DLTK's Sunday School Lessons
The Twelve Disciples
by
Sunday School Teacher's Guide - this is just one possible lesson plan. Visit the Twelve Disciples Bible Lesson Plan Section for further ideas to supplement this.
Introduction:
This lesson will introduce the twelve disciples and explain what it means to follow Him. It explains to some extent a little about what a disciple is and does. Hopefully the message will help the children realize that we all can be disciples for Jesus in some way. Just like them we are called to be fishers of men and spread the good news.
The message:
Preschool thru Grade 1: The disciples followed Jesus and
told others about Him.
Grades 2 and 3: Jesus wants us to be fishers of men too.
I've split this message into two separate ones depending on the age level. For the younger children, the message is simple. The disciples followed Jesus and told others about Him. You could expand this to include them and how they can be disciples too. For the older children, we expand on this message and say that Jesus wants us to be fishers of men just like the disciples.
Make sure you repeat the message many times during the lesson. Send the The Twelve Disciples Take Home Sheet home with the children to encourage parents to reiterate the message during the week. It includes a poster at the bottom that the children can color and hang on their wall or refrigerator.
Preview of the lesson:
Some people like to do craft time first and story time second and some like to switch it around. I like the first option, myself.
Always consider offering Coloring Pagesor the Fish Coloring Pages for children who aren't interested in participating in the group activity (or if you get done the group activities very quickly and need something to fill in the spare time). Everyone has a need for "alone time" once in awhile. Also, sending home the coloring pages with the Take Home sheet provides parents with much needed help in reinforcing the lessons. You can make a nice little booklet each week with the Take Home Sheet on top -- I promise that most parents will appreciate the effort!
Description |
Time Allotted |
Supplies |
| Welcome! Receive name tags. Have the children use crayons, markers, yarn, feathers and whatever other materials (such as sparkle glue) that you have available to personalize their name tag. Sing the Learning our Names song |
10 to 15 minutes | Fish name tags, scissors (or adults can precut), crayons, markers, yarn, safety pins or tape. |
Craft time! Preschool thru Grade 1: Make the
Fun Shapes Boat. You can precut the shapes prior to the crafting to speed the process up a bit. If you choose to do this and still want the kids to
color the pieces afterwards, just tape the pieces to another piece of paper with a bit of masking tape (leave a couple of the corners uncut). Then when they're done
coloring, remove the tape and quickly snip off the uncut corners! Grade 2 and 3: Make the Fun Shapes Boat and also use the Triangle Fish. Make both of these as a collage on blue paper. Encourage the children to add to the picture (Jesus, disciples, extra fish, nets, etc.) It's also a good lesson in shapes. | 15 to 30 minutes depending on your adult/child ratio |
Preschool thru Grade 1: Fun
Shapes Boat. printer, two pieces of paper, scissors, glue and something to
color with. OPTIONAL:
have some 1" squares of blue construction paper or tissue paper (water), 2 cotton balls (clouds). Grade 2 and 3: Fun Shapes Boat. (same materials as above). Triangle Fish. printer, scissors, glue, something to color with, paper (blue construction paper). |
Bible Story/Song Time: All Grades: Sing the Twelve Disciples Song or the other Twelve Disciples Song to learn the names of the disciples. Preschool thru Grade 1: Read The Story of The Twelve Disciples (or read from your own store bought children's bible). Grades 2 and 3: It's tough to know when it's the right time to start readings from the Bible, but if the children have been read a children's version of the story in the past, I believe this is a good age to introduce the King James (or your preferred) bible reading. |
10 minutes | The Coloring Pages can be distributed to the children so they are able to color at home, or during the story. |
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Closing: Preschool thru Grade 1: depending on the time remaining ask the children what they think a disciple is. Can they be a disciple? The disciples were with Jesus all the time learning from Him. How can they learn from Jesus while He is in Heaven? (read the Bible, the disciples wrote some of the books, memorize the Bible so its always with them, listen in church and Sunday School, prayer, etc.) Grade 2 and 3: depending on the time remaining allow the children to discuss what it means to be fishers of men. What are ways they can be fishers of men by learning about God and telling others about Him. (reading the Bible, memorize the Bible, be a good example, don't be afraid to tell others - the disciples were willing to die, these days most of us can tell others without fearing our lives.)
All Grades: Have the Goldfish snack to help reinforce the lesson. This snack could easily be used for this lesson as well. Standard ending song: "We Love to Learn Together" |
5 to 15 minutes |
To end the lesson you could make a Fishers of Men Bulletin Board. Have the pieces made ahead of time and each child could glue or tape a piece on. (chalkboard, whiteboard, poster board,...)
Words to: Standard ending song: "We Love to Learn Together"
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