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Title: Kindergarten Sabbath School Program, March 20,
1999

From: NAD Children's Ministries (author: Lisa Seeders)

Date Completed: January 31, 1999

Abstract: Activities to use in place of program helps
to teach the lesson, KINDNESS WINS A WAR
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Lesson Aim: Jesus is always ready to help us.

Memory Verse: "......with God all things are possible." 
Matt. 19:26, NIV


GETTING THEIR ATTENTION - FLOATERS OR SINKERS (A visual
& kinesthetic activity)

Materials needed:
Tray
Bowl
Water
Nail
Penny
Paper Clip
Thumb tack
Button
Marble
Towel OR napkin

WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead)
Assemble the above items (except for the bowl and
water) on a towel or napkin on the tray.

WHAT THE CHILDREN DO:
Fill the bowl with water. Show the children the items
on the tray. Ask them to guess which items will float
when put in the water. Call for volunteers to
experiment with each item. When an item sinks to the
bottom of the bowl, ask the children if there is any
way it could come back up to the top on its own. The
only way to get it out would be to take it out or
drain all the water out of the bowl.

In our Bible story today, something falls into the
muddy Jordan river. It's much heavier than any of the
items on our tray, and it floats back up to the top
again!

GO STRAIGHT INTO THE BIBLE STORY.


GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE - MEMORY VERSE FRUIT BASKET (A
visual & kinesthetic activity)

Materials needed:
6 different kinds of fruit (Enough for each child to
have one of each kind) 
Quart-size cardboard strawberry containers (One for
each child)
Markers
Stickers
Bibles

WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead)
Wash fruit thoroughly. Print the memory verse with a
pen around the outside walls of the strawberry
containers.

WHAT THE CHILDREN DO:
Show the children where the memory verse is found in
the Bible. Talk about how hard it would be to show
kindness to someone who is being unkind to us. The
memory verse tells us that it is possible, only with
God's help, to show kindness no matter what.

1.  Give each child a strawberry container to decorate.
They may trace over the memory verse words with markers
and add stickers.
2.  Refer to their basket as a kindness basket. Today
it will be filled with fruit to share with others who
need our kindness. Help each child select some fruit
for their basket. When their fruit has all been shared
this week, they can fill it with other goodies to
share. Talk about who they will share the fruit with
this week. Remind them to pray for help in sharing
kindness with those who are being unkind this week.


ACTING ON SCRIPTURE - KINDNESS TUG-O-WAR (An auditory &
kinesthetic activity)

Materials needed:
Rope (15 - 20 feet in length)
Masking tape

WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead)
Every 4 feet put a knot in the rope. Make a 3-4 foot
horizontal boundary line with the tape.

WHAT THE CHILDREN DO:
Line the children up in a vertical row on one side of
the masking tape. They need to be about
3 feet back from the tape. Place yourself 3 feet back
on the opposite side of the tape. Point out to the
children that they are on one side and you are on the
other. That is how you play the game Tug-of-War. Each
side tries to win by pulling the most rope over to
their side.

Today we will play a kindness Tug-of-War. Every day we
get into little battles with others. I do something
mean, you do something mean back. I say something mean,
you say something mean back. Each of us keeps trying to
win.

To start the game the first child in line picks up the
end of the rope. The teacher picks up the opposite end.
In this game the teacher will say something to start a
battle. The first child in line says something kind he
can do back. He then pulls the rope up to the first
knot. He goes to the back of the line. The second child
in line thinks of something else kind that can be done
to end that battle. He pulls the rope up to the second
knot and goes to the back of the line. If all four
knots are pulled away from the teacher's side, then
"kindness" (or the children) win the battle. The
teacher then begins with a new battle statement. During
the game point out how many times kindness wins the
battle whereas pulling and tugging back and forth would
not be nearly as effective.

Some suggestions for battles:
I am your brother, and I make fun of the way you play
ball.
I am your friend, and I tell people secrets about you
behind your back.
I am your teacher, and I punish you for cheating in a
game and you didn't.
I am your mom, and I holler at you because I am tired.
I am your little sister, and I scribble on all the
pages of your best coloring book.


ACTING ON SCRIPTURE - KINDNESS AND ME (A visual
activity)

Materials needed:
One sheet of plain white paper for each child
Crayons or markers

WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead)
There are no advance preparations necessary.

WHAT THE CHILDREN DO:
Give each child a sheet of plain white paper. Ask them
to draw a picture of themselves doing some kind things
for others. Encourage them to take their paper home and
remember what they've drawn. Ask them to look for ways
they can do the things they've pictured themselves
doing.