contents tween challenges cd-rom contents - …storage.cloversites.com/aieaumc/documents/tween...

ContentsWritten by Marcia J. Stoner

2 Introduction 4 Tween Challenges Annual CD-ROM

UNIT 1: Christmas Is About… 5 Unit 1 Overview and Supplies 7 December 2 1. Living in Peace 13 December 9 2. Waiting 19 December 16 3. Courage 25 December 23 4. Celebrating 31 December 30 5. Honoring Our Savior 37 Unit 1 Reproducibles

UNIT 2: The Bible Tells Us About… 45 Unit 2 Overview and Supplies 47 January 6 6. Temptation 53 January 13 7. Being Called to Discipleship 59 January 20 8. Miracles 65 January 27 9. Having a New Attitude 71 Unit 2 Reproducibles

UNIT 3: The Gospels Tell Us About… 79 Unit 3 Overview and Supplies 81 February 3 10. Multiplying Resources 87 February 10 11. Knowing Jesus 93 February 17 12. Taking Care of Those in Need 99 February 24 13. Professing Belief 105 Unit 3 Reproducibles

Cover Credits: Cover design by Mark Foltz and Phillip D. Francis; logo design by Mark Foltz; background and frog: Shutterstock, Julien Tromeur

Art & Photo Credits: pp. 1, 72 (clock, cigarettes, music, food, laptop), 109, 110: © Shutterstock; pp. 39, 41, 44: Kellie Green; p. 72 (bully, grade, purse): Geo Parkin/American Artists Reps.; p. 84: Diana Magnuson/The Neis Group

Tween Challenges CD-ROM Contents1. Tween Challenges

Fall Challenges Winter ChallengesSpring ChallengesSummer ChallengesAnswers

2. Discussion StartersDiscussion Starter HelpsDiscussion Starters

3. DramasFall Drama (No Shoot-Out at the Bethel Corral)Winter Drama (Blessed Family of God)Spring Drama (Report of the Guards)

4. Poster WordsHelps for Using PosterPoster Word Cards

5. FormsHelps for Using FormsJoys and Concerns (color)Joys and Concerns (black & white)Mission Project

6. Bible QuizPowerPoint® Game

Bible Quiz PP DirectionsBible Quiz PP Game

Card GameBible Quiz DirectionsBible Quiz CardsBible Quiz Card Answers

Visit GrowProclaimServe.com/leaders to join the community with other leaders and find helpful weekly content and articles.

Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only. © 2012 Cokesbury.

OG TW LG DJF QK00.indd 1 7/18/12 9:13 AM

2 On the GO • Tween Leader’s Guide

IntroductionTweens are constantly on the go. They have school,

sports, Sunday school, and many extracurricular activities. When they aren’t involved in these types of activities, they are involved in surfing the Net, texting, playing video games, and social networking. The one thing they probably have a hard time getting a handle on is that the Bible is about everything they do in their modern lives. And, yes, they have a difficult time relating their faith to the rest of their lives.

Sunday school for tweens must be relational. Faith is not about flashy presentations and gimmicks. Faith is real. It is important. Faith is to carry you through a lifetime and beyond.

This year is dedicated to bringing tweens to the understanding that what they believe and how they live out that belief affects everything they do (yes, even surfing the Web and especially social media).

To bring your tweens along on this journey, we have provided them with a magazine. In the magazine is an insert with the Web address. They may go to GrowProclaimServe.com/OntheGo and discover some things just for them. There will be a game to play, some suggestions for music, polls to participate in, some articles, and some riddles to solve. Each week you will be asked to direct them to this site. Our hope is that they will see that faith is part of, not separate from, their everyday lives.

A game is provided on the CD-ROM that is a way to review and to bring a little more fun into Bible topics.

You should already have the Annual Teaching Kit. For the winter quarter, all you will need to purchase are the Leader’s Guide (one for each leader) and On the Go: A Magazine for Tweens (one for the leader and one for each tween).

Keep the CD-ROM on hand through the summer quarter and, once the posters are posted, keep them up through summer also. (Two were posted in the fall, and the third one will be posted this quarter.)

Use humor as one of the tools to help reach your tweens. They enjoy activities that involve them in

finding the solutions to mysteries or problems, either humorous or serious. Try to engage your tweens on more than one level in more than one way.

Tweens are capable of deep thinking or preschool behavior, all in the same hour. When you plan your sessions, have prepared a couple activities that are very serious and a couple that are very playful that you can substitute, depending on the attitude the tweens themselves bring with them on any given day. Learn to go with the flow.

Relationship building is the most important thing you can do. Spend time on building your relationship with your tweens, their relationships with one another, and, most importantly, the relationship all of you have with God and Jesus.

The Common English BibleThe CEB is the primary

Scripture resource for On the Go: Tween resources. Have one

CEB for each tween for the Bible reading and puzzles. We also recommend having

a copy of the New Revised Standard Version and the Contemporary English Version

of the Bible.

On the Go: Tween resources are available in Braille on request.Contact:

Braille Ministry,

c/o Donna Veigel

10810 N. 91st Avenue #96

Peoria, AZ 85345

(623-979-7552)

Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only. © 2012 Cokesbury.Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only. © 2012 Cokesbury.


Winter 2012–13 GrowProclaimServe.com 3

On the Go: Tweens, Annual Teaching Kit (one per group)

The Annual Teaching Kit contains one Winter Leader’s Guide, one Winter On the Go: A Magazine for Tweens, three annual posters (use described at appropriate times in the Leader’s Guide), and one Tween Challenges Annual CD-ROM.

NOTE: If you bought the Kit in the Fall, you will need to purchase only the Leader’s Guide for each leader and a magazine for each tween.

On the Go: A Magazine for Tweens (one per tween, one per leader)

The On the Go Magazine involves tweens in understanding how faith fits into their everyday lives. It contains surveys, articles, cartoons, and missions to help tweens live faithfully in their own lives.

Inside each magazine is an insert card for each tween to pull out and take home. It includes the Web address and reminders of some things waiting for them on the website.

On the Go: Tweens, Leader’s Guide (one per leader)

The Leader’s Guide contains step-by-step instructions for each session. Leaders are encouraged to choose activities that best suit the needs of their tweens and the time available. Included at the back of each unit are reproducibles for the unit.

On the Go: Tweens, CD-ROM (only in Annual Teaching Kit)

The Tween CD-ROM contains Tween Challenges (mysteries, puzzles, and other Bible-related activities), three dramas that can be used for classroom or production (including one for Christmas and one for Easter), “On the Go Bible Quiz” (PowerPoint® review game), discussion starters, and more. All items are reproducible.

On the Go: Tweens, Annual Poster Pak (only in Annual Teaching Kit)

There are three posters for use throughout the year.



4 On the GO • Tween Leader’s Guide

Contents1. Tween Challenges2. Discussion Starters3. Dramas4. Poster Words5. Forms6. Bible Quiz*

See page 1 for a more complete list of the contents.

* The CD-ROM contains two versions of the “On the Go Bible Quiz” game: a PowerPoint® version and a low-tech version (cards that can be cut out and an answer sheet). Both versions contain the same questions. Choose the one that works for your group.

Using the CD-ROM• Print out Tween Challenges each quarter, and store

them in a file folder or large envelope. Make a copy for each tween.

• Print out Discussion Starters, and store them in an envelope to have on hand in the room at all times. Use them to help facilitate discussion as needed.

• Print out a drama each quarter (except for summer). Make a copy for each tween.

• Print out the Poster Words, and store them in a file folder or large envelope. You will use one each week during all four quarters.

• Print out the Joys and Concerns form and the Mission Project form, and store them in a file folder or large envelope.

• If you plan to use the “On the Go Bible Quiz” PowerPoint® game, keep the CD-ROM with your laptop computer.

• If you plan to use the game card version of the “On the Go Bible Quiz,” print out the cards and answer sheet, cut the cards apart, and store the cards by categories in small envelopes. Then place the envelopes inside a larger envelope with the answer sheet.

Installation InstructionsWindows® operating systems: Insert the disc into your CD-ROM drive. The disc should launch automatically. If it does not, select “Computer” from the “Start” menu. Then right click on your CD-ROM drive. Select “Open” from the drop-down menu. Open the individual files.

Mac OS® operating systems: Insert the disc into your CD-ROM drive. When the “On the Go 2012” icon appears, double-click on it to launch the main menu. Or click on the desired folder and open the individual files.

System Requirements• Microsoft® Windows® Media Player 10 or 11

• Microsoft® Windows® XP, Microsoft® Windows® Vista™, or Microsoft® Windows® 7 (32 and 64 bit)

• Microsoft® PowerPoint®

• Adobe® Reader®

• Apple® Macintosh® OSX 10.4 or greater

Tween Challenges Annual CD-ROM



Winter 2012–13 Unit 1 GrowProclaimServe.com 5

Unit 1Christmas Is About…

In This UnitSession 1, December 2 Living in Peace (Isaiah)Bible Story: Isaiah 11:1-9

Session 2, December 9Waiting (Elizabeth and Zechariah) Bible Story: Luke 1:1-25, 57-80

Session 3, December 16Courage (Mary and Joseph)Bible Story: Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38

Session 4, December 23Celebrating (Jesus Is Born) Bible Story: Luke 2:1-20

Session 5,September 30Honoring Our Savior (Wise Men) Bible Story: Matthew 2:1-12

Supplies The Basicspencils and pensmarkershighlighterscrayonsscissors glue or glue sticks

tape (clear, masking) adhesive (for wall)yarn (or string)candle/candle holderbutane lighter or matchespaper

construction paperindex cardsdry-erase board and markers or large sheet of paper and markers

Optional: computer and screen for “On the Go Bible Quiz” game (on CD-ROM)Optional: 3-ring binders for Joys and Concerns

Beyond the BasicsSession 1Advent wreathAdvent decorationswhite feltfabric gluegold braid or yarnwhite posterboardgold glitter

Session 2 same as Session 1timer or watch with a second handcontainer or basketbottle

Session 3same as Session 1container large bouncy ballOptional: whistle

Session 4same as Session 1container 6 bowlsmarblesspoonssnacks and gamesOptional: items for costumes

Session 5same as Session 1white pillar candlegift bags or wrapping paperCD and CD playercardstock, envelopesOptional: gold paint marker

CD-ROMTween Challenges

Load the disc into your computer to access the PDF files (reproducibles) and the PowerPoint® game.

At the beginning of each quarter:• Click on and read the

directions for each section of the CD-ROM.

• Print the Tween Challenges for the quarter.

• Print out the words for “The Bible is about…” poster.

• Print the drama for the quarter.

• Print out all of the discussion questions, as they may be used at any time.



6 Winter 2012–13 On the GO • Tween Leader’s Guide


Tween Worship Helps December 2• Light the first Advent candle.

SAY: We light this candle as a symbol of Christ our Hope, the one who will lead us into a kingdom of peace.

• Read Isaiah 11:9b

PRAY: God, the creator of all, we give thanks for hope and for the possibility of peace through our Savior. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

• Extinguish the candle.

December 23• Light three of the Advent candles.

ASK: What do these three candles represent? (hope, love, joy)

• Light the fourth Advent candle.

SAY: Today, we light the candle of peace, representing Christ, the Prince of Peace.

• Read Luke 2:10.

• Read Isaiah 9:6-7.

PRAY: God of us all, we come to you today filled with hope, love, and joy. We pray for peace. We praise you for sending us Christ, the Prince of Peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

• Extinguish the candles.

December 9• Light the first Advent candle.

SAY: We light this candle as a symbol of Christ our Hope.

• Light the second Advent candle.

SAY: We light this candle as a symbol of Christ of Love.

• Read Luke 1:20a.

PRAY: God, the creator of all, we give thanks for the hope and love Christ brings to us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


December 16• Light three Advent candles.

SAY: The first two candles stand for hope and love. Today, we light the candle of Joy.


• Read Luke 1:45.

PRAY: God of all, we come to you today filled with hope, love, and joy, because we know you love us all enough to send us Jesus. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


December 16• Light three Advent candles.

SAY: The first two candles stand for hope and love. Today, we light the candle of joy.


• Read Luke 1:45.



December 30• If you are using the Advent wreath, light the four

Advent wreath candles.

SAY: We are now in the season of Christmas. Christ is born. Christ is King, and so we light the Christ candle.

• Light the Christ candle.

• Read Matthew 2:2.

PRAY: O Lord, today we come to honor Jesus, your Son, the king of our hearts and lives. We will try to honor Jesus this week in the way we live our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

• Extinguish the candle(s).

!


Christmas Is About…

Living in PeaceBible Verse

The earth will surely be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:9b)

Bible StoryIsaiah 11:1-9

FaithDirection God wants us to live peacefully with our brothers and sisters.

Before You Begin

The prophets of Israel foretold the coming of a Savior. Some of these prophets described what this Savior would be like. Isaiah especially was very specific.

In Isaiah 11:1-9 we find the reading commonly known as the Peaceable Kingdom. It is called this mainly because of the description of what the world will be like when all people are filled with the knowledge of God.

When we prepare for Advent the words of the prophets are especially important to us. While the fourth candle of the Advent wreath is commonly the candle of the Prince of Peace and the first candle represents hope, these two are closely related. The prophets tell us of the hope the world has because of the Savior to come, and one of the biggest hopes is for the world at last to live in peace.

But true peace does not mean just an absence of armed conflict; it means living together righteously, everyone treating all others as equals and with justice. (That justice does not mean an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.) This peace will not come from just working harder for it; this peace will come from all of us knowing God. Isaiah 11:9b says: “The earth will surely be filled with the knowledge of the Lord.”

What does all of this mean for your tweens? It means that living peacefully requires knowing how God wants us to live. How do we know that? We know it through God’s Word. We know it through the teachings and the example of Jesus.

This period before Christmas gives us time to prepare our hearts for the true meaning of Christmas. Advent is also a time to anticipate and celebrate.

Tweens sometimes have a difficult time at Christmas. They are past the pure unfettered excitement of early childhood and not ready to take on adult roles. Encourage them to have a good time, but also encourage them to actively participate in a church mission project and to develop a sense of the importance of Advent worship experiences. These will help tweens feel a sense of being an important part of the Christian community.

Winter 2012–13 Session 1 GrowProclaimServe.com 7

Session 1December 2

TIP: Visit GrowProclaimServe.com/leaders to join the community with other leaders and find helpful weekly content and articles.

Requires preparation.



8 December 2 On the GO • Tween Leader’s Guide

Choose from the following activities those that best suit your time and your tweens.

Grow TogetherDecorate the Room for Advent

Encourage active participation by your tweens in the Advent experience.

Gather materials for decorating the room for Advent: purple (or deep blue) cloth for the worship table, a ready-made Advent wreath or materials to put together an Advent wreath, a Christmas tree or paper to make a tree to be taped to the wall (for use with Chrismons®).

• As tweens arrive, have them cover the worship table with the cloth and place the Advent wreath on the table (or assemble the wreath first).

• Ask others as they arrive to decorate the room with any other items you have available.

TIP: Tweens love to decorate with crepe paper, you might wish to bring in some purple and/or white crepe paper and turn them loose with crepe paper and tape.

Sacred Symbols FindCenter on symbols of the Advent season.

• After the room is decorated, give each tween a copy of On the Go: a Magazine for Tweens and ask them to write their name on the front cover.

• Have them read the instructions for “Sacred Symbols Find,” which challenges them to think about which symbols of the season are sacred and which are secular.

• Go over the answers together (Magazine––p. 23).

Christ’s MonogramIntroduce Chrismons®.

• Together read “Christ’s Monogram.”

TIP: If you are going to make Chrismons® for your tree, you may choose to do that now (see p. 10). If your church has a Chrismon® tree, you might want to take a trip to the sanctuary to look at it and the symbols. Do your tweens know what the different symbols mean?

Talk About ItTalk about Advent.

• Ask tweens if they have any special family traditions during Advent. (Some families light Advent wreaths, others do a service together, and so forth.)

Stuff—Decorate the Room for Advent

o purple (or deep blue) cloth for worship table

o Advent wreath and four purple (or dark blue) candles (one may be pink)

o Christmas tree or paper for making a paper tree for wall

o Optional: Nativity, crepe paper, tape, other decorations of your choice

Stuff—Sacred Symbols Find

o On the Go Magazine––p. 3

o pens or markers

TIP: It is easier to use pens or markers than pencils on the slick pages of the magazine.

Stuff—Christ’s Monogram


Stuff—Talk About Ito none

Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only. © 2012 Cokesbury. Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only. © 2012 Cokesbury.



Proclaim the Word“One Short” Mystery

Use this fun activity to introduce the Scripture for today and to encourage Bible usage.

Download the Winter quarter challenges. For today, copy Challenge #17 (“ ‘One Short’ Mystery”), one for each tween.

• Give each tween a copy of Challenge #17, a pencil, and a Bible.

• Ask the tweens to solve the mystery.

TIP: The tweens may work individually, in pairs, or in small groups.

Bible ReadingExperience reading one of the best known Old Testament prophecies.

• Make sure everyone has a Bible.

SAY: We are going to dramatically read one of the most important prophecies by an Old Testament prophet concerning the nature of the Messiah who was to come.

• Ask everyone to find Isaiah 11:1-9.

• Divide tweens into two groups.

TIP: Be sure that there are a couple strong readers in each group. You may wish to divide tweens into a boys’ group and a girls’ group.

• Assign one group to read all of the odd number verses and the other group to read all of the even number verses.

• Ask everyone to stand for the reading.

TIP: If you have time, you may wish to switch assignments between the two groups and have them read it a second time.

Stuff—”One Short” Mystery

o Bibles (CEB)

o Challenge #17 (Tween Challenges CD-ROM, Winter)

o pencils

TIP: For information about using the CD-ROM, see p. 4. A complete list of the contents is on p. 1.

Stuff—Bible Readingo Bibles (CEB)

k Prayerful Option: Encourage each tween to make a Joys and Concerns Journal, which the tween will update each week. (Look in the “Forms” section of the Tween Challenges CD-ROM for Joys and Concerns pages and for details.)




Wolf/Lambs TagCreate an opportunity for your physical learners and give your other learners a brain break.

• Name one person the WOLF and all other players LAMBS.

• Play a game of Freeze Tag. (When the WOLF touches a LAMB, the LAMB must stay frozen in place until another LAMB “unfreezes” her by touching her on the shoulder.)

• Play rounds as time allows. (A round is over when more than two LAMBS are frozen at the same time.)

• Bring everyone together and ask what today’s Bible prophecy says about the lion and the lamb.

ASK: Isaiah named a lot of natural enemies getting along. What do you think he is trying to tell us? (Accept all reasonable answers.)

Make a ChiRho Chrismon® If you choose to do this activity, you will make a different symbol of Jesus each week to decorate the tree in your room (or to add to your church’s Chrismon® tree).

Choose one of the two methods described on page 38 to make your Chrismons®, and gather the materials listed. Copy the ChiRho pattern (Reproducible 1c), and cut off the other pattern to save for next week. Make a sample Chrismon®.

SAY: We celebrate Christmas as Jesus’ birthday, so it is important to remember Jesus at this time. This month we are going to make Chrismons®.

• Explain that they may work individually or in pairs to make a ChiRho Chrismon® for your tree (or to decorate the worship area, if you have no tree).

• When they finish their Chrismons®, have them hang them on the tree.

TIP: Depending on the style of Chrismon® you are having them make, the Chrismons® may need to be set aside to dry and be put on the tree or in the worship area at closing worship.

Add to “The Bible is about…” PosterContinue adding to the ongoing visual reminder of the importance of the Bible to the lives of your tweens. Even visiting tweens will be able to see from the growing poster that the Bible is about everything.

Familiarize yourself with the directions for using “The Bible is about…” poster. They are in the “Poster Words” section of the CD-ROM.

• Ask a volunteer to cut around the words LIVING IN PEACE and add it somewhere around the poster, making it an extension of the poster.

COOL OPTION: If tweens have been designing the words, ask a volunteer to write the words LIVING IN PEACE on paper and decorate it with any craft supplies on hand before adding it to the wall.

TIP: The unit title is “Christmas Is About…”; however, what we know about Christmas we discover from the Bible, so it is not necessary to add the unit title.

Stuff—Wolf/Lambs Tago Optional: Bible

Timeline (see information inside the back cover)

COOL OPTION: If you have a copy of the book Bible Timeline, have tweens look to see approximately when Isaiah would have made his prophecy.

TIP: A brain break (change in activity level) will jump start the learning process for your tweens.

Stuff—Make a ChiRho Chrismon®

o Reproducibles 1b (p. 38) and 1c (p. 39, top)

o scissors

o craft supplies listed on page 38 for the method chosen

Stuff—Add to “The Bible is about…” Poster

o “The Bible is about…” poster

o word cards and directions for poster (Tween Challenges CD-ROM, “Poster Words” section)

o scissors

o adhesive

o Optional: paper, craft supplies




Serve With LoveOpposites

Consider how our actions and our world would be different if we were living in peace.

Copy and cut apart Reproducible 1a (“Opposites Cards”).

• Mix up the cards and lay them face-up on a table.

SAY: We are told that God’s kingdom will be a peaceable kingdom. We’ve read about how the animals will act, but that is a way of explaining what peace should be like among people. We’re going to look more closely at what that means for what we should do.

• Have tweens work together to race the clock to see how quickly they can match the cards into pairs of opposites. Can they beat three minutes?

TIP: The opposites are side by side on Reproducible 1a.

• Let tweens pick two or three opposites (depending on time), and ask them what it would be like to live God’s way.

• If they have any trouble figuring out which is God’s way, have a volunteer look up the appropriate Bible passage and read it aloud.

Matthew 7:12 (bully/respect) Matthew 12:18-19 (argue/discuss) Isaiah 16:5 (injustice/justice; sin/righteousness) Matthew 6:19 (hoard); 1 Timothy 6:18 (share) Romans 12:19 (revenge); Matthew 18:21-22 (forgive) Romans 12:21 (evil/good)

Peaceable Kingdom PrayersLook at prayer from multiple points of view.

• Together read “Peaceable Kingdom Prayers.”

• If you have time, ask each tween to choose an animal and write a prayer.

• Allow those who wish to do so to share a prayer.

TIP: These prayers my be held and used for closing worship.

Stuff—Oppositeso Bibles (CEB)

o Reproducible 1a (p. 37)

o scissors

o timer or watch with a second hand

Stuff—Peaceable Kingdom Prayers

o Bibles (CEB)


o pens or markers

o paper




Advent Wreath Worship• Ask a volunteer to light the first Advent candle.

SAY: We light this candle as a symbol of Christ our Hope, the one who will lead us into a kingdom of peace.

• Ask a volunteer to read Isaiah 11:9b.

PRAY: God, the creator of all, we give thanks for hope and for the possibility of peace through our Savior. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


Plan for Next Week On a dry-erase board or large sheet of paper, write the following: bread to

rise, cookies to bake, paint to dry.

Copy Challenge #18 ( “Third Letter”), one for each tween.

On each index card, write a simple sentence that can easily be illustrated. (examples: Put the book on the table. The sun came up at 6:00 a.m.)

Copy the Winter drama, “Blessed Family of God” (on the CD-ROM), one per tween.

Choose one of the two methods described on page 38 to make your Chrismons®, and gather the materials listed. Copy the fish pattern (Reproducible 2a), and cut off the other pattern. Make a sample Chrismon®.

Copy and cut apart Reproducible 2b (“Spin the Bottle Assignments”). Fold them in half and place them in a container or basket. Find a bottle to spin.

Stuff—Advent Wreath Worship

o Bible (CEB)

o Advent wreath with four candles (purple or royal blue, one may be pink)

o candle and butane lighter (or matches)

o Optional: reproducible “Tween Worship Helps” for December 2 (p. 6)

WEBSITEHave each tween tear the card out of the middle of their On the Go magazine. This card will direct them to the website (GrowProclaimServe.com/OntheGo), where they will discover a game, links to music, riddles, polls, and articles.

Explain that each week you will suggest something for them to do or to discover on this website.

This week suggest that they try to unscramble the names of the three prophets. Ask them to bring the answers next week.




WaitingBible Verse

Know this: What I have spoken will come true at the proper time. (Luke 1:20a)

Bible Story Luke 1:1-25, 57-80

FaithDirection God’s time is different than ours. God knows the best time for things to happen.

Before You Begin

At the beginning of the Book of Luke—immediately after he states his purpose for writing—Luke tells the story of the foretelling of John the

Baptist’s birth. Why is this important to the Advent story? The prophets foretold of a great prophet who was to come before Jesus and prepare the world for the coming of the Messiah (Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3-5).

In Luke we are told that this great prophet is John the Baptist, son of Elizabeth and Zechariah and cousin to Jesus. John is the one who baptized Jesus. John is the voice crying in the wilderness. (The tweens will learn more about John in the summer quarter.)

Advent is about waiting and preparing for the coming celebration of the birth of the Savior. Elizabeth and Zechariah know about waiting. They had to wait a long time for the birth of a child. Waiting must have been especially difficult for Zechariah, a priest, because Zechariah first questioned the angel Gabriel’s message that he and Elizabeth would soon have a child. Zechariah was told that, because he didn’t believe, he would be unable to speak until the child was born.

Waiting is difficult for all of us. We are used to a fast-food world. God knows that we don’t know all of the ramifications of what we want to happen. God also knows that preparations must be made. John could not be born earlier to Elizabeth and Zechariah or he might have been too old to be Jesus’ forerunner. God’s timing doesn’t run on a fast-food schedule. God knows that instant gratification is not necessarily good for us.

Today, we will center on the fact that waiting is part of life and that God knows we’re not always ready for things to happen when we want them to happen. We will focus tweens on the concept that there are always positive things that they can do—and positive things that can happen—while they are waiting for what they think they want.


Session 2December 9


WEBSITE ANSWER (prophet name scramble)

AMOSJEREMIAHMICAH






Grow TogetherWaiting List

Introduce today’s topic.

On a dry-erase board or large sheet of paper, write the following: bread to rise cookies to bake paint to dry

• As tweens arrive, point out the list and ask them what this is a list of (things you have to wait for).

• Encourage the tweens each to add something to the list, if they can think of something.

SAY: Advent is a time of preparation and waiting for the birth of Jesus. Today’s Bible story is about waiting for another birth.

Every Third LetterIntroduce today’s Bible verse.

Copy Challenge #18 ( “Third Letter”), one for each tween.

• Give each tween a copy of Challenge #18 and a pencil.

• Ask the tweens to circle every third letter to discover what the angel Gabriel told Zechariah.

Stuff—Waiting Listo dry-erase board and

marker

OR

o large sheet of paper and marker

Stuff—Every Third Letter

o Bibles (CEB)


o pencils

k Prayerful Option: Each week have your tweens continue to update their Joys and Concerns Journal. (Look in the “Forms” section of the Tween Challenges CD-ROM for Joys and Concerns pages and for details.)




Wait for Two MinutesPractice waiting.

SAY: Advent is a time of waiting, so we are going to practice waiting. We are all going to sit and wait in silence for two minutes.

• Give a signal when to begin, and then sit with your tweens doing and saying nothing for a full two minutes.

TIP: Tweens will probably get restless. That is part of the learning.

ASK: Was it difficult to wait for two minutes? Why? What did you think about during that time?

SAY: The Jewish people waited for hundreds of years for the arrival of the Messiah, and we have waited more than two thousand years for his return.

Talk About ItTalk about waiting.

• Go through the waiting list and ask why people wait for these things to happen.

• Ask if there is anything special they are waiting for right now.

Proclaim the WordRead the Bible

Divide up today’s long Bible story into more manageable sections.

SAY: Elizabeth was related to Jesus’ mother, Mary. Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah, were both very old and had prayed for a long time to have children. Zechariah, who was a priest, went to the Temple one day when it was his turn to burn incense in the Lord’s sanctuary. While Zechariah was doing this, Gabriel, an angel of the Lord, appeared to him.

• Ask a volunteer to read Luke 1:13-17.

• Ask a second volunteer to read Luke 1:18-20.

SAY: From that moment until the day his son was born, Zechariah couldn’t speak. That must have been a very long wait. Elizabeth gave birth to a son. Everyone asked what the baby’s name would be.

• Ask a volunteer to read Luke 1:59-64.

SAY: Once Zechariah regained his voice, he had a lot to say. Zechariah gave a long prophecy in which he told the role his son would play. We are going to read just a few of his words.

• Ask a volunteer to read Luke 1:76.

• Ask another volunteer to read Luke 1:80.

SAY: This child was Jesus’ cousin. He grew up to be known as John the Baptist, and he was the one who baptized Jesus.

Stuff—Wait for Two Minutes

o timer or watch with a second hand

Stuff—Talk About Ito Waiting List (made

earlier)

Stuff—Read the Bibleo Bibles (CEB)




Silent Communication Relate to Zechariah’s experience of silent communication by playing a game of silent Pictionary®.

On each index card, write a simple sentence that can easily be illustrated. (examples: Put the book on the table. The sun came up at 6:00 a.m.)

SAY: Zechariah was unable to speak for several months while waiting for his son to be born. We’re going to practice some silent communication.

• Divide tweens into two teams, A and B.

• Give these instructions:* One member of Team A will draw a card. * This team member will then draw (on a dry-erase board or large sheet of

paper) what the card says. * Team A will have one minute to guess what the card says. * Then Team B will have a turn.

• Proceed with the game as time allows.

SAY: Zechariah was unable to speak for several months while waiting for his son to be born. What kinds of things do you think he did to get through this long period of waiting? (performed his priestly duties, read Scripture, wrote or pantomimed for communication, and so forth)

Optional: Bible Drama You may choose to do a dramatic reading of the Christmas Story, “Blessed Family of God” (on the CD-ROM).

TIP: You may choose to wait and do this drama next week.

Copy the Winter drama, “Blessed Family of God,” one per tween.

• Hand out the drama and assign parts.

• Give tweens time to highlight their parts.

• Have tweens perform the drama or do it as a dramatic reading.

TIP: You may wish to work on this drama as a presentation next week for another Sunday school class.

Make a Fish Chrismon® Add a new Chrismon® to your tree.

Choose one of the two methods described on page 38 to make your Chrismons®, and gather the materials listed. Copy the fish pattern (Reproducible 2a), and cut off the other pattern. Make a sample Chrismon®.

• Together reread the “Fish With Monogram” section of “Christ’s Monogram.”

• Have tweens work individually or in pairs to make Chrismons®.



Stuff—Silent Communication

o index cards

o pen

o dry-erase board and marker

OR

o large sheet of paper and marker

TIP: You could adapt this game and play it as a game of charades.

Stuff—Optional: Bible Drama

o “Blessed Family of God” (Tween Challenges CD-ROM, Winter Drama)

o highlighters

Stuff—Make a Fish Chrismon®


o Reproducibles 1b (p. 38) and 2a (p. 39, bottom)

o scissors





Add to “The Bible is about…” PosterContinue adding to the ongoing visual reminder of the importance of the Bible to the lives of your tweens.

• Ask a volunteer to cut around the word WAITING and add it somewhere around the poster, making it an extension of the poster.

COOL OPTION: Ask a volunteer to write the word WAITING on paper and decorate it with any craft supplies on hand before adding it to the wall.

Serve With LoveSpin the Bottle Assignments

Spend time anticipating what’s coming next.

Copy and cut apart Reproducible 2b (“Spin the Bottle Assignments”). Fold them in half and place them in a container or basket. Find a bottle to spin.

• Have tweens sit in a circle on the floor (or sit around a table) and place the bottle in the middle.

• Explain that you will spin the bottle and when it stops, the person it is pointing to will have to draw a card and follow the instructions on it.

• Play as time allows, with tweens taking turns spinning the bottle.

• Ask what they were thinking when the bottle was spinning. Were they wanting to draw a card, or were they afraid they would have to do something?

SAY: We spend a large part of our lives waiting for things to happen. Sometimes we wait with excitement. At other times we dread what is coming, and usually find out it wasn’t as bad as we thought it would to be.

It’s Worth the Wait!Introduce the idea that instant gratification is not always necessary or even good for us. There are some things that are worth waiting for.

• Together read the introductory portion of “It’s Worth the Wait!”

• Discuss the cartoons together.

• If you have time, encourage tweens to make their own cartoon about waiting.

SAY: We drive ourselves crazy waiting for things to happen if we don’t have things to do while waiting. Let’s look at things we do in December while we’re waiting for Christmas.

• Give tweens a minute to quickly mark some of the things they do.

• Use the list to discuss what things we do as Christians waiting for our Savior and what things we do waiting for opening of presents or other things.

SAY: There’s nothing wrong with preparing for giving and receiving presents or having fun at parties. We just want to be sure that we do things during this time that prepare our hearts for Jesus.




o scissors

o adhesive


Stuff—Spin the Bottle Assignments

o Bible (CEB)

o Reproducible 2b (p. 40)

o scissors

o container or basket

o bottle

Stuff—It’s Worth the Wait


o markers




Advent Wreath Worship• Ask a volunteer to light the first Advent candle.

SAY: We light this candle as a symbol of Christ our Hope.

• Ask a volunteer to light the second Advent candle.

SAY: We light this candle as a symbol of Christ of Love.

• Ask a volunteer to read Luke 1:20a.

PRAY: God, the creator of all, we give thanks for the hope and love Christ brings to us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


Plan for Next Week Copy the two pages of Challenge #19 ( “Graph It”), one set for each tween.

Choose one of the two methods described on page 38 to make your Chrismons®, and gather the materials listed. Copy the lamb pattern (Reproducible 3a), and cut off the other pattern to save for next week. Make a sample Chrismon®.

Copy the Winter drama, “Blessed Family of God” (on the CD-ROM), one per tween.

Write one letter of the alphabet on each index card, mix them up, and place them in a container. (You can exclude the letters Q, X, and Z to make things easier.) Make a “four-square” type game by using masking tape to create a large square divided into four sections.


o Bible (CEB)




WEBSITEMake sure each tween has the card from the middle of their On the Go magazine. (If they have taken it and lost it, give them the website address, GrowProclaimServe.com/OntheGo, and have them write it down.)

This week suggest that they go to the website and listen to some Christian music.




CourageBible Verse

I am the Lord’s servant. (Luke 1:38a)

Bible StoryMatthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38

FaithDirection Sometimes being faithful takes courage.

Before You Begin

The stories of Joseph and Mary following God’s will are stories of uncommon courage. A betrothal in first-century Israel was a legal commitment. When

Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant, he had every right to break off the marriage and could even have had Mary stoned. That Joseph accepted the angel’s pronouncement about the child Mary was carrying and stood by her says a lot about the moral courage of the man who raised Jesus.

Mary is also asked to step out in faith. Mary could have protested about being put in such an untenable position in her community, but that wasn’t her reaction. After her first disbelief, Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said” (Luke 1:38). Mary was steadfast and loyal to the task she had been given by God.

How does this story inform your tweens today? It is in the responses of Joseph and Mary. Your tweens will not be asked to accept a teenage pregnancy as an act of God. That’s a once-ever event. But they may have to realize that sometimes they are called not to go along with the crowd. (Bullying often takes place in the presence of a crowd of onlookers who, just by being there, encourage the behavior.) A tween may have to decide that helping with a mission project is more important than a party. In our society praying publicly over a meal may take a measure of moral courage for a person who is young and wants desperately to fit in with the crowd.

This session is not even close to a guilt trip and should not be made into one. Rather, this session is meant to be an uplifting look at the two people who would raise God’s Son and a celebration of their good example.


Session 3December 16







Grow Together“Graph It” Puzzle

Introduce today’s Bible stories.

Copy the two pages of Challenge #19 ( “Graph It”), one set for each tween.

• As tweens arrive, give each a copy of Challenge #19 and a pencil.

• Go over the directions with those who need it.

• Tweens who arrive late may wish to join someone already working on the puzzle or may wish to take the puzzle home.

SAY: Advent is a time when we read the story of the messages that the angel Gabriel brought to Zechariah, Joseph, and Mary. Being in the presence of an angel is scary, and it takes some courage to listen. It took even more courage to accept and follow the angel’s message from God.

Make Lamb of God Chrismon®

Add a new Chrismon® to your tree.

Choose one of the two methods described on page 38 to make your Chrismons®, and gather the materials listed. Copy the lamb pattern (Reproducible 3a), and cut off the other pattern to save for next week. Make a sample Chrismon®.

SAY: Today’s Chrismon® is the lamb. One of the names for Jesus is Lamb of God. When people brought a lamb to the Temple for sacrifice, it had to be a pure lamb, one without blemish. Jesus, the Son of God, was perfect, without sin. God sent Jesus, his perfect Son, to save us from sin.




Talk About ItTalk about courage.

ASK: What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever had to do? What kind of courage does it take to save someone from drowning? (physical courage) What kind of courage does it take to stand up for something that’s right even when your friends are against you? (moral courage)

Stuff—“Graph It” Puzzle


o pencils

Stuff—Make a Lamb of God Crimson®

o Reproducibles 1b (p. 38) and 3a (p. 41, top)

o scissors






Proclaim the WordHis and Her Bible Readings

Read today’s Bible stories in a different way.

• Divide tweens into boys and girls.

• Assign Matthew 1:18-25 to the boys and Luke 1:26-38 to the girls.

• Explain that you will have them read their Scripture as a group.

• Ask the boys to stand and read aloud together Matthew 1:18-25.

• Then ask the girls to stand and read aloud together Luke 1:26-38.

ASK: Who do you think had to have the most courage to do what he or she was asked to do? (Allow only a short time for this discussion, but make sure someone from each group speaks.)

SAY: It took equal courage for both Mary and Joseph to follow God’s will. They not only had to stand up to public opinion, but they were given the huge responsibility of raising God’s Son.

“I Am the Lord’s Servant” Game Have fun while learning today’s verse.

• Explain that you are going to play a variation of the old game Marco Polo using words from today’s verse instead of the words Marco Polo.

• Give these instructions:

* IT (Marco) will stand at the door with his back to the room, and everyone else will gather at the other end of the room to begin.

* IT will shout, “I am,” and the others will shout back, “the Lord’s servant.”

* IT must try to tag one “Lord’s servant.”

* If tagged, the one tagged must sit on one side of the room. The round is over when three people have been tagged and sent to the sit on the side.

• If someone has not responded with “the Lord’s servant,” IT can shout that person’s name. If a majority of the players agree that the person didn’t say the words, that person is out of the game.

• Proceed with the game as time allows.

SAY: “I am the Lord’s servant” were the words Mary used to respond to the angel’s message. Because of her response, Mary was greatly blessed. When we agree to be God’s servants, we also are blessed.

Stuff—His and Her Bible Readingso Bibles (CEB)

Stuff—“I Am the Lord’s Servant” Game

o none





Optional: Bible Drama If you did not do this drama last week, you may choose to do a dramatic reading of the Christmas story, “Blessed Family of God” (on the CD-ROM).

Copy the Winter drama, “Blessed Family of God,” one per tween.

• Hand out the drama and assign parts.

• Give tweens time to highlight their parts.

• Have tweens perform the drama or do it as a dramatic reading.


• Ask a volunteer to cut around the word COURAGE and add it somewhere around the poster, making it an extension of the poster.

COOL OPTION: Ask a volunteer to write the word COURAGE on paper and decorate it with any craft supplies on hand before adding it to the wall.

Serve With LoveThe Cowardly Lion

Acknowledge that we all have the capacity for courage.

• Together read “The Cowardly Lion.”

SAY: Being afraid doesn’t mean that you don’t have courage. True courage is being afraid of something and facing it or doing it anyway. Remember, though, that there is a difference between being courageous and being reckless. Teasing a hungry wild animal with food is not courageous; it’s reckless and stupid. Drinking and driving is both dangerous and careless of the safety of others. True courage is doing that which needs to be done for a good reason.

• If there is time, you might ask for examples of true courage. (Accept all reasonable answers, such as: Trying out for a part in the school play, even though you know you might not get it. Refusing to take a drink at a party even though every one else is doing it.)

Stuff—Optional: Bible Drama

o “Blessed Family of God” (Tween Challenges CD-ROM, Winter Drama)

o highlighters




o scissors

o adhesive


Stuff—The Cowardly Lion





Servant Ball BounceEncourage thinking about ways to serve God.

Write one letter of the alphabet on each index card, mix them up, and place them in a container. (You can exclude the letters Q, X, and Z to make things easier.) Make a “four-square” type game by using masking tape to create a large square divided into four sections.

• When it’s time to play the game, have the tweens stand around the outside of the square.

• Play a version of Four Square.

• Give the ball to any tween.

• The first tween bounces the ball to any other tween. That tween catches the ball after one bounce and bounces it to another tween. Continue in this manner.

• Play halts at a signal from you (blowing a whistles, shouting “Stop,” and so forth).

• The tween holding the ball must draw an index card from the container and name a way to serve God, beginning with the letter drawn. (For the letter G, for example, the tween could say: “Give part of my allowance to the homeless shelter.”)

• Continue as time allows.

SAY: We are asked to serve God in many ways. Each of us is a unique person, and God will know how each of us can best serve. It is our response that is important.

• Have everyone repeat together, “I am the Lord’s servant.”

Stuff—Servant Ball Bounce

o 23–26 index cards

o marker

o masking tape

o container

o large ball that will bounce

o Optional: whistle




Advent Wreath Worship• Ask a volunteer to light three Advent candles.

SAY: The first two candles stand for hope and love. Today, we light the candle of joy.

• Ask a volunteer to read Luke 1:38a and a second volunteer to read Luke 1:45.



Plan for Next Week Copy Challenge #20 (“Word Pictures”), one for each tween.

Choose one of the two methods described on page 38 to make your Chrismons®, and gather the materials listed. Copy the crown pattern (Reproducible 4a), and cut off the other pattern. Make a sample Chrismon®.

Copy and cut apart Reproducible 4b (“Mixed-up Christmas Story Cards”). Mix up the cards and place them in a container.

Gather materials for the “Bible or Tradition?” relay. Label two small bowls for each team, one BIBLE and one TRADITION.

Choose the categories of the “On the Go Bible Quiz” game that you wish to use. Practice beforehand. Be sure to have a laptop and something to project the slides onto. Or copy and cut apart the game cards (if you have not already done so) and familiarize yourself with the low-tech version of the game directions.

Prepare refreshments (or ask parents to contribute).


o Bible (CEB)





This week suggest that they try to beat their own Fighting Temptations game score.




CelebratingBible Verse

Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. (Luke 2:10)

Bible StoryLuke 2:1-20

FaithDirection God wants us to celebrate good news.

Before You Begin

The birth of Jesus is a cause for celebration, so spend time with your tweens having fun and celebrating. Unless you have unchurched tweens, your

tweens will be very familiar with the Christmas story. They will have heard the story in almost every imaginable way.

We have provided you with fun and meaningful activities to provide ways for tweens to actively participate in the joy of the birth of Jesus.

If you did not, or do not, have a Sunday school session for one of the weeks in December, choose from the sessions offered in this first unit or combine elements from more than one session that you feel fits your tweens in your church setting.

Each church has its own life and rhythm, and that is to be respected.

The service project for the quarter has been reserved for February, as it is important for children, and especially tweens, to be active participants in the missions important to their church.

Today especially, enjoy your tweens. Let them know you have a sense of humor and a sense of wonder at the miracle of Christmas.

Celebrate!









Grow TogetherTIP: Be prepared with both something active and something low key to do. Tweens may come in all wound up and unable to sit still, or they may come in worn out from hectic schedules. Be prepared to go with the energy level of your tweens.

What’s That Carol?Emphasize one of the great traditions of Christianity.

• As tweens arrive, ask them to complete the title of each of the Christmas carols in “What’s That Carol?” (Some tweens may know all of them; others may not know any.)

TIP: If you have a hymnal or song book handy, you may want tweens to work together to check their answers by looking them up.

SAY: These Christmas carols connect us with other generations of Christians, both here and in other places in the world.

ASK: What is your favorite Christmas carol? (A carol has a religious context. It may be old or modern, but “Jingle Bells” is not a carol. It a Christmas song, a secular song.)

Word PicturesHave fun with the parts of the Christmas Story.

Copy Challenge #20 (“Word Pictures”), one for each tween.

• Pass out copies of Challenge #20 and pencils, and encourage tweens to work individually, in pairs, or as one big group, to see how quickly they can solve each word picture.

• Challenge tweens to retell the Christmas story by using the word pictures as a guide.

Stuff—What’s That Carol?


o pens or markers

Stuff—Word Pictureso Challenge #20

(Tween Challenges CD-ROM, Winter)

o pencils




Make a Crown Chrismon®

Add a new Chrismon® to your tree.

Choose one of the two methods described on page 38 to make your Chrismons®, and gather the materials listed. Copy the crown pattern (Reproducible 4a), and cut off the other pattern. Make a sample Chrismon®.

SAY: Today’s Chrismon® is the crown. A crown can stand for King David, but when used as a Christian symbol or put on a Chrismon® tree, it is a symbol that reminds us that Christ is King. He has authority over us, and we are to be obedient to him.




Talk About ItTake this opportunity to get to know your tweens a little better.

ASK: What are your family’s plans for Christmas? Where will you be (stay home, visit a relative, and so forth)? Will you attend the Christmas Eve service?

Stuff—Make a Crown Chrismon®

o Reproducibles 1b (p. 38) and 4a (p. 41, bottom)

o scissors







Proclaim the WordDo-It-Yourself Christmas Pageant

Encourage tweens to take the lead in recounting the Christmas story.

• Explain to your tweens that they will be using the Bible to do a Christmas drama. Let the tweens decide how they wish to present it.

For example:

* They may create costumes. (You will need to have bathrobes, towels, sheets, belts, and other items they can use for impromptu costumes.)

* They may act it out in modern clothes.

* They may do just Luke 2:1-20, or they may add Matthew 2:1-12 to include the wise men. If they choose to do this part, remind them that Jesus was about two years old by the time the wise men finally arrived.

• Give them time to make decisions and prepare.

• Have tweens act out the drama with you as audience.

Mixed-up Christmas StoryGive tweens a fresh take on the Christmas story.

Copy and cut apart Reproducible 4b (“Mixed-up Christmas Story Cards”). Mix up the cards and place them in a container.

• Explain that the first person will draw one of the cards and tell that part of the Christmas story. Then the next person will draw a card and tell the part of the story that she drew.

COOL OPTION: If you have a larger group, you can divide the tweens into pairs or small groups and have a group choose one card and act out what they have drawn.

• When everyone has told their part of the story, ask them to lay their cards out in the order of the story.

TIP: Bible references are Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-12; Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-20.

“Bible or Tradition?” Relay Look at which parts of the Christmas story are biblical and which are tradition.

Gather materials for the game. Label two small bowls for each team, one BIBLE and one TRADITION.

SAY: We hear the Christmas story every year. We sing about it, and we do dramas about it. Parts of the familiar story are actually in the Bible, and some come from early church tradition. Do you know which are which? We’re going to find that out in this relay race.

• Divide tweens into two teams. If you have an odd number of tweens, you may ask for a volunteer to read out the “Bible or Tradition?” statements and act as scorekeeper.

Stuff—Do-It-Yourself Christmas Pageant

o Bibles (CEB)

o Optional: items for costumes (bathrobes, towels, sheets, belts, lengths of cloth, rope, sandals), props such as canes (for shepherds’ staffs), bottles or boxes (for wise men gifts)

Stuff—Mixed-up Christmas Story


o scissors

o container

Stuff—“Bible or Tradition?” Relay

o Reproducible 4c (p. 43)

o 6 bowls (3 for each team)

o paper, pen, tape

o 2 chairs

o marbles or round beads

o spoons




• Set up one chair for each team at one end of the room. On each chair place two empty labeled bowls (BIBLE and TRADITION).

• On the other end of the room place a bowl for each group filled with either marbles or beads.

• Give each tween a spoon.

• Have the teams line up between their bowl filled with marbles and the labeled bowls they are to fill. (The line should stretch from the bowl of marbles to the set of labeled bowls.)

• Explain that you will read a statement about the Christmas story and say, “Go!” The first player in line will pick up the marble or bead with the spoon and transfer the marble or bead to the spoon of the next person in line.

• Players will continue passing the marble or bead until the last player in line receives it and carries it to the labeled bowls and drops it into the correct bowl. That player then goes to the front of the line.

• After each round give a point to each team whose marble or bead ended up in the correct container.

• Repeat until all have had a turn to answer or time runs out. Declare a winner.

SAY: It is important to remember that just because something is early church tradition and not in the Bible doesn’t mean it’s not true. It just means that the writers assumed people knew these things or that they weren’t important to the meaning of the story.

Bible Quiz GameHave fun playing the Bible review game.


• Choose a couple categories such as “Jesus Is Born” and either “Old Testament People” or “Old Testament Events” and play a quick version of the Bible Quiz. Directions are on the CD-ROM.

• Play the game as you have time.

Serve With LoveAdd to “The Bible is about…” Poster

Continue adding to the ongoing visual reminder of the importance of the Bible to the lives of your tweens.

• Ask a volunteer to cut around the word CELEBRATING and add it somewhere around the poster, making it an extension of the poster.

COOL OPTION: Ask a volunteer to write the word CELEBRATING on paper and decorate it with any craft supplies on hand before adding it to the wall.

TIP: If your group is small, do the relay as one group (you may need to participate) and keep a score for the entire group.

Stuff—Bible Quiz Gameo “On the Go Bible

Quiz” PowerPoint® game and directions (CD-ROM, “Bible Quiz” section)

o computer

OR

o “On the Go Bible Quiz” Card Game, directions, and answers (CD-ROM, “Bible Quiz” section)




o scissors

o adhesive





Christmas PartyStrengthen relationships by celebrating together.

Prepare refreshments (or ask parents to contribute).

CAUTION: Be aware of any food allergies the tweens have.

• Celebrate the joyous Christmas season by eating together and playing one or more games in this or previous sessions.

TIP: You may opt to play the Bible Quiz game.

Advent Wreath Worship• Ask a volunteer to light three of the Advent candles.

ASK: What do these three candles represent? (hope, love, joy)

• Ask a volunteer to light the fourth Advent candle.

SAY: Today, we light the candle of peace, representing Christ, the Prince of Peace.

• Ask one volunteer to read Luke 2:10 and a second volunteer to read Isaiah 9:6-7.

PRAY: God of us all, we come to you today filled with hope, love, and joy. We pray for peace. We praise you for sending us Christ, the Prince of Peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


Plan for Next Week Copy Challenge #21 (“It’s in the Stars”), one for each tween.

Make one copy of Reproducible 5a, cut the “King” card (crown) off, and place the crown in a place where it will be difficult to find (taped to the bottom of a chair or someplace high where it can’t be found without standing on something). Set the other cards aside for the activity “Pass the Gift.”

Copy Reproducible 5a (“Bible Verse Cards”), if you haven’t already done so. Cut the cards apart. Put each card in a separate box and wrap it as a gift, or put each in a separate gift bag. Find lively Christmas music to play during the game.

Make two signs that say JESUS, THE KING.

Copy the crown Chrismon® pattern (Reproducible 4a), one for each tween. Gather materials for making cards. You may wish to purchase cardstock that comes with envelopes from a craft store.

Bring a white pillar candle to place on the altar as the Christ candle. You may place it in center of the Advent wreath, or you may remove the Advent wreath from the table and have the Christ candle stand alone.

Stuff—Christmas Partyo snacks

o items for chosen games


o Bible (CEB)





This week suggest that they take the “Christmas Favorites” poll.

Explain that all polls are anonymous, so they can be honest.




Honoring Our SaviorBible Verse

Where is this newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him. (Matthew 2:2)

Bible StoryMatthew 2:1-12

FaithDirectionChristmas gives us the opportunity to honor the birth of our Savior.

Before You Begin

Last week, we celebrated the birth of Jesus. Today, we look at the story of the magi (the wise men from the East) and pay honor to our Savior.

To honor Jesus goes further than giving presents and decorating Christmas trees. To honor Jesus means to show great respect for Jesus, to acknowledge him as our Lord.

In today’s session it is appropriate to talk about the reason the wise men brought gifts to Jesus. The presents they brought were considered worthy of a king. These gifts were not given to impress, but rather to honor Jesus as King.

To emphasize what it means to honor someone, tweens will look at the people they know, especially in their church life. What “gifts” do they see those people exhibit? Who has the gift of kindness? Who has the gift of generosity? What other gifts do they see in God’s community? How can they honor those gifts? One way is to make cards honoring the gifts of specific individuals.

If your church did not have Sunday school last week, you may wish to combine last week’s session on celebrating and this week’s session on honoring. These are closely connected.









Grow Together“It’s in the Stars” Puzzle

Introduce the term Messiah.

Copy Challenge #21 (“It’s in the Stars”), one for each tween.

• As tweens arrive, give them a copy of Challenge #21 and a pencil, and ask them to complete the puzzle to discover an important title for Jesus.

SAY: Messiah means “the anointed one.” It is the title used for the long-awaited Savior to be sent by God. Christians recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

Search for the KingEmphasize the nature of the long search of the magi for the King.

Make one copy of Reproducible 5a, cut the “King” card (crown) off, and place the crown in a place where it will be difficult to find (taped to the bottom of a chair or someplace high where it can’t be found without standing on something). Set the other cards aside for the activity “Pass the Gift.”

• Explain that you have hidden a King card and that the first person to find it wins.

• Give them a couple minutes to search. If no one finds it, you may begin giving small hints as to where it can be located.

• Bring everyone back together.

ASK: After the birth of Jesus, who was searching for Jesus? (the magi, wise men) Why were they searching for him? (to honor him)

SAY: The magi were not Jews and were not of the Jewish faith. These men of a different country and faith came to honor the new King. This tells us that the birth of Jesus was of great importance for all people.

Stuff—“It’s in the Stars” Puzzle


o pencils

Stuff—Search for the King


o scissors

o Optional: tape






ASK: What kinds of things do we do to honor people? (Give them awards, build statues to them, and so forth. Accept all reasonable answers.)

Proclaim the WordTell It in Your Own Words

Introduce today’s Bible story.

• Ask for a volunteer to tell from memory the story of the three wise men.

• After the storyteller is finished, ask the other tweens if any details were left out of the story.

• Proceed immediately to the next activity.

Read the BibleGive tweens a fresh take on the Christmas Story.

• Ask everyone to turn to Matthew 2:1-12 in their Bibles.

• Have all tweens stand and read the Scripture aloud in unison.

• Encourage tweens to look at the Scripture and decide if all important details were in the story told from memory in the earlier activity.

Pass the GiftEncourage physical learners to interact with the Bible verse.

Copy Reproducible 5a (“Bible Verse Cards”), if you haven’t already done so. Cut the cards apart. Put each card in a separate box and wrap it as a gift, or put each in a separate gift bag. Find lively Christmas music to play during the game.

TIP: Small, colorful, inexpensive gift bags can be purchased at dollar stores.

• Have tweens sit in a circle.

• Explain that you will begin playing music and, as the music plays, you will give the gifts one at a time to the first person in the circle. (You will choose where the beginning is.)

• The person given the present is then to pass it to the person on his right, and that person will pass the gift to the person on her right. The gift will be passed from person to person around the circle.

• Add bags one at a time until all the bags are being passed.

• When the music stops, everyone holding a bag will open it and take out the section of the Bible verse in their bag.

• Have tweens with parts of the Scripture place them on a table.

• Ask all tweens to work together to put the verse in order as quickly as possible.


Stuff—Tell It in Your Own Words

o none


Stuff—Pass the Gifto Reproducible 5a

(p. 44)

o scissors

o gift bags OR boxes, wrapping paper, and tape

o music CD and CD player




“Go Back a Different Way” RelayStimulate your tweens’ brains and prepare them for a discussion.

Make two signs that say JESUS, THE KING.

• Set two chairs at one end of the room, and tape one of the signs to each chair.

• Divide tweens into two teams.

SAY: The wise men came to Bethlehem one way, but they were forced to return home a different way. We’re going to have a little fun with the idea of returning a different way.

• Explain these relay rules:

* The first person on each team will run to the team’s chair at the other end of the room, go down on her knees, bow to “Jesus, the King,” return a different way (for example: backward, on her knees, crawling, and so forth), and then tag the next person in line.

* The second person runs to the chair, goes down on his knees, bows to “Jesus, the King,” returns a way that is different than the first person, and then tags the next person in line.

* No returning action may be repeated by members of the same team. If an action is repeated, that player must return to the chair, bow again, and figure out a different way to come back to the line.

• Bring everyone together and ask a volunteer to read Matthew 2:12.

ASK: We know that the wise men weren’t doing what we were doing. That was just for our fun. But why did the wise men have to take a different route returning home? (They were warned in a dream.) Why did the wise men’s visit put Jesus in danger? (Herod feared a new king.) Have you ever had to change the way you do things?

Cool Option: Bible Timeline• If you have a copy of the book Bible Timeline, have your tweens look at the fall

of the Divided Kingdoms. When did it happen? Look at the time of the return from exile.

• Explain that the Israelites had returned from exile hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus. The Temple had been rebuilt, but the country lived under foreign domination. This is the world Jesus was born into.

Stuff—“Go Back a Different Way” Relay

o Bible (CEB)

o 2 pieces of paper

o marker

o 2 chairs

o masking tape

TIP: Tweens respond to movement and humor. Doing activities like this may seem pointless to adults, but many tweens respond to these challenges and will be more likely to internalize the meaning.

Stuff—Cool Option: Bible Timeline

o Bible Timeline (see information inside the back cover)




Serve With LoveAdd to “The Bible is about…” Poster

Continue adding to the ongoing visual reminder of the importance of the Bible to the lives of your tweens.

• Ask a volunteer to cut around the words HONORING OUR SAVIOR and add it somewhere around the poster, making it an extension of the poster.

COOL OPTION: Ask a volunteer to write the words HONORING OUR SAVIOR on paper and decorate it with any craft supplies on hand before adding it to the wall.

In Honor Of…Read about personal ways of honoring someone.

• Together read “In Honor Of…”

“We Honor You” CardsHonor some people in your congregation.

Copy the crown Chrismon® pattern (Reproducible 4a), one for each tween. Cut off the other pattern. Gather materials for making cards. You may wish to purchase cardstock that comes with envelopes from a craft store.

• Explain that the girl who gave her hair to Locks of Love was honoring someone who had used her “gift of teaching.”

• Together brainstorm people in your congregation who have used their “gifts” for others.

• Have each tween choose a person from the list and make a card to honor that person.

• Have each tween draw a crown on the front of the card (either freehand or using the crown pattern). Each crown may be decorated if there is time.

• Ask tweens to write on the front of the card “To (insert name) in appreciation of…”.

• On the inside of the card, have them write “your gift of (insert the person’s gift).”

• Suggestions of possible “gifts”: caring, missions, teaching, cooking, listening, singing, and so forth.




o scissors

o adhesive


Stuff—In Honor Of…o On the Go

Magazine—p. 9

Stuff—“We Honor You” Cards

o Reproducible 4a (p. 41, bottom)

o scissors

o dry-erase board or large sheet of paper

o marker

o cardstock and envelopes

o pencils, pens, markers

o Optional: gold paint marker

TIP: For a quick option for making the card more decorative, have tweens outline the crown using a gold paint marker.




Christ Candle Worship Bring a white pillar candle to place on the altar as the Christ candle. You

may place it in the center of the Advent wreath, or you may remove the Advent wreath from the table and have the Christ candle stand alone.

• If you are using the Advent wreath, ask a volunteer to light the four Advent wreath candles.

SAY: We are now in the season of Christmas. Christ is born. Christ is King, and so we light the Christ candle.

• Ask a volunteer to light the Christ candle.

• Ask another volunteer to read Matthew 2:2.

PRAY: O Lord, today we come to honor Jesus, your Son, the king of our hearts and lives. We will try to honor Jesus this week in the way we live our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

• Extinguish the candle(s).

Plan for Next Week Copy Challenge #22 (“Clued In”), one for each tween.

Clear a large area in the room of all furniture. Divide the area of play down the middle with a strip of masking tape.

Copy Reproducible 6a (“Jesus’ Temptations”), one per group. Cut off the bottom section and save for the activity “Stranded in Space.”

Copy and cut apart Reproducible 6c (“Temptation/Resist Cards”).

Gather balloons. (You may wish to inflate them before the session to save time.)

Stuff—Christ Candle Worship

o Bible (CEB)

o white pillar candle


o Optional: Advent wreath with four candles (purple or royal blue, one may be pink)



This week suggest that they go to the website and choose a game to play.




Reproducible 1a (Opposites Cards)


bully

injustice

hoard (keep for yourself)

evil

respect

justice

share

good

argue

talk

avenge (get

revenge)

sin

discuss

listen

forgive

righteousness

!



Reproducible 1b (Chrismon® Directions)


Felt and Braid Chrismons®

• Place pattern on a piece of white felt.

• Outline the pattern lightly with a pencil.

• Cut out the pattern.

• Trim the symbol in gold by gluing gold braid around the entire edge of the symbol.

• Make a large loop of gold braid and glue it to the back of the top part of the symbol as a tree hanger.

OPTION: You may sew the braid to the symbol, or sew just the braid hanger.

TIP: For the Fish Chrismon®, have tweens write the letters with glue and use either gold braid or glitter to cover the glue.

Posterboard and Glitter Chrismons®

• Place pattern on a piece of white posterboard.

• Outline the pattern lightly with a pencil.

• Cut out the pattern.

• Outline the symbol with glue and sprinkle heavily with gold glitter.

• Make a large loop of gold braid or yarn and glue it to the back of the top part of the symbol as a tree hanger.

NOTE: Styrofoam® may be used to make the Chrismons®. We usually do not suggest this, because Styrofoam® does not break down in landfills. However, if you have extra Styrofoam®, you may use a knife to cut it into symbols. This makes Chrismons® that can be reused for many years.

Stuff—Felt and Braid Chrismons®

o Chrismon® patterns (pp. 39, 41)

o white felt (can be purchased in small white squares)

o pencils

o scissors

o gold braid

o fabric glue

o Optional: needle and thread

Stuff—Posterboard and Glitter Chrismons®

o Chrismon® patterns (pp. 39, 41)

o white posterboard

o pencils

o scissors

o glue

o gold glitter

o gold braid or gold yarn

!



Reproducible 1c (ChiRho Chrismon® Pattern)

Reproducible 2a (Fish Chrismon® Pattern)

Kellie Green

On the G

oTw

eens Leader's Guide

Item: 9781426752384

Issue: Winter 2012-13

Job: PACP01103449-01Part: 7Page:39Sequence: A

Kellie Green

On the G

oTw

eens Leader's Guide

Item: 9781426752384

Issue: Winter 2012-13

Job: PACP01103449-01Part: 7Page:39Sequence: A


!



Reproducible 2b (Spin the Bottle Assignments)

Change places with the person across from you.

Find Luke 1:20a inthe Bible.

Go stand in the corner during the next round.

Sing “Mary Had aLittle Lamb.”

Stand up and turn around three times.

Close your eyes and say the names of three people in the room.

Spell your first name backward.

Turn around and sit with your back to the circle for one round of play.


!

!



Reproducible 3a (Lamb Chrismon® Pattern)

Reproducible 4a (Crown Chrismon® Pattern)

Kellie GreenOn the GoTweens Leader's GuideItem: 9781426752384Issue: Winter 2012-13Job: PACP01103449-01Part: 7Page: 40Sequence: A



!



Reproducible 4b (Mixed-Up Christmas Story Cards)

ANGEL APPEARS TO MARY

MARY AND JOSEPH GO TO

BETHLEHEM

SHEPHERDS VISIT BABY JESUS

WISE MEN VISIT JESUS

ANGEL APPEARS TO JOSEPH

ANGELS GIVE SHEPHERDS A MESSAGE

THE MAGI (WISE MEN) MEET KING

HEROD


!



Reproducible 4c (“Bible or Tradition?” Statements)

1. The name of the angel who announced the birth of Jesus to Mary was named Gabriel. (BIBLE)

2. The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. (BIBLE)

3. Mary rode to Bethlehem on a donkey. (TRADITION)

4. Joseph and Mary went from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be enrolled in the tax lists (census). (BIBLE)

5. A large group of angels appeared to the shepherds in the fields. (BIBLE)

6. The shepherds took some sheep and went to Bethlehem to see the baby. (TRADITION—The Bible doesn’t actually tell us what they did with the sheep. If they took any sheep, they would have taken all their sheep and it would have been a large flock.)

7. Three magi came seeking the young Jesus. (TRADITION—We don’t know the number. The tradition comes from the number of gifts they gave Jesus.)

8. The name of three of the wise men were Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. (TRADITION—This comes from the Eastern church.)

9. Jesus was about two years old when the wise men visited him. (BIBLE)




Reproducible 5a (Bible Verse Cards)

Where

newborn

We’ve seen

in the east,

to honor

is this

king of the Jews?

his star

and we’ve come

him.


!

!


KING



Unit 2The Bible Tells Us About…

In This UnitSession 6,January 6Temptation (Jesus Is Tempted)Bible Story: Matthew 4:1-10

Session 7,January 13Being Called to Discipleship (Calling of Disciples)Bible Story: Matthew 4:18-22; 9:9-13

Session 8,January 20Miracles (Wedding at Cana) Bible Story: John 2:1-11

Session 9,January 27Having a New Attitude (Beatitudes)Bible Story: Matthew 5:3-12





Beyond the BasicsSession 6paper or plastic cupsballoonspermanent markers

Session 7 items in room to use as obstaclesposterboard

Session 8large container2 small containers2 spongeswatertowelsitems for setting tablesnack

Session 9 towelsballslarge boxitems for box (page 69)


Load the CD-ROM disc into your computer to access the PDF files (reproducibles) and the PowerPoint® game.

• Click on and read the directions for each section of the CD-ROM.

• Print any Tween Challenges you haven’t printed.

• Print out any words for “The Bible is about…” poster that you haven’t printed.

• Print out all of the discussion questions (if you haven’t already done so), as they may be used at any time.




Tween Worship Helps


!January 6• Light the candle.


PRAY: Our God, we come to you knowing that we are going to be tempted. We ask for the strength to choose the right thing. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


January 20• Light the candle.

• Read John 2:11.

PRAY: Lord God, we have seen your wondrous works through the miraculous works of Jesus, your Son. We praise your name for these wonderful deeds. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.




• Ask everyone to sit in silence for one minute.

PRAY: Our God, we are learning to listen for your call. We know you guide us when we see all kinds of needs around us that we can do something about. Help us be good examples of your love to others this week. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.




PRAY: Our God, help us find true happiness by living righteously every day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.



The Bible Tells Us About…

TemptationBible Verse

It’s written, “People won’t live only by bread, but by every word spoken by God.” (Matthew 4:4)


FaithDirection Knowing God’s Word helps us know how to resist temptation.

Before You Begin

Jesus grew to manhood and took the first steps toward his ministry by being baptized in the Jordan River. At his baptism Jesus was acknowledged as

God’s Son.

Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. Tweens will understand the first temptation on a very basic level. Jesus had been without food for forty days. He was really hungry!

The second temptation was for Jesus to show his power. The third temptation was to change his allegiance from God to the devil, and his reward would be worldwide fame and glory.

How did Jesus resist temptation? Jesus said, “It is written…” He was referring to the Scriptures. Jesus was well-educated in the Scriptures. He knew the Word of God. Jesus used the Word of God to resist temptation.

The reality is that in these temptations the devil was attempting to get the Son of God to stray from God’s path for his life. He was attempting to get Jesus to disobey God’s will.

The temptations of Jesus are much greater than, but not all that different in nature from, temptations tweens face. In our country, which has lots of food, obesity is a huge problem. Instant gratification of every need and want is pervasive. Power is also a huge temptation. Who doesn’t want power? Even the power to do good is a temptation. Wouldn’t you like to be able to remake the world? Problem is, we don’t know the unintended consequence? Also, my idea of what would make the world perfect may not be the same as yours.

The temptation to worship things other than God is rampant. Without realizing it, we worship success, fame, sports, wealth, and individualism, just to name a few. (Of course, we don’t all worship the same things.) It is tempting to make these things instead of God central to our lives.

How do we help tweens overcome these temptations? The Word of God and setting a good example. Tweens can’t use the Word of God to resist temptation if they don’t know what the Scriptures say.


Session 6January 6





48 January 6 On the GO • Tween Leader’s Guide


Grow TogetherClued In

Work with today’s Bible verse.

Copy Challenge #22 (“Clued In”), one for each tween.

• As tweens arrive, give them a copy of Challenge #22 and a pencil, and challenge them to read the clues to figure out the Bible verse.

ASK: Which story in the Bible is this verse a part of? (the temptation of Jesus)

Protect ItIntroduce the idea that we need to protect ourselves from temptation.

Clear a large area in the room of all furniture. Divide the area of play down the middle with a strip of masking tape.

• Divide tweens into two equal teams. If you have an odd number of tweens, you may have to join the game.

• Give each tween a cup.

• Explain that each member of the team will need to place her cup on the floor on her side of the playing area. The cup must be no more than fifteen feet from the dividing line.

• Let your tweens know before they place their cups that each player will be standing halfway between his cup and the dividing line. No one can stand behind another person.

• Explain these rules:* You will hand a ball to a member of Team 1.* The player on Team 1 will roll the ball across the dividing line, attempting to

knock down Team 2’s cups.* The members of Team 2 will try to protect the team’s cups by blocking the

ball with their hands and feet.* A player on Team 2 can catch the ball or stop the ball and pick it up, then

roll the ball into Team 1’s territory and try to knock over their cups.

TIP: Have two or three balls ready to introduce into the game if there are several tweens or they are very good at blocking. These balls can all go into play at the same time.

• Play for a short period of time.

ASK: How did you protect your cup? How do you protect yourself from the temptation of doing something wrong?

SAY: Today, we are going to read about the temptation of Jesus and how he protected himself.

Stuff—Clued Ino Challenge #22


o pencils

Stuff—Protect Ito paper or plastic cups

o small balls (such as tennis)

o masking tape

o pencils

TIP: If you have fewer than six tweens, put all of them except for one volunteer on one side of the line. The volunteer can roll the ball while everyone else protects the cups. Let the tweens take turns being the player who rolls the ball.






• Tell something that tempts you.

• Ask your tweens to name some of the things that are really tempting to them or someone their age.

Proclaim the WordRead the Bible• Ask everyone to turn to Matthew 4:1-10 in their Bibles.

• Divide tweens into two groups. Group 1 will read the temptation portions of the Scripture, and Group 2 will read Jesus’ response.

GROUP 1 GROUP 2Matthew 4:1-3 Matthew 4:4Matthew 4:5-6 Matthew 4:7Matthew 4:8-9 Matthew 4:10

TIP: If you played the “Protect It” game on page 48, have the two groups stand on opposite sides of the masking tape for the reading. This will visually reinforce the learning of both activities.

ASK: What did Jesus use to protect himself from temptation? (The Word of God, Scripture. For Jesus, “It is written…” would have meant the Hebrew Scriptures.)

Jesus’ TemptationsAllow tweens to discover that Jesus faced true temptations and pressures.

Copy Reproducible 6a (“Jesus’ Temptations”), one per group. Cut off the bottom section and save for the activity “Stranded in Space.”

• Divide tweens into pairs or into three groups.

• Give everyone a copy of “Jesus’ Temptations.”

• Assign one of the temptations to each pair or group.

• Ask them to read the synopsis and report back on their story and their answers to the questions.

• After about five minutes, or when the groups appear to be finishing, bring everyone back together and have each group report.

SAY: It’s okay to want something to eat, or to have power or fame. Our problems begin when we ignore God’s will. The temptation Jesus faced was to disobey God’s will for his life. The time was not right for these things, and Jesus refused to worship evil instead of God.

ASK: How was Jesus able to resist the temptations of the devil? (He knew God’s word, the Scriptures. Jesus knew that God had a plan for his life and that what he was tempted to do would not be God’s will.)



Stuff—Jesus’ Temptations

o Reproducible 6a (p. 71, top)

o scissors

o pencils

o Optional: Bible Timeline (see information inside the back cover)

COOL OPTION: If you have a copy of the book Bible Timeline, have your tweens look at when Jesus was baptized. Explain that Jesus would have been around thirty years old at the time he was baptized and was tempted in the wilderness and began his ministry.




Stranded in SpaceEncourage tweens to lean on their knowledge of the Bible.

• Divide tweens into small groups (or into girls and boys).

• Give each group one copy of “Stranded in Space” (cut off the previous activity), pencils, and paper.

TIP: No Bibles are allowed for this assignment, as the point is for tweens to understand that remembering the Scriptures can be helpful in facing difficult situations and in resisting temptation.

• Together go over the assignment instructions to be sure that everyone understands them.

• Give the groups five to seven minutes to complete their assignments.

• Ask each group to read one of the Bible verses they remembered.

ASK: Was it difficult to think of helpful Scriptures?

SAY: Soldiers who were prisoners of war have reported that they kept their sanity and survived by quoting Bible verses to themselves. Remembering the Bible can be helpful to you when you face difficult circumstances in life.


• Ask a volunteer to cut around the word TEMPTATION and add it somewhere around the poster, making it an extension of the poster.

COOL OPTION: Ask a volunteer to write the word TEMPTATION on paper and decorate it with any craft supplies on hand before adding it to the wall.

Serve With LoveThe Devil Made Me Do It!

Connect the Bible story to possible problems tweens face.

TIP: Even tweens from good families and the best schools will face these temptations (and maybe worse). There is a good chance that they won’t let you or their parents know about many of them, so don’t just assume that your tweens are in a better environment.

• Together read “The Devil Made Me Do It!”

• Ask if there are other things they can think of that people might say to tempt someone to do something they shouldn’t.

Stuff—Stranded in Space

o Reproducible 6b (p. 71, bottom)

o pencils

o paper




o scissors

o adhesive


Stuff—The Devil Made Me Do It!





Temptation/Resist Match UpUse this activity to help tweens discover how knowing the Scripture can help them.

Copy and cut apart Reproducible 6c (“Temptation/Resist Cards”).

SAY: Everyone faces temptation, no matter what their age, their job, or how much money they have. Let’s look at temptations, alternative actions, and some Scriptures that can help us.

• Lay the temptation cards face-up on a table. (The verses will be used later.)

• Challenge the group to come up with a way to make a different choice for each temptation.

TIP: Some of the temptations and alternative choices will be obvious. Others may require a little more thinking. Some of these temptations are not even necessarily bad choices, if done occasionally. (For example, choosing to eat ice cream would not be the best choice at all times, but it is okay to do sometimes.)

• Now lay out the resist temptation cards (verses) face-up on the table. Ask tweens to decide which of the Bible verses might be helpful in resisting which temptation.

Explanation of temptation cards and possible alternatives:

* Bullying someone—Bullying, which includes physically hurting, name-calling, excluding, and gossiping, is always wrong!

* Changing a grade—Changing a grade before showing it to parents is always wrong. Who can trust someone who lies and cheats? The same is true for anyone who lies about having completed chores.

* Ignoring a ringing alarm clock––The clock is ringing for a reason. Get up!

* Smoking cigarettes—Just say, “No” or “My father would kill me.” Don’t smoke.

* Downloading music for free—Encouraging sharing of music (or anything else) that should be paid for is stealing.

* Shoplifting–– Shoplifting is stealing; it’s never a prank or a test.

* Ice cream or fruit––Eat vegetables and fruit first and often. Then occasionally treat yourself to ice cream.

* Gossiping on the Internet—Gossip is harmful, and it is especially harmful when done on the Internet.

Stuff—Temptation/Resist Match Up


o scissors

TIP: There are no right and wrong answers. Scriptures may speak differently to different people. This exercise is to encourage discussion.




Temptation Balloon BounceEngage your physical learners.

Gather balloons. (You may wish to inflate them before the session to save time.)

• Give each tween an inflated balloon (or ask the tween to blow up a balloon).

• Ask the tweens to write on their balloon something that is very tempting.

• Explain that, at a signal from you, they are to throw the balloons in the air and work together to keep them in the air. When you yell, “Stop!” they all should try to catch a balloon.

• Let the tweens keep the balloons up for a couple minutes, then yell, “Stop!”

SAY: We know that temptations have a hold on our lives. We’re going to symbolically break the hold that these temptations written on the balloons have on us.

• Ask tweens to pop their balloons (or let the air out of them).

Worship• Ask a volunteer to light a candle.


PRAY: Our God, we come to you knowing that we are going to be tempted. We ask for strength to choose the right thing. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


Plan for Next Week On a dry-erase board or large sheet of paper, write the question “What is a

disciple?”

Set up a few small obstacles in the room.


Copy Challenge #23 (“Disciples’ Names”), one for each tween.

Copy and cut apart Reproducible 7a (“ ‘Teach This’ Challenge”).

Arrange for a place in the church to post the display where others can see it.

Copy Reproducible 7b (“How Would a Disciple Handle It?”). Cut the page apart on the lines. Retain the answers for yourself.

Stuff—Temptation Balloon Bounce

o balloons

o permanent markers

Stuff—Worshipo Bible (CEB)


o Optional: reproducible “Tween Worship Helps” for January 6 (p. 46)


This week suggest that they go to the website and take the “Top Three Temptations” poll.





Being Called to DiscipleshipBible Verse

“Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19)

Bible StoryMatthew 4:18-22; 9:9-13

FaithDirectionWe are called to follow Jesus right now.

Before You Begin

Jesus had been baptized and then tempted while in the wilderness. Then he began his ministry. One of Jesus’ first acts was to call disciples. Many

teachers had disciples. This was a common thing. The word disciple is used in the New Testament to mean both the twelve disciples and a much larger group of people who were followers of Jesus.

In this session when we use the word disciples, we will be referring to the twelve disciples in Jesus’ inner circle. We will use the terms disciple and discipleship to refer to those of us who follow Jesus as Lord and Savior. In other words, those of us who call ourselves Christians.

We will look at the calling of Peter, Andrew, James, and John and of Matthew, the tax collector, to be disciples of Jesus. These stories are where we learn for the first time that Jesus didn’t come to call the smartest, the richest, or even the best people, but he came to call all of us, and maybe especially the ordinary and even the unpopular. Being called to discipleship means opening our hearts and doing God’s will. It doesn’t mean being perfect, but striving for perfection.

We are called to fish for people. That means that we are called to live our lives in such a way that we show others Jesus through their contact with us.

Tweens need to understand that they are being called right now to be disciples. Each will be called in his or her own way. We will look at some of what that means. They will probably not get the abstract notion of “call,” though they will begin to see that they are to be “caught in the act” of discipleship right now at the age and place they are. It’s not something just for the future.


Session 7January 13







Grow Together“What Is a Disciple?” Challenge

Describe a disciple.

On a dry-erase board or large sheet of paper, write the question “What is a disciple?”

• As tweens arrive, encourage each to write a word describing a disciple.

• Keep the list to go over during “Talk About It” time.

“Follow the Leader” Obstacle CourseIntroduce the topic of what it means to follow someone.

Set up a few small obstacles in the room (for example: chairs out of place, items to step over or around, etc.).

• Ask tweens to line up with their hands on the shoulder or waist of the person in front of them and to close their eyes.

• Step to the front of the line and explain that you are going to lead them through an obstacle course. They are all to keep their eyes closed and just follow the directions they have been given. If anyone opens their eyes or is discovered peeking, that person will have to sit out the rest of the game.

• Begin giving directions.

ASK: Was it easy or difficult to follow the leader through the obstacle course? Why or why not? Was it easy to keep your eyes closed and trust the leader?

SAY: Being a disciple of Jesus means that, though we are led, we don’t always know exactly where we’re going or how we’re going to get there. Trust in Jesus and God is necessary to be a true disciple. By the way, having blind trust in an earthly leader is not a good idea. Trust but check back to your faith to know if you are being led where you should go.

Bible Quiz GameReview the stories of the Bible you have done up to this point.


• Choose a couple categories such as “Jesus Is Born” and either “Old Testament People” or “Old Testament Events” and play a quick version of the Bible Quiz. Directions are on the CD-ROM.

Stuff—“What Is a Disciple?” Challenge

o dry-erase board and markers

OR

o large sheet of paper and markers

Stuff—“Follow the Leader” Obstacle Course

o items already in the room to use as obstacles

TIP: If you have more than six tweens, divide them into two groups and ask one of your more mature tweens to be the leader for the second group going through the obstacle course. Have this group begin after you are through or are around the second obstacle.



o computer

OR






• Look at the list the tweens made as they entered the room.

ASK: How easy or difficult is it to be a disciple? Why?

Proclaim the WordDisciples’ Names

Copy Challenge #23 (“Disciples’ Names”), one for each tween.

• As tweens arrive, give them a copy of Challenge #23, a Bible, and a pencil.

• Run through the directions for the puzzle, and have the tweens race the clock to finish the puzzle.

TIP: If you have time constraints, encourage tweens to work in pairs or groups of three. Let them choose their own method of working on the puzzle together.

SAY: There is more than one list of the twelve disciples. The lists do not include the exact name. Some Bible scholars think that this could be because one list may use all first names, whereas one might use a couple of family names. For example, Bartholomew is thought to be a last name, while Nathanael is a first name. Therefore, many scholars think that Nathanael and Bartholomew were the same person. It doesn’t really matter. The important thing is that all accounts say that there were twelve disciples in the inner circle and that there were lots of other disciples who followed Jesus. The important thing is that all disciples answer the call.

Stuff—Talk About ito “What Is a

Disciple?” List (made earlier)

Stuff—Disciples’ Nameso Bibles (CEB)


o pencils





Read Two Bible StoriesLook at two different “call” stories.

• Ask for two volunteer readers. Ask one to look up Matthew 4:18-22 and the other volunteer to look up Matthew 9:9-13.

• Give each tween a pencil and paper, explaining that they will need to listen carefully, as you will be asking questions after the readings.

• Have the volunteers read aloud the Bible stories.

• Ask these questions:* Who was called and what were they doing when called? (Matthew 4:18-22:

Simon [Peter] and his brother, Andrew, and the brothers James and John, who were sons of Zebedee, were fishing. Matthew 9:9-13: Matthew was collecting taxes. They were all working.)

* How did each respond? (Each left his work and followed Jesus.)* What was different in the two stories? (The first story stops with the call. In

the second story, the call of Matthew, Jesus is questioned.)

• Ask a volunteer to read Matthew 9:11.

ASK: How did Jesus answer the question?

• Ask a volunteer to read Matthew 9:12-13

SAY: It seems strange to us that these men would follow a stranger, but remember that the invitation from Jesus was from no ordinary person and they recognized this. These are not stories about going off with a stranger, but, rather, they are about hearing the call for doing as we’ve been taught and answering by doing it.

Each One Teach OneDemonstrate that Jesus teaches us how to be disciples.

Copy and cut apart Reproducible 7a (“ ‘Teach This’ Challenge”).

• Explain that you will ask for three volunteers at a time. The first volunteer will draw a card and teach the second volunteer how to do what the card tells him to teach. Then the second volunteer will teach it to the third volunteer.

TIP: If you have enough tweens for two or more groups of three, let the groups work simultaneously. If you need an extra person, join one team.

• Remind tweens that teaching someone is not just telling her something, but also helping her understand it.

ASK: How did it feel to be the one teaching?

SAY: Many of these things are things we know how to do. But this exercise is an example of what it means to be a disciple. The disciples learned from Jesus and then later were charged with taking God’s word to others. And that is how the faith was passed down to us.

Stuff—Read Two Bible Stories

o Bibles (CEB)

o paper

o pencils

Stuff—Each One Teach One

o Bible (CEB)


o scissors

o chair

o paper and pencils

o yarn or string (for tie-a-knot challenge)

TIP: Tweens will probably know how to do what other tweens are teaching them. The point of the exercise is to understand that faith is passed on to another.





• Ask a volunteer to cut around the words BEING CALLED TO DISCIPLESHIP and add it somewhere around the poster, making it an extension of the poster.

COOL OPTION: Ask a volunteer to write the words BEING CALLED TO DISCIPLESHIP on paper and decorate it with any craft supplies on hand before adding it to the wall.

Serve With LoveCaught in the Act

Look at one way people have been “caught in the act” of being disciples.

• Together read “Caught in the Act of Being Disciples.”

“Caught in the Act” DisplayLook at examples of discipleship in your own community.

Arrange for a place in the church to post the display where others can see it.

TIP: If you have only one piece of posterboard, cut it into sections. This display will be finished more quickly if sections can be divided among the tweens.

• Using a dry-erase board or a large sheet of paper and markers, brainstorm people in your church and in your wider community who are examples of good discipleship.

• Explain that together the tweens are to make a poster of some people “caught in the act” of being disciples of Jesus.

• Ask someone to write on one piece of posterboard or construction paper “CAUGHT IN THE ACT” and someone to write on another piece “OF BEING A DISCIPLE.”

• Encourage other tweens to choose someone from the list you brainstormed (everyone choosing a different person) and to write the name of the person.

• Have tweens work together to create a display from all the elements they have just made.




o scissors

o adhesive


Stuff—Caught in the Acto On the Go

Magazine—p. 11

Stuff—“Caught in the Act” Display

o dry-erase board and markers OR large paper and markers

o posterboard or construction paper

o markers

o scissors

o adhesive (to attach display to the wall)




How Would a Disciple Handle It?Disciples sometimes have to do things that are difficult.

Copy Reproducible 7b (“How Would a Disciple Handle It?”). Cut the page apart on the lines. Retain the answers for yourself.

• Divide tweens into two or more groups, depending on the number of tweens you have.

• Give each group one of the scenarios.

• Tell the tweens that each group is to read their scenario and report back on how they think a disciple of Jesus would handle the situation.

• Allow time for tweens to decide on an answer.

• Ask each group to report back.

• Together discuss their answers, and allow others to offer other possibilities.



• Ask everyone to sit in silence for one minute.

PRAY: Our God, we are learning to listen for your call. We know you guide us when we see all kinds of needs around us that we can do something about. Help us be good examples of your love to others this week. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


Plan for Next Week Copy Reproducible 8a (“Seven Clues”), one per tween.

Get a large container (such as a waste basket, plastic bin, or large stock pot) and fill it with water. Get two smaller containers that are the same size (such as coffee cans or plastic jars with wide openings). Get two sponges.

Gather everything needed to set a table properly. Bring in food for a small snack.

Make six copies of Reproducible 8b (“The Wedding”), one for each role in the drama.

Copy Challenge #24 (“What’s the Miracle?”), one for each tween.

Tape a large sheet of paper to a wall.

Stuff—How Would a Disciple Handle It?


o scissors





This week suggest that they might want to go to the website and play the Fighting Temptations game. Can they get the best score in the class?




MiraclesBible Verse

This was the first miraculous sign that Jesus did in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him. (John 2:11)

Bible StoryJohn 2:1-11

FaithDirectionMiracles help us understand God and Jesus.

Before You Begin

When Jesus turned the water into wine at the wedding in Cana, he performed his first miracle. Not everybody got it. The steward assumed that the

bridegroom was excessively generous. But the disciples saw it for what it was—a miracle, a sign of God among us. They saw this miracle, accepted it, and believed.

Jesus did not want to declare himself at this time: “What does that have to do with me? My time hasn’t come yet” (John 2:4). Jesus thought it was not time for people to learn who he really was. But mothers often win out. Mary knew who Jesus was, since she had heard it from an angel of the Lord. She also knew that running out of wine at a wedding was a social catastrophe, and she didn’t want her friends to be embarrassed.

We are using this miracle as an example of what miracles are meant to do. We seem to think that the miracles Jesus performed were for the sake of the people who were sick or needed other forms of help. And they were, but at the heart of the miracles is a revelation about God and/or Jesus. The Old Testament miracles reveal much about God’s power. The New Testament miracles show us Jesus’ power and Jesus’ relationship with God.

It is interesting that everyone present at the wedding in Cana did not see the miracle. Indeed, even the wine steward seemed to be unaware of the miracle. We are told that the disciples did see it.

With each miracle we learn more about God and Jesus. Jesus is revealed as a man of healing who has a great connection to God. Jesus never used miracles to make himself more popular but, rather, to fulfill his mission.

For years people have attempted to explain how the miracles occurred; however, this is missing the point. Tweens need to know that the true importance of the miracles are what the miracles teach us.


Session 8January 20




OG TW LG DJF QK11.indd 59 7/23/12 1:46 PM



Grow TogetherGuess the Letters

Introduce the session.

Copy Reproducible 8a (“Seven Clues”), one per tween.

• As tweens arrive, give them a copy of Reproducible 8a and a pencil, and challenge them to read the clues and guess the word.

ASK: What word do these seven clues reveal? (miracle)

Water Jar RelayIntroduce the story.

Get a large container (such as a waste basket, plastic bin, or large stock pot) and fill it with water. Get two smaller containers that are the same size (such as coffee cans or plastic jars with wide openings). Get two sponges.

• Clear all furniture from a large area in the room where the game will be played, and put newspaper down in this area.

• Place the large container of water at one end of the room.

• Divide tweens into two equal teams. If you have an odd number of tweens, you may have to join the game.

• Ask the teams to line up on the side of the room opposite the large container of water. Place one of the smaller containers along the wall beside each team.

• Explain that the first player on each team will be given a sponge. That player is to run to the large container of water, fill the sponge with water, run back to their team’s container, wring out the sponge into the container, and pass the sponge to the next player in line.

• The second player—and each subsequent player—repeats this action.

• Give everyone on each team a chance to play.

SAY: Today’s story is about water. It is the miracle of Jesus changing water into wine at a wedding. But this story is about a lot more than water or wine.


ASK: What do you think makes something a miracle? (Accept all reasonable answers.) Why do you think the Bible tells us about miracles? (Miracles reveal to us a lot about the nature of God and Jesus.)

SAY: A miracle is an extraordinary event, which is God intervening in the world.

Stuff—Guess the Letterso Reproducible 8a

(p. 75)

o pencils

Stuff—Water Jar Relayo large container that

will hold water (such as a waste basket, plastic bin, or large stock pot)

o 2 small containers of equal size (such as coffee cans or plastic jars with wide openings)

o 2 sponges

o water

o newspaper

o towels

Stuff—Talk About ito none





Proclaim the WordIntroduce the Story• Together read “Do You Know Your Wedding Customs?”

• Give everyone a Bible.

• Divide up the True/False statements at the bottom of page 13.

• Have tweens look up their assigned statements in the Bible and report their findings to the entire group. (The answers are on page 23 of the magazine.)

Set the TableCreate a setting to encourage experiencing the Bible story.

Gather everything needed to set a table properly. Bring in food for a small snack.

CAUTION: Be aware of any food allergies the tweens have.

• Explain that the tweens are to set the table for an important occasion.

• Have tweens set the table.

TIP: Allow them to eat the snack before the Bible story. You will lose their attention if they eat during or after the story.

SAY: At a wedding in the first century, there would have been a large feast. In fact, as we have learned, this partying would have gone on for a week. This is where we find Jesus, at a wedding feast—one that has run into trouble.

Bible Story Readers’ TheaterEncourage tweens to lean on their knowledge of the Bible.

Make six copies of Reproducible 8b (“The Wedding”), one for each role in the drama.

• Assign six volunteers the parts in the drama.

TIP: If you have more than six tweens, the remaining tweens become the audience. Have the “actors” walk through the parts, being as dramatic as possible. If you have fewer than six tweens, assign more than one part per tween.

• Hand out “The Wedding” to those participating in the drama. Ask them to mark their parts.

• Have the tweens read the drama.

ASK: Why was Jesus reluctant to perform this miracle? (He thought that it was not yet time to reveal himself.) Why did he perform it? (His mother asked him to do it.)

SAY: Miracles weren’t performed so that Jesus could show off. Miracles were performed by Jesus—and later by some of the disciples—to show us Jesus’ connection to God. Let’s look at some more miracles.

Stuff—Introduce the Story

o Bibles (CEB)

o On the Go Magazine–– pp. 12-13

Stuff—Set the Tableo materials for setting

a table (such as table cloth or place mats, plates, flatware, glasses)

o snack

o Optional: decorative centerpiece for table

Stuff—Bible Story Readers’ Theater


o highlighters




What’s the Miracle?Look at more of the miracles of Jesus.

Copy Challenge #24 (“What’s the Miracle?”), one for each tween.

• As tweens arrive, give them a copy of Challenge #24 and a pencil.

• Ask a volunteer to read the sentence about the miracle, which is in the top left box. (This one should be easy, as they will have just talked about it.)

• Repeat with other volunteers and other miracles, using the questions when necessary.

SAY: We are now going to think about what these different miracles tell us about Jesus.

Stuff—What’s the Miracle?


o pencils




Serve With LoveMiracle Outline

Connect Jesus’ miracles to your tweens’ personal beliefs about Jesus.

Tape a large sheet of paper to a wall.

• Ask a volunteer to stand in front of the paper (back to the paper). Ask two other volunteers to use pencils to trace around the first volunteer’s body. (One will draw around the right side of the body as the other volunteer draws around the left side of the body.)

• Have the first volunteer step away from the paper.

• Ask yet another volunteer to go over the outline with marker.

SAY: We now have an outline that represents Jesus. Inside of this outline write in words or phrases what the miracles of Jesus tell you about him.

Have You Ever Seen a Miracle?Connect the miracles to your tweens’ personal beliefs about miracles.

ASK: Do you think you’ve ever seen a miracle? Has anyone around you ever said, “It’s a miracle”? What were they referring to?

SAY: Your favorite team winning the big game might be incredible, but it’s not a miracle. God does not step into the natural world to side with any sports team. However, there are many unexplained events in people’s lives that some credit with being miracles. Be open to a miracle happening in your life.


• Ask a volunteer to cut around the word MIRACLES and add it somewhere around the poster, making it an extension of the poster.

COOL OPTION: Ask a volunteer to write the word MIRACLES on paper and decorate it with any craft supplies on hand before adding it to the wall.

Stuff—Miracle Outlineo large sheet of paper

(newsprint)

o masking tape

o 2 pencils

o marker

Stuff—Have You Ever Seen a Miracle?

o none




o scissors

o adhesive






• Ask another volunteer to read John 2:11.

PRAY: Lord God, we have seen your wondrous works through the miraculous works of Jesus, your Son. We praise your name for these wonderful deeds. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


Plan for Next Week Copy Challenge #25 (“Cross Outs”), one for each tween.

Copy and cut apart Reproducible 9a (“Opposite Attitudes”).

Copy the two pages of Challenge #26 (“Fill the Gaps”). You will need one set for every two to four tweens.

Copy and cut apart Reproducible 9b (“Mercy Cards”), one set per five tweens. Gather towels and balls, one for every five tweens.

Get some balls and fill a large box with miscellaneous items (newspaper, dowel sticks, tape, markers, towels, bolts, nuts, yarn, plastic bags, and so forth. Make sure that none of the items can be used alone to make balls move. Also be sure to have items that might not be useful.).





This week suggest that they go to the website and take the “My Favorite Miracle” poll.





Having a New AttitudeBible Verse

Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy. (Matthew 5:7)


FaithDirectionBeing a disciple affects our attitude.

Before You Begin

The Beatitudes are at the very beginning of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). The Sermon is a collection of Jesus’ teachings that turns

worldly values around. A beatitude is a statement of who is privileged or blessed. The world, even in the first century, thought you were happy (or blessed) if you had wealth and power. That doesn’t sound so much different than the values of our world today. Jesus, however, teaches us that being happy (blessed) is really about our relationship with God and others.

The Beatitudes themselves take some abstract thinking that makes them difficult for tweens. Even adults find them difficult, because they seem to go against what would be the normal way of thinking. Nevertheless, the Beatitudes are central to understanding that Jesus’ view of the way we should be is different than the norm. In this session, we have attempted to give some help to tweens with internalizing some of what the Beatitudes mean. (Even though we must admit that no one person has a perfect understanding.)

In the On the Go Magazine, you will find “Having a ‘Be Attitude.’ ” When we accept Jesus, we adopt a new attitude toward relationships with God and with others. The two pages in the magazine serve as a brief summary of what it means to have a new attitude—a “Be Attitude”—in a tween-friendly way.

For a part of the session we will concentrate on mercy as an example, because tweens always want mercy for themselves; but they don’t like extending mercy to anyone who has wronged them.

Encourage your tweens in the understanding that their faith is a work in progress—as is everyone else’s no matter what their age. The Beatitudes, as well as all Jesus’ teachings, give us a GPS for how we should live as true disciples. We know we will make wrong turns, but it’s always possible to get back on the right path.


Session 9January 27







Grow TogetherCross Outs

Introduce the Bible verse.

Copy Challenge #25 (“Cross Outs”), one for each tween.

• As tweens arrive, give them a copy of Challenge #25 and a pencil, and challenge them to carefully follow the clues to discover today’s Bible verse.

Opposite Attitudes Poses or ActionsIntroduce the concept of “attitude” by having a little fun.

Copy and cut apart Reproducible 9a (“Opposite Attitudes”).

• Divide tweens into pairs.

• Explain how the game will be played.* One at a time, a pair will be given a card of opposing attitudes.* The pair will be given 30 seconds to decide which attitude each will demonstrate by posing (or silently acting out). No talking is allowed.

* When the pair begins its demonstration, everyone else may shout out guesses as to what attitude they are showing.

• Choose one pair and have them go to one corner of the room so that they can confer quietly. Give them one of the “Opposite Attitudes” cards.

• Begin the game. Play two or three rounds as time allows.

TIP: If you have a large number of tweens, divide them into two groups and have them work simultaneously. This is an introductory activity. Don’t spend more than five minutes on it.

SAY: Today, we are going to be talking about how as disciples we are to have a different attitude.

Thumbs Up/Thumbs DownIntroduce the idea of mercy.

SAY: It is believed that when Roman gladiators fought to the death in the Colosseum, the defeated gladiator’s life could be spared by the crowd (and the ruler) giving a “thumbs up” signal. If the crowd didn’t want to be merciful, they would point their thumbs down. Let’s try this with a few situations that we might know. I’ll read something someone has done, and you will vote with “thumbs up” if you would show this person mercy or “thumbs down” if you would not.

• Read, one at a time, the four “Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down Situations.”

• Wait after each one for tweens to vote with their thumbs.

• Move immediately to the “Talk About It” activity.

Stuff—Cross Outso Bibles (CEB)


o pencils

Stuff—Opposite Attitudes Poses or Actions

o Reproducible 9a (p. 77, top)

o scissors


Stuff—Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down


TIP: This Roman tradition may or may not be true. There are disputes about it; however, it’s used in modern culture, so we are using it here.




Talk About ItTake this opportunity to debrief the previous activity.

ASK: Have you ever received mercy when maybe you didn’t really deserve it? (Be ready with an example of your own.)

SAY: To show mercy is to be kind and forgiving, even when it’s not deserved. Today, we will be talking about this and other things Jesus taught us.

Proclaim the WordFill the Gaps

Challenge tweens to figure out the Beatitudes before reading them.

Copy the two pages of Challenge #26 (“Fill the Gaps”). You will need one set for every two to four tweens.

• Ask tweens to work in groups of two to four to cut apart the word cards and fill the gaps in Challenge #26 to complete the Beatitudes. (No Bibles allowed.)

• After five to ten minutes (depending on the length of your session), call everyone together and proceed immediately to the activity “Happy/Because Reading.” It will give them the answers .

Happy/Because ReadingRead the Beatitudes.

• Divide tweens into two groups.

• Give everyone a Bible, and ask them to find Matthew 5:3-12.

• Explain that Group 1 is to read the “Happy” parts of each Bible verse. They are to stop after reading the word before because.

• Group 2 is to start reading with the word because and stop before the next happy.

• Practice with verse 3.

• Begin with verse 3 again, and have them read the entire Scripture in this manner.

• Have them look at the “Fill the Gaps” sheet from the previous activity and rearrange as needed.

Mercy GameEmphasize mercy.

Copy and cut apart Reproducible 9b (“Mercy Cards”), one set per five tweens. Gather towels and balls, one for every five tweens.

• Divide tweens into groups of five.

• Give each team a towel and a ball.


Stuff—Fill the Gapso Challenge #26


o scissors

Stuff—Happy/Because Reading

o Bibles (CEB)

o Challenge #26 (completed earlier)

Stuff—Mercy Gameo Reproducible 9b

(p. 77, bottom)

o towels (one for every five tweens)

o balls (one for every five tweens)

o masking tape




• Explain that four people will hold the towel stretched out (one tween on each corner). The fifth person will toss the ball.

• Designate where the members with the towel are supposed to stand. Place a strip of masking tape for each team about fifteen feet from their towel holders. The person with the ball must stand on the other side of the masking tape.

• Give these rules:

* The towel holders may not move toward the masking tape until after the ball is tossed. The person tossing the ball cannot cross the masking tape.

* The team member with the ball will toss the ball toward the towel. Those holding the towel will attempt to catch the ball without it falling on the floor.

* If the ball is caught, the thrower runs to the towel and switches places with one of the towel holders. The new thrower takes the ball back across the playing area and throws it toward the towel.

* If those with the towel miss catching the ball, the thrower runs and gets the ball and tries again.

* Each time the ball is caught, team members earn one letter from the word MERCY. Each time the ball is caught, players rotate positions.

* When a team gets all the letters, they yell “Mercy” and win the game.

• Explain that you are the referee and will be handing out the letters.

TIP: If you have only five tweens, have them race against time. If you have teams with only three tweens, use smaller towels and balls and have two tweens holding two corners of one end of the towel while the third tween is the thrower. If you have an even number of tweens, make one the referee for one of the teams.

• When play is over, bring everyone back together.

ASK: Why do you think Jesus wants us to be merciful to others.


• Ask a volunteer to cut around the words HAVING A NEW ATTITUDE and add it somewhere around the poster, making it an extension of the poster.

COOL OPTION: Ask a volunteer to write the words HAVING A NEW ATTITUDE on paper and decorate it with any craft supplies on hand before adding it to the wall.




o scissors

o adhesive





Serve With LoveHaving a “Be Attitude”

Give concrete meaning to the Beatitudes.

• Together read “Having a ‘Be Attitude.’ ”

• Have tweens work as one group (or you may choose to have them work individually first) to read the Beatitudes and then to see if they can figure out which situations match up to the new attitude (“Be Attitude”) that disciples are to live with and which are just happy things. (Answers are on page 23 in the magazine.)

• Discuss which Beatitude they think each “Be Attitude” matches up with.

TIP: We have not used every Beatitude, and the matches are not exact. The discussion, not the exact answer, is the important part of this exercise.

• If time allows, you may wish to ask if they can give examples of the other Beatitudes.

Create Something NewGive physical learners the experience of looking at things in a “new” way.

Fill a large box with miscellaneous items, and get some balls.

• Set the large box where it is easily accessible.

• Explain that they have five minutes to create a “ball mover,” something that will move their ball from one end of the room to the other.

• Encourage creativity as they make their ball movers.

TIP: Giving a set period of time works best.

• Have tweens use their new creations to get their ball from one side of the room to the other.

ASK: What did you use to make your ball mover?

SAY: These new ball movers are a representation of our need sometimes to have a new attitude. Jesus knew that if we look at our relationships with one another from only the world’s point of view, we would move further and further from how God intended us to treat one another. Sometimes we have to give up old ways of acting or old ways of doing things to get something even better.

Stuff—Having a “Be Attitude”

o On the Go Magazine–– pp. 14-15

o pens or markers

Stuff—Create Something New

o large box

o items to put in box, such as newspaper, dowel sticks, tape, markers, towels, bolts, nuts, yarn, plastic bags, and so forth. (Make sure that none of the items can be used alone to make balls move. Also be sure to have items that might not be useful.)

o balls




Attitude AdjustmentLead a discussion about concrete examples of what the Beatitudes mean.

• Give tweens a few examples, and ask them what they think it would take to “adjust” (make new) a certain situation or attitude.

• After each example, give tweens time to discuss options. (There is no magic formula; it is the discussion that is the important part of this activity.)

Old Feelings:* Hopelessness—What would it take to make a hopeless person happy? (hope,

no matter how little)* Fear—What does it take to make a fearful person happy? (strength to stand

up to the fear; someone to stand with them) * Sorrow— What would it take to make a sad person happy? (comfort,

someone to listen, someone to just be there)



PRAY: Our God, help us find true happiness by living righteously every day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


Plan for Next Week Copy Reproducible 10a (“Bingo Card”), one per tween.

Gather a balloon, a bottle, dry yeast, and warm water. Practice this experiment at home so you can get the water temperature correct and judge the waiting period.

Copy Reproducible 10b (“Gospels Comparison Chart”) for each pair or group. Make one copy of Reproducible 10c (“Gospels Comparison Chart Answer Cards”), and cut apart the answer cards.

Copy Challenge #27 (“What’s for Dinner?”), one for each tween.

On a dry-erase board, write the following: Basket/Fish/Bread Basket beats fish. Fish beats bread. Bread beats basket.

Decide if you will participate as a lone group or work with other age levels on the service project. If you wish to send reminders home with your tweens, download and copy the Mission Project form from the CD-ROM and make a copy for each tween. Read the information in the magazine before the session so you will be prepared for what will need to be done.

Stuff—Attitude Adjustment

o none





This week suggest that they go to the website and listen to some Christian music.




Reproducible 6a (Jesus’ Temptations)

Reproducible 6b (Stranded in Space)


Your group has been on a space mission for several months. Your spaceship has crashed on a distant planet. You are waiting for a rescue spaceship, but you know that it will take several years to find you. You need the mental and emotional strength to survive.

As a group, make a Memory Bible of Scriptures that will help you.

What verses do you remember that you can put in your Memory Bible?

Read Matthew 4:1-4.

Jesus was hungry. What was wrong with being tempted to turn stones into bread?

Name one thing you need or really want that is tempting to you? What would you be willing to do to get it?

Read Matthew 4:5-7.

The devil tempted Jesus to be reckless and dangerous by promising him he would be safe. In other words, Jesus was tempted to show off. He was God’s Son and would have been protected by the angels, so why would it be wrong to do a little showing off?

Name a time when you were tempted to show off for someone. Did you? Why or why not?

Read Matthew 4:8-10.

The devil tempted Jesus with fame and power, with people worshiping him. What’s wrong with fame?

Many people today want to be famous. What would you like to be famous for?

!

!



Reproducible 6c (Temptation/Resist Cards)


Bullying someone

Why pay for music when you can download it for free?

Don’t let sinners entice you. Don’t go when they say: “Come with us.… Let’s secretly wait for the innocent just for fun.” (Proverbs 1:10-11)

Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and God’s Spirit lives in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16a)

Ignoring a ringing alarm clock

Ice cream or fruit?

“For the next ten days, let us have only vegetables and water at mealtime.”…Ten days later, Daniel and his friends looked healthier and better than the young men who had been served food from the royal palace. After this, the guard let them eat vegetables instead of the rich food and wine. (Daniel 1:12, 15-16, CEV)

Whoever is faithful with little is also faithful with much, and the one who is dishonest with little is also dishonest with much. (Luke 16:10)

Changing your grade from F to A

Shoplifting

The path of the lazy is like a hedge of thorns, but the way of those who do right is a clear road. (Proverbs 15:19)

You should treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you. (Matthew 7:12)

Smoking cigarettes

Gossiping on the Internet

The Lord is disgusted with all who do wrong, but he loves everyone who does right. (Proverbs 15:9, CEV)

A good reputation is better than much wealth; high esteem is better than silver and gold. (Proverbs 22:1)

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Reproducible 7a (“Teach This” Challenge)


Teach someone to find Deuteronomy 5:7-21.

Teach someone to tie a knot.

Teach someone the proper (polite) way to sit in a chair.

Teach someone how to draw a stick figure.

Explain to someone how to find the restroom in your church closest to the room you are in now.

Teach someone all the times of worship and Sunday school in your church.

Teach someone the rules for playing your favorite game.

Teach someone a dance step.

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Reproducible 7b (How Would a Disciple Handle It?)

Your best friend, Whitt, is having a hard time with math. If he fails his next test, he will have to attend summer school in order to make up the work. You have been planning all year to go to summer camp together.

Whitt says to you, “Please, you’ve got to help me just this once. It’s really important. I have to pass this test. If you can text me some of the answers during the test, I can pass and we’ll still be able to go to camp. If you don’t help me, I’ll be stuck in summer school and you will have to go to camp alone. It’s only this once. I promise I will study hard from now on.”

How would a disciple handle it?

Your BFF is angry with someone who has been mean to her. She tells you she is going to pay him back by texting something about him to all her friends. You don’t know if what your friend has told you is true or not. It could be true.

How would a disciple handle it?

POSSIBLE ANSWERS

Cheating is never right. A disciple would agree to help his friend study for the test. If the test is the next day, a friend would say something like, “I’ll be at camp for only a couple weeks. I promise to help you with your homework the rest of the summer.” Or, “If you cheat on this test, you’ll probably never really catch up. You don’t want to ruin your life over a silly test, do you?” (These are only two possible answers. Accept all reasonable answers.)

A disciple would explain to her BFF that we are supposed to treat people the way we want to be treated, even if the other person is not nice to us. And we are not supposed to gossip. If your BFF responds by texting something about the other person, he might do something even worse. The situation will not improve.


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Reproducible 8a (Seven Clues)

Clue #1: I am a seven-letter word.

Clue #2: I am something that cannot be bought.

Clue #3: In the Bible there are many stories about me.

Clue #4: I begin with a consonant and have three vowels.

Clue #5: I am something that a lot of people ask for in prayer.

Clue #6: I am not a parable.

Clue #7: I am a word used to describe many things Jesus did.




Reproducible 8b (The Wedding)

Headwaiter: (speaking to the groom) What shall we do? We’re out of wine.

Groom: I wish you had told me sooner. There is no way to get more. This is going to be a compete disaster! My reputation will be ruined! This will be a very bad start to my marriage!

Mary: (speaking to Jesus ) They don’t have any wine.

Jesus: What does that have to do with me? My time hasn’t come yet.

Mary: (speaking to a servant) Psst. (motioning for him to come near) Don’t worry. My son can help you.

Servant: How? Does he carry extra wine around with him?

Mary: Of course not. Why would he do that?

Servant: It’s the only thing that will save us.

Mary: Do whatever he tells you. (looking pointedly at Jesus)

Jesus: Fill the jars with water.

Servant: I’m doing this only because I’m desperate. (speaking to the other waiters) Come on, guys, let’s get these jars filled.

Jesus: Now draw some from them and take it to the headwaiter.

Servant: This had better be good. The headwaiter is already upset and really doesn’t have much of a sense of humor.

Headwaiter: Wow, this is really good! I wonder where it came from.

Servant: (shrugs shoulders, but says nothing)

Headwaiter: (speaking to the groom) Everyone serves the good wine first. They bring out the second-rate wine only when the guests are drinking freely. You kept the good wine until now.

Groom: Well, only the best for my guests. (talking quietly to himself) That saved the day! Wonder how that wine got misplaced.

Disciple: Boy, oh boy! Did you guys see that? Jesus has the power to perform miracles. He’s the real deal!


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Reproducible 9a (Opposite Attitudes)

Reproducible 9b (Mercy Cards)

forgiving/angry

friendly/lonely

interested/bored

happy/sad

proud/embarrassed

brave/afraid


CR

YEM

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Reproducible 9c (Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down Situations)

1. Tony is the third baseman on your baseball team. Your team is playing in the state championships. You’re in the bottom of the ninth inning, and you’re one run ahead. The opposing team is at bat. They have two outs, but the bases are loaded. The batter hits a ball straight at third base, but Tony misses it because he has been flirting with a girl in the stands. You lose the game because two players make it to home base. Does Tony deserve mercy?

2. LeeAnn has been your best friend since kindergarten. You had invited her to your house for a sleepover. She told you she couldn’t come because she had to visit her grandmother. You later found out that she couldn’t come because she had invited two other girls to her house and didn’t want you to know. Does LeeAnn deserve mercy or a good tongue-lashing?

3. Martin is the class tattletale. Last week he got you in trouble by tattling to the teacher about something you did. Today you saw Martin writing notes in class. Do you tattle or show mercy?

4. Bridget always has some extra treat in her lunch box. She never shares any of her treats with the others at your table, even when she has extra. Today your mother has packed some chocolate chip cookies and put in extras for you to share. Do you show Bridget mercy and share your cookies with her, or do you show her what it feels like and share with everyone but Bridget?




Unit 3The Gospels Tell Us About…

In This UnitSession 10, February 3 Multiplying Resources (Feeding of the 5,000)Bible Story: John 6:1-15

Session 11, February 10Knowing Jesus (The Transfiguration)Bible Story: Matthew 7:1-13

Session 12, February 17Taking Care of Those in Need (“Least of These”) Bible Story: Matthew 25:31-46

Session 13, February 24Professing Belief (Raising of Lazarus) Bible Story: John 11:1-46





Beyond the BasicsSession 10balloonbottledry yeastwarm water

Session 11 white paperwhite crayonswatercolor markers OR paint, paintbrushes, and water

Session 12boxes or basketsobjects (see p. 94)Optional: staplers

Session 13 balloonsgranite clay or paper clayacrylic poster paintspaintbrushestoothpicksstraws, plastic knivespin backs, cording


Load the CD-ROM disc into your computer to access the PDF files (reproducibles) and the PowerPoint® game.

• Click on and read the directions for each section of the CD-ROM.

• Print any Tween Challenges you haven’t printed.

• Print out any words for “The Bible is about…” poster that you haven’t printed.

• Print out all of the discussion questions (if you haven’t already done so), as they may be used at any time.




Tween Worship Helps


February 3• Light the candle.

• Read 1 Thessalonians 1:3.

PRAY: Our Lord, we come to you with humble hearts, knowing that no matter how small the resource we have, you can use it for a larger good because it is given in faith and love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.




PRAY: God, we thank you for the knowledge that Jesus is your Son, our Savior. Be with us this week as we try to live our faith each day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.




PRAY: Our Lord, we come to you knowing that with enough practice, living as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ can become a habit. Be with us as we practice discipleship this week. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.



• Read John 11:27.

• Lead everyone in reading the Apostles’ Creed.

PRAY: God, our creator, we come to you today professing our belief in Jesus Christ, your Son, our Savior. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


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The Gospels Tell Us About…

Multiplying ResourcesBible Verse

We remember your work that comes from faith, your effort that comes from love, and your perseverance that comes from hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father. (1 Thessalonians 1:3)


FaithDirectionJesus demonstrates that he can multiply our resources when we offer them to him in faith.

Before You Begin

The feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle story told in all four Gospels. It points to the importance of this miracle in the minds of the

Gospel writers. This miracle was one that was popular with the early church. The feeding of the five thousand is not so much about feeding people as it is about the revelation of Jesus’ power coming from God.

John’s version of the story is the only one that tells us about the boy. Some people think that this miracle story is about everyone pulling out their food and pooling their resources. There is no evidence that this is what happened. It is the power of God that makes more out of the food than was originally given.

That is the focus of today’s session. When we see a need, we can with confidence do our part. We don’t need to worry about how big our contribution is. We don’t need to be overwhelmed by how large a problem is. If we give of our time, talents, and resources, God will multiply them as God sees the need.

John’s version of this story is important to tweens because it was a young person who came forward to share. Without this gift there would have been nothing for Jesus to multiply.

Help your tweens come to the understanding that they are old enough to have faith and to put this faith to work through their time, talents, and resources.

We are beginning our mission project this week, and it is a perfect session with which to begin looking at specific things your tweens can do.

This miracle story also serves as a transition time for tweens to look more closely at their own beliefs about Jesus and the meaning of true discipleship.


Session 10February 3




82 February 3 On the GO • Tween Leader’s Guide


Grow TogetherBingo

Prepare for connecting the story with living as disciples.

Copy Reproducible 10a (“Bingo Card”), one per tween.

• As tweens arrive, give each a copy of the “Bingo Card.”

• Explain that they are to collect signatures until they have five in a row or until you call time. The name JESUS in the center is a free space. It counts toward the five in a row, but it is not to be signed.

• Each tween should first pick one of the squares to sign.

TIP: If you have only a small number of tweens, sign one of the squares yourself as asked. Also, give a time limit. When most tweens have arrived, you may call time and discover who has the most signatures.

• Ask tweens to sign their name on the top of their Bingo card, and collect the cards to use later in the session.

Science ExperimentEngage tweens in thinking about how things “expand.”

Gather a balloon, a bottle, dry yeast, and warm water. Practice this experiment at home so you can get the water temperature correct and judge the waiting period.

SAY: As an example of how a little can become greater than what we start with, we’re going to do a science experiment.

• Pour the dry yeast into the water bottle and add the warm water. (Look at the directions on the package.)

• Place a balloon over the top of the bottle, making sure there is no air seeping through, and then tape it in place.

• Wait. (The yeast will cause the balloon to fill partially with water.)

SAY: In today’s Bible story, we are shown how through faith Jesus can take our resources, whatever they are, and expand them to help fill a need.

Talk About ItTake this opportunity to listen to what your tweens feel are some of the world’s needs.

ASK: What do you think are the biggest needs for our community or for the world?

Stuff—Bingoo Reproducible 10a

(p. 105)

o pencils

Stuff—Science Experiment

o balloon

o bottle

o dry yeast

o warm water

o masking tape





Proclaim the WordFour Gospels Comparison

Encourage working directly with the Bible.

Copy Reproducible 10b (“Gospels Comparison Chart”) for each pair or group. Make one copy of Reproducible 10c (“Gospels Comparison Chart Answer Cards”), and cut apart the answer cards.

• Mix up the answers and lay them face-up on a table.

• Give each tween a Bible.

• Give each pair or group a “Gospels Comparison Chart.”

• Assign each group one of the four Gospels.

• Explain that they are to read the assigned Scripture and find the answers to fill in on their part of the chart. When they know what an answer should be, they are to find the correct card and lay it in the correct spot on the chart.

• When done, look at what is the same and what is different. (The completed chart is below.)

SAY: Each of the Gospels tell the same basic story. There was a large crowd around Jesus, and they needed to be fed. Like all eyewitness accounts, some details will differ depending on what the writer thinks is important.

ASK: What’s the biggest difference in John’s account of the story? (He tells us who gave the food––a youth.)

Stuff—Four Gospels Comparison

o Bibles (CEB)

o Reproducibles 10b and 10c (pp. 106, 107)

o scissors



Matthew14:13–21

Mark6:30–44

Luke9:10–17

John6:1-13

What Jesus did Jesus saidDisciples said Who gave foodJesus took the food and…

How much food was left

healed the sick 12 baskets

12 baskets

12 baskets

12 baskets

Send them away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy

something to eat.

You give them something to eat.

a youth

began to teach


doesn’t say blessed it

blessed it

blessed it

gave thanks

Send the crowds away so they

can go into the villages and

buy food for themselves.


doesn’t say

went up on a mountain and sat

Send the crowd away so that they

can go to the nearby villages and

countryside and find lodging and

food.

Where will we buy food to feed these people? Have the people sit down.

spoke about God’s kingdom and healed the

sick

More than half a year’s salary worth of food wouldn’t

be enough for each person to have even

a little bit.

doesn’t say



What’s for Dinner?Look at who might have been present at the feeding of the five thousand.

Copy Challenge #27 (“What’s for Dinner?”), one for each tween.


• Have a volunteer read Matthew 14:21.

• Go over the introduction to the activity.

• Have tweens work individually, in pairs, or in small groups to do the math.

Basket/Fish/BreadGive your tweens a little brain break.

On a dry-erase board, write the following: Basket/Fish/Bread Basket beats fish. Fish beats bread. Bread beats basket.

TIP: This game is a variation of Rock/Paper/Scissors.

• Explain the rules:

* Tweens will compete two at a time.

* Everyone in the room will chant, “basket, fish, bread.” When they get to “bread,” the first two players will show their hand in one of the three positions.

* The winner of the round takes on the next player.

Stuff—What’s for Dinner?


o pencils

Stuff—Basket/Fish/Bread

o dry-erase board and marker

TIP: Your tweens have been concentrating for a long period of time. They need to refocus. Physical movement helps stimulate the brain.

EXPLANATION

Basket beats fish. (The basket keeps the fish from swimming away.)

Fish beats bread. (Fish can eat bread.)

Bread beats basket. (The basket is forced to hold the bread.)

Don’t push these analogies; they are for game purposes only.


Basket Fish Bread




• Ask a volunteer to cut around the words MULTIPLYING RESOURCES and add it somewhere around the poster, making it an extension of the poster.

COOL OPTION: Ask a volunteer to write the words MULTIPLYING RESOURCES on paper and decorate it with any craft supplies on hand before adding it to the wall.

Serve With LoveIt’s the Small Gifts…

Connect the youth’s action in the Bible story with tweens’ lives today.

• Together read “It’s the Small Gifts.”

• Go over the list of some possible resources tweens might have.

SAY: Jesus multiplied the food the youth gave him, but money and donations of objects are not the only things that our faith in Jesus can help multiply. We have just looked at some of them.

How to Use ResourcesThis is a further option for emphasizing use of resources.

• Return everyone’s Bingo card.

• Have each tween look at his card.

• Ask a volunteer to name one thing on the card that has been signed. Together brainstorm one way that resource can be used in God’s service.

• Repeat as time allows.

On the Go Service Project—Health KitsGive tweens an opportunity to put their faith into action

Decide if you will participate as a lone group or work with other age levels on this service project. If you wish to send reminders home with your tweens, download and copy the Mission Project form from the CD-ROM and make a copy for each tween. Read the information in the magazine before the session so you will be prepared for what will need to be done.

• Together read “Health Kits.”

• As a group decide if you will collect money to send in or if you will assemble health kits yourselves.

TIP: Another choice is to have each tween assemble one kit.

• Send forms home and ask tweens to have parents look at them. This way parents can be in on the decision of what they wish to donate.




o scissors

o adhesive


Stuff—It’s the Small Gifts…o On the Go

Magazine—p. 16

Stuff—How to Use Resources

o Bingo cards (signed earlier)

Stuff—On the Go Service Project—Health Kits


o Optional: Mission Project form (CD-ROM, “Forms” section)

NOTE: Remember, there cannot be any deviation from the prescribed list for the kit.





• Ask another volunteer to read 1 Thessalonians 1:3.

PRAY: Our Lord, we come to you with humble hearts, knowing that no matter how small the resource we have, you can use it for a larger good because it is given in faith and love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


Plan for Next Week Copy Challenge #28 (“What’s Been Changed?”), one for each tween.

Copy Challenge #29 (“What’s It Say?”), one for each tween.

Gather supplies and make a practice picture to get the correct amount of paint and water.

Copy and cut apart Reproducible 11a (“ ‘Jesus Draw’ Cards”).



o Optional: reproducible “Tween Worship Helps” for February 3 (p. 80)


This week suggest that they go to the website and click on the UMCOR website link to see the many kinds of relief that people can provide.




Knowing JesusBible Verse

This is my Son whom I dearly love. I am very pleased with him. Listen to him! (Matthew 17:5)


FaithDirection Sometimes we need to look at Jesus in a new way.

Before You Begin

The account of the transfiguration of Jesus is an abstract story not well understood by some adults. Why then do we introduce it to tweens?

The transfiguration is an important revelation of Jesus as the Messiah. It is a significant story of faith, and it is necessary for tweens to hear it. Tweens don’t have to understand everything completely right now. In fact, part of the impact of the transfiguration on the disciples was exactly that. They had not understood completely who Jesus was even though they were very familiar with him and were given many revelations about him previously.

Tweens are the same. They have heard much about Jesus and who he is. It has become so familiar that they are probably complacent about it. If they have heard this story at all, they probably have only recently been introduced to it.

So, what’s the point for tweens? That sometimes something (or someone) is so familiar to us that we don’t fully understand it until we see it in a new way. We, too, can look at Jesus in a new light.

The three disciples closest to Jesus went with him up the mountain. Peter had just declared his faith in Jesus as the Messiah, but he still didn’t get it. When he saw Moses and Elijah with Jesus, Peter declared that he would build three shrines. We’re not sure why he wanted to build shrines, but he didn’t get the point. Suddenly God spoke: “This is my Son.” Jesus was not being shown as equal to the great law maker and the great prophet, but, rather, he was being shown as greater than both.

Even our closest friends and relatives don’t reveal everything about themselves to us. We may know someone for a long time and suddenly something happens and we see them in a whole new light. Perhaps the shyest kid in class gets up and gives a really powerful speech to the whole school. That’s what happened to the disciples. The three disciples acknowledged Jesus as Lord, but seemed completely unaware of the implications. Now Jesus has been revealed as God’s Son. That is a revelation! Encourage tweens to explore their beliefs about Jesus in a new more personal way.








Grow TogetherWhat Do You See?

Introduce the concept of becoming so familiar with things that we fail to notice them.

• As tweens arrive, greet each at the door with a piece of paper and a pencil.

• Explain that before they enter the room, they must list ten things they normally see in the room. (Multiples count as one. Example: Bibles, chairs, pencils would each be one item. Windows and doors can be listed, but don’t tell them that unless asked directly.)

• Tweens may enter the room when they finish the list.

• If after a good attempt someone can’t get to ten items, allow her to enter and look around to see what she’s missed.

TIP: If you have a small, relatively bare room, you may adjust the number of items they are to list.

• After a short period of time, bring everyone into the room.

ASK: What are some of the things you missed when trying to remember what’s in the room?

SAY: Today, we’re going to look at a Bible story where an old friend is seen in a new way.

What’s Been Changed?Prepare tweens for today’s session.

Copy Challenge #28 (“What’s Been Changed?”), one for each tween.

• As tweens enter the room, give each a copy of Challenge #28 and a pencil, and challenge them to find the differences in the two pictures.

SAY: Today, we are going to talk about change. Not change in pictures, but a change in the way we look at our own personal faith in Jesus.

Stuff—What Do You See?

o paper

o pencils

Stuff—What’s Been Changed?


o pencils




The Blind Men and the ElephantEmphasize that no one sees everything completely.

• Together read “The Blind Men and the Elephant.”

Talk About ItGive tweens an opportunity to express themselves.

ASK: Did you ever think you knew something about a person and then one day you discover something different or new about him or her?

TIP: Be prepared with an example from your own experience.

Proclaim the WordWhat’s It Say?

Introduce today’s Bible verse.

Copy Challenge #29 (“What’s It Say?”), one for each tween.

• As tweens enter the room, give each a copy of Challenge #29 and a pencil, and encourage them to solve the puzzle.

SAY: This Bible verse is part of today’s Bible story.

• Ask tweens to guess what Bible story this is. (These words––without “Listen to Him!”—were spoken at Jesus’ baptism. It is the story tweens are most likely to guess.)

Read the Bible• Have tweens turn to Matthew 17:1-13 in their Bibles.

• Divide up the Scriptures among good readers.

• Have the Scripture read aloud as everyone reads in a whisper.

TIP: Reading in a whisper helps keep their attention.

• Ask who has heard this story before.

Stuff—The Blind Men and the Elephant




Stuff—What’s It Say? o Challenge #29


o pencils

Stuff—Read the Bible o Bibles (CEB)




Trade White on White PicturesIllustrate transformation (transfiguration).

Gather supplies and make a practice picture to get the correct amount of paint and water.

• Give each tween a piece of white paper and a white crayon.

• Ask tweens to each choose one of these words or phrases: “Jesus,” “Son of God,” “Messiah,” “Savior,” or “Listen to him.” They are not to tell anyone what they chose.

• Ask them to write the chosen word or phrase on the paper with the crayon.

• Mix up the papers and hand them out.

• Have available water color markers or paintbrushes and dark colored paint diluted by water. Ask each tween to choose a color (may have to take turns) and paint over the paper they have been given.

• Ask each to show what word or phrase the painting revealed.

SAY: When Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on the mountain with him, they saw him as the man they knew every day, the man they believed to be a great teacher, and maybe even a worldly Messiah. When Jesus was transfigured on the mountain and God spoke, they saw Jesus in a whole new way. They saw Jesus as the Son of God and more important than the great Moses and the great Elijah.

Images of JesusUse a visualization of some of the many ways people view Jesus.

• Ask everyone to look at “Images of Jesus” and to think about their image of Jesus.

TIP: You will discuss their images later in the session.


• Ask a volunteer to cut around the words KNOWING JESUS and add it somewhere around the poster, making it an extension of the poster.

COOL OPTION: Ask a volunteer to write the words KNOWING JESUS on paper and decorate it with any craft supplies on hand before adding it to the wall.

Stuff—Trade White on White Pictures

o white paper

o white crayons

o watercolor markers OR paint, paintbrushes, and water

Stuff—Image of Jesus o On the Go

Magazine––p. 18




o scissors

o adhesive





Serve With LoveJesus Draw

Involve tweens in coming to the understanding that Jesus is revealed to us in many different ways.

Copy and cut apart Reproducible 11a (“ ‘Jesus Draw’ Cards”).

• Have tweens draw a card.

TIP: For a small group, it is not necessary to draw all of the cards; however, if you have time, each tween could draw two cards. If you have a large group, divide the tweens into pairs and have each pair draw a card.

SAY: Look at your card. What would you think about this person if that’s all the information you had about him?

• Have each tween look at her card.

• Ask each tween with a card to read the information silently and then say what they think this person would be like just from this information alone. (For example: “He was lavished with expensive baby gifts.” You might think he is rich or very important. If he was “executed by legal authorities,” you might think he was a criminal. Remind tweens that Jesus’ baptism does not make him a Christian. Christianity is a religion about Jesus. Jesus was a Jew.)

• Have the information on the cards read aloud.

SAY: We know this person is Jesus; but as you can see, if we know only a little about him, we don’t truly understand him. The more we know, the more it reveals to us that Jesus is the Son of God.

My Image of JesusChallenge tweens to think about what they believe about Jesus.

• Have everyone look at the “Images of Jesus” again.

• Ask for volunteers to tell you which image of Jesus best fits what they believe about Jesus.

• Let tweens talk about what they believe about Jesus.

Mission Project Checkup• If you have tweens who were not present for the last session, have them look

at “Health Kits” and explain what you are doing for this project.

• Check up on the progress of each tween. Remind them of the last date they can bring money or materials.

Stuff—Jesus Drawo Reproducible 11a

(p. 108)

o scissors

Stuff—My Image of Jesus

o On the Go Magazine–-p. 18

Stuff—Mission Project Checkup








PRAY: God, we thank you for the knowledge that Jesus is your Son, our Savior. Be with us this week as we try to live our faith each day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


Plan for Next Week Copy and cut apart two or more sets of Reproducibles 12a and 12b (“Lone

Goat Game Cards”). Remove all but one goat card. Mix up the cards.

Put objects of two different colors and different sizes and shapes in baskets or boxes. (For example, one basket could have several blue objects and several white objects, all mixed together.) You will need one filled basket or box and two empty baskets or boxes for each team. (If you don’t have a lot of objects of the same color, you could substitute two colors of construction paper cut into different sizes and shapes.)

Copy Reproducible 12c (“Judgment of the Nations”), one per tween.


Copy Challenge #30 (“Least of These From A to Z Challenge”), one per tween.

Cut paper into strips about two inches wide (wide enough for tweens to write on), two strips per tween.





This week suggest that they go to the website and try to better their score on the Fighting Temptations game or play one of the other games.




Taking Care of Those in NeedBible Verse

I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me. (Matthew 25:40)


FaithDirectionSometimes we need to look at Jesus in a new way.

Before You Begin

The judgment of the nations is often referred to as the parable of the last judgment. This parable gives us the core of what it means to be a true

disciple of Jesus. In this final judgment, all are judged. They are divided into sheep and goats. The sheep are those who are worthy of entering the kingdom; the goats are those who are not worthy of the kingdom. How is this determined? The decision is based on acts of mercy and concern for the least in society, those who are often outside of the general culture.

When we respond to human need, we are responding to Christ. It is clear that often those who have responded are not even aware that they have acted in response to Jesus. “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink?” (Matthew 25:37). According to Jesus, when we love God and Jesus, ministering to others is a response to that love. We do it naturally.

Why sheep and goats? Jesus knew his audience. Sheep and goats were part of everyday life. Sheep are more easily led and, therefore, more apt to follow the shepherd. Goats, on the other hand, are more independently minded and often the shepherd has his hands full. Therefore, a shepherd would often separate the sheep and goats.

A word of caution, tweens are naturally judgmental. This story does not give us permission to judge others. Judgment is up to God. Rather, this parable tells us that our love of Jesus should be so deep in our hearts that we naturally do God’s will. God will know what’s in our hearts.

Use your ongoing service project as an opportunity to illustrate helping one form of “the least of these.” “ ‘The Least of These’ Inventory Challenge” (in the On the Go Magazine) is meant to help tweens focus on the many ways we can help “the least” in our society.








Grow TogetherLone Goat Game

Introduce today’s Bible story.

Copy and cut apart two or more sets of Reproducibles 12a and 12b (“Lone Goat Game Cards”). Remove all but one goat card. Mix up the cards.

• Play a game based on Old Maid.

Rules: Deal out all the cards to the players. (Generally, some will have one more card than others. This does not matter.)

* The players all look at their cards and lay down in front of them any pairs they have. (A pair is two cards where the sheep are exactly alike.)

* The dealer begins. She must offer her cards, spread face-down, to the player to her left. That player selects a card from her hand without seeing it and adds it to his hand. If it makes a pair in his hand, he lays down the pair. He then offers his hand to the next player to his left, and so forth.

* The player left holding the goat loses.

• Play as time allows.

SAY: Today, we’re going to look at a Bible story where the sheep represent those who have taken care of people in need and the goats represent those who have not done so. Things don’t turn out so well for the goats.

Odds and EvensPrepare tweens for today’s session.

Put objects of two different colors and different sizes and shapes in baskets or boxes. (For example, one basket could have several blue objects and several white objects, all mixed together.) You will need one filled basket or box and two empty baskets or boxes for each team.

TIP: If you don’t have a lot of objects of the same color, you could substitute two colors of construction paper cut into different sizes and shapes.

• For each team, place one filled container and two empty containers together.

• As tweens enter the room, send them to a set of containers. (Make sure you divide the tweens into teams.)

• Ask them to separate the objects into the two empty containers. (Don’t explain how you want them separated, even if asked.)

• Watch for a while. Whatever method each team is using, tell them they are sorting incorrectly. (If a group is sorting by color, tell them they were to sort by size or shape; and if they are sorting by size or shape, tell them to sort by color.)

SAY: It’s much easier to separate things when you know the rules up front. Today’s story is about people being separated. They are surprised as to why. But we shouldn’t be. God gives us clear guidance on the rules.

Stuff—Lone Goat Gameo Reproducibles 12a

and 12b (pp. 109, 110)

o scissors


Stuff—Odds and Evenso 3 boxes or baskets

per team

o objects (or pieces of construction paper) of two different colors and of different sizes and shapes for each group of tweens





ASK: Have you ever felt left out of anything or like you didn’t belong?

TIP: Be prepared with an example from your own experience.

Proclaim the WordBible Drama

Combine drama with Bible reading.

Copy Reproducible 12c (“Judgment of the Nations”), one per tween.

• Divide up the parts among volunteers, and ask them to mark their parts. Be sure that the Bible Reader has a Bible.

• Put a chair along one wall toward the middle, and be sure that the “sheep” and the “goats” understand which is the king’s right and left sides.

• Have them act out the drama.

Bible Quiz GamePlay a Bible review game.


• Use the “Jesus Is Born” and “Jesus” categories to play the game. (You may use other categories as your time allows.)

• Play the game.


• Ask a volunteer to cut around the words TAKING CARE OF THOSE IN NEED and add it somewhere around the poster, making it an extension of the poster.

COOL OPTION: Ask a volunteer to write the words TAKING CARE OF THOSE IN NEED on paper and decorate it with any craft supplies on hand before adding it to the wall.

Stuff—Talk About It o none

Stuff—Bible Drama o Bible (CEB)


o highlighters



o computer

OR





o scissors

o adhesive





Serve With LoveLeast of These From A to Z Challenge

Challenge tweens to expand the ways they think about helping others.

Copy Challenge #30 (“Least of These From A to Z Challenge”), one per tween.


• Read aloud the Bible verse and the directions at the top of the challenge.

• Choose one of these methods, depending on the number of tweens, abilities, and time:* Method 1: Work as individuals to see who can come up with the most ways

in five minutes. Ask for a volunteer to read his answers. Check with others for different answers.

* Method 2: Work as small groups with a five-minute time limit. Have one group read their list aloud. (It will be incomplete. That’s okay.) Then have other groups read the ones they have that are different.

* Method 3: Work as a group, using the challenge as a discussion tool.

• Below are our possible answers. There are many other answers that could be given. This is merely a guide.

POSSIBLE ANSWERS: (Accept all reasonable answers. Grammar doesn’t matter.)* Accept people who are different.* Be willing to give of my time to help.* Card writing to prisoners.* Donating gently used clothing to a charity.* Eating with the people I serve at a soup kitchen.* Friendly words and gestures.* Get information on problems.* Handmake get-well cards.* Imitate the good things other people do.* Jump rope for charity.* Kind treatment for others.* Leave out negative talking.* Make lunch to be distributed at a homeless shelter.* Never turn down an opportunity to do good. * Open a door for someone whose hands are full.* Put others first.* Quit making fun of others.* Remember, those who are in need are also God’s children.* Study so I can learn how to be more helpful.* Take items I don’t need to places like Goodwill.* Understand the needs of others.* Vigorously work against injustice.* Work for the good of everyone.* Xtra items should be donated. (We know it doesn’t begin with X, but few

things do.)* Young children need help too. I can help them.* Zealously pray for those in need.

Stuff—Least of These From A to Z Challenge


o pencils

COOL OPTION: If you have not yet used “What’s the Number?” (On the Go Magazine––p. 19) and want them to have more Bible work, you may have them work the puzzle now.

Otherwise, when you send the magazine home next week, you may challenge tweens to do the puzzle and bring the answer the following week. (The answer is on page 23 in the magazine.)




Paper Chains of Needs RelayChallenge tweens to think about the many different kinds of help people often need.

Cut paper into strips about two inches wide (wide enough for tweens to write on), two strips per tween.

• Make two equal piles of paper strips along one wall. Also place scissors and tape or a stapler beside each pile of paper strips.

• Divide tweens into two teams.

• Have tweens line up single-file opposite their strips.

• Read Matthew 25:37-40.

SAY: We’re going to come up with a “prayer chain” for the needs of people in our families, our community, or the world.

• Hand a pen or fine-tip marker to the first tween in each line.

• Explain that, at a signal from you, the first person in line on each team is to run forward and write “a need” on a paper strip. Then she is to bend the paper and tape (or staple) it into a loop.

• The first player then runs back to the team, tells the team what she wrote, and gives the marker to the second player.

• The second player runs forward, writes a different need on a second strip, loops the strip through the first one, secures it in place, runs back, and hands the pen to the next player on his team.

• Continue in this way making paper chains of needs.

• Play one round. If you have fewer than four tweens, have them race the clock to see how many they can do in five minutes.

• Put the two chains aside for worship.

“Least of These” Inventory ChallengeChallenge your tweens to participate in giving for missions. This may stand alone if you are not doing the mission project, or it could be done as a class or personal mission project if you are doing the suggested mission project.

• Together read “ ‘Least of These’ Inventory Challenge.”

• Have the tweens tear out the page to take home.

Mission Project Checkup• Remind tweens that next week all materials or money will have to be in for

the project.

• If they have chosen to assemble their own kit and need a reminder of exactly how, have them tear that page out of their On the Go Magazine (if they haven’t already done so) so that they will have a copy of what needs to be done.

Stuff—Paper Chains of Needs Relay

o Bible (CEB)

o construction paper

o scissors

o tape or staplers

o pens or fine-tip markers

Stuff—“Least of These” Inventory Challenge

o On the Go Magazine—p. 21

Stuff—Mission Project Checkup








• If you did the activity “Paper Chains of Needs Relay,” bring both chains together now and tape or staple them into one chain.

• Choose one person from each team to help lay the chain of needs on the worship table.

TIP: If you have a prayer chain, have tweens bow their heads in silent prayer while you read off the needs one at a time.

PRAY: Our Lord, we come to you knowing that with enough practice, living as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ can become a habit. Be with us as we practice discipleship this week. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


Plan for Next Week Gather balloons (two per tween) and permanent markers.

Copy Reproducible 13a (“The Apostles’ Creed”), one per tween.

Copy Challenge #31 (“I Believe Acrostic”), one per tween.

Purchase granite clay or paper clay, acrylic poster paint, paintbrushes, toothpicks, pin backs, and cording. Cut some plastic straws in half.



o Paper Chains (made earlier)

o tape or staplers



This week suggest that they go to the website and take the “World’s Greatest Need” poll.





Professing BeliefBible Verse

Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, God’s Son, the one who is coming into the world. (John 11:27)


FaithDirectionWhen we accept Christ as Lord, we openly declare our belief.

Before You Begin

The story of the raising of Lazarus is different than other miracle stories. John spends a lot of time on what happens preceding and following the miracle.

Why did Jesus wait until his friend actually died before arriving on the scene? The miracle itself is only a small part of the story.

This miracle set the stage for Jesus’ death and resurrection. The people in this story were extremely important. We met Mary and Martha before, when Jesus stopped by their house. Lazarus was their brother. These three had a significant role to play in the last part of Jesus’ life.

Lazarus fell ill. Jesus was sent for, but Jesus waited and Lazarus died. When Jesus arrived Martha stated that if Jesus had been there, Lazarus would not have died. Jesus stated that he is the resurrection and the life and asked Martha if she believed this. Martha declared, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, God’s Son, the one who is coming into the world.” This statement of belief was the first such declaration outside of the inner circle of disciples.

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and once again angered the Pharisees. This set the stage for Jesus’ death. We will not study the story of Mary today, but Mary, Lazarus’ sister, is the one who anointed Jesus’ feet with oil. (This was a ceremony closely linked with the oil used to anoint the dead.) It was another great profession of belief. (Matthew and Mark have the anointing taking place after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem; John places it right before the entry.)

Tweens are at the age when they need to go through the process of discarding the hand-me-down faith of their parents and teachers and begin to claim their faith as their own. That’s the focus for today’s session. Tweens will take a look at what they themselves believe about Jesus. For most of the activities, there are not “right” or “wrong” answers. Encourage tweens to think about what they believe themselves. Provide a safe, non-judgmental place where your tweens can truly explore faith.








Grow Together“Names for Jesus” Balloon Crossover

Prepare tweens for today’s session.

Gather balloons (two per tween) and permanent markers.

• As tweens arrive, give each two balloons and a permanent marker.

• Ask the tweens to blow up the balloons and write on each balloon a name for Jesus, either a name they have been taught or something that describes their belief about Jesus. (Names for Jesus: Son of God, Son of Man [the Human One–CEB], Messiah, Savior, Rabbi [teacher], Lord, King of kings, Lamb of God, Son of David, friend, light of the world, bread of life, the Good Shepherd)

• While tweens are doing this, place a line of masking tape on the floor.

• Have tweens work in pairs (or, if necessary, one group of three). Each pair is to stand as far from the masking tape as the room allows.

• At a signal from you, they are to toss all four of their balloons up and keep them in the air (without any touching the ground) while walking toward the tape. The object is to cross over the tape with all four balloons in the air.

• If a balloon is dropped, they will have to begin again.

• After a short time, call them back together whether they have accomplished their task or not.

• Have everyone bring their balloons and, one at a time, read the names for Jesus they wrote on the balloons. How many different names do you have? Read from the list above any that they don’t have.

SAY: Jesus is many things to us. It is time for each of us to look into our hearts. What do you believe about Jesus? Not your parents, not your sister, not me, not the pastor, but you. What do you believe?

Vowels or Consonants Name GameFurther prepare tweens for today’s session.

• Have tweens place their chairs as far from one another as possible, all facing the front of the room. (If the chairs are close to a table, have them push their chairs back.)

• On a board write “Vowel = Stand” and “Consonant = Sit.”

• Explain that you will begin spelling your first name. As you spell, they are to stand if the letter is a vowel and sit if it is a consonant.

• Stand in front of the group and spell your name, one letter at a time, while they practice standing and sitting.

• Then ask a tween to stand in front of the group and spell her name.

Stuff— “Names for Jesus” Balloon Crossover

o balloons

o permanent markers

o masking tape

Stuff—Vowels or Consonants Name Game

o chairs

o dry-erase board or large sheet of paper

o marker




• Repeat as time allows, encouraging tweens to spell their names rather quickly. (This makes it more fun.)

SAY: We talked about names for Jesus. Now we’re going to talk briefly about names for God.

• Together brainstorm names for God. (Examples: Creator, Lord, the Almighty, Father/Parent, Supreme Being, Yahweh, and so forth)


ASK: Who taught you the things you know about God and Jesus?

Proclaim the WordDivided Bible Reading

Do a participatory Bible reading.

• Prepare tweens for the Bible story reading by explaining that the story is long, so you will tell them parts of the story and they will read other parts.

• Divide tweens into two groups. (Boy and girl groups may work for this. Be sure that there are good readers in both groups.)

• Ask everyone to stand with their group.

• Group 1 will read the words Martha speaks, and Group 2 will read the words of Jesus. You will direct them as to the correct Bible verses at the correct time.

• Ask everyone to open their Bibles to John 11:21.

SAY: Lazarus was the brother of Martha and Mary, all of whom were close friends of Jesus. Lazarus got sick and died. When Jesus was told of the illness, Jesus said it was for the glory of God. So Jesus waited and didn’t arrive until four days after Lazarus had died. Many Jews came to comfort Martha and Mary. Martha went out to meet Jesus. Read John, as assigned, starting with verse 21 and going through verse 27.

• Have the Martha and Jesus groups read.

SAY: Martha then got Mary, and Mary also said to Jesus that Lazarus wouldn’t have died if Jesus had been there. Jesus asked to see Lazarus. Jesus cried because of his love for Lazarus. Jesus was disturbed. Read Martha and Jesus’ words from verses 39 through 43.

• Have the Martha and Jesus groups read.

• Read verses 44 through 46 aloud yourself.


Stuff—Divided Bible Reading

o Bibles (CEB)






• Ask a volunteer to cut around the words PROFESSING BELIEF and add it somewhere around the poster, making it an extension of the poster.

COOL OPTION: Ask a volunteer to write the words PROFESSING BELIEF on paper and decorate it with any craft supplies on hand before adding it to the wall.

SAY: When Christians are baptized or join the church, they are asked to publicly profess their beliefs. In many churches there will be times for the entire congregation to profess belief, so we are going to look at some basic Christian beliefs.

The Apostles’ CreedLook at basic Christian beliefs.

Copy Reproducible 13a (“The Apostles’ Creed”), one per tween.

• Together read the creed aloud.

TIP: If your church uses a different version of the creed, read it from your hymnal.

SAY: This creed states basic Christian beliefs about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. We’ve learned about God, and we’ve been learning about Jesus. We will learn more about the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Together these three are called the Trinity.

• Proceed immediately to “Post the Trinity Poster” activity below. Do not omit it.

Post the Trinity Poster• Ask a couple volunteers to post the “Trinity” poster (from the Annual

Teaching Kit) in a prominent place.

TIP: Keep this poster up as a visual reminder. As you get to Pentecost, you will use the poster again.

• Ask the tweens to look at the poster, and ask what they think the poster is telling them.

SAY: There are many things this poster tells us. One of the main things this poster does is symbolize the meaning of the Holy Trinity. The Trinity is the three persons (natures) of God: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.

ASK: What do the three circles mean? Why are they entwined? What do the symbols mean? (The circles represent the eternal, unending nature of God. The three circles are of equal size, meaning that the three persons of God are equal. They are entwined to show us that they are inseparable. The hand of God reaching down symbolizes God the Creator and the One who cares for us. The descending dove is the symbol of the Holy Spirit coming to us. The dual symbol in the God the Son circle stands for Jesus. The ChiRho [center symbol] is a monogram for Jesus Christ. It is made up of the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ. The symbols on the side are the Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. It stands for the great power of God, the beginning and end. When shown with the ChiRho, it stands for Jesus. See Revelation 22:13.)




o scissors

o adhesive


Stuff—The Apostles’ Creed


Stuff—Post the Trinity Poster

o “Trinity” poster (from the Annual Teaching Kit)

o adhesive

TIP: Tweens will learn about the third person of the Trinity (the Holy Spirit) at Pentecost. You may wish to give them each a copy of the book What Is the Trinity? (Abingdon Press, ISBN #978-1-426-74211-8) and do one or two of the activities each session during the spring quarter.




Serve With LoveI Believe Acrostic

Challenge tweens to think about what they individually believe.

Copy Challenge #31 (“I Believe Acrostic”), one per tween.

• Make sure each tween still has a copy of the “Apostles’ Creed,” and give each a copy of Challenge #31 and a pencil.

• Go over the instructions for the acrostic.

• Ask tweens to sit as far apart as possible.

• Encourage tweens to complete their acrostic.

• If time allows and any are willing to share some of their beliefs, encourage them to do so now.

Hallelujah Moment From NepalLook at how some people live out their faith.

• Together read “Hallelujah Moment From Nepal: The Church on the Rock.”

Make Trinity Symbol Pins or NecklacesMake lasting symbols of belief.

Purchase granite clay or paper clay, acrylic poster paint, paintbrushes, toothpicks, pin backs, and cording. Cut some plastic straws in half.

• Give each tween the option of making a pin or a necklace.

• Give each tween a piece of clay, and tell the tweens to decide if they will be making a necklace or a pin.

Necklace directions:

1. Roll the clay out into an oblong about five and half inches long.

2. Lay a plastic straw at one end of the clay, roll the clay over the straw, and gently press the clay together to keep the clay rolled into a bead shape.

3. Use a toothpick to draw a Trinity symbol into the clay.

4. When dry, remove the straw, thread cording through the opening, and tie the ends together for a necklace.

Pin directions:

1. Roll the clay out into an oblong about five and half inches long or cut it into a circle.

2. Use a toothpick to draw a Trinity symbol into the clay.

3. When dry, glue a pin back onto the back of the pin.

• When the clay is dry, they may paint the necklace or pin with acrylic poster paints. (Or they may choose to leave it unpainted.) They may wish to add the pin back or remove the straw from the necklace before painting.

Stuff—I Believe Acrostico Challenge #31



o pencils

Stuff—Hallelujah Moment From Nepal

o On the Go Magazine—p. 20

Stuff—Make Trinity Symbol Pins or Necklaces

o granite clay or paper clay

o acrylic poster paint

o paintbrushes

o toothpicks

o pin backs

o cording (leather cords work well for boys)

o plastic straws

o plastic knives

o scissors

TIP: It would be a good idea to have them roll the clay at the beginning of the session and paint later in the session. If not dry, they may pick up their jewelry next week.




Mission Project Conclusion• Finish collecting money or putting the health kits together today, and deliver

them to the proper place if the church is going to mail them (or prepare for mailing the items yourself).

TIP: If you have decided to assemble health kits during the session, begin doing so as tweens arrive.


• Ask another volunteer to read John 11:27.

• Together read the Apostles’ Creed.

PRAY: God, our creator, we come to you today professing our belief in Jesus Christ, your Son, our Savior. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


Plan for Next WeekNext week you will be beginning a new quarter. Please keep the annual Tween Challenges CD-ROM and the three annual posters. You should have your Spring quarter materials by now. Print out any needed materials for the Spring quarter from the CD-ROM, if you have not already done so.

Quickly look through the entire Spring quarter Leader’s Guide and other materials to see if there are things you will want to do that will require special supplies or a little extra preparation.

Your comments will help us make a better resource for you and your tweens. Please go to GrowProclaimServe.com/survey and fill out the survey.

Stuff—Mission Project Conclusion

o money or health kits



o Apostles’ Creed (Reproducible 13a, p. 112)



This week suggest that they go to the website and play the games and listen to the music.




Reproducible 10a (Bingo Card)


B I N G OSINGS GOOD AT

MATHLOVES DOGS

PLAYS SOCCER

GOOD AT DRAWING

READS COMPUTER GEEK

HAS LOTS OF VIDEO

GAMES

COOKS IS A BOY SCOUT

IS A GIRL SCOUT

LOVESCATS

JESUSGOOD AT SCIENCE

KNOWS LOTS OF ADULTS

REALLY GOOD AT

THROWING A BALL

LIKES PEOPLE

HAS A CELL

PHONE

HAS INTERNET

ACCESS

GOOD AT CRAFTS

CAN TELL A GOOD

STORY

HAS ABIBLE

COMES TO SUNDAY SCHOOL

REGULARLY

PRAYS EVERY DAY

HAS LONG HAIR



Reproducible 10b (Gospels Comparison Chart)


Mat

thew

14:13

–21

Mar

k6:

30–4

4

Luke

9:10

–17

John

6:1-1

3

Wha

t Je

sus

did

Jesu

s sa

idDi

scip

les

said

Who

gav

e fo

odJe

sus

took

the

fo

od a

nd…

Ho

w mu

ch

food

was

left !



Reproducible 10c (Gospels Comparison Chart Answer Cards)

heale

d th

e sick

12 ba

sket

s

Send

them

away

so

they

can g

o to

the s

urro

undin

g co

untr

yside

and

villag

es an

d bu

y so

met

hing t

o eat

.

12 ba

sket

s

You g

ive th

em

som

ethin

g to e

at.

12 ba

sket

s

a you

th12

bask

ets

went

up on

a m

ount

ain an

d sat

You g

ive th

em

som

ethin

g to e

at.

does

n’t sa

y

blesse

d it

Send

the c

rowd

s aw

ay so

they

can

go in

to th

e villa

ges

and

buy f

ood

for

them

selve

s.

You g

ive th

em

som

ethin

g to e

at.

does

n’t sa

y

gave

than

ks

bega

n to t

each

Send

the c

rowd

aw

ay so

that

they

ca

n go t

o the

ne

arby

villa

ges a

nd

coun

trys

ide an

d fin

d lod

ging a

nd

food

.

Whe

re w

ill we b

uy

food

to fe

ed th

ese

peop

le? H

ave t

he

peop

le sit

down

.

blesse

d it

spok

e abo

ut G

od’s

kingd

om an

d he

aled

the s

ick

More

than

half

a ye

ar’s s

alary

wor

th

of fo

od w

ouldn

’t be

enou

gh fo

r eac

h pe

rson

to ha

ve

even

a lit

tle bi

t.

does

n’t sa

y

blesse

d it


!



Reproducible 11a (“Jesus Draw” Cards)


! !

He pushed over tables.

He was lavished with expensive baby gifts.

He was cheered by crowds.

He was executed by legal authorities.

His parents spent three days looking

for him when he was twelve.

He was baptized.

He was a famous teacher.

He was convicted and condemned to be

executed.



Reproducible 12a (Lone Goat Game Cards, page 1)


!



Reproducible 12b (Lone Goat Game Cards, page 2)


!



Reproducible 12c (Judgment of the Nations)

Narrator 1: When the Human One comes in his majesty and all his angels are with him, he will sit on his majestic throne.

(The King enters and sits.)

Narrator 2: All the nations will be gathered in front of him. He will separate them from each other, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

(All come and stand in front of the King.)

Narrator 1: He will put the sheep on his right side. But the goats he will put on his left.

(Those designated as sheep move to Jesus’ right side and those as goats to his left.)

Sheep 1: I don’t get it. What does this mean?

Sheep 2: I don’t know, but the right hand side is usually considered a place of honor.

Sheep 3: It doesn’t really matter. We’re supposed to do what the shepherd tells us.

Goat 1: I don’t get it. I want to be on the right.

Goat 2: Don’t worry. I bet something great is about to happen to us. You know how good we are.

Narrator 2: Then the king said to those on his right…

The King: Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom.

Bible Reader: (Read Matthew 25:35-36.)

Sheep 1: That sounds good.

Sheep 2: I don’t get it.

Bible Reader: (Read Matthew 25:37-39.)

The King: I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.

Narrator 1: Then Jesus turned to the goats on his left.

The King: Get away from me. You haven’t done any of these things for me.

Goat 1: I’m pretty sure I have.

Goat 2: I think I remember doing something kind of good last year.

Goat 1: Are you sure we didn’t?

Goat 2: Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?

The King: I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me.

(Based on Matthew 25:31-46)




Reproducible 13a (The Apostles’ Creed, Ecumenical Version)

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.

*universal

From The United Methodist Hymnal, #882. © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House.



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