Grades 1-4 – Week 1

O L D T E ST A M E N T
RE VIE W!
Leader’s Guide Overview

VOLUME OVERVIEW LESSON OVERVIEW

The Old Testament Review provides an
overview of the Old Testament stories in
Genesis-Malachi. The lessons can either
be used as a review after children have
experienced What’s in the Bible? Vol-
umes 1-9, or used as a primer before
beginning Volume 1. The lessons are
flexible, customizable and simple for
volunteers to use.
4 WEEK CONTENT OVERVIEW
Week 1: The Stories of Genesis
Week 2: Exodus – Ruth
Week 3: Three Kings
Week 4: Chronicles – Malachi
LESSON SCHEDULE
Video 1 / Small Group 1:
The Stories of Genesis Story Book (7 Min)
Video (2 Min) / Small Group (5 Min)
Video 2 / Small Group 2:
Pictures Tell the Story (15 Min)
Video (5 Min) / Small Group (10 Min)
Video 3 / Small Group 3:
Buck’s Bungee Rescue (25 Min)
Video (12 Min) / Small Group (13 Min)
Video 4 / Small Group 4:
Genesis Summary (20 Min)
Video (3 Min) / Small Group (17 Min)
The children will review the stories of Genesis and discover God’s great rescue plan.
TODAY’S VIDEOS
Today’s videos come from What’s in the Bible? Volumes 1 & 2. To purchase or learn
more about these volumes visit curriculum.whatsinthebible.com.
VIDEO 1 / SMALL GROUP 1
The purpose of this time is to build relationships with the children. It’s important for
children to feel welcomed and connected before engaging in active learning. Usually this
activity is a simple game that encourages interaction. Take time to say each child’s name
and how glad you are to see each person! (Use the Shepherding Guide to make notes of
what the children say during this time. Ask follow up questions next time you see the
child at church.)
video 2 / small group 2
The purpose of this time is to introduce the day’s lesson. Because this is a Biblical literacy
curriculum, this segment is important for helping children build a cohesive understanding of
the entire Bible. The questions and games are designed to provide repetition and
reinforcement for helping children understand the Bible.
video 3 / small group 3
The purpose of this time is to teach the main content of the day’s lesson. Provide children
adequate time to process the information. Feel free to skip questions, add questions or
tweak the activities so that children are able to fully grasp the stories and concepts.
video 4 / small group 4
The purpose of this time is to review the day’s lesson. Following the review, take time
to encourage reflection. Ask open-ended questions that encourage children to apply
the lesson specifically to their context. Consider making this a quiet time, followed by
quiet prayer.

EXTRAS! Make it Your Own!

What’s In the Bible? gives you the freedom to customize your own curriculum.
Video Outtakes That means you have the ability to change, edit, remove or add anything you want
Parent Go Home Card to make this lesson a perfect fit for your children’s ministry. If you have a template
Graphics that you use every weekend, feel free to copy and paste the Leaders Guide into
Music your template. Have fun customizing this lesson!

This Week’s Supply List

Video 1 / Small Group 1: Video 1, 1 Genesis Story Book (Per Child), 1 Set Genesis
Stickers (Per Child), 1 Pencil (Per Child), Shepherding Guide (1 Box Per Child)

Video 2 / Small Group 2: Video 2, Pictures Tell the Story Print Materials, Bible
Jellyfish Labs grants permission to churches, schools,
and other licensees to edit What’s in the Bible? Church Video 3 / Small Group 3: Rubber Bands, Paper Clips, Buck Denver Cut-Out
Edition materials to fit their requirements and needs. These and Bibles
resources are intended to be downloaded and printed for use
by the subscribing entity only and may not be electronically
transferred or duplicated by other non-subscribing entities. Video 4 / Small Group 4: Video 4, GO HOME Cards (1 Per Child)
Any unauthorized reproduction of this material or incorporation
into a new work is a direct violation of U.S. copyright laws.
© 2012 Jellyfish Labs. All rights reserved.

Week 1/Overview
 V I D EO 1 / S M A L L G RO U P 1
PREPARATION
Supplies: Video 1, 1 Genesis Story Book (Per Child), 1 Set Genesis Stickers (Per Child), 1 Pencil (Per Child),
and Shepherding Guide (1 Box Per Child)

Teacher Note: Each week, the children will be collecting a new Old Testament Story Book. The words of the story book are the
same as the summary Buck Denver will say on the video and you can learn the corresponding hand motions by watching the video
on the online leader guide or they are written out in this leader guide on the page for Small Group 4. The children will review the
stories by adding stickers to their books and practicing the hand motions. Encourage the children to take home their books each
week.

To Make the Stickers: Purchase Avery Multi-Use 3/4” Labels #5408 (24 Stickers/Per Page, 1008 Stickers/Per Package). Print the
Sticker Template onto the label sheet.

Also, on the front of each book is a QR Code. Scan the code with your smartphone or tablet during small group to watch the video,
see the story symbols and practice the summary. (During dismissal, show parents the QR code on the front of the book. Encourage
them to scan the code when they get home!)

ACTIVITY
Welcome the children!

SAY: It’s great to see you! Today, we’re talking about stories. Can you remember a story your parents would read to you when you
were a baby? (Share your own memory of a childhood story)

SAY: Today, we’re remembering the stories of Genesis, the very first book of the Bible. Can you remember a story from Genesis?

SAY: For the next couple of weeks, we’ll be learning a new summary for the stories of the Bible. Did you see today’s summary in
the video?

SAY: We’ll make a new book each week that includes the summary! Today, let’s add stickers to our books.

GIVE each child a Genesis Story Book. Show the children how to fold the book, and encourage them to write their names on the
front of the book.

GIVE each child a sheet of Genesis stickers. Read the summary in the book and encourage the children to place the stickers next
to the matching sentence. When the book has been completed, practice saying the summary with the hand motions.

SAY: This is great! Today we are going to learn more about the stories of Genesis!

SHEPHERDING GUIDE
Teacher Note: This tool is to help you know the children in your small group. It can be used as a tool for remembering what each
child shares each week, so that you can follow-up in future weeks. (Make several copies of this page so that you have a box for
each child)
Child’s Name, Parent’s Name, Contact Information, Week 1: Favorite Childhood Story, Week 2: Surprise Story,
Week 3: Proud Story, Week 4: Sad Story, Prayer Requests

Week 1/Small Group 1

V I D EO 2 / S M A L L G RO U P 2
PREPARATION
Supplies: Video 2, Pictures Tell the Story Print Materials, Bible
Teacher Note: In this segment each small group will have the opportunity to share what
they have learned about the Bible by discussing the pictures.

ACTIVITY
SAY: I have several pictures with me today (Show the children each picture. Lay the
pictures on the floor in the middle of the group).

PICTURES:
• 2 Bookshelves – Old Testament and New Testament
• Stack of Bibles
• God’s Love with a Heart
• The Number 66
• 1600 Years
• 40+ Writers

SAY: I will pick up a picture. You can tell me what you’ve learned about that picture.
For example: If I choose the stack of Bibles picture, I would say, “We have learned
that Bibles come in all shapes and sizes.”

After each answer, ask a follow up question to the group, “Great job, does anyone have anything else to add?”

SAY: Fantastic! Let’s start at the beginning of the Bible with the book of Genesis

Week 1/Small Group 2

V I D EO 3 / S M A L L G RO U P 3
PREPARATION
Supplies: Rubber Bands, Paper Clips, Buck Denver Cut-Out and Bibles

ACTIVITY
SAY: Today we learned the story of God’s great rescue plan. Let’s play “Bungee Rescue”
as we review the stories of Genesis.

SAY: I have several rubber bands that we will use to rescue Buck Denver who is trying to
get back to his news desk. On the first rubber band we are going to tie Buck Denver and
three paper clips. On the ground I have placed his news desk. Each time we answer a
question we get to add on a rubber band. After answering each question one of us will
stand up holding the string of rubber bands in one hand at our waist and try three times
to bungee bounce Buck Denver to His News Desk (Each time Buck goes downward is one
bounce). How many rubber bands will it take to help get Buck back to his news desk?

QUESTIONS ANSWERS

1. What is the first book of the Bible? Genesis

2. According to Genesis Chapter 1 what did God create first: Animals

Man and woman or animals?

3. What were the names of the first man and woman? Adam and Eve

4. What is sin? When we ignore God, when we go our own way,

and when we put ourselves first in front our friends,
neighbors and God.

5. True or False: God is so pure that sin cannot be near him. True

6. Noah had three sons. What were the names of his sons? Shem, Ham and Japheth
Look in Genesis 5:32

7. A patriarch is the male leader of a family. With which Abram

patriarch did God’s rescue plan start?

8. God made Abram three promises. What were those three 1. You will be the father of a great nation.
promises? 2. Through you, the families of the earth will be blessed.
3. God will give Abram’s children their own land, the
promised land.

9. What was the new name that God gave to Abram? Abraham

10. To save Moses’ life, his mom placed him in a basket on the Pharaoh’s daughter
river. Who found Moses and raised him as her own?

11. What was special about the bush that God spoke through to The bush was a burning bush
Moses; the bush where he told Moses to go back to Egypt?

12. What is the name of the 10 things God chose to bring on Plagues
the Egyptians to convince Pharaoh to let the Israelites go?

SAY: Great job! Tell your neighbor which story from Genesis you like the most.

Week 1/Small Group 3

V I D EO 4 / S M A L L G RO U P 4
PREPARATION
Supplies: Video 4 and GO HOME Cards (1 Per Child)
Teacher Note: The children will watch a music video to review the day’s lesson. After the children have watched the video once, ask
if they’d like to watch again and sing along! Then, ask the following discussion questions.

ACTIVITY
SAY: Sunday School Lady said “The Bible is a special book, it makes me want to cheer!” What about the Bible makes you want to
cheer?

SAY: The Bible is one book made up of many books. You may just now be learning about all the different books within the Bible,
but do any of you have a favorite book? Or maybe a favorite story from the Bible that you would like to share? (Share your favorite
book with the children first. Maybe a certain book of the Bible gave you strength during a difficult time. Share the special meaning
of that book with the children.)

SAY: The Bentley Brothers sang about Genesis. What does Genesis mean? (Beginning) They sang about the stories of Genesis:
God created the world, animals, and people, and then gave Adam and Eve one rule to follow. What was the rule God gave them?
(Do not eat from the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.) What happened in the story? Did they follow the rule? (No)

SAY: Genesis is the very beginning of the story, the first part of God’s great rescue plan. Why do you think the stories of Genesis
are important for God’s rescue plan? Who do you think God will rescue?

SAY: Let’s pray thanking God for the beginning of the story, and for His rescue plan.

PRAY with your children.

IF TIME PERMITS review the Genesis Summary with the children.

GENESIS SUMMARY
LINE: God made everything. And then made man and woman to live with Him in a wonderful world!
HAND MOTION: 2 hands making circle for earth

LINE: But we thought we could do better without Him! We thought WE knew best! And SIN entered the world!
HAND MOTION: Pointer Finger makes letters S I N

LINE: Sin broke God’s creation! It broke our relationship with God and our relationships with each other!
HAND MOTION: 2 fists together, come apart to break something

LINE: Sin meant that we couldn’t be with Him anymore!

HAND MOTION: Hands flat, palms down, shaking head and hands “no”

LINE: But God loved us so much, He launched a RESCUE plan!

HAND MOTION: Make a heart with 2 hands folded together

LINE: He gave Abraham THREE promises - his children would become a nation - have their own land - and would BLESS the
entire world!
HAND MOTION: Make each # as the promise is said. (3) He gave Abraham THREE promises (1) His children would become a nation.
(2) Have their own land (3) and would BLESS the entire world!

LINE: But a few hundred years later His children were stuck in Egypt as slaves!
HAND MOTION: Point “up”

LINE: So God chose Moses to face down Pharaoh and lead His children to the land he had promised!
HAND MOTION: Walking motion w/hands to signal leading

Continued on next page

Week 1/Small Group 4

V I D EO 4 / S M A L L G R O U P 4 C O N TI N U E D

PARENT WALK OUT TIME

GIVE each family 1 Parent GO HOME Card.

GO HOME CARD
Your child reviewed the stories of Genesis and discovered God’s great rescue plan. Today’s Old Testament Review included clips
from What’s in the Bible? Volumes 1 & 2.

Today, your child learned a Genesis Summary with hand motions and symbols, and created a Genesis Story book. Together, review
the summary and story book.

GENESIS SUMMARY
LINE: God made everything. And then made man and woman to live with Him in a wonderful world!
HAND MOTION: 2 hands making circle for earth

LINE: But we thought we could do better without Him! We thought WE knew best! And SIN entered the world!
HAND MOTION: Pointer Finger makes letters S I N

LINE: Sin broke God’s creation! It broke our relationship with God and our relationships with each other!
HAND MOTION: 2 fists together, come apart to break something

LINE: Sin meant that we couldn’t be with Him anymore!

HAND MOTION: Hands flat, palms down, shaking head and hands “no”

LINE: But God loved us so much, He launched a RESCUE plan!

HAND MOTION: Make a heart with 2 hands folded together

LINE: He gave Abraham THREE promises - his children would become a nation - have their own land - and would BLESS the
entire world!
HAND MOTION: Make each # as the promise is said. (3) He gave Abraham THREE promises (1) His children would become a nation.
(2) Have their own land (3) and would BLESS the entire world!

LINE: But a few hundred years later His children were stuck in Egypt as slaves!
HAND MOTION: Point “up”

LINE: So God chose Moses to face down Pharaoh and lead His children to the land He had promised!
HAND MOTION: Walking motion w/hands to signal leading

QR CODE
Scan the code to review today’s Old Testament stories!

BIG QUESTION
What is a Patriarch?

Week 1/Small Group 4