Make Lenten crosses. Children can cut on the already partially cut out crosses.   Teach the kids that the color purple, which we see much of during Lent, signifies suffering.  God gave so much for us and this is a season when we can give to Him.  

 

Next have the children paint the white crosses with purple paint and tell them to think about what we can write on our cross to remind us of our promises to do more to help our parents or give up something as our own sacrifice.  

 

Once the paint dries, add tissue paper to the crosses to make them resemble the stained glass windows in the church. 

 

In small groups- ask the children what they will be doing for Lent and write it on the back of their cross. They then take this home to hang in their room or somewhere in the home to remind them of their Lenten promise. 

Whole group: Read story, “Five Senses” and show children’s song, “Five Senses on youtube.” Discuss with children how God created each of us and the many things we use our senses for. He made us each special and gave us all 5 senses to help us.

Small Group 1: Have children practice using 5 senses with hands-on activities (touching feathers, sandpaper, and other materials; smell vanilla, flowers, garlic; taste goldfish, sour patch kids, lemon juice; listen to different noises on youtube; turn lights off and on and talk about sight and what you can see)

Small group 2: Ask children to draw and dictate the answer to the question, “How did God make you special by giving you senses? God gave you 5 senses to…” 

To recap at the end of the lesson, I had each student tell me one Station of the Cross (I have 14 students so this worked out perfectly). 

 

                       

     

 

                       

 

The above pictures are examples of using faith based learning in our classroom.  The first picture is a picture of two of our bible dress-up outfits for when we need a king and characters like Moses or Noah.  The second is our “Prayer  Corner” where we have a prayer chair for when the students need some time with Jesus to praise him or to reflect on their feelings or behavior.  It is not a punishment but a way to teach them to spend time with Jesus.  The last picture is a picture of our learning about the death of Lazarus.  After learning about Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, we learned the story of Jesus bringing Lazarus back to life (John 11:1-44).

 

The story of Zacchaeus  (Luke 19:1-10)

 

PK.01.06  State that Jesus is:  true God and true man, Son of God, and son of Mary.

PK.01.07  Retell stories about important moments in the life of Christ.

PK.02.03  Identify the Bible as the book that contains the four gospels- important books where we learn about Jesus.  

PK.10.04  State that Jesus taught us to care for other people.

PK. 12.04  Understand that Jesus showed concern for all people, especially those in need.

PK.14.01  Realize that Jesus asks us to share the Good News of Jesus’ love for us with our family, friends, and neighbors.

PK 14.03 Recognize that Jesus wants us to help our family and friends.

 

OBJECTIVE:  SWBAT  identify who Luke is from prior knowledge, listen to the story of Zaccheaus and discuss his job, his personality, his character, learn a song about Zaccheaus, and learn to be kind to others even when they don’t deserve it.  

 

Needed:  The Beginner’s Bible Page 413-417,  scissors, glue sticks, crayons, paper towel rolls for each child, copy of Zaccheaus, and green paper for the top of the tree, and Zaccheaus song from WEE SING Bible Songs.

 

 

Begin by introducing the story as a story of Luke.  Use prior knowledge of who Luke is how this story is in the New Testament.  The children’s prior knowledge of the New Testament is that they are all stories about the life and death of Jesus.  

 

Read the story and discuss or add as needed.  Then teach the song.

 

Zaccheaus was a wee little man,

A wee little man was he,

He climbed up in a sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see,

And as the Savior walked his way,

He looked up in the tree,

and he said, Zaccheaus, you come down,

For I’m going to your house today,

I’m going to your house today.

 

Color the paper towel for the trunk of the tree, trace, color, and cut the tree leaves, paste on the leaves and Zaccheaus.  

 

Conclusion/exit:  The children can sing the song while playing with the tree puppet and then retell the story at home.  

 

 

Key Verse: God began a good work in you. And he will continue until it is finished. Philippians 1:6 ICB