1 Remember Verse■■ Play the verse video for John 1:14.■■ Ask for volunteers to try and say the verse from memory.

■ “So the Word became human and made his homeamong us. He was full of unfailing love and faithful-ness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of theFather’s one and only Son.” John 1:14 (NLT)

■■ Check out a variety of Remember Verse games and activ-ities on FoundryLeader.com.

2 What’s That Word?■■ Decode the words in the Discovery Guide (DG) individu-

ally or as a class.■■ Decoded words are priestly line, incense, and barren.■■ Invite a kid or adult to read the definition for each word.■■ Invite kids to ask questions or share anything else they

know about these words.

3 Peaks and Pitfalls■■ Invite kids to share something not so great (pitfall) and

something great (peak) that happened this past week.■■ Pray together. There’s a place in the DG for kids to record

prayer requests.

1Older Elementary • November 28, 2021

Luke 1 :5-64

Leader's Guide Week 1

Zechariah’s VisionSometimes, life just comes at you fast. Life is happening one way, and then it changes. Zechariah doubted it. Elizabeth embraced it. Mary celebrated it. God seems to have an a� nity for surprises. How will we react to the next one?

■ Bibles

■■ Discovery Guides

■■ Eureka! DVD or CD

■■ DVD or CD player

■■ Pens and markers

■■ Before you explore,check out the backpage for someexpedition extras.

Exploring Supplies

■■ Kick off class and get in the exploring mood. Listen toIt’s Pizza. Run! in Sir Neil’s Audio Journal of Feats andBraveness.

Copyright © 2021 by The Foundry Kids

Digital resources available at

FoundryLeader.com Password:

4 Hear It■■ Have an adult read the Eureka! Bible Passage on page 3.■■ Ask if there are any words that need a quick explanation before moving to Step 5.

5 Tell It So Much Drama or Symphonious■■ As a class, choose one of these two Tell It methods to tell the story.■■ Instructions for each are on page 4. The So Much Drama script is on page 3.

6 Embrace It■■ Invite kids to quietly read and reflect on the passage on their own using the Eureka!

Bible Passage (EBP) or their own Bible. There’s space on page 3 of the DG for kids to write down any thoughts or questions that come to mind.

■■ After 3-5 minutes, invite a student or leader to read the EBP out loud again.

7 What’s Happening in the Passage?■■ Explore the passage.

■ Choose a character from the passage and retell the story from their perspective. What emotion might that character have been feeling in each section?

■ Do you notice anything different between Zechariah’s conversation with Gabriel and Mary’s conversation with Gabriel? Do you notice anything that is the same? What do you find interesting about that?

■ Why do you think Mary sings a song of praise to God in this passage (verses 46-55)? What are some of the things she praises God for? If you wrote a song for God, what are some things you would praise Him for?

8 What’s This Say about God?■■ Explore what the passage says about God.

■ How do we see God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit working together in this story? What can that teach us about God?

■ What promises does God make in this passage? How do we see Him keep those promises? What does that tell us about God’s nature? What are some other promises God has kept?

■ Reflect on John 1:14 and the events of this passage. What are some ways Mary, Zechariah, and Elizabeth might have finished this sentence, “God is . . .”?

9 Record Your Discovery■■ Discuss faith discoveries made today.■■ Give kids time to write or draw a faith discovery

on their Discovery Relic on page 2 of their DG. Make your own relic while kids make theirs.

■■ Invite kids to share their completed relic.■■ Close class in prayer.

2 Week 1

So Much Drama Script

A. Zechariah was a priest from the priestly line of Abijah. He was serving in the temple, burning incense, when the angel Gabriel appeared to him. He said, “God heard your prayer. Elizabeth your wife will have a son. Name him John. He will prepare people for the Lord.”

B. Zechariah asked, “How? We are old, and my wife is barren!” The angel replied, “Because you did not believe, you will be mute until he is born.” People knew Zechariah had seen a vision because he couldn’t speak.

C. Elizabeth became pregnant. She knew the Lord made it happen.

D. Later, the angel Gabriel was sent to Nazareth to a virgin named Mary. He said, “Do not be afraid. God is pleased with you, and you will have a son. He will be the Son of God. Name Him Jesus.”

“How can this happen?” Mary asked. “I am not married.”

He said, “The Holy Spirit will cover you. Nothing is impossible for God; even your cousin Elizabeth is six months pregnant.” Mary believed it would happen as he said.

E. She hurried to Elizabeth’s home. When Elizabeth heard Mary, the baby inside her jumped. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth told Mary that God would bless her child. Mary celebrated what God had done by re-sponding with a song of praise, a Magnificat.

F. Then, Elizabeth had a son. Some thought he would be named after Zechariah, but Eliza-beth said, “No! He is John.” They didn’t un-derstand because nobody in their family was named John. Zechariah wrote, “He is John.” Immediately he was able to speak again, and he praised God.

Luke1:5-64

3Week 1

Cast: Zechariah (Z), Elizabeth, 2 Priests (P1 and P2), Angel Gabe

Zechariah stood with two priests. Z asked, “Who wants to burn the incense?” They each pointed at themselves over and over. Z waved his hands, held up three straws, and said, “We’ll draw lots.” P1 said, “Yes! I’m awesome at this.” P2 said, “Come on short straw!” P1 and P2 picked a straw. They both looked sad. Z got the short one. He did a fi st pump.

P1 sighed big, and said, “Fine. We’ll wait out here.” P2 sighed big, and said, “I need to practice my straw picking.” Z said, “I’ll be back.” Z walked in the temple, lit the incense, and waved it around. Suddenly, the Angel Gabriel appeared. Gabe stood super close to Z. Z took a step back in fear. They walked in a circle looking at each other. Gabe said, “Z, God heard your prayers for your wife Elizabeth.”

Z said, “Are you going to strike me dead?” Gabe said, “What? No. God’s giving you a son.” Z said, “Wait. What? A son?” Gabe said, “He will get people ready for the Lord.” Z got dizzy and wobbled. He said, “We’re really old. I’m not sure that’s possible.” Gabe said, “Hello! I’m an ANGEL!” Z wobbled again and said, “I just don’t know.” Gabe said, “Since you doubt me, you won’t speak until he’s born.” Z wob-bled some more. Gabe started to skip away and said, “By the way, call him John.”

Z wobbled over to P1 and P2. P1 said, “That took long enough.” Z opened his mouth but no words came out. Z randomly waved his hands and arms around. P2 said, “Gotcha. He had a vision.” P1 said, “Yep, that’s the vibe I was getting too.”

Six months later, Elizabeth ran over to them. She said, “I just had the most amazing talk with my cousin, Mary.” P2 said, “Wow, time fl ies when Z has a vision.” Elizabeth said, “Mary’s going to be the mother of the Lord!” Z got dizzy and wobbled again. P1 said, “Mary should write a song of praise!” P2 said, “That would be magnifi cent.”

Eureka!BiblePassage

Like dodging an oversized slice of pizza, explorers do things a little differently.

That’s why we put this Before You Exploresection on the very last page. We know you understand.

Expedition Tips■ Check out our new 365-day devotional book for

kids, My Life with Jesus. This book explores the life of Jesus and helps kids grow their own relationship with Him. Grab one or two for your classroom so kids can read them before or after class. Visit TheFoundryKids.com for more info.

■ Explore with the Eureka! community. Join us in the Facebook group Eureka! Kids Curriculum Teachers & Leaders. This group is just for those using Eureka!Share ideas, ask questions, get all the latest Eureka!news, and connect with others using Eureka!

■ Discoveries can be written as words or pictures. If you see a picture that makes no sense to you, just say, “I’d love to hear about your picture if that’s okay.” If it makes sense in the mind of that student, then it’s a great discovery!

■ Consider Sir Neil’s Journal of Feats and Bravenessas a fun icebreaker to get kids in the exploring mood at the beginning of class. There’s even an audio version on the Eureka! DVD and CD.

So Much DramaAct out a lighthearted telling of the story as it is read by an adult narrator.

1. Select an actor for each role on the script.

2. Don’t practice or rehearse. It’s totally okay for kids to be hearing the script for the fi rst time as you read it for the performance.

3. Actors stay o� stage until their character is mentioned. As you read the script, pause when moments of action or dialogue are required.

4. If an actor misses a cue, gently repeat the line until the actor follows the script. Keep it lighthearted.

5. When reading dialogue an actor repeats, say the line with emotion. For example, say whis-pered lines with a whisper voice, and angry lines with an angry voice.

6. If you need to give direction, keep it in the context of the storytelling method. Stay in character as the narrator.Don’t: “Say that again with more excitement.”Do: “Then he said it again like a cheerleader!”

7. Everyone applaud after the drama!

SymphoniousWithout speaking, dramatically act out the story to a musical track.

1. As a class, choose a piece of music from the Eureka! DVD or CD that best fi ts the pas-sage.

2. Quickly discuss the elements of the passage to be acted out—beginning, middle, end.

3. Select actors for each role. You can even select kids to act as props if needed.

4. Listen to the song picked in Step 1. Listen from beginning to end and think of ways to silently act out the passage. Share ideas when the song ends.

5. Play the track again—pausing it when need-ed—and try out di� erent ideas. Even kids who aren’t actors can give ideas!

6. The silent acting should communicate the story and match the emotion and tempo of the music. Random dancing around won’t cut it. Imagine creating this for an audience that doesn’t know this passage.

7. Try to make the drama last for the entire song. That’s part of the fun!

Before You Explore

4 Week 1