades–Unit 22, Session 1

After the Babylonian exile, God’s people were known as Jews—people from the kingdom of Judah. Nehemiah was a Jew living in Persia. He served as the king’s cupbearer, a position of great trust; the cupbearer made sure no one poisoned the king’s drink. Sometimes the cupbearer even tasted some of the drink himself to ensure its potability.

When the Persian Empire conquered the Babylonians, King Cyrus allowed God’s people to return to Judah. Two or three million Jews had originally been deported, but only a remnant—50,000 people—returned. They set up their homes and rebuilt God’s temple in Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s story takes place after Ezra led a second group of exiles back to Judah.

Nehemiah received word about God’s people who had returned to Judah. They were in trouble and living in shame; the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, and the city gates were burned. They lived in fear, unprotected from their enemies. Nehemiah sat down and wept.

Nehemiah fasted and prayed for days. He remembered God’s promise to His people. Their disobedience led to exile, but if they turned back to the Lord, their obedience would lead to blessing. God promised to restore their fortunes and give His people a home. (See Deut. 30:1-10.)

The king noticed Nehemiah’s sadness, and Nehemiah was afraid. No one was supposed to be sad in the presence of the king; it was an insult to his greatness. Nehemiah explained the plight of his city. The king granted him leave and gave him letters to ensure his safe passage. Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem. He encouraged the people to rebuild the walls and stood confidently against opposition.

This story is the beginning of Nehemiah’s work to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. As you teach kids, point out that Nehemiah trusted God’s promise to give His people a home. When we repent and trust in Jesus, we can trust His promise to prepare a place for us in His Father’s house, where we will be with Him forever. (See John 14:3.)

3 ©: The Gospel Project, edited by Dustin Youngstrom

October 19, 2014K-1 Grades–Unit 22, Session 1

9:00/11:00 – 9:15/11:15 WELCOME & CONNECT 15 minutesSUPPLIES: SG Binder, Books of the Bible cards, memory verse cards, Dry Erase board & markers, Whiffle Ball

❖ Offering: As kids arrive, have them place their offering in the basket on the stage.❖ Take Attendance: Fill out the attendance roster with the children’s first & last names. ONLY children

who are not listed on your printed roster should be added to the “GraceKids Roster.” Please be sure to check each child’s tag to see if they are in the correct group. If a tag says “Unassigned”, please talk with the parents at drop-off and pick-up to find out which service time they will be regularly attending so that we can “assign” their child to a small group.

**Remember, the focus of the opening time is to build relationships. Do not worry if you are not able to complete all of the activities. But try and complete one to prepare the kids for the Bible story.

❖ Books of the Bible: Review the OT books.❖ Memory Verse Review: (Choose ONE)

➢ Card Mix-Up: (Supplies: Memory Verse Cards) Scramble the cards with the words of the memory verse. Time the kids to see how quickly they can place them in order.

➢ Missing Card: (Supplies: Memory Verse Cards) Lay the memory verse cards on the floor. Have the kids read the verse several times. Then, remove several cards and have the kids try again. Remove cards and recite the verse until all the cards are gone.

➢ Concentration: (Supplies: Memory Verse Cards) Lay the memory verse cards face down. Each child takes turns turning over two cards. If one of those are the first words of the verse, they set them out and can go again. Each child takes turns turning over two cards and setting out the next words of the verse.

➢ Dry Erase-A-Word: (Supplies: Dry erase board, dry erase marker, paper towel) Write out the words of the memory verse on the board. Have the kids recite the verse. Then, erase one or two words and have the kids recite the verse. Continue erasing and reciting until all the words are gone and the kids have the verse memorized.

➢ Whiffle Ball Games: (Supplies: Nerf ball) As you throw the ball, each child says the next word of the verse when they catch the ball.

9:15/11:15 – 9:30/11:30 PLUG IN & OPENING QUESTION 15 minutesSUPPLIES: activity sheet, map, paper (1 per child),markers, popsicle stick puppet, 2 bricks, velcro strip

Opening Question -- If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? (Have kids point to location on the map.) How would you get there? (i.e.Plane, train, car, boat, etc.) Connect to the lesson: Today we’ll be learning about a trip that some of God’s people got to go back to the Promised Land.

Plug-In Activity #1 – “Nothing but Trouble”: Guide kids to sit in a circle. Display the action figure and introduce it as Henry. Explain that Henry had a very bad day. Invite kids to help you tell the story of Henry’s bad day. Kids will pass Henry around the circle, each adding to Henry’s experience. After a kid describes an event, he should add, “Just when Henry thought it couldn’t get any worse … ” and then pass Henry to the next kid. Start the story by saying, “Today, Henry woke up late. Just when Henry thought it couldn’t get any worse … ” and then pass Henry around the circle. If a kid struggles to provide a scenario, ask, “What went wrong next?” Continue the story until everyone takes a turn. Connect the lesson: What can you do when you are having a bad day? Sometimes talking to your parents about it can help you feel better. You can also pray! God

4 ©: The Gospel Project, edited by Dustin Youngstrom

October 19, 2014K-1 Grades–Unit 22, Session 1

is in control, and you can ask Him for help. In our Bible story today, a man named Nehemiah was having a bad day.

Plug-In Activity #2– “I Can Help!”: Divide your group into two teams. Instruct kids to stand behind one velcro strip placed parallel with another strip about 10 ft. away. Give the first child in line a small cardboard brick to position on the top of his/her head. Challenge kids to move across the room, keeping the bricks on their heads. If a player’s brick falls off his/her head, he/she must freeze. The player next in line should approach the frozen player and say, “I can help!” and then position the brick back on his/her head. The child can continue until they have gone to the velcro strip and back to the starting oint. If time allows, play again, but direct the kids to move in adifferent way: tiptoeing, walking backwards, etc. Connect to the lesson: Today we are going to hear a Bible story about a man named Nehemiah. He worked for the king of Persia. Some of Nehemiah’s friends and family members were living in Jerusalem. Nehemiah heard that they were in trouble, and he was sad. The king of Persia saw Nehemiah was sad. Do you know what the king said? “How can I help?”

Plug-In Activity #3– “A Safe Home”: Provide paper and markers for each kid. Invite each kid to draw a picture of her home. For an added challenge, suggest that kids draw a map of their streets or neighborhoods. As they work, prompt kids to talk about what they like best about their homes. Allow them to share details they have included in their pictures such as trees or mailboxes. Kids may wish to add drawings of their family members or pets. Connect to the lesson: God’s people had lived far away in a foreign land (Babylon) for many years, and had finally returned home. But a home needs to be a safe place. Nehemiah saw that his friends and family members needed help, and he was sad. God had promised to protect His people and keep them safe. Nehemiah prayed to God for help, and he trusted God to keep His promises. God has a home for us, too. If we trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, God has a place for us—a home—with Him in heaven.

Clean Up and Transition to Large Group**Kids should use the bathroom BEFORE Large Group – NOT during Large Group.

9:30/11:30 – 10:10/12:10WORSHIP & BIBLE STORY & PRAYER 40 minutesSUPPLIES: Small Group Binder

Prayer Time will be directed from the Bible Story Teacher at the end of Large Group. You will have time at the very end of prayer to take requests from the kids in your group. Record the date, child’s

name and request on the Shepherding Guide in your SG Binder.

When you are finished praying with your group, quietly return to your small group area.

10:10/12:10 –10:25/12:25 BIBLE STORY REVIEW 15 minutesSUPPLIES: Bible, timeline, map of the return, bean bags, 10 straws, 10 ping-pong balls, 20 dominoes

Review the timeline with the kids pointing out the fall of the Southern Kingdom of Judah and the exile. Explain that our story takes place after some of the Jews have returned to Jerusalem while some Jews have remained in Persia.

Let me help you find our Bible story, Nehemiah 1–2 in your Bibles. Is Nehemiah in the Old or New Testament? Right! Nehemiah is in the Old Testament, about halfway through the Bible. This is in the section of the Bible called the “Historical Books.”

5 ©: The Gospel Project, edited by Dustin Youngstrom

October 19, 2014K-1 Grades–Unit 22, Session 1

Read: Bolded text in the Bible Story above. Ask: Who did Nehemiah work for in Persia? What was Nehemiah’s job? What did the king of Persia give Nehemiah to make sure he stayed safe on his trip? What was it that God asked Nehemiah to help rebuild?

Discussion Questions: What are some things that God asks us to do for Him? How can we obey God in our daily lives, at school, at home, with our parents, or with our friends? What did Nehemiah want to do? Nehemiah wanted to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. Why do you think Nehemiah prayed to God have the king let him rebuild the wall in Jerusalem? Do you have a fence in your yard or around the playground at your school? What are fences for? How is a wall around a city kind of like a fence? What would a city need protection from?

**Optional – Bible Beanbag Grab: Create two teams. Have the teams line up facing each other behind two Velcro strips placed about 5 ft. or more apart. Number the members of the teams. Both teams should have a one, two, etc. If there is an odd number either: give one person two numbers, have the extra person read the questions, or you can play. Place two beanbags in the middle of the two teams separated by about one ft. Read the Bible Beanbag question and then call out one of the assigned numbers. The person on each team who has that number must run to the middle, grab the bean bag, get back across the Velcro line, and hold the bean bag in the air above their head. The first one to do this, gets a chance to answer the question. If they get it correct, their team gets a point. If they miss it, the other team gets a chance to steal the point. Repeat calling numbers at random.

● Name the king of Persia who Nehemiah worked for. (Artaxerxes, Neh.1:1)● What did Nehemiah do when he first heard about the walls of Jerusalem being broken down? (He sat

down, wept, fasted, and prayed, Neh. 1:4)● What was Nehemiah’s job that he did for the king? (cupbearer, Neh. 1:11)● What question did the king ask Nehemiah at the beginning of chapter 2? (“Why are you sad?”, Neh.

2:2)● What did the king give to Nehemiah to make sure he had a safe trip? (Letters, Neh. 2:7-8)● What time of day did Nehemiah inspect Jerusalem’s wall? (at night, Neh. 2;12-13)● Say • What did Nehemiah want to do? Nehemiah wanted to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls.

**Optional – “Protect Your Home”: Divide your group into several groups -- each forming a circle. c Give each kid a straw. The goal of this game is for each kid to protect his side of the circle, or his “home,” and not allow a ping-pong ball to pass through his side of the circle. Position three or more ping-pong balls in the center of the circle. Kids should use their straws to blow the ping-pong balls away from their homes, back toward the center of the circle. After a few minutes, provide several dominoes for each kid to arrange as a wall across his side of the table. Then have kids play another round. Discuss: Was it easier to defend your home with a wall to protect you.  Jerusalem was home to many of God’s people. They needed to be protected from their enemies. God was with His people, and He helped Nehemiah travel safely to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls.

10:25/12:25 PARENT PICK-UP SUPPLIES: Big Picture Cards Try to connect with each parent as they arrive to pick-up their child. Mention something their child said, how they answered questions, learned part of the memory verse, etc.

6 ©: The Gospel Project, edited by Dustin Youngstrom