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UNIT 3: GODS FAMILY LESSON 1: GOD IS OUR GOOD FATHER

Overview of the Lesson

Bible passage: 1 John 3:1- 2, 4:13-16 Memory Verse: 1 John 3:1a Main idea: God is our good father. He shows his love by sending Jesus.
1.

THE LESSON PLAN

AC TI VATE 2 0 MI N Welcome children
Choose an activity from 7 ways to welcome children. Prepare games for children to join in with.
2.

ME DI TATE
God is our father in heaven! He is the perfect father. He loves us, provides for us and even disciplines us when we need it. God showed us his love by sending his son Jesus. You need your heavenly fathers love to show you how to love others and let them know how special they are. Reflect on the depth and breadth of our heavenly fathers love. How can we let everyone know about this amazing love?

Leader welcome
A leader shares memories of their favorite times with their father. Ask children to tell others what they most enjoy doing with their fathers. Please note some children will not have fathers. They may talk about what they most like to do with an uncle or a male family friend.

3.

Chant (use anytime in the lesson)

The leader says God thinks (childs name) is great! and everyone claps and cheers wildly. Do this any time during the lesson to different children.

P REPARE
Things you will need in the following sections: Activate: A 7 ways to welcome children activity; leader story with two red paper hearts cut out. One is folded carefully; objects to collect around the hall for game, blindfolds (1 blindfold: 11 children). Parable- Drama. Questions and pencils and paper. 7 ways to memorize Scripture activity and a 7 ways to dismiss children activity.
4.

Game: Circle of protection

You will need objects such as balls, colored paper squares or wrapped sweets scattered around the room. Children are grouped in small circles of about 10 children. One child from each group is blindfolded and stands in the centre of their group circle. Each group is asked to protect their blindfolded person by surrounding them and holding hands. Each group must move around the room so that the middle person can pick up objects as they go. The group must escort the blindfolded person to pick up 5 objects and then sit down as a group. If there is time, do it again with a different child in the middle. Debrief questions How did the blindfolded person feel in the game? Safe or unsafe? What could have happened if there was no protection from the group?

Communicate: Investigate: Commit:

Leader Tip: Listen well

It is important to show you love the children in your group by your actions. One of the most important ways that children will feel loved and respected is by us taking time to listen to them. Give them your full attention and come down to their height as they talk to you.

5.

Leader personal story

Practice the illusion carefully before you do it. You will need to prepare two red, paper hearts the same size. Fold one of them up small. Then you slowly tear up the full heart and share your own story.

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For example, when I was small my parents treated me badly and I lost part of my heart (tear some off). Then I looked for love in other places but I had friends who hurt me and I chased after foolish things that destroyed my life (tear off more pieces). Continue with the story and tear off parts of the heart until none is left then fold it up and put the pieces together in your hand. Start to explain how you met a friend who told you about their friend called Jesus who loves you. Say: Jesus forgave me and gave me a brand new heart. Unfold the other whole heart to show the children.

Experiential activity:
Draw a picture of what God our father is like. Write some words around him that describe him. Ask questions like: Is he smiling at you? Where would you be in the picture? What would you be doing as he looks at you?

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9.

Memory Verse
Think how much the Father loves us. He loves us so much that he lets us be called his children, as we truly are. 1 John 3:1a (CEV) Choose a Memory Verse activity from 7 ways to memorize Scripture. Suggestion: Way4. Hunting for the Memory Verse.

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6.

1 John 3:1-2, 4:13-16

Choose one activity from 7 ways to reinforce a Bible passage. Suggestion: Way1. Role play drama or Way5. Make a Parable. Five leaders act out this role play: 3 leaders pretend to be boys who are on their way to play football. One is talking about how he has lost his father (death), one is being beaten by his, and the other feels his father doesnt care for him. They play a game and then break a window with their ball. The owner is furious, demanding they clean it up and pay for it. Another man who sees the whole thing comes over and offers to clean it up and pay for it. The boys say that their fathers would never do that. So the kind man tells them what their heavenly father is like.
10.

Prayer
Prayer ideas are in the 7 ways to pray with children. Suggestion: Way2. Small group prayer or Way3. Pair, share prayer.

11.

7Day challenge
Ask people around you like your teachers and parents what God is like. Add these ideas around your picture of God the Father.

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12.

Dismiss
Choose an activity from 7 ways to dismiss children. Suggestion: Way2. Chant the Memory Verse. Dismiss the children, thank them for coming. Encourage the children to invite their friends to the next BibleMAX session.

Small group discussion

Gather the children in small groups. Ask these questions for the children to discuss. What would a perfect father be like? How did God show us his love? Why do you think God wants us to be his children? What do you think God thinks about us? Use the 7 ways to ask questions guide for more ideas.

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Contact
Try to contact at least 2 children during the week and see how you can help them.

Important
Help children realize that God is our heavenly father our perfect dad. Even though our earthly fathers are imperfect and let us down, our father in heaven never will.

14.

Prepare for next week

Gather other leaders to pray and prepare.

15.

Children in your group to pray for:

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UNIT 3: GODS FAMILY LESSON 2: ADOPTED INTO GODS FAMILY

Overview of the Lesson

Bible passage: Galatians 3:26-29 & 4:4-7 Memory Verse: Galatians 4:7b Main idea: God has adopted us as his children and we inherit that which belongs to God.
1.

THE LESSON PLAN

AC TI VATE 2 0 MI N Welcome activity
Play upbeat music as the children walk in. The Leader stands in front and demonstrates a dance style and has the children follow. (Keep it easy in more of an aerobic style). Revise Memory Verse from last week.
2.

ME DI TATE
Not only has God adopted us as his sons and daughters. He has generously promised us every spiritual blessing in Christ. We get everything that Christ deserves. God owns the whole universe and we will inherit it. God is surrounded by love, generosity, and power and we will inherit all this. Our minds are too small to comprehend how blessed we are. Take time to write down some of the ways that God has blessed you. Also write down the promises he has made you in the Bible regarding your inheritance.

Leader personal story

Tell the children about some useful and strange things that people have inherited after someone has died. Tell children what an inheritance is. Ask children what they would want to inherit. Tell children you have something special for them at the end of the lesson. You promise!

3.

Game: Touch but dont be touched

Ask all the children to stand up. Tell each one of them to reach out and touch at five other children. Children try to run away from others while trying to touch them. Keep the area relatively small. Any child who is touched 5 times must sit down where they are. The first to touch five others without being touched five times wins.

P REPARE
Things you will need in the following sections: Activate: Communicate: Investigate: Commit: Music and CD player for welcome activity. A Bible and an activity from 7 ways to explore a Bible story. A Bible and cards with the words Gods Family written on them. Have a treat for everyone in the group for the dismiss time such as fruit, sweets or a surprise. Memory Verse written on cards to give to each child. Choose an activity from 7 ways to pray, 7 ways to memorize Scripture and 7 ways to dismiss children.

4.

Chant
Form 2 groups of children, teach and repeat this call and response marching chant.

Leader: Platoon, platoon, platoon one Group 1: We have been adopted (while standing) Leader: Platoon, platoon, platoon two Group 2: As Gods children (while standing as the other group is seated).
5.

Experiential game: Clumps

Ask children to get in groups of a certain number. Once children are grouped together call out a new number. Some children will be left out each time but may join in when a new number is called. Play for about 5 mins. Gather together and discuss these questions. Was anyone left out more than 2 times? How did you feel? Did anyone not ever get left out of a group? How did this feel?

Leader Tip: Help children belong

As you observe children you will notice that some seem a little left out or isolated. Think about what you can do to include them. Try to help them pair up with others in group times. Children need to feel they belong to the group.

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6.

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Read Galatians 3:26-29 and 4:4-7

Choose one activity from 7 ways to reinforce a Bible story. Suggestion: Way1. Role play The Leader picks children to play different people in your community, including a single mother and baby, sick person, children, criminals, businessmen, students, doctors etc. Other children will act as if there is a family party and at the entrance a leader refuses the chosen children to come and join the party claiming theyre not part of the family party. The second leader arrives at the same time the other is chasing the children away and gives them cards with Gods Family written on them. The children give cards to the leader at the entrance and they are allowed to enter and join the party, so they are all accepted and they celebrate. Read the Bible passages to the children again.

9.

Memory Verse
You are God's children, and you will be given what he has promised. Galatians 4:7b (CEV) Choose a Memory Verse activity from 7 ways to memorize Scripture. Suggestion: Way4. Hunting for the verse or Way7. Give the Memory Verse

10.

Prayer
Pair, share prayer. The leader can also give out topics like family, orphans and sick to the children to pray for with their partner. Or choose an activity from 7 ways to pray.

11.

7Day challenge
Challenge the children to repeat the Memory Verse every time they go to bed and every time they wake up.

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12.

Small group discussion

Gather the children in small groups to discuss these questions on the reading and the drama. What does the Bible say is the way to become a child of God? What do you think it means to be a child of God? What has God promised you that you are most looking forward to inheriting? What might God be teaching us about himself and his kingdom/family? Use the 7 ways to ask questions guide for more ideas.

Dismiss
Give out the treat you promised at the beginning. Give the Memory Verse written on a card. Make sure every child receives something. Dismiss the children, thank them for coming. Encourage the children to invite their friends to the next BibleMAX session.

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13.

Contact
Try to contact 2 or 3 families during the week. There may be ways you can offer to help them.

Important
Help children realize that God owns everything in the universe. As his adopted children, we will get all the benefit as his heirs. Amazing!
8.

14.

Prepare for next week

Gather other leaders to pray and prepare.

15.

Children in your group to pray for:

Experiential activity: Statues

Children work with a partner. One pretends to be the clay while the other sculpts what it would feel like to inherit nothing. Now show what it would be like to inherit all that God has for us. Swap roles.

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UNIT 3: GODS FAMILY LESSON 3: GOD OUR FATHER FORGIVES US

Bible passage: Luke 15:11-24 Memory Verse: 1 John 1:9 Main idea: God is compassionate when we confess our sins. He want to forgive us.
1.

THE LESSON PLAN

AC TI VATE 2 0 MI N Welcome children
Choose an activity from 7 ways to welcome ideas. Prepare games for children so that they can join in as they arrive. Revise Memory Verse from last week.
2.

ME DI TATE
In life, we are bound to make mistakes. We can deliberately sin, wandering away from God thinking that we can do it better our own way. However God is a good father and welcomes back his children. We just need to confess our sin and ask for forgiveness. Gods forgiveness is not reluctant or bitter. He gives it freely. He cant wait for us to arrive home. Reflect on how this story of the prodigal son that Jesus told is similar to your life. Take time to thank God our good father for his constant love and mercy.

Leader personal story

A leader can tell a story about how they did something wrong as a child and was forgiven. For exampleWhen I was 8 years old and at school I used to steal my mothers money because I thought what she gave me wasnt enough when I was at school. When she discovered that I always stole her money she wanted to punish me, but I asked for forgiveness and she forgave me. (Jessica)

3.

Song
Choose a song that thanks God for forgiving us, or that encourages children to confess their sin to God and be made new by Jesus.

P REPARE
Things you will need in the following sections. Activate: Choose an activity from 7 ways to welcome children, balls for dodge ball. A Bible and an activity from 7 ways to explore a Bible story. A Bible wrapped as a gift. The Prodigal Son video from Max7. Choose ideas from 7 ways to pray with children, 7 ways to memorize Scripture and 7 ways to dismiss children.
5. 4.

Game: Dodge ball

The children are divided into two teams. One forms a big circle while the other team stands in the middle. The outside group throw balls at the inside group to try and hit individual children below the knee. Any child who is hit must join the other team. When everyone is hit, start again with the other group in the middle.

Communicate: Investigate: Commit:

Chant (use any time in lesson, based on Matthew 6:9 & 12)
Leader: Our Father who lives in heaven. Children: Great is your name.

Leader Tip: Help children belong

At the beginning of the lesson, stand in a prominent place where you can welcome children as they arrive. Smile, shake their hands and remember things about them. If a child is new, you might like to partner them with another child who can be their friend and show them around.

Leader: Our Father hear us from heaven. Children: Forgive our sins we pray. Make up actions to go with the chant.

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6.

Read Luke 15:11-24

Choose one activity from 7 ways to explore a Bible story. This may be done in a big group or a small groups. Suggestion: Way2. Interviews or Way6. Act it out. If you do the Act it out activity, stop the drama just before the boy came home to the father. Ask children to think of alternate endings for the story and act these out. Then act out the real story ending.

How did the father feel when the son was leaving? How did the son feel when his money was used up? How did the son feel when he was working in the pig sty? How did the father feel when the son came back?

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10.

Memory Verse
But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away. 1 John 1:9 (CEV) Choose a Memory Verse activity from 7 ways to memorize Scripture. Suggestion: Way4. Hunting for the Memory Verse.

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7.

Small group discussion

Gather the children in small groups and discuss these questions. Which part of the story did you like the most? What did the son do with his inheritance? Do you think the way he spent his money was good? Do you think it was easy for the boy to come home? What do you think the father did while the boy was away? How do we know this from the story? What do you learn about God from the story of the prodigal son? Use the 7 ways to ask questions for more ideas.
11.

Prayer
Ask the children to pair up and share what they have learned from the lesson. Prayer ideas are in the 7 ways to pray with children.

12.

7Day challenge
Challenge children to confess their sin every day. Give children a little time to think quietly to themselves about how they have wandered away from God. Leaders can model how to reflect and confess sins daily.

Important
Help children realize that God is a gracious father. He loves us unconditionally and wants us to be with him.
8.

13.

Dismiss
Choose an activity from 7 ways to dismiss children. Dismiss the children, thank them for coming. Encourage the children to invite their friends to the next BibleMAX session.

Video option
Watch the video of the Prodigal Son from Max7.
14.

CO NTI NUE Contact

Try to contact 2 or 3 families during the week. There may be ways you can offer to help them. Either in prayer or service.
15.

9.

Experiential activity:
After watching the video ask children to make faces showing how characters felt at different parts of the story. Faces can be dramatic faces or can be drawn on paper or balloons.

Prepare for next week

Gather other leaders to pray and prepare.

16.

Children in your group to pray for:

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UNIT 3: GODS FAMILY LESSON 4: LOVING GOD, LOVING OTHERS

Overview of the Lesson

Bible passage: Luke 10:25-37 Memory Verse: 1 John 3:16 Main idea: Respond to Gods love by loving others.
1.

THE LESSON PLAN

AC TI VATE 2 0 MI N Welcome children
Choose an activity from 7 ways to welcome children. Prepare games for children so that they can join in as they arrive. Revise Memory Verse from last week.
2.

ME DI TATE
We are all part of Gods big family. One of the essential ways we show we love God is by loving others. That love needs to be active and practical, not just words. We are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves. Reflect on this through the week. Do you need to think about how you show practical love and how you are kind to others? Pray for people you find hard to love.

Leader personal story

Leader welcomes the children and tells them about a time someone really helped them. Maybe tell about how it was unexpected that the person helped. Ask if children have any rescue stories from their own lives. For example: I was once attacked by a bull. I screamed at the top of my voice. My neighbor just closed the gate and ignored my cries. However two young boys came to my rescue by bringing a motorcycle which took me to the clinic and my wounds were attended to.

P REPARE
Things you will need in the following sections: Activate: Communicate: Investigate: A 7 ways to welcome children.. A Bible and an activity from 7 ways to explore a Bible story. Read 7 ways to ask questions for questioning ideas. Pens and paper. The Good Samaritan video from Max7. Choose a 7 ways to memorize Scripture method and a 7 ways to dismiss children activity.
4. 3.

Chant (Use anytime)

Leader calls out Love God? and all the children shout back love others! (Children freeze in a position where they are helping someone else)

Commit:

Experiential Game: Stuck in the mud

The children are given an area where they can run around. 2 children are chosen to tag others. When a child is tagged they have to stand still with legs slightly apart until another child rescues them by crawling through their legs. Play the game for 5 mins. Debrief Questions How did you feel when you were stuck in the mud? Was anyone stuck for a long time? How did you feel? Who rescued others? How did you feel when you rescued others?

Leader Tip: Teaching team

When you lead children as a team let them see that God is at work amongst the leaders. Sometimes how the leaders treat each other (with kindness and respect) will speak louder than the message of the lessons.

5.

Song
Choose a song about Jesus love filling our hearts and helping us to love others and serve them.

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6.

Read Luke 10:25-37

Choose one activity from 7 ways to explore a Bible story. This may be done in a big group or a small group.Suggestions: Way4. Still frame drama scenes or Way6. Act it out

give our lives for each other. 1 John 3:16 (CEV) Choose a Memory Verse activity from 7 ways to memorize Scripture. Suggestions: Way6. Actions. We must give, (Hands in front palms up) our lives, (two hands on our heart) For each other (join hands together).
11.

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7.

Prayer
Give the children time to pray for all those who need help. Encourage the children to pray for their enemies. Also ask that God show them how to bring people into their life that need help. Alternate prayer ideas are in the 7 ways to pray with children.

Small group discussion

Discuss these questions with the children from the Bible story. If someone was seriously injured on your way what do you think you would do? Why do you think the priest and the temple worker pass by that man? What was so unusual about what the Samaritan did? What types of people are difficult to love and help? What did you learn from this story? Use the 7 ways to ask questions guide for more ideas.
13. 12.

7Day challenge
Ask how children went with last weeks challenge! The challenge this week is to do what the Good Samaritan did to the man who was beaten by the robbers. Pick one person who needs your practical help and then do it. Be on the look out for people who need your kindness.

Dismiss
Choose an activity from 7 ways to dismiss children.

Important
Help children realize that Jesus tells us this story to make it clear that anyone who needs help is our neighbor. Everyone is Gods child and therefore deserves our love and practical kindness.
14. 8.

Thank the children for coming and tell them that next week its going to be wonderful and to come with friends. Also remind the children not to forget the 7Day challenge!

CO NTI NUE Contact

Try to contact 2 or 3 families during the week. There may be ways you can offer to help them.
15.

Video option
Watch the video of the Good Samaritan from Max7.

9.

Drawing and thinking

Children work alone and write or draw pictures of people they can help. Children then write down two ways they can help each person on their list. Ask them how they can do it practically.

Prepare for next week

Gather other leaders to pray and prepare.

16.

Children in your group to pray for:

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Memory Verse
We know what love is because Jesus gave his life for us. Thats why we must
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UNIT 3: GODS FAMILY LESSON 5: WE CAN ALWAYS TALK TO GOD

Overview of the Lesson

Bible passage: Matthew 7:7-12 Memory Verse: Jeremiah 33:3 Main idea: God wants us to talk to him. As a good father he wants the best for us.
1.

THE LESSON PLAN

AC TI VATE 2 0 MI N Welcome children
Choose an activity from 7 ways to welcome children. Prepare games for children. Revise Memory Verse from last week.
2.

ME DI TATE
This passage is about us talking to God our heavenly Father, who is always ready and willing to listen and hear us as we talk to him. We can talk to God anywhere and at anytime. We can be alone, with someone else or in a huge crowd. God loves it when we share our lives with Him. He is a good father who longs to bring really good things into our lives. Reflect about how you talk with God. Is it a chore or a kind of formula you follow? Ask God for help. God wants a living relationship with you, so try something new.

Leader personal story

Tell about how and when you like to talk to God. The leader or a puppet could demonstrate funny ways they have tried to communicate with God which dont work. For example: a telephone, radio, and drums. The message is that talking to God is simple.

3.

Game: Group shout

Have children sit in a big group and ask them to tell you their names all at the same time. On the count of 3 they all call out at once. (No one can really be understood) Then in the same way ask then to tell you what they ate last or what they want to do when they grow-up. Could anyone be understood while everyone spoke at once? (no not really) Isnt it amazing that God can hear everyones prayers at the same time and understand them. He is wonderful God our father!

P REPARE
Things you will need in the following sections: Activate: A 7 ways to welcome children activity. Objects for communication. Before the lesson hide pictures of stones, bread, snakes and fish around the room. Read 7 ways to ask questions for questioning ideas, Bible, paper, scissors and glue. Choose a 7 ways to memorize Scripture method and a 7 ways to dismiss children activity, paper and pencils.
4.

Communicate:

Investigate:

Song
Choose a song or chant that celebrates how God helps us to grow as we read the Bible.

Commit:

5.

Experiential Game: The broken telephone relay

Make two straight lines of not more than 10 people. Let the group choose a captain and send them to the leader. The leader will give a short message to the group captain who remains about 10 meters from the rest of the group. For example: God loves us to speak to him everyday. The message can only ever be told once to a person. The first person on the line will run to their captain and get the message then they run and tell quietly to the second person and then take their place sitting in the line. The second person will run 10 meters around their captain and back to the line to tell the next person the mes-

Leader Tip: Pray with children

When you pray with children use simple words and ideas that everyone can understand. You can pause at anytime in the lesson to pray. Be faithful praying for children, especially when they tell you things they would like you to pray for. If you pray with a child, do it where others can see.

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sage. This continues until everyone has heard the message. All the team must be sitting. When finished, have each of the children at the back of the line shout out their message. If it is wrong ask the next child in each line to shout out the message they heard. Do this until the right message is found in the line. The leader will reveal the message and try to find out where the telephone was broken. The winner is the group with the greatest number of people with the correct message. Debrief Questions Why did the first person always have the message right? How is this like prayer? What did you learn from the game?
8.

Have you ever asked God for anything? How did you ask God? How do we know from the Bible that God is a good giver? Why do you think that God doesnt give everything we ask for?

Important
Help children realize that God our father is good and knows what is best for us. He always answers our prayers; whether it is yes, no, or not yet! Use the 7 ways to ask questions guide for more ideas.

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Experiential activity: Posters

Collect the communicate objects and arrange them on to paper with glue and display on the wall. Write words that tell how God is generous.

Read Matthew 7:7-12

Before the lesson begins: Hide the objects from the passage around the room: a) stone b) bread c) snake d) fish. If the group is big have more than one of these objects hidden. Read out the passage with the childrens eyes closed. Then ask children to open their eyes and move around the room silently looking for the objects they are learning about in the story. Let a child read the passage out again and each child hold up the object they found as it is mentioned by the story teller. Show children sound effects and actions for the first part of the verse: Ask = stretched out hands Seek = hand on the forehead, as if shielding eyes from the sun, with head moving left to right
11.

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Memory Verse
Ask me, and I will tell you things that you dont know and cant find out. Jeremiah 33:3 (CEV) Choose a Memory Verse activity from 7 ways to memorize Scripture.

10.

Prayer
Let the children meditate and pray to God to help them apply these three things: Talk to God directly, trust God and love God. You are free to add on to the list.

7Day challenge
Challenge children to pray to God everyday when they wake up and before going to bed. Find new opportunities to talk to God.

Knock = three times and then make a creaky noise together with your hand moving like a door opening Read it all over again with the actions, objects and sound effects.
12.

Dismiss
Choose an activity from 7 ways to dismiss children.

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Small group discussion

Continue in small groups to discuss these questions.
13.

CO NTI NUE Children in your group to pray for:

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