========================================================== Title: Primary Sabbath School Program, September 4, 1999 From: NAD Children's Ministries (author: Lisa Seeders) Date: July 25, 1999 Abstract: Activities to use in place of program helps to teach the lesson, A DADDY ASKS JESUS FOR HELP ========================================================== Lesson Aim: Jesus knows what I need before I do. Before I ask Him for help, He is sending an answer to my prayer. Memory Verse: "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear." Isaiah 65:24, NIV GETTING THEIR ATTENTION - BELIEVE BALLOONS Materials needed: Bag of large balloons Marker Large plastic trash bag WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) Blow the balloons up ahead of time and put them in a large plastic trash bag. Only have one of each color. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: Ask the children what the word "believe" means? (To accept something as absolutely true) Have the children form a circle. Ask them to tell you some things they believe in that they accept as absolutely true. Write each answer on a balloon. (Older Primaries may wish to write their own.) Do not use more than one color of each balloon. For large Sabbath schools write more than one answer on a balloon. Reserve one of the balloons off to the side. If anyone comes up with the idea that they believe in Jesus and what He can do, write that answer on this special balloon. If they do not mention believing in Jesus you will need to submit it as an idea and write it on the balloon yourself. When the children have thought of all the ideas they can, bat all the balloons into the air keeping within the circle. Challenge the children to keep them all up and not let any fall to the floor. They may not move out of the circle. After one minute ask them which balloon has the most important belief on it? One-by-one let all the balloons fall back into the trash bag except the one about believing in Jesus. In our Bible story today a man realizes that believing in Jesus and what He can do is the most important thing to him. GO STRAIGHT INTO THE BIBLE STORY. GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE - GOD'S ANSWERING MACHINE Materials needed: Cassette tape recorder Blank tape Bibles 3 X 5 cards (one for each child) Pencils WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) Print the memory verse on a 3 X 5 card for each child leaving out the vowels. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: Give each child a 3 X 5 card. Look up the memory verse together in the Bible. Explain that the memory verse is what God wants us to know when we call on Him. Sometimes people have answering machines so that they can make sure and receive all their calls. They leave a message instructing callers on how to reach them. Have each child figure out the memory verse message. Instruct them to learn it. When they know it by heart send them one by one to the closet or out to a hallway where the tape recorder is set-up. They are to make up a message they think God would put on His answering machine, if He used one. The beginning of the message should be the memory verse, followed by their own creation. (Example: Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. You don't need to leave your name or number I already know who you are and what you need. Just be patient and I will show you what I can do.) For children who cannot think of a creative message or who haven't grasped the meaning of the verse, have them just repeat the verse into the recorder. Play back the messages discussing whether they support the memory verse idea or not. ACTING ON SCRIPTURE - BELIEVE BIBLE GAME Materials needed: Twenty-four 3 X 5 cards (plain without lines) Markers or pens WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) Divide the twenty-four cards into two stacks of twelve each. Print the following twelve statements, one to a card on both stacks of cards. Shuffle the cards well. 1. I believe Jesus really loves me. 2. I believe Jesus hears prayers. 3. I believe Jesus knows what people need. 4. I believe Jesus wants me in Heaven with Him. 5. I believe Jesus works miracles. 6. I believe Jesus forgives. 7. I believe Jesus lived on this earth. 8. I believe Jesus died for my sins. 9. I believe Jesus is powerful. 10. I believe Jesus is coming back again. 11. I believe Jesus can change me. 12. I believe Jesus is real. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: This game is designed for small groups of 3-4 players in each group. If groups are larger, more duplicate cards will be needed. Give each child 3-4 cards. Place the rest in the center as a draw pile. Explain that written on each card is something we can choose to believe about Jesus. Designate a child within the group to ask any other child if they have a certain card by stating what they believe. Example: Child says, "I believe Jesus forgives. Do you____________?" The child who has been asked, if they have the card replies, "Yes I believe it" and hands the card over to the one who did the asking. Those cards are now a set and are removed and placed beside the child who received them. If the child asked did not have the card, they would reply, "I believe it, but I don't have it." The play then moves on to the next player. All players should have 3-4 cards in their hand at all times. The game is over when all the cards have been matched into sets. The winner is not who has the most sets but who can remember the most things they believe about Jesus. ACTING ON SCRIPTURE - BELIEVE BAGS Materials needed: Small brown lunch bags (one for each child) Markers Glitter pens Pretty stickers Magnetic tape 2-3 sheets of card stock or other heavier paper Scissors WHAT THE TEACHER DOES (To prepare ahead) Print or type the same "I believe" statements from the previous acting on scripture activity on the sheets of card stock. Cut the statements in 2" long by 1" high rectangles. Make each child all 12 of the believe cards. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: Give each child a brown lunch bag to decorate. Explain that it is their believe bag. It will hold cards that remind them of things they believe about their friend, Jesus. Give each child 12 believe cards. Have them put a small piece of magnetic tape on the back of each one. Have them add the cards to their bag. Encourage them to draw one out of their bag each day and read it or have someone read it to them. Pray especially that God will help you really believe what it says. Stick it on the refrigerator so you can remember it throughout the day.