Prep Time Bible Verse - severnaparkumc.org · God’s kingdom. This one is about shepherds and sheep. Good shepherds care for their sheep. They make sure their sheep have food and

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STORY: Jesus, the Good ShepherdABOUT THIS CLASS: The Bible story for this Frolic Family Faith Class is from the Gospel of John. You will the read the story “Jesus, the Good Shepherd” on pages 36-37 in the Frolic First Bible.

Prep TimePutting the Story in PerspectiveJesus often told his listeners a story about familiar people, places, things, and events to help them understand God, God’s love, and God’s kingdom. This one is about shepherds and sheep. Good shepherds care for their sheep. They make sure their sheep have food and water. They stay close to their sheep and protect them from harm. They know and recognize each of their sheep, and their sheep know them. Jesus makes a connection for his listeners, one that cannot be missed: “I am the Good Shepherd. You are my sheep.”

A Parent’s View of the StoryParents will see themselves in this story as shepherds caring for their sheep. Parents care for their children, provide for them, protect them from harm, and know them better than anyone else. They might forget, however, that someone cares for them like a shepherd, or a parent. As they go through the stresses of raising a child, this story helps them remember that they aren’t alone. Jesus is walking alongside them, caring for them, protecting them, and loving them. And they can always talk to Jesus.

A Child’s View of the StoryWhile the imagery in this story of sheep and shepherds will be recognizable and exciting for kids, the idea of Jesus as the good shepherd will be too abstract for concrete thinkers. Young children will enjoy pretending to be sheep following a shepherd, and shepherds caring for sheep. They’ll love petting sheep fleece and making sheep faces. While they may not understand exactly what it means that Jesus is their good shepherd, hearing this message over and over is an important first step in the journey of lifelong faith. Understanding will come later.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."—John 10:11

Bible Verse

Make sheep ears or get down on all fours for today’s ritual.

Baa, baa, baa,I am a sheep.Jesus is my shepherd.Baa, baa, baa.

Today’s Ritual

FAMILYLITTLE STEPS.

BIG FAITH.TM

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STORY: Jesus, the Good Shepherd

OR

If families arrive early:Encourage parents and children to meet each other.

You can also have music playing in the background and a center available for families to explore together

before the class begins. Select the center that best fits your space and available materials.

If you open the door at the start time: Invite families to sign in, choose an item from the basket, and sit in a circle.

• Print the Welcome sign and post it at the entrance.

• Place the sign-in sheet and nametags near the door.

• Place the basket of pieces of raw wool or fake fleece on the floor.

Gather Time

WelcomeGather together in a circle. Welcome, families! We are together today to explore the story of Jesus, the Good Shepherd in our lives as caregivers of young children. Lead families in singing a welcoming song, tracks 1-3 on the Frolic Faith Music CD, while kids wave their wool or fleece. Then teach the ritual from page 121.

ShareLead families to share about a recent unexpected moment when they experienced Jesus’ presence and care. To start the circle, take the lead in celebrating an unexpected moment, or ask a caregiver who would be comfortable being the first to share. Jot down notes in the space to the right so you remember what to include in later prayers.

PrayerDear God,We give you thanks for the unexpected moments in our parenting journeys and our children’s journeys. We ask for your presence and guidance in our community gathered here today. Incorporate the unexpected events the caregivers named.Amen.

Get Ready

Prayer Notes

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Hold up the story basket that contains a Frolic First Bible for every family. Place it in the middle of the circle. Lead the story basket rhyme below.

Group StorytellingLet’s hear a story from the Bible! This story is about Jesus, the Good Shepherd. It is on pages 36-37. Hold up the Bible Story Poster of “Jesus, the Good Shepherd” so everyone can see the picture. Read the story from the back of the poster in a lively, animated way.

Ask these questions and encourage toddlers to respond.• What animal do shepherds take care of?

• Let’s make the sound of sheep. Baa, baa, baa.

• Use your finger to find all the sheep in our story today.

• What is the name of our Good Shepherd?

Ask families to point to the sentence on the bottom of page 37. Jesus is everyone’s Good Shepherd. Good shepherds take care of every single one of their sheep. Go around the room and name each sheep, saying, Jesus is your Good Shepherd, [person’s name].”

Story Time

Sing Together

Sing this song, track 24 on the Frolic Faith Music CD, to invite families to take a Frolic First Bible from the basket.

Time for a story.Come get a book.Open the pages.Let’s take a look.

If you want to sing a song together, sing, “Jesus Did,” track 8 on the Frolic Faith Music CD.

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As parents and caregivers, we spend countless hours caring for others. How do you feel about accepting care from others? Is it easy for you or do you have some challenges being on the receiving end of care? What does it feel like to think that someone else, Jesus, is caring for us?

One-on-One StorytellingNow it’s time for you to read the story together. Give time for caregivers to read the book to their children. Once they’ve read the story “Jesus, the Good Shepherd” together on pages 36-37, offer these tips.

For InfantsGently rub your infant’s tummy while saying or singing, “Baa, baa, baa.” Continue by saying, “You are a little lamb. Jesus is your shepherd!”

For Toddlers on the MoveGet down on all fours with your child and discover your inner sheep. Graze on grass, baa at the birds, and drink water from the stream.

For Talkative ToddlersCount all the sheep in today’s story together. Find the lamb and pretend to feed it. Trace the shepherd’s crook with your finger.

Caregiver Conversation

Choose an instrument such as a tambourine or chime and play it to get the children’s attention. You can also say or sing the song at right.

Sing this song, track 25 on the Frolic Faith Music CD, to transition to Play Time.

Time to explore!Time to play!Find a centerAbout God today.

Transition to Play Time Sing Together

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1 Let’s Color TogetherThis center supports coloring skills. For toddlers.

Supplies: Jesus, the Good Shepherd Coloring Page on page 136, crayons, and blank paper

Make copies of the Coloring Page and place on a low table with crayons and blank paper.

2 Let’s Read TogetherThis center supports early literacy. For infants and toddlers.

Supplies: Frolic First Bible, other Frolic books, other books, letter blocks, and cushions or pillows

Create a cozy reading nook with pillows or cushions. Display the Frolic First Bible and other books. Place letter blocks nearby. Point out that S is for sheep and shepherd.

3 My Good ShepherdThis center supports emergent literacy and group activities. For infants and toddlers.

Supplies: Large craft paper cut in the shape of shepherd’s crook, paper sheep (at least 4 inches wide), tape, and toddler markers

Print and cut out blank sheep. Securely hang the crook on the wall so that it touches the floor. Place the sheep and toddler markers on the floor.

4 Grazing SheepThis center supports tactile and spatial awareness. For older infants and toddlers.

Supplies: Large green construction paper, markers, jumbo cotton balls, and glue sticks or glue

Set out supplies on a low table. Make a sample sheep scene.


Play TimeTime to play! Choose the centers that best fit your space and materials.

Make photocopies of the center descriptions on pages 128-135, fold them in half, and post them near the materials for parents to reference.

Caregivers and children can explore the centers at their own pace. Caregivers may also use this time to connect with each other while their

children play and discover.

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Play Time


continued

5 Big Shepherd, Little SheepThis center supports opposite concepts and physical development. For older infants and toddlers.

Supplies: No supplies needed.

Prepare to teach this fun up-and-down game. Stand up to be a big and tall shepherd. Get on all fours to be a little sheep.

6 Puppet PlayThis center supports imaginative play. For infants and toddlers.

Supplies: Jesus puppet, sheep puppets, and a basket

Fill the basket with puppets and place on the floor in the play area.

7 Sheep SnackThis center supports tactile awareness and community. For older infants and toddlers.

Supplies: Bowls of puffed corn or puffed rice cereal, animal crackers, cups, napkins, water, and a picnic blanket

Spread the picnic blanket on the floor. In the center of the blanket, place the bowls of today’s snack. Fill cups with snacks. Hand out cups of water as needed, or fill kids’ sippy cups that they have brought from home. Lead the group in grace before snacking.

8 Follow the ShepherdThis center supports physical development and following directions. For infants and toddlers.

Supplies: No supplies needed.

Lead your sheep to water, green grass, and a good napping area.

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Prior to the end of Play Time give the children a 2-minute notice that it is almost time to stop playing. At the end of 2 minutes play the same instrument that you played at the beginning of Play Time to get the

attention of families.

Summing It UpThank you for reading and playing with us today! It was so much fun to learn about Jesus and how he is our Good Shepherd. We can remember that good shepherds take care of their sheep. Who is your Good Shepherd? Jesus is your Good Shepherd! What will you remember about today? Invite any children and caregivers to respond.

Closing RitualInvite caregivers to engage in the ritual from page 121 with their child. Then lead the group in a closing song, such as “Jesus Loves Me,” track 16 on the Frolic Faith Music CD.

PrayerEcho this prayer together.

Dear Jesus, the Good Shepherd, (Lift up arms.) Thank you for taking care of us! (Place hands on chest.)Baa-men.


Send Time

Sing Together

Sing this song, track 26 on the Frolic Faith Music CD, to call everyone back to the circle.

Play time is overFor you and me.Come back to the

circle—One two three!

Prayer Notes

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Let’s Color TogetherCaregivers, while you do this . . .

Encourage your child to color the images of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Delight in their colorful creations!

Your child is learning this!

• When I color, I develop my fine motor skills.

• I also learn the names of colors.

• Coloring pictures of Jesus, the Good Shepherd helps me remember Jesus is my Good Shepherd.


Let’s Color TogetherThis center supports coloring skills. For toddlers.

Supplies

Jesus, the Good Shepherd Coloring Page on page 136, crayons, and blank paper

For Leaders

Make copies of the Coloring Page and place on a low table with crayons and blank paper.

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Let’s Read TogetherCaregivers, while you do this . . .

Enjoy reading together. Point out letters on the blocks. Spell your names and other words together.


• When I hear you read, I learn about letters, sounds, and words.

• When I handle books, I am learning about features of books and print.

• When I see letters that I can manipulate, I am learning about letter sounds and words.

• When I hear God’s word from the Bible, I am learning to listen to God.

This center supports early literacy. For infants and toddlers.

Supplies

Frolic First Bible, other Frolic books, other books, letter blocks, and cushions or pillows

For Leaders

Create a cozy reading nook with pillows or cushions. Display the Frolic First Bible and other books. Place letter blocks nearby. Point out that S is for sheep and shepherd.


Let’s Read Together

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My Good ShepherdCaregivers, while you do this . . .

Encourage your child to make their mark on a sheep. Write your name on a sheep as well. Tape your sheep on or near the shepherd’s crook. As you do so say, Jesus is our Good Shepherd. We are his sheep. Jesus has sheep named (your name and your child’s name).


• When I make my mark, I am beginning to learn about writing my name.

• When I put my mark on the crook, I am joining in the activity.

• When I put my mark on the shepherd’s crook, I am being Jesus’ sheep.


My Good ShepherdThis center supports emergent literacy and group activities. For infants and toddlers.

Supplies

Large craft paper cut in the shape of shepherd’s crook, paper sheep (at least 4 inches wide), tape, and toddler markers

For Leaders

Print and cut out blank sheep. Securely hang the crook on the wall so that it touches the floor. Place the sheep and toddler markers on the floor.

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Grazing SheepCaregivers, while you do this . . .

Glue some cotton ball sheep on your paper together. Touch the fuzzy softness of the cotton balls. Explore where to put your sheep. Write your names under your sheep. Add friends and family members, writing their names as well.


• When I feel the cotton balls, I learn about soft textures.

• When I place my cotton ball on the paper, I learn about how objects are placed in space.

• When I see my name under my sheep, I know I am one of Jesus’ sheep.


Grazing SheepThis center supports tactile and spatial awareness. For older infants and toddlers.

Supplies

Large green construction paper, markers, jumbo cotton balls, and glue sticks or glue

For Leaders

Set out supplies on a low table. Make a sample sheep scene.

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Big Shepherd, Little SheepCaregivers, while you do this . . .

Follow the leader’s lead, incorporating a lot of fun into the mix.


• When I become big and small, I learn about opposites.

• When I use my body to move, I develop physical movement.

• When I have fun being a shepherd or a sheep, I connect with today’s story about shepherds and sheep.


Big Shepherd, Little SheepThis center supports opposite concepts and physical development. For older infants and toddlers.

Supplies

No supplies needed.

For Leaders

Prepare to teach this fun up-and-down game. Stand up to be a big and tall shepherd. Get on all fours to be a little sheep.

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Puppet PlayCaregivers, while you do this . . .

Use the puppets to retell today’s story. Encourage your child to be one of the sheep and to use the puppets, too.


• When I use the puppets, I become a storyteller, too.

• When I hear and see today’s story again, I learn it more deeply.


Puppet PlayThis center supports imaginative play. For infants and toddlers.

Supplies

Jesus puppet, sheep puppets, and a basket

For Leaders

Fill the basket with puppets and place on the floor in the play area.

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Sheep SnackCaregivers, while you do this . . .

Pick up a piece of puffed corn or rice cereal and baa like a sheep. Match other animal sounds to the different crackers.


• When I feel and chew puffed corn or rice, I am learning about a new texture.

• When I eat with others, I am learning how to be in a community.

• When I baa like a sheep or see a food that looks like sheep, I remember that I am Jesus’ sheep, too.


Sheep SnackThis center supports tactile awareness and community. For older infants and toddlers.

Supplies

Bowls of puffed corn or puffed rice cereal, animal crackers, cups, napkins, water, and a picnic blanket

For Leaders

Spread the picnic blanket on the floor. In the center of the blanket, place the bowls of today’s snack. Fill cups with snacks. Hand out cups of water as needed, or fill kids’ sippy cups that they have brought from home. Lead the group in grace before snacking.

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Follow the ShepherdCaregivers, while you do this . . .

Encourage mobile children to follow the shepherd. Follow along, holding non-mobile infants who will enjoy the parade.


• When I use my muscles to move, I am growing my body.

• When I follow our shepherd leader, I am learning to follow directions.

• When I follow our shepherd leader, I am learning to follow Jesus!


Follow the ShepherdThis center supports physical development and following directions. For infants and toddlers.

Supplies

No supplies needed.

For Leaders

Lead your sheep to water, green grass, and a good napping area.

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"I am the Good Shepherd," Jesus said." You are my sheep."

Prep Time Bible Verse - severnaparkumc.org · God’s kingdom. This one is about shepherds and sheep. Good shepherds care for their sheep. They make sure their sheep have food and

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