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Title: Kindergarten Program Helps for the Sabbath
School Lesson, September 22, 2001

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

Date Completed: August 15, 2001

Abstract: Activities to use in place of program helps
to teach the lesson, A PARADE FROM GOD
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Lesson Aim: God will do great things for us if we
lovingly obey Him.

Memory Verse: "The Lord has done great things for us." 
Psa. 126:3, NIV


GETTING THEIR ATTENTION - BRAIDED BOOKMARK

Materials needed:
Three colors of plastic cord (lanyard or lacing) 
   (Red, white, and blue--may substitute other colors;
   enough for each child to have one of each color)
   14" strand of each color for each child
Key rings (one for each child)
Thin ribbon (6" for each child)

WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead)
Use a knot tied in the center of each strand of cord to
fasten all three cords to the ring in this order (L-R):
red, white, blue. The children will be braiding the
three pairs of strands together.

WHAT THE CHILDREN DO:
Give each child a ring with their three cord strands
hanging from it.  Explain to them that they are going
to learn to braid.  In order to be able to braid, they
will have to listen and follow your instructions very
carefully.  Begin by having them smooth out their
strands on the table in front of them and separate the
colors.  Show the children how to hold the strands in
their hands.  Instruct them to cross both the red cords
over the white cords. Instruct them to cross both the
blue cords over the red cords.  Repeat the instructions
until the children have memorized the pattern and
rhythm.  (Left over center...right over center etc.) 
When the braid is finished, tie it with the ribbon
while they hold it for you.  Talk to them about what
would have happened to the braid if they had not
followed your instructions exactly?  In our Bible story
today if the children of Israel had not followed God's
instructions exactly they would have lost a very
important battle.  GO STRAIGHT INTO THE BIBLE STORY.
GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE - BIBLE STORY FOOD FUN

Materials needed:
Large marshmallows (one bag)
Tin foil
Apple slices (approximately 4 for each child)
Graham crackers (quarter piece for each child)
Grapes (approximately 11 for each child)
Toothpicks (7 for each child)
Raisins (handful for each child)
Ziploc bags

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

WHAT THE CHILDREN DO:
Have the children sit at a table with a piece of tin
foil in front of them.  Have them add the following
foods to illustrate the Bible story as you narrate it. 
When the story is over put everything in a bag to take
home unless you have made previous arrangements for all
children to have permission to eat the snacks after the
story.
1.  Each child builds a round wall with marshmallows. 
    (This is the wall of Jericho)
2.  Each child lays four apples slices down as the
    first line in front of the wall.  (These are the
    warriors)
3.  Each child puts a toothpick trumpet in the seven
    grapes and lays them down as the second line. 
    (These are the priests with the trumpets)
4.  Each child lays down four grapes and places the
    graham cracker across the top as the third line. 
    (These are the priests carrying the ark)
5.  Each child lays down rows of raisins in neat order
    as the last line.  (These represent the rest of
    the army of Israel)

The children can march around the table seven times,
then GENTLY disassemble their wall of Jericho.  Put
everything away and talk about the need to follow God's
instructions exactly in order to receive His help and
blessings.


GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE - MEMORY VERSE SONG AND BODY
MOVEMENT

Materials needed:
Piano player or cassette recorder
Music to the tune of "This is the way we wash our
hands, so early in the morning"

WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead)
Learn to sing the memory verse to the tune of So Early
in the Morning



The Lord has done great things for us
things for us
things for us
The Lord has done great things for us
The Bible tells me so!

WHAT THE CHILDREN DO:
Have the children wiggle, jump, skip, hop and do
general body movements until the end of the song, then
everyone freezes in whatever position they are in.  Ask
a child the following question.  If he gives an answer,
everyone can unfreeze and begin movements and singing
again.  If he cannot answer, everyone stays frozen
until you find a child who can answer.  Give broad
clues if necessary.

Tell me something great that God did for the children
of Israel on their journey to the Promised Land.  

(Gave them manna to eat, gave them water to drink,
helped them win battles, helped them cross rivers on
dry land, helped them get well from snake bites, helped
them learn how to worship Him, protected them from
enemies, helped them understand who He was by giving
them His laws)

ACTING ON SCRIPTURE - PRAISE REPORTERS

Materials needed:
Small spiral-bound notebooks
Stickers
Pens

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

WHAT THE CHILDREN DO:
Give each child a spiral-bound notebook and pen.  Have
them write their name on the front or in the front
cover.  Give them stickers to decorate the front of the
notebook with.  Tell them they are Praise Reporters. 
They are to take their notebook and pen with them when
they go places.  They ask people to write down
something in the notebook that they want to thank Jesus
for doing for them.  They don't have to sign their
name.  They can ask people at church, family members,
teachers etc.  Challenge them to see how many words of
praise and thanks they can collect before next Sabbath. 
They are to bring their notebooks back with them to
Sabbath school next week.  The pieces of paper can be
torn from the notebooks, mounted on nice card stock and
displayed on bulletin boards at church for others to
enjoy and to encourage a spirit of praise and
thanksgiving.