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Title: Kindergarten Sabbath School Program, July 8,
2000

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

Date: June 15, 2,000

Abstract: Activities to use in place of program helps
to teach the lesson, JESUS FEEDS HIS FRIENDS
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Lesson Aim: Jesus loves and cares for us and our
family.

Memory Verse: "Go and make disciples of all
nations,....And surely I am with you always......" 
Matthew 28:19,20, NIV


GETTING THEIR ATTENTION - FISHERMEN FUN

Materials needed:
Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers
Hairnet for each child
Glass mirror (one that can be laid on the floor for
the fish to be poured on)

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

WHAT THE CHILDREN DO:
Spread the goldfish out on the mirror.  Give each
child a hairnet.  Have them each practice catching
fish with their hairnet.  They cannot touch the fish
with anything but the hairnet.  After each have
caught some fish talk about whether or not it was
difficult.  When is the best time to fish?  What kind
of equipment do people who fish use today?  In our
Bible story today Jesus' friends, the disciples are
once again fishing.  GO STRAIGHT INTO THE BIBLE
STORY. 
(Divide the fish up into the children's hairnets for
them to take home if desired.)


GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE - BIBLE STORY FISH FIND

Materials needed:
P. 10 in Kindergarten quarterly (Xerox one for each
child) If a quarterly is not available, draw a
net with 20 - 25 fish inside facing different
directions and of varying size.  Xerox this page for
each child in the class.)
Colors

WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead)
Highlight any word in the story having to do with
fish.  (Fish, fishing, fishermen etc.)  If you do
not have a quarterly, write out the story found in
John 21:1-22 so that it includes the mention of
the words, fish, fishing or fishermen 10 - 12 times.

WHAT THE CHILDREN DO:
Give each child a picture and a color.  As they
listen to the story they are to color one of the fish
in the net every time they hear any word that
contains the word fish in it.  


ACTING ON SCRIPTURE - MAKING DISCIPLES

Materials needed:
P.8 in Kindergarten quarterly (Xerox one for each
child) If you do not have a quarterly, make a
border around a plain sheet of paper with stickers or
small pictures of children from other lands.
Colored pencils or markers

WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead)
Xerox a children of the world picture for each child
in the class.

WHAT THE CHILDREN DO:
Have the children draw a picture of themselves in the
center of the page.  Draw their attention to the
different nationalities of the children.  Help the
children understand that Jesus wants us to share His
love with everyone no matter who they are or where
they are from.  Many boys and girls from America may
never see a child from another land.  But everyday we
meet people who are different from ourselves.  They
may be richer or poorer.  They may be totally healthy
or sickly.  They may be mannerly and well-behaved or
they may be bad-tempered and rude.  No matter what
our differences Jesus wants us to show others His
love and teach others about Him.  Have the children
choose a child from the border and draw a line
connecting that child to their picture in the middle. 
Tell one way they can share Jesus' love with that
child.  Choose another child from the border to
connect to yourself.  What can you do to share Jesus'
love with that child?  Continue in this manner for as
long as time or ideas permit.


ACTING ON SCRIPTURE - SEEDY SINS

Materials needed:
Watermelon
Paper plates
Baggies
Plastic knives
Napkins
Wipes

WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead)
Cut a watermelon into small quarter triangular
sections, one for each child.  Place the pieces on
paper plates and put a napkin and plastic knife at
each child's spot.

WHAT THE CHILDREN DO:
Give each child a plate of watermelon, a plastic
knife and a napkin.  Tell them to pretend they are
like a piece of watermelon.  The black seeds
represent the sins in our lives.  When we pray and
ask Jesus to forgive us, what does He do?  He
forgives us and removes that sin from our lives. 
(Have each child identify a seed in their melon.) 
Let's call this sin cheating.  Have them remove
the seed with their plastic knife.  When Jesus
removes a sin, He remembers it no more.  Continue
to identify seeds as different sins and remove them
one by one.  Ask the children for ideas.  After
a few moments have the children observe their piece
of melon.  What are the little holes or pock
marks left in the watermelon?  Places that show where
the seeds once were.  

When Jesus forgives us He does not always take away
some of the scars left by those sins.  When He
forgives your cheating, He does not take away the
fact that you may still have a hard time getting
anyone to play with you for awhile.  When He forgives
your lying, He does not change the face that many
people still don't trust what you say. Even with the
pock marks or holes this watermelon is still sweet
and satisfying.  Jesus wants to help us have a happy
and peaceful life even when we have to live with the
scars of our sins. End this activity with prayer for
each boy and girl.