FAITH CHALLENGE
Matthew: Jesus’ Ministry
Helping Hand – Lesson A, Week 2
Scripture: Matthew
25:31-46 (CEV)
Memory Verses:
“You obey the law of Christ when you offer each other a helping hand.” (Galatians 6:2 CEV)
1.
The Coach leads the
opening routine: snack, fellowship, Prayer Wall activity, and Prayer
Chain. Name tags are available.
2.
The Coach reviews the
timeline. Remind the class that we are
still in the “God sends a son” section of the timeline. We have studied Jesus’
birth and baptism and one small part of his ministry, the Zacchaeus story. For
Lent and Easter we studied Jesus’ death, resurrection and Holy Week. We now go
back to our study of Jesus’ ministry with 2 lessons from Matthew. Note that
this is out of chronological order.
3.
Ask for the offering of
soup cans. See explanation in previous
lesson.
4.
Introduce the Guide,
who leads the workshop lesson.
1.
In this lesson we will
continue to express what it means to answer Jesus’ call to live in a way that
exhibits God’s purpose for the world. We are working on mission projects, The
Raleigh Soup Kitchen and Pentecost offering, to help the needy.
2.
Review the memory
verse. Divide the class and the verse
into 2 parts. Repeat the verse as a call and response 2 or 3 times. After
several repetitions, switch parts and repeat the verse a few times again.
Call: You obey
the law of Christ …
Response: when you offer
each other a helping hand.
3.
Briefly recap: What is
the law of Christ? (We are called to a new way of life that shows God’s purpose
for the world.) Do you obey this call? Do you offer a helping hand? To whom?
4.
Review the Bible
story. Ask for volunteers who were
present last week to explain the story of judgment, sheep, goats, “doing it to
the least of these” and “not doing it to the least of these”. Conclude when it seems the class has a grasp
of the Bible lesson.
Activity
#1
Divide the class into
small discussion groups. Last week we studied one song relating to the Bible
passage. Today we will look at another song. What does it mean to have hollow
eyes (sad, lonely, without hope). Distribute
the lyrics of the song “Hollow Eyes” by Petra.
Ask the kids to note that
the last chorus is different form the other chorus’: instead of “their hollow
eyes” it refers to “His hollow eyes”. What is the significance of this change?
Play the music. The kids
can read or sing along with the lyrics.
Briefly discuss the song with the following questions.
·
What is the song about?
·
Who has hollow eyes?
·
Why are we afraid to
look into the hollow eyes? (We are compelled to do something about it.)
Activity
#2
1.
Distribute information
about the Pentecost offerings to each group. Discuss the various organizations
and the people they try to help. What are the needs? What can the Pentecost
offering do to help? Hand out index cards and markers to each group.
Ask the kids to write one word, in bold
print, on each card that describes what the Pentecost offering can do to help
those in need.(eg. food, medicine, school supplies, books, shelter, etc.)
Collect
the cards for later.
Activity
#3
We are going to continue
our work on a Pentecost display that will remind members of the congregation to
contribute to the Pentecost offering. We are creating 1 or 2 life-sized
children to represent those with needs that can be helped by Pentecost offering
and children that can help others. Last week we created the head, hands and
feet. This week, we will finish the “people”.
1.
Divide the kids into
groups from last week. Hand out the
body parts, paint and brushes. Make sure that parts belonging to the same body
are all the same color – we used 4 different skin colors for our 4 kids. Also
make sure that you have a left and right hand and foot. Use a hair dryer to
quickly dry and added further detail if desired such as toe nails, finger
nails, etc.
2.
The heads should
already be painted a flesh tone color. Instruct these students to paint faces and
apply hair. The other body parts will be painted a flesh color. As you paint
the various parts, think about the expression and features of your child.
Extra activity: While the class gets to work, ask for a couple of volunteers, perhaps
anyone who was not in class last week, to create a large poster for the display
and other smaller posters. Ask a coach to oversee this activity. Distribute
poster board, computer banner paper, pens, markers. Discuss what information
should be on the signage. (eg. “Bridging of Hope”, Pentecost offering date,
who/what it is for)
1. Ask students to tidy up.
Reflection:
Think about how you would feel if you were one of the people with needs. What if people described you with so many needs? How would Jesus want us to treat these people?
1. The Coach conducts the closing prayer time. Pray for the least of these: the needy, the unlovable, people who are hard to like. Pray for the people and organizations that help those in need. Ask to be mindful of ways to offer a helping hand this week.
2. Close/lock the door and turn off the lights.
1. For questions on this lesson plan, contact Catherine Devins, 851-3368 or
2. Check out your room setup and supplies. You will need tables and stools.
3. Memory verse written on the board
4. Make copies of lyric sheet.
5. Gather supplies
6. Create the cardboard form (see below) for the body.
7. Practice putting the paper mache bodies together so you will be able to instruct the kids. Use dowel rods to help prop up the people in their display positions.
8. It is a good idea to paint the head a flesh tone color have it dry prior to this lesson so that it is ready for feature details. The other body parts can be painted in this lesson.
9. Prepare some ideas for the hair.
· Bibles (CEV)
· Pentecost offering information
· CDs
· Handouts of song lyrics to “Hollow Eyes”
· Paints and/or markers (flesh tones, red, black, gray, blue) for adding features, paintbrushes
· Hairdryer to help the paint drying
· Hair: yarn glued to a strip, thick pile material, etc.
· Clothing: pants and long sleeved shirts, hats, shoes, etc.
· Tacky glue and/or glue gun
· Cardboard for body form
· Index cards and black markers
· Poster board, computer banner paper and markers for the display
· Wooden board for bridge span (optional)
· Smocks or old shirts to protect clothing
Creating a body form from cardboard: The basic idea behind slotted construction is to look at the front and side profile of what you are trying to make or breaking down a larger figure into smaller units. For instance, for a sitting body you would look at the silhouette of the neck to the waist and create two cutouts from cardboard. One silhouette is a side view and one is a front on view. Cut a straight line half way up the bottom of one piece and half way down the top of the other piece. Cut two parallel lines about the same as the thickness of the cardboard, this prevents torque when putting them together.
After the two pieces of cardboard have been cut on opposite sides half way, slide them together. You could add a section to the "seated person" by now adding a top view of a lap with two extensions out for the legs and then add leg to ankle sections etc. With slotted construction, everything has sturdiness and can stand or function in a 3D manner.
Dress the people in clothes and stuff loosely with newspaper. You can pick up cardboard boxes from stores. They don’t need to be too big.
References
Group Publishing, Bible Teaching Ideas – New Testament. Loveland, CO. 1994
Petra, “Hollow Eyes”. From the CD Petrified (The Very Best of Petra)
Setting up the Display
·
Use cardboard form to
provide stability. Attach head to body. I tried a variety of ways using hot
glue gun and cardboard. Dress the people.
·
Stuff the clothing with
newspaper. Pin or tape feet to pant legs and hands to sleeves.
·
Position the maché kids
in chairs and /or sitting on the floor. Position the needs index cards around
the kids.
·
Make a bridge with the
soup cans position the paper mache kids at either end of the bridge. However,
this part of the display did not work out because we didn’t receive enough cans
as offerings throughout the weeks.
·
Create a display
explaining the display, the Pentecost offering and the Faith Challenge lesson.
Hollow Eyes
Words and music by Bob Hartman , performed by
Petra
Based on Matthew 25:35-48
Another day in Nigeria the children beg for bread,
The crops failed, the well ran dry
When they lost the watershed
A baby dies, its mother cries, the children gather 'round
They're wondering what the day will bring
Will they be the next one found?
(Chorus)
Do you dare to gaze into their hollow eyes, hollow eyes?
Are they staring holes in you with their hollow eyes,
Hollow eyes, hollow eyes?
In the crowded sheds the children lay their heads
To escape the Haitian heat
The hunger pains drive them to the street
Wond'ring if today they'll eat
Some find food in the refuse heap, others find disease
Some find it harder just to live when they can die with ease.
The least of these is hungry.
The least of these is sick.
The least of these needs clothing.
The least of these needs drink.
The least of these knows sorrow.
The least of these knows grief.
The least of these has suffered pain, and Jesus is His name.
(2nd Chorus)
Do you dare to gaze into His hollow eyes, hollow eyes?
Is He staring back at you with His hollow eyes,
Hollow eyes, hollow eyes?