Lesson Prep

🎄 PREPPING FOR CHRISTMAS

Hey Volunteers!

From now until December 15th we’ll be spending some time each week practicing for Christmas! YAY! Don’t freak out! It’s going to be SUPER low Key!

Here is what I need you to do EACH WEEK :

  • Run through the script with the kids in your class - if they have reading parts.

    • Seedlings will probably NOT have speaking parts ;)

    • I will have a copy of the script and assigned reading parts in your classroom.

    • As the teacher, you’ll read any parts that don’t have a student in the room

  • Sing through the YouTube playlist Restore Kids Christmas 2024.

    • The best way to do this is to sing songs just as you would when they are on stage. Read through the parts and sing the song as directed.

    • You can find the YouTube playlist in the YouTube app on your Apple TVs

On the 8th

We will have a full rehearsal in the fellowship hall.

On the morning of the 15th

Kids will meet in the gym to get into costume and prepare to go on stage

Any teacher that’s available to help would be appreciated

Kids will file onto stage and when the program is over, file out to the gym to take off costumes and then anyone in Sprouts and Rooted will sit with their family, Seedlings will head downstairs to do some fun crafts and have some snacks.

Nov. 17th - Session 3 - I Can Cheer On My Friends

Hey Team,

This November we are teaching kids that God made them for community. This week, we get to celebrate that we can cheer on our friends. In the book of Philippians, Paul wrote that following Jesus wouldn’t be easy. But he wanted Jesus followers to know that we can encourage and cheer one another on to stand strong and not give up. Kids can know that they can celebrate the good things of God and encourage their friends to do the same. When we cheer on our friends, our community grows stronger.

Ready to cheer? This week we are teaching preschoolers that I can cheer on my friends. Paul, a follower of Jesus, wrote a letter to a church in place called Philippi. In Philippians 4, Paul reminded his friends that it wouldn’t always be easy to follow Jesus, but they could stand firm in their faith as they encouraged and cheered one another on. Preschoolers can know that they can cheer on their friends too. Following Jesus is not always easy, and we will need to support each other.

Read: Phil. 4 Highlight: Phil. 4:8-9

Reflect: How can you cheer on, encourage, and celebrate your friends?

A)    Encourage them face to face.
B)    Send them encouraging messages.
C)    Build them up to other people.

Pray: Thank You, God, for the incredible friends You’ve brought into my life. Help me to see good and amazing attributes in each of them and help me to be the kind of friend who celebrates them. Amen.

Connect: What difference does it make when your friends encourage and cheer you on? How has God equipped you to be an encourager to others?

For You:

Blog: NextGen Ministry for the Whole Church
Training Video: Connecting Kids Across All Ages
Podcast: Check out the Hyfi Preschool and Kids Weekly Training Podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday!

Oct. 20th - Session 3: I Can Ask for Forgiveness

Hey Team,

Thanks for all you do!! What you do is so so much more than “JUST” teaching a Sunday lesson. You’re helping kids experience community at age-appropriate levels!

Experiences transform the heart, moving faith beyond the walls of church and into everyday life for years to come. What we experience through relationships and discussion sticks with us much longer than what we simply hear or read.

When we create learning environments filled with grace and foster belonging, we set children free. It’s critical to drop any biases. Give every child a chance, no matter what you’ve heard and no matter what they’ve done. Wipe the slate clean every week. Believe in their best…and don’t be surprised when you get it.

Highlight of the Week

Read: Matthew 6:9-14 - Highlight: Matthew 6:10-11a
Reflect: What can you ask God today?

Ask for His will to be done. + Ask for provision and protection. +    Ask for forgiveness.

Connect: When is it easy to admit that we make mistakes and when is it difficult? How can remembering that we can always talk to God help when we’ve made wrong choices?

Pray: God, I admit that I need Your love and forgiveness. Today, would You forgive me for my wrong choices? Thank You that I can talk to You every day and thank You for always listening. Amen.

For You:

Blog: When Kids Don’t Think They’re Sinners

Training Video: Walking Kids Through Forgiveness with Others

Podcast: Check out the Hyfi Preschool and Kids Weekly Training Podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday!

SPROUTS

Our Switch It Up Bible Story this week is from Matthew 6:9-14, where Jesus teaches what we call the Lord’s Prayer. Through this prayer, kids will learn that they can ask for forgiveness. We get to teach kids that God listens when we talk to Him to through prayer. We will also teach that when we ask for forgiveness, God always says yes!

SEEDLINGS

This week we get to teach preschoolers that we can ask for forgiveness. In Matthew 6:9-15, Jesus taught what we call The Lord’s Prayer. In it, Jesus said that we can ask God for forgiveness. That amazing truth is still relevant today, no matter where we are or what we’re doing. This week let’s consider how we can model what we are asking of preschoolers by recognizing when we need to ask for forgiveness from others and doing just that.

Oct. 13th - Session 2: I Can Be Forgiven

Hey Team,

SOOOO excited for this week!! To teach our kids about forgiveness at a young age will be a gift that keeps on giving! Whether it’s how to ask for forgiveness, offer forgiveness, or how to handle ourselves when we don’t get the “I’m Sorry” we were hoping to hear - these truths are timeless.

This week think about …

  • When is a time that forgiveness has really impacted you?

  • How has this truth impacted you recently?

  • How does that experience help you live out forgiveness with others? 

Highlight of the Week

Read: Genesis 27–33. | Highlight: Genesis 32:9-10a

Reflect: How can you respond to the gift of God’s forgiveness today?

  • A)    Thank God for the gift of forgiveness.

  • B)    Forgive someone else.

  • C)    Confess when I’ve wronged someone and ask for forgiveness.

Pray: God, You show incredible love and kindness by forgiving me. Thank You that Your love makes a way for me to have a relationship with You. Help me walk in the joy of Your forgiveness today. Amen.

Connect: When have you experienced forgiveness? How can remembering God’s forgiveness help us in our relationships with others?

For You:

Blog: When Kids Don’t Think They’re Sinners
Training Video: Walking Kids Through Forgiveness with Others

Sprouts

This week in Switch It Up we are teaching kids, “I Can Be Forgiven.” Our Bible story from Genesis 27–33 is about two brothers—Jacob and Esau. Jacob makes choices that deeply hurt Esau, and Jacob ends up running away because he’s afraid of his brother. Years later, God told Jacob to return home. When Jacob obeyed, he discovered forgiveness from his brother. We get to teach kids that we all need to be forgiven and that we can be forgiven. There is no sin too big that God won’t forgive!

Sprouts / Rooted lesson

Seedlings

This week’s Bible story is about Jacob and Esau. Genesis 27–33 tells the story of Jacob, who lied, cheated, and stole from his twin brother, Esau. Jacob ended up running away because he was afraid of Esau. Years later, when God told Jacob to return home, he found that Esau had forgiven him. The Main Idea we get to teach preschoolers is, “I Can Be Forgiven.” All of us have made wrong choices and all of us, no matter what, can be forgiven by God who loves us.

Seedlings Lesson