April 6, 2014

Basic Truth: Jesus wants to be my friend forever.

Key Question: Who is your good friend?
Bottom Line: Jesus is my good friend.
Memory Verse: “A friend loves at all times.” Proverbs 17:17, NIrV
Bible Story: Jesus is a good friend.
Mary & Martha • Luke 10:38-42

Make It Fun (Introductory Activities, 10 minutes)

1. Busy Bodies!
“Busy Bodies!” is an activity that uses large motor movement and listening skills to
introduce the Bible story idea of being busy.

What You Need: No supplies needed.

What You Do:

During the activity: This activity is intended to have a hurried, quick pace to it. You will
give the children commands to do different movements with fast transitions. Repeat the
words “busy” and “hurry” as often as possible.

What You Say:

During the activity: “Okay, friends! Hop on your feet! It’s time to get busy, busy, BUSY!
You’re going to need your best listening ears to play this game. Do what I say, as fast
as you can … like super fast! Got it? (Pause.) Good! First, I want you to walk as fast as
you can all the way to the other end of the room and back. Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Now
jump in place three times. Hurry up! Jump, jump, jump! Now spin in a circle three times!
Hurry up! Wow! Look at your busy bodies go! Okay, time to skip! Skip all the way to the
other end of the room and back. Hurry up! Skip, skip, skip!” (Continue giving the
children action commands to do. Make the transitions fast and emphasize the words
“hurry” and “busy.”)

At the end of the activity: “Whew! I think we need a break from all our busyness! Our
Bible story time will be a good time to catch our breath. Speaking of the Bible story and
busyness, the woman in our story today could use a break. Boy, oh boy, was she busy!”

Make It True (Large Group, 15 minutes)

Bible Story
First Look offers weekly Bible story on our DVD titled “Wonder, Look at God’s Story,”
which you may choose to use rather than a live Storyteller this week. This DVD is
available for purchase at the reThink store on our Web site.
What You Need: Bible, apron, and bonnet.

STORYTELLER: “Hi, guys! You all are looking good today! Today I’m going to tell you a
true story from the Bible. (Hold up Bible.) This is the most awesome book in the whole
wide world! (Open up Bible to story and set it down.) Our story today is about two of
Jesus’ friends. They were sisters! One was named Martha. (Tie apron around waist
loose enough to be able to turn it backwards when you need to.) ‘Hi!’ (Turn apron
around to back.) And the other was Mary. (Place bonnet on head and tie around chin so
it’s loose enough to pull down in the back.) ‘Hi!’ (Pull bonnet down.) Do any of you have
a sister? (Pause.) Raise your hand high if you have a sister! (Raise your hand if you
have a sister.) Sisters can have so much fun together. But sometimes they are SO
different from each other!

(Twist apron to front of waist.) “Martha was always busy cooking and cleaning and
making sure things were ready for guests. (Twist apron to back of waist.)

(Pull bonnet back up on head.) “Mary liked to sit and listen to stories that Jesus told.
(Act like you’re listening and then pull bonnet down.) Both of them loved Jesus very
much. One day Jesus came to visit Martha and Mary! They were so excited. I bet they
got together in the kitchen to decide what to do.

(Twist apron to front; as Martha) “Oh, no. We need to wipe the table! It’s got crumbs and
jelly all over it! (Twist apron to back.)

(Pull bonnet up; as Mary) “Let’s just go talk to Jesus. He’s such a good friend, ’cause
He listens so well! (Pull bonnet down.)

(Twist apron to front; as Martha) “But we need to make stew and bake the bread for
Jesus and His friends to eat! They’re going to be hungry! (Twist apron to back.)

(Pull bonnet up; as Mary) “Let’s just go listen to Jesus. He’s such a good friend, ’cause
He tells good stories! (Pull bonnet down.)

“So Mary went to talk with her good friend Jesus while Martha worked-worked-worked-
worked-worked to make everything perfect! She worked SO hard that she got mad that
Mary wasn’t helping. Let’s see your mad faces. (Make a mad face.) Whoa. That’s
EXACTLY what Martha felt like. She stomped out of the kitchen to see Jesus.

(Twist apron to front; as Martha) “Jesus, Mary isn’t doing ANYTHING. Make her help
me!

“Wow! (Turn apron around and speak normal.) Do you think that Jesus made Mary go
into the kitchen? (Pause.) No! He said (in deep voice), ‘Martha, you don’t have to be
upset. But the most important thing is to be a good friend!’
“Jesus loved both Mary and Martha, and He cared more about spending time with them
than a super fancy meal or a clean house. He wanted to talk with BOTH of His good
friends. Jesus was such a good friend to Mary and Martha and [Bottom Line] Jesus is
my good friend, too! Who is your good friend? [Bottom Line] Jesus is my good
friend! Ready to say it with me?! Who is your good friend?”

CHILDREN and STORYTELLER: [Bottom Line] “Jesus is my good friend!”

STORYTELLER: “Great job! One more time! Who is your good friend?”

CHILDREN and STORYTELLER: [Bottom Line] “Jesus is my good friend!”

STORYTELLER: “It’s true, friends! Jesus is our good friend! Great job! Let’s pray.

“Dear God, thank You for this incredible true story. Jesus, help us to always remember
that You are our good friend. We love You, God! Amen.

Make It Stick (Application Activities, 35 minutes)

1. Memory Verse with Motions
“Memory Verse with Motions” is an activity that uses repetition and motions to help the
children remember and retain the Memory Verse.

What You Need: No supplies needed.

What You Do:

Before the activity: Have the children stand around you in a circle.

During the activity: Teach the following verse and motions to the children. ‘A friend
(hook your pointer fingers together) loves (hug yourself) at all times’ (stretch your arms
out to each side with your palms facing up as you turn in a circle), Proverbs 17:17.
(Open your hands like a book.)

At the end of the activity: Say the verse with the children and do the motions several
times.

What You Say:

Before the activity: “We have a new Memory Verse today! This is a very special Memory
Verse. Let’s all stand in a circle and we can learn our verse together.”

During the activity: “Everyone watch and listen to what I say and do. I am going to say
our new verse. ‘A friend loves at all times,’ Proverbs 17:17, Now can you say it with me?
(Pause.) Okay let’s try it! (Say with children) ‘A friend loves at all times,’ Proverbs 17:17.
Awesome! Now watch what I do when I say our Memory Verse. (Say again and add
motions.) ‘A friend (hook your pointer fingers together) loves (hug yourself) at all times’
(stretch your arms out to each side with your palms facing up as you turn in a circle),
Proverbs 17:17. (Open your hands like a book.) Now let’s try that together. (say verse
and do motions with the children again.) Perfect! Let’s try it again!” (Repeat as many
times as desired.)

At the end of the activity: “You did great! Our Memory Verse is very special because
Jesus is telling us what He wants us to do. He is telling us to ALWAYS love our friends
no matter what! Even if your friend makes a bad choice you should always love them
and forgive them. Jesus is always our friend even if we make a bad choice. He always
forgives us! Who is your good friend? (Pause.) You got it! [Bottom Line] Jesus is
my good friend!”

2. Picture Plates
“Picture Plates” is an activity that uses story sequencing with pictures to review today’s
Bible story. Story sequencing helps children strengthen skills such as reading
comprehension and putting events in order as they happen in a story.

What You Need: “Story Pictures” from the Activity Pages on the Website, white paper,
four paper plates, scissors, and glue.

What You Do:

Before the activity: Make one copy of “Story Pictures” from the Activity Pages on white
paper, cut them out, and glue one to each of the four paper plates.
(Option: Make several copies of the picture plates so teams of children can put them in
order.)

During the activity: Review the Bible story using the four picture plates. Lay the plates
on the floor in random order. Ask the children to help you put the plates in order as they
happened in the story.
(Option: Put the children in teams of two and see if they can put the plates in order.
Instruct them to be a good friend and cheer each other on!)

What You Say:

During the activity: “Today’s story was about our good friend, Jesus. Jesus is the BEST
friend and He wants to be your friend forever! (Hold up picture plate of Mary and
Martha.) This is Mary and Martha; they were sisters. (Hold up picture of Martha opening
the door for Jesus.) In today’s story, Jesus went to visit His good friends, Mary and
Martha. See Martha opening the door? (Hold up picture of Mary listening and Martha
standing with a bowl.) Jesus wanted to spend time with His friends Mary and Martha.
Mary stopped to listen to Jesus but Martha was too busy. (Hold up picture of Jesus,
Mary and Martha, but Martha doesn’t have the bowl anymore.) Jesus told Martha that
she needed to stop and listen; she was too busy with things that really didn’t matter.
Jesus didn’t care about how clean the house was or how good the food tasted. All He
wanted to do was spend time with His good friends.
“Do you think you can put our story pictures in order even if I mix them all up? Let’s see
… (mix up pictures) … which one happened first?” (Continue asking until the children
have all the pictures in order.)

At the end of the activity: “Jesus wants to be your good friend forever. He wants to
spend time with you every day. Praying, learning Bible verses, singing to Him, and
doing what God says are all ways we can spend time with Jesus. We just have to make
sure we’re not too busy for our good friend Jesus. Who is your good friend? (Pause.)
[Bottom Line] Jesus is my good friend.”

3. Listen to Your Friends

“Listen to Your Friends” is a cut and paste activity that allows the children to use fine
motor and problem solving skills to complete a task.

What You Need: “Ear” from the Activity Pages on the Website, white paper, safety
scissors for children to share, crayons, and glue sticks.

What You Do:

Before the activity: Copy “Ear” from the Activity Pages onto the white paper for each
child.

During the activity: Give each child an Activity Page and point to the large ear in the
center of the page. Then allow them to color the ear any way that they would like. Once
they’re finished coloring, direct their attention to the six boxes to the bottom of the page.
Ask the children to decide which pictures are of things that make noise. The children
should cut out the pictures and glue the things that make noise to the ear in the center
of the page.

What You Say:

Before the activity: “Today in our story, Mary wanted to sit and listen to Jesus. Jesus
was her friend and she wanted to listen to what He had to say. Listening is very
important.”

During the activity: “Do you see the HUGE ear on the page? (Pause.) What do we do
with our ears? (Pause.) Yes! We listen with our ears. Can you color the ear with your
crayons? (Allow children to color the ear.) Great job! Now look at the bottom of your
page. (Hold up page and point to bottom.) There are six things with dotted lines around
them. Use your scissors to cut on the line. Now, cut out the things that you can hear
with your ears. Only cut out the things that make noise. I see a drum. Can you hear a
drum? (Pause.) Yes, you can hear a drum, so cut on the dotted lines around it. I see an
apron. Can you hear an apron? (Pause.) No, an apron does not make noise. Do not cut
out the apron. What about the telephone? Can you hear a telephone? (Pause.) Yes, a
telephone rings. Cut out the telephone. How about the dog? Does a dog make noise?
(Pause.) Yes, a dog barks. You are really good at this! Okay, two more. I see a spoon
and a boat. Which one do you think makes noise? (Pause.) Yes, you can hear a boat.
Nice job! Cut out the boat. Now that you have cut out all of the things that make noise,
glue them to the HUGE ear. (Allow child to glue objects.) Great job!”

At the end of the activity: “You are all so smart! God gave us ears so that we can listen.
Mary listened to Jesus and so can we. Jesus wants us to listen to Him because He is
our friend. Who is your good friend? (Pause.) Absolutely! [Bottom Line] Jesus is my
good friend!”

Make It Real (Small Groups, 5 minutes)

“I think now is the perfect time for us to talk to our good friend, Jesus. Let’s make a list
in our journal of our good friends. When we pray, we can ask Jesus to help us not be
too busy to love our friends. After all, a friend loves at all times, right? (Pause.) Right!
Okay, first we’ll write Jesus’ name at the top of our list, because He’s the best friend
EVER. Now let’s make a list of our other friends.”

Write down the children’s names in your journal. Remember to print the words so they
can recognize their names and letters.

Prayer
SGL: “God, I am so glad [Bottom Line] Jesus is my good friend. And thank You for
all of our other friends, too! Please help us to not be too busy to love our friends. Help
us be a good friend to Jesus and (read the list the children made), because a friend
loves at all times. In Jesus’ name, amen.”