Scripture: Isaiah 9:6,7
Memory
Verse:
Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be
called children of God.” (NRSV)
Concepts:
· Jesus is the Prince of Peace
· Jesus came to earth to teach us about peace.
· God wants us to work for peace and justice.
Objectives:
· The children will watch the video Little Dogs on the Prairie and discuss getting along with others.
· The children will learn sign language for “Lord hear our prayer” and participate in prayer asking for peace and justice.
· The children will practice call and response traditions.
Procedure:
Welcome
and Introductions:
1. Greet the children and introduce yourself. Make sure that everyone is wearing a name tag, including you. Extra name tags can be found in the plastic bin for your workshop or in the Shepherd’s bag.
2. Remind the children that every Sunday in worship, we “pass the peace”.
Workshop Leader: Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another.
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Children: And also with you.
Repeat your prompt so the children have another chance to practice their response. Then everyone should be encouraged to turn and shake a neighbor’s hand. This is called “the passing of the peace” and we do this every Sunday in worship. It is a way to welcome each other in friendship and peace. We are supposed to forgive one another if we have been upset or fighting.
3. Tell the children that this lesson is about peace. We will be watching a movie about some Prairies Dogs who had to learn how to get along.
Scripture/Bible
Story:
1. Prepare to read the scripture passage in Isaiah. Set the story up by telling the children that Isaiah was a prophet in Judah, a man who told the people of Judah what God wanted them to do and how God wanted them to live. Ask the children to follow along silently with you as you read.
2. Read Isaiah 9:6-7. CEV
Workshop Leader: Listen now for the Word of God:
“A child has been born for us. We have been given a son who will
be our ruler. His names will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty
God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace. His power will never end;
peace will last forever.”
Workshop Leader: The Word of the Lord.
Children: Thanks be to God.
This passage from Isaiah was written about 700 years before Jesus was born. Isaiah was writing at that time about a new baby king. But years later the followers of Jesus realized the passage also describes Jesus. What was written so many years ago came true with the birth of Jesus. Jesus was born to be the Prince of Peace; to teach us how to live peacefully with each other.
Application:
1. Prepare to show the first segment of the video. It is about prejudice. Prejudice is not liking someone because he or she is different in some way. Can you give examples of how people are different? In a town full of prairie dogs, Stanza the snake is different. Stanza is a good worker and an excellent singer but the other dogs don’t want him in their town.
2. Watch the video and hand out the popcorn.
3. Discuss: Why did the prairie dogs not like snakes? (He was different from everyone else.)
4. Why
didn’t they believe that a snake could sing? (Because they didn’t want to believe that someone they disliked could
have such a beautiful talent.)
5. Why
wouldn’t they listen when Mr. Hollister tried to explain (Their minds were made up. They were not open to new ideas.)
6. How could they have acted differently?
Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Jesus wants us to accept one another and to get along with each other.
1. Show the next video segment about listening to each other and not reacting quickly in anger. In this video Mr. Hollister and Gilroy have an argument. How did the argument get started?
2. After
the video, discuss: What is a grudge? (Remembering
a fight or disagreement and staying mad.) What was the misunderstanding? (Grudge vs. fudge.) How did the fight
get started? (Patterson gossiped and
started a rumor about the grudge.) What could the dogs have done better? (Listen to each other and not be so quick
to get angry.)
3. How can we behave better toward one another?
Recite the memory verse: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Even children can be peacemakers.
This Bible verse says we are to work for peace and justice (fairness) in the world. Another thing that we can do is to pray for peace. We are going to recite a prayer for peace.
Reflection:
Ask the shepherds to pass out the journal sheets and pencils/markers. Give the children a copy of the closing prayer to paste on their journal sheet.
Tell the children that the prayer is about replacing something that is bad, with something that is good. Listen for what is bad and what we are asking God help us do that is good. (Look for the opposites). This prayer is by Saint Francis of Assisi. We are going to pray it as a call and response type of prayer.
Ask the students to close their journal folders and sit quietly for prayer.
Closing:
Prayer: Show the children the sign language motions for the words: Lord, hear our prayer. Practice several times. The children will be signing this part in the closing prayer. Ask the shepherds to help lead the signing. Recite the prayer.
Tidy and Dismissal:
Dismiss the class with the words: “Go in Peace”.
Ask children to help clean up popcorn as they wait for their
parents to arrive. Leave the beanbag chairs to be piled up AFTER everyone
leaves. It has been too disruptive to have the children do it. Wipe out
popcorn machine thoroughly
Teacher preparation in
advance:
1. Read the scripture passages and attend the Faith Quest Leaders Bible Study, Sunday, November 4 in Tom’s office. It will be very important for you to attend this study led by Susan Mazzara. Please RSVP to the church office 467-4944.
2. On the white board, write your key scripture verse. Display also, on the whiteboard or poster: Workshop Leader: Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another.
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Children: And also with you.
Workshop Leader: The word of the Lord.
Children: Thanks be to God.
3. For questions on this lesson plan, call Catherine Devins 851-3368.
4. Preview the video and have it cued to the correct starting place. The video will be given to you at the Faith Quest Leaders Bible Study. Be sure and ask for it. Please return it to the church office at the end of the rotation unit.
5. Practice operating the popcorn machine. If this is your first time in Holywood, visit the current workshop leader for instructions before your rotation begins. Be sure you have plenty of popcorn popped before the children arrive. You will need to have your attention on the children at that point. Ask the shepherds or child volunteers to help distribute it to the children who are sitting quietly.
Supplies
Video
Copies of the prayer enough for each child
Glue sticks
Journal Sheets
References
Sign Language: http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm. This is an excellent web site to see video clips of the motions.
Video: Little Dogs on the Prairie: pride, prejudice and fudge. Tommy Nelson, Fancy Monkey Studios. www.tommynelson.com
Lord: move the right hand (in an L shape) from left shoulder to right hip
Hear: This is a natural gesture to indicate the concept of hearing something. Right hand points to right ear.
Our: open palm of right hand moves from right shoulder to left shoulder
Prayer: The hands are held as if in prayer. Clasp both hands together and bring toward chest.
Closing Prayer for Peace:
1. Lord,
make me an instrument of your peace.
Lord, hear our prayer.
2.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Lord, hear our prayer.
3.
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Lord, hear our prayer.
4. Where
there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
Lord, hear our prayer.
5.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not seek so much to be
consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love.
Lord, hear our prayer.
6.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Amen.