March 16, 2008
Easter Drama
A large tent and we made a large rock with cardboard & duck tape to seal the tomb.
The kids assembled in a room separate from the tomb.
Meanwhile one of our teenagers dressed in simple costume as Jesus & laid in front of the tomb.
Another teenage girl dressed in costume as Mary Magdelin, entered the room with the kids & told them about her friend, teacher & mentor Jesus & the terrible thing that had happened to him. She talked about how she felt losing this special person & asked them to go to the tomb to prepare his body, explaining the burial customs of her people. I wrote a simple script for her, that she embelished upon, our goal being to help the kids understand her sorrow & love for him as a teacher & friend. She also told them she was frightened of the soldiers in the area & that they may all be arrested for going near his body.
We then took the kids into the tomb area, where they went through the motions of annointing him with oil, then rolled him in a sheet, rolled him into the tomb & pushed the rock in front. We turned off the lights & pulled the shades so the room was dim.
We returned to the first room & discussed what it was like to lose someone you love. Some kids mentioned pets, grandparents, etc. We discussed what those departed ones left behind & how God can help us cope with missing them, etc.
We then returned to the tomb & Jesus was gone! All the lights were on & the room was bright & sunny.
This brought us to the discussion to the ressurrection & why he died.
? We crawled into the tomb & did the following activity: we discussed our sins. Depending on the age group, it was everyting from taking your siblings's toys to murder. Using a craft clear plastic film that dissolves in water, we wrote down things we'd like to be forgiven for. Then each child dipped the small piece of plastic in their own bowl of water & watched it dissolve, as Jesus forgave them.
March 20, 2008
After Maundy Thursday Dinner:
Garden of Gethsemane
In front of the window ask:
* What does Jesus want God to do in response to his prayer?
(Take the bad things away if possible.)
* When Jesus prays to God "your will be done," what is he saying?
(That he will put God’s will above his own desires.) It is important to point out that Jesus is also asking for the strength to make sure that he carries out God’s will. Jesus is not only putting God first; Jesus is also acknowledging that he needs God to help him carry out his mission.· Often when people pray, they want God to take all the bad things away from them.
* Ask the children if they have ever prayed that a problem will just go away.
(Allow them to give examples if they wish.) Jesus is showing us that we CAN pray for problems to go away, but we also must acknowledge that sometimes we will have problems, and in those instances, we pray to God for the strength to get through the problem. NOTE: This step will need to be adjusted for age groups. You will want to simplify the ideas and only ask basic questions for the Primaries.
Doubting Thomas
Discuss: Take a minute to talk to the children about the creation they are going to be doing in this workshop. Tell them that they will be creating a picture to remind us that just because we can¡¦t see Jesus does not mean that he is not there.
Where is Jesus? When you look around you, where do you see Jesus? (in everything that is good, in kind words and acts, in good choices, in the people who are poor or hungry or frightened, Jesus is in our hearts to calm us when we are frightened ,in the sanctuary and in Faith Quest, etc.) Brainstorm more ideas about where they can find Jesus.
Application:
1. Create! Show kids a 9 X 12 sample of what they will be creating. Tell them that these people are Jesus¡¦ disciples ¡V maybe Mary or Martha, Thomas, John, Peter, James. Ask them ¡§Can you see Jesus?¡¨ Lift the cellophane and show them that Jesus is there.
2. Steps: Pass out sheets of 6¡¨ X 9¡¨ drawing paper. Each child should print his or her name on the back. Sharing sets of markers, they should work on their creation, first drawing Jesus with a yellow highlighter and then the disciples in colors other than yellow (one color for each figure). When drawing is complete, pass out precut pieces of yellow cellophane to be glued along the top edge of their pictures. Ask the shepherd to help by running a bead of glue along the top edge.
3. Clean up! Involve everyone in cleaning up so that you will have time to share together in the closing. You may want to have a prearranged signal for clean up and tell them at beginning of art project what that will be - perhaps giving them a 5 minute warning and then the final clean up notice to allow those who need a bit more warning that they need to complete whatever they are working on.
Reflection Time:
The children should spend a few minutes reflecting upon the morning's lesson ¡V Do we have to see God to believe in him? Where can we find answers about God and what God wants us to do? (pray to God, asking parents and teachers) Why did Thomas have trouble believing? (he hadn¡¦t seen Jesus) What did Jesus tell him? How did the disciples¡¦ faith change their lives? (some became apostles, spreading the message of Jesus).
Closing:
1. Encourage the children to think about believing, trusting and praying to God when we have doubts.
2. Pray! Ask the children if they have any prayer requests. Tell God that we have questions in our hearts. Ask Him to forgive us for not always trusting and to help us grow in faith. Thank God for sending Jesus to us to show us the way.
Materials:
Sample
Colored Markers (remove yellow)
Yellow highlighters
Yellow cellophane cut to 6¡¨ x 9¡¨
6¡¨ X 9¡¨ drawing paper
White glue
References:
Sample, cellophane, paper and highlighters will be provided.
Questions
Where were the disciples when Jesus died? (in a room, not at with Jesus)
What did Joseph of Arimathea ask of Pontius Pilot? (he wanted to bury Jesus¡¦ body)
Who helped Joseph of Arimathea? What did he bring? (Nicodemus, spices)
What did Jesus predict that made the chief priests and the other religious leaders afraid? (Jesus would be raised in 3 days)
Why were the disciples afraid? (The Jewish leaders might be coming after them too)
Why did the women go to the tomb? (to anoint Jesus¡¦ body for burial)
When the disciples got upset, what did they do to try and feel better (recite some of Jesus sayings and words)
What did the angels tell the women? (He is risen. Go tell the others)
When the women told the disciples that the body was gone, how did the disciples try to explain what happened? (that the body was stolen)
What did Jesus tell Mary to do? (Tell the others)
How did the disciples react when they first saw Jesus (surprised, amazed)
What proof did Thomas want before he would believe? (To see and touch Jesus¡¦ wounds)
Psalm 23 - Art Lesson
Teaching Method: Make a wall-hanging to illustrate Psalm 23.
Materials:
· 7" squares of fabric green and blue and white
· Box of felt
· Glue
· Scissors
· Sewing supplies
· Hole punch
· Yarn
Introduction:
Ask the children for examples of symbols that can be found in the church. Symbols can tell stories and serve as reminders of important events. Many symbols evoke emotions.
Activity:
1. Ask the children to close their eyes as you read Psalm 23. After you finish reading, ask the children what kind of pictures or symbols could be used to remind us of the psalm.
2. Tell the children that they will make a wall hanging to illustrate Psalm 23. Give each child a verse to illustrate. As a group, discuss what pictures or symbols could be used to illustrate each verse.
3. Let children choose a fabric square. Have them use the felt to design a picture or symbol. The children may use glue or sew their pictures and symbols onto the fabric square.
4. Join the fabric squares by punching holes in each of the four corners and tying the squares together. Squares with pictures and symbols can be combined with squares containing the words to Psalm 23 to make a larger wall hanging. A more elaborate hanging can be made by sewing and quilting the wall hanging.
March 2, 2008
PALM SUNDAY
Base for stone parade such as cardboard, foamboard, or plywood
Copy machine or printer
Dowel rods, ¼" diameter cut into 8"-10" lengths
Fabric scraps
Glue to affix stones to base
Markers, permanent or puffy paint
Palm trees, small artificial [Optional]
Paper, 8 ½" x 11"
Scissors
Stones, 5-10 per student
Tape, clear packaging type
Advance Preparation Requirements
Prepare a base from cardboard, foamboard, or plywood for the stone parade. Determine the size of the base by estimating the number of people who will add at least five to ten stones per person to the project. The stones will "stand" on the sides of the road to welcome the Messiah.
Use a marker to draw a "road" down the center of the base. Insert eight to ten inch dowel rods at intervals along the sides of the road.
Decide where the stone parade will be displayed. A table in a well-traveled passageway might make a powerful display.
Obtain a large quantity of stones for the project since five to ten are needed per participant. The stones could be collected from a nearby creek, weather permitting, but pond stones or stone edging kits could be purchased at a home store. The pond stones might need to be washed. The disadvantage with the stone edging kit is that the stones are all the same size, but they can be "dressed up" with fabric scraps.
Duplicate a copy of the words for the signs that older students will prepare during class. Note that the signs will need to be pre-printed for younger children. The list might include:
Title sign: Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."
Look your king is coming to you, humble and mounted on a donkey.
Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!
This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.
Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord – the King of Israel!
Save us, O Lord!
Cut poster board into the shape of speech balloons for the signs that will be attached to the dowel rods on the road.
PRESENTATION
Open - Introduction
Set the scene: the background is that Jesus and his followers were going to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Jesus made special arrangements for his entry into the city.
Tell or read together the passage from Luke 19:28-44.
Explain that you will be creating an alternative Palm Sunday parade. This parade is what Jesus said would happen if the Pharisees silenced his followers.
Dig - Main Content
Older students: read all four passages and Psalm 118:25-26.
Younger students: tell the story. Use the quotations from all four passages and Psalm 118.
All students: Be sure they understand that the first word in verse 25 of Psalm 118 in Hebrew is "Hosanna" which is the cry of praise or adoration shouted in recognition of the Messiahship of Jesus on his entry into Jerusalem, Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord![
Talk about what these greetings said about Jesus.
Talk about why the Pharisees wanted to silence the crowd. We are not indispensable to God. If one way of welcoming Jesus to Jerusalem had been stopped by the Pharisees, God would have simply done something else.
Direct the students to select a pre-determined number of stones (5-10) and draw faces on them with the permanent markers.
While the faces are drying, make the signs.
For older students: Provide the list of potential phrases for the signs. Direct the students to select one of the things the crowd called out and to write it on one of the pre-cut poster board speech balloons.
For younger students: have the phrases already printed and direct them to choose and decorate it.
Attach the signs to the dowel rods with cellophane packaging tape.
Attach the stones to the base with tacky glue.
You could add small artificial palm trees along the sides of the road and small scraps of fabric on the path.
Reflect – Closure
Compare your stone parade with a picture of Palm Sunday. God is still speaking even if we as people, are not making the noise, God will still find a way of speaking and doing His will. We only need to stop and listen.
Second Congregational Church
Christian Education Department
Lesson Guide for 03/12/06 through 3/26/06
Station: BibleTechs / Computers
Lesson Plan Title: Palm Sunday
Age Group: PreSchool, K through 4, 5 through 8
Informational Objectives:
- Understand what Palm Sunday is
Understand why Palm Sunday is important to Christians
- Understand what a prophet is
Scripture Passages to be worked with:
- Mark 11:1-11
Psalm 118:26
Activities:
- Check in time, group circle on the floor(welcome, take turns talking about
something important that happened last week)
- Review Map of Jerusalem
- Review Scripture Passages
- Review Life of Christ CD Lesson # 29(A Grand Entry into Jerusalem)
- Question/Answer/Discussion on material
- Write in Prayer Journals
Key points to consider for this lesson
Many of the prophets of the Old Testament predicted the coming of a Savior for their people, someone who would finally make things right and bring justice to the world. The followers of Jesus believed that he was the Savior.
Do you think the people of Jerusalem who did not know about Jesus thought their savior would ride into town on a donkey?
Why did the crowds believe that Jesus was the Messiah? Messiah is a Hebrew word that means the "anointed one" – this is the equivalent of the New Testament Greek word Christ which also means "anointed".
Second Congregational Church
Christian Education Department
Lesson Guide for 03/12/06 through 3/26/06
Station: Raiders of the Lost Art / Arts & Crafts
Lesson Plan Title: Palm Sunday
Age Group: PreSchool, K through 4, 5 through 8
Informational Objectives:
- Understand why Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem.
Understand the geography and climate of Jerusalem.
Understand why palms were used when Jesus entered Jerusalem.
Scripture Passages to be worked with:
Matthew 21:1-11
Activities:
- Check in time, group circle on the floor(welcome, take turns talking about
something important that happened last week)
- Review Scripture Passages
- Do Palm Sunday craft activity
- Question/Answer/Discussion on material
- Write in Prayer Journals
Key points to consider for this lesson
What did the crowds throw down in front of Jesus? Why?
Why did Jesus ride a donkey into Jerusalem?
What was the climate like in Jerusalem?
What was the geography like in Jerusalem?
In pre-Christian times the palm was considered a sign of victory? Does Jesus entry into Jerusalem seem like a victory to you?
How did the Pharisees react to Jesus’ grand entry?
Why did Jesus weep when he saw Jerusalem?
Second Congregational Church
Christian Education Department
Lesson Guide for 03/12/06 through 3/26/06
Station: HolyWood Boulevard / Drama
Lesson Plan Title: Palm Sunday
Age Group: PreSchool, K through 4, 5 through 8
Informational Objectives:
- Understand what Palm Sunday is
Understand the feelings of Jesus and the crowds on Palm Sunday
Understand the different people in the Palm Sunday scripture passages
Scripture Passages to be worked with:
Luke 19:28-46
Zechariah 9:9
Activities:
- Check in time, group circle on the floor(welcome, take turns talking about
something important that happened last week)
- Review Scripture Passages
- Act out Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem(pre through K)
- Act out Palm Sunday Skit(1-4, 5-8)
- Question/Answer/Discussion on material
- Write in Prayer Journals
Key points to consider for this lesson
Who were the Pharisees that were part of the crowd?
What did the crowds shout when Jesus entered Jerusalem? Why?
How did the Pharisees react to Jesus’ grand entry?
Picture something like this happening today in Norway, Maine. What would the people of Norway think about it? What would you think?