===================================================================== Title: Primary Sabbath School Program, December 4, 1999 From: NAD Children's Ministries (author: Lisa Seeders) Date: November 1, 1999 Abstract: Activities to use in place of program helps to teach the lesson, PETER WALKS ON WATER ===================================================================== Lesson Aim: When I look to Jesus for help instead of trusting in what I can do, I am safe. Memory Verse: "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." Psa. 105:4, NIV GETTING THEIR ATTENTION - WALKING THE PLANK Materials needed: 2 X 4 board Piece of blue fabric or blue rug 2 bricks 1 sheet of construction paper (any color) scissors WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) Place the blue fabric or rug in the middle of the floor. Place a brick on either end of the fabric or rug. Put the 2 X 4 board across the fabric or rug with each end resting securely on a brick. Cut out a circle, 4-6" in diameter. Tack it to a wall that faces the board set-up. (It is a focus spot) (Tack it 6-8 feet high so the children have to tilt their head up slightly to view it.) WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: Explain to the children that they are going to walk across the water (blue fabric or rug) using the 2 X 4 as a bridge. Once they begin, they may not look at anything but the construction paper circle tacked on the wall facing them. If they take their eyes off of it at any time, they are sinkers and their turn is over. Give each child who wants to participate a turn. See how many can make it clear across without falling or taking their eyes off the circle. It is hard to keep your eye on one central focus. When you want security and help, you tend to look down at your feet, or grab out at something around you. In our story today, Peter gets to walk across the water. Not a plank, mind you, the actual water. But he also has a focus he needs to keep his eyes on. GO STRAIGHT INTO THE BIBLE STORY. GETTING INTO SCRIPTURE - WHOSE FACE DO YOU SEE? Materials needed: Small mirror for each child (one they can keep) *optional - In place of a mirror there is an acetate paper that can be bought that reflects like a mirror. Cut it in square, oblong or circle shapes and mount it on cardboard with a frame around it Permanent markers (thin-tip) Stickers (optional) Bibles WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) There are no advance preparations necessary if the mirrors are purchased. Otherwise follow the above directions in the materials list for making homemade mirrors. Each child needs his/her own mirror. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: Have the children look up the memory verse in their Bible. Have them print the verse right on the mirror. If there is any room left, stickers can be added to the mirror or border as desired. This mirror is no longer any good for looking at yourself. Because of the text we have written on it, we've made it hard to get a good look at ourselves. Set this mirror up on your dresser. Let it be a reminder to you not to look and trust in your own self for answers and help. Seek Jesus' face always. Learn to listen to Him through prayer, Bible reading and Christian parents and friends suggestions. ACTING ON SCRIPTURE - RIDING THE WAVES Materials needed: None WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) There are no advance preparations necessary WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: Line the children up in a horizontal row. Put them about 2 feet apart. Explain to them that they are the "wave makers". Everyone in the row crouches down as low as they can go. At the signal to begin, the first child in line slowly stands up, counting three seconds to himself. As soon as he is erect the second child in line slowly stand up, also counting three seconds to himself. This continues on down the line until the last child is standing. You, the teacher, will be the first "surfer". You stand at the opposite end of the line from the child who will be the first wave. The object is for you the surfer to repeat the memory verse before the entire wave "breaks on you" (which would be by the time the last child next to you in line has stood up) If a "surfer" says the memory verse (or at least the majority of it) before the last wave "hits him" he has successfully ridden the waves. The "surfer" then becomes a "wave" at the front of the line and the last "wave" in line becomes the "surfer". When everyone has had an opportunity to be the "surfer" play again this time instructing the waves to rise faster, a two second interval instead of three. BEFORE DOING THIS ACTIVITY!!! Talk with the children about some of the waves that Satan sends to take our eyes off Jesus and make us think of ourselves. (Pride in our accomplishments, pride in our looks, pride in our natural abilities, selfishness, busyness etc.) Like Peter in the story, if we do not look to the Lord for help, answers and strength we will be like a surfer that doesn't get on top the wave. The sins that Satan sends our way will overwhelm and discourage us. Without God's help "we will go under". ACTING ON SCRIPTURE - BOOGIE BOARD BULLETIN BOARD Materials needed: One sheet of bright neon-colored poster board Scissors Blue construction paper Straight pins Plain white paper figures (3-4 for each child) Markers or crayons WHAT THE TEACHER DOES: (To prepare ahead) Cut waves out of the blue construction paper and arrange them on the bulletin board as a sea scene. Out of the neon-colored poster board cut the shape of a boogie board or surfboard. Pin the board on top of the largest wave. Cut enough plain white paper figures so each child will have 3-4. WHAT THE STUDENTS DO: Give each child 3-4 of the paper figures. Have them decorate and add features to the figures to represent themselves. Ask the children to think of ways they can seek God's face or look to Jesus this week. (More prayer time, More Bible study time, More time asking adults in their lives spiritual questions, More time looking for God in ordinary things like nature, playtime, TV time, books, music etc.) Have them help you write these suggestions on the boogie or surf board. They add their surfers which represent themselves last. Have a special prayer with them asking God to make himself very real in each of their lives. Refer to the board for the next several weeks checking on their progress in these areas of spiritual discipline.