Jesus Explains Eternal Life to NicodemusWhen you help your children believe in Jesus, you’ll help...

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Lesson 3 Pre-K & K/Ages 5 & 6 Spring Quarter

Lesson 3

LESSON WHAT CHILDREN DO SUPPLIES EASY PREP

1

Getting Startedabout 10 min.

Welcoming SongSing or listen to praises for God.

CD playerTeacher Pack: CD, inflatable globe

2

Key Verse Activityabout 10 min.

The Whole WorldDo actions as they learn the Key Verse.

Bible

3

Bible Exploration

about 15 min.

Theo’s NewsFind out what a birthday candle has to do with the Bible.

Surprise Box (any box will do), CD player, Theo puppet, birthday candle Teacher Pack: CD

Put the unlit birthday candle inside the Surprise Box, and hide the box where it’s easily accessible.

Bible Time: Jesus and NicodemusWatch and listen as Jesus talks to Nicodemus.

Bible, CD player, tape, scissors, 2 craft sticks, 1 sticky note per child, penTeacher Pack: CD, “Jesus and Nicodemus” puppets, “Jesus and Nicodemus” script, “Jesus and Nicodemus” poster (from the Big Bible Poster Pack)

Cut out the “Jesus and Nicodemus” puppets and tape them to the craft sticks.

�Bible Point Jesus gives us life in heaven.

Key Verse“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Weaving Faith Into Life Children will thank Jesus for coming to give them life in heaven.

J esus told Nicodemus that no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. When it comes to teaching abstract concepts to concrete thinkers, the best

place to begin is with what’s already understood. Your kids understand that they’re born into this world and become part of their families. When you help your children believe in Jesus, you’ll help them learn that they, too, will be accepted, loved, and born into God’s heavenly family to live forever with him and with everyone who loves and believes in Jesus. Thank you for giving your children the opportunity to hear this wonderful message!

Jesus Explains Eternal Life to Nicodemus John 3:1-17

Lesson 3 Pre-K & K/Ages 5 & 6Spring Quarter

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LESSON WHAT CHILDREN DO SUPPLIES EASY PREP

4

Weaving Faith

Into Lifeabout 20 min.

(Choose 2 centers.)

Center 1: HeavenGlue glitter to birthday candles on their pages.

My Bible Playground, glue, glitter, washable markers

Remove the Lesson 3 pages from each My Bible Playground student book.

Center 2: New Birth Celebration Snacks Decorate miniature birthday cakes.

paper plates, plastic knives, napkins, cupcakes, frosting, candy sprinkles, antibacterial gel (optional)

Center 3: Puppet PlayListen to the CD, and use puppets to retell the Bible passage.

CD player, small paper bags, markers, table, butcher paper or poster board (optional)Teacher Pack: CD

Make a puppet stage by turning a table on its side or by taping a sheet of butcher paper or poster board over the lower part of a doorway.

Center 4: A Changed CreatureMake a caterpillar that turns into a butterfly.

For each child: 1 clothespin, 3 craft pompoms, two 3-inch pieces of chenille wire, and three 3-inch squares of tissue paper in different colors; white glue

5

Lasting Impressions

about 10 min.

Daily ChallengesChoose a Daily Challenge to apply God’s Word.

My Bible Playground

Live Forever PrayerSay an action prayer.

Weaving Faith at HomeTalk about how to share what they learned with their families.

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BIBLe BACKGROUND FOR LEADERS

Jesus Explains Eternal Life to NicodemusJohn 3:1-17

A Night Visit

This passage tells of Nicodemus’ nighttime visit to Jesus. Why did Nicodemus come at night? It may have been difficult to get time alone with Jesus during the day because of all the people following him. Or Nicodemus may have come at night because as a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council of the Jews, he didn’t want to be seen.

Nicodemus’ opening comments indicated respect for Jesus, but he stopped short of saying that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. Nicodemus was curious because of the miracles Jesus had performed and acknowledged that Jesus could have done them only through God’s power.

Rescued From Death

Jesus referred to Numbers 21, where poisonous snakes invaded the Hebrews’ camp as a punishment for their complaining. When the people cried out in anguish and repentance, God told Moses to make a snake of bronze and lift it high on a pole. All who looked upon the snake would be saved from death. Jesus explained that, in the same way, he would be lifted up so that all could look on him and be saved from eternal suffering and death.

Believing in Jesus

John 3:16 is probably the most frequently quoted verse in the Bible, and for good reason: It’s a concise statement of the good news of Jesus Christ. But the verse that follows is nearly as important. Jesus’ mission is not to condemn the sinful world but to provide eternal life for all who believe in him.

We don’t know if Nicodemus chose to accept Jesus’ teachings that night. We do know that he later stood up for Jesus in a meeting of the Sanhedrin (John 7:50).

And he helped take Jesus down from the cross and bury him (John 19:39). At some point, Nicodemus apparently looked on the one who was lifted up on the cross—and believed.

The Jesus Connection

Jesus didn’t come to make you a more religious person, but rather a new person—one capable of responding to a life-giving friendship with him.

Reread John 3:1-17 and imagine how disorienting Jesus’ words sound. Nicodemus was a professionally religious person with a nearly perfect spiritual pedigree. However, that wasn’t important to Jesus. Take a quick personal inventory. When evaluating yourself spiritually, do you rely on being religious or on being in a relationship with a loving God? Talk to God about what really matters in your relationship with him. You can write your prayer here.


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GETTING STARTED

Welcoming Song

Tip Consistently use the same signal to announce a transition to the next activity. You could flip the lights off and on, use a train whistle, have a puppet rustling inside a bag, or sing cleanup songs. Keep it simple, consistent, and fun.

What You’ll Do As the children arrive, greet each one with a smile. When it’s time to begin, use your signal to bring the children together in a circle.

Ask two children to stand facing each other, hold hands, and form an arch with their arms. Have the other children pass under the arch single file as they sing. Begin the CD, and lead kids in singing “Come With Me” (track 20 on the CD) to the tune of “The Bear Went Over the Mountain.”

Come with me to God’s house.Come with me to God’s house.Come with me to God’s house.

We’ll learn and sing and pray.We’ll learn and sing and pray.We’ll learn and sing and pray.

Come with me to God’s house.Come with me to God’s house.Come with me to God’s house.

We’ll learn and sing and pray.

(Repeat.)

Say: I’m so glad you’re here! Today, we’re going to learn that JESUS GIVES US LIFE IN HEAVEN. What good news!

Show kids the inflatable globe.

Say: This is a map of the whole world. It shows us all the places that people live and any place they can go. Our Key Verse tells us that God loves the whole world and wants everyone in it to believe in Jesus. JESUS GIVES US LIFE IN HEAVEN. Thinking about heaven makes me happy! Let’s sing our Key Verse song and pass this globe around our circle.

Welcoming SongSupplies

CD playerTeacher PackCD: “Come With Me” (track 20), “God So Loved the World” (John 3:16) (track 6)

inflatable globe

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Play “God So Loved the World” (John 3:16) (track 6 on the CD), and lead kids in singing the song joyfully as they pass the inflatable globe from child to child around the circle.

I believe in God,’Cause what he says is true.I believe that Jesus diedTo save me and save you.

I believe in GodAnd all that he came to do. I believe that Jesus died,Because he loved both me and you.

(Chorus)For God so loved the worldHe gave his one and only Son,That whoever believes in himShall not perish.

For God so loved the worldHe gave his one and only SonThat whoever believes in himWill have eternal life.

(Repeat from the beginning; repeat chorus.)

“God So Loved the World” (John 3:16) by Ben Glover. © 2005 Group Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

Say: This globe represents the whole world. God loves everyone on earth so much, he sent his Son, Jesus. JESUS GIVES US LIFE IN HEAVEN.

2 KEY VERSE ACTIVITY

The Whole World

What You’ll Do Have the children sit in a circle. Open your Bible to John 3:16, and show children the words.

Say: Our Key Verse from the Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This verse means that God gave us Jesus so we can live forever in heaven!

The Whole World Supplies

Bible


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Lead the children in repeating the simplified version of the Key Verse with you: God loved the world so much that he gave his Son, Jesus, so we can live forever (John 3:16).

Say: Let’s say the words and do motions to help remember our Key Verse. Repeat the words and actions with me.

God loved the world so much (hug self)That he gave his Son, Jesus, (hold out arms)So we can live forever (raise hands high and look up)(John 3:16).

Say: You can use these motions to help you remember our Key Verse and how JESUS GIVES US LIFE IN HEAVEN.

3 BIBLE EXPLORATION

Theo’s News

What You’ll Do Say: Friends, it’s time for Theo’s News! Have the children sit in a circle, and begin “Here, Theo” (track 2 on the CD). When the CD segment ends, bring out the Surprise Box, and put the Theophilus the FaithRetriever puppet on your hand. Then follow along with the script.

Theo: Hi, everybody!Teacher: Hello, Theo! Tell us what interesting news you’ve dug up about the Bible today.Theo: I hid it in the Surprise Box.Teacher: Let’s look inside to see what Theo dug up for us today.(Ask a child to open the Surprise Box, and have the kids pass the candle around the circle so the rest of the children can see it up close. Give children time to guess what they might learn in the Bible today.)Teacher: Theo, why did you hide this birthday candle in the Surprise Box?Theo: Well, in the Bible, Jesus tells about a man being born again.Teacher: Friends, what do you think of when you see a birthday candle?(Pause for kids to answer your question.)Theo: Each year, we celebrate the day we were born into our families. We might have a birthday cake, blow out candles, sing, and open gifts. Teacher: You know, Theo, in the Bible, Jesus talks to a man named Nicodemus about being born into God’s heavenly family and living forever with him.Theo: Wow! Did he get a big party?Teacher: Even better, Theo! Let’s find out how Jesus gave this man life in heaven!Theo: Have fun, boys and girls!Teacher: Say goodbye to Theo.

Theo’s NewsSupplies

Surprise Box (any box will do)

CD playerTheo puppetbirthday candleTeacher PackCD: “Here, Theo” (track 2)

Theo’s NewsEasy Prep

Put the unlit birthday candle inside the Surprise Box, and hide the box where it’s easily accessible.

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Encourage the children to wave or say goodbye to Theo. Then put Theo away in a safe place for next week’s use.

Bible Time: Jesus and Nicodemus

What You’ll Do Set the “Jesus and Nicodemus” poster on the floor. Gather the children in a circle around the poster and have them sit down. Open your Bible to John 3, and show the children the words. Tell children that the Bible is God’s special book.

Say: The Bible tells us that JESUS GIVES US LIFE IN HEAVEN.

Jesus did many miracles to show people that he was God’s Son. Some people believed in Jesus, but others did not. Nicodemus was a Jewish leader who wanted to know more about Jesus. Nicodemus wanted to ask Jesus an important question; he wanted to ask Jesus about life in heaven. Nicodemus went to Jesus to ask him his question. Point to the poster.

Ask: n If you could ask Jesus a question, what would you ask him?

Give each child a chance to answer your question. Write each child’s question on a sticky note and then hand the sticky note to the child. Encourage the children to stick their notes on the poster.

Say: You can ask Jesus your questions when you pray to him. You can also ask adults your questions and they might be able to help you find the answer in your Bible. Well, Nicodemus was able to go see Jesus and ask his question. But, Nicodemus went at night to talk to Jesus, because he didn’t want to be seen by others. Introduce the children to the “Jesus and Nicodemus” puppets.

Play “Jesus and Nicodemus” (track 19 on the CD). You can refer to the script if you would like. Have kids say goodbye to the puppets.

Say: God loves the whole world, so he gave us his Son, Jesus. When we believe in Jesus, we can live forever in heaven. God wants us to tell family, friends, and everyone about Jesus so that we can live together in heaven forever!

Talk With Kids Lead children in this discussion.

Ask: n What can you do when you have questions about God? n What can you tell someone who wants to know about Jesus and heaven?

Say: When we believe in Jesus, we become part of God’s family, and we’ll live forever in heaven. I’m so glad that JESUS GIVES US LIFE IN HEAVEN!

Bible Time: Jesus and NicodemusSupplies

BibleCD playertapescissors2 craft sticks1 sticky note per childpenTeacher PackCD: “Jesus and Nicodemus” (track 19)

“Jesus and Nicodemus” puppets

“Jesus and Nicodemus” script

“Jesus and Nicodemus” poster (from the Big Bible Poster Pack)

Jesus and NicodemusEasy Prep

Cut out the “Jesus and Nicodemus” puppets and tape them to the craft sticks.


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4 WEAVING FAITH INTO LIFE

Choose at least two of the learning centers to help reinforce today’s Bible lesson. Gather the needed materials, and put the supplies in an out-of-sight area until you’re ready for them. Allow the children to choose which center they’d like to explore first. Then circulate among the children as they create and explore. Encourage them to make connections between their activities and the Bible by asking them the questions included with each center’s description.

CENTER 1:

Heaven

What You’ll Do Set out glue and glitter. Distribute the Lesson 3 pages from My Bible Playground, and have kids write their names on their papers.

Say: When we believe in Jesus, we’re born into God’s heavenly family to live forever with him and with everyone else who believes in Jesus. What a great new birth we have to celebrate!

Have kids each add a drop of glue to the top of the candles on their pages, and then let kids sprinkle glitter over the glue to “light” the birthday candles. For each candle they decorate, have kids take turns saying one thing they think heaven might be like.


Ask: n Tell about a birthday party you’ve had. n Heaven will be like a big party. What do you hope will be in heaven?

Say: When we believe in Jesus, JESUS GIVES US LIFE IN HEAVEN! What good news! We can be really happy and celebrate that Jesus loves us so much that he wants us to be with him forever.

Center 1: HeavenSupplies

My Bible Playgroundglueglitterwashable markers

Center 1: HeavenEasy Prep

Remove the Lesson 3 pages from each My Bible Playground student book.

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CENTER 2:

New Birth Celebration Snacks

What You’ll Do Set out the supplies. Have kids clean their hands.

Say: When we believe in Jesus, we’re born into God’s heavenly family to live forever. JESUS GIVES US LIFE IN HEAVEN! What a great new birth we have to celebrate!

Have kids use the frosting and sprinkles to decorate their cupcakes. Tell kids they can have the cupcakes to celebrate that we can be born into God’s family in heaven. Say a prayer thanking God for the snacks, sing “Happy Birthday [to us],” and eat and enjoy the treats!

CENTER 3:

Puppet Play

What You’ll Do Form pairs (join in if there is an uneven number) and have pairs create two puppets to represent Jesus and Nicodemus using the paper bags and markers. When pairs have finished, have the children listen to “Jesus and Nicodemus” (track 19 on the CD). Encourage pairs to act along with the CD using the puppets they just made.


Ask: n Nicodemus had questions about Jesus. What questions do you have about

Jesus? n How would Nicodemus’ life have been different if he hadn’t gone to ask

Jesus his questions? n Who are people you can talk to when you have questions about Jesus?

Say: It’s okay to have questions about how JESUS GIVES US LIFE IN HEAVEN. Remember that you can ask your parents or Sunday school teachers about any questions you might have.

Center 2: New Birth Celebration SnacksSupplies

paper platesplastic knivesnapkinscupcakesfrostingcandy sprinklesantibacterial gel (optional)

! ALLERGY ALERT

Center 3: Puppet PlaySupplies

CD playersmall paper bagsmarkerstableposter board or butcher paper (optional)

Teacher PackCD: “Jesus and Nicodemus” (track 19)

Center 3: Puppet PlayEasy Prep

Make a puppet stage by turning a table on its side or by taping a sheet of poster board or butcher paper over the lower part of a doorway.


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CENTER 4:

A Changed Creature

What You’ll Do Gather the children in your craft area. Give each child three pompoms, one clothespin, and two of the chenille wire pieces. Direct the children to glue the pompoms in a row along the top of the clothespin. Then have them glue the two pieces of chenille wire onto the front pompom; these will be the antennae of the caterpillar and butterfly. Point out that the new creations look like fuzzy caterpillars. Encourage them to make their caterpillars crawl around on different surfaces in the room.

Say: During their life, caterpillars become butterflies! They make a cocoon, kind of like a shell, around their bodies, and while they are in that shell, they turn into butterflies! It’s like caterpillars have a brand new life when they become butterflies, just as we can have new life when we believe in Jesus. Let’s turn our caterpillars into butterflies.

Give each child three different colors of the tissue paper. Show the kids how to stack the pieces on top of each other and then pinch them all together in the middle. Then, help them place the middle of the tissue paper stack into the opening of the clothespin.

Say: Look, now our caterpillars have wings; they are all beautiful butterflies! Having new life in heaven is like caterpillars turning into butterflies. When we trust Jesus, he makes us new and gives us life in heaven.


Ask: n How can butterflies remind us of life in heaven? n What kind of changes in our lives does God help us make? n Who in your life needs to know about God’s love?

Center 4: A Changed CreatureSupplies

For each child: 1 clothespin, 3 craft pompoms, two 3-inch pieces of chenille wire, three 3-inch squares of tissue paper in different colors

white glue

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Say: God loved us so much he gave a special gift: his Son, Jesus. Just like Jesus told Nicodemus about new life in heaven, you can use your butterfly to share with your parents or a friend that JESUS GIVES US LIFE IN HEAVEN.

5 LASTING IMPRESSIONS

Daily Challenges

What You’ll Do After the children have cleaned up the centers, bring everyone back to the circle area on the floor. Review the lesson activities and the Bible Point, and then encourage the children to share what they learned from the Bible today.

Also use this time to challenge kids in their faith. Encourage them to choose a Daily Challenge for applying today’s lesson to their lives this week. Use this challenge for encouraging your children’s growing relationships with Jesus.

Talk With Kids Say: Today we learned that JESUS GIVES US LIFE IN HEAVEN. I’d like each of you to choose a way you can thank Jesus for giving you life in heaven this week.

Give kids these three Daily Challenge ideas to choose from: n Whenever you see the color blue, thank Jesus for giving you life in heaven. n Tell someone about what you learned, and ask what he or she thinks

heaven will be like. n Think about what food you hope will be in heaven. Ask your mom or dad to

make that food for dinner.

Have kids each whisper in your ear to tell you which idea they’ve chosen, and then circle it on each child’s My Bible Playground page. Make sure you choose a challenge as well and tell kids which challenge you chose. Your commitment will inspire children and will give them a new opportunity to see God at work in your life as well as theirs!

Live Forever Prayer

What You’ll Do Go around the circle and have kids repeat the Bible Point, replacing the word “us” with children’s names.

Say: Jesus gives [child’s name] life in heaven.

Continue by having the children say the following prayer and do the motions.

Daily ChallengesSupplies

My Bible Playground


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God loved the world so much (hug four people—one person for each word)That he gave his Son, Jesus, (form a cross by standing and holding arms out)So we can live forever. (raise hands high and look up)Thank you, God, for Jesus.In Jesus’ name, amen. (fold hands in prayer and bow head)

Weaving Faith at HomeHave children take home their My Bible Playground pages whether they worked on them or not. Have the children tell their parents the challenge they committed to in the “Daily Challenges” activity. Encourage parents to help their kids fulfill this commitment throughout the week. By working together and focusing on the same goals, you and parents can help children weave faith into their lives!

Talk to your Director about emailing the FREE FamilyConnect to all your church’s families. Available at group.com/digital.

Jesus Explains Eternal Life to NicodemusWhen you help your children believe in Jesus, you’ll help...

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