YEA Lesson Library

Objectives

At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Tell what the cure for our sin is.

2. Describe the people for whom Jesus died.

3. Explain the message that the disciples were to take to people around the world.

4. Give an example of some way they can share the story.

5. Recite their memory verse.

Topics & Themes

Disciples
Eternal life
Forgiveness
God’s kingdom
God’s Love
Great Commission
Jesus, in Heaven
Jesus, Savior
Obedience
Offering
Prayer
Sharing the Gospel
Sin

Materials Needed

Bible, YEA Students’ and Teacher’s books, crayons, scissors, transparent tape, world map, various colors of skin-toned construction paper, flannel board, attendance and memory verse charts, stars or stickers, songbook, CD or tape, music player

Preparation

So often people think of children’s ministry as babysitting or keeping children busy while their parents are off doing more important things. The truth is that spending time teaching these pliable minds may make a difference that will last a lifetime.

“Christian education must be applicable to children’s lives today – not just in the future. Christian education without application is like the Internet without a modem. Not much is going to get transferred!” (“all that glitters . . . may be gold,” Children’s Ministry magazine).

Before you come to class, enlarge the visual aid patterns located on the pattern page. Color them and cut them out, backing each one with flocked paper or a strip of double faced tape.

Enlarge and make copies of the children patterns (located on the pattern page) on different shades of skin colored construction paper. Make enough so that each child will have at least one.

Place a world map on the wall low enough for the children to reach.

How to Teach This Lesson

It is important that the children realize we live in a big world. That world is not merely a globe that sits on the teacher’s desk. That world is made up of people who come in different shapes and colors, and who speak different languages. And, it is for those people that Jesus gave His life – the cure for sin.

Begin by asking the children if they know someone who looks different than they do, or who speaks a different language. You may have diverse cultures in your classroom. Explain that God loves them equally. He sent Jesus to die for the sins of everyone. But, there are people in some parts of the world who have never heard of Jesus. There may be people in their own neighborhood, or even in their family who do not know that Jesus died for them.

God has a mission and plan for our lives. Part of that plan is that each one of us be involved in sharing the story – the good news of Christ as the cure for our sin. Children can have an active part in taking the message of salvation.


Place the megaphone on the flannel board. When people go to a football game they sometimes use a megaphone to yell for their favorite team. The megaphone helps others hear what they are saying. God wants everyone to hear that Jesus died for their sins. Instead of using a megaphone to help them hear, God uses people. The disciples went from place to place telling people that Jesus died and came back to life. Sabbath School teachers teach boys and girls about Jesus. Ministers teach mothers and daddies about Jesus’ love and His commands. Missionaries go to far away lands to tell people how Jesus died for them.


Place the Bible picture on the flannel board. God has given us a special book that tells us about Jesus. It gives us rules to live by – God’s commandments. The Bible is God’s message to us. It is important that we take time to learn from it. We are told to hide its words in our heart, by memorizing it. As you read your devotionals each day, you learn how to live pleasing to God. You will become a disciple – one who follows Jesus’ teaching.


Place the picture of praying hands on the flannel board. This is an activity that everyone can take part in. Grandmothers can pray – even if they cannot walk very well. Busy mothers and daddies can take time to pray some time during the day. Even children can pray. You can pray before meals. You can pray in the morning or at night. You can pray thankful prayers. You can ask God for help. You can pray for your teacher and minister. You can even pray for people who have never heard about Jesus.


Place the picture of an offering basket on the flannel board. We should always give ten percent of what God gives us back to Him. And there are times when we should give an offering to help share the story of Jesus. It costs money to print Bibles. It takes money to build churches. Even your Sabbath School books cost money. If everyone who believes and worships the true God will give something, it will help send the message to people who have never heard.

Draw a small circle on a chalk board or newsprint pad. Explain that Jesus told His disciples to begin sharing the story at home – in Jerusalem. We can begin in our home or our neighborhood.

Draw a larger circle around the small one. The disciples were to take the message of salvation to their country – all Judea. Ministers often travel from city to city teaching others God’s commands.

Draw an even larger circle around the other two. Jesus told the disciples to share the story with people who were different from them – in Samaria.

Draw the final, large circle, encircling the others. Finally, they were told to go into every part of the world. God wants everyone to know how they can have their sins forgiven.

Review Questions

1. Jesus has given us the cure for sin. What is that cure?

2. For whom did Jesus die?

3. What is the message the disciples were to take to people around the world?

4. Who gives that message out today?

5. How did you hear the story about Jesus?

6. What can you do to help share the story of Jesus?

Teacher-Directed Activity

Allow each child to choose a child pattern (located on the pattern page) and “dress” it by coloring hair, facial features and clothing. Tell the children that people living in different parts of the world often have skin of a different color. Show the children on the world map where people with dark brown skin live (Africa), people with yellowish skin (Asia), people with light brown skin (South America), and people with light colored skin (Europe). Allow them to tape their “child” to the map in the proper country.

REACH Activity

Special Materials: magazine pictures of people, poster board, small dowel rod, 8-1/2 x 11 inch felt piece, foam letters, string, video or cassette recorder, tape, globe, map, plastic lid, magnet tape, ribbon

1. Sing “Jesus Loves the Little Children” on page 56 of Kids Classics Collection. Stop and let kids read the verses aloud after they are sung. Talk about what the words mean to us as believers in Jesus: Jesus came to die for everyone, no matter the color of their eyes, skin, or hair; no matter their height, tall or short, or their age, old or young.

2. Let children cut out magazine pictures or draw pictures which show people of all different ages and looks. On a piece of poster board they should write the title: Jesus Gave His Life for Us. Then glue the pictures to the poster board, overlapping like a collage, if possible. Tell them to hang the poster in their room. (Magazine pictures can be cut out before the lesson to save time, if necessary.)

3. Have students make a small banner with the words, “It is true! The Lord has risen” (Luke 24:34), using the following materials: small dowel rod, 8 1/2 x 11 inch felt piece, foam letters, glue, and string. Fold about one inch of felt over the dowel rod and glue in place. Let dry. Add Scripture verse with the foam letters. Hang banner with string.

4. Jesus gave the disciples a job to do. He told them to teach others. Allow children to practice teaching others by recording this YEA lesson story on tape. They can make stick puppets to show and tell the story.

More Information: Stick Puppets: make by using popsicle sticks and pictures of people cut out of magazines. Glue one person on each stick.

5. Look at a globe or map to see the great number of nations in the world. Ask: Do you know anyone who is a missionary? Have anyone who does ask them about their travels as missionaries trying to teach others about Jesus. Remind them to pray for the missionaries to have safe travel. Pray that the missionaries will be able to make a difference in the lives of others all around the world.

6. Ask: What story do you want to share about Jesus? Tell children to find it in the Bible and then share it with someone. They can make a refrigerator magnet with their favorite verse from the story. Materials needed: plastic lid (margarine or coffee size, depending on whether a picture or decoration will be included with the verse), one inch of magnet tape (or enough to hold the lid), paper (with verse written on it) to fit inside the lid, glue to secure the paper to the lid. Decorate the magnet with pictures, stickers, or ribbon, if the size allows. They can hang it on the refrigerator and tell visitors about their special “Jesus story” magnet.

7. Remind kids to add this lesson to the timeline.

8. Sing “Wonderful Words of Life” on page 43 of the CEM Hymnal. Have children add words from this YEA lesson about sharing the story of Jesus’ life with others to the collection in their Bible notebook.

9. Using their collection of wonderful words, kids can make a small book telling the story of Jesus coming to Jerusalem on a donkey, dying, and coming back to life. Tell them to share their story with their family.

10. Ask: Do you have a book you really like, one your parents read to you over and over again? What is it about that book that you really like? The best story we could share with others is the story that Jesus died for everyone to save them from sin.

11 Let students make a bookmark out of construction paper. On one side they should write their memory verse and on the other side write “Thank you.” Tell them to give it to someone they know who shares the story of Jesus with others.

12. Kids can write a poem telling the good news that Jesus is the Savior of the world.

13. Tell children to think of a friend to invite to Sabbath School, then make an invitation and send it to them, with their parents’ help, if they need it.

Song

“Jesus Loves The Little Children” is on page 56 of the Kids Classics Collection.

Closing Prayer

Lead the children in prayer thanking God for His love for all people. Ask that He will help each of you to be active in sharing the story of Jesus, and for the cure for sin.