Scripture: Matthew 8:18-27
Memory Verse: “You, Lord, are the light that keeps me
safe. I am not afraid of anyone. You protect me, and I have no fears.” Psalms 27:1
Concepts:
·
Jesus calls us to
follow him.
·
Jesus sometimes
calls his disciples to go to new places and to try new things.
·
Sometimes
following Jesus can be hard or scary.
·
We can trust
Jesus to take care of us.
Objectives:
1.
Children will
view the video The Miracles of Jesus.
2.
Children will
learn that by having even a little faith (like that the size of a mustard seed)
they can do many of these things. This
was shown to the disciples each time a miracle was performed.
Procedure:
Welcome and Introductions:
1.
Greet the children
and introduce yourself. Wear your
nametag. Make sure the children are wearing nametags. If not, ask the shepherd
to supply a temporary badge. Remember you are interacting with a different
group of students each week that may not know you.
2.
Explain to the
children that the purpose of this workshop is to accept and understand that it
is ok to follow Jesus and that we can trust him to take care of us.
Scripture/Bible Story:
Read the Bible
story. Encourage the children to use their Bibles in looking up verses. You may want to ask the children to read or
you may want to read the scripture yourself.
If a child does not want to read that is perfectly fine. Be creative in giving suggestions for
retelling the story in weeks 3-5 when the children are more familiar with the
story. You may want to ask them what happened first, second, etc.
Application:
1.
Show the video.
It’s about 30 minutes long if it is cued after the beginning credits.
2.
When the video is
over turn the lights on.
Ask: Did
the disciples have faith in Jesus and that he would protect them from harm? Answers will vary, but note that the
disciples’ faith was small; hence Jesus asked why they had little faith. What
are you afraid of and do you pray to Jesus when you are afraid? Answers will vary, please assure the children
that it is ok to be afraid. Should
anyone make fun of a child’s fear, please remind all the children that it is
not nice to laugh at others. Have you ever thought that Jesus was not
listening when you prayed for help? Answers will vary, but remind the children
that sometimes our prayers are answered differently from how we want or expect
them to be answered. Should the children
be non-responsive you may want to share your own story and ask the shepherds to
share also. This is a wonderful way for
the children to see that even adults sometimes don’t have faith.
Reflection Time:
At
Remind them that the offering
from this rotation will go Presbyterian Disaster Relief, to help people who
were hurt by Hurricane Isabel.
Suggested prompts
for journal writing: List one thing that
you are afraid of and how having faith in Jesus can help you face/overcome your
fear. For grades 1 and 2, you may want
to tell them to draw a picture of something they are afraid of and a picture of
Jesus helping them.
At
Prayer:
Suggestion for the closing prayer. Dear God, Thank you for hearing my prayers
and helping me face my fears. Help
me continue to have faith in you when I doubt.
Thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ into the world. Amen.
Tidy and Dismissal: Ask children to help clean up popcorn before they leave Holywood. Wait until after class to pile up the beanbag
chairs. The kids tend to throw them. Wipe out popcorn machine thoroughly, do
not use water.
Teacher preparation in advance:
1.
Read the
scripture passages and attend the Faith Quest Leaders Bible Study.
2.
Prepare
a closing prayer.
Supply List
·
Video
will be given to you at the Workshop Leaders’ Bible Study.
·
Journal
pages will also be provided at the Bible study or the first Sunday of the
rotation.
·
Stickers
if you want to put them on the journal pages.
References
The Miracles of Jesus, 1989, Nest Entertainment Series, ISBN 1-56489-175-5,