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B.C. A.D. Kids STORY BEGINS THE FALL 2015 OLDER KIDS LEADER GUIDE Ed Stetzer • General Editor Trevin Wax • Managing Editor

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Page 1: STORY BEGINS - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/cashiebaptistchurch/documents/GP Older Kids... · B.C. A.D. Kids STORY BEGINS THE FALL 2015 OLDER KIDS LEADER GUIDE Ed Stetzer General

B.C.

A.D.

Kids

STORYBEGINS

THE

FALL 2015 OLDER KIDS LEADER GUIDEEd Stetzer • General EditorTrevin Wax • Managing Editor

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The Gospel Project for Kids: Older Kids Leader Guide

Volume 1 • Number 1FALL 2015

Eric GEiGEr

Vice President, LifeWay Resources

Ed StEtzEr

General Editor

trEvin Wax

Managing Editor

Brian dEmBoWczyk

Publishing Team Leader

Landry HoLmES

Manager, Kids Ministry Publishing

Jana maGrudEr

Director, Kids Ministry

Send questions/comments to: Publishing Team Leader Older Kids Leader Guide

One LifeWay Plaza, MSN 172Nashville, TN 37234-0172

or make comments on the Web at www.lifeway.comPrinted in the United States of America

CONTENTSUNIT 1: GOD THE CREATOR

9/6 1: God Created the World ............................6

9/13 2: God Created People ...............................22

9/20 3: Sin Entered the World ...........................38

9/27 4: Cain and Abel .......................................54

10/4 5: Noah and the Ark .................................. 70

10/11 6: The Tower of Babel ...............................86

UNIT 2: GOD THE COVENANT-MAKER

10/18 1: God’s Covenant with Abraham ............104

10/25 2: God Tested Abraham........................... 120

11/1 3: The Promise Reaffirmed ...................... 136

UNIT 3: GOD THE COVENANT-KEEPER

11/8 1: The Stolen Blessing .............................. 154

11/15 2: Jacob’s New Name ................................170

11/22 3: Joseph Sent to Egypt ...........................186

11/29 4: Joseph’s Dreams Come True ............... 202

Suggested Use Dates

The Gospel Project for Kids: Older Kids Leader Guide (ISSN 2168-7757; Item 005508641) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President. © 2015 LifeWay Christian Resources. For ordering or inquiries, visit www.lifeway.com, or write LifeWay Church Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0113. For subscriptions or subscription address changes, email [email protected], fax (615) 251-5818, or write to the above address.

For orders with three or more issues shipped to one address, mailed monthly, at the ministry rate, visit lifeway.com/mediaoptions, fax (615) 251-5933, or write to the above address.

We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation

for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay’s doctrinal guideline please visit www.lifeway.com/doctrinalguideline.

All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

NOTE: Some Internet addresses given in this periodical are outside the LifeWay Internet domain. At the time of this posting, the specific pages mentioned were viewed and approved by LifeWay editorial staff. Because information on these pages may have changed by the time of your viewing, the LifeWay editorial staff cannot be held responsible for content on pages outside their control. Specific page addresses referenced in this periodical possibly may link to inappropriate material.

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The gospel is the good news, the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use these prompts to share the gospel with your kids.

GOD RULES.Ask: “Who is in charge at home?” Explain that because God created everything, He is in charge of everything. Read Revelation 4:11.

WE SINNED.Ask: “Have you ever done something wrong?” Tell kids that everyone sins, or disobeys God. Our sin separates us from God. Read Romans 3:23.

GOD PROVIDED.Explain that God is holy and must punish sin. God sent His Son, Jesus, to take the punishment we deserve. Read John 3:16.

JESUS GIVES.Ask: “What is the best gift you’ve ever received?” Say that Jesus took our punishment for sin by giving His life, and He gives us His righteousness. God sees us as if we lived the perfect life Jesus lived. This is the best gift ever! Read 2 Corinthians 5:21.

WE RESPOND.Explain that everyone has a choice to make. Ask: “Will you trust Jesus as your Savior and Lord? You can turn from self and sin and turn to Jesus.” Read Romans 10:9-10.

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Small Group Opening

Engage kids and introduce the day’s

Bible story.

Activity Page

Opening Activities

Suggested timesThe times provided allow you to complete the session plan in an

hour and fifteen minutes. Lengthen or shorten the session as needed.

Large Group Leader

Communicate the day’s Bible story and discover

God’s big story.

Key Passage& Bible Skill

GiantTimeline Sing

DiscussionStarter

Big Picture Question

Bible Study at a Glance

Leader Bible Study

Familiarize yourself with the content and context of the Bible story and how it

relates to God’s plan of redemption.

Start here

Say what?Use the suggested “Say” dialogue to easily move

between segments. Bible Story

Preparation

Pray for your kids and contact families during the week. Gather and prepare

session materials.

Send a parent e-mail

Pray for your kids

Assemble supplies

Print/download printables

Prepare videos

2 Older Kids Leader Guide

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The Story Begins

Check out our tips

and resources for an additional hour in

the Worship Guide!

Make it fitCustomize the session plan to fit the needsof your church or classroom.

1 room

1 or more rooms

1) Use the Small Group Opening to welcome kids to Bible study. Kids may work the activity page and/or complete an activity together.

2) Transition to an area within your classroom that can be designated as the Large Group Bible story area. Watch the Bible story video or tell the Bible story. Incorporate any large group elements that fit your space and your time constraints.

3) Regroup to the small group area by using a countdown video, or gather around a table as you reinforce the Bible story’s main point and Christ connection.

1) Use the Small Group Opening to welcome kids to Bible study. Kids may work the activity page and/or complete an activity together.

2) Use the countdown video or other transition signal as you move your small group to join the other small groups in the large group area. Watch the Bible story video or tell the Bible story. Incorporate any large group elements that fit your space and your time constraints.

3) Regroup to the small group rooms where you will reinforce what the kids learned from the Large Group Leader, review the key passage, and practice Bible skills.

Small Group Activities

Reinforce the Bible storyby engaging in fun

activities for multiple learning styles.

Review

Activities

Journal & Pray

Finish here

Key Passage Activity

3The Story Begins

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Unit 1: God the Creator

Unit Description:In the beginning, God created everything for His glory. He made people in His image. When sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, God revealed His plan to bring people back to Himself through a descendant—His own Son.

Unit Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 8:6

Big Picture Questions: Why did God create the world? God created the world and everything in it for His glory.

What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin separates people from God.

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Unit 1: God the Creator

Session 1:Bible Story: God Created the WorldBible Passage: Genesis 1:1-25 Main Point: God created everything for His glory.

Session 2: Bible Story: God Created PeopleBible Passage: Genesis 1:26–2:25Main Point: God created people in His own image; God created them male and female.

Session 3:Bible Story: Sin Entered the WorldBible Passage: Genesis 3:1-24Main Point: Adam and Eve’s sin separated them from God.

Session 4:Bible Story: Cain and AbelBible Passage: Genesis 4:1-16,25-26Main Point: Cain’s sin separated him from God and people.

Session 5:Bible Story: Noah and the ArkBible Passage: Genesis 6:5–9:17Main Point: God is holy, and He punishes sin.

Session 6:Bible Story: The Tower of BabelBible Passage: Genesis 11:1-9Main Point: God created people to give glory to Him alone.

5God the Creator

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UNIT 1Session 1

Leader BIBLE STUDY

In the beginning, God created everything. God created the universe ex nihilo, or “out of nothing.” All of creation began with a word. When God spoke, it happened. Light, land, sky, stars, plants, and animals. God made them all, and they were good. Creation was perfect, just as God intended.

Every story in the Bible is a small piece of a much bigger story—God’s redemptive story. Sin would enter the world and affect everything, but God already knew. He already had a plan to show His grace to people through His Son (2 Tim. 1:9), to rescue and restore. In fact, the Bible says that God’s plan existed before He created the world. (Eph. 1:4-6)

Unit 1 • Session 1

Use Week of:

God Created the World

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 1:1-25MAIN POINT: God created everything for His glory.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Why did God create the world? God created the

world and everything in it for His glory.

SMALL GROUP OPENING (10–15 MINUTES)

PAGE 10

LARGE BIBLE STUDY (25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 12

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES (25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 18

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1

Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject.

The Bible is the story of how a great God redeemed rebellious people by sending His Son, Jesus, to be the perfect sacrifice for sin. The story of Jesus does not begin in a manger. The Son has always existed, and He was present at creation. He is the Word through whom all things were created. (John 1:1-3)

Colossians 1:16-17 says that everything was created by Him and for Him, and He holds everything together. Through creation, we see and understand God’s eternal power and divine nature. (Rom. 1:20)

As you begin teaching kids about creation, help them discover who God is. Remind boys and girls that God created everything with a purpose, to bring Him glory. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands.”

The Book of Genesis is the beginning of the greatest story ever told. It is a true story, and at the center of it all is the true hero, our Savior, Jesus Christ. This story changes everything.

7God the Creator

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God Created the WorldGenesis 1:1-25

In the beginning, nothing existed except for God. God spoke and created the heavens and the earth. When He first created the earth, it had no shape and total darkness covered the earth. The Spirit of God was there, hovering over the waters.

God spoke. He said, “Let there be light!” and what God said happened. Light was created. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and He called the darkness night. Evening came, and then morning came. That was the first day of creation.

God spoke again: “Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate them.” What God said happened. He made a space between the water that was on the earth and the water above the earth. God called the expanse sky. Evening came, and then morning came. That was the second day of creation.

God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear.” What God said happened. God called the dry land earth, and He called the gathered water seas. God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the earth make plants and trees with fruits and seeds.” What God said happened. Plants and trees grew, and God saw that it was good. Evening came, and then morning came. That was the third day of creation.

Next, God placed lights in the sky. God created the sun to shine during the day and the moon and stars to shine at night. God gave us lights to provide light on the

The BIBLE STORY

8 Older Kids Leader GuideUnit 1 • Session 1

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WANT TO DISCOVER

GOD’S WORD? GET

BIBLE EXPRESS!

Invite kids to check out this week’s devotionals to discover that

everything was made through Jesus and

for Jesus. Order in bulk,

subscribe quarterly, or purchase

individually. For more information,

check out www.lifeway.com/

devotionals.

earth, to separate day from night, and to help us track time in days and years. God saw that it was good. Evening came, and then morning came. That was the fourth day of creation.

Next, God made creatures that move and swim in the water. He made birds to flap their wings and soar across the sky. God saw that it was good. God told the animals to multiply, and they filled the seas and the sky. Evening came, and then morning came. That was the fifth day of creation.

Then God made more animals—livestock, creatures that crawl, and wildlife to live on the earth. When God said it, it happened. And God saw that it was good.

Christ Connection: The Bible says that Jesus is Lord over all of creation. Everything was created by Him and for Him. The Son has always existed, and He holds everything together. (Colossians 1:16-17)

9God the Creator

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Small Group OPENING

SESSION TITLE: God Created the WorldBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 1:1-25MAIN POINT: God created everything for His glory.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Why did God create the world? God created the

world and everything in it for His glory.

Welcome timeGreet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. As kids arrive, ask them to share their favorite animals and describe some of the animals’ features.SAY • The earth is filled with all types of living things, like

plants and animals. Have you ever wondered where everything came from? Maybe you know the answer. Who created everything? (God created everything.)

Activity page (5 minutes)

Invite kids to complete the “Creation Scene Search” on the activity page. Challenge kids to search the creation scene to discover which two animal examples are not pictured. (fish, squirrel) Encourage kids to identify all the animals in the picture.SAY • How many animals do you think are in the world?

Scientists estimate more than 8 million species, or kinds of animals, exist. Every year, researchers discover thousands more! Today we are going to learn about an event that happened long ago: God created the world.

• “Creation Scene Search” activity page, 1 per kid

• pencils or markers

10 Older Kids Leader GuideUnit 1 • Session 1

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Session starter (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Creation drawingsForm two teams. Invite one player from each team to come to the front of the room. Give each player a marker and explain that you will whisper something that God created. Kids should then draw the creation on the board.

The first team to guess what their teammate is drawing earns a point. (Suggested words: sun, moon, stars, flower, tree, lion, giraffe, owl, and so forth)SAY • Who created all of the things that you drew? Yes, God

created everything! We are going to hear more about the beginning of the world in today’s Bible story.

OPTION 2: Creation challengeScatter an assortment of construction materials on a table. Allow kids to work all together or form smaller groups.

Explain that kids will have a chance to create. Call out created items one at a time and give kids a couple of minutes to create. Invite kids to share their creations. (Suggested items: sun, star, tree, bird) SAY • Good try, everyone. Your creations kind of looked

like the real things; maybe you didn’t have the right supplies. Do you know what God used to make everything? Nothing! That’s right. God created everything out of nothing. He spoke, and it happened. Let’s find out more.

Transition to large group

• dry erase board or large piece of paper

• markers

LOW PREP

• various construction materials: craft sticks, construction blocks, drinking straws, craft feathers, play dough, and so forth

• tape• glue• paper• scissors

11God the Creator

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Suggested Theme Decorating Ideas: Create a hot air balloon by positioning a tall laundry hamper at the front of the room. Over the hamper, hang a large balloon or beach ball from the ceiling. Tape four lengths of string between the basket and the sides of the balloon. Decorate the basket with streamers or construction paper. Add exploration props such as a telescope, binoculars, maps, and so forth.

CountdownShow the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as large group time begins. Then begin the session by showing the video “The Big Story.”

Introduce the session (3 minutes)

[Large Group Leader enters carrying a backpack, a telescope or pair of binoculars, and a Bible.]LEADER • Hi, everyone! I sure am glad you’re here. I’m

[your name]. Hey, have any of you ever been in a hot air balloon? You can see everything from up there—trees, farms, lakes … so much of God’s creation! This telescope will help us see things that are far away, and this here is the Bible! The Bible is just what we need today as we learn about God’s creation. It tells us how all of this got started.

• room decorations• theme background

slide (optional)

• countdown video• “The Big Story” video

• Bible• backpack• telescope or binoculars

Large Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: God Created the WorldBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 1:1-25MAIN POINT: God created everything for His glory.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Why did God create the world? God created the

world and everything in it for His glory.

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Giant timeline (1 minute)

LEADER • Let’s look at our giant timeline. We are starting here, at the beginning. Did you know that even though the Bible is made up of a lot of different stories, it all tells one big story? That’s right. The Bible is the story of how God created everything and how, when we turned away from Him, He brought us back to Himself by sending His Son, Jesus, to save us from sin.

Big picture question (1 minute)

LEADER • So we know that God made everything, but have you ever wondered why? Why did God create the world? Any guesses? [Allow kids to respond.] Great ideas. Listen carefully to the Bible story; maybe you will hear the answer! Why did God create the world?

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes)

Open your Bible to Genesis 1. Tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video “God Created the World.”LEADER • Wow! Before God created the world, nothing

existed. Nothing, that is, except for ... whom? That’s right. God! No one created God. God has always existed. God the Father created everything through His Son. Why did God create the world? God created the world and everything in it for His glory. That means God created everything to show how awesome He is. Everything God made was good. It was perfect!

I’m going to ask you some questions about the Bible story. Raise your hand if you know the answer.

• Giant Timeline

• Bibles• “God Created the

World” video• Big Picture Question

Poster• Bible Story Picture

Poster

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Ask the following review questions:

1. How did God create the heavens and the earth? (He spoke, and it happened; Gen. 1:3)

2. What did God call the light and darkness? (day and night, Gen. 1:5)

3. What did God make on the third day of creation? (earth, seas, plants, trees; Gen. 1:9-13)

4. What did God create to shine at night? (moon and stars, Gen. 1:16)

5. Was God’s creation bad or good? (It was good; Gen. 1:4,10,12,18,21,25)

6. When did God make birds? (on the fifth day of creation, Gen. 1:20)

7. Why did God create the world? God created the world and everything in it for His glory.

8. Who is Lord over all creation? (Jesus, Col. 1:15)9. Who holds everything together?

(Jesus, God the Son; Col. 1:17)

Read Colossians 1:15-17 aloud from your Bible.LEADER • The Bible says that God’s Son, Jesus, is Lord over

all of creation. Everything was created by Him and for Him. The Son has always existed, and He holds everything together.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

LEADER • Why did God create the world? God created the world and everything in it for His glory. The Bible says that before God created the world, He knew people would choose not to bring Him glory. [See 1 Pet. 1:20-21.] The Bible is about God’s plan

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to send Jesus to earth to fix the relationship between God and people.

Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions.

Encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

Key passage (5 minutes)

Show the key passage poster. Lead the boys and girls to read together 1 Corinthians 8:6.LEADER • Jesus is God’s Son. Jesus’ birth wasn’t the

beginning of His life; the Son has always existed. He was with God the Father before the world began. The Bible says that He made everything, and He keeps everything from falling apart!

Demonstrate hand motions for key words to help them memorize the first part of the verse. Sample motions:

• one God—Hold up your index finger.• the Father—Place the tip of the thumb of your open hand against your forehead.

• from Him—Hold out arms and bring them toward yourself as if receiving a gift.

• for Him—Move arms away from body as if giving a gift.

LEADER • Wonderful! We will work on the rest of our key passage next week. As we sing our key passage song, try to do the motions when you hear these words.

Sing together “There Is Only One.”

• Key Passage Poster• “There Is Only One”

song

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Discussion starter video (4 minutes)

Choose a volunteer to answer the big picture question: Why did God create the world? God created the world and everything in it for His glory.LEADER • Have you ever looked at something in nature

and said, “Oh, wow!”? God made everything so that when we see it, we know how awesome He is. Check out some of the creatures in this video.

Show the “Unit 1, Session 1” discussion starter video. Lead kids to talk about what they saw. Point out that when we see a beautiful painting, we don’t tell the painting, “You’re great!” We tell the artist, “Good job!” Encourage kids to thank God for the beautiful creation they see this week.

Sing (4 minutes)

LEADER • God’s creation is so amazing. It makes me want to worship Him! Let’s sing praises to God.

Lead boys and girls to sing together “All Creatures of Our God and King (He Is Our Gain).”

Prayer (2 minutes)

Invite kids to pray before dismissing to small groups.LEADER • Heavenly Father, Your creation is so wonderful!

When we see it, we remember You! You made everything for Your glory. When we enjoy a sunset or admire an animal or feel the cool air on our faces, we give praise to You! Turn our hearts toward You every day. We love You. Amen.

Dismiss to small groups

• “Unit 1, Session 1” discussion starter video

• “All Creatures of Our God and King (He Is Our Gain)” song

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The Gospel: God’s Plan for MeAsk kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:19.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

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Small Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: God Created the WorldBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 1:1-25MAIN POINT: God created everything for His glory.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Why did God create the world? God created the

world and everything in it for His glory.

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Display the key passage poster. Lead the kids to read it aloud together. Then form two groups. Lead the first group in reading a few words of the key passage, and then pause while the second group echoes the first. Repeat until kids say the entire verse.

If your group is large, form three groups and guide the first group to say the phrase loudly, the second group to echo at a normal volume, and the third group to whisper.SAY • Let’s try to memorize this verse over the next few

weeks. When we memorize words from the Bible, we remember what is true. This verse tells us about God and creation. God created everything for His glory.

Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes)

Guide kids to sit in a circle. Distribute Bibles and instruct kids to open their Bibles to the Book of Genesis. Explain that the word genesis means “the beginning.”SAY • The Book of Genesis is the first book in the Bible.

It tells us about the beginning of the world, when only God existed. No one created God; He has always existed. The Bible tells us that God created everything! We can read about creation in Genesis 1.

• Key Passage Poster

• Bibles, 1 per kid• Main Point Poster

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Call out a reference and invite kids to find the verse in their Bibles. For each reference, ask kids to tell what God created.

• Genesis 1:3 (light)• Genesis 1:6-8 (sky)• Genesis 1:9-10 (earth, seas)• Genesis 1:11-12 (plants, trees)• Genesis 1:16 (sun, moon, stars)• Genesis 1:20 (fish, birds)

Begin a slow pat-pat-clap-clap-pat-pat-clap rhythm as you teach them a rhyme to remember the days of creation. Pat or clap for each syllable. Kids may pat their legs or the floor.

“God created on Day 1He made light where there was none.

God created on Day 2Space called sky, the sky so blue.

God created on Day 3Earth and seas and plants and trees.

God created on Day 4Sun and moon and stars galore!

God created on Day 5Fish to swim and birds to fly.”

Say the rhyme a few times, encouraging kids to repeat the words after you. Explain that on Day 6, God made more animals and His most special creation of all—people!SAY • God created everything for His glory. That means

that God created everything to show how awesome He is. Have you ever seen a colorful sunset or the patterns on a bug and said, “Wow!”? The next time you enjoy creation, thank God for it; He made it!

Option: Retell or review the Bible story using the bolded text of the Bible story script.

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Activity choice (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Days of creation movesWrite the numbers 1 to 5 on separate craft sticks. Hold the sticks in your hand, covering the numbers.

Instruct kids to form a large circle. Walk around the circle and choose a volunteer to pull one of the sticks from your hand. The volunteer should announce the number to the group and then give a physical task the group should do that number of times. For example, one push-up, two sit-ups, three squats, four twirls, or five jumping jacks.

Then call on a kid to name something God created on the corresponding day of creation. Refer to the following verses to check kids’ answers. (Day 1, see Gen. 1:1-5; Day 2, see Gen. 1:6-8; Day 3, see Gen. 1:9-13; Day 4, see Gen. 1:14-19; Day 5, see Gen. 1:20-25)

Play again, allowing another volunteer to pull a stick.SAY • Good job, everyone! Can anyone tell me why God

created the sun? Why did God make the stars? Or fish? Yes, God created everything for His glory.

OPTION 2: Wonders of creationPrint and cut apart the creation cards. Arrange chairs in a circle, one per kid, and tape the cards under separate chairs.

Instruct kids to walk in a circle around the chairs. Explain that you will read a fact. When you finish, everyone should sit in a chair. Then guide kids to look under their chairs. If a kid finds the creation card described by the fact, he should hold up the card and exclaim, “Wow!”

Invite him to show the rest of the group what is on his card. Guide the rest of the kids to return their cards under their chairs. Play again with the remaining facts.

• craft sticks, 5• markers• Bible

LOW PREP

• “Creation Cards” printable

• tape

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1. This type of energy travels faster than anything else. (Day 1, light)

2. This might look red, orange, purple, or yellow; but most of the time it looks blue. (Day 2, sky)

3. More than 20,000 types of these exist in the world—have you ever seen an evergreen, cottonwood, maple, or elm? (Day 3, trees)

4. No one has ever counted them, but experts estimate our galaxy is home to about 300 billion of these. (Day 4, stars)

5. An albatross is a type of this animal. It can travel thousands of miles without stopping. (Day 5, bird)

6. These creatures include giraffes, elephants, lions, and turtles. (Day 6, wildlife)

SAY • Wow! Isn’t God’s creation wonderful? He made all of these things out of nothing! When God spoke, it happened. God created everything for His glory.

Journal and prayer (5 minutes)

Invite kids to write on their journal pages about something they enjoy from God’s creation. Kids may also draw pictures of things God created.SAY • God made everything for His glory. He made

everything to show how awesome He is. Let’s pray and thank God for His creation.

Lead kids in a short prayer. Thank God for the beauty of His creation, and praise Him for His creativity.

As time allows, lead kids to complete “The Big Question” on the activity page. Kids will unscramble the words to answer the big picture question. (Answer: God created the world and everything in it for His glory.)

Option: Research additional facts to extend play.

• pencils• Journal Page• “The Big Question”

activity page, 1 per kid

Tip: Give parents this week’s Big Picture Cards for Families to allow families to interact with the biblical content at home.

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UNIT 1Session 2

Leader BIBLE STUDY

On the sixth day of creation, God created man in His own image. God formed the man out of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. (Gen. 2:7) Man was set apart as different from the rest of God’s creation. God did not breathe into the animals. He skillfully formed man out of dust as a potter forms a pot out of clay. (See Isa. 64:8.)

God sustained the man. He planted a garden in Eden and put the man there to work it and keep it. (Gen. 2:8,15) Then God gave the man a command. God told the man, “You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” Then God explained the consequences, “For on

Unit 1 • Session 2

Use Week of:

God Created People

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 1:26–2:25MAIN POINT: God created people in His own image; God created them male

and female.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Why did God create the world? God created the

world and everything in it for His glory.

SMALL GROUP OPENING (10–15 MINUTES)

PAGE 26

LARGE BIBLE STUDY (25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 28

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES (25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 34

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2

Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject.

the day you eat from it, you will certainly die” (Gen. 2:17).

Then God made woman from the man’s rib. She was a suitable helper for him. Both man and woman were created in God’s image. The first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve, lived in the garden and enjoyed God’s friendship.

We know Adam and Eve did not keep the command God gave, and their disobedience brought sin into the world. For that reason, God sent His Son, Jesus—“the image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15) and “the exact expression of His nature” (Heb. 1:3). God the Son became fully man, acting as the second Adam, to bring life to those who are in Him. (See 1 Cor. 15:45-49.)

As you teach kids this week, help them understand that being made in God’s image means we are made like Him, or patterned after Him. God does not have a physical body; He is Spirit, and He has given each of us a spirit. God gives people the ability to think and to feel emotions and to make choices. He gives us the ability to understand right and wrong.

Emphasize that God made people different than anything else He created. God created people in His own image (Gen. 1:26) and for His glory (Isa. 43:7).

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God Created PeopleGenesis 1:26–2:25

On the sixth day of creation, God made people. God created people differently than anything else He created. God created people in His very own image. God took dust from the ground and made a man. God breathed His very own breath into the man, and the man became alive. God made a garden in the land of Eden, and He put the man in the garden. God told the man to work in the garden and take care of it.

God provided food from the trees for the man to eat, and God provided a river to water the garden. Then God said, “You can eat from any of the trees in the garden, except for one.” The garden had a tree in it called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God warned the man, “If you eat from that tree, you will die.”

Now God was not yet finished with creation. He saw the man and said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.”

So God decided to make a helper for the man. God made wild animals and birds, and the man gave names to all of the creatures. But none of the animals was a good helper for the man.

So God made the man fall fast asleep. He took one of the man’s ribs and created a woman. When the man saw the woman, he was very happy.

The woman was a perfect helper for the man; she was his wife. The man’s name was Adam, and his wife’s name was Eve.

God gave Adam and Eve good things. He put them in charge of the animals and provided everything they needed. God looked at everything He had made, and it was very

The BIBLE STORY

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WANT TO DISCOVER

GOD’S WORD? GET

BIBLE EXPRESS!

Invite kids to check out this week’s devotionals to

discover that God created the first man, Adam, in His image.

Order in bulk, subscribe quarterly,

or purchase individually. For

more information, check out

www.lifeway.com/devotionals.

good. God had done everything He planned to do. So on the seventh day of creation, God rested from His work.

Christ Connection: God created people in His own image. Adam was like God in some ways, but he was not a perfect representation of God. God sent His Son, Jesus, to show us exactly what God is like. (Colossians 1:15) Jesus is the perfect representation of God because He is God. (Hebrews 1:3)

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Small Group OPENING

SESSION TITLE: God Created People BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 1:26–2:25MAIN POINT: God created people in His own image; God created them male

and female.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Why did God create the world? God created the

world and everything in it for His glory.

Welcome timeGreet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. As kids arrive, invite them to look in a mirror and tell you one thing they like about their appearance. Encourage hesitant kids by saying, “I really like your hair,” or “You have a great smile!”SAY • Every one of you is so special. Do you know why?

Because God made you!

Activity page (5 minutes)

Invite kids to complete the “Day Six! Crossword” on the activity page. Lead kids to share what they know about the key words. (Words: Adam, dust, Eve, garden, helper, people, rib, sixth)SAY • Today’s Bible story is about two people in a garden.

Let’s find out what the rest of these words have to do with our Bible story.

Session starter (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Partner reflectionsGuide each kid to find a partner. Instruct pairs to spread out in the room. Each kid should stand, facing her partner.

• non-breaking hand mirror

• “Day Six! Crossword” activity page, 1 per kid

• pencils or markers

LOW PREP

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Each pair should decide which partner will lead first.The lead player will begin making a slow motion. For

example, raising an arm or turning a foot. The second partner should reflect her partner’s actions, as if the lead is looking into a mirror. After some practice, the lead player may make faster movements. Challenge the second partner to keep up! Then allow partners to switch roles.SAY • When you look into a mirror, you see your reflection.

Your reflection is an image or picture of you. Did you know that the Bible says you were created in God’s image? When God made people, He made them like Himself in some ways. We’ll learn more about that during today’s Bible story.

OPTION 2: Clay formationsGive each kid a fist-sized lump of clay. Encourage them to knead the clay and form something out of it. Suggest kids form an animal or a person.

Give each kid a chance to show his creation to the rest of the group and explain what he made.SAY • Those are some very neat creations! Now I want you

to do something. Listen carefully! Everyone take a deep breath, and then blow on your clay. [Pause while kids blow.] Did anything happen? If you formed a person, did your clay turn into a living, breathing person? No? Well, today we are going to hear a story from the Bible about how God created the first man and breathed life into him!

Transition to large group

• clay or play dough

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CountdownShow the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (3 minutes)

[Large Group Leader enters carrying a backpack, a pair of utility work gloves, and a Bible.]LEADER • Hey, everyone! I sure am glad to see you. I am

just about all set to take off in my hot air balloon. I’m just running into one little problem. Flying a hot air balloon is a lot of work! I certainly can’t do it alone. First, you have to adjust the burners to heat up the air in the envelope … that’s the technical term for the big balloon part. When the air gets hot enough, it lifts off the ground! Did you know that hot air is lighter than cool air?

Anyway, that is just the takeoff part. You can’t really steer a hot air balloon, but you can adjust the heat to make it go up and down. Turning up the burner makes the balloon go up, and turning down the burner makes the balloon go down. Up, down, up, down. I could really use a helper to make this trip a success! Do you know of any good helpers?

• countdown video

• leader attire• backpack• Bible

Large Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: God Created PeopleBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 1:26–2:25MAIN POINT: God created people in His own image; God created them male

and female.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Why did God create the world? God created the

world and everything in it for His glory.

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Giant timeline (1 minute)

LEADER • Well, think on that while we get started with today’s Bible story. Let’s see where we are on our giant timeline. Last week, we learned about the things God made during the first five days of creation. God saved His most special creation for last. On the sixth day, “God Created People.”

Big picture question (1 minute)

LEADER • Does anyone remember our big picture question? Why did God create the world? God had a reason for making plants and animals and oceans; do you think He had a reason for making people? Let’s find out. Listen carefully to the Bible story.

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes)

Open your Bible to Genesis 1:26–2:25. Tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video “God Created People.”LEADER • When God made people, He made them in

a special way. God made people different from everything else that He created. Do you know what makes us different than the rest of creation? That’s right. God created people in His own image; God created them male and female.

Being made in God’s image means that we are like God in some ways. God gives us the ability to love and to be patient and to enjoy things that are beautiful. He gives us wisdom so we can choose what is best; God always does what is best! And He gives us knowledge. We can know some things, but God knows everything!

• Giant Timeline

• Bibles• “God Created People”

video• Big Picture Question

Poster• Bible Story Picture

Poster• Main Point Poster

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Ask the following review questions:1. Why did God create the world? God created the

world and everything in it for His glory.2. On what day did God make people? (sixth day of

creation, Gen. 1:26-31)3. In whose image did God create people? (God created

people in His own image. God created them male and female; Gen. 1:27)

4. What did God use to make the man? (dust from the ground, Gen. 2:7)

5. Where did God put the man to live? (in the garden of Eden, Gen. 2:8)

6. What job did God give the man? (to work in the garden and take care of it, Gen. 2:15)

7. What warning did God give the man? (He could eat from any of the trees in the garden, except for one, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; Gen. 2:16-17)

8. Why did God make a helper for the man? (God said it was not good for the man to be alone, Gen. 2:18)

9. What did God use to make the woman? (one of the man’s ribs, Gen. 2:21-22)

10. Was the man exactly like God? (no)11. Who shows us exactly what God is like? (God’s Son,

Jesus; Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3)

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions.

Encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

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Sing (4 minutes)

LEADER • If God created the world and everything in it for His glory, then we should praise Him! Will you sing with me?

Sing together “All Creatures of Our God and King (He Is Our Gain).” Invite kids to wave their hands in the air when they sing “Alleluia!”

Key passage (5 minutes)

Show the key passage poster. Lead the boys and girls to read together 1 Corinthians 8:6. Review the hand motions from the previous session. Then demonstrate hand motions to help boys and girls memorize the second part of the verse.

• one Lord—Hold up your index finger.• Jesus Christ—Touch the tip of the middle finger of your right hand to the center of the palm of your left hand. Then touch the tip of the middle finger of your left hand into the palm of your right hand.

• all things—Point around as if pointing to all things.• we exist—Stand tall and point to yourself.

Sing together “There Is Only One.”

Discussion starter video (4 minutes)

LEADER • God made us all in His image, but we aren’t all exactly the same. Have you ever met someone who was different than you? I mean very different?

Show the “Unit 1, Session 2” discussion starter video. Lead kids to talk about why they might hesitate to be friends with someone who is different from them.LEADER • What are some ways you can respect others at

school, home, church, or in your neighborhood?God created people—all people, both male and

• “All Creatures of Our God and King (He Is Our Gain)” song

• Key Passage Poster• “There Is Only One”

song

• “Unit 1, Session 2” discussion starter video

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female—in His own image. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect.

Prayer (2 minutes)Call on two or three volunteers to share something they would like to thank God for. Include thanks for these things when you pray.LEADER • Father God, You made all things, and we give

You glory! Everything You made shows how awesome You are. Thank You for giving us interesting animals and beautiful sunsets to enjoy. Thank You for making people. We know that every person is special because he or she is made in Your image. Most of all, thank You for Jesus, who shows us exactly what You are like because He is Your Son. We love You, Lord. Amen.

Dismiss to small groups

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The Gospel: God’s Plan for MeAsk kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:19.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

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Small Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: God Created PeopleBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 1:26–2:25MAIN POINT: God created people in His own image; God created them male

and female.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Why did God create the world? God created the

world and everything in it for His glory.

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Write the words of the key passage on separate index cards. Form two groups. Instruct one group to line up single file behind an empty trash can. Give the first player in line a paper wad or small foam ball.

Guide the second group to gather around a table or form a circle on the floor. Give the group the key passage cards. Explain the instructions for the game:

1. When you say go, the second group will work together to arrange the key passage cards in order.

2. While the second group works, players in the first group will take turns shooting baskets. Players should try to make as many baskets as they can before the other group finishes arranging the cards.

3. When the second group finishes, call for everyone to freeze. Lead the group to read the verse aloud. (If the key passage is not arranged correctly, instruct the group to try again while the first team continues shooting baskets.)

4. If the key passage is correct, note how many baskets the first group made.

5. Guide the teams to switch roles and play again. See which team can score the most baskets.

• Key Passage Poster• index cards• marker• empty trash can• paper wad or foam ball

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Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes)

Guide kids to sit in a circle. Begin a slow pat-pat-clap-clap-pat-pat-clap rhythm as you review the days of creation rhyme from the previous session.

“God created on Day 1He made light where there was none.

God created on Day 2Space called sky, the sky so blue.

God created on Day 3Earth and seas and plants and trees.

God created on Day 4Sun and moon and stars galore!

God created on Day 5Fish to swim and birds to fly.”

Now introduce two more verses to include details from today’s Bible story:

“God created on Day 6Man and woman in the mix.

On Day 7, God did restHis creation is the best!”

Say the rhyme again, encouraging kids to repeat after you for each day of creation. If kids master the rhyme, challenge them by leading, “God created on Day … ” and then call out a number between 1 and 6. Kids should finish the rhyme with the correct phrase. SAY • Great job, everyone! We know that on the sixth day,

God created people. He made a man and a woman—Adam and Eve—and He made them different from

• Bibles, 1 per kid• Main Point Poster

Option: Retell or review the Bible story using the bolded text of the Bible story script.

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anything else He created. God created people in His own image; God created them male and female.

Activity choice (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Guess who?Form two teams. Choose a contestant from each team to join you at the front of the room. Guide the rest of the players to stand with their groups. Instruct each contestant to secretly choose a player from the opposing team. They should whisper to you the name of the player.

Play begins by contestant 1 asking a yes-or-no question about the mystery player. Any yes-or-no question about the person’s physical appearance is allowed. For example, “Is my person a girl?” or “Does my person have brown hair?” Any players not matching the description should sit down.

Then contestant 2 asks a question. A contestant may guess the mystery player on his turn. If correct, his team wins. If incorrect, the player he guessed sits down and the other contestant has a turn. The first to guess correctly wins.SAY • You figured out the mystery player by his or her

physical appearance. How can every person be made in God’s image if we all look so different?

God does not have a physical body. God created people in His own image; God created them male and female. That means we are like God in some ways—not in the way we look, but in some of our characteristics such as knowledge, wisdom, love, patience, and so forth. Adam was like God in some ways, but he was not a perfect representation of God. God sent His Son, Jesus, to show us exactly what God is like. Jesus is the perfect representation of God because He is God.

LOW PREP

Option: Review the gospel with boys and girls. Explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions.

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OPTION 2: Shadow picturesChoose a volunteer and demonstrate how to make a shadow picture. Guide the kid to sit or stand sideways next to a wall. Position a bright lamp or flashlight several feet away so the shadow of the kid’s head and neck is sharp on the wall. If necessary, dim other lights in the room.

Tape a piece of white paper where the shadow falls. Use a pencil to trace the outline of the shadow. Lightly glue the black construction paper to the back and the kid can cut around the outline. Mount the shadow on another piece of white construction paper. The kid can use colored pencils to write his name next to his shadow.

Assist each kid in making a shadow picture or provide supplies for kids to work together in small groups.SAY • God created people in His own image; God created

them male and female. We aren’t exactly like God, but we are like Him in some ways—like a shadow. We have knowledge, wisdom, and love like God. God sent His Son, Jesus, to show us exactly what God is like. Jesus is the perfect representation of God because He is God.

Journal and prayer (5 minutes)

Give each kid the journal page and a pencil. Remind kids that God created the world and everything in it for His glory. Prompt kids to list ways they could use their unique qualities to bring God glory. Or suggest kids write a short prayer, thanking God for creating them in His own image.

As time allows, lead kids to complete “In His Image” on the activity page. Encourage kids to draw pictures of themselves. Consider providing small mirrors for kids to draw a self-portrait.

• black and white construction paper

• bright lamps or flashlights

• colored pencils• scissors• tape• glue

Tip: Give parents this week’s Big Picture Cards for Families to allow families to interact with the biblical content at home.

• pencils• Journal Page• “In His Image” activity

page, 1 per kid• markers or colored

pencils• small mirrors (optional)

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UNIT 1Session 3

Leader BIBLE STUDY

Adam and Eve enjoyed all that was good in the garden of Eden. The Lord gave them only one restriction: “You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,” and the punishment was severe: “You will certainly die” (Gen. 2:17).

Before the fall, Adam and Eve enjoyed a loving, two-way relationship with God. The garden was a true paradise. God filled the garden with good gifts so that they might enjoy them and give thanks to God; this glorifies God. All of that changed when Adam and Eve gave in to the serpent’s temptation. Eve believed the lie that leads many of us to sin: Maybe God is holding out on me.

Unit 1 • Session 3

Use Week of:

Sin Entered the World

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 3:1-24MAIN POINT: Adam and Eve’s sin separated them from God.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin

separates people from God.

SMALL GROUP OPENING (10–15 MINUTES)

PAGE 42

LARGE BIBLE STUDY (25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 44

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES (25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 50

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3

Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject.

Adam and Eve desired something more: the wisdom the fruit offered. But when their eyes were opened, they were aware of their nakedness and they felt ashamed. Surely the Lord’s heart broke at their act of disobedience and rebellion. Because of their sin, He cast them out of the garden. Though they did not die right away, sin’s effect was immediate and thorough. Their lives and their children’s lives—and the lives of all of mankind—would be forever affected by their choice.

God did not leave Adam and Eve without hope. He promised that one of Eve’s descendants would strike the head of the serpent. (Gen. 3:15) Each generation after Eve hoped that one of their children would be the Promised One—the One who would crush the head of the snake and put an end to the curse over creation.

Sin is a big problem that needs a big solution. At just the right time, God sent His Son into the world, born as a baby. Matthew 1:21 says, “You are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” As the kids you teach become increasingly aware of the bad news—that we are all sinners from birth—rejoice with them over the good news: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15).

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Sin Entered the WorldGenesis 3:1-24

God gave the first two people—Adam and Eve—a beautiful garden to live in. The garden was full of food they could eat. God also gave them one command. He told Adam that he could eat from any tree in the garden except for one. It was called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God said that if Adam did eat from the tree, he would die.

Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals. One day, the serpent went to Eve. He asked, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’?”

Eve answered, “We can eat the fruit from the trees in the garden. But God told us not to eat from the tree in the middle of the garden. He said that if we eat the fruit or touch it, we will die.”

“No! You will not die,” the serpent said. The serpent told Eve that rather than dying, she and Adam would be like God! They would know good and evil.

Eve looked at the fruit God had said not to eat. It did look delicious, and the serpent said it would give them wisdom. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Eve also gave some of the fruit to Adam, who was with her, and he ate it.

Then their eyes were opened, and they knew they were naked. Adam and Eve sewed together fig leaves and made clothes for themselves.

That evening, Adam and Eve heard God walking in the garden. They hid among the trees. God called out to Adam, “Where are you?”

The BIBLE STORY

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WANT TO DISCOVER

GOD’S WORD? GET

BIBLE EXPRESS!

Invite kids to check out this week’s devotionals to

discover that Adam and Eve exchanged

the truth—God is good—for

the serpent’s lie. (Rom. 1:25)

Order in bulk, subscribe quarterly,

or purchase individually. For

more information, check out

www.lifeway.com/devotionals.

Adam said, “I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.”God asked Adam, “Who told you that you were naked?

Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

Adam blamed Eve. “She gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it,” he said.

Eve blamed the serpent. “He tricked me,” she said.God said that because of the serpent’s trick and Adam

and Eve’s disobedience, bad things would happen. Eve would have more pain when she had children, and Adam would struggle to work the ground for food. God said that the snake would crawl on its belly and be an enemy to the woman. But God promised that one of Eve’s descendants would destroy the serpent.

Everything changed after Adam and Eve sinned. Sin separated Adam and Eve from God. God made them clothes out of animal skins and then sent them out of the garden. God put an angel at the entrance of the garden. The angel had a sword of fire to guard the way to the tree of life.

Christ Connection: Since Adam and Eve, everyone has sinned against God. Our sin separates us from God. God promised that one of Eve’s descendants would put an end to sin and death. God sent His Son, Jesus, to live as Adam didn’t—perfectly sinless. God the Son came into the world to rescue people from sin and bring them back to God.

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Small Group OPENING

SESSION TITLE: Sin Entered the WorldBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 3:1-24MAIN POINT: Adam and Eve’s sin separated them from God.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin

separates people from God.

Welcome timeGreet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Invite volunteers to share something that happened this week that made them feel frustrated or angry. What do they wish would have been different?

Activity page (5 minutes)

Invite kids to complete “Out of Eden” maze on the activity page. Remind kids that when God created Adam and Eve, He gave them a beautiful garden to live in.SAY • In today’s Bible story, something bad happened and

God sent Adam and Eve away from the garden of Eden.

Session starter (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Find the fruitBefore class, position a few pieces of fruit somewhere in the room—out of the way, but not out of sight. Invite kids to play a seeking game. Explain that you will describe an item in the room. They should guess what you are describing.

When kids think they know what you are describing, they should raise their hands. Call on a kid with his hand

• “Out of Eden” activity page, 1 per kid

• pencils or markers

• pieces of fruit (real or plastic)

LOW PREP

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raised to guess. If he is correct, play again by describing another piece of fruit. If he is incorrect, keep giving clues.

Before each clue, say this rhyme: “I can see it. Can you see it, too? I can see it. How about you? It’s in this room. It’s [describe the item]. What is it?”

Challenge kids with creative descriptions. You might choose to describe an apple as “shiny” or “smaller than a book” rather than “round and red.”SAY • Did it take you long to find the fruit? Today we are

going to hear a Bible story about some fruit that God said to stay away from.

OPTION 2: Puzzle raceMix up the pieces of a large floor puzzle and pile them at one end of the room. Display the puzzle box at the other end of the room so kids can see the picture.

Guide kids to stand in a single-file line. Explain that when you say “go,” the first player will pick up a puzzle piece, race to the other side of the room, and position it on the floor. Kids should take turns carrying pieces across the room and positioning them together to finish the puzzle. Encourage kids to cheer on their teammates and offer helpful suggestions about where a piece might fit.

If your group is large, choose a puzzle with more pieces or form two or more smaller groups.SAY • This puzzle looks so much better when it’s all put

back together! Today’s Bible story is about something that was broken and God’s plan to put it back together again.

Transition to large group

• 24-piece floor puzzle

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CountdownShow the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (3 minutes)

[Large Group Leader enters, panting as if out of breath. Leader’s hair is disheveled with sunglasses slightly askew.]LEADER • Whew! Whoa. Hi there! Oh, boy. I am so glad

to be back on the ground! It’s dangerous up there! I was up in my hot air balloon, taking in the beautiful views of the countryside, when all of a sudden … whoosh! I was nearly blown right out of the sky by a very strong gust of wind! The balloon was totally out of control. The basket was flopping back and forth, and I was just hanging on for dear life. I don’t think I have ever prayed so hard in my life! I probably would have blown away if I hadn’t been holding onto this heavy Bible. This here is a lifesaver—literally!

Giant timeline (1 minute)

LEADER • Now that I’m back on level ground, let’s figure out where we are. Let’s see. A couple of weeks ago, we started back here at the very beginning of the

• countdown video

• leader attire• sunglasses• large, heavy Bible

• Giant Timeline

Large Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: Sin Entered the World BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 3:1-24MAIN POINT: Adam and Eve’s sin separated them from God.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin

separates people from God.

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Bible. Remember, even though the Bible has a lot of little stories in it, they all come together to tell one big story! First, we heard that God created everything. That’s right. God created everything for His glory. And after God made the sun and moon and stars and sky and animals, He created people! God created people in His own image; God created them male and female. Today’s Bible story is called “Sin Entered the World.” Uh-oh. That does not sound good!

Big picture question (1 minute)

LEADER • Our big picture question was, Why did God create the world? God created the world and everything in it for His glory. This week, we have a new big picture question: What is sin? Well, if it entered the world, we better find out what it is! Listen closely to the Bible story to see if you can find the answer.

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes)

Open your Bible to Genesis 3. Tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video “Sin Entered the World.”LEADER • Oh, no! Adam and Eve chose not to obey God.

They took the fruit that God told Adam not to eat, and they ate it! They broke God’s law, and God sent them out of the garden of Eden. Adam and Eve sinned. What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin separates people from God.

God is holy. Holy means “set apart.” God can’t be around sin, so sin separates people from God. Adam

• Bibles• “Sin Entered the World”

video• Big Picture Question

Poster• Bible Story Picture

Poster• Main Point Poster

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and Eve’s sin separated them from God. This is so sad! Before sin entered the world, Adam and Eve had everything they needed. They were friends with God, and He gave them good gifts like the garden to live in and fruit from other trees.

When Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, sin came into the world and everything changed. God had warned Adam that if he ate the fruit he would die. Adam did not die right away, but all of creation started to decay. Have you ever seen a plant wither up in the sun? Or have you ever been sick? The world is not supposed to be like this! Because of sin, everything is broken. And since Adam and Eve, everyone has sinned against God. We are all separated from God because of our sin. The punishment for sin is death. What terrible news.

God did not turn His back and leave Adam and Eve. He made them a promise. God promised that one of Eve’s descendants would destroy the serpent. God meant that sin and death would not last forever. What good news! God had a plan to send His Son, Jesus, to live as Adam didn’t—perfectly sinless. God the Son came into the world to rescue people from sin and bring them back to God.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions.

Encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

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Sing (4 minutes)

LEADER • Oh, this good news makes my heart so happy. God did not have to send Jesus. We don’t deserve Him! But God loves us so much. He did not leave us alone. He had a wonderful plan to rescue sinners. Let’s sing!

Sing together “All Creatures of Our God and King (He Is Our Gain).”

Discussion starter video (4 minutes)

LEADER • Have you ever done something and immediately regretted it? Adam and Eve probably regretted their decision to disobey God. Sin changed everything! Because of sin, everything is broken, and we can’t fix it ourselves. Check this out.

Show the “Unit 1, Session 3” discussion starter video. Lead boys and girls to talk about the video. Could the shattered vase be fixed with glue? Could it be made like new?LEADER • What should Nell have done? What does God

want us to do when we sin?What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin

separates people from God. Jesus came into the world to rescue people from sin and bring them back to God. Jesus can take away our sin and make us new!

Key passage (5 minutes)

Show the key passage poster. Lead the boys and girls to read together 1 Corinthians 8:6.LEADER • There is only one God, and everything comes

from Him. Every sunrise? That’s from God. Every rainfall? That’s from God too. Every mountain and

• “All Creatures of Our God and King (He Is Our Gain)” song

• “Unit 1, Session 3” discussion starter video

• Key Passage Poster• “There Is Only One”

song

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bumblebee and cloud—everything is from God! He created us and wants us to live for Him.

Review the hand motions from previous sessions. Choose a couple of volunteers to lead the boys and girls to perform the hand motions as they read the verse aloud. Then sing together “There Is Only One.”

Prayer (2 minutes)

LEADER • It’s almost time for you to head to your small groups. Before you go, who would like to answer our big picture question? What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin separates people from God.

Let’s pray. Lord God, our hearts break when we think about sin and its effect on everything You created. We admit that like Adam and Eve, we have all sinned, or chosen to disobey You. We try to hide from You, but You came to find us and rescue us from sin. Thank You for sending Jesus to rescue us. This is such good news! We love You. Amen.

Dismiss to small groups

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The Gospel: God’s Plan for MeAsk kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:19.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

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Small Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: Sin Entered the WorldBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 3:1-24MAIN POINT: Adam and Eve’s sin separated them from God.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin

separates people from God.

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Write each word of the key passage on a separate sticky note. Mix up the sticky notes and use them to cover the key passage poster.

Ask kids to point out the first word of the key passage. Allow a volunteer to pull off the sticky note. Then kids should point out the second word, third word, and so forth. When kids have removed all the words in the correct order, lead them to read the key passage from the poster.SAY • God wants us to live for Him. He created us for His

glory. Adam and Eve chose not to give God glory when they disobeyed Him.

Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes)

Guide each kid to open his or her Bible to Genesis 3. SAY • When the serpent tricked Eve, the serpent said, “Did

God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’?” I think that serpent probably knew exactly what God had said! He tried to trick Eve; he lied and told Eve that she would not die if she ate the fruit.

Explain that you will read some statements about the Bible story. Kids should look at Genesis 3 to determine if the statement is true or false. When they find the answer, kids

• Key Passage Poster• green sticky notes• marker

• Bibles, 1 per kid• Main Point Poster

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should raise their hands. Precede each statement with “Does the Bible really say … ?”

1. God told Adam that he could eat from any of the trees in the garden except for two. (false, except for one tree—the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; Gen. 2:16-17)

2. God said that Adam would die if he ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (true, Gen. 2:17)

3. The salamander tricked Eve into eating from the tree. (false, the serpent; Gen. 3:1-4)

4. When Adam and Eve ate the fruit, they went blind. (false, they saw that they were naked; Gen. 3:7)

5. In the evening, Adam and Eve heard God digging in the garden. (false, walking; Gen. 3:8)

6. When Adam and Eve heard God in the garden, they hid among the trees. (true, Gen. 3:8)

7. Eve blamed the serpent. She said, “He tricked me.” (true, Gen. 3:13)

8. God promised that one of Eve’s descendants would destroy the serpent. (true, Gen. 3:15)

9. God said Adam and Eve would have to live in the garden of Eden forever. (false, He sent them out of the garden; Gen. 3:23)

SAY • Adam and Eve’s sin separated them from God. God promised that one of Eve’s descendants would put an end to sin and death. God had a wonderful plan to rescue people from sin. One day He would send His Son, Jesus, to put an end to sin and death.

Option: Retell or review the Bible story using the bolded text of the Bible story script.

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Activity choice (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Team representativeForm two or more teams. Instruct each team to choose a representative for a competition. Invite each representative to the front of the room. Explain that each player represents his or her team. If the representative wins, the team wins. If you have a fabulous prize, show it off. Point out that if the representative loses, the team loses.

Give the representatives difficult tasks that they are likely unable to complete. Examples:

• Say the Declaration of Independence from memory.• Do 50 push-ups in 10 seconds.• Solve a long division problem without a calculator.

Finally, announce that every representative lost, so no one receives the fabulous prize.SAY • In the garden of Eden, Adam was our representative.

He was the first man. Adam’s sin affected everyone who came after him—even us today.

Everyone sins, and we deserve the punishment for sin. God said that the punishment for sin is death. Adam and Eve’s sin separated them from God, and sin separates us from God. But God loves us, and He sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from sin. Jesus never sinned. He came to take the punishment we deserve for our sin. When we trust in Jesus, He is our representative. God sees us as Jesus is—perfectly righteous—and gives us eternal life.

OPTION 2: The blame gameGuide boys and girls to stand in a circle. Give each kid a plastic spoon and a candy piece. Instruct kids to position the candy on their spoons. Begin clapping a slow rhythm.

• fabulous prize (optional)

LOW PREP

Tip: Allow kids to try several “impossible” tasks, like counting to 1 trillion.

• plastic spoons, 1 per kid• chocolate-covered

candy pieces• Allergy Alert printable

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Explain that kids should begin passing their candies, one at a time, with the beat. Slowly increase the speed of clapping.

When someone drops a candy, pause the game. Ask players to determine who was at fault—the person passing the candy or the person receiving it. The player at fault must sit out, but his candy remains in play. Difficulty increases with fewer players.

Make sure kids are not cruel in “passing the blame.” If tension rises, pause the game and talk about how Adam and Eve must have felt when God confronted them for their sin.SAY • Adam and Eve’s sin separated them from God.

Since Adam and Eve, everyone has sinned. When we sin, we don’t need to blame others or make excuses. We can confess our sin because Jesus died to take the punishment for our sin. When we trust in Jesus, God will forgive our sin.

Journal and prayer (5 minutes)

Distribute pencils and journal pages.SAY • Think of a time you did something wrong. What was

your punishment? Write about or draw a picture of how you felt. The Bible says we deserve to die for our sin, but Jesus came to rescue us from sin. How does this good news make you feel?

As time allows, lead kids to complete “What Is Sin?” on the activity page. Kids should cross out every third letter from left to right, starting on the top row and working down.

Kids will fill in the blanks to reveal the answer to, What is sin? (Answer: Sin is breaking God’s law.)

Option: Review the gospel with boys and girls. Explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions.

• pencils• Journal Page• “What Is Sin?” activity

page, 1 per kid

Tip: Give parents this week’s Big Picture Cards for Families to allow families to interact with the biblical content at home.

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UNIT 1Session 4

Leader BIBLE STUDY

Imagine Adam and Eve’s joy as their family grew. With each birth, maybe Eve hoped that this son would be the one to end the curse of sin, to crush the head of the snake. (Gen. 3:15) But as her sons Cain and Abel grew up, she and Adam probably witnessed with grief how sin affected their own children. Cain was not the Promised One, and neither was Abel.

When they were grown, Cain and Abel each had jobs. Abel was a shepherd, caring for his flocks of animals. Cain worked the ground as a farmer. One day, they each presented an offering to the Lord. God accepted Abel’s offering, but He did not accept Cain’s.

Unit 1 • Session 4

Use Week of:

Cain and Abel

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 4:1-16,25-26MAIN POINT: Cain’s sin separated him from God and people.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin

separates people from God.

SMALL GROUP OPENING (10–15 MINUTES)

PAGE 58

LARGE BIBLE STUDY (25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 60

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES (25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 66

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4

Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject.

God warned Cain about sin, and told him what he needed to do to be accepted. Then Cain and Abel went out into the field, and Cain killed Abel. God knew what Cain did, and He punished him. God sent Cain away from the land to wander the earth. Cain’s sin separated him from God and people.

Some time later, Eve gave birth to another son. She named this baby Seth. Seth was not the Promised One either, but Jesus would come from Seth’s descendants. (See Luke 3:23-38.)

As you teach, help kids develop an awareness of the deep effects of sin. Then point them to the future hope—the hope we now realize—in Jesus Christ. Generation after generation, God’s people lived with an expectant hope. Could this son be the One? And for many generations, they faced the reality of sin. No one was good enough.

Every baby was born a sinner—like his parents and like Adam and Eve. Still, the people hoped. At just the right time, God would send His Son to save sinners. (Heb. 11:13; Gal. 4:4) God always keeps His promises.

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Cain and AbelGenesis 4:1-16,25-26

After Adam and Eve left the garden of Eden, they had a son named Cain and another son named Abel. Both Cain and Abel were sinners because of Adam and Eve’s sin. Abel became a shepherd, and Cain worked the ground by growing plants and crops.

One day, Cain gave God an offering of some of the produce he grew. Abel gave God some of the firstborn of his flock. God accepted Abel’s offering, but He did not accept Cain’s offering.

Cain was furious. God asked Cain why he was so angry. God told Cain that if he would do what is right, his offering would be accepted. God warned Cain that sin was crouching at the door, waiting to control Cain if he did not do what is right.

“Sin wants to control you,” God said. “But you must control it.”

Then Cain invited Abel to go out into the field. While they were in the field, Cain killed his brother.

God asked Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”“I don’t know,” said Cain. “Is it my job to look after

him?” But God knew what had happened. He said to Cain,

“What have you done?”God punished Cain. God told Cain that he would

spend the rest of his life wandering the earth. If Cain tried to work the ground, nothing would grow for him. Cain would not have a home; he would have nowhere to rest.

“This punishment is too much!” Cain said. “If I have

The BIBLE STORY

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WANT TO DISCOVER

GOD’S WORD? GET

BIBLE EXPRESS!

Invite kids to check out this week’s devotionals to

discover that God kept His promise

to give Eve a descendant who

would destroy sin: Jesus. (Gal. 4:4) Order in bulk,

subscribe quarterly, or purchase

individually. For more information,

check out www.lifeway.com/

devotionals.

to leave this land and wander the earth, whoever finds me will kill me!”

So God put a mark on Cain to protect him so that whoever found him would not kill him. Then Cain left the land and went to live in Nod, a land to the east of Eden.

God gave Adam and Eve another son. They named him Seth. Adam and Eve’s family grew. Seth grew up and had a son named Enosh (EE nahsh). Around this time, people began to call on the name of the Lord.

Christ Connection: God had promised that one of Eve’s descendants would put an end to sin and death. Cain was not that descendant. He was sinful like his parents, Adam and Eve. So people kept living and trusting God to keep His promise. At just the right time, God would send His Son to save sinners. (Hebrews 11:13; Galatians 4:4)

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Small Group OPENING

SESSION TITLE: Cain and AbelBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 4:1-16,25-26MAIN POINT: Cain’s sin separated him from God and people.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin

separates people from God.

Welcome timeGreet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Prompt kids to share about a time someone else got something they wanted. How did they feel? Were they jealous or happy for the other person?

Activity page (5 minutes)

Invite kids to complete the “Key Word Search” on the activity page.SAY • All of these words are in our Bible story today. Do

you remember Adam and Eve from our story last time? Today’s Bible story is about two of their sons. Their names were Cain and Abel.

Session starter (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Offering tossForm two teams and direct them to stand in single-file lines. Give the first player on each team a plastic bowl, and give the rest of the players one marshmallow each.

Tell the first player to stand a few feet from her team and hold the bowl on top of her head. When you say go, players should take turns tossing a marshmallow toward the bowl.

• “Key Word Search” activity page, 1 per kid

• pencils or markers

• marshmallows• plastic bowls

LOW PREP

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The player with the bowl should move to try to catch the marshmallows. The team that lands the most marshmallows in its bowl wins. Play a few rounds as time allows. Point out that the marshmallows look like sheep, white and fluffy.SAY • In today’s Bible story, two brothers brought offerings

to God. An offering is a gift people give to God. One of the brothers brought some produce he had grown, and the other brought some sheep from his flock.

Remind kids that God does not need anything from us; everything we have comes from Him. But we can thank God and worship Him by giving an offering.

OPTION 2: Shepherds and farmersGuide kids to form pairs. Give each pair four 12-inch lengths of tape, and instruct them to arrange the tape on a floor or table to form a tic-tac-toe board (a 3-by-3 grid with 9 equal square spaces).

Explain that one player will be the shepherd, and the other player will be the farmer. Give each shepherd five cotton balls and each farmer five raisins or sunflower seeds. Invite the pairs to play several rounds of tic-tac-toe.

Encourage the shepherds to get three “sheep” in a row to gather their flock; encourage farmers to “plant” three seeds in a row to harvest a crop.SAY • Today’s Bible story is about two brothers—Cain and

Abel. Cain was a farmer, and Abel was a shepherd.

Transition to large group

• masking tape or painter’s tape

• cotton balls• raisins or sunflower

seeds• Allergy Alert printable

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CountdownShow the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (3 minutes)

[Large Group Leader enters carrying rope and a Bible. Heavy rocks or sandbags are positioned at the front of the room. You might paint cardboard gray to simulate heavy rocks.]LEADER • Hello, everyone! I sure am glad to see you today.

I could really use your help. Things got a bit out of control last time, to say the least. So I’m collecting some tools that might be helpful to keep my hot air balloon from being tossed around by the wind. I think my best bet is to anchor it to the ground. So I have some rope and some big rocks. [Begin to wrap the rope around a rock.] I just need to tie it up here.

[Stand up suddenly.] Oh! Do you know what? This is making me think of our Bible story today. It’s about someone who had no control over something, and it almost ruined him! Let’s take a step back and see where we are and where we are going.

• countdown video

• Bible• heavy rocks or

sandbags• rope

Large Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: Cain and AbelBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 4:1-16,25-26MAIN POINT: Cain’s sin separated him from God and people.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin

separates people from God.

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Giant timeline (1 minute)

LEADER • Our timeline shows us pretty close to the beginning. Right about … here! [Point to today’s story.] This says “Cain and Abel.” That’s right! It’s all coming back to me now. So we started at the very beginning when God created everything. God created everything for His glory! God made people, and the first two people were Adam and Eve. But they sinned, and that changed everything.

Adam and Eve’s sin separated them from God. But God had a plan to rescue them from sin. God said that someone from Eve’s family would put an end to sin and death. Then Adam and Eve had a family. Their first two sons were named Cain and Abel. I wonder if one of them put an end to sin and death. What do you think?

Big picture question (1 minute)

LEADER • Last week we learned the answer to our big picture question, What is sin? Does anyone remember the answer? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin separates people from God. Sin affected everything! Creation began to break down. Today’s Bible story is about how sin spread to Adam and Eve’s children. Let’s listen.

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes)

Open your Bible to Genesis 4. Tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video “Cain and Abel.”LEADER • Adam and Eve had the very first family! They had

two sons, Cain and Abel. Let’s see how much you remember about them.

• Giant Timeline or Big Story Circle

• Bibles• “Cain and Abel” video• Big Picture Question

Poster• Bible Story Picture

Poster

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Form two groups. Designate one group as shepherds and the other as farmers. Read the following sentences. If the sentence describes Abel, the shepherds should say, “Baa!” If it applies to Cain, the farmers should shout, “Yeehaw!”

1. He worked the ground by growing plants and crops. (Cain)

2. He gave an offering to God. (Cain, Abel)3. God accepted his offering. (Abel)4. He was so angry. (Cain)5. God warned him that sin wanted to control him.

(Cain)6. He died in the field. (Abel)7. God punished him by making him wander the earth.

(Cain)8. God put a mark on him to protect him. (Cain)

LEADER • Adam and Eve had probably been so happy to see new life come into the world when their sons were born. Maybe Eve wondered if Cain or Abel might be the One God promised would put an end to sin and death. Is that what happened? Did Cain and Abel obey God perfectly and save the world from sin? No! Cain and Abel were sinners, just like their parents. Cain’s sin separated him from God and people.

How do you think Cain felt when God sent him away to wander the earth? Cain deserved to be punished, but God was kind to him anyway. God put a mark on Cain so that no one would kill him.

God gave Adam and Eve another son. They named him Seth. Seth was not the Promised One either. Everyone after Adam and Eve sinned. When their children had families, they all sinned too. None of them was the descendant God promised. None of

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them was good enough. But people still trusted God to keep His promise. And God did. At just the right time, God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to save sinners.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions.

Encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

Sing (4 minutes)

LEADER • Wow. The story of Cain and Abel is really sad. Once sin entered the world, it spread quickly! Sin didn’t affect other people just a little bit; it affected them completely.

I am so thankful that God had a plan to put an end to sin and death. It makes me want to sing!

Sing together “All Creatures of Our God and King (He Is Our Gain).”

Key passage (5 minutes)

LEADER • What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin separates people from God. We sin when we think we know what is best instead of God or when we do not trust God to do what is best. God always does what is best. He created us, and we exist for His glory. That’s what our key passage is about.

Show the slide or poster of 1 Corinthians 8:6. Lead the boys and girls to read the verse together. If any kids have

• “All Creatures of Our God and King (He Is Our Gain)” song

• Key Passage Poster• “There Is Only One”

song

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memorized the verse, allow them to recite it from memory. Then sing together “There Is Only One.”

Discussion starter video (4 minutes)

LEADER • After Cain killed his brother, God confronted Cain. God said, “Where is your brother?” God knew what Cain had done, and He wanted Cain to confess. But Cain did not confess his sin and say that he was sorry. Do you think Cain felt bad for what he had done? Do you always feel sorry for doing something wrong?

Show the “Unit 1, Session 4” discussion starter video. Lead kids to discuss a time they were punished for doing something they shouldn’t have. Were they sorry for what they had done or sorry that they were being punished?LEADER • God had warned Cain, “Sin wants to control

you, but you must control it.” The desire to sin is strong, and it wants to control us too. On our own, we have no power over sin. We are not strong enough to put an end to sin. But when we trust in Jesus, He gives us power to say no to sin! [See 1 Cor. 15:57.]

Prayer (2 minutes)

LEADER • It’s almost time to go to your small groups. Let’s pray to God right now. Lord God, You know our hearts. We are sinners! But we have hope because You kept Your promise to send someone to rescue us from our sin. Thank You for Jesus. Amen.

Dismiss to small groups

• “Unit 1, Session 4” discussion starter video

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The Gospel: God’s Plan for MeAsk kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:19.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

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Small Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: Cain and AbelBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 4:1-16,25-26MAIN POINT: Cain’s sin separated him from God and people.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin

separates people from God.

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Instruct kids to stand in a circle. Display the key passage poster and lead kids to read the verse together. Then choose a volunteer to roll a numbered cube.

If the volunteer rolls a 2, kids should take turns saying the key passage, two words at a time. If he rolls a 4, they say four words at a time, and so on. Encourage kids to say the verse from memory. If a kid does not know a word, invite the rest of the group to help him.

Challenge kids to say the verse quickly around the circle a few times. Then allow another kid to roll the cube and play again. As kids begin to master the verse, cover the key passage poster.

Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes)

Distribute Bibles and instruct kids to turn to Genesis 4. Ask for volunteers to describe what happened in Genesis 1–3.SAY • In today’s Bible story, we see the effects of sin on

Adam and Eve’s family. Cain sinned, and Cain’s sin separated him from God and people.

Ask the following review questions. If a kid knows the answer, she should raise her hand:

1. What were the names of Adam and Eve’s first two

• Key Passage Poster• numbered cube

• Bibles, 1 per kid• Main Point Poster

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sons? (Cain and Abel, Gen. 4:1-2)2. What job did Abel do? (Abel was a shepherd,

Gen. 4:2)3. What job did Cain do? (Cain worked the ground,

Gen. 4:2)4. What did Cain and Abel give to God? (an offering,

Gen. 4:3-4)5. Whose offering did God accept? (Abel’s, Gen. 4:4)6. Whose offering did God not accept? (Cain’s,

Gen. 4:5)7. What did Cain do to Abel? (Cain killed his brother

Abel, Gen. 4:8)8. How did God punish Cain? (God told Cain that Cain

would spend the rest of his life wandering the earth. Cain would not have a home; he would have nowhere to rest; Gen. 4:10-12)

9. What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin separates people from God.

Activity choice (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Are you the one?Guide kids to form a circle. Explain the game and give a few examples of rhythm movements such as clapping, snapping, or stomping.

1. You will choose a volunteer to turn around and cover his eyes. Then silently choose a player in the circle to be the leader. The leader will use her hands or feet to develop a simple rhythm. Everyone in the circle should copy the rhythm.

2. After a few seconds, the leader will change the rhythm. The rest of the group should copy her movements.

Option: Retell or review the Bible story using the bolded text of the Bible story script.

LOW PREP

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3. Invite the volunteer to uncover his eyes and stand in the middle of the circle. He should watch everyone’s motions to try to figure out who is the leader.

4. When he thinks he knows, he should point to the player and ask, “Are you the one?” If he is correct, the leader becomes the guesser and covers his eyes. If he cannot figure out the leader in three guesses, he may choose another player to take his place.

Play again as time allows.SAY • God had promised that one of Eve’s descendants

would put an end to sin and death. Cain was not that descendant. Cain killed his brother, and Cain’s sin separated him from God and people.

Adam and Eve’s children were sinners like them. So the people kept living and trusting God to keep His promise. At just the right time, God would send His Son into the world to save sinners.

OPTION 2: Build a damForm groups of three or four kids. Give each group a plastic container. Fill the bottom of each container with sand and instruct each group to dig the path of a river in the sand.

Supply craft sticks and gravel. Explain that a dam is a structure that stops a river from flowing. Challenge each group to build a dam that will stop or slow the flow of their river. Give groups several minutes to work. Groups may test their dams by pouring water down the path of the river.

Help a volunteer find Romans 5:12 in the Bible, and ask him to read the verse aloud.SAY • Were you able to stop the water? Sin entered the

world through one man—Adam—and no one could stop it. Sin and death spread to Adam and Eve’s

• long, shallow plastic containers, 1 per group

• sand• small rocks or aquarium

gravel• craft sticks• water• Bible

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children and their families. Cain sinned, and Cain’s sin separated him from God and people.

Sin and death have spread to us even today. Everyone has sinned. Our sin separates us from God and from each other, but God had a plan to bring people back to Himself. He sent His Son, Jesus, to save sinners.

Journal and prayer (5 minutes)

Give each kid his journal page. Remind kids that Cain’s sin separated him from God and people. Sin not only hurts our relationship with God, it hurts our relationships with others. Prompt kids to think of someone who might feel hurt by something they did. Kids should write that person’s name on the journal page. Encourage kids to seek forgiveness this week.SAY • We should ask our friends to forgive us when we sin

against them. Everyone sins against God, and He would be right to punish us. But God loves us and sent Jesus to take the punishment we deserve for our sin. When we trust in Jesus, God forgives our sin.

As time allows, lead kids to complete “Cain’s Code” on the activity page. Help kids use their Bibles to list the names of the first six books of the Bible. (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua)

Then kids will fill in the letter for each symbol to decode the Bible story main point. (Answer: Cain’s sin separated him from God and people.)

Option: Review the gospel with boys and girls. Explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions.

• pencils• Journal Page• “Cain’s Code” activity

page, 1 per kid

Tip: Give parents this week’s Big Picture Cards for Families to allow families to interact with the biblical content at home.

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UNIT 1Session 5

Leader BIBLE STUDY

Adam’s son Seth lived 912 years. Despite their sin, the Lord sustained generation after generation. Seth’s sixth-great-grandson, Noah, was born less than 20 years after his death. With each generation, the earth’s population grew.

By the time Noah lived—10 generations after Adam—people had stopped following God. In fact, Scripture describes a deplorable situation: “Man’s wickedness was widespread on the earth … every scheme his mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time” (Gen. 6:5).

God was right to punish this sin. He decided to send a flood to cleanse the earth. The waters would cover the earth and

Unit 1 • Session 5

Use Week of:

Noah and the Ark

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 6:5–9:17MAIN POINT: God is holy, and He punishes sin.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin

separates people from God.

SMALL GROUP OPENING (10–15 MINUTES)

PAGE 74

LARGE BIBLE STUDY (25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 76

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES (25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 82

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5

Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject.

destroy everything. God graciously chose to save one man and his family, so he warned Noah about the flood and told him to build an ark.

Noah believed God’s warning about the coming judgment. He obediently worked to build the ark that would save himself, his family, and the animals. But the work took years, and Noah likely faced ridicule from his friends and neighbors. Was Noah crazy? He was building a boat where there was no water!

When the ark was complete, God’s judgment came. The floodwaters covered the earth. Noah and his family were safe inside the ark. God rescued Noah’s family—the family His own Son would be born into. Jesus would warn of God’s coming judgment too, but instead of condemning the world, Jesus would give up His life to rescue sinners.

Apart from the grace of God, every thought we have is nothing but evil all the time. Our wickedness is widespread, and God would be justified to destroy us immediately. What grace that He has provided a Rescuer!

Before you teach, pray that the Lord would help you clearly communicate the gospel to children. Pray that the Holy Spirit would lead them to receive Jesus, who rescues us from God’s anger toward sin. (1 Thess. 1:10)

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Noah and the ArkGenesis 6:5–9:17

One day God looked at all the people on earth and saw that they were choosing to sin. Every person’s thoughts were evil, and God was sad that He made people. God wanted people to have a relationship with Him, but the people did not want to know God or obey Him. God had to punish the people for their sin.

But God showed favor to a man named Noah. Noah was a descendant of Adam and Eve’s son Seth, and Noah was a righteous man; he followed God. God warned Noah that a flood was coming to destroy all the creatures on the earth. He told Noah to make an ark to save himself, his family, and some of the animals.

God told Noah exactly how to make the ark. God said, “Put a door in the side of the ark and build three decks inside: a lower deck, a middle deck, and an upper deck.”

God said that He would make an agreement, or covenant, with Noah and his family. Noah did everything that God commanded him.

When the ark was finished, God told Noah to go inside with his family and the animals. God said that rain was coming, and the rain would not stop for 40 days and 40 nights. Noah did what God said, and God shut the door of the ark.

The floodwaters covered the earth, and the ark floated on top of the water. The water rose higher and higher until all of the mountains were covered. Every living thing on the earth died; only Noah and those that were with him survived.

Finally, the rain stopped and the water started to go

The BIBLE STORY

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WANT TO DISCOVER

GOD’S WORD? GET

BIBLE EXPRESS!

Invite kids to check out this week’s devotionals to

discover that God promised Noah He

would not flood the earth again. Instead, He would send Jesus

to deal with sin. Order in bulk,

subscribe quarterly, or purchase

individually. For more information,

check out www.lifeway.com/

devotionals.

down. Land started to appear, and the ark came to rest on some mountains. Noah waited, and then he opened the window of the ark. Noah sent out a dove, but the dove did not find anywhere to land. The waters still covered the earth. Noah waited again. Then he sent out the dove. It came back with a fresh olive leaf in its mouth. Noah knew the dove had found dry ground. Noah waited again. Then he sent out the dove. This time, the dove didn’t come back.

When the ground was dry, God told Noah to bring all the people and animals out of the ark. So Noah did. Then Noah built an altar and gave an offering to the Lord. God was pleased with Noah’s offering, and He promised Noah that He would never completely flood the earth again.

God told Noah and his family to spread out over the earth and fill it with people. God gave Noah a special sign of the covenant He made with him. God placed a rainbow in the sky so that every time Noah and his family saw the rainbow, they would know God remembered the promise He made with all the living creatures on earth.

Christ Connection: God rescued Noah and his family from the flood; only they lived. The story of Noah points ahead to a greater rescue. God’s Son, Jesus—the only perfectly righteous One—came to take the punishment for our sin. By trusting in Him, we are saved from the punishment our sin deserves. Jesus died so that we can live.

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Small Group OPENING

SESSION TITLE: Noah and the ArkBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 6:5–9:17MAIN POINT: God is holy, and He punishes sin.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin

separates people from God.

Welcome timeGreet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Invite kids to share about a time they have visited a zoo. What are their favorite animals? Do they have any pets at home?SAY • Today’s Bible story usually makes us think about

animals, but there is so much more to the story!

Activity page (5 minutes)

Distribute activity pages and challenge kids to complete the maze. Kids will collect letters along the correct path to spell a key word from today’s Bible story. (Answer: rescue)SAY • Can anyone tell me what the word rescue means?

[Allow for responses.] Rescue means “to free from danger or evil.” Today’s Bible story is about a great rescue, and it reminds us of an even greater rescue!

Session starter (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Man overboard!Use masking tape to outline a large rectangle “boat” on the floor. Make the boat big enough for all the kids to stand in.

Instruct the kids to stand in the boat. Call out

• “Noah’s Maze” activity page, 1 per kid

• pencils or markers

• masking tape or painter’s tape

LOW PREP

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descriptions, and kids should form groups accordingly. For example, “Same shirt color!” (Kids wearing shirts of the same color form a group.) Then call out, “1-2-3. Man overboard!” Any kids not in a group should jump out of the boat as if jumping into the sea. Those players will sit out.

Play additional rounds until only two players remain.SAY • Today we are going to hear a story from the Bible

about a man in a boat. The man’s name was Noah, and God told him to build a boat. I wonder what Noah’s boat looked like. I think we will find out when we hear today’s story. Are you ready?

OPTION 2: Rainbow scoop relayPour colorful chewy candies into a large plastic bowl. Position the bowl on a table at one side of the room. Write the colors of the candies on separate paper cups and arrange them in a row at the other side of the room.

Form groups for each color. Assign at least two kids to each group. Explain that when you say “go,” the first player on each team will walk quickly to the bowl and scoop out a candy piece of his assigned color. He should race back and drop the candy in his team’s cup. Then the next players will take a turn. Teams will playing until one team collects 10 pieces of candy. You may also use a timer for teams to race against a clock.SAY • These candies are all sorts of different colors, like

the colors of a rainbow! Can you think of any Bible stories that have to do with a rainbow?

Transition to large group

• plastic spoons, 1 per kid• large plastic bowl• small paper cups• colorful chewy candies• marker• Allergy Alert printable• timer (optional)

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CountdownShow the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (2 minutes)

[Large Group Leader enters carrying a life jacket. Leader looks a little nervous.]LEADER • Oh, hello there! I’m glad to see you today. Hey,

are any of you excellent swimmers? Any certified lifeguards out there? I’m a little bit nervous because today, I’m scheduled to fly my hot air balloon straight over a bay. What if I crash into the water?! Fortunately, I think this life jacket would keep me afloat. I think I will pray before the trip and ask God to protect me and keep the hot air balloon in the air! I know God can rescue people from soggy situations because I’ve read about something like that in the Bible. Let’s dive in!

Big picture question (1 minute)

LEADER • Do you remember when we learned about God creating everything? Does anyone remember, why did God create the world? God created the world

• countdown video

• leader attire• life jacket

Large Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: Noah and the ArkBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 6:5–9:17MAIN POINT: God is holy, and He punishes sin.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin

separates people from God.

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and everything in it for His glory. Exactly. But something went terribly wrong. Adam and Eve sinned, and then their children sinned too. Ever since Adam and Eve, everyone has been born a sinner. What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin separates people from God. Sin spread throughout creation, and things got very bad very fast. Today’s Bible story is about how God dealt with sin.

Giant timeline (2 minutes)

Point to the previous Bible stories on the giant timeline. Remind kids that all of the stories in the Bible fit together to tell one big story—the story of God’s plan to rescue sinners through His Son, Jesus. Briefly review the stories of creation and how sin entered the world.LEADER • Today’s story is “Noah and the Ark.” Raise your

hand if you’ve heard this story before. [Invite kids to share a few details they know about Noah.] One thing I love about the Bible is that there is always something new to learn! Do you know why God sent a flood? And why did He choose to save Noah? Listen carefully to the story to find out.

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes)

Open your Bible to Genesis 6–9. Tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video “Noah and the Ark.”LEADER • When God looked at the earth, He saw that

everyone was choosing to sin. And it’s not just that people were doing the wrong things; every thought they had was evil. God was sad that people had turned away from Him. God is holy, and He

• Giant Timeline or Big Story Circle

• Bibles• “Noah and the Ark”

video• Big Picture Question

Poster• Bible Story Picture

Poster• Main Point Poster

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punishes sin. So God decided to send a flood to wipe every creature off the earth.

Instead of God sending a flood and starting over, He decided to save Noah. The Bible says Noah was a righteous man. Does than mean Noah was perfect? No. Did Noah ever sin? Yes. Noah was a sinner, but he loved God and trusted Him. God chose to rescue Noah by grace, not because Noah deserved to be rescued.

Ask the following review questions about the Bible story. Call on kids who raise their hands to answer.

1. Why did the Lord regret that He had made man on the earth? (The Lord saw that man’s wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every scheme his mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time, Gen. 6:5)

2. What did God decide to do? (God decided to wipe off people and animals from the face of the earth, Gen. 6:7)

3. Who found favor in the sight of the Lord? (Noah, Gen. 6:8)

4. What did God tell Noah to build? (an ark, Gen. 6:14)

5. What did God tell Noah to put in the ark? (his family members and some of all the living creatures, male and female; Gen. 6:18-19)

6. How long did rain fall on the earth? (40 days and 40 nights, Gen. 7:12)

7. How did Noah know the waters had gone down? (the dove brought back a fresh olive leaf, Gen. 8:11)

8. How did Noah worship God when he left the ark? (Noah built an altar and gave an offering to the Lord, Gen. 8:20)

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9. What was God’s promise to Noah? (Never again will every creature be wiped out by the waters of a flood, and there will never again be a flood to destroy the earth; Gen. 9:11)

10. What sign did God give as a reminder of His covenant? (a rainbow, Gen. 9:13-15)

LEADER • God punished sin by sending a flood, but God chose to rescue Noah and his family from the flood. Only they lived. The story of Noah points ahead to a greater rescue. God’s Son, Jesus—the only perfectly righteous One—came to take the punishment for our sin. By trusting in Him, we are saved from the punishment our sin deserves. Jesus died so that we can live.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions.

Encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

Sing (4 minutes)

LEADER • When the floodwaters went down and Noah and his family and all the animals came out of the ark, Noah built an altar to the Lord. He gave offerings to God as worship. God provided an ark to rescue Noah from the flood, and He provided Jesus to rescue us from sin. Let’s sing together and worship God.

Sing together “All Creatures of Our God and King (He Is Our Gain).”

• “All Creatures of Our God and King (He Is Our Gain)” song

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Key passage (5 minutes)

Show the slide or poster of 1 Corinthians 8:6. Lead the boys and girls to read the verse. If any kids have memorized the verse, invite them to recite it from memory. Then sing together “There Is Only One.”

Discussion starter video (4 minutes)

LEADER • God is holy, and He punishes sin. God is right to punish people for sin. What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin separates people from God. The bad news is that we can’t save ourselves from sin. Watch this video.

Show the “Unit 1, Session 5” discussion starter video. Lead kids to discuss how Emiliano could be rescued.LEADER • What are some ways people try to save

themselves? They might give money, go to church, or do good deeds. All of these are good, but we can never been good enough to earn God’s favor. Our sin separates us from Him, and we cannot rescue ourselves. The good news is that Jesus can! He came to earth to rescue from sin those who trust in Him.

Prayer (2 minutes)

Before dismissing to small groups, lead kids in prayer. Thank God for giving us His Word, the Bible, so that we can know Him and His plan for us. Affirm that God is holy and right to punish sin. Praise Him for His grace in saving sinners like us.

Dismiss to small groups

• Key Passage Poster• “There Is Only One”

song

• “Unit 1, Session 5” discussion starter video

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The Gospel: God’s Plan for MeAsk kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:19.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

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Small Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: Noah and the ArkBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 6:5–9:17MAIN POINT: God is holy, and He punishes sin.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin

separates people from God.

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Use a permanent marker to write the words of the key passage on separate craft sticks. Scatter the craft sticks in a shallow pan of water.

Challenge the kids to take turns pulling the sticks from the water. Kids should search through the sticks to pull the words in the correct order. If your group is large, prepare more than one pan of water. When kids collect all the sticks, guide them to say the key passage aloud together. Display the key passage poster to check their work. Then mix up the sticks and play again as time allows.

Consider playing the key passage song, “There Is Only One,” in the background. Provide paper towels for cleanup.SAY • This passage is in the New Testament in a letter that

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth. He reminded the people why we were created. Everything that exists came from God, and we exist for Him. The Lord Jesus holds everything together.

Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes)

Give each kid a Bible, a pencil, and three index cards. Instruct kids to number their cards 1 to 3 in the bottom left corner and to write their names on the back of their cards.

• Key Passage Poster• shallow pan of water• craft sticks• permanent marker• paper towels• “There Is Only One”

song (optional)

• Bibles• Main Point Poster• index cards• pencils

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For each card, choose one or two volunteers to find in their Bibles the verses listed and read them aloud. Then allow a few minutes for kids to draw the scene. As kids work, share additional details from the story.

1. Read Genesis 6:11-14.• God told Noah to build an ark.• God told Noah to make the ark 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. That is one big boat!

2. Read Genesis 7:11-12,17-19.• The floodwaters covered the earth.• Rain fell for 40 days and 40 nights.• Water covered the earth for 150 days.• Noah was 600 years old when the flood came.

3. Read Genesis 9:1,12-15.• God promised Noah that never again would a flood destroy the earth.

• When Noah got out of the ark, he built an altar and worshiped God.

• God put a rainbow in the sky as a reminder of His covenant with Noah and his descendants.

When kids finish all three cards, allow them to form groups of two or three and use their cards to retell the Bible story in their own words. Suggest that kids in each group display their drawings as they tell the story.

SAY • God is holy, and He punishes sin. God is right to punish sin. God is so kind to rescue us from sin through His Son, Jesus.

Option: Retell or review the Bible story using the bolded text of the Bible story script.

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Activity choice (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Rainbow reactionsChallenge kids to play a memory game. Hold up each color of construction paper. For each piece, explain or demonstrate an actions. (Examples: red–touch your toes; blue–do a jumping jack; yellow–pat your head; green–turn in a circle) Let kids practice the actions.

Hold up the colors one at a time. Kids should perform the corresponding action. For an added challenge, hold up two colors at once (kids perform actions simultaneously) or assign actions such as reciting the key passage or saying today’s main point for the Bible story.SAY • God is holy, and He punishes sin. God is right to

punish sin. God sent a great flood to punish sin, but He graciously chose to save Noah and his family. After the flood, God promised Noah that never again would a flood destroy the earth. God put a rainbow in the sky as a reminder of His covenant with Noah and his descendants.

When you see a rainbow, remember Noah and the greater rescue we have in Jesus. Jesus came to take the punishment for our sin. By trusting in Him, we are saved from the punishment our sin deserves.

OPTION 2: Animal concentrationPrior to small group, print and cut apart the animal pairs cards. Invite kids to play a game of concentration. Explain that rather than matching identical cards, kids will try to match male and female pairs of animals. Show the cards to review the correct matches.

1. Mix up the cards and arrange them facedown in a 3-by-4 grid. The first player will turn over any two

• construction paper, 4 colors

LOW PREP

Option: Review the gospel with boys and girls. Explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions.

• “Animal Pairs Cards” printable

Tip: If your group is large, play with multiple sets.

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cards, leaving the first card faceup until he turns over the second.

2. If the cards match, he turns them facedown in a pile in front of him and plays again.

3. If the cards do not form a pair, the player turns the cards facedown in their original spots and the next player takes a turn.

The player to collect the most matching pairs wins.SAY • God is holy, and He punishes sin. God told Noah

to put pairs of animals on the ark. God was gracious to rescue Noah and his family from the flood.

Journal and prayer (5 minutes)

Encourage kids to use crayons or markers to write the words of Genesis 9:11 on the journal page.SAY • God is holy, and He punishes sin. Who can tell me,

What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin separates people from God. The flood did not take away sin; Noah and his family were still sinners. The bad news is that we are all sinners. The good news is that God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue people from sin. Let’s pray.

Pray, confessing that we have all broken God’s law. Thank God for not leaving us alone. Thank Him for sending His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from sin by dying on the cross.

As time allows, lead kids to complete “The Great Rescue” on the activity page. Prompt kids to use the code to uncover the hidden question. Each number corresponds to a letter of the alphabet: 1 = A, 2 = B, 3 = C, and so forth.

After kids figure out the question, challenge them to write the answer. (Who took the punishment for our sin? Jesus took the punishment for our sin.)

• Journal Page• crayons or markers• “The Great Rescue”

activity page

Tip: Give parents this week’s Big Picture Cards for Families to allow families to interact with the biblical content at home.

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UNIT 1Session 6

Leader BIBLE STUDY

Following the flood, God wanted to have a fresh start. God commanded Noah in Genesis 9:1 to “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” This command echoes the one given to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28. God intended the paradise of the garden to spread into the whole world, but sinful people had other desires.

Genesis 10 accounts for the nations that spread out in the land after the flood (Genesis 10:32). The people moved east and settled in a valley. This story continues the cycle of disobedience to God and a choice to sin that will be a constant reminder of our need for a Savior.

Unit 1 • Session 6

Use Week of:

The Tower of Babel

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 11:1-9MAIN POINT: God created people to give glory to Him alone.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Why did God create the world? God created the

world and everything in it for His glory.

SMALL GROUP OPENING (10–15 MINUTES)

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LARGE BIBLE STUDY (25–30 MINUTES)

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SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES (25–30 MINUTES)

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6

Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject.

In Genesis 11:2, Scripture indicates that instead of filling the earth as God commanded, these people devised a plan to build a city and a large tower into the heavens.

Read Genesis 11:4. The people’s motive was clear: “Let us make a name for ourselves.” The people didn’t want to be scattered. They didn’t believe God would give them what was good if they obeyed Him. They sought to obtain for themselves what they believed was good.

The people tried to build a monument with its top in the heavens, but they succeeded only in separating themselves from God and from each other. God confused their language and scattered them over the earth. They were unable to finish building the city, so the city was called Babel—which sounds like the Hebrew word for “confused”—because there the Lord confused the people’s language.

This week you have the opportunity to tell the kids you teach about God’s better plan: His plan not for people to reach up to Him, but His plan to reach down to people by sending His Son, Jesus, to live the perfect life we couldn’t live and die the death we don’t want to die. That is the gospel. Pray that the kids you teach would have open hearts to receive it.

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The Tower of BabelGenesis 11:1-9

After the great flood, God told Noah and his sons to grow their families and fill the earth. Noah’s sons got married and had children. Their families grew, and the people started to travel through the land.

At this time, everyone in the world spoke the same language. One day, the people traveled through a valley. They liked it there, and they decided to live there.

“We don’t want to be scattered all over the earth,” they said. “Let’s build a city and a tower so big that it touches the sky. The tower will make us famous!”

The people were not doing what God had told them to do. They wanted to be as important as God. They were saying “Look how great we are,” instead of “Look how great God is.” They wanted glory for themselves instead of God. But God is greater than anyone. God created people to give glory to Him alone.

The people made bricks out of clay and baked them in the fire to make stones. Then they used the stones to start building the tower.

God came down to look at the tower. God said, “If they are doing this, they will keep thinking up more bad things to do. We need to stop them.”

So God mixed up the people’s words. Instead of everyone speaking the same language, everyone spoke different languages. When people tried to make plans, they could not understand what other people were saying. If one workman said, “Hand me another brick,” nobody else knew what he wanted.

The people had to stop building the city. Families had

The BIBLE STORY

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WANT TO DISCOVER

GOD’S WORD? GET

BIBLE EXPRESS!

Invite kids to check out this week’s devotionals to

discover that the people God created

originally spoke one language.

One day, people of every language will worship Jesus

together. Order in bulk,

subscribe quarterly, or purchase

individually. For more information,

check out www.lifeway.com/

devotionals.

to move away from each other to live with people they could understand. God made it so the people did just what He had told them to do after the flood. They were scattered all over the world. The city with the unfinished tower was called Babel (BAY buhl). Because the people chose to disobey God, their sin separated them from one another.

Christ Connection: People chose to give glory to themselves instead of God. They ignored God’s plan, so God confused their language and scattered the people all over the earth. One day, Jesus will gather together all of God’s people—people from every tribe and people who speak all kinds of languages—and they will worship Him. (Revelation 7:9-10)

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Small Group OPENING

SESSION TITLE: The Tower of BabelBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 11:1-9MAIN POINT: God created people to give glory to Him alone.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Why did God create the world? God created the

world and everything in it for His glory.

Welcome timeGreet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group.

Ask kids if they know any foreign languages. Teach them how to say “hello” in other languages. (Spanish: “Hola!”; French: “Bonjour!”; Swahili: “Hujambo”)

Activity page (5 minutes)

Distribute activity pages and explain that thousands of languages are spoken throughout the world today. Sometimes a country chooses an official language or languages to designate which language(s) the government will use to conduct business.SAY • Can you guess the official language of each of these

countries? (Spain, Spanish; Cameroon, French; South Africa, English; Saudi Arabia, Arabic; China, Mandarin Chinese)

I wonder where all these languages came from. In today’s Bible story, a group of people who all spoke the same language suddenly began speaking many different languages!

• “World Languages” activity page, 1 per kid

• pencils or markers

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Session starter (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Great and famousGuide kids to sit in a circle to play a guessing game. Explain that you are thinking of a person who is or was famous.

Choose a player to begin by asking a yes-or-no question about the famous person. After you answer the question, the player may guess the person’s identity.

If the player guesses incorrectly, the next player may ask another yes-or-no question. Challenge kids to figure out the famous person by asking 20 or fewer questions.SAY • What makes a person famous? People who are famous

are very well known and talked about. Today’s Bible story is about some people who wanted to make a name for themselves. They wanted to be famous!

OPTION 2: Tall tower challengeForm teams of two or three kids. Give each team two sheets of newspaper. Challenge kids to use the newspaper to build a tower. Explain that whichever team can build the tallest structure wins. Teams may only use the newspaper—no tape, glue, staples, or other materials.

Allow kids several minutes to work. Suggest they fold, curl, roll, or tear the paper. When kids finish or time is up, use a ruler to measure the height of each tower.SAY • Today we are going to hear a story from the Bible

about a group of people who wanted to build a tower with its top in the sky! Do you think they did it? Let’s find out!

Transition to large group

LOW PREP

• sheets of newspaper, 2 per team

• ruler• hand wipes for cleanup

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CountdownShow the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (3 minutes)

[Large Group Leader enters wearing sunglasses and a scarf. Leader is holding a small telescope or a pair of binoculars.]LEADER • This is it! I’m so glad I get to spend one more day

with you before I head off on my big adventure. A lot has happened over the last few weeks, and today is the day I set off for wide open skies. Pretty soon it will be just me and my hot air balloon and the Lord as I sail over prairies and valleys and mountains! Oh boy! Say, let’s get started. Today’s Bible story is about some people who saw the world because God scattered them over it.

Giant timeline (1 minute)

LEADER • Let’s take a look at the giant timeline. Our last Bible story was “Noah and the Ark.” After Noah and his family got off the ark, God told them to grow their families and spread out across the earth. That’s exactly what they did. But it didn’t take long for the

• countdown video

• leader attire• sunglasses• scarf• telescope or binoculars

• Giant Timeline

Large Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: The Tower of BabelBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 11:1-9MAIN POINT: God created people to give glory to Him alone.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Why did God create the world? God created the

world and everything in it for His glory.

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people to disobey God. Today’s Bible story is called “The Tower of Babel.”

Big picture question (1 minute)

LEADER • Do you remember the answer to our first big picture question? Why did God create the world? God created the world and everything in it for His glory. Well, the people on earth did not do what God wanted them to do. They did not live to give God glory. They wanted to give themselves glory. Instead of saying, “Look how awesome God is!” the people said, “Look how awesome we are!” Let’s listen to the story and see how this turned out.

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes)

Open your Bible to Genesis 11. Tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the video “The Tower of Babel.”LEADER • The people tried to build a tower with its top

in the sky. They wanted to build a city and make a name for themselves so they would not have to spread out over the earth like God commanded. The people thought their plan was a good idea, but God created people to give glory to Him alone.

Ask a few review questions and call on volunteers to answer.1. What did the people use to build? (bricks, Gen. 11:3)2. Why did the people want to build a city and a tower?

(They did not want to be scattered over the earth, Gen. 11:4)

3. How did God stop the people from building? (He confused their language, Gen. 11:7)

4. What was the city named? (Babel or Babylon, Gen. 11:9)

• Bibles• “The Tower of Babel”

video• Big Picture Question

Poster• Bible Story Picture

Poster

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LEADER • The people wanted glory for themselves, but their sin separated them from God and each other. They ignored God’s plan, so God confused their language and scattered the people all over the earth.

God had a better plan. God planned to come down to the people by sending His Son, Jesus. One day, Jesus will gather together all of God’s people—people from every tribe and people who speak all kinds of languages—and they will worship Him together. (Revelation 7:9-10)

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions.

Encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

Sing (4 minutes)

LEADER • God created people to give glory to Him alone. One way we can give glory to God is by singing about how great He is! God created everything, and He deserves our worship.

As time allows, allow kids to share things for which they would like to praise God. You might mention some of the lyrics in the song. (He made the sun and moon and trees; He gave us life with His own breath; He sent His Son to conquer death; and so forth.)

Lead kids to sing together “All Creatures of Our God and King (He Is Our Gain).”

• “All Creatures of Our God and King (He Is Our Gain)” song

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Key passage (5 minutes)

LEADER • Has anyone memorized our key passage? [Allow two or three volunteers to recite the passage from memory.] The people who started to build the tower of Babel wanted to make a name for themselves. They wanted everyone to know them and think they were awesome. When we care more about our own fame instead of God’s fame, we forget that God created people to give glory to Him alone. There is one God, the Father. There is one Lord, Jesus Christ. We exist for Him!

Show the slide or poster of 1 Corinthians 8:6. Lead the girls to read the verse together. Then lead the boys to read the verse. Then sing together “There Is Only One.”

Discussion starter video (4 minutes)

Show the “Unit 1, Session 6” discussion starter video. Lead kids to discuss if it is OK to feel happy about something they have accomplished. Did Samuel do anything wrong by telling people how awesome he is?LEADER • Pride is giving ourselves the credit for something

that God has accomplished. If we are proud, we might think we do not need God or that we know better than He does. We might think we are good enough for God to accept us. Is that true? (No, we are all sinners who need Jesus to make us right with God.)

It’s OK to feel happy when we score in a basketball game or earn a good grade on a test. Remember to thank God for giving you gifts and abilities. Everything we have is from Him.

• Key Passage Poster• “There Is Only One”

song

• “Unit 1, Session 6” discussion starter video

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Prayer (2 minutes)

Before dismissing to small groups, lead kids in prayer.LEADER • Lord God, we praise You because You created all

things. You created us for Your glory. Father, forgive us for the times we think of ourselves as greater than You are. Forgive us for wanting credit for things that You do. Thank You for not leaving us alone. Thank You for coming down to us through Your Son, Jesus. Help us to trust Him every day and give You the glory You deserve. We love You. Amen.

Dismiss to small groups

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The Gospel: God’s Plan for MeAsk kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:19.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

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Small Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: The Tower of BabelBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 11:1-9MAIN POINT: God created people to give glory to Him alone.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Why did God create the world? God created the

world and everything in it for His glory.

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Put a strip of tape on the sides of several blocks. Write the key passage as words or phrases on the tape. Mix up the blocks and scatter them on the floor.

Challenge kids to work together to build a tower. Point out the words on the blocks and instruct them to build the tower in such a way that the words of the key passage appear in order. If your group is large, make multiple sets and allow kids to work in smaller groups.

Show the key passage poster to check kids’ work. Encourage them to say the key passage together.

Consider teaching the kids how to say some of the words or phrases in another language. For example, in Spanish: “one God, the Father” (un solo Dios, el Padre) or “one Lord, Jesus Christ” (un solo Señor, Jesucristo).

Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes)

Make sure each kid has a Bible. Instruct kids to open their Bibles to Genesis 11.

Remind kids that Genesis is the first book of the Bible. Point out the large and small numbers and how the books of the Bible are separated into chapters, and chapters are separated into verses.

• Key Passage Poster• blocks• tape• markers

• Bibles, 1 per kid• Main Point Poster• craft sticks• marker

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Number craft sticks from 1 to 9. Distribute the sticks to volunteers. Explain that each number on the stick is for a verse in Genesis 11. Call for the kid holding the stick labeled with the number 1 to read Genesis 11:1 aloud from the Bible. The kid with stick 2 should read Genesis 11:2, and so on. Kids will read the first 9 verses of Genesis 11.

Collect the sticks and distribute them to other kids. Ask the following review questions or read the prompts, calling numbers from the sticks for kids to respond. Encourage kids to use their Bibles to find answers.

1. What did the people use to build? (bricks, Gen. 11:3)2. Why did the people want to build a city and a tower?

(They did not want to be scattered over the earth, Gen. 11:4)

3. How did God stop the people from building? (He confused their language, Gen. 11:7)

4. What was the city named? (Babel or Babylon, Gen. 11:9)

5. Ask someone else the big picture question. That person must give the answer. (Why did God create the world? God created the world and everything in it for His glory.)

6. Say today’s main point. (God created people to give glory to Him alone.)

7. What major event happened before the building of the tower of Babel? (Noah and the ark, the flood)

8. What book of the Bible comes after the Book of Genesis? (the Book of Exodus)

9. Name someone we learned about in Genesis so far. (Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, Noah, and so forth)

Option: Retell or review the Bible story using the bolded text of the Bible story script.

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Activity choice (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Scattered gameSet up the game by designating an area in the center of the room large enough for several kids to stand in. You may choose to use tape to mark the boundaries on the floor.

Position small foam balls or paper wads in the designated area—the more the better! Choose three or four volunteers to stand in the center of the room. Challenge them to push the balls out of the area and scatter them around the room. The other kids should move the balls back into the area.SAY • God created people to give glory to Him alone.

When the people chose to give themselves glory, God scattered them over the earth.

OPTION 2: Tower of Babel review relayPrint and cut apart the review cards. Arrange the questions together on a flat surface in a tower formation. Then arrange the answers in a separate tower formation.

Form two teams of kids. Explain that the first player on each team will run to the question tower and choose a card. He will take the card back to his team and read it aloud. The team may discuss the answer, and then the second player will run to the answer tower to collect the answer card. The first team to collect five sets and arrange nine of the cards to form a tower wins.

As time allows, review the questions and answers.1. Where did the people settle? (in a valley, Gen. 11:2)2. What did the people use to build the tower?

(bricks, Gen. 11:3)3. How tall did the people want the tower to be?

(They wanted to build a tower with its top in the sky, Gen. 11:4)

• small foam balls or paper wads

• tape (optional)

LOW PREP

• “Tower of Babel Review Cards” printable

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4. Why did the people want to build a tall tower? (to make a name for themselves, Gen. 11:4)

5. Besides the tower, what else did the people build? (a city, Gen. 11:4-5)

6. How did God stop the people from building? (He confused their language, Gen. 11:7)

7. Where did the Lord move the people? (He scattered them over the whole earth, Gen. 11:8)

8. What was the city called? (Babel, Babylon; Gen. 11:9)9. Why did God create the world? God created the

world and everything in it for His glory.SAY • Before the tower of Babel, everyone had the same

language. Today, thousands of languages are spoken on earth. God created people to give glory to Him alone. One day, Jesus will gather together all of God’s people—people from every tribe and people who speak all kinds of languages—and they will worship Him.

Journal and prayer (5 minutes)

Give each kid the journal page. Encourage boys and girls to write a prayer of thanks and recognition to God, giving Him glory. Remind kids that God created people to give glory to Him alone. We give God glory when we show or tell about how great He is.SAY • We often want people to think that we are awesome,

but God created people to give glory to Him alone. God deserves our worship. He is so good!

As time allows, challenge kids to complete the “Main Point Mix-Up” on the activity page. Kids will unscramble the letters to discover today’s main point: God created people to give glory to Him alone.

Option: Review the gospel with boys and girls. Explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions.

• pencils• Journal Page• “Main Point Mix-Up”

activity page, 1 per kid

Tip: Give parents this week’s Big Picture Cards for Families to allow families to interact with the biblical content at home.

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Unit 2: God the Covenant-Maker

Unit Description:God entered a covenant relationship with Abraham and all of his descendants to continue His plan of redemption. It is through this family, the nation of Israel, that God would bless the entire world by bringing forth the Messiah, Jesus.

Unit Key Passage: Romans 4:3

Big Picture Question: What did God promise? God made a covenant to bless His people.

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Unit 2: God the Covenant-Maker

Session 1:Bible Story: God’s Covenant with AbrahamBible Passage: Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-9Main Point: God promised to bless all the world through Abraham.

Session 2: Bible Story: God Tested AbrahamBible Passage: Genesis 22:1-19Main Point: Abraham trusted God even when he didn’t understand God’s plan.

Session 3:Bible Story: The Promise ReaffirmedBible Passage: Genesis 25:19-26; 26:1-6; 28:10-22Main Point: God reminded Abraham’s family that He always keeps His promises.

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UNIT 2Session 1

Leader BIBLE STUDY

God is a covenant-making God. After the great flood, God made a covenant with Noah and his family and all the living creatures. God promised to never again flood the entire earth. He put a rainbow in the sky to confirm His covenant. (See Gen. 9:8-17.) God’s covenant with Noah was unconditional; it did not depend on Noah in any way.

Years passed, and Noah’s family grew. His son Shem had a family. Shem’s seventh-great grandson was named Abram. (See Gen. 11:10-26.) Abram traveled toward the land of Canaan with his wife, Sarai; his father, Terah; and his nephew, Lot. But they stopped in Haran and settled there.

Unit 2 • Session 1

Use Week of:

God’s Covenant with Abraham

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-9MAIN POINT: God promised to bless all the world through Abraham.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Romans 4:3BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What did God promise? God made a covenant to

bless His people.

SMALL GROUP OPENING (10–15 MINUTES)

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LARGE BIBLE STUDY (25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 110

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES (25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 116

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1

Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject.

When Abram was 75 years old, God spoke to him. God called Abram to leave behind his family and his lands to go to a place God would show him. God made a covenant with Abram, promising to bless all the world through one of his descendants. (Gen 12:1-3) By faith, Abram obeyed.

God’s covenant with Abram was unconditional. In Abram’s time, when a covenant was made between two people, the animals would be split and both parties would walk through them as to say, “If I do not hold up my end of the covenant, may I be like these dead animals.” (See Gen. 15.) This time, only the smoking fire pot and flaming torch passed through the animals, symbolizing that God alone would be responsible for upholding the covenant.

When Abram was 99 years old, he was still childless. How would God keep His promise to make Abram’s offspring as numerous as the stars if Abram didn’t have any children? But God was serious about the covenant; He always keeps His promises. God even changed Abram’s name to Abraham, which means “Father of a Multitude.”

God promised to bless all the earth through Abraham. At just the right time, Jesus was born into Abraham’s family. (Gal. 4:4-5) Jesus fulfilled God’s promise to Abraham. (See Gal. 3:8.) Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Through Him, all the nations of the earth are blessed.

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God’s Covenant with AbrahamGenesis 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-9

Abram lived with his wife, Sarai (SEHR igh). God chose Abram and told him to move to a place he had never been. God promised Abram three things: a large family, land for his family, and blessing. God visited Abram in a vision and said, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great.”

This was a good promise, but Abram was sad. He didn’t have any children to inherit his blessing. “One of my slaves will be my heir,” Abram said. But God had a better plan. He took Abram outside to remind him of His promise. “Look at the sky and count the stars, if you can,” God said. Abram couldn’t count the stars. There were too many! “Your family will be that numerous,” God promised. Abram believed God, and God was pleased.

God also promised that Abram’s family would keep the land they were living in. Abram asked, “How can I be sure?” So God confirmed His covenant with Abram.

God told Abram to bring five animals: a cow, a goat, a ram, a turtledove, and a pigeon. Abram did as God said, and he divided the animals. Then, when the sun was setting, a deep sleep came over him.

While Abram slept, God told him what would happen in the future. He said that Abram’s family would be slaves in another country for 400 years. Then God would judge the nation and bless Abram’s family. Even though these things would happen, Abram would live a long, peaceful life.

When it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch representing God passed between the divided

The BIBLE STORY

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WANT TO DISCOVER

GOD’S WORD? GET

BIBLE EXPRESS!

Invite kids to check out this week’s devotionals to

discover that God promised to make Abraham’s name great and make him a blessing.

Jesus came to earth as a man through Abraham’s family.

Order in bulk, subscribe quarterly,

or purchase individually. For

more information, check out

www.lifeway.com/devotionals.

animals. This showed that God would be responsible for keeping His promise.

Many years passed and Abram still didn’t have the promised son. God hadn’t forgotten, though. He appeared to Abram again and reminded him, “I am God Almighty. I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you greatly.”

God was so serious about His promise that He changed Abram’s name to Abraham, which means “Father of a Great Multitude.” God told Abraham that he would be the father of nations—even kings!

“I will keep My promise to you, God said, “and it will last forever. I will be your God, and I will be the God of your family—of everyone who comes after you.”

God also promised to give Abraham and his offspring all of the land of Canaan where they were living. “You will own this land forever,” He said.

Christ Connection: God called Abraham to leave his country and family to go to another land. God promised to bless all the world through Abraham. God sent Jesus from His home in heaven to be born on earth into Abraham’s family. Through Jesus, all the nations of the earth are blessed.

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Small Group OPENING

SESSION TITLE: God’s Covenant with AbrahamBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-9MAIN POINT: God promised to bless all the world through Abraham.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 15:6BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What did God promise? God made a covenant to

bless His people.

Welcome timeGreet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Invite kids to share about the oldest person they know. Can kids imagine being that age?

Activity page (5 minutes)

Distribute activity pages and challenge kids to count the stars on the page. How many stars did kids find?SAY • Today we are going to hear a story from the Bible

about a man named Abram. God told Abram, “Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them. Your offspring will be that numerous.”

Session starter (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Senior shuffleArrange chairs back-to-back in a circle in the center of the room. Remove a chair to allow one fewer chair than the number of players.

Instruct kids to move around the circle while the music plays. Tell them that they must walk as though they are 100 years old (slowly, shuffling). When the music stops, kids must find a seat. The player without a chair is out.

• “Count the Stars” activity page, 1 per kid

• pencils or markers

• music• chairs, 1 per kid

LOW PREP

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SAY • What things might be difficult for you if you were 100 years old? In today’s Bible story, Abram and Sarai were old; Abram was 75 years old when God first told him he and his wife would have children. That sounds impossible! But nothing is impossible with God.

OPTION 2: Paper people chainsFollow these steps to make paper people chains:

1. Cut pieces of paper in half lengthwise so every kid has one strip.

2. Demonstrate how to fold the paper accordion style to create at least four panels.

3. On one end panel, draw the outline of a person. Make sure the hands and feet touch the outer edges of the panel.

4. Cut out the person, leaving the folds intact at the hands and feet so the chain does not break.

5. Unfold the paper and decorate as desired.As kids work, invite them to talk about their families. How many brothers and sisters do they have? How many cousins?

Explain that a person’s descendants include everyone born into the family after them. For example, a grandparent’s descendants include their children and grandchildren.SAY • Today’s Bible story is about a promise that God made

to Abram. God promised Abram three things. One thing God promised was that Abram would have many descendants.

Transition to large group

• paper• scissors• markers

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Suggested Theme Decorating Ideas: Simulate a colorful or wacky wedding venue. Arrange a few chairs at the front of the room. Use ribbon or streamers to tie bows onto the backs. Hang streamers from the ceiling and position artificial shrubs or flowers to the side. Consider displaying a tall candelabra and projecting the theme background slide.

CountdownShow the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (3 minutes)

[Large Group Leader enters carrying a large stack of wedding magazines on a clipboard. Leader struggles to balance a stack of envelopes in one arm. As he or she reaches the front of the room, the envelopes fall to the floor.]LEADER • Oh, dear! Oh, no. Can anybody help me pick

up these envelopes? Thank you so much. [Collect yourself.] Well, I am certainly glad to see you. I could use a few extra hands around here. You see, I am trying to prepare for a wedding! It is a lot of work! There’s the invitations, the decorations, the music, the guests, the reception, the cake … And this isn’t even my wedding. I’m helping out two good friends

• room decorations• theme background

slide (optional)

• countdown video

• leader attire• envelopes• clipboard• wedding magazines

Large Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: God’s Covenant with AbrahamBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-9MAIN POINT: God promised to bless all the world through Abraham.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Romans 4:3BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What did God promise? God made a covenant to

bless His people.

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whom I’ve known since we were little. I am so excited to see them promise to spend the rest of their lives together! Oh, it’s going to be beautiful!

Big picture question (1 minute)

LEADER • You are all too young to be married, but I bet you’ve made some promises. [Invite kids to share promises they’ve made.] Today’s Bible story is about something God promised. Listen closely to see if you can figure out the answer to our big picture question: What did God promise?

Giant timeline (2 minutes)

LEADER • Before we begin, let’s take a look at our giant timeline. Remember, the Bible contains many smaller stories, but all together it tells one big story—the story of how God created everything and how, when we turned away from Him, He brought us back to Himself by sending His Son, Jesus, to save us from sin.

After sin entered the world, sin spread and affected everything. God told Noah’s family to spread out, but they built a city instead. So God confused their language and scattered them. Here is today’s story, “God’s Covenant with Abraham.” Abraham was a descendant of Noah, and God made him a promise.

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes)

Open your Bible to Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-9. Tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video “God’s Covenant with Abraham.”

• Giant Timeline or Big Story Circle

• Bibles• “God’s Covenant

with Abraham” video

• Big Picture Question Poster

• Bible Story Picture Poster

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LEADER • Have any of you ever moved to a new town? Did you have to leave your old friends behind? When God called Abraham, He told Abraham to move away from his family and friends. God didn’t even tell Abraham where he was going! Abraham just had to trust God.

God made a promise to Abraham. What did God promise? God made a covenant to bless His people. A covenant is a special promise that one person makes with another. God promised Abraham three things: a large family, land for his family, and blessing.

God confirmed, or strengthened, His covenant with a special ceremony. A smoking fire pot and a flaming torch representing God passed between the divided animals. This showed that God would be responsible for keeping His promise. The promise did not depend on Abraham doing something to hold up his end of the agreement. God would keep His promise no matter what. And God was so serious about His promise, that He changed Abraham’s name. He had been called Abram, but Abraham means “Father of a great multitude.”

God promised to bless all the world through Abraham. He was going to send someone to be born into Abraham’s family. Do you know who? Jesus! Through Jesus, all the nations of the earth are blessed.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign

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individuals to meet with kids who have more questions.Encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small

group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

Key passage (4 minutes)

Show the slide or poster of the key passage, Romans 4:3. Lead the boys and girls to read the verse.LEADER • Faith is being sure of what we hope for. Abraham

believed God; he trusted in God’s promises. God accepted Abraham because of his faith.

Sing together the key passage song “Abraham.”

Discussion starter video (4 minutes)

LEADER • After God made a covenant with Abraham, Abraham fell asleep. While he slept, God told Abraham what would happen in the future. He said Abraham’s family would be slaves in another country for 400 years. But He also promised many blessings. Do you think it would be cool to know the future? Check this out.

Show the “Unit 2, Session 1” discussion starter video. Guide kids to discuss some things they think might happen in the future. Encourage them to consider future inventions, ways of living, modes of transportation, and so forth.LEADER • It is fun to imagine things that might happen in

the future, but we do not know for certain whether or not they will happen. When God makes a promise about something, He makes sure it happens. God is in control of all things, and He always keeps His promises. What did God promise? God made a covenant to bless His people.

• Key Passage Poster• “Abraham” song

• “Unit 2, Session 1” discussion starter video

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Sing (4 minutes)

LEADER • God’s covenant with Abraham was unconditional, meaning Abraham did not have to do anything for God to keep the promise. That’s great! People are not always faithful, but God is always faithful. Let’s sing.

Sing together “Always Faithful.”

Prayer (2 minutes)

Display a world map and tell kids that about 7 billion people live in the world today. Explain that more than 6,800 groups of people are unreached. That means less than 2 percent of its population is Evangelical Christians. Let’s pray that God would send missionaries to the unreached people groups so they can hear the good news about Jesus.

Remind boys and girls that God promised to bless all the world through Abraham. Close in prayer before dismissing to small groups.LEADER • Lord God, You are always faithful! Thank You

for giving us the Bible so we can know about You and the wonderful things You have done. Help us to trust You and the promises in Your Word. Lord, we ask that You would bless people from all the countries in the world—from every corner of the earth—by helping them understand and accept the gospel. Make them open to receive Jesus, the greatest blessing of all. We love You, Lord. Amen.

Dismiss to small groups

• “Always Faithful” song

• world map

Option: Pray specifically for missionaries your church supports.

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The Gospel: God’s Plan for MeAsk kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:19.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

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Small Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: God’s Covenant with AbrahamBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-9MAIN POINT: God promised to bless all the world through Abraham.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Romans 4:3BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What did God promise? God made a covenant to

bless His people.

Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes)

Form two or three teams of kids to play a review game. Guide teams to stand against one wall. Teams will take turns answering general Bible questions or specific questions about today’s Bible story.

When a team answers correctly, that team’s players will take one step forward. If they answer incorrectly, direct them to remain in place or take a step backward.

The team to advance the farthest across the room wins.1. What did Abraham want that he did not have?

(a child, an heir; Gen. 15:2-3)2. What did God tell Abraham to look at? (the sky, the

stars; Gen. 15:5)3. How many chapters are in the Book of Genesis? (50)4. Did Abraham doubt the Lord or believe Him?

(Abraham believed the Lord, Gen. 15:6)5. How did God confirm His covenant? (a smoking

fire pot and a flaming torch representing God passed between divided animals to show that God would be responsible for keeping His promise, Gen. 15:17)

6. God said Abraham’s family would be slaves in another country for how many years? (400 years, Gen. 15:13)

• Bibles, 1 per kid• Main Point Poster• numbered cube

Tip: Choose team representatives to take steps if your classroom is small.

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7. What does the name Abraham mean? (“Father of a Multitude,” Gen. 17:5)

8. What was Abraham’s name before God changed it? (Abram, Gen. 17:5)

9. Who wrote the Book of Genesis? (Moses)10. What do we call the first five books of the Bible?

(the Pentateuch or books of the Law)

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Write the key passage or a chalkboard or dry erase board. Form two groups: boys and girls. Lead the kids to say the key passage together. Then invite a boy to erase one word. Challenge the girls to say the key passage, supplying the missing word. Then a girl may erase one word. Challenge the boys to say the passage, supplying the missing words.

Continue taking turns to erase words, challenging the other group to say the passage. Invite boys and girls to say the passage together when they have erased all the words.SAY • Our key passage says that when Abraham believed

God, it was credited to him as righteousness. We know that someone is righteous if he never sins (like Jesus), so how could Abraham be righteous? A person is also righteous if God takes away his sin and trades it for Jesus’ righteousness.

Abraham did not know that God was going to send His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sin, but he trusted that God would keep His promise to bless the whole world through him. Abraham did not know how God would do it, but because he had faith, God counted his faith as righteousness.

When we trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, He takes away our sin and gives us His righteousness.

• Key Passage Poster• chalkboard or dry

erase board• marker• eraser

Option: Review the gospel with boys and girls. Explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions.

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Activity choice (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Unconditional “Simon Says”Lead kids to play a game of “Simon Says” but instruct them to follow your commands whether or not you say “Simon says … ” Kids should do what you say every time.

Suggested commands: stand up, sit down, clap your hands, stomp your feet, turn around, look up, and so on. Play several rounds and consider allowing volunteers to be the leader.

Remind kids that in a traditional game of “Simon Says,” the rules are conditional—kids will only obey if the leader announces, “Simon says … ” but in this game, the rules were unconditional. Kids’ obedience did not depend on what the leader said first. They obeyed no matter what.

Emphasize that God’s covenant with Abraham was unconditional. God did not ask Abraham to do anything for the promise to happen. God would keep His promise no matter what.SAY • Who can tell me what a covenant is? A covenant is a

special promise that one person makes with another. God promised Abraham three things: a large family, land for his family, and blessing. God promised to bless all the world through Abraham.

God’s covenant with Abraham was unconditional—it did not depend on Abraham. God was going to keep His promise no matter what.

OPTION 2: Tissue paper torchesInvite kids to make tissue paper torches. Demonstrate how to make a torch, and then help kids make their own.

1. Roll a piece of heavyweight paper into a cone shape. Use tape to secure the cone.

LOW PREP

• orange, red, and yellow tissue paper

• heavyweight paper• clear tape• glue

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2. Layer pieces of tissue paper—red on bottom, orange in the middle, and yellow on top.

3. Pinch the sheets of tissue paper in the center, and gently stuff them into the cone.

4. Use glue to secure the tissue paper plumes.5. Add more tissue paper “flames” until they fill the

torch.SAY • In Bible times, when two people made a covenant,

they usually divided an animal and walked between the halves. But after God made His covenant with Abraham, only a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch—which represented God—passed between the divided animals. Abram did not pass between the animals.

This showed that God would be responsible for keeping His promise. God’s covenant with Abraham was unconditional. Abram did not have to keep any promises; he only had to trust God.

Journal and prayer (5 minutes)

Give each kid a pencil and the journal page. Encourage kids to spend a couple of minutes listing blessings—things for which they are thankful. Remind kids that every good gift comes from God. (See James 1:17.)SAY • God promised to bless all the world through

Abraham. God sent Jesus from His home in heaven to be born on earth into Abraham’s family. Through Jesus, all the nations of the earth are blessed.

If time remains, instruct kids to complete the constellation search on the activity page. Kids should color in the four-pointed stars to reveal a special word. (bless)

• Journal Page• pencils• “Constellation

Search” activity page, 1 per kid

Tip: Give parents this week’s Big Picture Cards for Families to allow families to interact with the biblical content at home.

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UNIT 2Session 2

Leader BIBLE STUDY

When Abraham was well over 100 years old, he received another message from God. It was a test, actually. God instructed Abraham to take his son Isaac, the son of promise, and sacrifice him on a mountain God would tell him about. Abraham had waited so many years for this child!

But Abraham obeyed. He got up early the next day and left for his trip. Not waiting around to see if God would change His mind, he saddled the donkey, took the wood, two servants, and his son, and left on the journey as God commanded.

Unit 2 • Session 2

Use Week of:

God Tested Abraham

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 22:1-19MAIN POINT: Abraham trusted God even when he didn’t understand God’s

plan.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Romans 4:3BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What did God promise? God made a covenant to

bless His people.

SMALL GROUP OPENING (10–15 MINUTES)

PAGE 124

LARGE BIBLE STUDY (25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 126

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES (25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 132

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2

Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject.

As Isaac walked with his father, he noticed something was missing. They had the wood and the fire, but “Where is the lamb?” Isaac asked. Abraham answered that God Himself would provide. And God did indeed.

By this point, Abraham had supreme faith that God was able to do anything. Hebrews 11:17-19 gives us a peek inside Abraham’s mind: “He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead.”

God provided a ram for the burnt offering in place of Isaac, who was spared. After what we might imagine was quite a worship service, Abraham and Isaac returned home.

In the New Testament, God brings through John the Baptist the final answer to Isaac’s inquiry, “Where is the lamb?” “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). God provided a ram for Abraham, but for all of humanity He has provided His Son, Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice for sin.

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God Tested AbrahamGenesis 22:1-19

God kept His promise to give Abraham a son. Abraham and his wife Sarah were very old when their son Isaac was born. One day, God tested Abraham. God wanted to make sure that Abraham loved God most of all.

“Abraham,” God said. “Here I am,” Abraham answered. “Take your son Isaac to the mountain and give him to

Me as a sacrifice,” God said.A sacrifice is anything of value brought to God as a way

to show obedience, love, thanksgiving, or the need for forgiveness. During Old Testament times, a sacrifice usually involved killing an animal. This time, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac instead.

Abraham obeyed God. He got up early the next day and left with Isaac, two servants, and a donkey carrying supplies. They walked for three days before they got to the mountain where God wanted Abraham to make the sacrifice. Abraham asked his servants to stay with the donkey, and he and Isaac went up the mountain with the supplies for the sacrifice.

Isaac noticed something was missing. “My father,” he said, “where is the lamb for the offering?”

Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb.”

When they got to the place God had directed them, Abraham built an altar and placed the wood on top. Then he put Isaac on top of the wood. Just as Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, the Angel of the Lord called out,

The BIBLE STORY

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WANT TO DISCOVER

GOD’S WORD? GET

BIBLE EXPRESS!

Invite kids to check out this week’s devotionals to

discover that just as God provided a ram as a substitute for

Isaac, He provided His Son, Jesus, to be the perfect sacrifice for sin. (1 John 2:12)

Order in bulk, subscribe quarterly,

or purchase individually. For

more information, check out

www.lifeway.com/devotionals.

“Abraham, Abraham!”Abraham stopped. The Angel of the Lord said, “Do

not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me.”

Abraham looked up and saw a ram trapped by its horns in the bushes. He offered to God the ram instead of Isaac. Abraham named the place, “The Lord Will Provide.”

The Angel of the Lord reminded Abraham that God would keep the covenant He made with Abraham. God again promised to bless Abraham, to make his family as numerous as all the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashores. God promised victory over Abraham’s enemies and blessing to all the earth through Abraham’s family.

Christ Connection: Abraham showed his love for God by being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac. This is how God showed His love for us: He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross so that we could have eternal life through Him.

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Small Group OPENING

SESSION TITLE: God Tested AbrahamBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 22:1-19MAIN POINT: Abraham trusted God even when he didn’t understand God’s

plan.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Romans 4:3BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What did God promise? God made a covenant to

bless His people.

Welcome timeGreet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Prompt kids to share about a time when they had to trust someone else.

Activity page (5 minutes)

Distribute activity pages and challenge kids to find the six items in the scene that do not belong.SAY • The two people in this picture were father and son.

Does anyone know who they are? (Abraham and Isaac) We will learn more about them in our Bible story today.

Session starter (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Pop quizGive each kid a piece of paper and a pencil. Instruct boys and girls to number their papers from 1 to 10. Ask the following questions about the Bible. (Note: These questions are intentionally difficult! It’s OK if kids don’t know the answers.) Then review the answers together.

1. How many books are in the Bible? (66)2. Who wrote the first five books of the Bible? (Moses)

• “What’s Wrong?” activity page, 1 per kid

• pencils or markers

• paper• pencils

LOW PREP

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3. The average blue whale is about 75 feet long. How many blue whales would you have to line up to equal the length of Noah’s ark? (about 6, Noah’s ark was about 450 feet long; Gen. 6:15)

4. What is the first of the Ten Commandments? (Do not have other gods besides Me, Ex. 20:3)

5. How many Bible books are named after women? (two, Esther and Ruth)

6. Saul had two names. What was Saul’s Roman name? (Paul, Acts 13:9)

7. Who was King Solomon’s dad? (King David)8. How many chapters are in the Bible? (1,189)9. What is the shortest chapter in the Bible? (Ps. 117)10. How old was the oldest person mentioned in the

Bible? (Methuselah lived 969 years, Gen. 5:27)SAY • Today we are going to hear a story from the Bible

about a time God tested Abraham. God’s test for Abraham was very hard. God tested Abraham’s faith to see if Abraham really trusted God.

OPTION 2: Where is the lamb?Choose a volunteer to sit in a chair with his back to the class. Put the toy lamb under his chair. Someone from the class should quietly take the lamb.

When you say, “Where is the lamb?” the volunteer should turn around. He gets three chances to guess where the lamb is. Play a several rounds as time allows.SAY • That’s what Isaac asked in our Bible story: “Where is

the lamb?” Let’s find out what he meant.

Transition to large group

• toy lamb

Option: Use a cotton ball to represent a lamb.

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CountdownShow the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (3 minutes)

[Large Group Leader enters carrying a few rolls of streamer and a piece of firewood or bundle of sticks. Leader sets the items on the floor or a table at the front of the room.]LEADER • Welcome back, everyone! If you were here last

time, you might remember that I am in the middle of helping two of my friends get ready for their wedding. They are getting ready to make a covenant, promising to be with each other for the rest of their lives. Oh, I love weddings! But this is becoming a lot of work. I’m supposed to be decorating. I have some streamers here, and some firewood … how on earth do you decorate with firewood? I do not understand my friends’ plan for decorating. When the bride finishes taste-testing wedding cake, I will have to ask her what is going on.

Hey, that reminds me of today’s Bible story. Raise your hand if you remember what we learned about last time.

• countdown video

• leader attire• rolls of streamer• firewood or bundle

of sticks

Large Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: God Tested AbrahamBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 22:1-19MAIN POINT: Abraham trusted God even when he didn’t understand God’s

plan.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Romans 4:3BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What did God promise? God made a covenant to

bless His people.

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Giant timeline (2 minutes)

Point out “God’s Covenant with Abraham” on the giant timeline. Remind kids that God had called Abraham to leave his home and go to a place God would tell him about. God made a covenant with Abraham, and He promised to bless all the world through Abraham.LEADER • God promised to give Abraham a family, even

though he and his wife were old and did not have any kids. God kept His promise, and He gave Abraham a son named Isaac.

Here is today’s Bible story: “God Tested Abraham.” Oh, boy. I wonder what kind of test this was. I wonder if Abraham had to study very hard. Do you think he passed the test? I hope he remembered his number two pencil!

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes)

Open your Bible to Genesis 22. Tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video “God Tested Abraham.” After kids hear the story, pile some firewood or sticks at the front of the room.LEADER • Abraham and Isaac went to the mountain where

God wanted Abraham to make the sacrifice. Isaac carried the supplies for his father, but he noticed something was missing. A sacrifice usually involved killing an animal. Where was the lamb for the sacrifice? Abraham said, “God will provide.”

Putting his son on the altar was probably very hard for Abraham to do, but Abraham trusted God even when he didn’t understand God’s plan. God had made a promise to Abraham. What did God

• Giant Timeline

• Bibles• “God Tested

Abraham” video• Big Picture Question

Poster• Bible Story Picture

Poster• Main Point Poster• firewood or sticks

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promise? God made a covenant to bless His people. God promised that Abraham would have a large family, but how could that happen if God took his son? [See Heb. 11:17-19.] God saw that Abraham trusted Him, and the angel told Abraham not to hurt Isaac. God provided a ram to sacrifice instead.

Give a Bible to two kids. Instruct one kid to find and read Genesis 22:12. Then lead the other to read John 3:16.LEADER • Abraham showed his love for God by being

willing to sacrifice his son Isaac. This is how God showed His love for us: He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross so that we could have eternal life through Him.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions.

Encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

Big picture question (1 minute)

Call on random boys and girls to answer the big picture question. If a kid struggles to answer, allow him to read the answer from the big picture question poster.LEADER • What did God promise? God made a covenant

to bless His people. God said that through Abraham’s family, all the nations of the earth would be blessed. God blesses all the nations of the earth through His Son, Jesus, who was born into Abraham’s family.

• Big Picture Question Poster

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Key passage (4 minutes)

LEADER • Trusting God during hard times can be difficult, but even when God asked Abraham to give up his son Isaac, Abraham trusted God. That’s what our key passage is about. Let’s read it together.

Lead kids to read Romans 4:3 from the key passage poster.LEADER • Someone is righteous if he never sins (like Jesus),

so how could Abraham be righteous? A person is also righteous if God takes away his sin and trades it for Jesus’ righteousness.

Abraham did not know that God was going to send His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sin, but he trusted that God would keep His promise to bless the whole world through him. Abraham did not know how God would do it, but because he had faith, God counted his sin as righteousness.

When we trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, He takes away our sin and gives us His righteousness.

Play the key passage song and invite kids to sing along.

Discussion starter video (4 minutes)

Show the “Unit 2, Session 2” discussion starter video. Lead kids to talk about a time they had to trust someone else.

1. Was it difficult to trust another person?2. Are some people easier to trust than others? Why or

why not?3. How do we know that we can trust God?

LEADER • We can trust God because we know He is good. The Bible tells us about Him, and it shows us that He has always been faithful to His people. God has never broken His promises. He has never done anything wrong. God never changes; He will always

• Key Passage Poster• “Abraham” song

• “Unit 2, Session 2” discussion starter video

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be faithful, He will always keep His promises, and He will always do what is right.

Sing (4 minutes)

LEADER • We can trust that God will keep all of His promises. Everything God does is for His glory and our good. We can trust God even when we don’t understand His plans. That makes me want to sing! Will you join me?

Sing together “Always Faithful.”

Prayer (2 minutes)

Invite kids to pray before dismissing to small groups.LEADER • Father God, You are good. Thank You for sparing

Isaac by providing a ram instead. Thank You for sparing our lives, too. We know we deserve to die because of our sin, but You sent Your Son, Jesus, to die in our place. Thank You for giving up Your Son as our substitute. We do not deserve Him, but we joyfully accept Him. We love You. Amen.

Dismiss to small groups

• “Always Faithful” song

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The Gospel: God’s Plan for MeAsk kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:19.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

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Small Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: God Tested AbrahamBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 22:1-19MAIN POINT: Abraham trusted God even when he didn’t understand God’s

plan.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Romans 4:3BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What did God promise? God made a covenant to

bless His people.

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Form two teams and instruct them to line up single file at one side of the room. At the other side of the room, position a chalkboard across from each team. Write the first word of the key passage on each chalkboard.

Give the first player on each team a piece of chalk. When you say go, she should run to the chalkboard and write the next word of the key passage. She will return the chalk to the next player who will write the next word.

Each player may either write the next word or, if the previous player made a mistake, he may erase the previous word and write the correct word. The first team to correctly write the key passage wins.SAY • Can anyone tell me what it means to be righteous?

(to be perfect, without sin) How can a sinner become righteous? (When a sinner trusts in Jesus, God takes away her sin and trades it for Jesus’ righteousness.)

Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes)

Lead kids to act out the Bible story. Copy the following script for volunteers to read as they act out the roles of Abraham, Isaac, two servants, the Angel of the Lord, and the ram. Remaining kids can follow along in their Bibles.

• Key Passage Poster• chalkboards or dry

erase boards, 2• chalk or markers

Option: Review the gospel with boys and girls. Explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions.

• Bibles, 1 per kid• Main Point Poster

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NA RRATOR: One day, God tested Abraham. God wanted to make sure that Abraham loved God most of all. God said, “Take your son Isaac to the mountain and give him to Me as a sacrifice.”

Abraham got up early the next day and left with Isaac, two servants, and a donkey carrying supplies. They walked for three days before they got to the mountain where God wanted Abraham to make the sacrifice. Abraham and Isaac went up the mountain with the supplies for the sacrifice.

ISAAC: My father, where is the lamb for the offering?ABRAHAM: God Himself will provide the lamb.NA RRATOR: When they got to the place, Abraham built

an altar. Just as Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, the Angel of the Lord called out.

ANGEL OF THE LORD: Abraham, Abraham!NARRATOR: Abraham stopped. AN GEL OF THE LORD: Do not lay a hand on the boy or

do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me.

NA RRATOR: Abraham looked up and saw a ram trapped by its horns in the bushes. He offered the ram to God instead of sacrificing Isaac.

If time allows, choose new volunteers to play the roles. Encourage kids in the audience to gasp or cheer, providing sound effects where appropriate.SAY • Abraham trusted God even when he didn’t

understand God’s plan. Abraham was willing to do anything for God because he feared God. He

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respected God and loved Him. Would you be willing to do anything God asked you to do?

Allow time for kids to think and discuss their responses.

Activity choice (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Good question! gameGive each kid an index card, a pencil, and a Bible. Guide kids to find Genesis 22:1-19. Instruct boys and girls to read over the verses and write on the index card a question about the Bible story. Questions should begin with Who, What, When, Where, or Why? Tell kids to include the verse number where the answer can be found.

Collect the cards and read them one at a time. Challenge kids to answer the questions. Consider these examples:

1. When did Abraham go to the mountain? (early in the morning, Gen. 22:3)

2. What was missing? (the lamb, Gen. 22:7)3. Whom did Abraham say would provide the lamb?

(God, Gen. 22:8)SAY • Why did God tell Abraham to sacrifice his son

Isaac? We know that God was testing Abraham, but Abraham did not know that. Abraham trusted God even when he didn’t understand God’s plan.

Point out that Isaac trusted his father, Abraham. Who else trusted His Father no matter what? (Jesus) Remind kids that God gave up His Son to rescue people from sin.

OPTION 2: Paint starry beach scenesInvite kids to paint pictures of the beach at night. Suggest they use dark colors such as blue and purple to paint the sky. Demonstrate how to brush a thin layer of glue over the beach. Then sprinkle sand over the glue. Encourage kids to

• Bibles, 1 per kid• index cards• pencils

LOW PREP

• heavyweight paper• white glue• sand• watercolor paints• paintbrushes• silver markers• star stickers

(optional)

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use stickers or silver markers to fill the sky with stars.As kids work, talk about God’s promise to Abraham.

What did God say about the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore?SAY • God spared Isaac, and He kept His promise to

Abraham to make his offspring as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore.

Through Isaac, Abraham’s family grew, and eventually God’s Son, Jesus, was born into Abraham’s family. Through Him, all the nations of the earth are blessed.

Journal and prayer (5 minutes)

Give each kid the journal page and a pencil. Remind kids that Abraham trusted God even when he didn’t understand God’s plan. Prompt kids to write about a situation they currently face or a question they have about the future.

Encourage them to pray about those things this week and ask God to help them trust Him and His plan.

As time allows, lead kids to complete “God Provided” on the activity page. Kids should color in the shapes according to the key to reveal the hidden picture.SAY • What did God provide as a sacrifice for Isaac? (a ram)

Whom did God provide as a sacrifice for us? (His Son, Jesus)

• Journal Page• markers or colored

pencils• “God Provided”

activity page, 1 per kid

Tip: Give parents this week’s Big Picture Cards for Families to allow families to interact with the biblical content at home.

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UNIT 2Session 3

Leader BIBLE STUDY

In His covenant with Abraham, God promised land, descendants, and a blessing to all the nations of the earth. (Gen. 22:17-18) God reaffirmed the promise to Abraham’s son Isaac and to his grandson Jacob. (Gen. 26:3-4; 28:13-14)

God had a plan for Abraham and his family all along. When Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, became pregnant with twins, the babies struggled with each other inside her. God explained their future. The older son (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob). Their families would separate and become two nations, one stronger than the other.

Unit 2 • Session 3

Use Week of:

The Promise Reaffirmed

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 25:19-26; 26:1-6; 28:10-22MAIN POINT: God reminded Abraham’s family that He always keeps His

promises.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Romans 4:3BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What did God promise? God made a covenant to

bless His people.

SMALL GROUP OPENING (10–15 MINUTES)

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LARGE BIBLE STUDY (25–30 MINUTES)

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SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES (25–30 MINUTES)

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3

Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject.

These things came true. Esau and Jacob did not get along. Jacob tricked his father and brother to steal the blessing that usually went to the oldest son. To escape his brother’s anger, Jacob fled to his uncle’s house.

On the way, God spoke to Jacob in a dream. Jacob saw a stairway to heaven, and he saw God there. God repeated the promise to Jacob. He promised to be with Jacob.

Jacob would become the father of a nation. He would have twelve sons, and they would be the leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel. Through the nation of Israel, God would keep His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by sending His Son, Jesus, to be the Savior of the world.

Remind the children of the tower of Babel. People tried (and failed) to build a tall tower with its top in the heavens. Explain that, like the stairway in Jacob’s dream, Jesus bridges the gap between heaven and earth. (See John 1:51.) God the Son came down to earth as a baby, as Immanuel, “God with us.” Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Sin separates people from God, but when people turn from their sin and trust in Jesus, Jesus brings them into God’s family.

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The Promise ReaffirmedGenesis 25:19-26; 26:1-6; 28:10-22

Abraham’s son, Isaac, grew up and married a woman named Rebekah. For many years, Isaac and Rebekah did not have any children, so Isaac prayed and asked God for a child. God answered Isaac’s prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins. The two babies fought inside of Rebekah, and she was worried.

“Why is this happening?” Rebekah asked the Lord. The Lord told Rebekah part of His special plan.

God said, “Two people will come from you. They will grow up and have families who will be two separate nations. One nation will be stronger than the other, and the older child will serve the younger.”

This was not what usually happened in a family, but this was part of God’s plan for Abraham’s family. When Rebekah’s babies were born, the first brother was red-looking and hairy. They named him Esau (EE saw). The younger brother was born holding on to Esau’s heel, and they named him Jacob.

Later, God appeared to Isaac to give him a special message about His plan for Isaac and his family. God shared with Isaac the special covenant He had made with Isaac’s father, Abraham.

God said, “I will give all these lands to you and your family. I will make your family as numerous as the stars of the sky. All the nations of the earth will be blessed by your family because Abraham, your father, listened to My voice and obeyed My words.” So Isaac and his family lived in the land of Gerar.

Many years later, Isaac’s sons Jacob and Esau fought.

The BIBLE STORY

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WANT TO DISCOVER

GOD’S WORD? GET

BIBLE EXPRESS!

Invite kids to check out this week’s devotionals to discover God’s

promise to be with Jacob wherever he went. (Gen. 28:15)

Order in bulk, subscribe quarterly,

or purchase individually. For

more information, check out

www.lifeway.com/devotionals.

Jacob tricked Isaac and stole Esau’s blessing. Jacob had to leave his family to stay safe. On his way to his uncle’s house, Jacob stopped at night to sleep. Jacob put a stone under his head as a pillow.

While Jacob slept, he had a dream. In his dream, Jacob saw a stairway coming down from heaven to the ground. Angels were going up and down the stairs.

Then Jacob saw God, and God spoke to him. “I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather, Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. I will give you and your offspring the land that you are now sleeping on.”

God gave the covenant He made with Abraham to Abraham’s grandson, Jacob. God told Jacob that his family would be like the dust of the earth. They would spread out in all directions, and all the people on earth would be blessed because of his family. God promised to be with Jacob. “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go,” He said. “I will bring you back to this land.”

Jacob woke up and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place. What an awesome place this is.”

Early the next morning, as a way to remember the place where God had shared His plan with him, Jacob poured oil over the stone where he had slept. He renamed the place Bethel. Jacob promised that if God kept His promise, Jacob would follow God and honor Him.

Christ Connection: God’s wonderful plan to Abraham extended well beyond his lifetime. The plan was shared with Rebekah, Isaac, Jacob, and eventually an entire nation leading to the birth of a baby boy named Jesus. Jesus fulfilled God’s plan to provide salvation and redemption for all of God’s people.

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Small Group OPENING

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 25:19-26; 26:1-6; 28:10-22MAIN POINT: God reminded Abraham’s family that He always keeps His

promises.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Romans 4:3BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What did God promise? God made a covenant to

bless His people.

Welcome timeGreet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group.

Prompt kids to share stories of dreams they remember. Explain that in today’s Bible story, a man named Jacob had a dream, and the dream was a message from God.

Activity page (5 minutes)

Give each kid an activity page and a Bible. Help them find the Genesis verses in the Bible to discover the names of three people to whom God gave His promise. (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) Kids should fill in the letters of the names.

Show kids how to use the code to fill in the message.1. The first code is 3-4. Direct them to the third name

(Jacob) and the fourth letter (O).2. Instruct them to write the letter O in the blank.3. Continue with the remaining blanks, and then read

the message aloud. (God always keeps His promises.)SAY • Are you good at keeping promises? You might

sometimes break a promise, but God always keeps His promises! Today’s Bible story is about a promise God made to Abraham and his whole family.

• “A Great Promise” activity page, 1 per kid

• pencils• Bibles

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Session starter (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Tongue twisterWrite the following tongue twister on a large piece of paper. Challenge kids to take turns reading it aloud. Who can say it the fastest? Who can say it without making a mistake?

“ God gives good gifts. God’s gifts are great. God-given gifts are good and great.”

SAY • Sometimes the best way to learn or remember something is to repeat it over and over. That’s how God reminded Abraham’s family of His promise.

OPTION 2: Ladder drillBefore small group, position on the floor two parallel 15-foot lengths of tape about 20 inches apart. Tape 20-inch strips of tape vertically between the rows every 18 inches to form a ladder.

Invite kids to perform simple ladder drills to test their agility. Kids should form a single-file line and take turns.

• One Step: Take one step in each box.• Two Steps (Left): Take two steps in each box, leading with the left foot.

• Two Steps (Right): Take two steps in each box, leading with the right foot.

• Bunny Hop: Hop into each box, two feet at the same time.

SAY • In today’s Bible story, Jacob had a dream. He saw a ladder stretching between heaven and earth.

Transition to large group

• large piece of paper• marker

LOW PREP

• masking tape or painter’s tape

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CountdownShow the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (2 minutes)

[Large Group Leader enters wearing semi-formal attire. Leader shuffles index cards in his or her hands while pacing back and forth and reciting lines to self.]LEADER • Finally, I would like to thank you all for coming.

… No, that isn’t right. Thank you all for coming! … or, Thanks for coming, everybody! [Put down cards and turn to address the kids.]

Oh, I am so nervous! I am giving a big speech after the wedding ceremony and I want to get it just right. I just can’t seem to remember what I wrote. I need to say it to myself a few more times so I don’t forget it. I can do that later, though.

Big picture question (1 minute)

LEADER • Speaking of forgetting, I hope none of you have forgotten our big picture question and answer. I’m going to ask the question, and if you know the answer, shout it out. What did God promise?

• countdown video

• leader attire• index cards

Large Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: The Promise ReaffirmedBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 25:19-26; 26:1-6; 28:10-22MAIN POINT: God reminded Abraham’s family that He always keeps His

promises.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Romans 4:3BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What did God promise? God made a covenant to

bless His people.

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[Pause.] God made a covenant to bless His people. Wonderful! Let’s jump right into today’s Bible story.

Giant timeline (3 minutes)

Point out “God’s Covenant with Abraham” on the giant timeline. Remind kids that God had called Abraham to leave his home and go to a place God would tell him about. God made a covenant with Abraham, and God promised to bless all the world through Abraham.

Then point to “God Tested Abraham.” Explain that God tested Abraham by telling him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham trusted God even when he didn’t understand God’s plan. Then God provided a ram instead.LEADER • Today’s Bible story is called “The Promise

Reaffirmed.” God’s promise to Abraham wasn’t only for Abraham. It was a promise for all of Abraham’s future offspring, too. So God told the promise to Abraham’s son Isaac and grandson Jacob.

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes)

Open your Bible to Genesis 25–28 and tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video “The Promise Reaffirmed.”

Read the following details from the Bible story. Challenge kids to identify the person who fits the description. If Abraham, kids should stomp their feet. If Isaac, kids should clap. If Jacob, kids should cheer.

1. He was Isaac’s father. (Abraham, stomp your feet)2. He was Jacob’s grandfather. (Abraham)3. His sons were twins. (Isaac, clap your hands)4. His wife’s name was Rebekah. (Isaac)

• Giant Timeline

• Bibles• “The Promise

Reaffirmed” video• Big Picture Question

Poster• Bible Story Picture

Poster

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5. He prayed and asked God for a child. (Abraham and Isaac, clap and stomp)

6. He was born holding his brother’s heel. (Jacob, cheer)7. He tricked his father and stole his brother’s blessing.

(Jacob)8. He dreamed of a stairway coming down from

heaven. (Jacob)9. God made a promise to him. (Abraham, Isaac, and

Jacob; clap, stomp, and cheer)LEADER • God reaffirmed His promise with Abraham’s son

Isaac and his grandson Jacob. Reaffirmed means that God repeated the promise. He told them the promise again so they would know it was true.

What did God promise? God made a covenant to bless His people. God’s covenant with Abraham was also for Abraham’s future offspring. God repeated His promise to Abraham’s family, and God reminded Abraham’s family that He always keeps His promises.

God planned for His Son, Jesus, to be born into Jacob’s family. Jesus was how God would keep His promise to bless all the world through Abraham.

Do you remember the tower of Babel? People tried (and failed) to build a tall tower with its top in the heavens. Like the stairway in Jacob’s dream, Jesus bridges the gap between heaven and earth. [See John 1:51.] God the Son came down to earth as a baby, as Immanuel, “God with us.” Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Jesus fulfilled God’s plan to provide salvation for all of God’s people.

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The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions.

Encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

Discussion starter video (4 minutes)

LEADER • What did God promise? God made a covenant to bless His people. God’s promise was not just to Abraham; it was to his future offspring too. God’s promise was for a lot of people—Abraham’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so on. Check out this video.

Show the “Unit 2, Session 3” discussion starter video. Lead kids to discuss what happened.LEADER • Did Brian and Mia have a right to invite others?

No, Aiden only invited them to come and eat cake.Invitations are usually just for a few people, but

when God made a covenant to bless His people, He gave the promise not just to Abraham, but to all of his future offspring! That includes you and me. We are blessed because of Jesus, who was born into Abraham’s family as God promised.

Who could you tell about God’s promise? Who could you invite to come to church with you?

Key passage (4 minutes)

Show the key passage poster. Lead the boys and girls to read together Romans 4:3.LEADER • Abraham believed God. He trusted God to keep

• “Unit 2, Session 3” discussion starter video

• Key Passage Poster• “Abraham” song

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His promises. In today’s Bible story, God reminded Abraham’s family that He always keeps His promises.

Point to kids on the right side of the room and lead them to shout the key passage together. Then lead kids on the left side of the room to shout the key passage.

Point between the two sides, allowing each group to say a few words at a time. Then lead the kids to sing the key passage song together.

Sing (4 minutes)

LEADER • Abraham believed God, and we can believe Him, too, because He is always faithful. When God makes a promise, He keeps His promise. Let’s sing!

Sing together “Always Faithful.”

Prayer (2 minutes)

Invite kids to pray before dismissing to small groups.LEADER • Lord, You reaffirmed your promise with Abraham

to his son Isaac and grandson Jacob. You promised Jacob that You would always be with him. Father, we know we are never alone because You are always with us too. Thank You for Your presence. Go with us this week and help us to remember that You always keep Your promises. We love You. Amen.

Dismiss to small groups

• “Always Faithful” song

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The Gospel: God’s Plan for MeAsk kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:19.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

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Small Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: The Promise ReaffirmedBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 25:19-26; 26:1-6; 28:10-22MAIN POINT: God reminded Abraham’s family that He always keeps His

promises.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Romans 4:3BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What did God promise? God made a covenant to

bless His people.

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Write the words of the key passage on separate index cards, one to three words per card. Mix up the cards and challenge kids to put them in the correct order. If your group is large, make several sets.

Allow kids to take turns racing the timer. Who can put the cards in order the fastest? Challenge kids to play again, working to beat their best time. Then lead everyone to say the key passage aloud together from the key passage poster.SAY • Nice work, everyone! Romans 4:3 tells us about

Abraham’s faith in God.God saw Abraham’s faith, and He counted it

as righteousness. Notice that God did not accept Abraham because Abraham was a good man. God accepted Abraham because he believed, or had faith. Abraham did not know how God would do it, but he believed God would keep His promise to give Abraham a big family and land for his family, and God would bless the world through him.

God kept His promise by sending Jesus into the world through Abraham’s family. When we trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, He takes away our sin and gives us His righteousness too.

• Key Passage Poster• index cards• marker• timer

Option: Review the gospel with boys and girls. Explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions.

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Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes)

Instruct kids to sit in a circle. Give one kid a rubber or foam ball. Guide kids to gently toss the ball around the circle. Kids may pass the ball to anyone in the circle. Encourage everyone to be alert and ready to catch the ball.

Randomly call out “Stop!” The kid holding the ball should stand and lift the ball above his head. Everyone else should lay on the floor (or sit with eyes closed) and pretend to sleep. The kid holding the ball will answer a review question. Then guide all the players to “wake up” and play again. Allow about 30 seconds between questions.

1. What was the name of Jacob’s twin brother? (Esau, Gen. 25:25)

2. Which brother did God plan to bless? (the younger brother, Jacob; Gen. 25:23)

3. Who was Abraham’s promised son? (Isaac, Gen. 26:1-3)

4. What did Jacob use as a pillow? (a stone, Gen. 28:11)5. What did Jacob see in his dream? (a stairway reaching

to heaven, Gen. 28:12)6. What did Jacob pour on the stone? (oil, Gen. 28:18)7. What did Jacob name the place where he dreamed?

(Bethel, Gen. 28:19)8. What did God promise? God made a covenant to

bless His people.SAY • Jacob laid down to sleep, and he used a stone

as a pillow. God spoke to Jacob in a dream and reaffirmed the promise He made to Abraham and Isaac. God reminded Abraham’s family that He always keeps His promises.

• Bibles, 1 per kid• Main Point Poster• rubber or foam ball

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Activity choice (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Wait for itPlay a variation of “red light, green light.” Guide kids to stand at one side of the room. Hold up the green paper to indicate “go” and the red paper to indicate “stop.”

When kids stop, pause for several seconds before saying “go.” Kids who go too soon are out.

Increase the waiting interval. Kids might get anxious, but encourage them to wait for your signal! Play several rounds as time allows.SAY • God promised Abraham a large family, land, and

blessing. He promised to bless the whole world through Abraham’s family. Abraham waited and believed God would keep His promise, but Abraham did not see all of these things before he died.

God reminded Abraham’s family that He always keeps His promises. God kept His promise to bless the whole world many years later when He sent His Son, Jesus, to be born into the world as part of Abraham’s family.

OPTION 2: Blessing booksInvite kids to make coupon books to bless others—parents, siblings, friends, teachers, and so forth.

1. Provide five or more index cards for each kid.2. Cut heavyweight paper to fit around the cards as a

cover. Staple the cover to the cards at the fold.3. Encourage kids to write on their index cards things

they could do to bless someone else. (Examples: Breakfast, Favorite Snack, Help with Laundry, Help with Homework, Help with Chores, Free Car Wash, and so forth.)

• red paper• green paper

LOW PREP

• index cards• heavyweight

decorative paper• scissors• stapler• markers• Bible

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4. Allow kids to use markers to decorate their blessing books. As kids work, read Genesis 12:1-3 to remind kids of God’s promise to Abraham.

SAY • God promised to bless the whole world through Abraham’s family. God reminded Abraham’s family that He always keeps His promises. Jesus was born into Abraham’s family. Through His sacrifice on the cross, people are blessed with salvation from sin.

When you give someone this coupon book, be sure to keep the promises you made. Point out the verse you wrote on the back and tell them how they can be blessed the most by trusting in Jesus!

Journal and prayer (5 minutes)

Give each kid the journal page and a pencil. Point out that after God made a promise with Abraham, He gave the promise to Isaac and Jacob, too. Jacob saw God in his dream, and God said, “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.”SAY • God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Do

you know if any other members of your family are believers? Are your parents or grandparents? List their names or draw their pictures on the journal page.

Lead kids to pray for their family members, thanking God for blessing their families through Jesus. Pray that everyone in their families would trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

As time allows, lead kids to complete “Jacob’s Poem” on the activity page. Kids should use the words from the word bank to fill in the blanks and review the Bible story. (Answers, in order: promise, prayed, covenant, family, Isaac, Esau, stone, God)

• Journal Page• pencils• “Jacob’s Poem”

activity page, 1 per kid

Tip: Give parents this week’s Big Picture Cards for Families to allow families to interact with the biblical content at home.

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Unit 3: God the Covenant-Keeper

Unit Description:God remained faithful to the covenant He made with Abraham and renewed His promises to Jacob despite Jacob’s sin. God used Joseph to provide for the people of Israel and bring them into Egypt, which also set the stage for a glorious demonstration of God’s power to deliver.

Unit Key Passage: Genesis 26:24

Big Picture Question: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan.

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Unit 3: God the Covenant-Keeper

Session 1:Bible Story: The Stolen BlessingBible Passage: Genesis 25:27-34; 27:1-45Main Point: Jacob stole Esau’s blessing.

Session 2: Bible Story: Jacob’s New NameBible Passage: Genesis 32–33 Main Point: God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, the name of God’s covenant people.

Session 3:Bible Story: Joseph Sent to EgyptBible Passage: Genesis 37:1-36; 39:1–41:57Main Point: God used Joseph’s suffering for good.

Session 4:Bible Story: Joseph’s Dreams Came TrueBible Passage: Genesis 42:1–46:34; 50:15-21Main Point: God sent Joseph to Egypt to establish a remnant.

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UNIT 3Session 1

Leader BIBLE STUDY

Isaac was the son of promise, a gift to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. By God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac was Abraham and Sarah’s hope for descendants as numerous as the stars. When Isaac grew up, he married Rebekah. Then he prayed for a child.

Rebekah became pregnant with not just one baby, but two! Her twin boys wrestled inside her, and she asked the Lord, “Why is this happening to me?”

God explained His plan for the twins. The boys’ families would become two nations (from Esau, the nation of Edom; from Jacob, the nation of Israel), one stronger than the

Unit 3 • Session 1

Use Week of:

The Stolen Blessing

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 25:27-34; 27:1-45MAIN POINT: Jacob stole Esau’s blessing.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 26:24BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop

God’s perfect plan.

SMALL GROUP OPENING (10–15 MINUTES)

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LARGE BIBLE STUDY (25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 160

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES (25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 166

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1

Additional resources for each session are available are available at gospelproject.com/kids/additional-resources.For free training and session-by-session help, visit www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject.

other. And the older son would serve the younger. Strife would still rule their lives outside the womb.

What God said came true. When the boys grew up, Esau sold his birthright to his younger brother, Jacob. The birthright was an important part of the patriarchal culture. Typically, upon the death of his father, the older brother would receive twice as much property and goods as the younger. But Esau gave it up for a warm meal.

Later, Jacob deceived his father to steal his brother’s blessing—another privilege afforded to an oldest son. With his blessing, Isaac made his son master over his brother. Just as God said, the older would serve the younger.

Share with kids that nothing can stop God’s perfect plan. Before Jacob and Esau were even born, God planned to bless Jacob’s family. God kept His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to make their descendants as numerous as the stars. From their family would come the promised One—God’s Son, Jesus.

Jesus is the firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15), and He deserves all the privileges afforded to Him. But when Jesus hung on the cross, He gave up His blessing for us. Jesus took the punishment we deserve so that the Father would give us the blessing Jesus deserves.

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The Stolen BlessingGenesis 25:27-34; 27:1-45

Jacob and Esau were brothers. Esau was a hunter while Jacob worked at home. Their father Isaac favored Esau. Their mother Rebekah favored Jacob.

One day, Jacob was cooking lentil stew when his brother came home from the field.

“I am exhausted!” Esau said. “Let me eat some of that red stuff.”

Jacob answered, “First sell me your birthright.” The birthright usually belonged to the oldest child. Whoever had the birthright got more of his family’s belongings when his parents died.

“I’m so hungry, I’m about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?” Esau replied. So he agreed to give Jacob his birthright for stew and bread.

Now their father Isaac was getting old and losing his eyesight. Isaac called for Esau. “I want to bless you before I die,” Isaac said. Isaac asked Esau to bring back food from a hunt and cook it for him.

Rebekah heard Isaac and Esau talking, and she came up with her own plan.

“Go to the flock and bring me two of the best young goats,” Rebecca told Jacob. “I will make your father’s favorite meal. Then take the food to your father to eat so that he may bless you before he dies.”

Rebecca made her husband’s favorite meal. Jacob was worried that his father would know he was not Esau. Jacob had smooth skin, and Esau was hairy. Rebecca put Esau’s clothes on Jacob and covered his hands and neck with goat hair so that Isaac would think Jacob was Esau. Then

The BIBLE STORY

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WANT TO DISCOVER

GOD’S WORD? GET

BIBLE EXPRESS!

Invite kids to check out this week’s devotionals to

discover that sin cannot thwart God’s

plan. God is just (Rom. 9:14) but He

offers grace to all who trust in Jesus.

Order in bulk, subscribe quarterly,

or purchase individually. For

more information, check out

www.lifeway.com/devotionals.

Jacob took the meal to his father.“Who are you, my son?” Isaac asked.“I am Esau, your firstborn. I have done as you told me.

Please sit up and eat some of my game so that you may bless me,” Jacob said.

Isaac asked Jacob to come closer. He felt Jacob’s hands.“The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the

hands of Esau,” Isaac said.“It’s me, Esau,” Jacob said.So Isaac answered, “Serve me, and let me eat some of my

son’s game so that I can bless you.” Then Jacob brought his father food and drink, and he ate.

After the meal, Isaac told Jacob to come closer. He kissed him and, after smelling his clothes—Esau’s clothes—Isaac offered him the blessing. The blessing included land, riches, and power. Then Jacob left.

About this time, Esau came home from his hunt and cooked a meal for his father. When he offered the food to Isaac, his father told him that he had been tricked and Jacob had been given the blessing. Esau cried and begged his father to bless him, too.

But Isaac had nothing left to offer his son Esau. Esau was angry at his brother Jacob, and he made a plan to kill him. But Rebekah sent Jacob away to her brother’s house, where he would be safe until Esau calmed down.

Christ Connection: Jesus is the firstborn over all creation. (Colossians 1:15) When Jesus hung on the cross, He gave up His blessing for us. Jesus took the punishment we deserve so that the Father would give us the blessing He deserves.

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Small Group OPENING

SESSION TITLE: The Stolen BlessingBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 25:27-34; 27:1-45MAIN POINT: Jacob stole Esau’s blessing.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 26:24BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop

God’s perfect plan.

Welcome timeGreet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group.

Prompt kids to show how they would act if they were an emergency room doctor, a firefighter, a grandmother, and so forth. Have kids ever pretended to be someone else?

Activity page (5 minutes)

Distribute activity pages and pencils. Explain that braille is a series of raised dots that can be read with the fingers by people who are blind or whose eyesight is not sufficient to read printed words. Point out the braille alphabet chart on the activity page. Each letter of the alphabet is represented by a pattern of dots.

Demonstrate how to match the pattern with the letter in the alphabet chart. Encourage kids to complete the “Code Words” activity. Then challenge kids to write their own names in braille.SAY • Whose name is written in braille on the activity page?

(Isaac) In today’s Bible story, Isaac could not see well because he was very old. He used his sense of touch to help him “see.”

• “Code Words” activity page, 1 per kid

• pencils or markers

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Session starter (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Feel and “see”Collect several classroom or household objects (tissue box, unsharpened pencil, book, and so forth) and put them in a box or bag.

1. Choose a volunteer to come to the front of the room and stand, facing the group.

2. Hold up an object so the rest of the kids can see it, and then instruct the volunteer to place her hands behind her back.

3. Put the object in the volunteer’s hands. Encourage her to feel the object’s shape, size, weight, and texture. Can she guess what the object is?

Choose a new volunteer and give him another object.SAY • In today’s Bible story, someone who couldn’t see well

used his hands to try to identify another person.

OPTION 2: Paper bag trading postPut one to five pieces of candy in each paper bag. Fold over the top and distribute the bags. Tell kids that they may look inside a bag in their possession, but they may not tell others what is inside and they may not look inside others’ bags.

When you say “Go,” kids may begin trading their bags with others. Kids take a risk when they trade that they will trade for fewer pieces of candy. Allow several minutes for trades to occur. Then allow everyone to enjoy the candy.SAY • Did you make a good trade? Today we will hear about

someone who traded something very valuable for a bowl of stew.

Transition to large group

• classroom or household objects

• box or bag

LOW PREP

• lunch-size paper bags, 1 per kid

• individually wrapped candies

• Allergy Alert printable

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Suggested Theme Decorating Ideas: Simulate a locker room by position a long bench or several chairs at the front of the room. Arrange basketballs or soccer balls on the floor, and drape a few gym towels or sweat shirts over the bench or chairs. Place a couple of water bowls under the bench. Hang on the wall pennants or a poster that says “Go Team!” or “Go! Fight! Win!”

CountdownShow the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (3 minutes)

[Large Group Leader enters wearing a whistle around his or her neck and carrying a clipboard. Leader points to clipboard while muttering to self.]LEADER • If the defense pressures at half court, we need to

push the ball! Throw ahead to the wing and attack the basket along the baseline! Always be ready for the zone. We will work the ball around and find their weak spots. Yes! That’s the way to win!

[Set clipboard aside and address kids.] That’s the way to win! Are you with me? Everybody say win! [Pause for kids to echo.] Great! Of course, if we start

• room decorations• theme background

slide (optional)

• countdown video

• leader attire• whistle• clipboard

Large Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: The Stolen BlessingBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 25:27-34; 27:1-45MAIN POINT: Jacob stole Esau’s blessing.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 26:24BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop

God’s perfect plan.

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to lose the game, we will have to resort to plan B. Oh, I hate it when I have to go to plan B. It never works out as well as plan A. But that’s sports for you.

Say, it’s halftime and Coach said I can take a break. My job as assistant to the assistant coach isn’t as hard as I imagined. So do you want to hear today’s Bible story? Perfect!

Giant timeline (1 minute)

Show the giant timeline. Point out today’s Bible story, “The Stolen Blessing.” Remind kids that the Bible contains many smaller stories, but they all come together to tell one big story—the story of how God created everything and how, when we turned away from Him, He brought us back to Himself by sending His Son, Jesus, to save us from sin.LEADER • After sin entered the world, sin spread and

affected everything. God told Noah’s family to spread out, but they built a city instead. So God confused their language and scattered them. Then God made a covenant with Abraham, a descendant of Noah. God’s promise to Abraham extended to his son Isaac and grandson Jacob.

Big picture question (1 minute)

LEADER • God made a covenant to bless His people, and God always keeps His promises. He had a good plan. In today’s Bible story, we will hear about some things that happened that sound like they could have messed up God’s plan. As you listen to the story, see if you can find the answer to our big picture question: What can stop God’s plan?

• Giant Timeline or Big Story Circle

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Tell the Bible story (10 minutes)

Open your Bible to Genesis 25:27-34; 27:1-45. Tell the story in your own words, or show the Bible story video “The Stolen Blessing.”LEADER • Esau traded his birthright because he was so

hungry. Was Esau really about to die because he was so hungry? No! But at that moment, Esau cared more about eating than about his birthright. His birthright would have been important for the rest of his life. Esau made a bad choice.

Esau was the firstborn son, so the birthright belonged to him. When his father Isaac died, Esau would get to keep the family’s wealth and take Isaac’s place in leading the family. All the other family members would have to serve him and obey him.

Before Jacob and Esau were born, God told Rebekah that the older (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob). The birthright had to go to Jacob. God used Esau’s foolish decision to carry out His plan. What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan.

After Jacob had Esau’s birthright, he tricked his father Isaac. Jacob stole Esau’s blessing. He lied to Isaac so that Isaac would bless him. To receive the blessing from your father was an honor. The father encouraged his son and made predictions about his future. Esau was upset because he lost the blessing.

The Bible says that Jesus is the firstborn over all creation. He came to earth to take the punishment we deserve for our sin. Believers share with Jesus the wonderful blessing—an inheritance and glory—that only He deserves. [See Rom. 8:17.]

• Bibles• “The Stolen

Blessing” video• Big Picture Question

Poster• Bible Story Picture

Poster• Main Point Poster

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The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions.

Encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

Key passage (5 minutes)

LEADER • Jacob’s tricky actions did not stop God’s plan. What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan. God had made a promise to Abraham, and our key passage shows us what God said to Abraham’s son Isaac. Now Abraham’s grandson Jacob had tricked Isaac, but God was with Jacob too. God planned to bless the whole world through someone who would be born into Jacob’s family—God’s own Son, Jesus Christ.

Show the slide or poster of Genesis 26:24. Lead the girls to read the verse together. Then lead the boys to read the verse. Then sing together “I Am With You.”

Discussion starter video (4 minutes)

LEADER • Have you ever been tricked? Have you ever tried to trick someone else? Watch this.

Show the “Unit 3, Session 1” discussion starter video. Lead kids to think about a time they were tricked. How did it make them feel? Talk about the temptation to lie or deceive. Remind kids that when we lie to trick someone, God sees our sin. Encourage them to repent and seek forgiveness.LEADER • If you ever feel hurt because someone tricked

you, pray and ask God for help to trust His plan.

• Key Passage Poster• “I Am With You”

song

• “Unit 3, Session 1” discussion starter video

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God is in control, and He has a perfect plan. What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan.

Sing (4 minutes)

LEADER • You know what? It makes me so glad to know that God is in control. He is good. We don’t have to figure everything out. We can trust God with the future. We can rest! Let’s sing.

Invite boys and girls to sing together “Rest in His Promise.”

Prayer (2 minutes)Before dismissing to small groups, lead kids in prayer.LEADER • Lord Jesus, we praise You. You are the firstborn

over all creation. You came to earth from heaven and became a man so You could take the punishment we deserve for our sin. You died for us so that we can share with You the blessing only You deserve. Thank You for inviting us into the family of God. We love You. Amen.

Dismiss to small groups

• “Rest in His Promise” song

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The Gospel: God’s Plan for MeAsk kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:19.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

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Small Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: The Stolen BlessingBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 25:27-34; 27:1-45MAIN POINT: Jacob stole Esau’s blessing.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 26:24BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop

God’s perfect plan.

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Give each kid an index card. Show the key passage poster and lead boys and girls to read Genesis 26:24 aloud. Provide colored pencils or markers for kids to copy the key passage onto their index cards.

Encourage kids to decorate their cards like mini posters. Kids may use the cards as bookmarks in their Bibles or take them home and display them on a mirror or somewhere they will see them often.SAY • God promised to be with Abraham, and He gave

the promise to Abraham’s son, Isaac, too. God came to be with people when He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth. Remember that God is with you as you work to memorize our key passage.

Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes)

Form four groups of kids and assign each group a person from the story: Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, or Jacob. Help kids find Genesis 27 in their Bibles.

Explain that you will retell part of the Bible story. When kids hear the name of their group’s person, they should perform a designated action. Demonstrate the actions and let each group practice.

• Key Passage Poster• index cards• colored pencils or

markers

• Bibles, 1 per kid• Main Point Poster

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Isaac—Close your eyes and pat your legs.Esau—Pull back one arm as if stretching a bow and arrow.Rebekah—Move your arm in a circle as if stirring a pot.Jacob—Rub your arms.

Isaac was getting old and losing his eyesight. He wanted to bless his son Esau before he died. Isaac asked Esau to bring back food from a hunt and cook it for him. Rebekah heard Isaac and Esau talking, and she came up with her own plan. Rebecca made Isaac’s favorite meal. Rebecca put Esau’s clothes on Jacob and covered his hands and neck with goat hair so that Isaac would think Jacob was Esau. Then Jacob took the meal to his father Isaac. “Who are you?” Isaac asked. “I am Esau,” said Jacob. After the meal, Isaac offered Jacob the blessing. About this time, Esau came home from his hunt and cooked a meal for his father. When Esau offered the food to Isaac, his father told him that he had been tricked. Jacob stole Esau’s blessing. Esau cried and begged his father to bless him, too. But Isaac had nothing left to offer his son Esau. Esau was angry at his brother Jacob, and he made a plan to kill him. But Rebekah sent Jacob away.

SAY • Jacob stole Esau’s blessing. But before Jacob and Esau were even born, God planned for Esau to serve Jacob. Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan.

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Activity choice (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Steal the blessingForm two teams. Guide teams to sit on the floor, forming a large circle. Players from team 1 will form half of the circle, and players from team 2 will form the other half.

Number players on each team. For example, team 1’s players are numbered 1 to 8, and team 2’s players are numbered 1 to 8. If you have an odd number of players, assign one player two numbers so each player has an assigned opponent. Play “Steal the Blessing”:

1. Position two Bibles in the center of the circle. Designate one Bible per team.

2. Call out a number at random. The two players assigned to that number will race to the center of the circle, grab their team’s assigned Bible, and race back to their seats.

3. Award a point to the first team whose player sits back down.

Play several rounds. Consider challenging kids with basic Bible skills. Call out “Five! Book of Galatians!” The first player assigned the number 5 to turn to the Book of Galatians in the Bible earns a point for her team.SAY • In our Bible story today, someone stole something.

Who can tell me what happened? Yes, Jacob stole Esau’s blessing.

Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan. Before Jacob and Esau were born, God planned to bless Jacob’s family. God kept His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to make their descendants as numerous as the stars. From their family would come the promised One—God’s Son, Jesus.

• Bibles, 2

LOW PREP

Option: Review the gospel with boys and girls. Explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions.

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OPTION 2: Wet chalk drawingsGive each kid a piece of black construction paper. Show kids how to use a paintbrush to lightly brush water over the paper. Then use a piece of chalk to draw on the paper. Chalk colors are brighter and more intense on wet paper.

Instruct kids to draw a scene from the Bible story. Remind kids that Isaac was getting old, Jacob had smooth skin, and Esau was hairy. Suggest that kids draw Jacob giving Esau a bowl of stew, Isaac laying in bed, Isaac working in the home, or Esau out hunting.SAY • Esau gave up his birthright for a bowl of stew, and

then Jacob stole Esau’s blessing. Jacob and Esau both made wrong choices, but God planned for Esau (the older brother) to serve Jacob (the younger brother).

Journal and prayer (5 minutes)

Distribute journal pages to kids. Provide pencils and prompt kids to list plans they have for the upcoming week or plans they have for their futures.SAY • The plans we make may not always happen. What

can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan. We saw this in our Bible story today. Esau traded his birthright for stew and Jacob tricked Isaac to get Esau’s blessing. But God’s plan all along was for Jacob to have the birthright.

As time allows, challenge kids to complete the “Jacob or Esau?” activity. For each statement, kids will circle the letter under the name of the person described by the statement. The circled letters will spell a word (birthright) to complete the sentence.

• black construction paper

• paintbrushes• sidewalk chalk• jars of water

• Journal Page• pencils• “Jacob or Esau?”

activity page

Tip: Give parents this week’s Big Picture Cards for Families to allow families to interact with the biblical content at home.

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UNIT 3Session 2

Leader BIBLE STUDY

Jacob found himself stuck between a rock and a hard place. After stealing his older brother’s blessing, he fled his home to escape Esau’s anger. He spent time with his uncle Laban, got married, and fathered many children. Overall, Jacob prospered, but his time with his uncle Laban did not end well. Laban’s sons accused Jacob of taking their father’s wealth.

God told Jacob to leave, and Jacob did not hesitate. He gathered his family and all of his possessions and headed home to Canaan with Laban in pursuit. But uncertainty awaited Jacob in his homeland. His brother Esau was there. The last time Jacob saw Esau, Esau wanted to kill him.

Unit 3 • Session 2

Use Week of:

Jacob’s New Name

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 32–33MAIN POINT: God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, the name of God’s

covenant people.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 26:24BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop

God’s perfect plan.

SMALL GROUP OPENING (10–15 MINUTES)

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LARGE BIBLE STUDY (25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 176

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES (25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 182

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2

Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject.

God had reaffirmed to Jacob the promise He gave Abraham and Isaac, and He had promised to be with Jacob. But with Laban behind him and Esau before him, how could Jacob possibly survive?

Jacob tried to prepare for his meeting with Esau. He strategically divided his family into separate groups. He sent gifts ahead of them to appease Esau. That night, Jacob anxiously awaited word from Esau, and that is when he encountered the Lord.

Did Jacob win the wrestling match? Was he stronger than the Lord? The victory was ironic; Jacob did not win by strength (God proved His power by crippling Jacob with just a touch) but by confessing his dependence on God’s blessing. Jacob had nowhere else to turn. He could not succeed by his own strength. Jacob held onto God and would not let go. God poured out His grace on Jacob. He blessed Jacob and gave him a new name, Israel. From Jacob’s descendants—from the nation of Israel—God would bring into the world His Son, Jesus.

Jesus’ death and resurrection provided sinful people with the way to be adopted into God’s family. When we are adopted into God’s family, we also receive a new name: children of God (John 1:12).

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Jacob’s New NameGenesis 32–33

God had made a covenant with Jacob’s grandfather, Abraham. Then God told His promise to Jacob’s father, Isaac. God had a plan for Jacob too. Even though Jacob was the younger brother, God wanted Jacob to receive the blessing for his family.

Years before, Jacob tricked his father and his brother; he stole the blessing from Esau. Then Jacob ran away to escape Esau’s anger. God met with Jacob and promised to be with him. After 20 years, God told Jacob that it was time to go home.

Jacob began the trip with his family and all of his possessions. Going home meant that Jacob would see his brother Esau again. Jacob was afraid that Esau would still be angry with him for stealing his blessing. So Jacob sent messengers to tell Esau that he was coming. When the messengers came back, they told Jacob that Esau was coming to meet Jacob, and he had 400 men with him.

Jacob was very afraid! God had promised that his family would be as numerous as the stars, but how could that happen if Esau was going to kill them all? Jacob made a plan. He divided his family into two groups. If Esau attacked one group, maybe the other group could escape. Then Jacob asked God to keep His promise. Jacob prayed, “Please rescue me from my brother Esau.”

Jacob sent a large gift of animals—goats, sheep, camels, cows, bulls, and donkeys—to try to make Esau happy. Maybe then Esau would forgive him.

That night, Jacob moved his family across the stream where they might be safer, but Jacob stayed behind. A man

The BIBLE STORY

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WANT TO DISCOVER

GOD’S WORD? GET

BIBLE EXPRESS!

Invite kids to check out this week’s devotionals to

discover that Jacob gave gifts to Esau

generously because God had blessed Jacob and had

given him grace. (Gen. 33:11) Order in bulk,

subscribe quarterly, or purchase

individually. For more information,

check out www.lifeway.com/

devotionals.

appeared. (The man was actually God Himself!) The man wrestled with Jacob all night. Jacob refused to give up, so the man injured Jacob’s hip.

“Let Me go. The sun is coming up,” the man said.But Jacob would not let Him go. “I will not let You

go unless You bless me,” Jacob said.“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” said the man.

“Your name will be Israel because you wrestled with God and men, and you have won.” The man blessed Jacob. The sun came up, and Jacob limped because of his hip.

Now Jacob looked and saw Esau and his 400 men coming to meet him. Jacob went to meet Esau. He bowed down seven times to show respect to his brother. Esau ran to Jacob and hugged him. He was not angry anymore. The two brothers cried together. “Why did you send so many animals ahead of you?” Esau asked.

“I wanted to make you happy,” Jacob said.”“I have enough,” said Esau. “You keep them.”“Please take my present,” said Jacob. “God has given me

more than I deserve. Esau agreed to take the gifts, and he returned to his

home. Jacob and his family traveled on to Shechem (SHEK uhm), and Jacob bought land for them to live on. He was finally home in the land God had promised him.

Christ Connection: God changed Jacob’s life and gave him a new name, Israel. Jesus came so that we might have a changed life, forgiven of sin. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Jesus’ death and resurrection provided sinful people with the way to be adopted into God’s family. When we are adopted into the family of God we also receive a new name—children of God (John 1:12).

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Small Group OPENING

SESSION TITLE: Jacob’s New NameBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 32–33MAIN POINT: God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, the name of God’s

covenant people.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 26:24BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop

God’s perfect plan.

Welcome timeGreet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Prompt kids to share their favorite names. What would they name a new sibling or pet?

Activity page (5 minutes)

Give each kid an activity page and a pencil or marker. Review the big picture question and answer together. Instruct kids to put their pencil on the first letter of the puzzle, N. Kids should follow the letters of the big picture answer to reach the end.SAY • What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s

perfect plan.

Session starter (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Out of strengthInvite a volunteer to come to the front of the room. Ask him how long he thinks he can hold up two heavy books.

Instruct the volunteer to stand with his arms out to the side, palms up. Carefully place a heavy book (for example, a Bible) on each palm. See how long the volunteer can hold up the books. You may use a timer to record his time.

• “What Can Stop God’s Plan?” activity page, 1 per kid

• pencils or markers

• heavy books, 2• timer (optional)

Tip: Use books weighing less than 2 pounds.

LOW PREP

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Choose new volunteers to try to beat the first player’s time. Be ready to assist kids who are ready to drop the books when their strength runs out.SAY • In today’s Bible story, Jacob wrestled with a man all

night. By the morning, Jacob was exhausted! But he would not let go. We’ll listen to the Bible story to find out what happened next.

OPTION 2: New name gameFor each kid, punch holes in the top corners of an index card. Thread a 2-foot piece of yarn through the holes and knot the ends. Invite each kid to write a name on a card and wear it around her neck. Encourage kids to pick names that are not their own.

At your signal, kids should begin introducing themselves to each other. Two kids will shake hands.

1. The first person says, “Hi, my name is [new name].”2. The second says, “Hi, my name is [new name].”3. The first person says, “Nice to meet you.” The second

says, “Nice to meet you too.”4. The first person says, “See you later.” The second

says, “Bye!”After the exchange, the partners split up and find someone else to introduce themselves to. Challenge kids to introduce themselves to as many people as time allows.SAY • Today’s Bible story is about Jacob. Isaac and Rebekah

named their son Jacob because the name Jacob means “He Grasps the Heel.” But God gave Jacob a new name. We’ll find out soon what his new name was.

Transition to large group

• index cards• hole punch• yarn• markers

Option: Hide the name tags and challenge kids to identify friends by their new names.

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CountdownShow the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (2 minutes)

[Large Group Leader enters, struggling to carry several empty water bottles. Just as the leader reaches the front of the room, he or she drops the water bottles and they scatter all over the floor.]LEADER • Yikes! Hey there, will one or two of you help me

pick up these water bottles? Oh, thank you so much! You know, this job as assistant to the assistant coach isn’t as great as I thought it would be. I know what I’m doing is important; I mean somebody needs to fill up these water bottles or the players will get really thirsty! So I’m glad I can help.

Do any of you like to play basketball? How do you feel if you’ve been running up and down a court and you don’t have a break? You get really tired! You might run out of energy and just collapse! That is almost what happened to Jacob in today’s Bible story. He wasn’t playing basketball, though. He was wrestling, and he was exhausted! Are you ready to hear today’s Bible story?

• countdown video

• leader attire• empty water bottles

Large Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: Jacob’s New NameBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 32–33MAIN POINT: God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, the name of God’s

covenant people.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 26:24BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop

God’s perfect plan.

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Giant timeline (2 minutes)

Point to the giant timeline to review previous Bible stories. Remind kids of God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Then review last week’s story, “The Stolen Blessing.”LEADER • Jacob was in a difficult situation. He stole his

brother Esau’s blessing, and Esau was so angry that Jacob had to leave home so that Esau would not kill him. So Jacob went to stay with his uncle Laban. Jacob got married and had children. Finally, God told Jacob it was time to go home. Jacob had not seen his brother, Esau, in many years! Would Esau still be angry? Would he still want to hurt Jacob?

Big picture question (1 minute)

LEADER • God had big plans for Jacob. Do you think Jacob ruined his future by stealing his brother’s blessing? Do you think God had to come up with a new plan for Jacob? No! What can stop God’s plan? Can anyone tell me the answer to our big picture question? What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan.

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes)

Open your Bible to Genesis 32–33. Tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the video “Jacob’s New Name.”LEADER • Jacob had grown up away from his home. He

got married, had children, and owned a lot of possessions. Moving day was a big deal, and he didn’t have a truck to carry everything! As Jacob got close to home, he worried that Esau would attack him. So he sent messengers and gifts ahead to please Esau.

The night before Jacob met with Esau, a man

• Giant Timeline

• Bibles• “Jacob’s New Name”

video• Big Picture Question

Poster• Bible Story Picture

Poster

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appeared to Jacob. The man was actually God Himself! They wrestled, and finally, God told Jacob, “You wrestled with God and men, and you have won.” Was Jacob stronger than God? Did he pin God in a wrestling match? Impossible!

Jacob did not win a physical fight; he “won” because he learned that he was not strong on his own. He held onto God and asked for a blessing. Jacob knew he was weak, and he needed God. God had injured Jacob’s hip, and Jacob limped the rest of his life. He probably never forgot about his encounter with God.

Esau was happy to see Jacob, and Jacob moved with his family to the land God had promised. Jacob’s family would become the nation of Israel, God’s covenant people.

Sing (4 minutes)

LEADER • Jacob must have been exhausted after wrestling all night. The Bible says that Jacob wrestled with God! Jacob refused to give up. Do you think Jacob was stronger than God? No way!

Even with an injured hip, Jacob would not let go. He wanted God’s blessing. He needed God’s blessing. God gave Jacob a new name, Israel. From Jacob’s descendants—from the nation of Israel—God would send His Son, Jesus, into the world. Let’s sing.

Sing together “Rest in His Promise.”

• “Rest in His Promise” song

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Discussion starter video (4 minutes)

LEADER • Have you ever pretended to be somebody else? What makes you you? Think about it while we watch this video.

Show the “Unit 3, Session 2” discussion starter video. Guide kids to discuss identities as you give the following prompts:

• Did Samuel become Emiliano when he put on his name tag?

• Does your name make you who you are? Does changing your name change who you are?

• How can we recognize someone has changed?Explain that when God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, God changed more than Jacob’s name. He changed Jacob’s heart. Jacob’s actions showed that he was different.LEADER • The Bible says that people who sin are enemies

of God. [See Rom. 5:10.] But Jesus died to bring us back to God. When we trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, God adopts us into His family. He gives us a new name—children of God!

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions.

Encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

• “Unit 3, Session 2” discussion starter video

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Key passage (5 minutes)

Show the slide or poster of Genesis 26:24. Lead the girls to read the verse together. Then lead the boys to read the verse.LEADER • These are the words that God spoke to Jacob’s

father, Isaac. God promised to be with Isaac, and God also promised to be with Jacob. [See Gen. 28:15.] God was with Jacob and Jacob traveled back to his home to meet Esau. God promised to make Jacob successful and to give him a big family. Jacob trusted that God would keep His promise.

Lead boys and girls to sing together “I Am With You.” Encourage them to memorize the key passage at home.

Prayer (2 minutes)Before dismissing to small groups, lead kids in prayer.LEADER • Father God, we come to You so thankful that

nothing can stop Your perfect plan. Help us submit to Your plan because it is the best for us and because it brings You glory. Thank You for adopting people into Your family and calling them Your children. Thank You for Your Word and for Jacob’s story which reminds us that You are with us and You faithfully keep Your promises. We love You, Lord. Amen.

Dismiss to small groups

• Key Passage Poster• “I Am With You”

song

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The Gospel: God’s Plan for MeAsk kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:19.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

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Small Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: Jacob’s New NameBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 32–33MAIN POINT: God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, the name of God’s

covenant people.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 26:24BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop

God’s perfect plan.

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Write the words of the key passage on several strips of paper. Make at least two sets.

Invite two volunteers to have a “word wrestling” match. Mix up each set of strips and give the paper strips to a player. When you say go, each player will rearrange her paper strips to put the key passage in the correct order. The first player to do so wins the round.

Play three rounds, and then invite two new volunteers to play. You may choose to facilitate several matches at once by creating additional key passage strips, or you may choose to play single rounds, allowing the winner to play again against a new challenger. SAY • These words from our key passage are words that

God told Jacob’s father, Isaac, when He reaffirmed the promise He made to Abraham. God’s covenant with Abraham was not only for Abraham. It was for Abraham and his future family—including Isaac and his son Jacob.

• Today’s Bible story shows us that God had a plan for Jacob. God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, the name of God’s covenant people. Jacob’s future family would be called Israelites, people of Israel.

• Key Passage Poster• strips of paper• marker

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Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes)

Print the Bible story bingo cards and make copies so each kid has one. If you choose, use the blank card to create your own versions of the card. Supply dry beans or O-shaped cereal for kids to use as game pieces.

Retell or review the Bible story using the bolded text of the Bible story script. Encourage kids to listen carefully. When they hear a word that appears on their Bible story card, they may cover it with a game piece. When a player covers four words in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally), she should shout, “Four in a row!”

Prompt the player to list the covered words. Then continue telling the Bible story. As kids cover rows, challenge them to keep playing to cover all the words. You may ask review questions about some of the key words.

1. Who was Jacob’s grandfather? (Abraham)2. What did God make with Abraham? (covenant)3. Who was Jacob’s brother? (Esau)4. What did Jacob steal from Esau? (blessing)5. How did Esau feel when Jacob stole his blessing?

(angry)6. God told Jacob it was time to go where? (home)7. Who traveled home with Jacob? (his family)8. Whom did Jacob wrestle? (God)9. Where was Jacob injured? (his hip)10. What was Jacob’s new name? (Israel)

SAY • God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, the name of God’s covenant people. When we trust in Jesus, God changes our names from “enemies of God” to “children of God” and adopts us into His family.

• Bibles, 1 per kid• Main Point Poster• “Bible Story Bingo”

printable• dry beans or

O-shaped cereal

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Activity choice (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Name flag acrosticsGive each kid a pen or pencil. Distribute index cards and markers. Instruct kids to write their names vertically on the flag. Encourage them to list things about themselves using the letters in their names. Example:

C aringA wesomeL oves musicE ight years oldB rown eyes

Demonstrate how to tape the short side of the index card to the non-writing end of a pen or pencil. The pen and card will form a flag.SAY • God changed Jacob’s name, which meant “one who

takes by the heel” to Israel, which means “he who strives with God.” God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, the name of God’s covenant people.

OPTION 2: Color-changing milkConduct the following experiment to demonstrate change. Invite kids to gather around as you follow each step.

1. Cover the bottom of a plate with a thin layer of milk.2. Allow the milk to settle. Then add a few drops of

food color in the center of the milk.3. Dip the end of a cotton swab into dish soap, and

then hold the swab into the milk at the center of the plate for 10 to 15 seconds.

The food color in the milk should appear to move around as soon as the dish soap is added. Invite kids to describe the change. What did they see?

If kids desire an explanation, tell them that the dish soap

• pens or pencils• index cards• tape• markers

LOW PREP

• whole milk• plastic plate• food color• cotton swab• liquid dish soap

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bonds with (holds tight to) the fat in the milk. This strong bond pushes out the water and the food color. Everything else moves out of the way for the soap and fat bond.SAY • God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, the name of

God’s covenant people. From Jacob’s descendants—from the nation of Israel—God would bring into the world His Son, Jesus. Jesus’ death and resurrection provided sinful people with the way to be adopted into God’s family.

• When we are adopted into God’s family, we also receive a new name: children of God.

Journal and prayer (5 minutes)

Give each kid the journal page and a pencil. Suggest that kids list things about themselves that make them unique. What makes them different from their friends or siblings?SAY • What makes you you? Your interests or hobbies or

likes and dislikes might help describe you, but if you are a believer, your true identity is child of God. When we receive God’s invitation into His family by trusting in Jesus, He doesn’t only change our names; He changes our hearts.

Invite kids to share prayer requests. Then choose one or two volunteers to lead the group in prayer.

If time remains, invite kids to complete the “Name Changers” activity to discover Jacob’s new name. (Israel) Encourage kids to figure out the code. (The first letter of each item goes in the blank. For example, snake = S.) Remind kids that God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, the name of God’s covenant people.

Option: Review the gospel with boys and girls. Explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions.

• Journal Page• pencils• “Name Changers”

activity page, 1 per kid

Tip: Give parents this week’s Big Picture Cards for Families to allow families to interact with the biblical content at home.

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UNIT 3Session 3

Leader BIBLE STUDY

Jacob grew up in strife with his twin brother, Esau. He deceived his father, Isaac, to steal Esau’s blessing. Then he spent many years away from his family to avoid Esau’s anger. God spoke to Jacob in a dream and reaffirmed to Jacob the promise He gave to Abraham and Isaac. Finally, God called Jacob home to the land of Canaan. God blessed Jacob and changed his name to Israel.

Jacob had 12 sons. They would become the leaders of the tribes of Israel. But Jacob’s favorite son was Joseph. Joseph was the son of Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife, and Jacob didn’t hide his favoritism. He gave Joseph a gift that his other sons did not get: a beautiful coat of many colors.

Unit 3 • Session 3

Use Week of:

Joseph Sent to Egypt

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 37:1-36; 39:1–41:57MAIN POINT: God used Joseph’s suffering for good.KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 26:24BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop

God’s perfect plan.

SMALL GROUP OPENING (10–15 MINUTES)

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LARGE BIBLE STUDY (25–30 MINUTES)

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SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES (25–30 MINUTES)

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3

Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject.

Of course, this did not endear Joseph to his siblings. Neither did Joseph’s announcement that God had spoken to him in dreams—dreams that revealed that one day everyone in Joseph’s family would bow down to him. Joseph’s brothers planned evil against him, and Joseph ended up in a hole in the ground. Then he was sent to Egypt and was accused of a crime he did not commit.

Maybe Joseph felt alone in the pit and in prison. Did God forget Joseph? No. God was with Joseph, and He had a wonderful plan. God raised up Joseph into a position of power in Egypt. God used Joseph to establish a remnant—a small, surviving group of His people. Centuries later, God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world as part of that family.

Jesus experienced true loneliness and ultimate suffering as He died on the cross for our sins. God raised Jesus from the dead. When we trust in Him, God forgives our sin. We won’t experience true loneliness because Jesus promised to always be with us. (Matt. 28:20) And compared to the weight of glory awaiting believers, our suffering on earth is “momentary light affliction” (2 Cor. 4:17).

God is in control of our lives, and He uses suffering and injustice to accomplish His plans in and through us. We can trust God’s faithfulness. Through all circumstances, God’s will prevails—all for His glory and our good.

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Joseph Sent to EgyptGenesis 37:1-36; 39:1–41:57

Jacob and his family were home in Canaan, the land God promised to Abraham and his family. Jacob had 12 sons, but his favorite son was Joseph. Jacob gave Joseph a colorful robe. The other brothers hated Joseph.

One day, Joseph shared with his brothers a dream he had. He dreamed that he and his brothers were putting together bundles of grain. Suddenly Joseph’s grain stood up and the others bowed down to his. Then Joseph had another dream. In this dream, Joseph saw the sun, the moon, and 11 stars bowing to him. This dream meant all of Joseph’s family would one day bow down to Joseph.

Some time later, Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers, who were tending to the sheep. When the brothers saw Joseph coming, they decided to kill him. Reuben, Joseph’s oldest brother, convinced the others to throw him into a pit instead.

The brothers threw Joseph into the pit. Then they saw a caravan of people heading to Egypt. The brothers sold Joseph to them as a servant. The brothers dipped Joseph’s robe in goat’s blood and showed it to Jacob. Jacob thought an animal had killed Joseph, and he was very sad.

Meanwhile, the travelers sold Joseph to an Egyptian officer named Potiphar. The Lord was with Joseph and made him successful at everything he did. Potiphar realized this and put him in charge as his personal assistant.

Potiphar’s wife tried to get Joseph to sin against God and Potiphar, but Joseph refused. This made her angry, and she accused Joseph of doing something he didn’t do. Potiphar believed his wife, and Joseph went to jail.

The BIBLE STORY

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WANT TO DISCOVER

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Invite kids to check out this week’s devotionals to

discover that God sent Joseph to Egypt

to save people from many nations.

(Gen. 41:57) God also sent Jesus to

earth to rescue from sin all who

trust in Him. Order in bulk, subscribe

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more information, check out

www.lifeway.com/devotionals.

God was with Joseph and blessed him. The jail warden put Joseph in charge of the other prisoners, and God made Joseph successful. Two of the prisoners Joseph cared for were Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker. Both of them told Joseph about dreams they had, and Joseph told them what the dreams meant. Joseph said that one day, the cupbearer would serve Pharaoh again, but the baker would not because in three days, the baker would die. Joseph asked the cupbearer to remember him and to tell Pharaoh that he did not deserve to be in jail.

The cupbearer did serve Pharaoh again, but he forgot about Joseph for two years. At that time, Pharaoh had two dreams. Pharaoh saw seven fat cows eaten by seven skinny cows, and seven fat heads of grain eaten by seven thin heads. No one knew what these dreams meant! That’s when the cupbearer remembered Joseph.

God told Joseph what Pharaoh’s dreams meant, and Joseph explained the dreams to Pharaoh. “The dreams represent seven years of lots of food followed by seven years with no food. You should pick someone to save food during the good years to use during the bad years.”

Pharaoh realized that God was with Joseph, so he made Joseph second in command in all of Egypt—no one was more important than Joseph, except for Pharaoh himself. Joseph stored away food during the good years, and during the famine, people came to him to buy grain.

Christ Connection: God sent Joseph to Egypt and blessed him so that he rose to a position of great power. God used Joseph to help Joseph’s family and many others. Jesus gave up His position of great power to be the Savior of the world.

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Small Group OPENING

SESSION TITLE: Joseph Sent to EgyptBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 37:1-36; 39:1–41:57MAIN POINT: God used Joseph’s suffering for good.KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 26:24BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop

God’s perfect plan.

Welcome timeGreet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Prompt kids to share their favorite travel destination.

Activity page (5 minutes)

Distribute activity pages and pencils. Point out that the word at the top of the page (CEWNR) doesn’t make any sense. Explain that to solve the code, kids should go forward two letters in the alphabet for each letter. (Example: A = C.)SAY • According to the puzzle, where was Joseph sent?

(Egypt) Joseph’s family lived in the land of Canaan. Today’s Bible story is about how Joseph ended up far from his family—in the land of Egypt.

Session starter (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Ancient Egypt factsGive each kid a piece of paper and a pencil. Announce that you will read several facts. Kids should listen carefully and try to guess which country you are describing.

When kids think they know the answer, they should write the name of the country on their papers. Read all of

• “Sent Away” activity page, 1 per kid

• pencils or markers

• • paper• pencils

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the facts, and then invite kids to hold up their answers.1. This country is located on the continent of Africa.2. One of the world’s longest rivers flows through this

country. (the Nile River)3. This country is home to one of the seven wonders of

the ancient world. (the Great Pyramid)4. This country is mostly made up of hot deserts.5. Many events in the Old Testament take place in or

around this country.6. The kings in this country were known as pharaohs.7. Long ago, people made homes in this country from

bricks made out of mud.SAY • Did anyone guess Egypt? All these facts describe

Egypt, a key location in today’s Bible story.

OPTION 2: Dream sequencePost the four dream pictures in separate corners of the room. Demonstrate motions for each object:

• wheat—Wave your arms overhead.• stars—Do a jumping jack.• moon—Hold your arms in a circle overhead.• sun—Spin around one time.

Invite kids to choose corners to stand in. Call out one of the objects. Kids in that corner must perform the motion. The last player to do so is out. Between rounds, kids may move between corners. Play until one kid remains.SAY • A boy named Joseph had dreams about these items.

We’ll find out in our Bible story what they meant.

Transition to large group

• “Joseph’s Dream Pictures” printable

• tape

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CountdownShow the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (3 minutes)

[Large Group Leader enters quickly, slightly out of breath. A gym towel is draped over the leader’s shoulders and a sweatband is around his or her head.]LEADER • Hey, everyone! I sure am glad to see you. But

I’m afraid have some bad news about the big game. We are in the third quarter of the semi-final, and the opposing team is up by 16 points. I really hope things can turn around. The team could really use another win. If they beat this team, they will make it to the final game, and then if they win that game, they will be champions! Hurray!

You know, sometimes good things do come out of bad situations. That reminds me of today’s Bible story. Let’s get started.

Giant timeline (1 minute)

Point to the giant timeline to review previous Bible stories. Remind kids that God made a covenant with Abraham,

• countdown video

• leader attire• gym towel• sweatband

• Giant Timeline

Large Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: Joseph Sent to EgyptBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 37:1-36; 39:1–41:57MAIN POINT: God used Joseph’s suffering for good.KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 26:24BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop

God’s perfect plan.

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and God repeated the promise to Abraham’s son Isaac and grandson Jacob.LEADER • Jacob grew up, and God changed Jacob’s name

to Israel, the name of God’s covenant people. Jacob got married and had 12 sons. Yes, 12! One of his sons was named Joseph. Today’s Bible story is called “Joseph Sent to Egypt.

Big picture question (1 minute)

LEADER • I wonder why Joseph went to Egypt. As you listen to the story, keep in mind our big picture question, What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan.

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes)

Open your Bible to Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-9. Tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video “Joseph Sent to Egypt.”

Encourage kids to show emotions as you talk about the Bible story. When they hear about something happy that happened to Joseph, they should smile. When they hear about something sad, they should frown.LEADER • Can you imagine how Joseph felt when his

brothers threw him into a pit and then sold him to travelers going to Egypt? Joseph was probably glad just to be alive, but he probably missed his father.

In Egypt, Joseph worked for Potiphar, an Egyptian leader. God was with Joseph and made him successful. So Potiphar promoted Joseph to be his personal assistant. Just when things were looking up, Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph of doing something he didn’t do. So Potiphar put Joseph in jail.

• Bibles• “Joseph Sent to

Egypt” video• Big Picture Question

Poster• Bible Story Picture

Poster

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Not only was Joseph far from home, he was locked up in prison for two years! How did Joseph get out of jail? Pharaoh needed someone to interpret his dreams. God told Joseph what Pharaoh’s dreams meant, and Pharaoh made Joseph a leader of Egypt.

God sent Joseph to Egypt and blessed him so that he rose to a position of great power. God used Joseph’s suffering for good. He used Joseph to help Joseph’s family and many others. In a similar way, Jesus left His position in heaven to come to earth and be the Savior of the world.

Sing (4 minutes)

LEADER • Can you think of anyone else in the Bible who was hated by people whom He loved? Can you think of anyone who suffered so that something good would happen?

Jesus was rejected by people, and He died for our sins. God promises to forgive everyone who trusts in Jesus as Lord. That’s a promise we can rest in, no matter what kind of day we are having. Will you sing with me?

Sing together “Rest in His Promise.”

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions.

Encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

• “Rest in His Promise” song

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Discussion starter video (4 minutes)

Show the “Unit 3, Session 3” discussion starter video. Lead kids to talk about a time they moved away or a time a best friend moved away. Prompt discussion with the following questions:

1. Have any of you ever moved to a new place?2. What did you like least about the move?3. What did you like most?

Lead kids to talk about situations that seemed bad at first that turned out to be good. Be prepared to share a couple of examples of your own.LEADER • When we hear about Joseph and know the

whole story, it’s easy to see that God used Joseph’s suffering for good. Do you think Joseph knew what God was up to when he was sitting in jail? Maybe not. Sometimes we have to trust God’s plan even when we do not understand what He is doing.

God used Joseph’s suffering for good, and He can use hard things in our lives for good, too. Remember that God is in control over everything. He is good, and He has a plan. What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan.

Key passage (5 minutes)

LEADER • God’s promise to Abraham extended to Abraham’s future offspring. In this verse, God promised to be with Isaac. God was with Isaac, with Jacob, and with Joseph.

Show the slide or poster of Genesis 26:24. Guide everyone to read the verse together, performing any motions you may have created for key words.

Then lead the girls to read the verse together. Then lead

• “Unit 3, Session 3” discussion starter video

• Key Passage Poster• “I Am With You”

song

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the boys to read the verse. If any kids have memorized the verse, invite volunteers to recite it aloud. Then sing together “I Am With You.”

Prayer (2 minutes)Before dismissing to small groups, lead kids in prayer.LEADER • Lord God, thank You for Your Word. Thank You

for stories like Joseph’s so we can know You better. You are working in our lives even when we do not realize it. Help us to trust You for everything. Help us remember Jesus, who suffered the most to give us the greatest good—salvation from sin. We love You! Amen.

Dismiss to small groups

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The Gospel: God’s Plan for MeAsk kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:19.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

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Small Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: Joseph Sent to EgyptBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 37:1-36; 39:1–41:57MAIN POINT: God used Joseph’s suffering for good.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 26:24BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop

God’s perfect plan.

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Show the key passage poster and lead boys and girls to read it aloud together. Instruct kids to stand in a circle. Give one kid a ball. Prompt him to say the first word of the key passage. Then invite him to toss the ball to another player.

Kids should continue passing the ball, saying one word of the verse at a time. As kids master the verse, encourage them to pass the ball more quickly. For an added challenge, randomly call out, “Stop!” and guide the player holding the ball to recite the entire key passage.SAY • In this verse, God was speaking to Abraham’s son,

Isaac. God was working out His plan to grow Abraham’s family. Joseph was Abraham’s great-grandson. Even though Joseph’s brothers sent him away to Egypt, God was with Joseph and God used Joseph’s suffering for good.

Encourage kids to work on memorizing Genesis 26:24 during the week. Remind them that God is with them, too.

Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes)

Give each kid a Bible, a red square, and a green square. Explain that you will read a sentence about the Bible story. If kids think the story is true, they should hold up the green

• Key Passage Poster• rubber or foam ball

• Bibles, 1 per kid• Main Point Poster• red construction

paper squares• green construction

paper squares

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square. If they think it is false, they should hold up the red square. Call on a kid holding the correct square to find and read the corresponding verse from the Bible.

1. Jacob’s favorite son was Benjamin. (false, Joseph; Gen. 37:3)

2. Joseph’s brothers loved Joseph. (false, they hated him; Gen. 37:4)

3. Joseph had a dream about grain bowing down. (true, Gen. 37:6-7)

4. Joseph’s dreams meant Joseph would rule over his family. (true, Gen. 37:8-10)

5. Joseph’s brothers threw him into a deep pond. (false, an empty pit; Gen. 37:23-24)

6. Joseph was sold to people traveling to Bethlehem. (false, Egypt; Gen. 37:28)

7. Joseph was in prison with the king’s cupbearer and baker. (true, Gen. 40:2-3)

8. Pharaoh had a dream about seven healthy crocodiles. (false, cows; Gen. 41:1-4)

9. Pharaoh made Joseph second in command in all of Egypt. (true, Gen. 41:40)

10. Joseph stored up gold in Egypt. (false, food; Gen. 41:48)

SAY • Joseph was a young man when his brothers sent him away to Egypt. He spent two years in jail. Everything seemed to be going wrong! But God was with Joseph, and Pharaoh put Joseph in a position of power so he could store up food for the famine. God used Joseph’s suffering for good.

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Activity choice (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Brothers echo gameInvite a volunteer to read the names of Jacob’s 12 sons from Genesis 35:23-26. Be prepared to assist with pronunciation:

1. Reuben (RHOO ben)2. Simon (SIGH muhn)3. Levi (LEE vigh)4. Judah (JOO duh)5. Issachar (ISS uh KAHR)6. Zebulun (ZEB yoo luhn)7. Joseph (JOH zif)8. Benjamin (BEN juh min)9. Dan (DAN)10. Naphtali (NAF tuh ligh)11. Gad (GAD)12. Asher (ASH uhr)

Read the names again slowly. Encourage kids to pay close attention to the names of Joseph’s brothers. Then call out a name. Instruct kids to echo by repeating the name; boys repeat the name first, and then girls repeat it quietly.

Randomly call out names like Noah, David, or Paul. Any kids who echo a name that does not belong to Joseph or his brothers must sit down. Play until one or two kids remain.SAY • Joseph’s brothers decided to throw Joseph into a pit,

and then they sold him to some travelers going to Egypt. Joseph’s brothers rejected him, but God had a plan to use Joseph to help the brothers and their families. God used Joseph’s suffering for good.

God blessed Joseph so that he rose to a position of great authority. God used Joseph to help his family and many others. Like Joseph, Jesus gave up His position of authority to be the Savior of the world.

• Bible

LOW PREP

Option: Review the gospel with boys and girls. Explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions.

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OPTION 2: Care for people who sufferInvite kids to create care bags for people who may feel alone or who may be suffering. Provide markers for kids to decorate paper bags. Remind them that Jacob gave Joseph a colorful coat; suggest they color the bags like Joseph’s coat.

Kids may also write encouraging notes or the big picture answer: Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan.

Help kids fill the bags with various care items such as toiletries, hard candy, puzzle books, and so forth. Consider including a handmade card or providing information about your church.

Arrange to deliver care bags to a local hospital, nursing home, or assisted living center this week.SAY • God cares about people who are suffering. We can

pray for people who are suffering and serve them. Suffering is hard, but we can trust that God is in control. God used Joseph’s suffering for good, and He can use others’ suffering for good too.

Journal and prayer (5 minutes)

Distribute journal pages and pencils. Lead kids to draw a picture of Joseph when he first arrived in Egypt and a picture of Joseph after he was given a position of power in Egypt. Point out that God was with Joseph in Egypt.SAY • When we suffer or when others suffer, we can trust

that God is in control of all things. He is good.Let’s pray. Father, You are good. Comfort us when

we suffer. Help us to trust You. We love You. Amen.Challenge kids to unscramble the words on the activity page to discover the main point: God used Joseph’s suffering for good.

• lunch-size paper bags

• markers• care items: tissues,

toiletries, hard candy, puzzle books, and so on

• Journal Page• pencils• “Evil for Good”

activity page, 1 per kid

Tip: Give parents this week’s Big Picture Cards for Families to allow families to interact with the biblical content at home.

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4

UNIT 3Session 4

Leader BIBLE STUDY

Jacob and his family lived in Canaan, but someone was missing. Jacob’s favorite son, Joseph, was in Egypt. Unbeknownst to Jacob, Joseph had been elevated to a position of power. So when a famine came to Canaan and Jacob sent his sons to Egypt for grain, he had no idea that the journey would lead to a family reunion.

Ten of Jacob’s sons went to Egypt to buy grain. They went to Joseph, who was in charge of distributing the food. Joseph recognized his brothers immediately, but they did not recognize him. Joseph put his brothers through a series of tests. He accused them of being spies and required them to return with their youngest brother, Benjamin.

Unit 3 • Session 4

Use Week of:

Joseph’s Dreams Came True

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 42:1–46:34; 50:15-21MAIN POINT: God sent Joseph to Egypt to establish a remnant.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 26:24BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop

God’s perfect plan.

SMALL GROUP OPENING (10–15 MINUTES)

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LARGE BIBLE STUDY (25–30 MINUTES)

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SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES (25–30 MINUTES)

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4

Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject.

Jacob was hesitant to let his sons return to Egypt for more grain, especially with Benjamin in tow. He reluctantly let Benjamin go with Judah’s promise of protection for him. After the heartbreak of losing his favorite son, Jacob could not stand the thought of losing his youngest.

Finally, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers. They must have been in awe that the brother they assumed was dead was in fact alive! And a powerful leader in Egypt! Would Joseph use his power to rescue his family from the famine? Or would he avenge his brothers’ evil against him?

Joseph explained why God allowed him to be taken to Egypt. Even though his brothers intended harm, God intended his good. Joseph told his family to come to Egypt where they could thrive. Little did Joseph know, his brothers and their families would be enslaved in Egypt for the next 400 years.

Before he died, Joseph reminded his brothers of God’s promise to their family. “God will certainly come to your aid and bring you up from this land to the land He promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Gen. 50:24). Despite Egyptian oppression, Jacob’s descendants multiplied. God kept His promise, and through the nation of Israel, He worked out His plan of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ.

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Joseph’s Dreams Came TrueGenesis 42:1–46:34; 50:15-21

Jacob and his family were in trouble. They did not have enough food to eat. No one in the land of Canaan had enough food to eat. But Jacob learned that there was food in Egypt. So Jacob sent 10 of his sons to buy some grain. His son Benjamin stayed home.

Joseph had a powerful job in Egypt. He was in charge of who got food, so the brothers came to him and bowed down. Joseph knew who these men were, but they did not recognize him as their brother whom they sold into slavery years before. Joseph remembered his dreams of his brothers bowing down to him. Joseph’s dreams were coming true.

Joseph said, “I think you are spies. You are here to spy on the land.”

But the brothers said, “No! We are not spies. We are brothers. There were 12 of us, but our youngest brother is at home with our father and another brother is dead.”

Joseph put his brothers in prison for three days. Then he said, “Go home and bring your youngest brother back to me to prove that you are not spies. But one of you must stay here.”

The brothers went home with food for their families, and one of them stayed in Egypt. They told their father everything that had happened, and their father was very upset. “Do not take my youngest son with you,” he said. “Joseph is dead, and I cannot lose another son.”

When all the food was gone, Jacob asked his sons to go back to Egypt.

“We can only go back if we take Benjamin with us,”

The BIBLE STORY

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WANT TO DISCOVER

GOD’S WORD? GET

BIBLE EXPRESS!

Invite kids to check out this week’s devotionals to

discover that God is faithful to keep His promises. God planned to send

Jesus through Jacob’s family to rescue us from sin and death.

Order in bulk, subscribe quarterly,

or purchase individually. For

more information, check out

www.lifeway.com/devotionals.

Judah said. “I promise to bring him home.”So the brothers returned to Egypt. They took money to

pay for their food, and they took a special gift for Joseph.Joseph invited all of the brothers to his home for a

meal. After the meal, Joseph sent away all of his attendants. He cried in front of his brothers. “I am Joseph!” he told them. “I am your brother! You sold me into Egypt, but do not be afraid. God sent me here so I could save your people, a remnant, from the famine.”

Joseph told his brothers to go home and gather all their family and belongings and come back to Egypt, where they would have enough food to eat.

On the way to Egypt, God spoke to Jacob in a vision. A vision is like a dream, but Jacob was awake. God said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you back.” All of Jacob’s family, from sons to great-grandsons, went to Egypt. Jacob hugged his son Joseph and they cried.

Jacob’s family was blessed in Egypt, but Jacob got older and died. Now Joseph’s brothers were afraid Joseph would punish them for what they did to him. Joseph said, “You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result: the survival of many people.” Then Joseph comforted his brothers and spoke kindly to them.

Christ Connection: God had a plan for Joseph’s life. He allowed Joseph to suffer in order to rescue a whole nation. God planned for Jesus to suffer so that many—people from all nations—would be saved.

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Small Group OPENING

SESSION TITLE: Joseph’s Dreams Came TrueBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 42:1–46:34; 50:15-21MAIN POINT: God sent Joseph to Egypt to establish a remnant.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 26:24BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop

God’s perfect plan.

Welcome timeGreet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Prompt kids to share about a time they were away from their family. Where did they go? Did they miss their parents or siblings?

Activity page (5 minutes)

Give each kid an activity page. Point out the “Can You Recognize It?” activity and challenge kids to search for the close-up items in the picture. Kids should circle the close-ups when they find them.SAY • Some of these things were difficult to recognize! In

today’s Bible story, Joseph’s brothers went to Egypt. They hadn’t seen Joseph in a long time. Do you think Joseph’s brothers recognized him?

Session starter (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Blanket name gameForm two teams. Select two kids or two adult helpers to hold up a blanket between the teams so kids cannot see their opponents.

To play, one member of each team will stand close to the

• “Can You Recognize It?” activity page, 1 per kid

• pencils or markers

• blanket or sheet

LOW PREP

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blanket, facing the opposing team. On the count of three, the two helpers will drop the blanket. The first player to call out the name of the other player standing on the other side of the blanket is the winner.

Players may choose to strike a pose to try to distract the other player. The team to identify the most opponents wins.SAY • Was it difficult to recognize the person on the other

side of the blanket? Today’s Bible story is about some men who didn’t recognize their own brother!

OPTION 2: Dream concentrationPrint three copies of Joseph’s dream pictures. Mix up the pages and lay them facedown on the floor in a 3-by-4 grid.

Form two teams. Challenge players to take turns choosing three pages to turn over. If all three pages match, the team collects the set and plays again. If the pages do not all match, the team puts the pages facedown in their original spots and play passes to the other team.

For an added challenge, play with more copies of the dream pictures. You may also choose to print multiple sets and allow kids to play in pairs.

Remind kids that Joseph had two dreams. In the first dream, he saw his brothers’ bundles of grain bow down to his bundle. In the second dream, Joseph saw the sun, the moon, and 11 stars bowing to him. These dreams meant Joseph’s family members would one day bow to him. SAY • Do you think Joseph’s dreams ever came true? We will

find out when we hear today’s Bible story!

Transition to large group

• “Joseph’s Dream Pictures” printable

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CountdownShow the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (2 minutes)

[Large Group Leader enters carrying a trophy or medal. Leader may also choose to dribble a basketball.]LEADER • All right! We did it! I mean, the team did it! I

actually didn’t have much to do with the outcome, but the team won! District champions. Oh, I wish you would have seen it. We were down by three with 20 seconds left. Winning the game seemed impossible! But our point guard managed to steal the ball when the other team threw it inbounds. She shot a three-pointer and was fouled, but she still made the basket! Now the game was tied, but she got to shoot a free throw, and she is the best at free throws.

Needless to say, she made it and the team won the game. [Hold up the trophy.] Whew. Victory is so sweet. I love good endings. Hey, I bet you are ready to hear about the ending to Joseph’s story. Raise your hand if you remember what happened to Joseph the last time we met together.

• countdown video

• leader attire• trophy or medal• basketball

(optional)

Large Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: Joseph’s Dreams Came TrueBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 42:1–46:34; 50:15-21MAIN POINT: God sent Joseph to Egypt to establish a remnant.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 26:24BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop

God’s perfect plan.

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Giant timeline (2 minutes)

Point out previous Bible stories on the giant timeline. Remind kids of God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.LEADER • What new name did God give to Jacob? (Israel)

Israel had 12 sons. Who was his favorite son? (Joseph) Where did Joseph’s brothers send him? (to Egypt)

Do you remember the dreams Joseph had that made his brothers angry? Joseph had two dreams. In the first, Joseph saw his brothers’ wheat bowing down to his wheat. In the second dream, Joseph saw 11 stars, the sun, and the moon bowing down to him. Joseph’s dreams meant that one day his whole family would bow to him—even his parents. Today’s Bible story is called “Joseph’s Dreams Came True.”

Big picture question (1 minute)

LEADER • Joseph’s brothers had planned evil against Joseph and sold him to travelers going to Egypt. God was with Joseph in Egypt, and God made Joseph successful. Joseph’s brothers planned something bad, but God had an even bigger plan. What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan.

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes)

Open your Bible to Genesis 42. Tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video “Joseph’s Dreams Came True.”LEADER • After Joseph’s brothers sent Joseph to Egypt,

Joseph’s dad thought Joseph was dead. He was so sad. Now a famine threatened the whole family. They did not have enough food to eat!

• Giant Timeline

• Bibles• “Joseph’s Dreams

Came True” video• Big Picture Question

Poster• Bible Story Picture

Poster

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Egypt had food. In fact, a wise leader in Egypt had spent seven years storing up extra food because he knew the famine was coming. So Jacob sent his sons to the man in Egypt to get food for their families.

Who was that man? He was Joseph! Can you imagine how surprised Jacob was when he heard that his son was alive? And how do you think Joseph’s brothers felt? Oh, they were very afraid! They had planned evil against Joseph, and now Joseph was the second most powerful person in Egypt! What would he do to them?

But Joseph did not punish his brothers. He did not plan evil against them or seek revenge. Joseph realized that God was in control, and God sent Joseph to Egypt to establish a remnant.

A remnant is “a surviving, usually small, part.” Saving a small part of Israel (Jacob’s family) was very important because one day Jesus would be born into this family, just as God planned. What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan.

God had a plan for Joseph’s life. He allowed Joseph to suffer in order to rescue a whole nation. In a similar way, God planned for Jesus to suffer so that many—people from all nations—would be saved.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions.

Encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

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Sing (4 minutes)

LEADER • Now that we know Joseph’s whole story, we can see that God worked everything out. God sent Joseph to Egypt to establish a remnant. So when we are in the middle of a hard situation, we might not be able to see how God is working. But we can trust Him by faith. Everything God does is for His glory and our good. Will you sing with me?

Sing together “Rest in His Promise.”

Key passage (5 minutes)

Display the key passage poster. Lead boys and girls to say the key passage together. If you developed motions for key words, demonstrate the motions as you say the verse. Then hide the poster and challenge kids to recite the key passage from memory.LEADER • Who spoke the words in the key passage? (God)

To whom was He speaking? (Isaac)Lead boys and girls to sing “I Am With You.”

Discussion starter video (4 minutes)

LEADER • Think of a time someone did something that made you upset or angry. How did you react? Did you get revenge? Did you want to? Let’s watch this video.

Show the “Unit 3, Session 4” discussion starter video. Then lead kids to talk about why it feels easier to get even than to forgive someone. Point out that like Joseph, Jesus offered forgiveness to the people who caused Him to suffer. Choose a volunteer to read Luke 23:34 aloud.LEADER • Whom do you need to forgive? Will you?

• “Rest in His Promise” song

• Key Passage Poster• “I Am With You”

song

• “Unit 3, Session 4” discussion starter video

• Bible

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Prayer (2 minutes)Before dismissing to small groups, lead kids in prayer.LEADER • Lord, thank You for keeping Joseph safe so his

family could survive the famine. God You kept Your covenant with Abraham. Your plan is good, and nothing can stop Your perfect plan. Help us to trust You every day. We love you, Lord. Amen.

Dismiss to small groups

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The Gospel: God’s Plan for MeAsk kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:19.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

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Small Group LEADER

SESSION TITLE: Joseph’s Dreams Came TrueBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 42:1–46:34; 50:15-21MAIN POINT: God sent Joseph to Egypt to establish a remnant.UNIT KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 26:24BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop

God’s perfect plan.

Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes)

Give each kid a Bible and guide her to find Genesis 42. Encourage them to scan over the words, paying attention to headings and familiar names. Explain that today’s Bible story comes from several chapters in the Bible: from Genesis 42–46 and Genesis 50. Give kids two sticky notes each to mark Genesis 42 and Genesis 50.

Ask the following review questions. After each question, announce the chapter where kids can find the answer. When kids find the answer, they should hop up out of their seat. Wait for several kids to stand, and then call on the first kid to read aloud the verse from her Bible. If kids struggle, provide the chapter and verse number.

1. Which of Jacob’s sons did not go to Egypt to find food? (Benjamin, Gen. 42:4)

2. What did Joseph accuse his brothers of being? (spies; Gen. 42:9,14)

3. Why did Jacob decide to send his sons back to Egypt? (They ran out of food, Gen. 43:2)

4. Did Joseph cry softly or loudly in front of his brothers? (loudly, Gen. 45:2)

5. How did God speak to Jacob (Israel)? (in a vision, Gen. 46:2)

• Bibles, 1 per kid• Main Point Poster• sticky notes

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6. What did God tell Jacob He would do? (God said, “I will make you into a great nation,” Gen. 46:3)

7. What were Joseph’s brothers afraid Joseph would do? (seek revenge, repay them for the suffering they caused him; Gen. 50:15)

8. What did Joseph say God planned for the evil acts of Joseph’s brothers? (God planned it for good to bring about the survival of many people, Gen. 50:20)

SAY • God sent Joseph to Egypt to establish a remnant, and that is exactly what happened. God was with Joseph, and He used the evil actions of Joseph’s brothers to bring about something good. A remnant of Jacob’s family—the Israelites—survived the famine. They lived in Egypt, and their families grew.

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Use a permanent markers to write the words of the key passage on adhesive labels or strips of tape. Write a few words on each label, and then stick the labels on the outside of 10 cups. If your group is large, make multiple sets.

Mix up the cups and challenge kids to arrange them in order. Guide kids to say the verse aloud together. Then mix up the cups and instruct kids to construct a tower—four cups on the bottom row, three on the next, two on the next, and one on top so the words are in order.

When kids finish, choose a volunteer to read the passage from the key passage poster and check the group’s work.SAY • Thanks for all your hard work! God promised to be

with Jacob. We saw in these stories that God was with Joseph, too. God is with us today, too. We do not need to be afraid. He is so faithful.

• Key Passage Poster• plastic cups, 10• adhesive labels

or tape• permanent marker

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Activity choice (10 minutes)

OPTION 1: Elimination gameGive each kid a sticky note and a pencil. Instruct kids to write their names on the sticky notes. Arrange chairs in a circle, back to back. Put one sticky note on each chair.

Tell kids to begin walking around the circle of chairs. When you call stop, each kid should find the chair labeled with his name. The last player to do so is out. Remove her chair from the circle for the round.

Play multiple rounds until only two or three players remain. Then gather kids to debrief.SAY • Our game started with many players, but by the

end only a few were left. We could call those few a remnant—a small part of a larger group. God sent Joseph to Egypt to establish a remnant.

If Joseph had not stored up a bunch of food in Egypt, it is possible that his family would have died during the famine. But because of Joseph’s leadership, Joseph’s family survived. Many, many years later, Jesus was born into this family and God kept His promise to Abraham.

OPTION 2: Hunt and gatherPlace a large bowl of candy-coated chocolate pieces on a table at the front of the room. Position two plastic spoons next to the bowl. Form two or more teams. Make sure teams have seven or fewer players.

Guide teams to stand single file across the room. Give each player a small paper cup. Explain the game.

1. You will call out a number and a color. (For example, “two red” or “four yellow.”)

2. The first player on each team will run to the bowl,

• sticky notes• pencils• music (optional)

LOW PREP

• Allergy Alert printable

• small paper cups, 1 per player

• plastic spoons• large bowl• candy-coated

chocolate pieces

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scoop the assigned number and color of candies into his cup and return to his team.

3. The first player to return with the correct number and color of candies earns a point for his team.

Play seven rounds to signify seven years of plenty. If time allows, play additional rounds. You may choose to provide extra candy for kids to enjoy.SAY • Joseph suffered when his brothers sent him to Egypt.

He was wrongfully imprisoned. But God had a plan for Joseph’s life.

The Bible says that many nations came to buy food from Joseph. [See Gen. 41:57.] God used Joseph’s suffering to save people from many nations from starvation. God also planned for His Son, Jesus, to suffer and die on the cross so that people from all nations would be saved from sin.

Journal and prayer (5 minutes)

Give each kid a pencil and the journal page. Ask them to think about who is in control of everything. Encourage boys and girls to write about something they worry about. Can God take care of that? Can God make good come of it? Remind kids that God does everything for His glory and our good.

Invite kids to spend a few minutes silently praying to God about their worries. Suggest they pray for friends or family members who may feel worried too.

If time allows, prompt kids to work the “Path to Egypt” maze on the activity page. The correct path will reveal the session’s main point: God sent Joseph to Egypt to establish a remnant.

Option: Review the gospel with boys and girls. Explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions.

• Journal Page• pencils• “Path to Egypt”

activity page, 1 per kid

Tip: Give parents this week’s Big Picture Cards for Families to allow families to interact with the biblical content at home.

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5 EASY WAYS TO HELP PARENTS DISCIPLE THEIR KIDS

THE BIBLE IS CLEAR THAT

PARENTS ARE TO BE THE PRIMARY

DISCIPLERS OF THEIR OWN

CHILDREN. BUT THAT DOESN’T

MEAN THAT GOD INTENDS FOR

THEM TO BE THE ONLY DISCIPLERS.

As a kids leader, you play a vital role in partnering with parents in their ministry of discipling children and when the parents and you are both pouring the gospel into the hearts of kids, they stand a great chance of loving and following Jesus for a lifetime.

Here are five ways you can use The Gospel Project for Kids® resources to help parents disciple their kids.

1. Send a Parent E-mail each week. A suggested e-mail for each session is included on the enhanced CD (for print customers) or through My Curriculum Manager (for digital customers) or create your own. The idea here is to share the main idea of what you will be covering that week beforehand so that parents can begin talking with their kids about it

at home. Keep the e-mail brief and send it earlier in the week.

2. Share the link to The Gospel Project for Kids training videos.Hopefully you watch the training video for each session at Ministry Grid and find these helpful as you prepare. While these videos are produced with you, the leader, in mind parents could also benefit from watching them. You might want to include a link in your weekly e-mail.

3. Train parents on how to use the Activity Pages and Big Picture Cards for Families. The Activity Pages and Big Picture Cards provide parents with all of the basic elements of each session and position them to have fun and meaningful conversations with their kids. If you have not done it yet, consider walking parents through the content of these items and share a few ways parents can use them in

Leader Helps

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their homes (e.g. putting the cards for each unit in order, asking the child to tell the Bible story in his or her own words).

4. Encourage parents to use the app. The app is another great resource for parents that they can use to help their child understand the Bible story, memorize the key passage, and more. The app is available at your preferred app store.

5. Invite parents to learn the Key Passage as a family. As your kids work at memorizing the key passage each unit, ask parents not only to help them, but to work at memorizing it with them. By doing this, parents will not only model what they want their kids to do, but they will also create regular opportunities to talk with their kids about what the passage means.

Brian Dembowczyk is the team leader for The Gospel Project for Kids. He served in local church ministry for over 16 years before coming to LifeWay in 2014.

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MOTIVATE YOUR CHILDRENS LEADERS

IT IS EARLY ON SUNDAY MORNING

AND THE HALLS OF YOUR CHURCH

BEGIN TO COME ALIVE WITH

ACTIVITY. THERE IS A CONTAGIOUS

FEELING OF JOY AND ENTHUSIASM

IN THE AIR AS YOU EAGERLY

ANTICIPATE THE DAY AHEAD. YOUR

LEADERS WARMLY WELCOME

VOLUNTEERS AS THEY ARRIVE,

CONFIRMING THAT EVERYTHING

IS IN PLACE FOR THE DAY’S BIBLE

LESSONS. YOUR VOLUNTEERS

NOT ONLY FEEL COMMITTED

AND CONNECTED TO THE

PRESCHOOLERS AND CHILDREN

IN THEIR CLASS, BUT ALSO WITH

THE OTHER VOLUNTEERS. THERE

IS A SENSE OF COMMUNITY WITHIN

YOUR MINISTRY THAT GIVES YOUR

VOLUNTEERS CONFIDENCE IN

KNOWING THAT THEY ARE TRULY

MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

Seeing the difference these volunteers make may cause other people to ask how they, too, can be a part of such an exciting area. Yes, even with crying babies, curious toddlers, and restless children, teaching the love of Christ to our

youngest children can be a fun and rewarding experience. However, creating an environment that reflects this often can be difficult.

A motivated team of paid staff and volunteer leaders is one of the most crucial pieces to a successful Children’s Ministry. As the director of volunteers at Fellowship Church in Dallas, I have learned that without a dedicated core of volunteers, it would be impossible for the 3,000 children who attend each weekend to learn and enjoy church in a creative and relevant environment.

Without them, all of the responsibilities of ministry would fall solely on the shoulders of paid staff members. With the volunteers, your ministry can flourish in incredible ways, and you will be able to better meet the needs of your church. The following six factors are key to building strong leadership teams:

IdentifyWhen you identify a potential leader, pray for God’s guidance

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and confirmation on that person. 1 Timothy 3:1-7 is an excellent Scripture passage to use as a standard for recognizing leaders. Ask them to serve in leadership only when you have clear direction from God and confirmation from them that they are being led to this role.

RecruitRecruit leaders based on their gifts and passion for your ministry. Often, your best leaders are those that are quietly and faithfully serving and who might not be obvious at first glance. Think outside the box. Be careful not to limit yourself. Do you only recruit parents? Are you actively recruiting from your college, singles, and married adult ministries?

There may be many gifted leaders sitting in your church that you are not aware of because they do not have children. Spend time

education other ministries on the opportunities that exist to serve within your area.

DirectProviding direction or focus should not be a onetime thing, but something that becomes a part of

everything you and your leaders say and do.

Leaders desire a very clear idea of where your ministry is headed and their role within it. Continually “paint the picture” for your volunteers. Share specifically your ministry goals, discuss how to get there, and emphasize their part. Always focus on opportunities instead of needs. People are not attracted to ministries that are desperate and needy, but to those that are exciting and meaningful.

TrainEquip your leaders with the tools they need to do their job. Provide

With the volunteers,

your ministry can

flourish in incredible

ways, and you will be

able to better meet

the needs of your

church.

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procedures, and leader expectations. Then, provide continuous support and leadership development through leadership meetings that focus on a particular area of the ministry and the leader’s role. React quickly to their needs and create an environment where feedback is welcomed and encouraged. Empower them to do ministry!

MinisterEstablish a volunteer structure that ensures the leaders’ personal ministry needs are being met. Focus your time and attention to ministering to your key leaders, setting the example of how they are expected to minister to the volunteers on the team. When the example is set, it will trickle down to ministering to each child the same way.

Encourage your leaders to contact their volunteers once a month without asking them to do anything. Instead, they should ask for ways they can be praying for them. Also, provide opportunities for leaders to build relationships

with paid staff and other leaders. This will bring your team closer together in ministry.

AppreciateTake the time to say thank you. Consider a hand-written note, a small gift, a compliment, or an appreciation dinner. Ask families to write testimonies of the impact volunteers have made on their own children. Share these stories with your volunteers and encourage and remind them of the difference they are making. Always be aware of ways that you can communicate just how thankful you are for their commitment and faithfulness.

Our most important goal in children’s ministry is to share the love of Christ with the children in our church. When we prayerfully identify, actively recruit, direct, thoroughly train, lovingly minister, and continuously appreciate our leaders, we are establishing a strong foundation for God to use in impacting the lives of children.

Excerpted from an article on www.lifeway.com

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NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO TRAIN YOUR LEADERS

For over 120 years LifeWay Christian Resources has resourced churches, first with Sunday School materials and Bible studies and expanding into a wide variety of “biblical solutions for life.” Millions of people have been helped by LifeWay’s curriculum and other resources. In recent years though, a trend emerged. There was a shortage in leadership development in the church.

Where were people getting trained? In short, they were not. Only ¼ of churches in the U.S. were doing active leadership development. When churches host training events, it’s difficult to get more than half of their volunteers to attend. People are so busy that carving out a few hours on a Saturday morning or a Wednesday night just isn’t feasible. It’s not that people don’t want to be trained but rather that the training opportunities simply don’t work in present day realities. So the question arose: HOW CAN LIFEWAY SERVE THE CHURCH TO MEET THAT NEED?

On 11/12/13 LifeWay launched Ministry Grid, an online church leadership and volunteer training platform for churches. The purpose of Ministry Grid stems from Ephesians 4:11-13.

God has gifted every believer to serve in the church, and He uniquely gifted some to be church leaders. Often this plays out in real life as the ones who teach and administer and plan and budget, but verse 12 says why God gifted them uniquely: “for the training of the saints in the work of ministry.” God raised up leaders to train others, and that is why Ministry Grid exists, to help them do so.

Ministry Grid is a library of 4,000+ videos and a full learning management system with numerous features churches can utilize: onboarding users, assigning video training according to ministry or group, tracking progress, building and using assessments, and more. Go to www.ministrygrid.com to sign up and start training your leaders today!

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EVERYDAY HABITS OF SUCCESSFUL KIDS MINISTERS

LIFE IS FULL AND YOU’RE A BUSY

PERSON! YOU ALREADY KNOW

THAT LEADING CHILDREN IS A

24/7 ENDEAVOR. HERE ARE A

FEW TIPS AND TREASURES FOR

YOU TO PONDER AS YOU GO THAT

WILL HELP YOU BECOME MORE

EFFECTIVE AS YOU LEAD CHILDREN

TO LOVE JESUS.

It’s all about relationshipsMake it your goal to get to know each child you lead on a personal level.

The early bird really does get the wormGod has wonderful things to show you as you get ready to teach. Don’t short change yourself by waiting until Saturday night to prepare!

PrayGrab a calendar and assign a day to pray for each child you teach. Pray for that child by name and for specific needs.

ImpactThe Holy Scriptures are relevant, and you must help your kids take what they learn and use it in everyday living.

Don’t lose touchWhether you have children in your home or your kids are grown, you need to keep in touch with what is going on in the lives of kids in real time.

Get outside the wallsFind out what your kids have an interest in and plan an outing together. You’ll get to know your kids on a whole new level.

Take a load offYou are not a perfect soul living in a perfect world. Live each day with the goal of pleasing Jesus in action and attitude, and it will spill over into your teaching.

Excerpted from an article on www.lifeway.com

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Kids

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•Include art from every Bible story covered in The Gospel Project for Kids

•Help kids and preschoolers connect Bible events to God’s ultimate plan of redemption through Christ

•Assist teachers, parents, and kids in knowing which Bible story will be shared each week

GOD IS HOLY

Moses Was Born and CalledExodus 1:8–2:10,23-25; 3:1–4:20

The Wilderness TestExodus 15:22–17:7

The Plagues, the Passover, the Crossing of the Red Sea

Exodus 5:1–14:31

The Golden CalfExodus 32:1-35; 34:1-9

The Ten Commandments: Love God

Exodus 19:1–20:11; 31:18

Joshua and CalebNumbers 13:1–14:38

The Promised Land and JerichoJoshua 2–4; 6

The Bronze SnakeNumbers 17:1-12; 20:1-12,14-20;

21:4-9

Achan’s Sin and the Defeat of AiJoshua 7–8

Joshua’s Final EncouragementJoshua 23:1–24:28

GOD THE REDEEMER

GOD THE SAVIOR

God Reminded His People of His Covenant

Deuteronomy 5:1–6:25; 8:1–11:1,26-28

Worship Only GodDeuteronomy 1; 3:23–4:40

God Gave Rules for SacrificeLeviticus 1–27

The Tabernacle Was BuiltExodus 35:4–40:38

The Ten Commandments: Love Others

Exodus 20:12-17

GOD DELIVERS THE PROMISED LAND

Israel Demanded a King1 Samuel 8–10

David was Annonted and Fought Goliath

1 Samuel 16–17

God Rejected Saul as King1 Samuel 13:1-14; 14:18-48; 15:1-35

David and Jonathan Became Friends

1 Samuel 18:1-12; 19:1-10; 20:1-42

Solomon Thought About LifeEcclesiastes 1:1-11

God Made a Covenant with David2 Samuel 7

David Sinned and Was Restored2 Samuel 11:1–12:14; Psalm 51

GOD JUDGES HIS PEOPLE

GOD ALL WISE

GOD THE KING

Ruth and BoazRuth 1–4

Eli and Boy Samuel1 Samuel 1–3

SamsonJudges 13–16

GideonJudges 6–8

Deborah and BarakJudges 4–5

The First JudgesJudges 3:7-31

Solomon Built the Temple1 Kings 6:1–8:66

Solomon’s Sin Divided the Kingdom1 Kings 11–12

Wisdom for God’s PeopleProverbs 1:1-7; 3:1-12; 4:10-19

Solomon Asked for Wisdom1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12; 3:1-15

WISDOM LITERATURE

A KINGDOM ESTABLISHEDTHE PROMISED LAND

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timeline!Create a colorful mural of the Bible events your kids

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The Gospel Project for Kids Giant Timeline Bonus Pack 005490066 $59.99

Fourteen large-format, colorful posters create a mural timeline, along with a Big Story Circle that shows how Bible stories point to Jesus. Great for large groups, hallways, and classrooms.

TGP_timeline_CP3Ad.indd 1 3/6/15 4:42 PM

224 Older Kids Leader GuideLeader Helps

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Page 227: STORY BEGINS - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/cashiebaptistchurch/documents/GP Older Kids... · B.C. A.D. Kids STORY BEGINS THE FALL 2015 OLDER KIDS LEADER GUIDE Ed Stetzer General

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Kids

KidsOrder today: 1.800.458.2772 gospelproject.com

This affordable, one-time investment will:

•Include art from every Bible story covered in The Gospel Project for Kids

•Help kids and preschoolers connect Bible events to God’s ultimate plan of redemption through Christ

•Assist teachers, parents, and kids in knowing which Bible story will be shared each week

GOD IS HOLY

Moses Was Born and CalledExodus 1:8–2:10,23-25; 3:1–4:20

The Wilderness TestExodus 15:22–17:7

The Plagues, the Passover, the Crossing of the Red Sea

Exodus 5:1–14:31

The Golden CalfExodus 32:1-35; 34:1-9

The Ten Commandments: Love God

Exodus 19:1–20:11; 31:18

Joshua and CalebNumbers 13:1–14:38

The Promised Land and JerichoJoshua 2–4; 6

The Bronze SnakeNumbers 17:1-12; 20:1-12,14-20;

21:4-9

Achan’s Sin and the Defeat of AiJoshua 7–8

Joshua’s Final EncouragementJoshua 23:1–24:28

GOD THE REDEEMER

GOD THE SAVIOR

God Reminded His People of His Covenant

Deuteronomy 5:1–6:25; 8:1–11:1,26-28

Worship Only GodDeuteronomy 1; 3:23–4:40

God Gave Rules for SacrificeLeviticus 1–27

The Tabernacle Was BuiltExodus 35:4–40:38

The Ten Commandments: Love Others

Exodus 20:12-17

GOD DELIVERS THE PROMISED LAND

Israel Demanded a King1 Samuel 8–10

David was Annonted and Fought Goliath

1 Samuel 16–17

God Rejected Saul as King1 Samuel 13:1-14; 14:18-48; 15:1-35

David and Jonathan Became Friends

1 Samuel 18:1-12; 19:1-10; 20:1-42

Solomon Thought About LifeEcclesiastes 1:1-11

God Made a Covenant with David2 Samuel 7

David Sinned and Was Restored2 Samuel 11:1–12:14; Psalm 51

GOD JUDGES HIS PEOPLE

GOD ALL WISE

GOD THE KING

Ruth and BoazRuth 1–4

Eli and Boy Samuel1 Samuel 1–3

SamsonJudges 13–16

GideonJudges 6–8

Deborah and BarakJudges 4–5

The First JudgesJudges 3:7-31

Solomon Built the Temple1 Kings 6:1–8:66

Solomon’s Sin Divided the Kingdom1 Kings 11–12

Wisdom for God’s PeopleProverbs 1:1-7; 3:1-12; 4:10-19

Solomon Asked for Wisdom1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12; 3:1-15

WISDOM LITERATURE

A KINGDOM ESTABLISHEDTHE PROMISED LAND

Create a 28-foot Bible

timeline!Create a colorful mural of the Bible events your kids

will learn about during The Gospel Project for Kids.

The Gospel Project for Kids Giant Timeline Bonus Pack 005490066 $59.99

Fourteen large-format, colorful posters create a mural timeline, along with a Big Story Circle that shows how Bible stories point to Jesus. Great for large groups, hallways, and classrooms.

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