Title: Primary Sabbath School Program, October 30, 1999 From: NAD Children’s Ministries (Author: Cyndi Long) Date: September 15, 1999 Abstract: Activities to use in place of program helps to teach the lesson, JESUS’ POWER OVER DEATH Lesson Aim: God can help me by doing things that seem impossible, if it is for my best good. Memory Verse: “For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37, NIV. GETTING THEIR ATTENTION- IMPOSSIBLE BRIDGE Materials needed: Each child needs: Three cups One sheet of typing paper Pennies WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To Prepare Ahead): There are no advance preparations other than trying out the directions below to see how it works. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: Place two of the cups upside down on the table a small ways apart. Now place the paper on top to make a bridge. Put the third cup with a couple pennies inside on the bridge of paper and see if the bridge will hold it. Is it impossible? Why doesn’t the paper hold up the cup? It is too weak. Sometimes we try to do things that are impossible to do because we don’t have the power, or we are too weak. Now fold your piece of paper lengthwise accordion style with approx. ˝ in. pleats. Lay your paper back onto the two upside down cups and put your third cup onto the paper bridge. Now what happens? It holds the cup. Why did the paper hold up the cup? Because the folds in the paper gave it strength so it was able to do an impossible thing. God gives us strength to do impossible things when they are to His glory and according to His will. We learned about something impossible in our lesson this week. GO STRAIGHT INTO THE BIBLE STORY. GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE- POPCORN PEOPLE STORY Materials needed: Popcorn, already popped Markers Toothpicks Large box lid OR anything approx. the size of a cat litter box Sand, enough to fill the bottom of the box, approx. 2" Script printed on to separate slips of paper WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To Prepare Ahead) Xerox the script and cut it apart according to the speaking parts. Optional parts are for larger Sabbath schools according to class size need. SCRIPT Narrator: The people of Capernaum were excited because Jesus was coming back to visit them. Excited Villagers (Opt): Hurray! Jesus is coming to visit us soon. Narrator: A Roman Centurion who lived in Capernaum was especially glad He was coming. Centurion: Oh, I am so glad that Jesus is coming now. I hope that He will come and heal my sick servant. I love this servant very much and I am afraid he will die soon. I know Jesus can make him better. I think I will go and talk to the Jewish leaders in the synagogue that I built for them and ask them to speak to Jesus about healing my servant. Narrator: The Centurion was a kind man and had treated the Jewish people well, so the leaders did what he asked. Jewish Leaders (Opt): Yes, of course, we will talk to Jesus. Narrator: Jesus agreed to go to the Centurion’s house. Narrator: So Jesus and all the people around Him began walking to the centurions house. As He got close to the house the Centurion heard He was coming and sent out a servant. Centurion: Go, and tell Jesus that He doesn’t need to come to my house. Servant: Master, you need not bother to come all the way to the house. My master says he’s not good enough for You to visit. Narrator: But Jesus kept on walking. So the Centurion himself went out to meet Jesus. Centurion: Please, don’t trouble Yourself with coming all the way to my house. If You just say the word, I know my servant will be healed. Narrator: Jesus turned to the crowd and said, I tell you, this is the greatest faith I have seen anywhere, even in Israel. Then He told the Centurion, your servant is healed. Narrator: So the centurion went back to his house and found his beloved servant well. Now Jesus left Capernaum and walked about 25 miles to the village of Nain. As they got close they could hear the sound of crying. Weepers (opt): (Making the sounds of weeping and crying) Narrator: Jesus and His followers found the funeral procession and learned that it was for the only son of a widow. Narrator: Jesus told the widow not to cry. Then He lifted the young man up off the brier and returned him to his mother. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: Pass out the script parts to the children. Give each child the number of toothpicks they will need for their character or characters. Give them each the same amount of popcorn. These will be the heads. Have them use markers to draw on eyes, noses, and mouths. Some may also want to add distinguishing features like a beards, a white hat for the synagogue leaders, a black head dress for the widow, a yellow or gold helmet for the centurion, etc. Stick the popcorn on one end of the toothpick and stick the other end down into the sand. Rearrange the toothpick figures as the storyline moves along. GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE- MEMORY VERSE TWISTER Materials needed: A large sheet of newsprint, one for each group of 6 students (9) 3 x 5 cards 6 red, 6 blue , and 6 yellow stick on dots WHAT THE TEACHER DOES (To Prepare Ahead): Draw 18 circles on the sheet of newsprint in random order and color 6 red, 6 blue, and 6 yellow. Now write the words, “For nothing” in 2 red, 2 blue, and 2 yellow. Write the words, “is impossible” in 2 red, 2 blue, and 2 yellow, and the words, “with God” in 2 red, 2 blue and 2 yellow. Cut the 3 x 5 cards in half so that they are 3 x 2 1/2. Put the dot stickers on each of the 18 cards. This is one set for 6 children. You may double as needed or take turns with other activities. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: Have the children take off their shoes. Read the memory verse from the Bible. Explain that they are going to play a game like Twister but with the memory verse. The game will continue until it gets to be impossible. Have a child draw a card. Then they must figure out which is the first two words of the verse and put a part of their body on a red version of those words. (Ex. Johnny picked a card with a red dot on it. He says that “For nothing” is the first of the verse. So he finds a red “For nothing” on the newsprint and puts one foot on it. When his turn comes around again, he draws a card, and puts a part of his body on the color that he drew and the next part of the verse. When a child falls down, they step off the paper and wait. When the last child is done or falls then the game is over. Discuss how impossible this game can be. We need to remember that in life some things may seem very impossible, but nothing is impossible with God. ACTING ON SCRIPTURE- JESUS’ POWER REMINDER Materials needed: (Choose which option suits your class) Opt. #1: One wall switch plate for each child Several colors of permanent markers Nice small stickers suitable for the gender, enough for each child to have a couple Opt. #2: Yellow construction paper Clear contact paper Magnetic tape Markers Scissors Opt. #3: White construction paper String Glow-in-the-dark paint (can be bought at your local science and learning store Brushes Black markers Hole punch Scissors WHAT THE TEACHER DOES (To prepare ahead): Opt. #1: Nothing. ( See Note below) Opt. #2: Draw a large light bulb on the yellow construction paper. Have one for each child. Cut the contact paper to have two squares large enough to cover the bulb entirely for each child. (See Note below) Opt. #3: Draw a large light bulb on the white construction paper. One for each child. Cut a length of string for each child for hanging with. Cut the magnetic tape into one piece per child. (See Note below) Note: The prayer at the bottom of the page could be preprinted or partially printed for children who have difficulty writing. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: When we try to do things without Jesus’ help we often become discouraged and upset because they seem impossible. (For example: Trying to stay good and free from sinning all day.) But if we give our hearts over to Jesus every day and are connected with His power, we can do anything that is His will. Nothing is impossible. Explain that they are going to make a reminder to help them stay connected with Jesus’ power. Opt. #1: Pass out a cover plate to each child. Have them print the prayer in permanent marker onto their cover plates as neatly as possible. Then decorate with a few stickers. Tell them to take these home and ask their mom or dad if they will put these over their bedroom light switch to help them to remember to stay connected with God. Opt. #2: Pass out the yellow light bulbs. Have them print the prayer with markers onto their light bulb. Then cover it with contact paper and add the magnetic sticker to the back. They take these home and put them on the refrigerator to remind them to pray. Opt. #3: Pass out the white light bulbs. Print the prayer onto the bulbs first with black marker and then paint lightly over with glow-in-the-dark paint. Punch a hole in the top and tie on the string. Encourage the children to take them home and hang somewhere where they will be reminded often to pray. Prayer: Dear Jesus, Help me to always listen to You. I know with You nothing is impossible if it is Your will. I love you. Love, (Jane)