FOUR TODAY S SUGGESTED SCHEDULE BIBLE STORY SMALL GROUP MEMORY VERSE LARGE GROUP KEY QUESTION BOTTOM LINE SMALL GROUP BASIC TRUTH

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B I B L E S T O R Y

I can tell others about God’s way. JOSIAH (YOUNG KING)

2 CHRONICLES 34

M E M O R Y V E R S E

“God’s way is perfect.”

2 SAMUEL 22:31, NIRV

K E Y Q U E S T I O N

Whose way is perfect?

B O T T O M L I N E

God’s way is perfect.

B A S I C T R U T H

God made me.

T O D A Y ’ S S U G G E S T E D S C H E D U L E

PRELUDE:Setting the tone for the experience

See the Getting Ready pages at the end of this document for a detailed description of what you’ll need for today.

In the Prelude folder of your curriculum, you’ll find a variety of other resources to help you prepare.

SMALL GROUP

SOCIAL:Providing time for fun interaction Offer one or more of these activities as preschoolers arrive. Hopscotch

Take a Book Look Royal Threads

LARGE GROUP

WORSHIP:Inviting people to respond to God

STORY:Communicating God’s truth in engaging ways “Perfect” and “God Is with Me”

Bible Story Prayer

SMALL GROUP

GROUPS:Creating a safe place to connect

Offer as many of these activities as your time, facilities, resources, and leadership allow.

Scroll Found It!

Who Can You Tell? King, May I?

Go God’s Way Crown Journal and Prayer

HOME: Prompting action beyond the experience Going Home

Parent Cue Card (print or email) Parent Cue App

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M I N

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M I N

25

M I N

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B I B L E S T O R Y

2 CHRONICLES 34

M E M O R Y V E R S E

K E Y Q U E S T I O N

B O T T O M L I N E

PROVIDING TIME FOR FUN INTERACTION 15 MINUTES

1. HOPSCOTCH

W H AT Y O U N E E D : Floor tape and bean bag W H AT Y O U D O :

B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Tape an eight square hopscotch board on the floor in the activity area.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Have a child stand in front of the board and toss a bean bag into one of the squares. Ask the child to jump with both feet in the squares that lead up to the one with the bean bag in it. When the child reaches that square, ask him to bend over and pick up the bean bag and jump in the squares back to the front of the board. Be sure to tell the children that they should stay in the squares as they jump. Repeat the activity several times, giving all of the children a turn.

W H AT Y O U S AY:

B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Hey, friends! Let’s play a cool activity. There is only one way to go for this activity, so be sure to listen so you can go the right way.” D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: (Demonstrate.) “First, you throw the bean bag onto the board. Then you jump in the squares to get to the bean bag.

(Demonstrate.) When you finish jumping, pick up the bean bag and jump back. (Demonstrate.) Be sure to jump in the squares leading up to the bean bag and not the squares that are behind the bean bag. It might be a little hard, but there is only one way to go to get the bean bag, and we all want to go the perfect way!” (Do activity.)

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Great job, friends. You all went the perfect way! Today, we’ll hear how we can go God’s way, even if it’s hard! I am so excited to hear our Bible story today!”

T R A N S I T I O N : Move to Worship and Story by pretending to jump in blocks as you move to the story area.

M A D E T O M O V E

an activity that uses a preschooler’s natural desire to move to help

them learn

M A D E T O M O V E

them learn

M A D E T O M O V E

them learn

M A D E T O M O V E

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B I B L E S T O R Y

2 CHRONICLES 34

M E M O R Y V E R S E

K E Y Q U E S T I O N

B O T T O M L I N E

B A S I C T R U T H

God made me.

2. TAKE A BOOK LOOK

W H AT Y O U N E E D : Preschool books W H AT Y O U D O :

B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Place the books in your book or activity area.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Encourage the children to select a book to “read.”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Collect the books for clean-up. W H AT Y O U S AY:

B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Friends, come to our book area. Look at these different books! Let’s each pick a book and take a look. There are so many fun ones to choose from!”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “I love to read! Books can teach you so many things. What book did you choose? Tell me about the pictures you see. In today’s story, we’ll learn about a book that’s going to teach us how to go God’s way!”

T R A N S I T I O N : Move to Worship and Story by naming things you saw in the books you chose. If there were animals, ask the children to travel like that animal as they walk to Large Group.

M A D E T O P L AY

an activity that encourages preschoolers to follow guidelines

while having fun and learning new concepts

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B I B L E S T O R Y

2 CHRONICLES 34

M E M O R Y V E R S E

K E Y Q U E S T I O N

B O T T O M L I N E

3. ROYAL THREADS

W H AT Y O U N E E D : King and queen dress-up clothes W H AT Y O U D O :

B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Place the dress-up clothes in your activity area.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Encourage the children to play dress-up to become a king or queen with the items provided.

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Collect all clothing and accessories for clean-up. W H AT Y O U S AY:

B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Wow! Look at all of this. Can you tell me what these clothes look like? (Pause.) Yes, they’re king or queen clothes! Let’s dress like royalty today. You may choose one or two items, but make sure that every friend has something to make them look like a king or queen!”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Well hello, your royal highnesses. You look smashing! In our story today, we’ll hear about a king, but I have a big secret—he was young! Let’s go find out just how young he was!”

T R A N S I T I O N : Move to Worship and Story by walking regally and waving like royalty.

MADE TO IMAGINE

an activity that lets preschoolers pretend, imagine, and role play to

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B I B L E S T O R Y

2 CHRONICLES 34

M E M O R Y V E R S E

K E Y Q U E S T I O N

B O T T O M L I N E

B A S I C T R U T H

God made me.

M A D E T O C R E AT E

an activity that allows preschoolers to review the Bible story, bottom line,

or memory verse by creating a craft to take home

CREATING A SAFE PLACE TO CONNECT 25 MINUTES

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1. SCROLL

[ H E A R F R O M G O D | M E M O R Y V E R S E R E V I E W ]

W H AT Y O U N E E D : “Scroll” Activity Page, copy paper, scissors, large craft sticks, crayons, stickers, and liquid glue W H AT Y O U D O :

B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Copy “Scroll” Activity Page on copy paper and cut on the dotted lines, one half page per child.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Give each child a half page and two craft sticks. Encourage the children to decorate the activity page with crayons and stickers. Help the children glue one stick on the left and one stick on the right.

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Help the children roll the paper with the sticks as you would a scroll.

B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “We’re going to make a scroll like the one in our story today.”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “First, decorate your scroll with the crayons and stickers. Then, let’s glue a craft stick on the side of the page like this. (Demonstrate.) Awesome! Now we can do the same thing on the other side.” (Do activity.)

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Now let’s roll it up just like the scroll in the story. (Finish activity.) Your scrolls look great! Josiah helped others go God’s way, just like God wants us to do. God’s way is perfect.Whose way is perfect? God’s way is perfect!”

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B I B L E S T O R Y

2 CHRONICLES 34

M E M O R Y V E R S E

K E Y Q U E S T I O N

B O T T O M L I N E

M A D E T O M O V E

an activity that uses a preschooler’s

natural desire to move to help them learn

2. FOUND IT!

[ TA L K A B O U T G O D | B I B L E S T O R Y R E V I E W ]

W H AT Y O U N E E D : Bible, plastic kiddie pool, and ball pit balls

W H AT Y O U D O :

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Place lots of ball pit balls in a plastic kiddie pool. Hide a Bible in the balls. Divide the children into teams of two and have them sit around the kiddie pool. Invite the teams to dig in the balls and find the hidden Bible, one team at a time. Each time a team finds the Bible, lead everyone in saying, “God’s way is perfect.” A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Talk about how as soon as King Josiah found God’s Word, he made sure to tell everyone to go God’s way because God’s way is perfect.

B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Hi, friends! Today’s story was about a brave young king named Josiah. Come sit around this pool. I have a fun way for us to talk about what King Josiah did!”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “In our Bible story, King Josiah’s workers were digging through some old things and they found something very special. Do you remember what they found? (Pause.) Yes! They found some old papers that had God’s Word written on them. As soon as King Josiah read what God had said, he told everyone that they should JUMP, JUMP, and go God’s way! “The Bible is very special to us because it has God’s Word in it, too. I will hide it in these balls. When it’s your team’s turn, you will dig through the balls, like King Josiah’s workers, and try to find God’s Word.

(Each time a team finds the Bible say the following.) “Whose way is perfect? God’s way is perfect!”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “King Josiah knew that God’s way is perfect. That’s why he wanted everyone to know! And now we know, too! Whose way is perfect? God’s way is perfect!”

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B I B L E S T O R Y

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M E M O R Y V E R S E

K E Y Q U E S T I O N

B O T T O M L I N E

B A S I C T R U T H

God made me.

M A D E T O T H I N K

an advanced activity specifically designed for older preschoolers

3. WHO CAN YOU TELL?

[ L I V E F O R G O D | A P P L I C AT I O N A C T I V I T Y ]

W H AT Y O U N E E D : Butcher paper, scissors, wall tape, washable markers, and plastic crown

B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Cut a two-foot piece of butcher paper. Write “Who Can You Tell?” at the top and tape it on the wall at

preschooler level.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Gather the children to sit in front of the butcher paper. Read the title at the top of the page. Call on the children individually, giving each child the crown to hold. The child holding the crown will name one person they can tell about going God’s way. Write their answer on the page. A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Set the crown and markers aside.

B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Friends, come sit with me. Can everyone see the paper? Right here it says, ‘Who Can You Tell?’ This month, we’re learning that

God’s way is perfect. Did you know you can tell others that God’s way is perfect? I will call on each of you and hand you a crown to hold. When you have the crown, I want you to name one person you can share this news with! Are you ready?” (Do activity.)

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Look at all these people! We can tell (read several names on the list aloud) that God’s way is perfect! Let’s hang this in our hallway so your moms and dads and caregivers can see all your answers. We can tell others about God’s way. One more time, tell me, whose way is perfect? God’s way is perfect!”

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B I B L E S T O R Y

2 CHRONICLES 34

M E M O R Y V E R S E

K E Y Q U E S T I O N

B O T T O M L I N E

M A D E T O M O V E

an activity that uses a preschooler’s

natural desire to move to help them learn

4. KING, MAY I?

W H AT Y O U N E E D : Floor tape and adult crown W H AT Y O U D O :

B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Tape a start line at on one end of the activity area and tape a finish line about twenty feet away, if possible.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Have the children line up horizontally on the starting line. Choose an adult to lead the activity and ask them to wear the crown. Start with one child and give them a number and a movement to do. (Example: three jumps) Before the child moves, ask them to say, “King, May I.” Say “Yes, you may.” Then the child does the movements. Repeat with all of the children with different numbers and movements. Examples of movements: Jumps, baby steps, marching, one leg hops, giant steps, and walking on tippy toes. Try to keep the numbers under five. Repeat the activity until a child reaches the finish line.

B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “We’re going to play a game! I will be the king.” (Put on the crown.)

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y:” Everyone stand on this line. (Point.) I will give you a movement and tell you how many times to do it. If I say, ‘Do three jumps,’ you will do this. (Demonstrate.) Before you do your movements, ask ‘King, May I.’ Are you ready?” (Do activity.)

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Great job playing ‘King, May I’! Today, we learned about a young king who taught people how to go God’s way! Whose way is perfect? God’s way is perfect.”

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B I B L E S T O R Y

2 CHRONICLES 34

M E M O R Y V E R S E

K E Y Q U E S T I O N

B O T T O M L I N E

B A S I C T R U T H

God made me.

M A D E T O C R E AT E

an activity that allows preschoolers to review the Bible story, bottom line,

or memory verse by creating a craft to take home

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5. GO GOD’S WAY CROWN

W H AT Y O U N E E D : “Go God’s Way Crown Label”

Activity Page; Avery® #5160 labels or equivalent; smooth, scalloped bulletin board border; jewel stickers; scissors; stapler; clear tape; and permanent marker

B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Copy “Go God’s Way Crown Label” on label paper, one per child. Cut bulletin board border into 24-inch strips, one per child. Write child’s name on the back of their border.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Encourage children to add the label to their crown and cover it with jewel stickers. Measure around the child’s head and staple to make a headband. Place a piece of tape over the bend of the staple. Have children wear their crowns.

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Review the story. W H AT Y O U S AY:

B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “In our story, we heard about a young boy who was a king! His name was Josiah, and he was in charge of a lot of people.”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Let’s make a crown like the king in our story. Add the label in the middle of your paper. (Pause.) Now add these jewel stickers all over it. (Pause.) Fantastic! Now, let’s make it into a crown to wear! (Hold the strip up around the child’s head to measure. Staple together.) You have a crown to wear!”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “King Josiah wanted to lead his people well and do what was right. His workers found a special book that said God’s way is perfect! It said that God loves us and knows what’s best for us. King Josiah went God’s way, and he told all the people that God’s way is perfect. God loves you and knows what’s best for you. We can tell people about God’s way, too! Young or old, we can go God’s way because God’s way is perfect. Whose way is perfect? God’s way is perfect.”

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B I B L E S T O R Y

2 CHRONICLES 34

M E M O R Y V E R S E

K E Y Q U E S T I O N

B O T T O M L I N E

MADE TO REFLECT

an activity that encourages personal

application and prayer

6. JOURNAL AND PRAYER

[ P R AY T O G O D | P R AY E R A C T I V I T Y ]

W H AT Y O U N E E D : Paperclipped “Memory Verse Card” in your Bible at 2 Samuel 22:31, journal, and fun-shaped pen S M A L L G R O U P L E A D E R ( S G L ) : “It’s Small Group time! Today, we’’ll pretend we are kings and queens while we walk to our small group spot. Hold your hands over your head like a crown, like this. (Make a circle over your head with both hands.) Looks good! Follow me, kings and queens. (Walk like royalty with your “crown” as you lead the children to your small group spot.)

“Here we are! Now, let’s sit down and talk about today’s Bible story. One, two, three, sit down with me! (Open the Bible and lay it in front of the children.) Our Bible story, today, was about a young king named Josiah. King Josiah did a very brave thing. Even though he was a young king, he told everyone in his kingdom that they should go God’s way. It’s a good thing King Josiah did that, because God’s way is perfect!

“The Bible verse we’ve been learning will help us remember that Gods way is perfect because it says . . . (Turn the pages of your Bible to the Memory Verse Card.)

“‘God’s way is perfect.’ 2 Samuel 22:31. (Close Bible and lay it down.) How perfect is that? Let’s stand up and say that together with the motions. Just say what I say and do what I do.”

C H I L D R E N A N D S G L : “‘God’s way (point up) is perfect,’ (two thumbs up) 2 Samuel 22:31.” (Open hands like a book.)

(Repeat the verse with motions a few times.)

S G L : “We can tell others to go God’s way, just like King Josiah did, because

God’s way is perfect. Whose way is perfect?”

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your name! (Say each child’s name and write down what they say. Remember to print the names so the children can recognize their names and the letters.)

“Thank you for making this list with me. Would anyone like to pray before I pray?” (Give each child who wants to pray the opportunity to do so.)

PRAYER

S G L : “Dear God, thank You for teaching us that Your way is perfect. Help us be brave like King Josiah and tell (read the list the children made) that Your way is perfect, because it’s true! God’s way is perfect! We love You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

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G E T T I N G R E A D Y

H E R E ’ S E V E R Y T H I N G Y O U N E E D T O K N O W T O G E T R E A D Y F O R T H I S W E E K

S O C I A L : P R O V I D I N G T I M E F O R

F U N I N T E R A C T I O N ( 1 5 M I N U T E S )

Activities that encourage preschoolers to enter the classroom and begin engaging with peers and Small Group Leaders by providing age appropriate and hands on fun while introducing new concepts they will hear in the day’s Bible story.

Prepare to offer one or more of the following activities as Your 3-, 4-, or 5-year-olds arrive. Let one or two teachers lead activities in different areas of the room while another teacher greets parents and kids at the door.

1. HOPSCOTCH

Made to Move: An activity that uses a preschooler’s natural desire to move to help them learn

W H AT Y O U N E E D :

• Bean bag • Floor tape W H AT Y O U D O :

• Tape an eight square hopscotch board on the floor in the activity area.

2. TAKE A BOOK LOOK

Made to Play: An activity that encourages preschoolers to follow guidelines while having fun and learning new concepts W H AT Y O U N E E D :

• Several preschool books of different shapes and sizes

3. ROYAL THREADS

Made to Imagine: An activity that lets preschoolers pretend, imagine, and role play to enhance their learning

• King and queen dress-up clothes such as plastic

with their Small Group Leader.

Offer as many of the following activities as your time, facilities, resources, and leadership allow. You may want to lead one activity at a time. Or, offer two activities at once and allow half the kids to participate in each. Then switch groups and repeat the activities.

1. SCROLL

[ H E A R F R O M G O D | M E M O R Y V E R S E R E V I E W ]

Made to Create: an activity that explores spiritual ideas through the process of drawing, building, and designing W H AT Y O U N E E D :

• “Scroll” Activity Page • Copy paper

• Scissors

• Large craft sticks, two per child • Liquid glue

• Crayons • Scissors W H AT Y O U D O :

• Copy “Scroll” Activity Page on copy paper and cut on the dotted lines, one half page per child.

2. FOUND IT!

[ TA L K A B O U T G O D | B I B L E S T O R Y R E V I E W ]

• Bible

• Plastic kiddie pool • Ball pit balls

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G E T T I N G R E A D Y

H E R E ’ S E V E R Y T H I N G Y O U N E E D T O K N O W T O G E T R E A D Y F O R T H I S W E E K

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3. WHO CAN YOU TELL?

Made to Think: An advanced activity specifically designed for older preschoolers W H AT Y O U N E E D : • Butcher paper • Scissors • Markers • Wall tape • Plastic crown W H AT Y O U D O :

• Cut a two-feet piece of butcher paper. Write “Who Can You Tell?” at the top of the butcher paper. Tape it on the wall at preschooler level.

4. KING, MAY I?

• Adult-size crown • Floor tape

5. GO GOD’S WAY CROWN

Made to Create: an activity that explores spiritual ideas through the process of drawing, building, and designing W H AT Y O U N E E D :

• “Go God’s Way Crown Label” Activity Page • Avery® #5160 labels or equivalent

• Smooth, scalloped bulletin board border • Jewel stickers • Scissors • Stapler • Clear tape • Permanent marker W H AT Y O U D O :

• Copy “Go God’s Way Crown” on label paper, one per child.

• Cut bulletin board border into 24-inch strips, one per child.

• Write child’s name on the back of their border.

6. JOURNAL AND PRAYER

[ P R AY T O G O D | P R AY E R A C T I V I T Y ]

Made to Reflect: An activity that encourages personal application and prayer

• Paperclipped “Memory Verse Card” in your Bible at 2 Samuel 22:31

• Journal, one per small group

• Fun-shaped pen, one per small group

H O M E : P R O M P T I N G A C T I O N

B E Y O N D T H E E X P E R I E N C E

• Make copies on cardstock or email this week’s Parent Cue card.

• Copy “Going Home” and hang on the door where Small Group Leaders can reference and remind parents of the Bottom Line and Memory Verse as parents pick up their children.

• Tell parents about our additional family resource, the Parent Cue app.

F I R S T L O O K P I N T E R E S T P A G E

Visit our Pinterest page to see craft samples and suggested supplies. https://bit.ly/FirstLookPinterest