DLTK's Sunday School Lessons
God Made Me
by
Sunday School Teacher's Guide - this is just one possible lesson plan. Visit the Garden of Eden Section for further ideas (including a snack recipe) to supplement this or purchased plans.
Introduction:
No matter what their faith, parents and caregivers struggle every day to instill a sense of self confidence in their children. As Christians, we are blessed with the knowledge that God made each and every one of us. We are special because we are children of God. This knowledge will help our children throughout their entire lives -- it is a message that should be reinforced constantly.
As well, preschoolers and early primaries begin to notice that they can do some things better than their peers and vice versa. It will be good for your children to realize that God has made each of them different and unique. Each is special in God's eyes and yours.
The message: God made me. God loves me.
Make sure you repeat the message many times during the lesson. Send the God Made Me 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 a Mini Book (preschool-Kindergarten version), Mini Book (Kindergarten-Grade School version), Story Sequencing Cards, Coloring Pages or Printable Activity Sheets 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 mini books, story sequencing cards, coloring pages or activity sheets 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 and whatever other materials (such as wiggly eyes or buttons) you have available to personalize their name tag. Sing the Learning our Names song |
10 to 15 minutes | Self Portrait tags, yarn, crayons, markers, safety pins or tape. |
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Craft time! Preschool thru Grade 1: Giant People. Take a large piece of paper (you can buy it in rolls, relatively inexpensively). Have the children trace each other on the paper. Have the children use crayons, markers, yarn and buttons to personalize their images. Have the teacher write "God made _____" in large letters across the top of the images. Hang them up in the church or the classroom. An alternative craft idea is to provide similar collage materials but to let them draw themselves on a piece of construction paper. This is a less expensive option. Grade 2 and 3: Make picture frames. There are many ways to make your own frames. You can use recycled cardboard (old cereal boxes), popsicle sticks, craft foam or paper templates. |
15 to 30 minutes depending on your adult/child ratio |
Preschool thru Grade 1: large roll of paper, glue,
crayons, markers, yarn, buttons, etc
Grade 2 and 3: popsicle sticks, glue, markers, paint, stickers, stamps, etc |
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Bible Story Time: Preschool: You can read an abbreviated version of the Garden of Eden story, but I like reading the God Made My face rhyme a number of times for this age group. (read it once, then read it a second time showing the actions, then read it a third time doing the actions with them) Kindergarten and Grade 1: Read the Children's Version of the Adam and Eve story. (or read from your own store bought children's bible) Grade 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 | Our mini books [1] [2], Story Sequencing Cards, or Coloring Pages can be distributed to the children so they are able to read along. Print the pages, staple them together in order and let the kids know when to turn the page. The handouts can be taken home to color in. |
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Closing: OPTIONAL: depending on the time remaining, allow the children to brainstorm about some of the things God did to make each of us special. Reiterate the "God Made Me" message. (different color eyes, hair, skin, skills, etc) Preschool and Kindergarten: I am Special song (with actions) Grade 1 thru Grade 3: The Adam and Eve Song (you can hand out the words or hang them up somewhere. The verses are very repetitive, so the kids will catch on to them easily) Standard ending song: "We Love to Learn Together" |
5 to 15 minutes | Words to:
Standard ending song: "We Love to Learn Together" |