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Title: Kindergarten Sabbath School Program, December 18, 1999

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

Date Completed: November 1, 1999

Abstract: Activities to use in place of program helps to teach the lesson, 
VISITORS FROM HEAVEN
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Lesson Aim: Jesus gives the comfort we need.

Memory Verse: "This is my Son, whom I love;.....Listen to him!"  
Matt. 17:5, NIV


GETTING THEIR ATTENTION - CREATING A COMFORT CORNER (A multi-sensory activity)

Materials needed:
Empty corner of the room (Big enough for group to snuggle around in)
2-3 pillows
2-3 blankets
The Bible Story, vol. 8 or another Bible story book with pictures from this 
week's lesson
Lamp with a low-wattage light bulb
Cassette player and tape with quiet soothing music (no words)
2-3 stuffed animals
Large box or trash bags to stuff the above materials in

WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead)
Put all the items into a box or several large trash bags.  Clear out a 
corner of the room where the children can create an area to lounge in for 
the Bible story.

WHAT THE CHILDREN DO:
Ask the children if they know what comfort is?  Have they ever needed 
comforted before?  What do they have at home that makes them feel comforted?  
(Special blanket or stuffed animal, special place in the home etc.)  What 
things have people done for them that have made them feel comforted?  (Kiss, 
hug, word of encouragement etc.) Have the children draw items from the 
box or bags and take them to the corner of the room.   Encourage them to 
place the items in such a way as to create a relaxing, comforting area 
they would like to be in.  After the corner is finished and everyone is 
snuggled down and comfortable, tell them the Bible story showing pictures 
from the book.  Introduce the story saying, "In our story today three of 
Jesus special disciple friends needed some extra comfort.  He didn't provide 
them with blankets, or pillows or stories.  He gave them something else.  
GO STRAIGHT INTO THE BIBLE STORY.

GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE - COMFORT CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTS (A multi- sensory 
activity)

Materials needed:
Christmas cookie cutters (Only religious symbols)
Gold elastic thread
Colored craft foam
Scissors

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

WHAT THE CHILDREN DO:
Have each child make several different ornaments using different cookie 
cutters and colors of foam.  Trace the shape onto the foam and cut it out.  
Print the memory verse with fine-tip markers onto the shape.  Using 
something like the tip of a compass punch a small hole in the top of 
the shape.  Thread gold elastic thread through the hole and tie in a 
knot.  Have children make several ornaments, some for keeping and others 
for sharing.  Show the children where the verse is found in the Bible.  
Practice saying it together several times.


ACTING ON SCRIPTURE - COMFORT CATCH (A multi-sensory activity)

Materials needed:
Ball

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

WHAT THE CHILDREN DO:
Have the children stand in a circle.  Give the ball to one of the children 
in the circle.  Make-up a situation about another child in the circle who 
needs comfort.  (Example: If Cindy told you she felt nobody liked her at 
school, how would you comfort her?)  The child with the ball answers and 
throws the ball to Cindy.  Make up another situation about another child 
in the circle.  The child with the ball always gives an example of how 
they would comfort the troubled child, then tosses the ball to him/her.  
Continue in this manner until all children have had a turn.  When Jesus 
gives us comfort, He wants us to share comfort with those around us.


ACTING ON SCRIPTURE - COMFORT COMMUNICATION (A primarily auditory activity)

Materials needed:
Stuffed animal

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

WHAT THE CHILDREN DO:
Have the children sit in a circle.  Explain to them that sometimes we can 
comfort others by the things we say to them.  Tell them you are going to 
whisper something in the person's ear to your direct left.  It will be 
something they can say to comfort another person.  At the same time pass 
the stuffed animal.  The child on your left whispers the same thing in the 
person's ear to their left and passes the stuffed animal.  The whispering 
and animal passing continues around the circle until it gets back to you.  
Compare what you hear with what you originally said.