date: blessings - Razor Planetmedia1.razorplanet.com/share/510525-7911/siteDocs/...for the accused. Hearing the news of Peter’s escape, Herod commanded a search be made to locate

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God Listens to Our Prayers

LESSONOVERVIEW

blessings

© 2012 David C. Cook. TruResources™ are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders.

Explore::15–20 min.

Discover:: 10–15 min.

Respond:: 5 minutes

Bless::5 minutes

Connect::15–30 minutes

esus’ disciples were busy telling everyone the good news. King Herod was not happy to see so many people choosing to follow Jesus. So the wicked king ordered his soldiers to

capture Peter and put him in prison. Heavy chains and 16 guards were used to ensure Peter would not escape. But the people of God were praying. The Lord God heard their prayers and sent an angel to free Peter from prison.

Peter Freed from PrisonActs 12:1–19

Ponder Point:

J

Inspire

There was a season in my life when I was a young single mother with three children. Many times the simplest and most routine tasks were stressful. Looking back on those years, I am reminded of God’s love and response to my prayers for provision, strength, and faith.

One month in particular, our finances had been tighter than usual and rent was due. As I looked at the balance in our bank account, I knew we were two hundred dollars short of rent—not including money for groceries for the rest of the month. I called my children to the kitchen table and told them of the challenge we were up against. I knew God would have to provide, so we began to pray.

Shortly after our family conference, I was taking my daughter to practice and bumped into the mother of one of my former high school students. She proceeded to thank me for the influence I had on her daughter while she was in my class. Then she pulled an envelope out of her purse and handed it to me. She said God had told her she was to give this to my family. I opened the envelope to find two one hundred-dollar bills and an eighty-dollar gift card for groceries. I was overwhelmed by the faith and generous love for God this woman was showing to our family.

The effect this had on the faith of my children was incredible. Not only did they see God provide in unexpected ways, they saw Him lovingly respond to our prayers—attending to each detail. There are some who may question my decision to share our financial need with my children. But had I not given them the opportunity to pray together for our family, I would have robbed them of the experience of seeing God respond to the prayers of those who love Him and call upon His name. The faithfulness of God continues to be the cornerstone of the life of my family. My children are now grown with kids of their own and often refer back to this experience as a testimony of God’s love for His children.

Debbie GuinnTruBlessings Team

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Equip

The political climate in Judea during the time of the early church was precarious: King Herod (Agrippa I) was ruling over Judea as a Roman representative. At the same time, the church was growing, many people were becoming followers of The Way, and pockets of Jewish “zealots” were forming in opposition to the Roman rule of Israel. Herod wanted to put a stop to anything that could antagonize an already volatile situation. He viewed the apostolic leaders as having the most potential to begin an uprising and started taking measures that would—by human perceptions—destroy further growth of the church. He began by killing the apostle James (brother of John) and moving in what appeared to be a systematic plan to eliminate the remaining apostles.

Shortly after James’s death, Peter was seized and imprisoned during the Passover Festival (Festival of Unleavened Bread). Sixteen soldiers were placed as guards for this one man within the prison. Herod wanted to appease the Jews during the celebration of their festival and waited to hold a public trial until after these celebrations. Not only would this give the Jews their festival, but it would allow Herod a larger crowd during the trial and execution—making an example of Peter’s death to the zealot groups and messianic movement.

As soon as Peter was taken to prison, a group of believers gathered together in a home to pray for him. Scripture tells us the church prayed earnestly for Peter. God then sent an angel to release him from jail and lead him to safety. Peter went to the house where the people had gathered to pray for him. Peter being released seemed so unlikely it was easier for them to believe he had died and his angel or ghost (as was a customary belief within the Jewish culture) had come to tell them. After realizing it was in fact Peter, the faithful group rejoiced.

“At dawn there was a great commotion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter” (Acts 12:18, NLT). It was customary that should a prisoner escape, the supervising guard or soldier would then take the punishment intended for the accused. Hearing the news of Peter’s escape, Herod commanded a search be made to locate the man. Once he was not found, Herod interrogated the guards and sentenced them to death.

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Support

God’s response to our prayers is always filled with love. He hears even the quietest murmurs and knows the deepest longings of our souls. He foresees every need before it is even a part of our reality. God is love and we can trust His love at all times, in all circumstances.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:4–7 NLT)

His love never fails—God never fails. Knowing this truth, how is your spirit wanting to commune with His Spirit? Is there something you’ve been burdened with for yourself, your family, your church, or community? Pray earnestly. Be bold in your prayers.

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Lesson OverviewExperience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare

Explore::Small Group

15–20 min.

Exploration stations create space for children to engage in hands-on activities as they begin their time of worship.

Option 1: Colorful Links• plastic tray• toy links (Bright Starts Lots of Links are available

at www.amazon.com, similar links can be found wherever toys are sold)

Option 2: Hands, Hands, Hands• butcher paper• masking tape• finger or tempera paint OR giant ink pad• hand wipes

Transition Song

Discover::Large Group

10–15 min.

Facilitate interactive games, songs, and storytelling, allowing children to participate in discovering God’s Word.

Welcome • Bible• Opening Theme Song• Hamilton puppet• Hamilton’s house• colorful toy links (to be attached to Hamilton)

The Big God Story• storyboard, whiteboard, or a felt board• magnets (for whiteboard) or felt (for felt board)• scissors and adhesive• The Big God Story pictures: King Herod, Peter in

prison, Peter and guards, people praying, angel in the prison cell, angel and Peter, Peter at the door, group with Peter

• basket or bowl

Respond::Large Group

5 min. Create space for children to celebrate God together in worship through music.

Song of Celebration• Suggestion: “Bigger Than Big” from Whirl-n-

Worship by Group Publishing, Inc.

Bless::Small Group

5 min. Bless the children that they may experience God fully.

• Bible (for the blessing)• snack

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Lesson Overview

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Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare

Connect::Small Group

15–30 min.

Games, songs, manipulatives, sensory and art activities are used to help children reinforce what they experienced in large group.

Option 1: Peter’s Jail• heavy white card stock • Peter pattern (see Resource Folder)• crayons• cotton swabs• watercolors• water• small cups• wet wipes

Option 2: Angel, Angel, Peter• none

Option 3: God Listens to Our Prayers• butcher paper• marker• large red washable inkpad (available at

www.discountschoolsupply.com)• masking tape• wet wipes

Hamilton’s Box of Fun• box or basket to hold objects• musical instruments (mini orchestra can be found at

www.gymboree.com)• small balls (not bouncy balls or other small objects

children could choke on; consider Feel & Roll Bumpy Balls from www.lakeshorelearning.com)

• silk scarves or other items for dress-up• wooden blocks• chunky cars and/or trucks• Cleanup Song• God Listens to Our Prayers coloring page (see

Resource Folder)

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Option 1: Colorful Links 2’sSUPPLIES• plastic tray• toy links (Bright Starts Lots of Links are available at www.amazon.com, similar links can

be found at Target and Walmart)

SET UPLay the unconnected links on the tray.

ENGAGEInvite children to join you at the table. We have some colorful links on the tray that we can link together to make a chain. Let’s link them together. You can also ask the child to find specific colors or encourage them to make a basic pattern.

Option 2: Hands, Hands, Hands 3’sSUPPLIES• butcher paper• masking tape• finger or tempera paint OR giant ink pad• hand wipes

SET UPCover the table with the butcher paper. Tape the edges of the paper to the table. Place the paint or ink pad in the center of the table. Be sure to keep the hand wipes in a convenient location during the activity to clean messy hands.

ENGAGEInvite children to the Explore station. Friends, what do you see on the table? That’s right, paint and paper. Today you get to use your hands to make a picture of anything you choose. Engage kids in conversation. What kind of picture are you making with your hands? Interact with the children and their responses. There are many things we can do with our hands. How can we use our hands? Interact with kids and their answers. We can paint, (insert their responses), and we can also use our hands when we pray and praise God.

Transition Song: Choose a fun song to cue children to find their Story Spots.

Explore:: 15–20 min.

Exploration stations create space for children to engage in hands-on activities as they begin their time of worship.

Host and Small Group Leaders

EXPLORE | DISCOVER | RESPOND | BLESS | CONNECT

Small GroupS E C T I O N

STORY SPOTS“Story Spot” refers to an item used to mark the place where each child sits. Consider using carpet squares, small circle-shaped rugs, or large sturdy place mats. When children hear the transition song, cue them to choose a Story Spot, place it in the large group gathering space, and sit down. At the close of your time together in The Big God Story, encourage children to return their Story Spots to their original location.

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WelcomeSUPPLIES• Bible• Opening Theme Song • Hamilton puppet• Hamilton’s house• colorful toy links (to be attached to Hamilton)

Hi, kids! Welcome! I am so excited to be here with you today. Let’s all celebrate God by singing and dancing together! (Play the Opening Theme Song from TruBlessings worship and lead kids in dance and celebration.)

Wow! That was great! Let’s all sit down—it’s time to hear part of The Big God Story! On the count of three, let’s call Hamilton and see if he will join us. Are you ready? One, two, three. Hamilton, where are you? (Encourage kids to call for Hamilton.) Hmmmm … Maybe he’s eating a snack. Let’s try again. Hamilton, where are you? (Have Hamilton come out of his house with toy links around his tummy.)

Hi, Hamilton! I’m so glad you are here with us today. What do you have around you? (Allow children to answer. Interact with their responses.) That’s right—he has the links around his tummy. I wonder if that will help us with part of The Big God Story.

Let’s get started. Are you ready to hear this part of The Big God Story? (Hamilton nods excitedly.) Me too! But before we get started, do you know where we can find The Big God Story? (Have Hamilton nod his head and gesture to the Bible.) That’s right—the Bible! God gave us the Bible so we can learn about Him! It’s full of things that help us get to know God! We read the Bible to learn about God and about His Son, Jesus! I know how much you love to dig, dig, dig right into God’s Word to find out what He has to say to us. Isn’t that right, Hamilton? (Have Hamilton nod his head.)Let’s all stand up and sing our Bible Song together.

Discover:: 10–15 min.Host, Worship Leader, & Storyteller

Children move into a large group setting and participate in discovering God’s Word through storytelling, worship, and interactive experiences.


Large GroupS E C T I O N

AS YOU BEGIN STORYTELLINGAs you begin the storytelling section of Discover, have a volunteer available to be Hamilton the Hedgehog using the puppet you provide. Or, you may choose to act as the storyteller and the puppeteer. Encourage Hamilton to come out of his house. Consider having a facade that is part of your stage/teaching area. This facade can act as a puppet stage to conceal puppeteers. However, if this is not an option, if children see the volunteer with the puppet on his/her hand, encourage the volunteer to interact with Hamilton and the children. Their participation will help kids to see the puppeteer and puppet as separate characters.

Ponder Point:God Listens to

Our Prayers

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Bible Song (sung to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”) Now it’s time to hear God’s WordHear God’s WordHear God’s WordNow it’s time to hear God’s WordSo let’s look in the Bible

As the song ends, have children return to their Story Spots. Hamilton can model this for the children by sitting quietly as he listens to The Big God Story. The volunteer can return him to his house with his little face peeking out, or she may choose to sit quietly with him throughout the storytelling section.

The Big God StoryPeter Freed from PrisonActs 12:1–19

SUPPLIES• storyboard, whiteboard, or a felt board• magnets (for whiteboard) or felt (for felt board)• scissors and adhesive• The Big God Story pictures: King Herod, Peter in prison, Peter and guards, people

praying, angel in the prison cell, angel and Peter, Peter at the door, group with Peter• basket or bowl

PREPAREPrint a set of pictures from the Resource Folder. Cut around each image. Attach a felt piece or magnet to the back of the images.

SET UPPlace the storyboard pictures in a bowl or basket and set it next to your storytelling space.

Before we get started, let’s pray and ask God to teach us today. (Lead the kids in a Prayer of Release as you prepare to hear God’s Word.)

Boys and girls, we just prayed to God. Do you pray at home with your family? (Allow kids to respond.) What are some things that you pray about? (Children will answer.) Do you think God is listening when you pray? (Allow kids to respond; interact with their responses.) God is always listening because He is always with us and hears everything we say. Today in The Big God Story we will hear about a group of people who prayed for a man named Peter.

There once was a king named Herod. (Place the picture of Herod on the storyboard.) He was very mad. Many people were choosing to follow Jesus. He didn’t like this, not one little bit! Can you show me a mad face? (Show the kids what a mad face looks like; encourage them to show you their mad faces.) Those are some very mad faces.

PRAYER OF RELEASEA Prayer of Release is a prayer asking God to remove any distractions that would get in the way of hearing from and responding to Him. As we pray, we dedicate this time to the Lord and ask to be filled with knowledge and understanding from Him, giving God His rightful role as teacher.

We can begin to model this posture of prayer with the children in our care. To lead two- to three-year-old children, pray a simple prayer thanking God for His presence and asking Him to teach you as you gather together. For example: “Thank You, God, for being with us. We ask that You would teach us today.”


The Big God Story is written for a two- to three-year-old audience and can be told in its entirety for an older audience, but may need to be

shortened if the class is on the younger side.

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King Herod heard that Peter and many others were telling people about Jesus. He was angry and told his soldiers to find Peter. When they found him, they placed Peter in prison. (Put the picture of Peter in prison on the storyboard.) They chained Peter to two guards so he could not get away. (Put the picture of Peter and guards on the storyboard.)

The people who loved and followed Jesus heard what happened to Peter. So they gathered together and started to pray. (Put the picture of people praying on the storyboard.) The people loved God so much. They knew that it was very important for everyone to hear all about God’s love. Peter had a special job to do and he couldn’t do it in jail! God’s people didn’t pray for one minute. They didn’t pray for two minutes, or even three. They prayed all night long! Do you think God heard them praying? (Allow kids to respond.) Yes, He did. Can you show me your prayer hands? (Interact with children as they respond.)

While Peter was sleeping in the jail, a bright light shone on him. God had sent an angel to rescue Peter from jail. The angel woke Peter and told him to stand up. (Put picture of the angel in the prison cell on the storyboard.) When Peter stood, the chains fell off of him. The angel told Peter to get dressed because it was time to leave. Peter listened and followed the angel out of the prison.

Peter didn’t understand what was happening. But he continued to follow the angel. (Put the picture of the angel and Peter on the storyboard.) The angel led Peter out of the prison to safety. Then suddenly the angel was gone. Peter saw that he was free. He said, “It’s really true! The Lord sent an angel and saved me!”

He went to the house where his friends were praying. Peter knocked on the door. (Put the picture of Peter at the door on the storyboard.) Let’s all knock on the door. (Show the children how to knock on the door by knocking on the floor.) A girl named Rhoda came to the door. When she heard Peter’s voice, she was so excited that she forgot to let him in. She ran and told everyone inside the house that Peter was at the door. The people did not believe her. But Peter kept knocking. Can you help me knock some more? (Knock along with the children on the floor.) (Put the picture of the group of people with Peter on the storyboard.) When they opened the door, they were so surprised to see him. Can you make a shhh sound using your finger over your mouth? (Show the kids how to say shhh by putting your pointer finger in front of your lips.) Peter motioned for his friends to be quiet. He wanted to tell them how God saved him. Right before Peter left, he told them to go and tell the other disciples what had happened.

Did God listen to the people when they were praying for Peter? (Allow kids to respond.) God was with the people when they were praying for Peter, and He was with Peter when he was in the prison cell. God heard His people pray, and He sent an angel to set Peter free. We can trust God. He always listens to our prayers.

Have the children say good-bye to Hamilton as he goes back into his home and thank him for coming to be a part of The Big God Story.


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Song of CelebrationFriends, who hears us when we pray? God does. He always listens when we talk to Him. The people who loved and followed Jesus prayed for Peter. Did God hear them? Yes, He did. He sent an angel to free Peter from jail. God broke the chains that were holding Peter. Is God big and strong? Yes, He is. He is bigger than big. Let’s stand and celebrate God together.

Lead kids in a celebratory worship song. Suggested song: “Bigger Than Big” from Whirl-n-Worship by Group Publishing, Inc.

Respond:: 5 min.

Children have the opportunity to respond to God as they celebrate Him within the faith community.

Worship Leader

Large GroupS E C T I O N


A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words of encouragement and guidance. A blessing can be offered in order to ask God’s Spirit to overflow from the child’s life in such a way that blesses others, while it can also be prayed over a child for the purpose of declaring God’s protection, joy, or wisdom.

Children, God always hears you when you pray. He is with you and can save you. God can do anything.

Open a Bible and read Matthew 19:26:

Jesus looked at them and said, “... with God all things are possible.”

Snack: As the kids eat, sit down with them and engage them in conversation. If you want to tie in the snack with the lesson, you may choose to serve angel food cake. Make sure to consider any food allergies or check with parents ahead of time.

Bless:: 5 min.

This time is set aside for leaders to spend a few moments blessing the children in their small groups.

Small Group Leaders


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Option 1: Peter’s JailSUPPLIES• heavy white card stock • Peter pattern (see Resource Folder)• crayons• cotton swabs• watercolors• water• small cups• wet wipes

PREPAREPrint the Peter pattern onto the card stock. Make one copy for each child. Fill small cups with water.

SET UPPlace a Peter pattern page at each child’s place setting. Set the crayons, watercolors, water, and cotton swabs in the center of the table.

ENGAGEPeter was put in jail and chained to two guards. You have a picture of Peter in front of you. First, we are going to color the picture. After we color it, we are going to paint bars down the paper to show Peter inside of the cell. Demonstrate for the children how to paint the lines down the paper using a cotton swab.

Option 2: Angel, Angel, PeterSUPPLIES• none

ENGAGEHave the children sit on the floor in a circle. Who came and helped Peter out of prison? Interact with children and their responses. That’s right—an angel. Were people praying for God to help Peter? Allow children to respond. Yes, they were. God answered their prayers by sending an angel to Peter. Today we are going to play a game. You will go around the circle and tap your friends gently on the head. You will say “angel, angel, angel.” Then you can choose someone to be Peter by tapping them gently on the head and saying “Peter.” If you are chosen to be “Peter,” you stand up and hold hands with the “angel” and walk around the circle. Then, the “angel” will sit down and “Peter” will start all over again.

Connect:: 15–30 min.

Games, songs, manipulatives, sensory and art activities are used to help children reinforce what they experience in large group.

Small Group Leaders



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Option 3: God Listens to Our PrayersSUPPLIES• butcher paper• marker• large red washable inkpad (available at www.discountschoolsupply.com)• masking tape• wet wipes

PREPAREWrite the words “God listens to our prayers” in large print in the middle of the butcher paper.

SET UPPlace the butcher paper and inkpad in the middle of the table. Consider securing the butcher paper with masking tape.

ENGAGEEncourage the children to join you at the table. Boys and girls, God listens to our prayers. I love to pray and talk to God. Sometimes when we talk to God we use our hands. We can fold them together as we pray. Or we lift them up to the sky when we talk to God. Today we are going to stamp our hands on the paper and say “Thank You, God, for hearing me when I pray.” Assist children in putting their hand in the inkpad and then making a handprint on the butcher paper.

Ongoing Connect Option

Hamilton’s Box of FunInvite the kids to your circle time area and sing together:

Hamilton’s Box (sung to the tune of “Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?”)

Where, oh where is Hamilton’s Box? Oh where, oh where can it be? It’s full of fun toys that we sure like a lotOh where, oh where can it be?

Pick one or two kids to help find the box or basket. Once it’s found, you can place it in the middle of your circle time area and invite the kids to come and explore what is inside. Ask: Come on over, everyone! What fun things can we explore today? Let’s take turns playing with things and even play together.

When it’s time to put the toys away, cue the kids with a Cleanup Song. (Choose a fun song that your children will recognize as the Cleanup Song each week, possibly with a circus theme or other recognizable sound that is different from other music.)

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Hamilton’s Box of FunThis is a fun resource to encourage the kids to interact with each other by sharing toys and using their imagination with different objects. This activity can be utilized at the beginning or end of the service, if time permits.

SUPPLIES• box or basket to hold objects• musical instruments (mini orchestra can be found at www.gymboree.com)• small balls (not bouncy balls or other small objects children could choke on; consider

Feel & Roll Bumpy Balls from www.lakeshorelearning.com)• silk scarves or other items for dress-up• wooden blocks• chunky cars and/or trucks• Cleanup Song• God Listens to Our Prayers coloring page (see Resource Folder)

SET UPPut a variety of fun objects/toys in the box. Hide the box or basket somewhere in the room. Clean the objects each week after use.


HomeFront Monthly: Every four weeks we highlight one of the 10 environments. For each new environment, parents should receive HomeFront Monthly. This resource gives families ideas for how to create fun, spiritually forming times in their homes—setting aside a sacred space for family in the midst of their active, everyday lives!

HomeFront Weekly: 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. TruBlessings will spend two weeks on the same part of The Big God Story and Ponder Point, and each Weekly covers four weeks’ worth of lessons. It is designed to trifold with an editable field that allows you to fill in the dates for the weeks that will be covered.

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Documents

date: blessings - Razor Planetmedia1.razorplanet.com/share/510525-7911/siteDocs/...for the accused. Hearing the news of Peter’s escape, Herod commanded a search be made to locate