Title: Primary Sabbath School Program Helps, August 21, 1999 From: NAD Children's Ministries (author: Cyndi Long) Date: July 25, 1999 Abstract: Activities to use in place of lesson helps to teach the lesson, SURPRISE AT THE WEDDING RECEPTION. Lesson Aim: When I do what Jesus asks me to do, I will be truly happy. Memory Verse: "Do whatever he tells you." John 2:5, NIV GETTING THEIR ATTENTION- WEDDING TRADITIONS Materials needed: One square of tightly woven mesh, approx. 3" x 3", per child, various colors would be nice One piece of ribbon, approx. 5" long, per child Enough birdseed for each child to have approx. 1 Tbsp. WHAT THE TEACHER DOES (To prepare ahead): Cut the mesh squares and ribbon into the recommended lengths. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: Have you ever been to a wedding? (Encourage brief answers of who and where) Do you know what a "tradition" is? (Let them answer) What are some of the traditions we have in American weddings? (Encourage different answers. Throwing the bouquet, Tossing birdseed or rice, The couple cutting the cake together) Do you know any other countries wedding traditions? (Russia-Dance with kicking their feet way out and crossing their arms, Cambodian- Tie bride and grooms hands together with a thread and hold money in the brides mouth, Jewish-Carry bride and groom around the room up on chairs in the air) One of the American traditions is throwing rice or bird seed and today we are going to make a little bird seed wedding packet. (Pass out mesh squares, ribbons, and a small amount of bird seed. Help them to put the bird seed into the middle of the square and pull the corners up and tie with the ribbon. Remind them not to open these packages in the church.) In our story today they had a tradition at a wedding and Jesus changed that tradition. Listen and see if you can tell me what it was (Serve the good wine first and save the not so good till last. Jesus made the good wine last). GO STRAIGHT INTO THE BIBLE STORY. GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE- SHADOW BOXES Materials needed: Shoe boxes or box approx. that size, one per child Several mini terra cotta pots per child (Found in Wal-Mart in plant dept.) Enough clay for each child to make 3 small figures plus some for making pots if you didn't purchase them Scraps of material to use as clothing Brown and blue paint for inside of box Purple paper Scissors Glue Paint brushes WHAT THE TEACHER DOES (To prepare ahead): Nothing except gather the materials. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: After telling the story explain that they will be making a shadow box with the scene of Mary, Jesus and the steward at the wedding. The steward is pouring from one pot into another. Make little pots of clay if you didn't get the terra cotta pots. Use the purple paper to tear into little strips and glue from one pot to look like wine pouring. Make your clay figures and stick on strips of cloth for clothes. Paint the room tan with a blue window. Assemble the scene. Encourage the children to be creative. GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE- FILL UP THE JAR Materials needed: Paper cups, one pack A gal. jar, large bowl, or crock Pitcher of water WHAT THE TEACHER DOES (To prepare ahead): There are no advance preparations necessary. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: Have the children line up in a horizontal line. Explain that they will be carefully passing a cup full of water from one to another down the line. At the end of the line the last child will pour it into the bowl. Before they pass the cup they are to say the memory verse. This is not a timed game, otherwise there will be water everywhere. The goal is for precision in accurately saying the verse and filling the bowl, jar, or crock that you have set at the end. ACTING ON SCRIPTURE- A LIGHT IN THE DARK Materials needed: A very dark room with no windows (A closet will do) Bibles, one per child WHAT THE TEACHER DOES (To prepare ahead): There are no advance preparations necessary WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: Tell the children that you want them to go and get their Bibles from the dark room. They are not allowed to turn on the light. Do this in small groups if you have a large amount of children. When they come back with the Bible ask them what it was like in the room. Did they have a hard time seeing? Did they trip over any thing? Bump into anything? What would they like to have had to help them? Go back to the room and turn the lights on. The things that your parents teach you from the Bible help you like a light in a dark room. What God says helps you to decide the best way to go, so you will be happy. His guidance helps to light the way, so that you won't stumble or fall into trouble.