===================================================================== Title: Primary Sabbath School Program, October 10, 1998 From: NAD Children's Ministries (author: Lisa Seeders) Date: September 15, 1998 Abstract: Activities to use in place of program helps to teach the lesson, THE DAY THE SUN STOOD STILL ===================================================================== Lesson Aim: God will give me the power to do what He asks me to do. Memory Verse: "If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." I John 5:14, NIV GETTING THEIR ATTENTION - SUN/EARTH OBJECT LESSON Materials needed: Felt Bible figures (Enough for half the class to have one small man; make paper figures if felts not available in Kindergarten or Beginner Division) Safety pins (Enough to pin the felt figures on the children) WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) There are no advance preparations necessary WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: Pair the children off in twos. Assign the pairs a small area of room to stand in. Name one child in each pair the sun. Name the other child in each pair the earth. Pin a small felt man figure onto the shirt of each "earth" child. Refer to the felt figure's name as Joshua. Using one pair of children as an example from the front, have the "earth" children stand directly facing the "sun" child so their Joshua figure is facing the sun. Direct the "earth" children to slowly turn around while they also circle around the "sun" child one time. Ask these questions as they follow your instructions. "Is Joshua able to face the sun all the time? (No) Why not? (Because the earth is spinning and rotating around the sun. "When Joshua is not facing the sun what time of day is it? (Night) "Does the sun seem to be doing any moving?" (No) "In order for Joshua to have more day or light time from the sun what would have to happen? (The earth would have to stop spinning) In our story today God performed a miracle so that one day would seem as long two. Have the children sit down and GO STRAIGHT INTO THE BIBLE STORY. GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE - Miniature Panorama Materials needed: Green Play-doh (bought or homemade ; see recipe at end of activity) Styrofoam cut into a 3' X 2' piece 1 cup of play sand Glue 2-3 small boxes of varying size (none bigger than a 64-set Crayola Crayon box) 2-3 sheets of paper Toothpicks (1 small box) Popsicle sticks (10-12) 2 Household paintbrushes (sm.) 2 Baby food jars with small nail holes punched in the lids (to make shakers) Hot glue gun Yellow circle cut from construction paper. Masking tape WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) Mix up the homemade play dough if needed. Place the styro foam board in the middle of the room on the floor or on a table. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: Divide the children into pairs. Assign each pair one of the following jobs. 1. Make the dirt floor of the battleground. (Using the paintbrushes, coat the styro foam with glue, then sprinkle the sand in the baby food jars all over the glue.) 2. Mold the green play-doh into a mountain shape and place toward one of the ends of the styro foam board. 3. Cut some windows into the boxes and tape them together to build the city of Gibeon. 4. Rip 2-3 sheets of paper up and roll into tight wads for hail stones. 5. Hot glue toothpicks to popsicle sticks so you have a row of them to represent an army. (Leave enough toothpick hanging out the bottom to push into the styro foam board.) When the miniature panorama is finished, have the children gather around it for the story. As you tell the story, let them arrange the armies, the five kings (5 separate toothpicks), and Joshua (1 separate toothpick) to create a realistic re-enactment. Add the sun disc when appropriate. Homemade play dough recipe - 2 cups flour; 1 cup salt; 2 cups water; green food coloring; 4 tsp. Cream of tartar. Cook until mixture comes away from pan. Cool and knead. Store in tight containers. GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE - MEMORY VERSE REVIEW Materials needed: Chalk board OR write on/wipe off board OR piece of newsprint pad paper or poster board Writing medium WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) Write the correct number of blanks for each word of the memory verse. Write the alphabet across the top or bottom of the board. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: The children take turns guessing letters they think may fit in the blanks. (Wheel of Fortune type game) Whatever letter is guessed is filled in wherever it occurs in the verse. After the children have filled in the entire verse, erase one word at a time repeating the verse after each erasing. Be sure and discuss what "according to His will" means with the children. A good explanation is found on p. 9 in the quarterly. ACTING ON SCRIPTURE- PLUGGED INTO POWER Materials needed: Construction paper Curling ribbon Scissors Hole puncher (Sm. Holed kind) Marking pens WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare in advance) Draw or trace the end of a large plug onto construction paper. Include everything around the plug except the cord. Cut the plug out. Make enough plugs for each child to have 3-4. Use different colored construction paper. Cut the curling ribbon into one foot lengths. Cut enough for each child to have three to four pieces. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: Guide the children in understanding that it is God who gave Joshua the power and the miracle he needed to win the battle against the Canaanite kings. Because Joshua did what God told him to, God gave him the power he needed to do it. God will give each of us that same power when we ask Him to. Do we need more power at the beginning of our day or at the end when we are ready to go to sleep? Praying at night is VERY important. We tell God about our day, ask for forgiveness and pray for protection throughout the night. But praying for power at the beginning of the day is essential! How can we expect power throughout the day if we haven't plugged into the source of power, which is God? Give out the construction paper plugs. Have each child punch a small hole on the opposite end from the prongs where the cord would have come out. Next give out the ribbons. Insert a ribbon through the hole and tape it down to the plug. Show the children how to use scissors to curl the ribbon so it looks like a phone cord. On one side of the construction paper plug have each child write the words, Am I plugged in today? (Younger children can trace over words that have already been printed.) Encourage the children to take the plugs home and stick them in prominent places where they will be sure to see them each morning as they go about their daily routine. (Mirrors, closet door etc.)