Exegetical Aim: The sanctity of the church. Props: A stepstool or small stepladder in front of the pulpit and the ability to take the children around the different stations of the sanctuary. Lesson: Good morning! (response) Everyone feeling well this morning? (response) Can anyone tell me about their father's house? (response) Tell me some things that are in your father's house? (response) This mo...
Object: None
What does authority mean? (The one in authority is the one in charge.) Who is your authority? (parents, teachers, etc.) Why do you have to obey them? Our Bible lesson today tells a story of Jesus when he was 12 years old. He had traveled with his family to Jerusalem for a special celebration called the Feast of the Passover. They didn't have cars or trucks to travel in so they walked...
Object: A holly wreath
Good morning, boys and girls. Before we get away from Christmas, there is one thing more we need to consider. Christmas is the birthday of Jesus. Jesus is sometimes called "the King of Kings." That is because he is greater than any king. Did he live like a king? (Let them answer.) Was he born in a palace? Did he have royal robes? Lots of servants? Did he wear a crown? Well,...
Object: A picture of myself when I was four years old and my first grade report card.
Lesson: School; understanding; confession; compassion; revelation; unconditional love.
About twenty children have come forward at my invitation to sit on the chancel steps. I begin by asking, "Is anyone here this morning four years old?"
Brenda hesitatingly raises her hand. I acknowledge her response with a sm...
Sharing This Week's Gospel Theme at Sunday Church School
Teachers: Much of the children's natural conversation today will be focused on what they got for Christmas. You may want to steer it to a discussion of where they went during vacation, where they stayed, where they slept, which will follow along with the children's message. This will give each child a chance to share their own excitement wi...
Object: A baby only a few weeks old.
Lesson: We start out little and we grow bigger and stronger and God is always loving us.
I have someone to show you today. This baby is named [Jonathan] and [he] isn’t very old. Babies are very little when they’re born. [Jonathan] was born only a few weeks ago. Do you think that you were ever this little? Well, it’s true. You were this little. I once was this...
Object: Pictures of football players, stadium; picture of Nixon and White House; boy and girl and schoolhouse or other close associations with your town or current events, such as rocketships and astronauts.
Good morning to you, boys and girls. Did all of you sleep well last night on the table? Did you all eat a good breakfast in bed? How many of your brushed your teeth with a comb? Do you think ...
Object: A box of "Wheaties," a loaf of Wonder Bread, a Bible, a philosophy book.
Good morning, boys and girls. I want to begin today by looking for some pretty special volunteers. They must be tall and strong. How many tall and strong people do we have? [Pick several from the group.] That's fine. I brought along a box of Wheaties and some Wonder Bread that builds bodies twelve ways in case any of...
Object: A custom such as Christmas cards.
Good morning, boys and girls. Today is one of the most fun days that I know. Here it is the first Sunday in a new year, and we are happy over the idea that everyone is getting a fresh start. Twelve months ahead of us that will bring us happiness and new friends. Of course, there are a lot of good times to remember about last year. I can remember some of t...
Object: A Christmas card picture of Jesus as a baby and a picture of Jesus as a man.
Lesson: Jesus grew, just as children do today.
Have you started to attend school yet? Do you have to wait until next year to go to school?
When you go to school, you may find that your teacher will want you to do something that you’ve never done before. Would you please tell me one thing that you’ve done at sch...
Object: a jar of sweet pickles and a jar of dill pickles
Good morning, boys and girls. Do you like pickles? Do you eat them all by themselves, or do you put them on sandwiches and stuff? There are two major kinds of pickles, sweet and dill. (Might want to taste these yourself, or give samples to the kids, or have another adult demonstrate the facial expressions associated with eating the pickles)...