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date:

2.8

© 2015 David C Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.

Jesus Is Worth Following

Bible Passage: Luke 5:1–11(Apostles Called to Serve)

REMEMBER VERSEYounger: Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.

Psalm 25:4

Older: Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.Psalm 25:4–5

1/18&1/21/15

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© 2015 David C Cook

HomeFront Magazine: A Spiritual Parenting Resource is a magazine that gives families ideas for creating fun, spiritually forming times in their homes—setting aside a sacred space for family in the midst of their active, everyday lives! As the new issue becomes available each month, you may choose to print it for families or encourage them to visit www.HomeFrontMag.com to subscribe to have the magazine sent directly to their inbox. HomeFront is also available as an app for your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

Navigating Lesson 2.8Below you will find additional information to enhance lesson sections as needed.

Explore FOCUS STATIONPartner Church Suggestion from Maple Valley Presbyterian Church: We simplified the station with a paper ‘lake’ on the floor and paper fish. We used sticky-back magnet strips on the fish and heavy paper clips on the end of our fishing poles. The kids had a great time fishing. We also had a bin of water and plastic boats and fish in it for an additional station.

Partner Church Suggestion from Good Shepherd Church: For a second fishing option, use balloons as fish and a fishing net to catch the fish. Because more than one child is needed to do the catching, it’s great for cooperative interaction with other children. Plus it gives kids a visual of the actual fishing style of biblical times.

Discover Partner Church Suggestion from Good Shepherd Church: We incorporated a movie clip (from Jesus of Nazareth, scene with Peter) to give the kids a visual of what fishing with a net was like, since most kids are not familiar with it.

Respond Small Group EnhancementsPremium, Unlimited, and Combo users can find a quarterly TruWonder Timeline and images of people corresponding to each week’s lesson in the Resource Files. As you place the weekly people squares on the timeline, invite children to help you storytell. The provided questions will prompt further conversation about what children have been experiencing. They’ll enjoy watching as the timeline fills from week to week and their knowledge of The Big God Story grows.

Bless

Lesson Path: Seeing the Mission Statement in a Tru Lesson

Connecting leaders to God ... Inspire, Equip, and Support

Connecting children and their families to God ... HomeFront WeeklyExplore

... And His big story ... Discover

... And inviting them to respond to Him ... Respond

... Through the power of the Holy Spirit. Bless

Tru helps kids and their families connect to God, find their place in His big story, and respond to Him through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Tru Mission Statement

EXPLORE | DISCOVER | RESPOND | BLESS

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Focus Station 1: Go FishJesus called His first disciples from a life of fishing. He told them, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people” (Luke 5:10). Peter, James, and John didn’t hesitate, but left behind their life as fishermen for a life of following Jesus.

SUPPLIES (per small group)Fish template (see Resource Files)magnets (12)hot glue gunwooden dowel (measuring 18” long)string (3’)metal washerEXPLORE bins (2)paper towelswater

PREPARE AHEADPrint the Fish template from the Resource Files and cut out the 12 fish shapes. (If you’re using water, you may want to laminate the fish before cutting them apart. Leave at least ¼ inch of lamination around the edges of each fish.) Using the hot glue gun, attach one magnet to the back of each laminated fish. Tie one end of the string to the wooden dowel and the other end to the metal washer. Place all materials in an EXPLORE bin.

SET UPFill the second EXPLORE bin with water. Place the “fish” in the bin. Set the fishing pole beside the bin.

ENGAGEWelcome children to the exploration station. Invite them to use the fishing pole to try to catch the fish that are “swimming” in the water. Ask: Who here has ever fished before? How do you think fish eat? What do they eat? Where do fish live? How do you catch fish with a fishing pole? In the ocean? In a bowl? Do you think they would be easy or hard to catch? What color are these fish? How do fish swim in the ocean?

“The magnetic fish activity was a winner! The kids went on and on until time for The Big God Story.”—1st Baptist Church of Hemet

Explore:: 10–15 min.


SmallGroup

S E C T I O N

(Optional) Station 2: How Many Fish Do You See?After Jesus taught from the boat for awhile, He asked Peter how the fishing had been. But Peter’s nets were empty. Jesus told Peter to let down his nets one more time in the deep water. When he obeyed, there were more fish in their nets than they could count!

SUPPLIES (per small group)small clear jarsmall fish crackers papermarker

Note: Be sure to check with parents for any potential food allergies.

PREPARE AHEADFill the jar with small fish crackers. You can either count them as you put them in, or be surprised with the kids.

SET UPPlace all materials on the table.

ENGAGEWelcome children to the EXPLORE station. Ask: What do you see in the jar? How many fish do you think are in the jar? As each child shares his best guess, use the paper and marker to write the child’s name along with his guess. After each child has guessed, open the jar and count the fish. Celebrate with the children by enjoying a fun snack. I wonder how fish might be seen in The Big God Story today.

or clear container2 per table

Wednesday 1/21/15

Trade jars/containers with another table to do the activity again.

Sunday 1/18/15

Barb—We can use fishing game from the L7 storage closet. Please letme know if you need more fish or anything else.There also may be a small pool to use for fishing in L7 storage.

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Discover:: 20–25 min.


Chloe’s Rules

SUPPLIESworship music (suggestions: “I Can Sing,” TruWorship Sincerely Yours and “Child of God,” TruWorship Songs from the Playhouse)

Mail Times

Younger: Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Psalm 25:4Older: Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4–5Definition: hope: looking for what our good and perfect God has promised.

Motions: Show me your ways Lord: Place right index finger in center of left palm; touch palm three times. teach me: Touch forehead with hands; pull hands away from head, clasp hands with all fingers touching. your paths: Put both hands in front of body, palms facing each other. Guide me in your truth: Place right index finger at chin and move away from chin.and teach me: Point to self.for you are God: Right hand open facing up at forehead, move hand down center of face.my Savior and my hope: Extend both arms out to sides, palms up.is in you all day long: Point right index finger to sky.

Wardrobe of Wonder

WHAT’SIT: Fishing NetIn this account of Jesus choosing the apostles, Jesus fills the nets with fish in a spectacular manner. He then calls Peter to leave everything behind and follow Him. Jesus tells Peter that he will now be a fisher of men.

(Fishing Net purchasing suggestions: www.orientaltrading.com; www.stumpsparty .com [search “fishnet”]; seasonally at dollar discount stores; www.discountschoolsupply .com; see optional image to show or print in Resource Files)

DISCOVER QUESTIONS(Child’s name), what did you find in the Wardrobe of Wonder? Child answers. Have you ever seen one of these before, maybe in a movie? Do you know what it’s used for? Demonstrate casting the net. Why do you think there’s a fishing net in our wardrobe? Children will answer. Those are good ideas! Well, let’s find out how a fishing net fits into today’s portion of The Big God Story. Do you know what time it is?

Note: Replace the What’sIt in the wardrobe to be cued for use as a prop during storytelling.

“I loved the net for the What’sIt. It was true to the story and useful for storytelling and acting it out.”—Olathe Bible Church

LargeGroup

S E C T I O N

Ponder Point: Jesus Is Worth Following

Find more details for each section in the How It Works document in the Supporting Lesson Resources section of the My Lesson page.

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The Big God Story

SUPPLIESWardrobe of Wonder sound effect (see Resource Files)What’sIt: Fishing Net as a prop (see image in Resource Files)

Worship Response

SUPPLIESworship song: “Jesus I Will Follow,” TruWorship Songs from the Playhouse

Find more details for each section in the How It Works document in the Supporting Lesson Resources section of the My Lesson page.

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The Big God StoryLuke 5:1–11Storytelling Technique: Story Dramatization

PRAYER OF RELEASEThe Prayer of Release is a time for children and leaders to pause, be still, and ask God to quiet their hearts and minds. If you would like, encourage kids to hold their open hands in front of them in a spirit of releasing their worries and distractions, to better receive what the Holy Spirit might have for them. After the children quiet their voices and still their bodies, ask them to pray with you.

SET UPIf you have one, be prepared to use the What’sIt prop as cued during storytelling. If you don’t have an actual fishing net, acting out the motions with a pretend net will be just as engaging.

ENGAGEHello, there! It’s good to see you today. Tech: Cue Wardrobe of Wonder sound effect. What did you find in the Wardrobe of Wonder? Children respond. Take fishing net out of wardrobe. Who uses fishing nets? Allow children to answer. Fishermen use nets, that’s right. They take their net and throw it out into the water, like this … Toss What’sIt net as if from side of boat, pretending it’s heavy. Then they wait patiently for the fish to swim into the net and get caught. Let’s all stand and cast our nets into the water. They’re pretty heavy, so make sure to use your muscles! Encourage kids to stand and cast imaginary nets into sea. Ask questions while fishing together. Is your net heavy? What kind of fish did you catch? Great job fishing, friends. Let’s put our nets away and sit back down. Keep your nets in your lap because we’ll be using them later! We’re going to hear a part of The Big God Story about Jesus and some fishermen He called to follow Him. But before we do, let’s ask God to speak to us and teach us today. Lead children in a Prayer of Release.

One day Jesus came to the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Can you say that with me? Ga-li-lee. Great! Many people had gathered by the shore to hear Him teach. Jesus saw a boat at the edge of the water. The boat belonged to a man named Peter. Jesus got into the boat and asked the men to push the boat away from the shore. Encourage kids to help push the boat away from shore. This was a great idea. It was easier for the people to hear what Jesus had to say.

When Jesus finished teaching, He began talking with Peter. Peter told Jesus that he and the other fishermen had been out all night long and they didn’t catch any fish. Not even one! Encourage kids to shrug shoulders and shake heads no in discouragement. After hearing this, Jesus knew what needed to be done. Peter needed to see and know that Jesus was unlike anyone or anything else. He needed to know that Jesus was worth following. So, Jesus told Peter to take his net and throw it back into the deep water. Peter said, “Okay, Jesus. I tried everything I could last night and didn’t catch any fish! But since You asked, I’ll put my nets back in the water.” Get your nets ready, everyone!

Peter and the other fishermen did as Jesus said. Let’s throw our nets into the water, just like Peter did. Ready, set, go! Storyteller tosses What’sIt prop; children toss pretend nets. When they checked their nets, they couldn’t believe their eyes! What do you think they saw? Children answer; interact with responses. The nets were filled with lots and lots of fish! Show me your surprised faces. Children respond. Those are some great faces!

Pretend to hold heavy net full of fish. The nets got heavier … and heavier … and started to break! Oh no! Your nets are heavy too. Show me how heavy your nets are. Children respond. Wow! Those are pretty heavy! So the men began to pull the nets onto the boat. Let’s pull up our nets. Children pull nets in. Then the boat started to sink because the nets were too heavy! Oh no! Your boat is sinking too. Lean to the left to show how your boat is sinking. Children respond. Why were they so heavy? Allow children to answer. Jesus performed a miracle by filling the nets with fish. Peter saw everything that happened and knew Jesus was unlike anyone he had ever met before. He knew there was something special about Jesus. Peter fell to his knees in front of Jesus. Let’s get on our knees like Peter. Children respond. Why did he do that? Sometimes here at church, we kneel down before God, like you’re doing, as a way to worship God. We show Him we know Jesus is holy and worthy of our worship. When Peter fell to

Susan Sopek

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his knees, he was showing Jesus that He was worth following. You can sit down now. Children respond. Jesus told Peter that he would no longer catch fish, but instead he would fish for people.

“Fish for people”? What do you think that means? Encourage children to share their thoughts; interact with their responses. To fish for people means that Peter was going to help share the good news of Jesus with the men and women of the world. He was going to try to bring people to know God now, instead of just trying to bring fish into a boat. That day Peter made the choice to go with Jesus. Peter left everything to follow Jesus and learn from Him. Peter knew that Jesus is worth following. Peter was choosing to serve Jesus with his whole life.

Friends, we can choose to follow Jesus too! Jesus is unlike anyone or anything else. Jesus is God. He is worth following. How can we follow Jesus? Allow kids to respond; interact with their answers. When we trust God and obey His words, we’re following Him. When we obey and go where He asks us to go, we’re serving God! When we choose to follow Jesus, He’ll give us lots of opportunities to serve others! Jesus is worth following.

“The way the net and fishing were described during large group was great.”—Wooddale Church

“THE BIG GOD STORY was the best I’ve ever had. We had fishing props, which they loved.”—The Beacon

“We had fun using a fishing net as a prop. It’s always fun to serve small fish crackers along with this part of The Big God Story.”—International Church of Las Vegas

“We did the interactive with the nets at the end of The Big God Story and shared hugs before worship response.”—Good Shepherd Church

Worship ResponseENGAGEToday, we’re going to have the chance to respond to what we’ve heard in God’s Word as we listen to and sing a song called “Jesus I Will Follow.” As the song plays, if you want to tell Jesus that you’ll follow Him wherever you go and whatever you do, you can choose a way to tell God. You may choose to sing or dance. Or you may want to sit quietly and talk to God. However you choose to respond to God in this time is between you and Him.

Lead children in “Jesus I Will Follow.” Close in a corporate prayer of blessing and dismiss to small groups.

“It’s been difficult getting kids to do the verbal response in large group, so this week we asked them to use a sticker to declare they would follow Jesus. This worked very well.”—Good Shepherd Church

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Connect: I’m All In!ENGAGEHave you ever sung the song “Hokey Pokey”? Sing a few verses if the children don’t remember it. Well, today we’re going to sing our own version of the song. I want everyone to show me the silliest fish face they can make! Make a funny fish face. Good job! Those were silly! Okay, now I want you to move your arms like they’re fish fins. Wow! Those are some fishy-looking fins! Okay, I think we’re ready to start! Leader begins to sing …

Put your left fin (left arm) in, take your left fin out, Put your left fin in and you shake it all about! You do the fishy pokey and you turn yourself around, That’s what it’s all about! Clap on each syllable.

Verse 2: Right Fin (right arm) Put your right fin in, take your right fin out …

Verse 3: Big Tail (your behind) Put your big tail in, take your big tail out …

Verse 4: Fish Face Put your fish face in, take your fish face out …

Verse 5: Whole Self Put your whole self in, take your whole self out …

“The fishy pokey was a big hit with all the kids!”—Olathe Bible Church

Respond:: 15–30 min.

SmallGroup

S E C T I O N

Create: For Who You AreSUPPLIES (per table/small group)

white construction paper (8 ½” x 11,” 1 sheet per child)watercolor paintwatercolor brushes (1 per child)paint cups waterpaper towelsmarkerCREATE bin

SET UPPlace a sheet of construction paper at each child’s seat at the table. Set watercolors and brushes in the center of the table. Fill each paint cup one-fourth to one-half full of water and also place in the center of the table.

ENGAGEInvite children to the table. Today in this part of The Big God Story, Jesus showed Peter He is worthy to follow. Now we have a moment to think about all the things we know about Jesus that make Him worthy of following. Each of you has paper and paint. I’m going to read to you truths from God’s Word, the Bible. The things I’m reading are all about Jesus and who He is. As you listen to the words, you can paint your own picture for Jesus. Just paint whatever you hear while I read, or how the words make you feel about Jesus. This is a picture from you to Jesus because He is worthy of our love and praises. Jesus is worth following.

Read the following to the children, pausing for a moment between each truth.

Jesus is Immanuel—God with us.

Jesus is Savior.

Jesus is holy. He is unlike anyone or anything else.

Jesus loves you.

Jesus is forever and ever.

Jesus is God.

Wednesday 1/21/15Can do Sunday if time after small group discussion

Sunday 1/18/15

Read as kids paint

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To Jesus we can say: “You are the one and only Lord. You made even the highest heavens. You created all the stars in the sky. You created the earth and everything that is on it. And You made the oceans and everything that is in them. You give life to everything. Every living being in heaven worships You” (paraphrase of Nehemiah 9:6).

“Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name” (Psalm 103:1).

“Painting was a big hit, and I felt like the kids were really listening to the words being spoken during this time. One little boy repeated everything I said as he painted. Really sweet. He was focused!”—Mt. Paran North Church of God

“Loved the small group RESPOND. The more Scripture we can read to them, the better!”—1st Baptist Church of Hemet

“They love to paint. I liked that we read things that are true of Christ and they go to respond or just take it in. We continued reading to them as they painted.”—The Beacon

Wonder QuestionsIn The Big God Story today, we heard how Jesus performed a miracle by filling the nets with fish. Peter saw everything that happened and knew Jesus was unlike anyone he had ever met before. Peter knew that Jesus is worth following. We know that Jesus is worthy to follow and serve too.

I wonder … What was it like to sit with Jesus on the boat?I wonder … How did Jesus get the fish into the nets? I wonder … Why did Peter decide Jesus is worth following?I wonder … What does it mean to be a fisher of people?I wonder … How can I follow Jesus?

Wednesday 1/21/15

2.8 Jesus Is Worth FollowingOne day, Jesus was standing on the shore of a lake. He was teaching the people about God’s love and the very best way to live. There were so many people that Jesus kept getting pushed closer and closer to the water. Jesus saw some fishermen who had just finished fishing. He asked the men if He could speak to the people from their boat. After He was done teaching, Jesus told the fishermen to go back onto the lake and place their nets in the water. The men didn’t understand why Jesus told them to do this. They had been fishing all night long and didn’t catch a single fish. But the men chose to follow Jesus’ directions. They threw their nets over the side of the boat. To their surprise, their nets were so full of fish they needed help to bring them in. The men were amazed at Jesus. Then Jesus said, “Come and follow me. I will make you fishers of men.” Peter, James, and John left everything and decided to follow Jesus! Jesus is worth following.The following passages have been provided for you to model to the children in your small group how to look for truth in Scripture. Some verses may be engaging for your preschoolers while others may simply aid in your preparation to lead this time of discussion.Questions:1. Read Luke 5:4. What did Jesus ask Simon Peter to do? (He asked him to go out to deep water andlet down his nets.)2. Read verse 6. What happened when Peter listened to Jesus’ words and followed His directions?(His nets were filled with so many fish that the nets could hardly hold them.)3. Read verses 9–11. How did the fishermen respond when Jesus asked them to follow Him? (Theyleft everything and followed Jesus.)

Sunday 1/18/15

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The time of blessing with your little ones is an opportunity to practice another physical posture of worship. Friends, the Bible says, “Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths” (Psalm 25:4). This verse reminds us we can trust God with everything. He promises to lead us where He wants us to go.

Let’s try something. Everyone get in a line behind me. Place your hands on the friend in front of you. Children get in line. Now close your eyes. Children respond. My eyes will be open, so you can trust that I will safely lead you. Now slowly follow me. Children respond. Lead the kids around for a few steps, maybe in giant circle. You can open your eyes now. Let’s all sit down where we’re standing. It may have been a little bit hard to trust me or the person in front of you just now, but you can always trust in Jesus. He is worth following.

Invite the children to cup their hands and hold them out as if they’re receiving something. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5–6).

May you always see how good and faithful God is. May you always trust that He knows the paths. May you follow Him all the days of your life.

Younger: Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.Psalm 25:4

Older: Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.Psalm 25:4–5

Bless:: 5 min.

SmallGroup

S E C T I O N

Be sure to send home the HomeFront Weekly for next week’s lesson! This preteaching tool for parents encourages families to spend time in God’s Word together before children arrive at church.

WEEKLY

TW 2-8 Apostles - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com... · Older: Show me your ways, L ORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and

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