Kids of the King, Arise!

Kingdom Living – Lesson 1
by Stephanie McIntyre

Length of Lesson:  30 – 45 min
Ages: 8-12 year olds
Bible basis: Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 2:51
Key theological concept: Living as God’s child means obeying Him and submitting to Him.
Bible verse:  Matthew 7:26

Materials:
Volunteer to be a “Herald” for King Jesus, scroll for the herald to read
2 paper houses, one built on sand, one taped to rock
Spray bottle filled with water
Copies of activity sheet OR cards with information & personal journal
Bible for each student
The Chronicles of Narnia DVD, cued to coronation scene at the end
TV or LCD projector, DVD player

Objectives:
Students will…
 Know:
1. that relating to God requires obedience to Him as our King
2. that King Jesus commands us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbour as ourselves
3. that loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength includes: loving God more than money (Matt. 6:19), trusting Him to provide for all our needs (Matt. 6:25-34)
4. that loving our neigbour includes: not being angry with a ‘brother’ (Matt. 5:22), not desiring what is not ours (Matt 5:27), telling the truth (Matt. 5:33), “giving to the one who asks you, and not turning away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (Matt. 5:42); loving our enemies and doing good to one who hates you (Matt. 5:44); not judging others (Matt. 7:3)
 Feel:
1. convicted of a specific sin or sins
2. empowered by the Holy Spirit to choose what is right
 Act:
1. Write letter to God asking forgiveness for sin.
2. Make a plan to do what is right in a specific situation.

Spiritual Formation:
Confession of sin, Holiness

Focus:
1. On a poster or whiteboard, write the questions:
“If you were king or queen for a day, what would you do?” 
    As students enter, ask them to think about this question and write a list of ideas.
2. When all students have arrived, ask volunteers to share their ideas.  Have fun with it.
3. Tell students that today we are going to talk about Christ as our King, and what that means.

Procedure:
1. Show clip from “The Chronicles of Narnia” where Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy are crowned kings and queens of Narnia.

2. Divide students into groups of 4. 
Tell them to imagine that they have just been crowned the kings/queens of Narnia.  What laws will they make for the citizens of Narnia?  Remember, they are the ones that are completely in charge of everything and their laws must be obeyed. 
Allow 10-15 minutes of brainstorming, and then have groups present the laws for their kingdom.
3. Explain that although we have been pretending to be kings and queens and gave some fun (and serious) ideas of laws for our kingdom, Christ is the real King in our lives today, and He has set laws for His Kingdom.  When we are friends with Christ and belong to His Kingdom, we are responsible to know and obey His laws. 
4. SKIT:
   At this point, have a “herald” enter, blowing a trumpet and announcing the laws of King Jesus
   (use one of the older students, if   possible):
  “Hear ye, hear ye, citizens of the Kingdom of Jesus.  You must know and obey these laws, commanded by the King Himself:
  Law #1: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.
  Law #2: Love your neighbour as yourself.
     Whoever obeys these laws is like a sensible man who builds his house on a rock.  When  rains fall, rivers flood, and winds blow strong against his house, it will not collapse because its foundation is on the rock.  Whoever hears these words and doesn’t do them (ahem…disobeys) is like a foolish man who builds his house on the sand.  The rains fall, rivers flood, and winds blow strong against the house.  It will collapse because it is built on sand.  Citizens of the Kingdom of Jesus, do not be foolish.  Obey your King!
     (“Herald” exits, blowing trumpet)
     Note: If you wish, you can have the herald, (or a volunteer that comes in at the same time as the herald), demonstrate the crashing of a house by cutting out two houses out of paper beforehand.  Tape one to a large rock.  When he blows on it and sprays water, the house will stay. Have the other house sitting on a pile of dirt or sand.  When he blows and sprays water on that house, make it collapse.
5. ASK: “I guess we’ve heard what King Jesus has set as the laws for His Kingdom.  Does anyone remember what they were?” (have volunteers repeat)
6. ASK: “What does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength?  Or to love your neighbour as yourself?” 
7. Explain that the gospel of Matthew talks about Jesus as King, and Jesus describes life according to His Kingdom’s laws in Matthew 5-7.  This passage is often called the “Sermon on the Mount,” because Jesus went up to a hillside and preached this message to large crowds.  In this sermon, Jesus gives some examples of what it means to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbour as ourselves.
8. ACTIVITY: Have students do activity sheet 1.
(For kinesthetic learners, you can write these on cards and have them sort the cards into the appropriate categories.  You should have the column headings written on cards, too.  This could also be done in groups or pairs as a game. 
(If done as a game, have students respond in a journal about which command they find hardest to keep and why.)
9. Read to students from Luke 2:51-52.  Explain that even Jesus had to learn obedience – obedience to his earthly parents and obedience to His heavenly Father.  He understands our weaknesses.  Still, He was able to live without sin because He had the Holy Spirit’s power working in Him.  When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert, He overcame temptation using the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit living in Him.  That same power is available to us, and we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us to obey King Jesus’ Laws of Love.

Closure:
1. Play a song such as “Refiner’s Fire” or “Create in Me a Clean Heart.” 
Have students write a letter addressed to King Jesus, asking forgiveness for breaking one of His laws of love.
2. Have students suggest ways they can “turn around” from their old ways – e.g. If they had difficulty loving enemies, they can write a note of encouragement to someone they don’t really like.  If they had difficulty with anger, they can practice saying “The Lord is my Shepherd” 10x’s to themselves before saying anything when they start to feel angry.
3. Close with prayer, asking for the Holy Spirit’s help to obey King Jesus’ Laws of Love this week.

Laws of love- Activity Sheet

1) Match the Bible verese with the example it gives of ” loving your
neighbour”

     Verse                                     Law of love                                  

Activation: HEARING GOD’S VOICE

Objective: Both as individuals and as a group to discern God’s voice. This is written for leaders so the language is a bit more difficult.  Adapt as necessary for the age group you are working with.  At the end is an insert with these points for younger kids that can be printed off.

SETTING: A comfortable room with worship music playing.

METHOD: Using scriptural steps to prepare our hearts through worship, confession, and waiting on God.

Materials needed:
* Bibles
* Large piece of paper or whiteboard
* Markers
* Worship music, either worship C.D. or worship leader familiar with songs of praise and adoration.

We have been called, we are ready to go but where and what are we to do? As ambassadors of the Kingdom we need to have strategy and orders to follow. How do we hear what is on God’s heart? In her book, Intercession, Thrilling and Fulfilling, Joy Dawson shares some steps that have been widely used as a guideline to hear what is on God’s heart. In the work that I have done with King’s Kids God has given us incredible guidance this way. This is not the only way but it is a helpful guidline as to how we can together hear what is on His heart. 

Procedure:
PRINCIPLES FOR EFFECTIVE INTERCESSION:

WORSHIP: 
• Spend time in worship, praising God for who he is.
• Choose familiar Hymns or choruses that focus on the character of God, who He is and what He has done.
• Encourage people to call out short prayers of praise and thanksgiving.

CONFESSION:
• Read Psalm 139: 23-24  “Search me oh God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts, See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  This is asking the Holy Spirit to show you anything in your heart that makes Him sad. Pause and allow time for the Holy Spirit to point these things out
•Check carefully to see if you resent any one in your heart, and make sure that you have forgiven those who have wronged you.
• Allow time to make things right reconciliation in the group if needed,
• Ask someone to lead in a prayer of confession. 

ACKNOWLEDGE:
• That you can’t really pray effectively without the Holy Spirit’s help. (Romans 8: 26b)
• Invite The Holy Spirit to fill you, guide you and control you as you pray. (Eph 5:18b)
• Pause and again deal with anything that the Lord may bring to mind that you need to repent of.
• Ask someone to lead in a prayer inviting the Holy Spirit’s presence and guidance.

REBUKE THE ENEMY:
• Read James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
• Have the leader come against any thoughts or intents of the enemy during this prayer time in the name of Jesus.

SURRENDER: (Since you want to hear what is on God’s heart)
• Your own imagination, or what you are thinking about at the moment.
• Your wishes.
• Your burdens as to what you think we should pray for.
• Read: Proverbs 3:5b…”Lean not on your own understanding.”
                 Isaiah 55:8a…”For my thoughts are not your thoughts.”
Pray silently

PRAISE GOD:
• TOGETHER Praise God and thank Him that He is a God that wants to speak with us.

WAIT SILENTLY
• Have your Bibles with you and respond to the direction of the Lord to passages in the Bible. (Psalm 62:5, Micah 7:7,)
• Listen for His direction. God may bring to mind a scripture, a picture, a name of a person or a place.
• Allow 3-5 minutes for this. (Younger children often receive from the Lord much quicker than older people.)

GATHER TOGETHER
• On a large piece of paper that everyone can see, ask the group what the Lord brought to mind. It is important that everyone share his or her thoughts.
• Don’t worry if what they receive doesn’t make any sense. It may well be apart of the puzzle and a necessary part of the bigger picture. It may also be somthing the Lord will to bring to mind at a later time.
• Go over what you wrote down and see if there is a common theme or sense of direction.

THANK HIM
• Thank God for the time with Him.
• Ask God for further confirmation.
  Take action to what God brought to mind in faith.

YOU CAN COPY THIS REMINDER AND PUT IT IN YOUR BIBLE.

ILLUSTRATION:

Let me tell you of a time that a Daniel Prayer group I was leading, was praying as to what the Lord would have us do in the summer of 1999. The Pan Am games were going to be in Winnipeg that summer and we thought that the Lord wanted us to be involved in an outreach at the games. We followed these principals and the Lord gave one of the kids a very clear picture. It was of an apple that fell on Canadian soil. It was a nice red shiny apple.  After a little while it was picked up, and passed around, but no one wanted it. It was then tossed back to the ground, but this time it had a swastika engraved on the side. She had been reading a book awhile back of the story of Hansi, the girl with the swastika.

We wrote it down along with some other thoughts but it really did not make any sense.

A while later, I went to a conference and there someone gave me a tape of a message that David Demian had received from the Lord for Canada. It was a message that burned in his heart. In a nutshell it told of how he had been seeking the Lord for insight as to what was hindering a move of God in Canada. The Lord revealed to him that it was a root of anti-Semitism that had come to Canada via Europe. The Lord then revealed to Him that this was evidenced most clearly by Canada refusing entrance during WW2 of a boat full of Jewish people fleeing Nazi Germany. They had sought refuge in Cuba and the USA and Canada was its last hope. The response to their plight was “None is too many!”
The boat was subsequently turned back and two thirds of the people died under the Nazi Regime.

When I came home from the conference, the Lord strongly impressed on me to look back at what He had given the kids a few months before. Here I once again read the story of the apple. All of a sudden it became clear. The apple represented the Jewish people, also known as the ‘Apple of His eye”. So how did this effect what we were supposed to do the summer of 99?

A short while later it became clear that God was leading many Christians in Canada to have a ‘Gathering’, in Winnipeg, the heart of Canada, the summer of 1999. This would be a first step to repent for this anti-Semitic act and was the beginning of a Journey of repentance for Canada’s anti-Semitism. It culminated in the bringing of the survivors of this ship, the St Louis, to Canada for a formal apology. The kids that had heard from God that fall of 97, were an integral part of this whole journey.

Carolin Sadler, taken from book Warrior Bride Arise.

Right now in Canada, and LOTS of other nations, many people are praying and asking God to show them what is on His heart. Why not take this teaching and the lessons on hearing God’s voice in the last three Keys of the Kingdom posts and ask God to speak to you. I would love to hear from you. You can do so either by commenting on the blog below or contacting me at carolin@watchmen.org As we have seen on the blog God speaks to kids too and their YOPPS need to be heard. Look forward to hearing from you.

Lesson 5: Kingdom of Heaven
by Stephanie McIntyre

Length of Lesson:  30 – 45 min
Ages: 8-12 year olds
Bible basis: Psalm 19:1-4; Romans 1:19-20; Psalm 104
Key theological concept: Friendship with God means getting to know Him (abiding with Him).

Materials:
Journals
Bible
Orange or apple
Magazines with nature and animals
Glue
Marker
Poster board (optional if decorating journals)
White board

Objectives: Students will…
KNOW:
1. that we can get to know God through spending time with Him, by reading the Bible and praying
2. that we can get to know God through nature, because He has left His imprints on our world

FEEL • confident that it is possible to relate to God
 
ACT:
1. before reading the Bible, ask God to show them something to encourage them, a promise to hold onto, or a sin to     ask forgiveness for and change.
2. spend time reading the Bible
3. record thoughts in a journal

Spiritual Formation:
Prayer & Bible reading, reflection

Focus:
– To refresh children’s memory from last lesson, hold up a picture of someone famous.  Ask; How many of you would like to get to know ______?  Are you star struck by this person?
– Ask; How many of you would like to get to know God better?
 
Procedure:

 1. ASK: How do you get to know someone? Think of someone you would like to know.  What would you do to get to know that person? (try to spend time together, find out what kinds of things are close to his/her heart, what’s important to them, what they like, look at things they have made, listen as they talk, do something together)

Explain that we can get to know God in some of the same ways – spending time with Him, looking at things He made, and doing something together.

 2. ASK: How do we spend time with God?  What does that look like?  (Reading the Bible and praying). 
 3. ASK: Do you ever have a hard time focusing when you read the Bible?  (It helps to pray first, asking God to show you something to encourage you, a promise to hold onto, or a sin to ask forgiveness for and change.)
 
Let’s try that as a group: Read aloud Psalm 19:1-4 or Psalm 104. After reading the Bible:

 4. ASK: In what way do we know more about God and His ways NOW than what we knew BEFORE we read. What did you notice while we read together?

On a white board note down the things the kids bring up. Explain that this is like a group journal, but that they can keep their own journal when they read the Bible by themselves.
 
 5. ASK: do any of you have a perfect memory?  Do you remember every single moment of your lives?  Of course not.  Keeping a journal helps us to remember what God has been showing us and teaching us.  So, the first way of getting to know God is through spending time with Him, by reading the Bible and praying.

ACTIVITY:

Remind children of the discussion about how to get to know people – the second way was by looking at the things they made. 
 
 • If possible, hold up a picture you painted or drew, an object you created, or even a picture you took.  Tell the group that we are going to play a game.  They are going to look at this picture and try to guess things about the artist (what they are like, what kinds of things they like—e.g. it might show that they love nature, or that they pay close attention to detail, or that they love colour, etc.) Bring in objects from several different artists if possible.

Note:  To make it competitive, divide into two groups and have them make a list.  Make sure you do an example or two first before dividing into groups, so they get some ideas

Explain that in the same way we can “guess” things about artists from what they have made, we can learn about God from the things He has made.  He made the world and all of nature, so when we look at nature we can learn about Him (but our guesses aren’t always perfect – that’s why we have the Bible, too, to help us interpret what we see).

 • Hold up an orange or an apple. 
 • Ask: Do you think we can learn about God from this fruit?  We can!  Have you ever cut open an orange/apple and looked closely inside?  Cut the fruit open so that the pattern of seeds is showing.  Did you ever notice that the seeds of an apple make a 5 pointed star?  And there are always 5 seeds inside an apple?  What could that show us about God?  (He likes to be creative and put cool patterns in things because He cares about detail, He is consistent)

Read Romans 1:19-20 aloud.  God says that since the creation of the world His invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.  He has also given each person the knowledge that He is there and wants to know us.  He has given us all we need to get to know Him.  We are as close to God as we want to be.

 • Hand out magazines and have children cut out some pictures of nature scenes or animals.  They can create a collage on Bristol board or their journal cover.  When they are finished, write with a marker somewhere on the page, “O Lord my God, You are very great!”

Closure:
 Close with prayer: Thank You, God, that You have made the world in such a way that it points to You.  Thank You also for the Bible, wherein we can read all about what is important to You and also about Your care for us.  Thank You that You have put Your Word in our hearts.  Help me as I seek to know You better.  Amen.

Resources:

Based on Sadler, Carolin.  Warrior Bride Arise.  Belleville, ON: Essence Pubilishing, 2004.  Pages 35

By: Stephanie McIntyre 

Bible basis: 1 Sam. 16:7, Job, Psalms
Key theological concept: Friendship with God requires honesty before Him.
Bible verse: “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.  The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” - 1 Sam. 16:7

Materials:
Copies of “Something in Common” activity for each student
Bible
Notebooks/journals for each student
Mask (a real one or made out of a paper plate)
Small hand mirrors (one for every child)
Vaseline, shaving cream or other cream
Windex
Paper towels

Objectives:
Students will…
 Know:
• That God is looking for people who will be “best friends” with Him, people who are “after His own heart.”
• God chooses His friends by looking at the heart
• God made us and loves us equally, He calls us beautiful
• Wants true friends who are honest with Him, even to express doubt, fear or discouragement
 Feel:
• Special because God made them and desires to be their friend
• Comfortable asking God questions and expressing doubts honestly
Act:
• Ask God questions you would like Him to answer (in prayer)
• Use a mirror as an object lesson in prayer

Spiritual Formation:
Honest prayer

Focus:
– Tell group that we are talking about being friends with God.  We are going to begin with a game.  This game will help them find out about each other in a fun way.
– Give each child a copy of the list and read it together, discussing meaning (For kids who can’t read).  Tell them to put a checkmark beside things that describe them.
– Tell group that they will now be looking for some friends who have something in common with them.  Allow about 10 minutes for the kids to play and find several people that they have something in common with.

Procedure:
– Did you find anyone that you had something in common with?  Did you find anyone that you had LOTS in common with?  Have you ever met someone (today or another time) that you seem to have EVERYTHING in common with?  You just “click”? Someone you can share secrets with, and who will always understand you?  If you haven’t, I bet you wish you have!
– Have kids suggest a couple of things they look for in a friend.
– Did you know God is looking for people who will be “best friends” with Him?”  He is looking for people who are “after His own heart,” or “kindred spirits,” as Anne of Green Gables would say.  The Bible even tells us how God looks for a friend.
– Open your Bible to 1 Sam. 16:7 and read: “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.  The LORD does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
– What does this say about what God looks for? (he looks at the heart)  How does this match with how we look for friends?  Our list of things in common was very “surface-y”, wasn’t it? Sometimes at school it’s kids who look pretty or are good at sports that are popular, and everybody wants to be their friend.  But that’s not how God chooses His friends!  Where does He look again?  (THE HEART!)  He doesn’t care what you look like – He loves you anyway. He made you and He thinks you are super-special.  He really wants to be your special friend – your best friend!

How many of you have a best friend?  What kinds of things do you do with him/her?  Why is she your best friend? (we like the same stuff, we can tell each other secrets, we do things together).
It’s really important and special to share secrets with our friends, isn’t it?  And do you want your friends to be honest with you and share everything?

– Hold up a mask over your face.  How would you like to be friends with a mask?  I mean, with somebody who never let you see who they really are, but always pretended? Probably not. Like, if you ask them if they like soccer, they say yes, but anytime you ask them to play, they make some excuse.  You start to figure out that they’re not being honest with you – they’re just putting on a mask.  Do you think your friendship would last a long time? 

– Take the mask away as you talk.  If available, hold a piece of glass in front of your face.  Wouldn’t you rather be friends with somebody who was real?  If you ask them if they like soccer, they say yes, but they also tell you that they’re scared to play with people who are better than them.  Wouldn’t you rather be that person’s friend?  And wouldn’t you want to help them get over their fear?  That’s exactly like God is with us.  He wants us to be honest.  Instead of wearing a mask, he wants to be “transparent” - like if I held a window in front of my face, it wouldn’t matter, you could see right through it to the real me, anyway!  The window is transparent (not clouded over, easy to see through).  God wants us to be transparent with Him. That means sharing honest feelings, doubts, and concerns with Him.

If you think you might be scared to be honest with God, listen to this story: 
“The Bible tells us about Job, a man who was going through a really hard time.  His friends were giving him all sorts of advice, most of it not helpful at all.  God in turn told Job’s friends off for not being real, and at the same time defended Job for his honesty.  God told them,
‘You haven’t been honest either with Me or about Me – not the way My friend Job has.’”   Pretty cool, eh?

God can handle it when you complain, are discouraged, or get angry, because real friends share their hearts.  The psalms, many of which were written by King David, are full of every kind of emotion, and David was called ‘a man after God’s own heart.’  If you have doubts, you’re normal!  Moses, David, Abraham, Elijah and others of God’s closest friends had times when they doubted, too.  But it doesn’t help to hide behind a mask and pretend that everything is ok.  God can see through the mask anyway!  These guys didn’t try to hide: they told God exactly how they felt.  Sometimes, expressing our doubts and questions is the first step in drawing closer to God.

Closure:
– Hand out a small mirror to each child.  Place some Vaseline, shaving cream or other cream on the table.  Have them cover their mirror with the cream.  Note how hard it is to see clearly with cream on the mirror – just like us when we’re not honest with God.
– In their journals or a notebook, have the kids write down any questions that they would like God to answer and/or anything that is bothering them.  Assure them this is just between them & God.
– Together, take paper towels and Windex and start to clean off the mirror.  As you do, ask God to help us to be transparent, totally honest, with no secrets between us and Him.  Pray that God will help us see who He is more clearly, too.

Adapted from: Sadler, Carolin.  Warrior Bride Arise.  Belleville, ON: Essence Pubilishing, 2004.  pages 17-34.

Something in Common…

Instructions:
1. Place a checkmark beside any of the things in the list that describe you.
2. Walk around and look for people that you have something in common with. When you find someone who likes the same thing you do, write his/her name in the blank. 
3. Repeat until you have found something in common with everyone in your group.

Descriptions:(Make a chart using the following suggestions. Print off copies to hand out to each child)

Description                           This is me!                        Name of Friend

Likes to play basketball                      
Has brown eyes  
Has blue eyes              
Likes to sing  
Can play guitar  
Can play piano  
Can play a different instrument  
Likes to play volleyball  
Likes to play soccer  
Likes to play hockey  
Likes to play all sports  
Likes to play video games  
Has long hair  
Has short hair  
Has a younger brother or sister  
Has an older brother or sister  
Is an only child  
Likes to watch movies  
Likes to draw  
Likes to tell stories  
Likes to talk  
Likes to listen  
Likes to help others  
Likes to be outside 

by: Stephanie McIntyre

Topic:  God delights in us & cheers for us; we respond by cheering for Him!
Goals & Objectives:
Students will…
– encourage others by cheering them on in a game
– cheer for God using Zeph. 3:17 & a song
– understand that God delights in them and the unique way He made them
– create a collage illustrating their uniqueness
– use their bodies to worship God (cheering, bowing, spinning, lifting hands)
– understand that “using our bodies to worship God” includes being kind to others, telling the truth, and obeying parents.

Materials:
– magazines, paper, glue, scissors, pencil crayons
– obstacle course (may include chairs, rope, balls, or whatever is available)
– poster of Zeph 3:17
– CD with “Meet with Me”

Warm-up:
Time Instructions:
10 min 
4. Ask children if they have ever played a game (sports or otherwise) where they had fans cheering them on.  Allow several volunteers to share.
5. Tell children that we’re going to start with a game today, and we’re going to cheer one another on – loudly!
6. (Go outside or set up inside)
7. Divide children into 2 teams and play game (demonstrate obstacle course first).
8. As children play, get really into cheering – jump up and down, jump up and twirl (if you can), and yell out “Go ____ go!  You can do it!  Keep it up!  You’re doing great!”  Be exaggerated enough that other children will notice you cheering.

Dig in:
10 min 
6. Teach children the verse as a cheer, by saying one line and having the class repeat:

a) The Lord your God is with you (repeat)
b) He’s mighty to save (repeat)
c) His delight is in you (repeat)
d) He’ll calm you with His love (repeat)
e) He rejoices in you (repeat)
f) He sings a loud song (repeat)
g) Yeah, He rejoices in you (repeat)
h) And He sings a loud song!!! (repeat)
7. Try repeating the cheer in a whisper, in a shout, in a squeaky voice, “underwater” by brushing finger over lips while you say it, etc.  Have children do body movements to match (e.g. Crouch down when whispering; stand tall when shouting, etc.)

15 min 
8. Ask children if they are surprised to learn that God cheers for them like this.  Can they imagine God getting so excited?

9. Tell children that “God delights in you just the way you are.  He created your unique personality and gifts and said it was good.  It brings Him joy when you do the things He created you to do.  It doesn’t matter if you are different than those around you or in your family – if He had wanted you to be the same, he would have created you that way.” 

10. Spread out some magazines and ask children to cut out pictures they like or that tell something about them.  For example, if they like soccer than they can cut out a picture of a soccer ball or a field.  If blue is their favourite colour, they can pick out lots of blue things, if they like to sing, they can find something about music.  Give children paper, scissors, & glue to make a collage about them.

11. As children create their picture, talk about what makes them unique and remind that God made them and delights in them.

 SERVE SNACK AS CHILDREN FINISH COLLAGE

10 min 
12. Ask children if they can think of ways to tell God that they love Him (words, singing, being kind to others, actions). 
(Could give illustration of a mom telling her child that she loves him, taking care of him, feeding him, making his lunch, helping him clean his room, etc, and then the son saying, “I hate you” or not doing anything at all – not very kind!  And of course the son would appreciate what the mom did for him.  He wanted to say, “I love you, too.”)

13. Tell children that when we tell God we love Him, we can use our bodies, too!  We can cheer for God, just like He cheers for us. 
Read Ps 13:5 -6 (NLT) – But I trust in your unfailing love.  I will rejoice because you have rescued me.  I will sing to the LORD because he has been so good to me.
  
14. God rescued David when he was in trouble, and David was cheering for God!  We can do the same thing.  We can lift up our hands (surrender, admitting everything we have comes from God), bow down (shows respect, like to kings), spin around, jump, clap (celebrates how good God is), etc.
 
15. Play game of calling out “Lift your hands!  Bow down!  Spin around!  Jump!  Clap!” Mix these up and have children do the action you call out as fast as they can.

16. Tell children that we can do these actions and remember their meanings when we sing in worship with the church.  They help us “show and tell” God that we love Him.  We can also show God we love Him be being kind to others, telling the truth, obeying our parents, etc.

Wrap-up:
10 min 
Teach song “I’m Here to Meet with You” and use actions described in Warrior Bride Arise, p. 195.  Discuss the meanings of the actions as you teach it. (Found on “Shout to the Lord Kids 2″ Integrity Music)

Extra Info:
Gooling also mentioned in: (not an exhaustive list – only searched Psalms)

Ps. 2:11, Ps 9:14, Ps 13:4, 5, Ps 14:7, Ps 21:1, Ps 32:11, Ps 35:9 *be joyful), Ps 51:8, Ps 53:6, Ps 65:12, Ps 89:16, Ps 97:1
Ps 118:24

Resources:
Sadler, Carolin. Warrior Bride Arise, Belleville, ON: Essence Publishing, 2004.

The Bible. “Strong’s Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon.” <http://www.eliyah.com/lexicon.html>.  Accessed March 10, 2007. 

 A Treasure Hunt
(This is to be used in conjunction with Day 3 in Keys of the Kingdom)

Objectives:
Students will…
1.explain that the Kingdom of God is like a treasure and a mystery
2.understand that God WANTS them to search for His kingdom
3.explain that repentance is “changing our thinking so we act and think like God”
4.explain that atonement is “ paying the price for wrong done” and understand that Jesus paid the price for our sin.
5.participate in a time of confession, thanking Jesus for His atonement.

Materials:
•Small Ziploc bags,
•Chocolate coins (you can get them at the dollar store)
•Small bucket
•Treasure chest with lock that can be keyed to different numbers
•Garden or field
•Post it notes
•“farmer”

Beforehand, set up a treasure hunt, if possible outdoors, with clues to follow. Place one clue and one “gold coin” in each Ziploc bag, all over the neighborhood, each clue should lead to the next location.
Have the kids collect them all and bring them back to the starting point. The last clue is the scripture about the treasure being hidden in a field. (Mathew 13 :44) 
Have someone dress up as a farmer and have the kids buy the field from the farmer with the gold coins. He may ham it up by requesting their shoes etc. as the treasure is so valuable that it cost them everything. When they have struck a deal have them search the field and dig up the treasure.
Hide a “treasure chest” in a field or home vegetable garden.  It can be a dressed up to look like a treasure chest. Inside have another box placed on some dried flowers or wheat seeds.  Inside that box have some candies and 2 keys. One of the keys will have Repentance on it the other Atonement. Place a lock on the treasure chest that is the kind that can be keyed to different numbers. Key it to the reference for the scripture…ie Mathew 4:17 for this lesson. This will be needed for the clue to open the treasure chest.

Focus:

As kids enter, be dressed as a detective (e.g. Trench coat, holding a magnifying glass).  Inspect each one of them.  Tell them you are searching for treasure.  You need to find some clues along the way.  Ask if they would like to help you look.

Procedure:

Tell kids that we are looking for the “Kingdom of God”. Remind that that it is what Adam and Eve “lost” when they sinned.  Explain that when Jesus came to Earth, God was making a way for us to find/enter His Kingdom again.  Jesus loved to talk about that.

Ask;
If we’re looking for the Kingdom of God, where do you think we’ll find clues? (In what Jesus said) 
Do you remember from the devotional how many times Jesus talked about it in the gospels? Jesus talked about it 117 times in the first four books of the New Testament (That’s like leaving 117 clues!).

He wanted to let us know what His kingdom was all about and what it would look like if He was King on earth.   Do you think you could solve a mystery or find a treasure with 117 clues?  I guess so!!!  Do you think it will take some time/work to figure out the clues?  Probably!  Let’s get started.
Tell kids that you have set up a treasure hunt to help them understand what it’s like to search for the Kingdom of God.  There are lots of clues along the way, but here’s the first one: (Give first clue)
Allow kids to follow clues.  See “Materials” for description of how to prepare treasure hunt. At the end have the kids dig up the box that is buried in a garden and carefully lift it out.  

Ask:
What is the first “clue” or description of the Kingdom of Heaven that you learned today?  (It’s like a treasure hidden in the field – something so special that people would have to work at to understand.)  Explain that we need God’s help to understand His Kingdom – like we will need the keys to open the treasure chest.

As the kids notice that it is locked, hand them a card with the “final clue.” 

“Remember the words of Jesus
He said His kingdom is like treasure                                                  
This chapter and verse will unlock the box,
And teach more knowledge than we can measure.”
Look up Mathew 4:17

Kids need to use the reference to unlock the box.  Choose a volunteer to carefully open the box, revealing some small prises or candies and two keys inside.  After distributing the ‘treasure’, draw attention to the keys. 
Ask: What do you think these might be keys for?  What will they open?   Try the keys on several different doors as the “farmer” watches. After a couple of tries, have the farmer step in and ask to see the keys.  After careful examination, he can announce that he’s seen these once before. 

Drawing attention to the words “Repentance” and “Atonement” on the sides, he will explain that these are keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.  As he holds up the key repentance, he can say, “I remember that Jesus talked about this when He came to earth.  One of the first things that He said when He started his ministry was, “REPENT for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Check back to day 3 in Keys of the Kingdom:
Ask: Do you know what it means to repent?  Explain that repent actually means to change the way you think, to go back to God’s perspective on reality.
Ask: Why is repentance the first key?

Ask: “Do you think you can do that?  Can you make yourself to act as good as Jesus did?  Can you think like Him all the time?”  (Of course not – we need help!)
Teacher can exclaim disappointedly “Sorry, kids, it looks like we can’t get into the kingdom after all – we’re not going to be able to do anything with this key of repentance!”

The gardener interrupts and says, “Wait – actually, you can get into the kingdom. You just need the SECOND key, too.”  He holds up the key “Atonement.”

Look back to day 3 (K of the K) to find out what Attonement means. Now look up: (Col 1:13 LB)

So there you go – the keys of Repentance and Atonement – now you can enter the Kingdom of God!

Have the kids thank the farmer for teaching them about these Keys to the Kingdom. 
Ask: Have you thanked Jesus for taking your place and breaking the power of sin over your life? 

Go inside to a quiet room with some worship music playing (e.g. Refiner’s Fire).  Allow time for children to reflect and pray.  After a few minutes of individual reflection, sit in a circle with head bowed.  Say the following prayer, adding something personal for yourself.  You can say it first and then go around the circle, have each child repeat it aloud:
“Father, I want to thank you for sending Jesus to break the power of sin over my life and drawing me back to You. I want to ask you to forgive me and help me change my way of thinking about…  (See James 5:16 for support of confessing sins aloud to ‘one another’).

Close by thanking God for the promise: “There is no temptation common to man but with the temptation provides the way of escape.” (1 Cor 10:13)

Sample Clues:

You’re seeking a treasure.  It’s not easy to find -
But look by the window – you’ll find a clue if you’re not blind.

You’ve proved your eyes are good and strong
Use your legs to go 12 steps right
Be careful – don’t count wrong!

Your eyes and legs seem to be okay
Now get outside and enjoy the day!
Clue #4 you’ll find out there
Beneath a tree – but I won’t tell where!

Jesus said His Kingdom is a little bit like me
It starts out really small, like a little tiny seed
But when you plant and watch it grow
That seed changes – lots, you know!
And then one day, you’ll look and see
That tiny seed is a great big tree!
Its fruit feeds birds and it gives shade to all
Clue 5 is in the shade (not mine)
Look carefully – it might be small!

Now if you’re looking for clue 6
Check ___________________
It’s there – no tricks!

You’re looking for the next clue - 7
It gives some hints about the Kingdom of Heaven
To find this clue, go ____________ fast.
But pay attention, or you’ll run right past!

When Jesus walked on earth, he said
“My Kingdom turns things on their head:
In this kingdom, you will see
The first will go last
But the last will lead!”
So when you’re searching for clue 8
Put others first: go to the hose, then wait!

Now you’ve waited patiently
It’s time for you look and see:
Clue number 9 is hiding well
But just look _________
And when you find it, tell!

You’re almost there – one more to go
Congratulations – you’ve arrived!
But there’s a little something you must know
If you want to look inside,

Give last clue about treasure in a field

Posted by Stephanie McIntyre and Carolin Sadler

 The Kingdom of Heaven

(This curriculum written by Stephanie McIntyre of Val-D’Or Quebec, dovetails with the teaching on the Keys of the Kingdom day 1 and 2)

What is the Kingdom?
1. a mystery, a treasure
2. a piece of heaven on earth
3. the place where God is king

Focus: Skit: Have one child prepare this monologue beforehand.

Enter one character: (Adam)

I can’t believe I lost it…we lost it!  It was the best thing I’ve ever known.  And now – I think it might be gone forever!  (Distressed)  I’ll never see it again – my wonderful home, gone forever.  Oh, it’s all because I made a horrible mistake.  I broke the one rule the King gave us.  Only one – so you’d think it would be easy.  But no – my wife and I just had to know what He was keeping from us.  We thought we knew so much better than Him!  We thought we could do things our way, and it would be fine.  But look at me now…and look at this disgusting country!  People fighting, dying, even the animals can’t get along!  This world is a mess!  I’m a mess!  (Falls down and cries)

I remember how it used to be…                                                                                          
(Adam stands up, looks off into distance, and starts to describe his home)  I come from a place more beautiful than you can imagine.  Trees, rocks, rivers, flowers, you name it, we have it…uhh, had it.  The plants and trees were exquisite and they had the most delicious fruits!  I could eat huge apples and peaches so juicy that the juice would run down your chin. Carrots the size of your arm!  All the animals - kittens and rabbits and horses and lions even dinosaurs and kids, used to play together.  Nothing to be afraid of, either!  No death, no sickness, no fighting or killing or…anything.  We didn’t even know those things existed.  We would have lived forever like that…if only…

Oh, if only we had done what the King commanded!  We should have trusted Him.  He was – is – so good.  He designed the whole place – created it from scratch!  We used to talk together every evening – wow; I loved to hear Him talk!  And being with Him, you could just sense His goodness and His love.  Why didn’t we trust Him?  Why did we think we knew so much better?  Why did we break His one commandment?  Why?  Oh…it can never be the same! (Leaves sobbing)

Procedure:
(Teacher takes over)

Ask;
Who do you think this was? (Adam) 
What is he looking for/missing? (His home – the Garden of Eden) 
Why can’t he go back? (Because he disobeyed the King’s rule) 
What was the rule that God gave them? (Don’t eat from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil)                     Why did He give them this rule? (Because He loved them, and wanted to protect them from evil)

Ask; So what happened?  (Read Gen. 3:1-11) 
Ask: Who is the snake/serpent? (The “snake” was really a wicked angel who had once lived with God in heaven but had rebelled and had hidden himself inside the snake). 
What did he say to Eve? (Refer to day 2 in Keys of the Kingdom: April 18)

Ask;
What did Adam and Eve realize when they ate from the tree? (That they were naked) 
How did they feel? (Afraid)  (Refer to Gen. 3:7-8)  That’s right!  Both Adam and Eve were afraid.  They had never felt that way before. They picked leaves off of trees and covered themselves. They had been naked before but had never known it. They were so afraid, what would God say? Oh, they had better hide.

Ask;
Do you have a good hiding place you use when you play hide and seek?  What makes it a good hiding place? (Allow children to share) 
Do you think there would be some good hiding places in a garden full of trees?  (Probably)
Could they hide from God? (Of course not – He sees everything) 
(Refer to Day 2, of Keys of the Kingdom: April 18)
 
Ask;
Do you understand why Adam (in the skit) seemed so sad? 
Do you think everything is lost forever?  (No!!!) 

The good news is, the heavenly Father left His fingerprint in His creation so that people could still find Him. He left His fingerprint in their hearts that they would know when they did something wrong or right, and could choose to find Him, as He very much wanted to be found.

See the heavenly father still loved his children. He was very sad that they had sinned, but he promised that one day Jesus would come, his very own son, and He would bring the people back to God. God would not forget about them. Then they could hear God’s voice again and if they obeyed Him could bring a bit of heaven back to earth… That is what they waited for.  That is what we call “The Kingdom of God.”

Closure:

Ask;
Does that sound like something valuable?  Kind of like a treasure?  Do you think it’s worth searching for?  Tell children that we are going to go on a “treasure hunt” for the Kingdom of God – because He has left a way for us to find it!  There is hope for us – and hope for Adam, too!