God’s Messenger: Meeting Kids’ Needs
DISCOVER JESUS Grade Levels: K - 2 Objective: To show that Jesus wants to be our best friend. It is our privilege to get to know Him better. In This Lesson Plan: •
Audio Story: “Finding the Love of Jesus” (10:52 minutes) - Summary (for teacher) - Introduction (to read to students before playing the audio) - Discussion questions (after playing the audio)
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Story Time: “Jesus as a Little Boy” (read to the students) - Discussion questions - Class activity - Worksheets (2) + Teacher’s KEYS
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Class Project Ellen G. White Quotes
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (after playing the audio)
AUDIO STORY
1. Why was Ellen Harmon so troubled? Does the Bible teach of an eternally burning hell? 2. What did Ellen pray about all night long? 3. In Ellen’s dream, what was Jesus like? 4. Why was Ellen afraid to speak in public? 5. With whom did Ellen share the story of Jesus’ love? Do you want to share Jesus with your friends?
“Finding the Love of Jesus” (10:52 minutes)
SUMMARY (for teacher): Ellen Harmon was very troubled. She had been taught to believe in an eternally burning hell and thought that God delighted in torturing His creatures. She stayed up all night long for days at a time asking God to save her from the fires of hell. She was finally relieved when someone shared with her the message of the cross, that God longs to draw people to Himself. Ellen felt impressed to speak in public, but she was afraid. Then one evening at prayer meeting, she got the courage to pray out loud. From then on, she felt like a different person. She was full of happiness and enjoyed telling others the story of Jesus’ love. INTRODUCTION (to read to students before playing the audio): Young Ellen Harmon couldn’t sleep at night. She spent hours and hours praying that God would save her from the fires of hell. She had been taught to believe in an eternally
Copyright © 2006 Ellen G. White® Estate, Inc.
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Discover Jesus: K - 2
God’s Messenger: Meeting Kids’ Needs
burning hell, and she was very afraid. Then Ellen had a dream that gave her the courage to tell someone else about her feelings. What did Ellen dream about? And what did she eventually learn about the love of Jesus? DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (after reading the story)
STORY TIME
1. What did Jesus study as a boy? Do you like to study things in nature? 2. What did Jesus do to help others? 3. Why did some people dislike Him? 4. How can you and I become more like Jesus? Wouldn’t it be nice if our lives were “in harmony with God”?
“Jesus as a Little Boy”
CLASS ACTIVITY As a class, come up with a list of qualities that make up a good friend. Then talk about how Jesus is the best friend we could ever have.
WORKSHEETS
“Jesus and You” (Tangled Lines)
Directions: Follow the curvy lines from the letters up top to the boxes where they belong. You’ll discover the relationship Jesus wants with you. Answer: Best Friends
“a-MAZE-ing Jesus” (Maze)
Directions: Julie is lost without her Best Friend, Jesus. Help her find Him by drawing a line from start to finish. Stay on the path, and do not cross any lines. Answer: See teacher’s KEY for Discover Jesus: Worksheet 2-A.
Copyright © 2006 Ellen G. White® Estate, Inc.
Have you ever wondered what Jesus was like as a little boy? We can read about Him in the book The Desire of Ages by Mrs. White. Here is a brief description of Jesus as He was growing up: When Jesus was a boy, he lived in a little mountain village in Galilee. Since He was the Son of God, He could have chosen to live anywhere on earth, including a king’s palace. But instead He chose to live among the poor people of Galilee. That way He could understand their troubles and hardships. He could comfort and encourage them. Jesus faithfully and cheerfully did His part to help out at home. He had been the ruler of heaven, and angels had been happy to do what He commanded, but now He was a willing servant and a loving, obedient son. With His own hands He worked in the carpenter’s shop with his father, Joseph. Jesus had a sharp, active mind. With it, He carefully studied God’s Word. He also loved to study the wonderful things that God had made, in the earth and in the sky. As He grew in height and strength, He also grew in knowledge and wisdom. Jesus loved everyone He met. His willing hands were always ready to serve others. He helped those who were suffering. When He found a wounded little bird, He cared for it tenderly. Every living thing seemed happier when He was near. When Jesus’ brothers spoke harshly to the poor, Jesus would go to those same people and speak kind and encouraging words. He would bring water to the thirsty and sometimes give his own meals to the hungry. Jesus hated only one thing in the world, and that was sin. He was firm as a rock in standing for the right, although He did so with gentleness and courtesy. Because Jesus condemned wrongdoing, some people didn’t like Him. His example constantly irritated them. They ridiculed His unselfishness and determination to do only what was right. They called Him 2
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God’s Messenger: Meeting Kids’ Needs
CLASS PROJECT Have the students create small booklets entitled “Jesus and Me.” Some things to include in the booklet: How I communicate with Jesus, the things Jesus made for me, why I’m glad Jesus is my friend, how I met Jesus, how I share Jesus with others, promises from Jesus, etc. The students can draw and color pictures, write little messages, cut and paste pictures from magazines, decorate their books with stickers, glitter, and other craft supplies, etc.
a coward for being so patient and kind. Many people avoided Him, because being with Him made them feel guilty about the bad things they were doing. The other children tried to get Him to do what they were doing. They enjoyed being with Him and welcomed His ready suggestions, but sometimes they grew impatient with Him, calling Him narrow and strait-laced. But Jesus didn’t complain. He didn’t give in to wrongdoing, and He didn’t become discouraged. He didn’t fight back, and He patiently endured their insults. When Jesus was a child, He thought and spoke as a child, but there was no trace of sin inside Him. His life was in harmony with God.
ELLEN G. WHITE QUOTES •
“He is everything we need, the first, last, and best in everything.” Sermons and Talks, vol. 2, p. 93
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“It is through the gift of Christ that we receive every blessing.” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 287
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“When once the gaze is fixed upon Him, the life finds its center. . . . Duty becomes a delight and sacrifice a pleasure. To honor Christ, to become like Him, to work for Him, is the life’s highest ambition and its greatest joy.” Education, p. 297
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“We may have many other friends, but they can never be to us what Christ is.” This Day With God, p. 153
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“When we turn toward the Sun of Righteousness, when we come in touch with Christ, the whole soul is aglow with the brightness of the divine presence.” Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 40
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“It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. . . . Beholding the beauty of His character, we shall be ‘changed into the same image from glory to glory.’ 2 Cor. 3:18.” The Desire of Ages, p. 83
Copyright © 2006 Ellen G. White® Estate, Inc.
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