======================================================= Title: Primary Sabbath School Program, November 18, 2000 From: NAD Children's Ministries (author: Lisa Seeders) Date: September 15, 2000 Abstract: Activities to use in place of program helps to teach the lesson, A FALL FROM A WINDOW ======================================================= Lesson Aim: God promises He will help me and give me strength to face any trouble. Memory Verse: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psa. 46:1, NIV GETTING THEIR ATTENTION - PRAYER ANSWER BALLOONS Materials needed: 3 boxes (Each box big enough to hold 5 balloons) 15 balloons (5 each of three different colors) Markers (each child needs one) WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) On the side of one box print the word, YES. On the side of the second box print the word, NO. On the side of the third box print the word, WAIT. Place all the boxes at the front with the word side facing the children approximately 2-3 feet apart. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: Give each child some balloons to blow up. The number they get to blow up depends on the size of your group. Have them print YES on five of the same color balloons. Have them print NO on five of the same color balloons. Have them print WAIT on five of the same color balloons. Explain to the children that these are the three answers Jesus uses when He answers prayer. Sometimes He says, YES and does what we are hoping or requesting right away. Sometimes He says, NO and we never see our prayer answered the way we hoped it would be. Sometimes He says, WAIT. The answer we hoped for comes but not at the time or in the exact way that we had planned. Let all the balloons loose around the room. Choose a volunteer to retrieve them and get them all sorted into the appropriate boxes before the pianist or a tape recorder gets done playing the song, Whisper a Prayer. At the end of the activity sing the song several times with the children. In our Bible story today God answers Paul's prayer for a young man's life with a YES. GO STRAIGHT INTO THE BIBLE STORY. GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE - WINDOW STORY BOOK Materials needed: Card stock (2 pieces for each child; include several extras in case of mistakes) Markers Rulers Scissors Brass fasteners (1 for each child) Small dessert plate or tea cup saucer WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) There are no advance preparations necessary. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: The children are going to make a window story book. 1. Give each child a sheet of card stock. Have them draw a large window on it with a top and bottom. Use the rulers and markers to make straight lines. 2. Cut the top of the window out. 3. Using the small dessert plate or saucer draw a circle on the second sheet of card stock paper. Cut it out. 4. Using the ruler divide the plate into four sections. 5. Draw pictures in the four sections depicting the following scenes from the lesson. A. Paul writing letters B. Christians having communion together C. Eutychus asleep in the window or falling from the window D. Paul praying for Eutychus 6. Line the paper circle behind the window so that each picture can be viewed through the window. Attach the paper circle to the back of the window with the brass fastener. The paper circle acts as a wheel and is turned so each picture can be viewed through the window. GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE - ACTION VERSE Materials needed: None WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) There are no advance preparations necessary. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: Have the children stand in a circle. Have them learn the verse using the following actions or motions. Recite it together several times as a group. WORD ACTION/MOTION God Point heavenward is Shake head up and down in an affirmative nod our Point to everyone in the circle refuge Stack fists one on top of each other moving upward as if building a tower and No motion strength Flex arm muscles as if showing biceps an No motion ever-present Take the index finger of the right hand, pointing up, the rest of the fingers closed in a fist and circle it around several times to indicate something continuous help Pretend to be lifting something up in No motion trouble Clasp arms around body and hug yourself while shaking as if you are afraid ACTING ON SCRIPTURE - BALLOON RELAY Materials needed: Balloons and boxes from Getting Their Attention Activity WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) There are no advance preparations necessary. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: Place the boxes at the front of the room again. Place the pile of 15 balloons at the back of the room. Select a volunteer to read one of the following sentences to. They decide whether God answered the prayer with an immediate yes, no or wait. Toss the balloon with the answer they chose into the air. They bat it all the way down to where the boxes are and into the correct box. 1. Abraham and Sarah prayed for a baby. (WAIT) 2. Hannah prayed for a baby. (WAIT) 3. Eutychus being brought back to life. (YES) 4. When Moses prayed to be allowed to go into the Promised Land (NO) 5. When Solomon asked for wisdom. (YES) 6. When Samson asked for strength one more time to destroy the Philistines. (YES) 7. When Balaam asked if he could go and curse Israel. (NO) 8. When Hezekiah asked to have 15 years added to his life when he was sick. (YES) 9. When Elijah prayed for God to accept his sacrifice on Mount Carmel. (YES) 10.When Daniel asked God to help him interpret King Nebuchadnezzar's dream. (YES) At the end of the activity call the children's attention to the box with the most balloons. We think God often says no, but more often He says yes, especially when we pray within His will.