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.

God Made All Men

Bible Verse
John 13: 34 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

34Isang bagong utos ang ibinibigay ko sa inyo, kayo ay mag-ibigan sa isa't isa. Kung papaanong inibig ko kayo ay gayundin naman kayong mag-ibigan sa isa't isa.


Message:

1. We have been commanded to LOVE one another as Jesus showed us how much He loves us - let the preschoolers aged 5 and below understand how it is to love the way Jesus loves.
2. One another means everyone - who are the people I should love?

Lesson Introduction:

Holding a drawing of a big heart, will ask them what they see? Download a PDF printable of a heart here.

As the little ones answer, will ask them what does our heart do? How it serves us? What kind of feelings it feels.

Lesson Time:

Digital - How Do I Feel With This?

Will be showing the kids photos of different actions and will ask them what the kids in the photo feel. This is so they will associate an action or situation to a feeling, as kids do not know yet to identify what they feel as being pissed, afraid, hurt, etc.

Delighted - she's playing with bubbles Photo copyright of Edita Photography

Cool - she's playing with water Photo copyright of  Vi Rocha

Scared - she is afraid of the zebra Photo from aaanything.net

Angry - why is the baby mad? Photo copyright of babydurbin.blogspot.com

Afraid - why is she scared? Photo copyright of thepinkboss.com

Bored - sleepy dog Photo copyright of howismyface.com

Curious - she's listening to something and learning Photo copyright of   OOSH Ana Halah

Spiritual - Who is My Neighbor
As the kids find out that different situations make them feel different emotions, that's okay. However, we should choose to feel the right way no matter what. We may feel scared, but we may choose to love still.

Will be showing them a modernized video of the Good Samaratan Parable, copyright of Kidmo.




Practical - How have I been Loving to my Neighbor Today?
After watching, will tell the kids that as young as they are they may do loving and kind acts to their neighbors. Ask them what are the good things they have done to their neighbor today, or yesterday. Or what they plan to do tomorrow?

Social - Heart Cards for Craft Time
Have prepared folded colored board cards that may be used as greeting cards. In front is a figure of a heart drawn on it. The kids may paste small bits of recycled paper to make a mosaic heart.

Inside, they may write their message to anyone they wish to give the card to.

And if we still have time, will also show them this as we wait for their parents/fetchers. Video copyright of Max7.org from aldrincenalimosnero.

Jesus Makes Hearts Clean

Bible Verse: God has given us his Spirit... [and] sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 1 John 4:13a, 14a

Message: Jesus is my Savior.

Lesson Time:
Inspired by a story-telling session I witnessed in Fully Booked with my kids, this week's will be that. I will be using this version of the Prodigal Son from Mow Cop Church.

Lesson Introduction:
Mention phrases or actions and make them stand up if it's a good choice, and sit down if it's a bad choice.

• Eating vegetables
• Telling lies
• Respecting older people
• Cleaning up
• Waking up early
• Not sharing toys
• Exercising
• Crossing the street
• Washing hands with soap
• Playing with food

Noteworthy
Since the story is popular, I had to explain to them what prodigal means. I also changed the scenario to make the story more close to home. Like the prodigal son went to Timezone and lots of chocolates he bought, then bought all the toys in Toys 'R Us, etc.

Crafts
The kids made their own pigs using used tissue paper rolls covered in pink paper with printouts of the face and the tail glued at both ends.

Jesus enters Jerusalem

Bible Verse: Your king is coming to you... He is on the colt of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9

Message: Jesus offers a different kingdom, He rode a donkey when other kings ride on horses and chariots. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people welcomed Him and we can welcome Him too as our Lord.

Lesson Time:
I asked the kids what they know about parades:

1. What can you see on a parade?
2. Why people go have parades?
3. Do you need to be scared of parades?
4. What parades have they joined?

Then, I told them that a long time ago, a parade happened and that same parade is still done up to this day, once a year. They were interested to know what it was. Careful not to associate the Palm Sunday rituals, I focused more on the donkey, the coats being laid down, and the words the people exclaimed.

Separating the girls from the boys, I assigned line leaders from the two groups. I told them we will have a parade and we will shout Hosanna, which means 'welcome, Jesus!'

It was fortunate that we have a huge place to roam around. We went around the hall shouting hosanna. The kids were marching and shouting, the other older classes were looking at us perhaps figuring, why the noise? :)

Game: Charades
Afterwards, the kids went to their spots. I showed them a book of how to praise Jesus, explaining that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, all the people were praising Him as their king. The book showed a little girl listening to her Sunday school teacher, praying, singing, reading the Bible with her parents.

Then I asked for volunteers. The kids in front will act out the word I will whisper in her ear, no word should be used. Girls vs. boys have to guess the answer. The preschoolers acted out the following ways to praise Jesus:

• praying
• reading the Bible
• singing
• listening to teacher

The girls team won. I asked the boys to say congratulations to them, while the girls had to say thank you.

Crafts time: Maracas

Now I told the class that we will make another parade, but this time we will be prepared. We will welcome Jesus using maracas which we will make ourselves.

I have prepared before hand cylinders from used cardboards. Then I gave them square pieces of paper to be the topper and the bottom part. They are to put grains of rice or mongo inside.

Voila, we have our very own maracas.

I even asked them to write the word Hosanna Jesus in their maracas.

Our sample maracas - made by a 3-year old boy

Extra time: Palm Leaf samples
Since we still had time, I was able to use what Teacher Tez, the other preschool teacher gave me. However, the materials were not enough for every one so I only got to ask the girls and allowed the boys to play. They were eager to run around.

The craft was palm leaf with the sticker of the memory verse. An ice cream stick served as the branch.

Jesus Feeds 5000 - People Chain and CD Fish, how to spot a used CD/DVD

Bible Verse: Jesus is the Son of God... and [we] are sure that God loves us. 1 John 4:15a, 16

Message: Jesus did miracles because He is the Son of God. As His children, we can also experience and start miracles by sharing what we have with others!

Message Time:
As an ice breaker, I made the children paste around 100 pcs of paper people in a big paper posted on a sturdy wall. I asked the kids to race.

The paper people were made from paper chain cut outs I did beforehand, but were cut out to appear individually.

After sticking them all, I asked them to guess how many were all the paper people they pasted. Once they guessed correctly, I told them that Jesus was able to feed 100 x 50 = 5000 with just five loaves of bread and two fish.

Some of the older preschoolers were really in disbelief. They were saying that can't be done. So I asked again if Jesus can do that and though I heard a majority of 'yes' there were still the doubting Thomas.

I then showed them the paper chain trick, wherein using just a single piece of paper folded many times over, you may cut out a chain of people. Then, I reinforced the thought that since Jesus is God, He can do all these things and more.

With their wondering mind, I then asked for volunteers to hold up puppets. The puppets were the same puppets I used the previous lesson. However, instead of showing the kids, I have revised the puppet to show just a boy.

Narrator: People from all over would come to hear Jesus speak. They would follow Him wherever He went. One day, they followed Him far out of town. They listened to Him all day, and late in the day they were getting pretty hungry!

Disciple 1: Jesus look at all these people!

Disciple 2: They look very hungry!

Narrator: The crowd was saying, “I am so hungry!” (make the crowd say, “I am so hungry” and if they don’t do it loud enough, make them do it again!)



Jesus: We need to feed them!



Disciple 3: But Jesus, we don’t have any food!

Jesus: No food at all?

Disciple 4: There is a little boy with a little bit of food

Boy: I have 5 little loaves of bread and 2 fish

Disciple 1: I was really hoping for a hamburger

Disciple 2: And a milkshake

Disciple 3: And some French-fries

Disciple 4: What about a nice healthy salad?

Boy: All I have is 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread.

Disciple 1: That’s not enough to feed all these people

Disciple 2: There are 5000 people Jesus!

Narrator: The crowd was saying, “I am so hungry!” (make the crowd say, “I am so hungry” and if they don’t do it loud enough, make them do it again!)



Jesus: (says to the boy) Will you share your lunch with me?

Boy: OK…but it’s only a little lunch!

Narrator: The crowd was saying, “I am so hungry!” (make the crowd say, “I am so hungry” and if they don’t do it loud enough, make them do it again!)

The Boy comes and brings his lunch bag to Jesus

Jesus: (prays) Thank you Father-God for this food. Now…go hand out the food to the people.

Narrator: Then the most amazing thing happened. Jesus prayed over the food and a miracle happened…those 2 fish and 5 pieces of bread became more and more and more…and there were soon basketfuls of bread to feed everyone! No one was hungry at all…they all thanked Jesus for the food!

Thanks to Teresa Klassen for the above script.

Craft activity time:
Recycled CD fish from DLTK-Bible

Step 1
Using the patterns from the above link, pre-cut the various fish parts to be pasted onto the CD.

Step 2
Decorate the shiny part of the CD with permanent marker to give the fish scales.

Step 3 (Optional)
Put string if desired. 

Tip on how to check if a CD/DVD has been used
Used CDs and the likes have a different-shaded ring that may be found on the innermost part. Usually that's darker than the rest of the CD. 

Lesson on Jesus Loves Children - Placemat and Recycled Bracelet Crafts

Bible Verse: "When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Mark 10:14

Message: Jesus loves children.


Message Time: To illustrate the bible verse, kids will watch a puppet show of the story of Mark 10:14. I got this story from Mission Arlington and will be bringing them to life through puppets.

        It was a normal day for the children in the village. They would be at home spending time with their family and friends. The children had been playing together when their mother came rushing into the house.
      “Hurry children, hurry! Jesus is here!” Mother said.
      The children jumped to their feet when they heard this. They had heard other people talk about Jesus. He sounded like a very special and important person.
      “I want Jesus to touch you and bless you. He has done many amazing things for the other children that have been sick.” She said.
     They rushed out the door. They saw many other children with their mothers rushing in the same di- rection. As they turned the corner they saw Him. Many people were all around Him. They started to make their way up to Jesus.
     Suddenly some of the men around Jesus started to turn people away. “Go away, Jesus is too busy to see the children. Go away!” They said.
     Jesus looked at those men and said, “Let the little children come to me and DO NOT stop them!” Then as if a door had been opened, all the children made their way up to Jesus. He wrapped His arms around them and prayed for them. It was a very exciting day for the children. They were able to see how much Jesus loved them. They got to see that Jesus wanted to spend time with them.
      Jesus loves you boys and girls, too. He loves everyone so much that He died and came back to life so that you could spend forever with Him. He really wants to be able to spend time with us. One way to spend time with Him is to talk to Him. Another is reading the Bible. And another way we are doing right now, going to Bible Study. 

Crafts Time: I wanted to make something with the kids that will be used again and again. Then I thought of place mats. Printed out this image which I designed. This will serve as place mats, which will be covered in plastic. Will be using colored scotch tape and ask the kids to put stickers or drawings as extra designs. Suitable for kids 4 below.

Mark 10:14 as place mat centerpiece

Extra Time - Recommended for kids 5 yo and above
A reserved craft activity just in case there was still time was bracelet making using recycled papers. Thanks to Family Fun for this craft.

Step 1
Cut out old paper - magazine pages did well for this activity - into strips. If you have paper cutter or shredder, this is a perfect tool for this craft.

Step 2
With any rounded tool, could be a pencil or pen, though in this case I used a balloon stick, roll a strip of paper with the end sealed by glue or paste. It could also be scotch tape.

Step 3
Make several paper beads for the kids to use and to prepare a sample for the kids to model.

Step 4
With a pre-cut string measured just about the size of the wearer's wrist - don't forget the allowance for the  knot, start stringing the beads.

Step 5 - Optional
This final part may be modified as you see fit. Once string is full of beads, tie the bracelet into a knot. In this case, I used a small print out 'Jesus Loves Me - I Love Jesus' to serve as the lock.