===================================================== Title: Primary Sabbath School Program, April 29, 2000 From: NAD Children's Ministries (author: Renee Ammundsen) Abstract: Activities to use in place of program helps to teach the lesson, A WICKED SERVANT AND TEN SLEEPING BRIDESMAIDS ===================================================== Lesson Aim: The Holy Spirit will help me get prepared and be ready for Jesus when He returns. Memory Verse: "Keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Matt. 25:13, NIV GETTING THEIR ATTENTION BE READY [Materials needed: 12 inch rulers (one per every two children); one dollar bills (one per every two children)] [Directions: Divide the children into pairs. Give one child from each pair the ruler. Explain to them that they are to sit and face each other. The person holding the ruler grasps it at the "zero" end between their thumb and index finger, letting the remainder hang down toward the floor. Their partner opposite them holds their hand level with the 12" side of the hanging ruler with index finger and thumb poised open ready to grab the ruler. The ruler should be hanging just a small bit between their thumb and finger. Instruct the children to let go of the ruler at any time and see if their partner can catch it. There is to be no signal given as to when the ruler will be dropped. The "receiving" partners just need to be ready at any moment. Try the game 2-3 times and then have the partners switch jobs. Next, hand out the one dollar bills. Tell the children that maybe they will be more ready if something valuable is at stake. The ruler wasn't of any real importance, but the dollar might give them some incentive to be better prepared. After several tries with the dollar follow up with the discussion questions, then go straight into the lesson. 1. Even though you knew it was coming, why was it so hard to be prepared for the ruler? 2. Do you think practicing would help increase your ability to be ready? Jesus knew that we would have a hard time getting ready and staying ready for His second coming. He told us some parables to help us understand how important it was to be prepared and what help was available to us in getting ready for His return. GO STRAIGHT INTO LESSON. GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE READY...LISTEN...CATCH [Materials needed: Bean bags (one per every 6-8 children; home-made bean bags can be made using dried beans in socks with a knot tied in the top of the sock); Bibles] [Directions: Divide the children into small groups with 6-8 children in each group. Instruct them to sit in a circle far enough apart to make an interesting game of catch. Give the bean bag to one person in each group. Tell the children that as you tell them the Bible story they will hear you mention the words, ready or prepared at different times. If they hear one of these words mentioned they should be "ready" to toss the bean bag to someone else in the circle immediately. The bean bag must always be tossed to someone who has not had a turn to catch it before it can be sent back to others for repeat turns. If someone misses tossing the bean bag when they should have, they move into the middle of the circle to sit until the story is over. Also if they toss it to someone who has already had a turn before everyone else in the group as had a turn, they have to go sit in the middle. Use the story below. After the story is over have the children remain in the small circles to look up the memory verse. Assign each child portions of the memory verse in sequential order as follows: Child 1 - (So you also) Child 2 - (must be ready) Child 3 - (because the Son of Man) Child 4 - (will come) Child 5 - (at an hour) Child 6 - (when you) Child 7 - (do not expect Him.") Child 8 - (Matt. 24:44). Pin a slip of paper with a number written on it from 1 - 8 on each child to show what number they are. The child with the beginning phrase of the verse says the verse and tosses the bean bag to the child wearing the number 2. Child number 2 says hisportion of the verse and tosses the bean bag to child number 3. Continue in this manner until the whole verse has been said, including the text. Play the game several times trying to improve the speed and accuracy. Large Sabbath schools may have several games going on at once. ACTING ON SCRIPTURE WEDDING INVITATIONS [Materials needed: poster board; paper; markers; stencils; stickers; glitter; glue] [Directions: Each student will make an invitation to the wedding party in Heaven. The invitation may be poster- size and hung in the classroom or hallway of the church or note-book paper size and given out to an individual. Divide the children into small groups and place them at a craft table where the materials are easily accessible to all. As they are working discuss the following questions:] 1. Who can receive an invitation to the wedding party in Heaven? (Mark 16:15, 16) 2. Who is preparing the wedding for our arrival? (John 14:1-3) FLOATING CANDLES [Materials needed: plastic drinking cup lids (ask a convenience store like 7-ll to sell you some; choose the smallest size) one lid for each child; a strand of candle wick cut into « - 3/4" pieces (one piece for each child); hole puncher; clear glass bowls(large enough to float 3-4 plastic lids in); measuring cup; water; oil; matches; texts printed on poster board leaving room for 1-2 words for explanation. Check bottom of supplement for texts and answers] [Directions: Ahead of time punch two holes in the top of the drinking cup lid, one on the left and one on the right. In the center use a sharp pair of scissors or a knife to punch a small hole for the wick to be pushed up through. DO NOT PUNCH A BIG HOLE OR THE WICK WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE. When it is time for this center, divide the children into smaller groups with 6-8 children in each group. An adult leader must be present to help at each group table. Before the children begin, ask them what the oil in the virgins lamps represented? (The power of the Holy Spirit) We need the power of the Holy Spirit if we are going to be ready when our Bridegroom, Jesus returns for us. From the front, lead the children in the following steps: 1. Give each child a plastic lid and a wick. Have them thread the wick up through the lid. The lid is right-side up when it is turned the opposite direction from the way you would snap it onto the cup. The rim should be facing upward. 2. Using the measuring cup fill the clear glass bowls half full with water. Add enough oil so there is approximately 1/4" layer laying on top of the water. 3. Each child now adds their candle to the bowl. While the candles are burning, have each child or group of children look up one of the texts below that were written on the poster board. Ask them to discover a specific thing the Holy Spirit will help them do to be prepared for Jesus's return. Write their answer opposite the text on the poster board. Blow the candles out and after they have cooled put each child's in a plastic bag to take home. Encourage them to share what they've learned. Luke 12:10 - teach me what to say Luke 10:21 - fill me with joy John 14:26 - teach me all things Acts 1:8 - give me power to witness Acts 2:4 - give me the power to speak other languages Acts 9:31 - strengthen and encourage me Acts 20:23 - warn me of trouble Rom. 5:5 - give me love for others