LESSON 12 | Prayerstorage.cloversites.com/pinedalechristianchurch/documents/12 Pres… · • SAY,...

Bible Basis: Judges 6 – 7; Luke 11:1 – 13

Key Verse: Psalm 66:19 – 20: “God has surely listened. He has heard my prayer. . . . He has not held back his love from me.”

Key Question: How do I grow by communicating with God?

Key Idea: I pray to God to know him and find direction in my life.

Resource: Believe Storybook Bible, Chapter 12, “Prayer” or story script (below)

Master Supplies List ❑ Believe Storybook Bible (optional) ❑ PowerPoint slides or printable posters of illustrations ❑ Small box decorated with the words Our Prayers ❑ Small slips of paper ❑ Pen ❑ Family Page (one per child)

Optional SuppliesYou will need the following supplies based on which option(s) you choose in STEP 3 | Explore More:

❑ OPTION 1: Brown lunch bags (one per child), yellow and red construction paper, glue

❑ OPTION 4: Crayons or markers, Let’s Color! sheet (one per child) ❑ OPTION 6: Two puppets

LESSON 12 | Prayer

LESSON 12: Prayer | PRESCHOOL 2

STEP 1 | Come Together (10 min)

Supplies: A small box with the words Our Prayers decorated on the out-side, small slips of paper, pen

• GATHER the children.

PRAYER BOX• SHOW the children the box, and read the words on the front to them.• ASK, What is prayer? (Talking to God, listening to God, spending time

with God)• SAY, Right, prayer is talking to God and hearing from God. Sometimes

you talk, and sometimes God talks. Sometimes you listen, and some-times God listens. Prayer is talking to God like you would talk to your mom or dad or a close friend.

• CONTINUE, God made each of you and loves you very much. He loves it when you pray to him! He cannot wait to hear what you have to say! You can talk to him about anything — stuff that makes you happy or sad or scared.

• ASK, What are some things that you’re happy or sad about today that you might want to share with our class and with God?

• SAY, Today we are going to write down some of our prayers and put them in this box.

• INSTRUCT the children to raise their hands and tell something they want to pray about. Write down their requests on slips of paper, and put the papers in the box.

GIDEON• SAY, Today we are going to learn about a man who understood how

important prayer is. His name was Gideon. Can you say that with me? (Have children repeat “Gideon”)

• SAY, Gideon was afraid, and so he wanted God to tell him what to do! Have you ever been afraid? (Take responses)

• SAY, When God gives us directions, does he shout down from heaven? (No) Most of the time, God speaks to our hearts and gives us directions for how he wants us to live. He does this through his Spirit, who lives inside of those who love God. Today the story of Gideon is going to teach us more about praying. When we pray, we do two things: we talk to God (touch your mouth), and we listen to God (touch your ears).

• ASK, Can you say that after me and follow my motions?


• REPEAT, When we pray, we do two things: we talk to God (touch your mouth), and we listen to God (touch your ears).

KEY VERSE• REVIEW this week’s Key Verse. You may want to repeat the verses

slowly a few times until the children are able to say them from memory.• NOTE: You may also choose to review last week’s Key Verse together.

Psalm 66:19 – 20God has surely listened. (Cup ear)He has heard my prayer. (Fold hands)He has not held back his love from me. (Fold arms across chest)

STEP 2 | Hear the Story (15 min)

Supplies: Believe Storybook Bible (optional), PowerPoint slides or printable posters of illustrations

INTRODUCTION• ASK, We already learned that prayer is what? (Talking to God and

listening to God)• SAY, Yes, when we pray, we talk to God and we listen to God.• CONTINUE, We are now going to learn about how Gideon prayed and

about how Jesus prayed.

READ CHAPTER 12• READ aloud the story script below or chapter 12, “Prayer,” from the

Believe Storybook Bible.• SHOW the illustrations included with this curriculum on PowerPoint

slides or printable posters.

THE STORY OF GIDEON• A friend is someone you know very well and care about. You

talk to your friends. You listen to your friends. A friend is there for you when you need help. God can be your best friend! Talk-ing to God and listening to him is called prayer. Gideon is a man who knew about prayer.

• God chose Gideon to lead the Israelite army. He sent an angel to give Gideon this message. At first, Gideon was not sure


REVIEW GIDEON• ASK, Who told Gideon that he would be a great warrior? (An angel)• ASK, Did Gideon believe the angel? (No)• ASK, Gideon wanted a sign from God, so he tested God. What was the

test? (For God to make the wool wet and the ground dry)• ASK, Did God give Gideon this sign? (Yes)

about God’s instructions. He tested God. “God, please give me a sign,” he said. “I’ll lay down a piece of wool. Please make the wool wet and the ground around it dry.” God passed Gideon’s test! Now it was time to face the enemy army!

• Gideon marched out with thousands of soldiers. “That’s too many men,” God said. God told Gideon to send more and more soldiers home. Finally, Gideon was left with only 300 men. It did not seem like they could beat the enemy army, but God had a good plan.

• Gideon’s army surrounded the enemy. They shouted, waved torches, and blew trumpets. The enemy army was very con-fused! They fought one another and ran away in fear. Gideon listened to God and he won the battle with just a tiny army. God had helped his friend Gideon.

THE STORY OF JESUS PRAYING• Even Jesus spent time praying to God. Sometimes he would go

off by himself to talk to God and listen to God. Other times, he prayed together with his friends. Jesus’ friends wanted to know how to be closer to God. They asked him, “ Jesus, please teach us how to pray.” He taught them to pray like this:

“ ‘Father,May your name be honored.May your kingdom come.Give us each day our daily bread.Forgive us our sins,As we also forgive everyone who sins, against us.Keep us from falling into sin when we are tempted.’ ”

• Jesus taught his followers to become close friends with God by praying. We can pray like this, too! God wants us to spend time talking with him through prayer. Tell him everything. Ask him anything. Never give up. God is always listening!


• ASK, What directions did God give Gideon about the men in his army? (To send home the ones who were afraid)

• ASK, How did Gideon’s tiny army win the battle? (God made the enemy run away)

REVIEW JESUS• ASK, Did Jesus also think it was important to pray? (Yes)• ASK, Why did Jesus teach his disciples how to pray? (They wanted to

know the right way to pray; they wanted to know how to be close to God the Father)

• PRAY, Thank you, God, for teaching us how to pray. I want to talk to you and to listen to you every day. Amen.

STEP 3 | Explore MoreChoose from these activity options, depending on your available time frame, to help the children explore the lesson further.

Option 1: Gideon’s Torch (15 min)

Supplies: Brown lunch bags (one per child), yellow and red construction paper, glue

Teacher Prep: Cut construction paper into strips before class.

• SAY, Today we learned how God gave Gideon directions through prayer. God even told Gideon how to scare away the enemy by using torches.

• EXPLAIN to the children that a torch is a piece of wood or cloth soaked in oil and set on fire. It was used as a portable light, similar to the way we use a flashlight.

• SAY, Today you get to make a paper torch.• GIVE each child a lunch bag and several strips of construction paper.• INSTRUCT the children to glue the strips into the inside of the bag so

that most of the strips are showing out of the top.• DEMONSTRATE to the children how to twist the rest of the bag

around until it is tight, creating the handle of the torch with the flames sticking up from the top.

Option 2: Memory Pop-Up Game (15 min)• SAY, In the story, Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. Today I will help

you learn this important prayer, which many people call the Lord’s Prayer.


• REVIEW the Lord’s Prayer with the children several times before beginning the game.

• NOTE: The following version of the Lord’s Prayer is from the NIrV Bible (Matthew 6:9 – 13), but you may use a different version if you choose.

Our Father in heaven,may your name be honored.May your kingdom come.May what you want to happen be done on earth as it is done in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.And forgive us our sins, just as we also have forgiven those who sin against us.Keep us from falling into sin when we are tempted. Save us from the evil one.

• INSTRUCT the children to put their heads down and close their eyes.• EXPLAIN to the children that you will walk around the room, and

when you tap someone on the head, you will say one phrase of the Lord’s Prayer (starting at the beginning, and going in order), and they are to pop up and repeat that same phrase of the Lord’s Prayer after you.

• CONTINUE the game until each child has had a turn and you have had a chance to review the Lord’s Prayer several times.

Option 3: Jesus Taught Us How to Pray (5 min)• SAY, We are going to learn a song about prayer now, and this song will

give you a chance to get up and move! (The song is sung to the tune of “ Jesus Loves Me.”)

• EXPLAIN the motions one by one to the children along with the words. The song should begin with everyone standing up.

Jesus taught us how to pray (kneel down and clasp hands)To God our Father every day, (stand up and raise hands to God)Morning, noon, and night-time too,

(move hands from left to right as if following the sun as it rises and sets)

We can pray and so can you. (kneel down, clasp hands, and then point to the children as the children point to you)

Yes, we can pray! Yes, we can pray!

(pop up on the word yes; then kneel down and clasp hands on the word pray)

Yes, we can pray! (pop up on the word yes; then kneel down and clasp hands on the word pray)

To God throughout the day.


Option 4: Let’s Color! (10 min)

Supplies: Crayons or markers, Let’s Color! sheet (one per child)

Teacher Prep: Print and photocopy the Let’s Color! sheet (one per child)

• GIVE each child a coloring page.• PROVIDE a selection of crayons and/or markers for the children to share.• DISCUSS this week’s Key Idea as the children color.

Option 5: Praise and Worship (15 min)• TEACH the children the following song, “Gideon, the Praying Man,”

sung to the tune of “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush.”

Gideon was a praying man, a praying man, a praying man,Gideon was a praying man, he asked God what to do.God said, Defeat the enemy, enemy, enemy.God said, Defeat the enemy.And that’s what he did do.

“The Lord’s Prayer” by Paul Field© 1998 by Meadowgreen Music Company

CCLI #2607977

Option 6: Act It Out (10 min)

A Prayer List

Use two puppets to act out the following short skit.

Characters

KendraJamal

Props: Two puppets

JAMAL (is staring at a piece of paper in his hand)

Kendra: Hey, what do you have there (grabbing the paper)?

Jamal: My list.

Kendra: List of what?

Jamal: My prayer list. I wrote down everything I want for my birthday.

Kendra: You know prayer isn’t just about asking God for things.

Jamal: It isn’t?


Kendra: No. God isn’t Santa Claus, Jamal!

Jamal: Well, I want to talk to God about my birthday (grabbing the piece of paper from KENDRA).

Kendra: That’s fine, you can talk to God about anything. But are you listen-ing to God too? My mom always says, “God gave you two ears and one mouth, so you should listen a lot more than you talk!”

Jamal: Hmm. That’s a good point. So what do you think God would say about my birthday?

Kendra: I don’t know. He’d probably say he’s happy you were born because he made you and he loves you!

Jamal: That’s cool. He made me and he loves me (bows head to pray, then looks up after about five seconds). I think God wants me not to be so greedy about my birthday and just be thankful for what I get and what I already have.

Kendra: Yeah, that sounds about right.

Jamal: If prayer isn’t just about asking for things, then what is it all about?

Kendra: Prayer is about listening to God.

Jamal: Well, I listened when God said, “Don’t be greedy.” What else is prayer about?

Kendra: Prayer is also a time to thank God for all your blessings, even when it isn’t your birthday.

Jamal: I just got a new pair of shoes. Should I thank God for that?

Kendra: Sure. Can you think of anything else that is good in your life? Every good gift comes from God, you know.

Jamal: Sure. There’s tons of stuff!

Kendra: Okay, go!

Jamal: (talking quickly) My mom, my dad, my sister (KENDRA nods affirma-tively) . . . God, thank you for my house, my dog, my room, my toys, my —

Kendra: (laughing) Okay, I think you got the point. Good job, Jamal (high-fiving him)!

STEP 4 | Going Home (5 min)

Supplies: Family Page (one per child)

Teacher Prep: Print and photocopy the Family Page (one per child).


• GIVE each child a copy of this week’s Family Page.• SAY, Give this page to your family when they pick you up. It will

remind you to tell your family what you learned about Gideon, Jesus, and the importance of prayer.

• HAVE the children recap for you what they remember about the lesson.• REVIEW this week’s Key Verse as well as today’s story and Key Idea

from the Believe Storybook Bible as you wait for the children to get picked up.

• MAKE sure each child remembers to take home any activity sheets or craft projects and the Family Page.

Lesson 12

LESSON 12: Prayer | PRESCHOOL

Let’s Color! Name:

[Coloring page to come]


FAMILY PAGE | Lesson 12: Prayer

Bible Basis: Judges 6 – 7; Luke 11:1 – 13

Key Verse: Psalm 66:19 – 20: “God has surely listened. He has heard my prayer . . . He has not held back his love from me.”

Key Question: How do I grow by communicating with God?

Key Idea: I pray to God to know him and find direction in my life.

Resource: Believe Storybook Bible, Chapter 12, “Prayer”

How to Use This PageThis week, your family can either read the story from the Believe Storybook Bible or read the Bible Basis passages from your Bible to help your child remember the lesson. Use the Table Talk questions below to start a discussion around the dinner table, while driving in the car, or just about anywhere. The Living Faith activity is designed to remind your child of the Bible lesson through a drama or other engaging activity. The Extra Mile idea provides interactive ways for your child to connect with the story.

Table Talk

1. Gideon understood the importance of prayer. Do you remember what prayer means? (Listening and talking to God)

2. Do you take time at home to pray and listen to God? 3. What kinds of prayers do you say at bedtime? At mealtimes? 4. Do you think it’s important to pray with your family? Why?

Living Faith

Option 1The story of Gideon is a fun one for your child to act out. Your child can dress in biblical-style clothing and pretend to be Gideon. Help your child practice playing the role of Gideon — praying to God. You can play the part of the angel telling Gideon that he would become a great warrior. You can use props such as a piece of fabric or fleece as the wool. If your child made the paper bag torch craft, this makes an excellent addition to their pretend play.


Option 2As another option, keep a notebook nearby when it’s time to tuck your child in at night. Ask what he or she would like to pray about and jot those things down in the notebook. When a prayer has been answered, be sure to talk about this with your child during bedtime prayers.

Extra Mile

• To help make the power of prayer more real to your child, create a family prayer list. To increase visibility and interest, have your child help decorate a large sheet of poster board featuring the list. Let each member of the family add something to the list that is really important to him or her. Post the list where everyone can see it and be reminded to pray for these things each day. When an item on the prayer list is answered, have a simple celebration to drive home to your child the fact that God really does hear and answer our prayers.

• Try to emphasize praise and thankfulness in each family prayer time to help your child understand that praying is not just about asking for things but also about worshiping God. Try structuring your prayer time in the Praise-Thank-Ask way to help your child start to learn the different ways to pray to God:

• Praise: “Dear God, you are so good to me!”• Thank: “Thank you for the sunshine today. I liked playing outside!”• Ask: “Please help me not to be afraid of monsters under my bed,

and please protect me while I sleep tonight. Amen.”• Work on memorizing the Lord’s Prayer with your child; repeat the

prayer together in small phrases until your child is able to recite the entire prayer alone.

Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored. May your kingdom come. May what you want to happen be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, just as we also have forgiven those who sin against us. Keep us from falling into sin when we are tempted. Save us from the evil one.

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