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.

The Light in the Flatworld: Bible Recap and Jesus and Palm Sunday

Teaching the 7-8 year olds are much enjoyable for me because I am able to hear more about what they think. More interaction. Their able to express themselves really well, though some are shy to speak in front. There are also some who have a lot of stories to share and it's hard since I have to keep the lesson flowing.

How do you manage blurters in class? How do you address kids who want to say something even when it's not yet time for them to speak?

Class rules
After getting to know each other, this next session, will ask the kids for rules that we may follow in order for the class to be fun and worthwhile. Will post a big sheet of paper on the wall and write down their suggestions. My target is for them to acknowledge sharing, teamwork and taking turns when talking.

Bible Verse
Psalm 119: 105 Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way. It is like a light that guides me.
Salita mo'y isang tanglaw na sa akin ay patnubay, sa landas kong daraanan, liwanag na tumatanglaw.

Message
Since this Sunday is Palm Sunday, would like the kids to learn:

1. The story of Palm Sunday - Jesus entering Jerusalem on a colt aware of what would happen to Him
2. The various traditions done on Palm Sunday
3. How the Bible illustrates all of these

Lesson Introduction

Will be asking the kids if they know what they are celebrating that day. Once they've nailed that it's Palm Sunday, will tell them three things:

• What I remember most fondly about Palm Sunday when I was still a kid
• What I look forward to about the Lenten season
• What I want to do this coming Holy Week

Afterwards, will be asking the kids to come in front one by one, those who are ready, to answer those three questions. I try to do this for them to be used to standing in front and speaking to a group.

Lesson Time

Will then show them this video of the origin of Palm Sunday by Curtis Burthe of Vimeo. Thanks, Curtis for sharing this!

The Story of Palm Sunday by Children from Curtis Buthe on Vimeo.

Before playing the video, will tell them to pay attention since we will be doing something fun afterwards. This is to entice them to concentrate and watch.

Will point them to Matthew 21:1-11, pausing as I read, and asking them to fill in, it to check they remember the story.

Afterwards, will be handling out to them a comic strip with blank frames to fill in and color and write the words of the story.

Matthew 21:9 

Image credits:
http://ourpreciouslambs.wordpress.com/smiles-2/new-testament/jesus-and-disciples/ http://www.onlinefellowship.org/2011/03/26/childrens-fellowship-what-is-palm-sunday/