First Look
January 2016, Week 5
Small Group, Preschool
January 29, 2017
Basic Truth: Jesus wants to be my friend forever.
Key Question: Who is there when you need Him?
Bottom Line: Jesus is there when I need Him.
Memory Verse: “You are everything I need.” Psalm 119:57, NIrV
Bible Story Focus: Jesus can help me when I’m scared.
Calming the Storm • Matthew 8:23-27
Make It Fun (Introductory Activities, 10 minutes)
1. Row Your Boat and STOP!
What You Need: No supplies needed
What You Do:
During the Activity: Gather the children in an open area of the room. Have them sit on the floor in
rows as if they are sitting in a boat. Once children are seated, explain that you will “row the boat” with
your arms as you sing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” But they must listen as they sing. If they hear a
leader say, ‘STOP!’ they must stop singing and stop rowing. Repeat and stop the song in a different
spots each time. Continue singing and stopping as time and interest allow.
What You Say:
During the Activity: “Today I want us to pretend we’re all on a boat! Let’s sit in rows on the floor like
this. (Help children get into rows and sit on the floor, criss-cross applesauce.) When you’re on a boat,
you have to row like this. (Demonstrate how to row with your arms.) Great job! As we row, let’s sing
‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat.’ Do you know that song? (Pause.) Let’s sing it together. (Sing the song.)
Great singing, everyone! I want us to sing it again, but I need everyone to put on their listening ears! If
you hear a leader say, ‘STOP,’ you must stop singing and stop rowing. Are you ready? Are your
listening ears on? (Pause.) Okay, here we go!” (Do activity.)
After the Activity: “If I were in a boat that needed rowing, I would definitely want you on the boat with
me! You are great rowers and singers. AND you are great listeners! Today we’re going to hear about
some friends who were out in a boat with Jesus. But they hit some rough water. It’s going to be a
really exciting Bible story!”
2. Bible Story
Read “Jesus Calms the Storm” on pages 334-339 in The Beginners Bible.
Curriculum Materials for 3- through 5-year-olds • ©2015 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com
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First Look
January 2016, Week 5
Small Group, Preschool
Make It Stick (Application Activities, 15 minutes)
1. Jesus Calms the Storm
What You Need: “Water” and “Boat” activity pages, brad, crayons
What You Do:
Before the Activity: Hand out “water” and “boat” activity pages.
During the Activity: Talk about Jesus calming the storm as the kids decorate their boats and the
water. Help the kids to use the brad to add the boat to the water activity page.
What You Say:
During the Activity: “Today we are going to make our boat sail on the water! Let’s decorate our boats
and then I can help you make them sail on the water!: (allow kids to decorate) I love how you’ve
colored your boats! Great work! Now let’s attach the boats to the water. (help kids to add the brad to
the boat and the water page. The brad allows the boat to move on the water) Look at that! Our boat is
floating now! Good job!
2. Books of the Bible
What You Do:
Review the books of the Bible, Matthew – 2 Thessalonians, with the children. Practice saying them in funny
voices (whispering, squeaking like a mouse, etc.), motor activity (jumping, marching, etc.), or with hand
motions (clapping, chomping like an alligator, etc.).
What You Say:
“OK, now we are going to learn the New Testament Books of the Bible. Do you know who we learn
about in the New Testament? That’s right! We learn about Jesus! Let’s practice! Matthew, Mark, Luke,
John, Acts, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2
Thessalonians. Can you say it with me?”
Make It Real (Small Group – Application & Prayer, 5 minutes)
Small Group Time
What You Need: “Memory Verse Card,” prayer journal and a pen.
SMALL GROUP LEADER (SGL): “Raise your hand if you’ve ever been scared. (Raise your hand
and be ready to listen to a few stories if the children begin sharing.) I think everyone in the whole,
wide world has been scared. In today’s story, we learned that Jesus is with us when we’re scared.
Remember how Jesus’ friends were scared in the boat when the storm came? Who was there to help
Curriculum Materials for 3- through 5-year-olds • ©2015 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com
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First Look
January 2016, Week 5
Small Group, Preschool
them when they were scared? Jesus! And Jesus did something only He can do. Jesus stopped the
storm! Wow!
“Jesus will be there for you too when you get scared. Who is there when you need Him?”
CHILDREN and SGL: [Bottom Line] “Jesus is there when I need Him!”
SGL: “And just like our memory verse says, Jesus is all you need! It says so right here.
“You are everything I need, Psalm 119:57.
“We’ve been saying this verse for awhile now. I think you know it! Let’s say it together with the
motions one more time and then anyone who wants to try and say it by yourself can give it try. I have
my hand stamp/stickers ready for you! Here we go!
CHILDREN and SGL: “You are (point up) everything (hands out to sides) I need (point thumbs to
chest), Psalm 119:57. (Open your hands like a book.) (Repeat the verse with the motions several
times together.)
(Give each child the opportunity to say the verse on his own. Have your stickers/hand stamp ready to
give when they say it.)
SGL: “I am so super proud of you! I hope you always remember that Jesus is all you need and He will
be there when you need Him!
“Come sit with me now. It’s time to write in our journal. Today I want us to make a list of places or
things that scare us. I’ll write everyone’s name in our prayer journal. When I say your name, I want
you to tell me about what scares you and we can use our list when we talk to God.
(Open prayer journal and hold your fun pen. Write each child’s name and what they say beside their
name. Remember to print the words they say so the children can recognize their names and the
letters. If a child can’t think of anything to share, that’s okay. If a child names a person who scares
them, ask a gentle follow-up question to see if you can determine why. Report anything out of the
ordinary to the church staff.)
“Everyone gets sacred sometimes. Jesus can help us when we’re scared. He will always be there
when you need Him. Would anyone like to pray before I pray?
(Give each child who wants to pray the opportunity to do so)
“Now I will pray.”
Prayer
SGL: “Dear God, thank You for giving us Jesus. He is such an amazing friend! Thank You that He is
there to help us when we need Him, like when we’re scared. Help [child’s name] to ask Jesus for help
Curriculum Materials for 3- through 5-year-olds • ©2015 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com
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First Look
January 2016, Week 5
Small Group, Preschool
when (read what that child listed) scares him. (Repeat this for each child.) We love You, God. In
Jesus’ name, amen.”
Get Ready to Dismiss (Think ORANGE)
•
•
Place take-home creations and this month’s Parent Cue in each child’s paper bag.
Greet parents at the door and tell them that this month preschoolers are learning that [Bottom Line]
•
Encourage parents to repeat the Bottom Line at home and help their child understand that [Bottom
Line] Jesus is there when I need Him.
Encourage parents to use the activities found in Parent CUE to reinforce this month’s Bottom Line:
[Bottom Line] Jesus is there when I need Him AND this month’s Memory Verse.
•
Jesus is there when I need Him.
Curriculum Materials for 3- through 5-year-olds • ©2015 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com
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