******************************************************************************
Title: Kindergarten Sabbath School Program, July 24, 1999

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

Date Completed: June 15, 1999

Abstract: Activities to use as a supplement to help teach the lesson, GIFTS FOR
THE BABY
******************************************************************************
Lesson Aim: Knowing and loving Jesus is the most important thing in the world
for us.

Memory Verse: "You will seek me and find me........."  Jeremiah 29:13, NIV


GETTING THEIR ATTENTION - TREASURE HUNT (A visual & kinesthetic activity)

Materials needed:
Large gold stars, preferably self-sticking (one for each child)

WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead)
Hide the stars in various locations in the room.

WHAT THE CHILDREN DO:
Tell the children that there is a special treasure hidden somewhere in the room
for each of them. It is something they can wear.  When they find it, they can put
it on and return to their seats.  In our Bible story today several people are
searching for a special treasure.  The treasure that each boy and girl found this
morning is also mentioned in the story.  Listen for it.  GO STRAIGHT INTO THE
BIBLE STORY.


GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE - BIBLE STORY PEEK-A-BOO BOOK (A multi-sensory activity)

Materials needed:
Five half sheets of construction paper for each child
Five 3 X 5 cards for each child
Scotch Tape
Stapler
Star stickers for each child
Picture or sticker of baby Jesus for each child
Paper crowns or crown stickers, one for each child
3 different types of wrapping paper (Cut out three shapes to represent the wise
men's gifts for each child)
One red construction paper heart for each child


WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead)
Staple the five half sheets of construction paper together to form a book for
each child.  On each of the children's 3 X 5 cards print one of the following
verses:

Something's shining in the sky
up beyond the moon so high
Wonder what this thing could be
Lift the flap and you will see

Wise men on their camels go out
to find the babe they've read about
Wonder who this babe could be
Lift the flap and you will see

Someone else searches in great alarm
For he wants to do the baby harm
Wonder who this someone could be?
Lift the flap and you will see

Three gifts do the wise men bring
To kneel and present to the little king
Wonder what those gifts will be?
Lift the flap and you will see

If you read your Bible and pray
You too can find Jesus every day
Wonder what your gift can be?
Lift the flap and you will see

WHAT THE CHILDREN DO:
Give each child a construction paper book.  Have them lay a 3 X 5 card on each
sheet of their book in the middle and scotch tape it across the top.  This will
create a "flap" to lift.  Make sure they tape the cards in order as the verses
appear above.  As you tell the story, stop at the appropriate spot and read the
3 X 5 card together.  Give them the appropriate picture or sticker to place
under the flap.  When their book is completely finished, review over it quickly
showing them how to share the story with someone else.


GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE - MEMORY VERSE SEEK & FIND GAME (A multi-sensory
activity)

Materials needed:
One blindfold
Bibles

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

WHAT THE CHILDREN:
Show the children where the memory verse is found in the Bible.  Talk about how
much the wise men wanted to find the new baby king.  They spent a lot of time
studying about Him, and a long time searching for Him until they found Him.

Form a large circle with the children holding hands.  (If your Sabbath school is
small use chairs as extra boundaries, but keep the circle fairly large.)  Pick
one child to be the "seeker".  He is blindfolded and roams around in the circle
saying the first four words of the memory verse, "You will seek me..."  Pick
another child to be the "promise".  He too roams around in the circle, but he
can see.  Whenever the "seeker" repeats the first four words of the memory verse
the "promise" has to say the last three words,..and find me...."  That way the
"seeker" has a clue where the "promise" is by hearing his/her voice.  When the
"seeker" touches the "promise" they say the memory verse together and return to
the peripheral of the circle.  Continue this activity with other children until
the memory verse is learned or as time allows. Help the children understand that
Jesus promises us when we truly seek Him and want to know Him, we will find Him.  


ACTING ON SCRIPTURE - SEEKING JESUS BOXES (A multi-sensory activity)

Materials needed:
8 Shoe boxes or other small boxes (Must have lids)
Scissors
Glue or tape
Flashlight
Following pictures or real objects:  The Bible and Kindergarten lesson quarterly;
A Sabbath school class; A child praying; Nature scene or nature articles;
Spiritual books; Songbook or piece of music; A VBS invitation or anything having
to do with VBS; A picture of an adult interacting with a child

WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead)
Cut a hole the size of a quarter in one end of each shoe box.  Place one object
from the materials list above in each box.  If pictures are used, tape them
inside on the opposite end from the hole, so that when the children peek in the
hole they can clearly be seen.  Secure the lids on each box.

WHAT THE CHILDREN DO: 
Place the boxes in various spots throughout the room.  Explain to the children
that they will take a walk with you to seek out some ways we can find Jesus or
get to know Him better.  Give each child a turn with the flashlight to peek
through the hole in the box.  Have them remain quiet about what they see until
each child has had an opportunity to peek.  Talk about how each thing they see
helps them to know Jesus better.  (Below are two examples of how to discuss the
boxes.)

Adult with child - Ask people questions about Jesus
Bible & quarterly - Read or have someone read what is written about Jesus