Joseph

Story

 (Show the cover of the story) Say: This is Joseph.  Look at that fancy coat he is wearing!  Listen carefully to hear Please help me tell the story today!  When Joseph is having a good day put your thumbs up.  When Joseph is having a bad day put your thumbs down.

Read:  “Joseph" the Favorite Son” in any children's story bible 

Lesson

Say: What happened in this story that was thumbs up? (Joseph got a new coat, Became ruler in Egypt).  How did Joseph’s first thumbs up moment make his brothers feel? (angry, jealous)  What happened that was thumbs down? (thrown in a pit, became a slave, thrown in jail). 

Joseph’s life had lots of good things and bad things.  Do you remember who was with him no matter what? (God).  Right, God was with Joseph, even during thumbs-down times.  We can trust God to be with us in good and bad times too!

Big Idea

We can trust God to be with us in good times and bad times, just like he was with Joseph.      

Memory Verse

Trust in the Lord with all you heart. – Proverbs 3:5a

Prayer- Ask for Joys and Requests

Say a prayer thanking God for sending his son to save us and for his return someday. 

Craft

Children will color cut out and assemble the colorful coat craft (http://www.dltk-bible.com/crafts/mpaperjoseph.htm).  

Youth Group Discussion: All In-Trusting God (Philippians 3:4-14)

Courtesy of Michael Walden

Bible Verse 1: Philippians 3: 4b-14

         

Video:  Skit Guys “What keeps you from following God?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXBQQOPHr94

Bible Verse 2:

Five Questions:

1.     In the passage from Philippians, Paul talks about what? Tell me in your own words.

2.     What does it mean to you to “trust’ God more than you “trust” yourself?

3.     The video is about stuff that stops us from following and trusting God. What keeps you from following God?

4.     When you were little kids trying to do something and your dad or mom tried to help, what did you say to them?  Why did your parents try to help you?

5.      Tell me three things this week that we can do to trust God instead of ourselves.

Close in prayer and ask for prayer requests. 

Children's Lesson: The Ten Commantments

Story

Say: Today’s story is found in the Old Testament of the bible.  Raise your hand if you have heard of the 10 Commandments.  Today’s story is about how God gave the 10 Commandments to his people through Moses.

Read “The Ten Commandments” in any children's story bible

Lesson

Say: Why do you think, “You shall have no other gods before me" is the first commandment? (God wants us to put Him above all things. Before our toys, TV, even before our friends.)  What is an idol? (Anything that keeps you from spending time with God.)  “Honor your father and Mother" must be important because it too is on the list. Why? (Parents want what is best for their children, so they teach and guide them. Children are still learning and really don't know everything yet.)

The Ten Commandments are hard to follow.  

Everyone has failed one time or another. However, the 10 Commandments are a gift and not a burden.  God gave us the 10 Commandments so we can have a better relationship with God through them.  Keeping the 10 Commadments is not what makes us Christians.  What makes us Christians is placing our faith in Jesus. Through Jesus, our sins are forgiven. Because He died on the cross for us, we have everlasting life with God. If you would like to know more about that you talk to one us, your parents, or Pastor. 

Big Idea

God gave us the 10 Commandments so we can have a better relationship with God through them. 

Memory Verse

People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16: 7 

Prayer- Ask for Joys and Requests

Say a prayer thanking God for loving us and for giving us the 10 Commandments.

Craft

Moses and the 10 Commandments craft (http://www.dltk-bible.com/t.asp?b=m&t=http://www.dltk-bible.com/crafts/images/bpaperten.gif) 

Youth Discussion : Children of the light

Bible Verse 1: Ephesians 5:8-20

         

Video:  “Light Shines”

Five Questions:

1.     Hey who turned out the light?  Are you afraid in the dark or of the dark? Why?

2.     The passage we read is from a letter by Paul about how to behave in the world, to live in the light and avoid the darkness.  Tell some things that people do in the dark.

3.     The video is about Jesus, His life, crucifixion, resurrection and His being “light”. “Light” is mentioned around ninety times in the New Testament.  What kind of “light” do you think Jesus talked about?

4.     Sometimes we want to do things that we know are wrong or bad for us and others.  What could help us avoid these things? 

5.      How can we trust that God wants us to live in the “light”?  What bright lights has he given us?

Close in prayer and ask for prayer requests.

David is Chosen

Story

Say: Today’s story is found in the Old Testament of the bible.  In this story God chooses an unlikely hero to the next king of Israel.  In this story each time you hear the word, king you will say, “All hail the king!” Let’s practice once… “All hail the king!”

Read “David is Chosen” in any children's story bible  Pause when appropriate.

Lesson

Say: Why did God choose David as king? (He had a kind heart, he was filled with joy and love)  How did God know that David would be a good king? (God looked past his outside, and saw who he was inside) 

God knows us inside and out!  What do you think God sees inside of you? (Allow time for kids to answer) 

Even though God had many brothers to choose from, God chose David to be king.  God saw inside David, and knew he was the right person to become king!  God sees and loves you inside and out too!

Big Idea

God sees and loves you inside and out just like David!

Memory Verse

People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16: 7

Prayer- Ask for Joys and Requests

Say a prayer thanking God knowing and loving us inside and out!

Craft

Children will decorate and assemble a crown (http://www.firstpalette.com/tool_box/printables/crown2.pdf) 

Children's church lesson: The Boy at the Temple

Story

Say: Today’s Bible story comes from the book of Luke in the New Testament.  In this story Jesus is a boy.  During the story Jesus’ parents are going to call for him, yelling “Jeeeeeeesuuussss!!!”  When it’s time, you call for him too!  Let’s practice! (Jeeeeeesuuuussss!!!)

Read “The Boy at the Temple”  in any children's bible.  Pause when appropriate.

Lesson

Say: What happened during the trip to the temple in Jerusalem?  (Mary and Joseph lost track of Jesus)  Where did Jesus’ parents find him? (In the temple).  Who did Jesus teach an talk with about God in the temple? (Teachers)

Who do you teaches you about God? (Affirm all answers)  Who can you teach about God? (take all answers)  What kind of things can you teach about God? (Affirm responses, highlighting those related to God’s love and the gospel). 

Even though Jesus was young in today’s story he knew as much about God as the grown-ups did!  In this story, the young Jesus even taught adults about God!  Even though you are young, you can teach others about God, just like Jesus did! 

Big Idea

Even though you are young, you can teach others about God, just like Jesus did! 

Memory Verse

Jesus grew, in size, wisdom and favor with God and the people.  – Luke 2:52.

Craft

Children will decorate and assemble “Jesus went to church craft).  

Children's Lesson: Jesus the Vine

Story

Say: Show children the plant (already in the Jams room).  Ask them, what will happen to one of these leaves if I pull it off from the plant? (It will die).  In today’s story, Jesus will compares his followers to the leaves on this plant.  Are you ready?

Read “Jesus the Vine.” in any children's story Bible.

Lesson

Say:  Who is the vine? (Jesus)  Who are the branches? (We are; Jesus’ followers) What did Jesus say was important? (To stay connected to him, to love eachother).

Just like a branch needs to be connected to the vine, we need to be connected to Jesus. We can do this by reading the Bible and coming to church. We can also learn that just as a branch should give us grapes, we should be doing good things. Those good things by themselves don’t make us okay with God, but when we are spending time with Jesus we should want to good things. How about you? What good things can you do today? (allow for some answers). 

Big Idea

Just like a branch needs to be connected to the vine, we need to be connected to Jesus.

Memory Verse

Jesus said, “stay connected to me and my love” – John 15:5a

Prayer

Take time to see if children have any prayer requests or prayer joys.  Say a short prayer thanking God for sending Jesus to save us and asking him to help us stay connected to him.  

Craft

Students will use templates to create a grapevine (find the template here:http://www.newchurchvineyard.org/neighbor/i-am-the-vine/activities/Sunday-School-Lesson-1.12_Parable-Of-The-Vine.pdf)