Psalm 51:1-9 Juniors Class, 30 Circles, Sin Sign Tally, Memory Verse: Psalm 51:7b, Snow Mobile

Welcome activity: 30 Circles

30 Circles Creativity Challenge

This is something I learned during a creative thinking training session. Introducing this activity to the kids for them to enjoy doodling. You can learn more about the 30 Circles activity here.

Goal: turn as many of the blank circles as possible into recognizable objects in three minutes.

Share and discuss.

Ice breaker activity: Sin Sign Tally

Sin Signs Tally Board 

Adopted from Ministry-to-children.com, this activity is done through:
1. Group class into two.
2. Each group is to be given a tally board with the words sin, iniquity, transgression and evil. The goal is to count all of the words as they are read in the Bible text that will be read.
3. Read Bible text:
Psalm 51:1-9

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 

Lesson discussion
Discuss the Bible passage with the following guide questions:

1. How many times were sin, iniquity, transgressions and evil mentioned?
2. What can you say about these four words?
3. What must we do with our sin according to what we read?

At this point, stress how Jesus alone has washed away our sins clean. I would like for the class to pause and pray to Jesus.

Memory verse

Psalm 51:7b:  “Wash me and I will be whiter than snow.”

Craft activity: Snow Mobile
Materials

Cloud printout

Snow printouts

1. Cloud printout
2. Snowflake printouts
3. Strings
4. Glue
5. Puncher

Steps

• Glue together the cloud so you have back-to-back of it.
• Glue together the snowflakes so you have matching back-to-back too.
• Punch holes on the cloud to tie a string.
• Punch a hole on the snowflake to connect the other end of the string from the cloud.
• Display at home.

James 5:7-11, Teaching Junior Kids about Patience

Welcome (10 minutes)

• Wait until majority of the students have arrived - I usually wait until the congregation's worship ends to give way to late comers. This also gives me time to set up some activity materials I will need as well sing along with the worship band in my mind.
• Names of kids - I am terrible with names, and I would like to be able to call my students with their names. So all of the time, I think up of art activities or any discreet way to get the kids' name while we wait to start.
• Options while waiting - I bring puzzles, adult coloring pages, activity books or other quiet toys to be played alone or in groups to keep the kids occupied.
• Class is officially started when opening prayer is done.

Ice Breaker: Who Cracked Up First? (10 minutes)

From Christianity Cove, this game is very simple and may be played on the go. There is no material required, and is appropriate for any age level.

Here is how it goes:

1. Ask a kid to find a partner of the same age.
2. If there are below 5 pairs, ask a pair to go first. If there are many students, each pair can simultaneously follow the instructions teacher will give.
3. Have the kids face their partner. The goal is to keep a straight face longer than the partner. Blinking and breathing are allowed. The one who moves first gets eliminated.
4. If the time allows, do a semi-finals up to a finals round.
5. Optional: award prizes.

Kids in pair holding off their giggles

They were allowed to blink, but not to smile to win the Who Cracked Up First Game

Discussion (10 - 15 minutes)
As the children settle down, discuss the following points:

1. What does the activity 'Who Cracked Up First' teach you?
2. Discuss the definition of patience.




3. Read the Bible text for the day: 

James 5:7-11 English Standard Version (ESV) 

Patience in Suffering 7 Be patient, therefore, brothers,[a] until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. Source: BibleGateway

Memory Verse (10 minutes)

James 5:8 English Standard Version (ESV) 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Credit: Fruit of the Spirit

Craft Activity: Thanks for your Patience Greeting Card (15 minutes)
Adopted from the HandsOnBibleTeacher.com, our class will be making a greeting card with folded paper in front. I have made a sample for the kids to see. As in farming, it takes great patience to see flowers bloom and fruits grow, so must we remain patient.

Here are the steps to making this greeting card.

What you will need:

• Board paper, or any paper with weight 65gsm and above
• Printout text stickers: "Thanks for being so patient." and "James 5:8 ESV You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."
• Markers for the inside text
• Glue
• Scissors
• Colored or art paper
• Pencil
• Match stick
• Printout of pot

1. Fold a sheet of board paper in half.
2. Let the students think of the most patient person in their lives. Then ask them to write their message to that person in the inside part of the card.
3. Distribute ready-made texts as stickers (or in my case, to glue onto the front part of the card) the children may freely use to decorate their card.


4. Distribute colored papers where the kids are to trace their hands. Each kid to trace a minimum of two hands.

5. Cut out the traced hand shapes.

6. With glue and match stick, roll the hand shape into the match stick.

7. Position as desired then glue.

8. Cover with the pot printout.



Credit to: Wilko.com

What do you think about the sample Thank you for being patient card?

Five-year old pupil with her creation

12-year old pupil creation

Application (10 minutes)
Call on volunteers to show their creation to the class by answering these questions:

1. Who will you give this card to?
2. Why?
3. How can you be as patient as this person?

Closing 
Summarize with the children with the thought from Ministry-to-Children.com:

Having patience will lead to God’s blessings, provisions, and rewards. Also, we should be patient with others because God is patient with us.

James 4:1-6a Warning Against Worldliness

Arrive before the official start of the class.
Set-up the chairs and tables according to the first activity.

Remembering students' name TIP: As the students come in, and since each Sunday sees new faces, I always have a ready activity for the students to do which involves writing their name.

Name Mnenomic
Hand out pieces of paper for the children to form an acrostic out of their name letters. This happens while the Worship Team inside the Worship Hall sings, and serves as an ice breaker for the class. At the same time, this allows late comers to still join in the main part of Sunday class.

Source: http://www.acrosticnamepoemsforboys.com/

Credit: http://appliedexpressions.com/

Credit: http://www.acrosticnamepoems.com/

Class Prayer

Ask student volunteer to be the prayer leader, or call on someone to start the session with a prayer.

Welcome Remarks

Quick introduction of who I am, our church, and our rules which basically are getting permission from teacher before leaving the group to go to the rest room, get water, etc; participate quietly and respectfully; and any other student suggestion the students they may have.

Scripture

Warning Against Worldliness What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions[a] are at war within you?[b] 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people![c] Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace.

Main points (Discussion)

Credit: https://pixshark.com/

Source: https://ekouponer.wordpress.com/

Credit: http://www.christianitytodayads.com/

• As sons and daughters of God, we are not of the world. Worldliness is not a kingdom attribute. We must live in this world, but not like this world.
• But how do we apply that in our lives every day?
• To do this, all of our actions must:

1. Pursue God
2. Be in communion with God and the Holy Spirit
3. Bring me closer to Jesus Christ
4. Not make me self-centered, appetite-driven, God-hating
5. Not disobey God
6. Not make me proud

• These are all difficult, and our human nature makes it doubly hard. We need a helper.

Activity: Kingdom of God Passport

Credit: http://www.biblecraftclub.com/blog/2017/4/29/kingdom-passport-craft

Add Lazada/Nuffnang

Matthew 11:2-6 Jesus, The Messiah

Welcome remarks
Greet the children, welcome them to our church, introduce my self and briefly states the rules. Basically the rules are:
1. Listen quietly when someone is speaking.
2. Let teacher know when I need to go outside the room.
*I also welcome kids inputs if there are any more rule suggestions they would like to add.

Prayer
I sometimes ask volunteer prayer leaders especially for classes with 8+yo students.

Scripture

2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Source: ESV.org

Activity
Using your own words
In this activity, I would like the children to recall the story and truly understand the passage by letting them retell the story using their own words. With guide objects, I will give them an example then I will ask for volunteers to retell the story.

Here are the object guides:

1. John the Baptist in prison (image credit: JW.org)

2. Disciples of John the Baptist asking Jesus (image credit: ReasonsForJesus.com)

3. Jesus' miracles (image credit: GodisReal.Today) with an enumeration of all Jesus did

Game
Guess the word
Adopting this activity from Sermons4Kids.com, I have printed out words which I will randomly post around the room. I will ask the kids to form groups of three, then with a volunteer scorer and time keeper, I will read out the questions. The children are to find the answers from the posted words and the first to give it to me wins a point.

Click here to print this PDF of word choices

Summary
At this stage, I summarize what we have learned with asking for volunteers of lessons they have picked up for the day.

Afterwards, I ask for prayer reports and concerns then we pray as a group.

If we still have time, I do this activity:

Activity

Seat work

I will next ask the kids to settle down and set up their tables and chairs. I will hand out this worksheet from Sermon4Kids.

James 2:1, 8-9 On Favoritism, Equality and Fairness

Scripture:
My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism.... If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. James 2:1, 8-9 (NIV)

Junior class (ages 8-12 years)
Ice breaker (5-10 minutes):
I am unique! Since Sunday School is informal, not a lot of the kids know the teacher. To promote eagerness and friendship among everyone, play this mini game.

1. Teacher mentions something about herself that is unique e.g. craving for food that is crunchy every after meals instead of sweet dessert.
2. Distribute bits of paper and pen/pencils to each student. 
3. Ask each one to write one thing that is unique about themselves within the amount of time teacher will set, without writing their name in the paper. The amount of time depends on the teacher. Feel free to adjust when you see kids having a hard time, but encourage them to write whatever comes to mind as usually, those are the correct things. 
4. When the time is up, collect the answers. 
5. Pick one paper from the submission and read out loud for the kids to guess. Depending on your time or size of class, teacher may read all or just choose several. 
6. (Optional) Give prizes! 

Summarize this activity by emphasizing that each one of us is unique. Like crayons, our individuality does not mean one is better or weaker than the other. God uses all of us to create HIS masterpiece.

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Bible verse reading (7 - 15 minutes)
At this point, I bring different Bible versions for the kids to read from and in our native language too.

James 2:1 English Standard Version (ESV) The Sin of Partiality 2 My brothers,[a] show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

James 2:8-9 English Standard Version (ESV) 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

After reading, I ask two or three students what their thoughts are about the Bible verse we have just read, reassuring them that there are no wrong or right questions. My usual questions are:

• What is the most important idea that came to your mind after hearing about our verse for the day?
• Can you think of an example of where we can see this applied today? 

Credit: CrossCards

Group Activity (10 - 15 minutes) 
Verse Clues 

1. Write the Bible verse on various colors of paper, dividing the verse into several lines. Cut the verse according to line. 
2. Fold them and mix with other similar paper. 
3. Dividing the class into two, ask the student to properly arrange the Bible verse. 
4. (Optional) Make it a contest. The first team to arrange the verse correctly wins! You may add obstacles like distance, physical activity (jumping, spinning, skipping step, etc). 

A different version of this, from Sermons4Kids is called Color Clue. It goes like this: The teacher could give a child a color clue for the first part of today's verse, then give another child another color clue for the next part of the verse and continue until all of the Bible verse is in order and taped to the wall or to a poster board. Let children know that all the parts of the verse are very important but were all on different colors of paper or different shapes and sizes for the children to find.

I choose not to do to this because we share our venue with other ministries.

Individual activity (3 - 5 minutes) Word search Here is a handy printable from Sermos4Kids
 Other resources: Sermons4Kids

Peter Heals a Lame Beggar, Gospel Light Curriculum, How to put a smile on God's face, Pre-Mothers Day Craft: Paper Beads

We have received materials from Gospel Light. Starting this week, we will use these materials to teach the kids every Sundays. It so happened that what we got is their Spring Lesson and it starts with the same topics discussed last Holy Week. We are now into studying God's Words - the Bible. Will begin using Spring Lesson 5 which is about Acts 3:1-16.

Bible Verses
Acts 3:1-16 New International Version (NIV)
Peter Heals a Lame Beggar

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Peter Speaks to the Onlookers

11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

Now in Filipino:

Sina Pedro at Juan ay magkasamang umahon sa templo sa oras ng pananalangin. Ang oras ay ika-siyam. 2 Mayroong isang lalaking lumpo mula pa sa sinapupunan ng kaniyang ina. Araw-araw siya ay dinadala at inilalagay sa pintuan ng templo na tinatawag na Maganda. Dinadala siya roon upang humingi ng kaloob sa mga kahabag-habag mula sa mga pumupunta sa templo. 3 Nang makita niya sina Pedro at Juan na papasok na sa templo, humingi siya ng kaloob sa mga kahabag-habag. 4 Si Pedro at Juan ay tumitig sa kaniya. Sinabi ni Pedro sa kaniya: Tingnan mo kami. 5 Pinagmasdan niya sila dahil umaasa siyang makakatanggap ng isang bagay mula sa kanila. 6 Sinabi ni Pedro: Wala akong pilak at ginto, ngunit anuman ang nasa akin, ibibigay ko sa iyo. Sa pangalan ni Jesucristo na taga-Nazaret, tumindig ka at lumakad ka. 7 Pagkahawak sa kaniyang kamay, itinindig niya siya. Pagdaka, ang kaniyang mga paa at bukong-bukong ay lumakas. 8 Lumukso siya at tumayo at lumakad. At habang pumapasok siya sa templo na kasama nila, siya ay lumalakad at lumulukso na nagpupuri sa Diyos. 9 Ang lahat ng tao ay nakakita na siya ay lumalakad at nagpupuri sa Diyos. 10 Nakilala nila siya na siya iyong umuupo sa pintuang Maganda ng templo, upang manghingi ng kaloob sa kahabag-habag. Sila ay lubos na namangha at labis na nagtaka sa nangyari sa kaniya. Nagsalita si Pedro sa mga Nanonood 11 Habang ang lalaking lumpo na pinagaling ay nakahawak kay Pedro at Juan, ang mga tao ay sama-samang tumakbo patungo sa kanila na lubos na namangha. Sila ay nasa portiko na tinatawag na portiko ni Solomon. 12 Nang makita ito ni Pedro, sumagot siya sa mga tao: Mga lalaking taga-Israel, bakit kayo namamangha sa bagay na ito? Bakit ninyo kami tinititigan na parang nakalakad ang lalaking ito sa pamamagitan ng sarili naming kapangyarihan o ng aming pagkamaka-Diyos? 13 Ang Diyos ni Abraham, ni Isaac at ni Jacob, ang Diyos ng mga ninuno natin ay lumuwalhati kay Jesus na kaniyang lingkod. Siya ang inyong ibinigay at inyong ipinagkaila sa harapan ni Pilato na pinasyahan niyang palayain. 14 Ipinagkaila ninyo ang Banal at Matuwid. At hiniling ninyo na ibigay sa inyo ang isang lalaking mamamatay-tao. 15 Ngunit pinatay ninyo ang pinagmulan ng buhay, na siyang ibinangon ng Diyos mula sa mga patay. Kami ay nagpapatotoo patungkol sa pangyayaring ito. 16 At sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya sa kaniyang pangalan, ang lalaking ito na inyong nakikita at nakikilala ay pinalakas sa kaniyang pangalan. Ang pananampalataya sa pamamagitan niya ang nagbigay sa kaniya nitong lubos na kagalingan sa harapan ninyong lahat.

Source: BibleGateway.com

Memory Verse:
Luke 11:28 Sinabi ni Jesus: Oo, ang totoo ay pinagpala ang mga nakikinig ng salita ng Diyos at sumusunod dito.

Hear the word of God and obey it.


Message: 

• Helping out anyway we can puts smile on Jesus' face.
• When we follow what Jesus told us to do, we make Him really glad.

Lesson Introduction:
It's already May, by next month it will be the start of classes once again. My regular three (3) questions for everyone to answer in front, one by one, that they may learn to speak in front of people are:

1. What's my name - not all of the kids know each other
2. What's my favorite thing to do to help my Mom or Dad at home
3. Why I like that task

Once everyone has answered, will tell the class that as they help out at home, or anywhere - they are putting a smile on Jesus' face because that's what He asked us. Then will point them to the memory verse.

Lesson Time 
Another person who followed what Jesus said is Peter and John. Will share the story of Acts 3:1-16 in Filipino first, showing them the story photos from Gospel Light. Before I begin though, will show them the stickers. They will all have a turn in getting one, and the one to volunteer to retell the story will get the extra stickers for him/herself.

Crafts Time
For Mom's Day the following week, we will make bracelets and necklaces out of paper beads. Will teach them how to make.

Steps to make paper beads using old magazine or glossy paper.

Putting God's Words First in My Life

After a half-month break from volunteer work for Sunday School, back again with the lesson about God's blessings to those who put His Words first in their lives and what will become of them compared to those who don't.

Bible Verse

Psalm 1 1 Blessed is the one who obeys the law of the Lord. 

      He doesn't follow the advice of evil people. 

   He doesn't make a habit of doing what sinners do. 

      He doesn't join those who make fun of the Lord and his law. 

 2 Instead, he takes delight in the law of the Lord. 

      He thinks about his law day and night. 

 3 He is like a tree that is planted near a stream of water. 

      It always bears its fruit at the right time. 

   Its leaves don't dry up. 

      Everything godly people do turns out well.

Psalm 1 Tagalog: Ang Dating Biblia (1905)
 1Mapalad ang tao na hindi lumalakad sa payo ng masama, ni tumatayo man sa daan ng mga makasalanan, ni nauupo man sa upuan ng mga manglilibak. 2Kundi ang kaniyang kasayahan ay nasa kautusan ng Panginoon; at sa kautusan niya nagbubulaybulay siya araw at gabi. 3At siya'y magiging parang punong kahoy na itinanim sa siping ng mga agos ng tubig, na nagbubunga sa kaniyang kapanahunan, ang kaniyang dahon nama'y hindi malalanta; at anumang kaniyang gawin ay giginhawa. 4Ang masama ay hindi gayon; kundi parang ipa na itinataboy ng hangin. 5Kaya't ang masama ay hindi tatayo sa paghatol, ni ang mga makasalanan man sa kapisanan ng mga matuwid. 6Sapagka't nalalaman ng Panginoon ang lakad ng mga matuwid: nguni't ang lakad ng masama ay mapapahamak


Message

1. God's Word is given as a direction to life, it is life's manual.
2. When we read God's Word, we should reflect about it and apply in our lives.

Lesson Introduction

Will bring extra Bibles for those who don't have and will ask them to race to Psalm 1. First to get there will get to be the class leader. What does the class tycoon do? Will ask them, whatever additions they will choose, the class tycoon will be in charge of counting all the students and watching who will not behave properly.

Lesson Time

Psalm 1 talks about a strong tree planted with a steady supply of water - healthy and fruitful. Will show them photos of the world's tallest trees, and finally the Philippines' Millenium Tree:

Photo copyright of owner from xcitefun.net

Sequoia trees in South Africa - Photo copyright of http://sequoiagardens.wordpress.com/

Philippines' Millenium Tree, a 600-year old Banyan Tree (Balete) in Aurora Province Photo copyright of Michael Sinjin Pineda

Ask the kids how these trees became as big and strong.

After acknowledging their answer, will point out that just like this tree, people also need a lot of things to be strong and healthy. Count in my hand the answers.

Go back to the word, the part that says a righteous man is like a tree. Ask what is a righteous man. Following Ministry-to-Children.com's lead, will draw a bare tree trunk and let the kids paste the leaves with the virtues of a righteous man.

Conclude that righteousness is only possible through Christ. That's why once we receive Him in our hearts, we instantly - like magic, become aright! Pray with the kids to accept Him as Lord and Savior.

Bare tree trunk copyright of craftscope.com