God can change our hearts.
Praise Jesus!
Saul Decides to Follow Jesus • Lesson 2 Bible Point
God can change our hearts.
Bible Verse “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Growing Closer to Jesus Children will n see that believing in God makes them brand-new people, n learn that God changes them on the inside, and n discover that God is working to make them the best people they can be.
Teacher Enrichment Bible Basis
n Saul decides to follow Jesus.
Acts 9:1-22
Prior to his conversion, Saul was a zealous Jew who did all he could to oppose the name of Jesus, even putting many Christians in prison and casting his vote to put Christians to death (Acts 26:4-11). In today's passage, Saul was traveling to Damascus to arrest Christians when Jesus met him on the road. A light that Saul later described as “brighter than the sun” (Acts 26:13) flashed out of heaven, and he dropped to the ground. When Jesus told Saul who he was, the truth of all that had happened must have swept through Saul like a flood. We can only speculate on what went through Saul’s mind during the three days Saul, blinded, waited in Damascus for further instructions, but he must have been going through all the Old Testament Scriptures stored in his memory, sorting out how Jesus could be the Messiah in spite of Saul’s earlier belief. God gave him time to think! Why did God choose Saul? God could have used anyone. Perhaps he chose Saul to be a supreme example of how a life can be changed when God enters it. It is often suggested that Saul of Tarsus became Paul after this conversion. The truth is that “Saul” was his Jewish name but “Paul” was the Roman equivalent by which he became better known.
Prayer • Read 1 Timothy 1:15-16. • How can God use you or someone you know, even if the past is tarnished? • Pray: Lord, thank you for changing my heart from the inside out. Help me show my students how God can use us, even if…
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2 23
Lesson 2
Before the Lesson n Collect items for the activities you plan to use, referring to the Classroom Supplies and Learning Lab Supplies listed in the chart. n Make photocopies of the “Growing Together” handout (at the end of this lesson) to send home with your children. n Pray for your students and for God’s direction in teaching the lesson.
This Lesson at a Glance Welcome Attention Grabber
Bible Exploration & Application
What Children Will Do
Classroom Supplies
Welcome!—Receive a warm
“Church Name Tags” handout (p. 21), scissors, markers, tape
Movie Stars—Look at the class
Bible
Saul Changes—Learn about the
Bible
Changed Hearts—Turn paper hearts into beautiful pictures, learn from 2 Corinthians 5:17 that God turns them into new persons, and listen to a song about new life.
White and colored construction paper, scissors, glue, tape, markers, CD player
God’s Beauty—Listen to
Bible, one sheet of white paper
Changed on the Inside—
Wet wipes
welcome from the teacher, and make name tags.
through the pocket kaleidoscope, and learn from 2 Corinthians 3:14b, 18 that God changes them so they reflect his goodness.
bright light Saul encountered on the way to Damascus and how it changed his life.
Romans 3:22a, change a scribble into a beautiful design, and learn that as God’s creations, they can reflect his beauty.
Closing
24
Wash gritty dirt from their hands, and learn that God makes them clean on the inside.
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2
Learning Lab Supplies
Saul Decides to Follow Jesus
Welcome Supplies: “Church Name Tags” handout (p. 21), scissors, markers, tape • Greet each child individually with an enthusiastic smile. • Thank each child for coming to class today. • As children arrive, ask them about last week’s lesson and “Growing Together” activities. Use questions such as “In what ways did God help you not to worry last week?” and “Who did you ask God to heal last week?” • Say: Today we’re going to learn that God can change our hearts. • Hand out the “Church Name Tags” children made during last week’s lesson, and help them attach the name tags to their clothing. If some of the name tags were damaged, or if children weren’t in class last week, have children make new name tags using the photocopiable handout. • Tell children you’ll raise your hand to get their attention. They should respond by raising their hands and focusing their attention on you. Rehearse this signal, and encourage the children to respond quickly so you’ll have time for all the fun activities in this lesson.
Attention Grabber
It’s important to say the Bible Point just as it’s written in each activity. Repeating the Bible Point over and over throughout the lesson will help kids remember it and apply it to their lives.
n Movie Stars Supplies: Bible Have children sit on the floor. Each child will have a chance to stand in the front of the class and view the children through the pocket kaleidoscope as you read one of the following actions aloud and the rest of the class acts out the motion. If there are more than 10 children in the class, add more actions or repeat some actions the children most enjoyed.
• Smile. • Give yourself a hug. • Look mad. • Make scary faces. • Pretend you’re looking through binoculars. • Pat your nose. • Make muscles. • Frown. • Laugh. • Make goofy faces. After each child has had a turn, ask: • What happened to the people when you looked through the kaleidoscope? (They looked funny; they changed from how they really looked; I saw lots of the same person instead of just one.) Say: Everyone looked different through the pocket kaleidoscope because of the shape of the lens. Show children the lens. The Bible says before Jesus
When it comes to socializing with others, whether with close friends at school or guests in the home, first- and second-graders usually prefer to stick to samesex friendships. They thrive on organized games and group activities. They want to please teachers but are beginning to recognize their role in relation to their peers. They want to win and always be first, and they have a strong sense of competition with others.
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2 25
Lesson 2
came, nobody knew what God was like. No one could understand God because no one could see him clearly—just as you couldn’t see the class clearly when you looked through the kaleidoscope. But when Jesus came, everyone could see God clearly. And what’s even more exciting is that everyone could be changed to be more like God. Listen to what the Bible says. Read aloud 2 Corinthians 3:14b, 18 from an easy-to-read version of the Bible such as the Hands-On Bible in the child-friendly New Living Translation. Ask: • What is a veil? (Something a bride wears on her head; a cover; a lacy cloth.) Say: A veil is something that covers our eyes so we can’t see clearly. Ask: • What does the Bible mean by a veil that covers our minds? (That we can’t understand God; that we can’t see God.) Say: The Bible says we can’t see God clearly without Jesus. He’s too hard to understand. But Jesus takes the veil away. We can learn about God through Jesus. And today we’re learning that God can change our hearts so we become more like he is. Let’s learn about a time God took the veil away from a bad person and changed him into a good person who believed in Jesus.
Understanding the way your first- and second-graders think will give you clues to ways you can better help them understand how God loves all people the same. At this age, children are interested in concrete learning experiences such as dramatization and rhythms. They have a limited concept of time and space and are interested in the present but not in the past or future. They yearn for competence in developing skills but are not overly competitive yet.
Bible Insight Acts 7:58 places Paul (also known as Saul) at the stoning of Stephen, which triggered a great persecution of the followers of Jesus. As a Jew, Saul zealously joined the persecution of the Christians and set out to destroy the church until his miraculous conversion about five years after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
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Bible Exploration & Application n Saul Changes Supplies: Bible Clear an area of the room so there are no obstacles that children could trip over. Have the children sit on the floor. Open your Bible to Acts 9, and show children the words. Then tell the following story, and be ready to lead children in the actions. Say: Listen carefully as I tell this Bible story so you can follow my actions. After Jesus had gone back to heaven, there was a bad man named Saul, who hated Christians. When I talk about Saul during the first part of the story, pound one fist into the palm of your other hand to show that Saul was mean. Pause to practice pounding your fist into your palm. Saul (pound your fist) thought Christians were disobeying God. He didn’t realize that the Christians knew the truth about God and Jesus and tried to obey God in everything they did. Saul (pound your fist) threatened the Christians and said he would kill all of them. Ask: • If you had been a Christian in those days, what would you have done if you knew Saul was coming to your town? (I would hide; I would run away; I’d try to tell him about Jesus.) Say: One day Saul (pound your fist) went to the high priest and asked for permission to arrest all the people who followed Jesus. The high priest thought it was a good idea, so he gave Saul (pound your fist) permission. Saul (pound your fist) traveled to a town called Damascus. Saul (pound your fist) and some others who were traveling with him started on the way to Damascus. Slap your thighs in a one-two rhythm to make the sound of walking. Pause for children to respond. As Saul (pound your fist) got close to the city, a bright light from heaven flashed around him. Shield your eyes. It was so bright that Saul fell to the ground and closed
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2
Saul Decides to Follow Jesus
his eyes. Now have children cover their eyes for the word Saul. He heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul!” Cover your eyes. Pause. “Why are you hurting me?” Saul (cover your eyes) didn’t know who was talking to him, so he asked, “Who are you?” The voice answered, “I am Jesus, the one you are hurting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Saul (cover your eyes) got up and opened his eyes, but he couldn’t see anything. The people who were traveling with him were amazed. They heard the voice that spoke to Saul (cover your eyes), but they didn’t see anyone. They took Saul’s hand and led him into Damascus. Let’s see how Saul (cover your eyes) may have felt when he couldn’t see. Have children stand up with their eyes covered. Then give directions such as “Walk three steps forward, turn around, and walk sideways for five steps.” Be sure your directions won’t cause any children to trip. Have children uncover their eyes and sit down again. Then ask: • What would it be like if you couldn’t see? (Scary; you wouldn’t know if you were going to run into something; you’d have to get other people to take you places.) Say: For three days Saul (cover your eyes) couldn’t see, and he didn’t eat or drink anything. Let’s rub our stomachs and make a growly noise to show how hungry Saul (cover your eyes) must have been. Pause. God spoke to a Christian named Ananias and told him to visit Saul (cover your eyes). Ananias was frightened because he knew that Saul (cover your eyes) had threatened to kill Christians. Show me how your face looks when you’re scared. Pause. Ananias said, “Lord, I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he’s come here to arrest all the Christians.” But God said, “Go, for I have chosen Saul (cover your eyes) to do important things. He will tell many people about me.” Ananias obeyed God. He went to the house where Saul (cover your eyes) was and put his hands on Saul (cover your eyes). Then he said, “Saul (cover your eyes), Jesus sent me to you. He is the one you met on the road to Damascus. Jesus sent me so you can see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” As soon as Ananias spoke, something like fish scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. Now, whenever I talk about Saul, let’s draw a heart in the air (draw a heart in the air) to show that he became a loving person instead of a mean person. Saul (draw heart) got up and was baptized to show that he wanted to follow Jesus. After that he ate some food and felt much better. Let’s pat our stomachs to show that Saul (draw heart) was full and felt better. Pause. Saul (draw heart) spent several days with Jesus’ followers in Damascus. He learned lots about Jesus. Soon he was even preaching that Jesus is the Son of God. All the people who heard him were amazed at how much he had changed. They said, “Isn’t this the man who was trying to destroy everyone who believes in Jesus? He even came here to arrest all of us! And now he believes in Jesus.” Saul (draw heart) learned so much about Jesus that no one could argue with him. The people he talked to were convinced that Jesus is the Son of God. Everything about Saul (draw heart) changed—he became a kind, loving
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2 27
Lesson 2
person, and he believed in Jesus. After a while, people started calling him Paul. Paul spent the rest of his life telling people about Jesus’ love. God changed Saul’s heart, and Saul (draw heart) became a better person. God can change our hearts, too. Let’s talk about that some more.
Hands-on Bible Give each pair of students a banana, two wooden toothpicks, and a small bowl of chocolate syrup. Have paper towels available. Have the children open their Hands-On Bibles to Acts 9 and find the “Inside Out” activity nearby. Say: Saul was a mean person, but we learned in our Bible story today that God changed Saul from the inside out. And God can change our hearts, too. Let’s do an experiment to see what that’s like. Let’s read the “Inside Out” activity and try this together. Read the activity with the class, and follow the instructions. Be sure you have adequate adult supervision to assist children as needed. As children are enjoying their snack, have them discuss the following questions with a partner: • What’s one thing you need to change in your heart? (I need to be nicer to my little brother; I need to obey my mom when she asks me to do something.)
See page 5.
• How can God help you change your heart? (By helping me trust him; before I do something I shouldn’t, I can pray and ask God to help me be good.) Close in prayer, asking God to change each of us from the inside out.
n Changed Hearts
If children have trouble cutting out hearts, make several different-sized hearts yourself, and let the children use them as patterns to trace. A simple way to make a heart shape is to fold a paper in half and cut an elongated half circle from the folded edge out.
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Supplies: white and colored construction paper, scissors, glue, tape, markers, CD player Have children cut different-sized hearts out of colored track 8 construction paper. Then have them each glue or tape the hearts to a sheet of white construction paper and use markers to turn them into pictures. For example, four small hearts with the points facing the center could create a flower, a single large heart could be the face of a beautiful princess, or several hearts in a row could form a caterpillar. While the children are making their heart pictures, ask: • Why do you think Saul was so mean to the Christians at first? (Because they believed different things about Jesus; because he didn’t understand what they knew was true about Jesus.) • Why do you think the bright light and the voice made him change? (Because he got scared into changing; because he knew it was God.) • What do you think it means that God can change our hearts? (It means that God can help us do good things; that God changes us so we’re like him.) • Why do our hearts need to be changed? (Because we do wrong; because we don’t always follow God.)
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2
Saul Decides to Follow Jesus
• What would you like to have changed about your heart? (Sometimes I lie; sometimes I get angry; sometimes I fight with my sister.) Ask several volunteers to tell you about their drawings. Then say: Look how you’ve changed these hearts. When you started, you had several individual hearts, but now you’ve changed them into a beautiful picture of something else. We can be changed, too. Listen to what the Bible says can happen to us. This is our Bible verse for today, from 2 Corinthians 5:17: “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” When God changes our hearts, it makes us new creations. Just as you changed your paper hearts into beautiful pictures, God can change our hearts. Hold up a piece of white construction paper and the color-change marker. This is a special marker. When I color with the colorful end, like this (scribble a patch on the white paper with the bright coloring tip of the color-change marker, and then hold up the paper again), I am reminded that sometimes I do wrong things. The Bible calls that sin. But when I am sorry for my sin, God forgives me, and he changes my heart on the inside. Use the other side of the color-change marker to draw a heart in the center of the color. The heart shape reminds me that God loves me and forgives me. I am a new person! Have children think of a sin they are sorry about and would like to ask God’s forgiveness for. Then have them take turns using the color-change marker to scribble a patch on the white part of their picture and then draw over it using the marker’s other tip. Say: The color change reminds us that God forgives us because he loves us so much. When we tell God we are sorry for our sins, God can change our hearts. If you just told God you are sorry for your sin, he just changed your heart! Play the song “Anyone Who Belongs to Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17) on the CD (track 8). Encourage the children to sing along as you play it a second time. Song lyrics are in the back of this teacher guide. Say: With God, we can become new on the inside! Now let’s see what a flower can teach us about change on the inside.
n God’s Beauty Supplies: Bible, one sheet of white paper Have children sit in a circle. Ask them to tell about a time they had a bad attitude about something. For example, someone might talk about having a bad day and taking it out on a little brother. As they share, ask them to scribble with the bright side of the color-change marker on the paper. Say: The Bible says Jesus is the way to God. Listen while I read this verse from the book of Romans. Read Romans 3:22a aloud.
Make it a point this week to send a note of encouragement to each child in your class. In your notes, tell the children that you love them and that you are praying for them. And don’t forget to follow through on that promise!
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2 29
Lesson 2
First- and second-graders, who think in concrete terms, may struggle to understand an abstract concept such as a “change of heart.” Focus on change in the way they think about God—a spiritual change of heart— to explain the term, and watch for opportunities to talk about the differences between physical and spiritual needs.
Say: The Bible says God sent Jesus Christ to change our hearts. If we place our faith in Jesus, we will be changed on the inside. Even though it can be hard sometimes, change can be good! We’re going to change these scribbles into a beautiful collage. Think of the things that are special about you—the things that make you like Jesus. For example, something special about my heart is that I love being with first- and second-graders. Draw some sort of design over some of the color on the paper with the colorchange side of the marker. Pass the color-change marker around the circle. Have each child tell one reason he or she is special, use the color-change side of the marker, and then pass the marker and paper to the next person. Continue until everyone has had an opportunity to change the color on the paper. It’s OK if each child says several special things. Be ready to help children think of reasons they’re special. Be sure to choose internal characteristics such as kindness and love rather than external characteristics such as having pretty clothes or beautiful eyes. Ask: • How did it feel to say and hear reasons you are special? (It felt good; embarrassing; nice; funny.) • How does being friends with Jesus make us special? (We never have to feel lonely; God will be happy with us because we’re friends with his Son.) Say: The special things about us changed this scribble art into a beautiful design. And the special thing about being friends with Jesus is that we can be friends with him forever. Sometimes changes can be hard, but when we’re friends with Jesus, he changes our hearts for good. If we are sorry for our sins and believe in Jesus, we will live with him in heaven one day. And while we are on earth, Jesus will always be with us, helping us change on the inside and become more like him. If Jesus is our forever friend, God can change our hearts so we’re more like Jesus. Return the color-change marker to the Learning Lab.
Closing n Changed on the Inside Supplies: wet wipes Ask: • What do you remember about our lesson today? (That God can change my heart; that God can help me do good things instead of bad things.) Have the children sit in a circle. Pass the pumice rocks around the circle. Have the children gently rub one of the rocks on the palms of their hands and then pass the rock on to the next person. When the rocks come back to you, put them away, and have children feel the palms of their hands. Ask: • How does your palm feel? (Dirty; icky; gross; dusty.) Say: Just as the rocks make our hands feel dirty, doing wrong things makes us dirty on the inside. When God changes our hearts, he makes us clean on the inside. Let’s clean our hands now. 30
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2
Saul Decides to Follow Jesus
Have children wash their hands if you have easy access to a sink, or pass around wet wipes for them to use. Otherwise, just have them dust off their hands. When everyone has clean hands, pray: Thank you, God, for making us clean on the inside. Thank you, God, for making us brand-new persons. We know that you can change our hearts. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Growing closer to Jesus extends beyond the classroom. Photocopy the “Growing Together” handout (at the end of this lesson) for this week, and send it home with your children. Encourage children and parents to use the handout to plan meaningful activities on this week’s topic. Follow up the “Growing Together” activities next week by asking children what their families did together.
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2 31
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Saul decides 1-22 Jesus. Acts 9:
Today your child learned that God can change our hearts. Children learned that God makes people into new creations when they believe in Jesus. They learned that God can make us clean on the inside so we can shine in praise of him. Use these ideas to help your child understand how God changes us to be more and more like Jesus.
Food Fun
Candy Creatures
Together with your child, make pancakes for breakfast. Mix the ingredients, and talk about how the mixture changes as each ingredient is added. Supervise while your child pours batter in a skillet. Watch the batter change into a cooked pancake. Talk about the way people change when they start living for God. Have your child use fruit, jelly, or peanut butter to turn the pancake into a self-portrait. Give thanks to God for making your child a new person from the inside out.
Have each family member make a candy caterpillar by sticking gumdrops onto a toothpick. Break another toothpick into pieces to make legs and antennae. Use cotton candy from a discount store to form cocoons around the caterpillars. If you can’t find cotton candy, use quilt batting or cotton balls that have been pulled apart. Talk about how caterpillars are changed from crawling creatures into flying creatures. Explain to your child that a butterfly will never turn back into a caterpillar again. Talk about how we become new persons in Christ.
God’s Changes Think of all the things God changes, and praise him for his power. Make this brainstorming session into a prayer and worship time. Pray, “God, I thank you that you make the weather change from being warm in the summer to being cold in the winter.” Have your child respond with another praise about God’s power. End your prayer time by thanking God for changing your hearts.
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Changed Forever Your child will have fun with this weird goo. Mix cornstarch with water in a large mixing bowl until the mixture is the consistency of cake batter. Put the bowl in the kitchen sink or the bathtub to avoid a mess. Have your child take a handful of the goo and squeeze it. It’ll feel like it’s turned into a hard ball, but as soon as your child opens his or her hand, the goo will return to a liquid. Talk about how, unlike the goo, when God changes a person, the change lasts.
Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Grades 1 & 2 granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com
Saul Decides to Follow Jesus • Lesson 2 Bible Point
God can change our hearts.
Bible Verse “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Growing Closer to Jesus Children will n see that believing in God makes them brand-new people, n learn that God changes them on the inside, and n discover that God is working to make them the best people they can be.
Teacher Enrichment Bible Basis
n Saul decides to follow Jesus.
Acts 9:1-22
Prior to his conversion, Saul was a zealous Jew who did all he could to oppose the name of Jesus, even putting many Christians in prison and casting his vote to put Christians to death (Acts 26:4-11). In today's passage, Saul was traveling to Damascus to arrest Christians when Jesus met him on the road. A light that Saul later described as “brighter than the sun” (Acts 26:13) flashed out of heaven, and he dropped to the ground. When Jesus told Saul who he was, the truth of all that had happened must have swept through Saul like a flood. We can only speculate on what went through Saul’s mind during the three days Saul, blinded, waited in Damascus for further instructions, but he must have been going through all the Old Testament Scriptures stored in his memory, sorting out how Jesus could be the Messiah in spite of Saul’s earlier belief. God gave him time to think! Why did God choose Saul? God could have used anyone. Perhaps he chose Saul to be a supreme example of how a life can be changed when God enters it. It is often suggested that Saul of Tarsus became Paul after this conversion. The truth is that “Saul” was his Jewish name but “Paul” was the Roman equivalent by which he became better known.
Prayer • Read 1 Timothy 1:15-16. • How can God use you or someone you know, even if the past is tarnished? • Pray: Lord, thank you for changing my heart from the inside out. Help me show my students how God can use us, even if…
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2 23
Lesson 2
Before the Lesson n Collect items for the activities you plan to use, referring to the Classroom Supplies and Learning Lab Supplies listed in the chart. n Make photocopies of the “Growing Together” handout (at the end of this lesson) to send home with your children. n Pray for your students and for God’s direction in teaching the lesson.
This Lesson at a Glance Welcome Attention Grabber
Bible Exploration & Application
What Children Will Do
Classroom Supplies
Welcome!—Receive a warm
“Church Name Tags” handout (p. 21), scissors, markers, tape
Movie Stars—Look at the class
Bible
Saul Changes—Learn about the
Bible
Changed Hearts—Turn paper hearts into beautiful pictures, learn from 2 Corinthians 5:17 that God turns them into new persons, and listen to a song about new life.
White and colored construction paper, scissors, glue, tape, markers, CD player
God’s Beauty—Listen to
Bible, one sheet of white paper
Changed on the Inside—
Wet wipes
welcome from the teacher, and make name tags.
through the pocket kaleidoscope, and learn from 2 Corinthians 3:14b, 18 that God changes them so they reflect his goodness.
bright light Saul encountered on the way to Damascus and how it changed his life.
Romans 3:22a, change a scribble into a beautiful design, and learn that as God’s creations, they can reflect his beauty.
Closing
24
Wash gritty dirt from their hands, and learn that God makes them clean on the inside.
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2
Learning Lab Supplies
Saul Decides to Follow Jesus
Welcome Supplies: “Church Name Tags” handout (p. 21), scissors, markers, tape • Greet each child individually with an enthusiastic smile. • Thank each child for coming to class today. • As children arrive, ask them about last week’s lesson and “Growing Together” activities. Use questions such as “In what ways did God help you not to worry last week?” and “Who did you ask God to heal last week?” • Say: Today we’re going to learn that God can change our hearts. • Hand out the “Church Name Tags” children made during last week’s lesson, and help them attach the name tags to their clothing. If some of the name tags were damaged, or if children weren’t in class last week, have children make new name tags using the photocopiable handout. • Tell children you’ll raise your hand to get their attention. They should respond by raising their hands and focusing their attention on you. Rehearse this signal, and encourage the children to respond quickly so you’ll have time for all the fun activities in this lesson.
Attention Grabber
It’s important to say the Bible Point just as it’s written in each activity. Repeating the Bible Point over and over throughout the lesson will help kids remember it and apply it to their lives.
n Movie Stars Supplies: Bible Have children sit on the floor. Each child will have a chance to stand in the front of the class and view the children through the pocket kaleidoscope as you read one of the following actions aloud and the rest of the class acts out the motion. If there are more than 10 children in the class, add more actions or repeat some actions the children most enjoyed.
• Smile. • Give yourself a hug. • Look mad. • Make scary faces. • Pretend you’re looking through binoculars. • Pat your nose. • Make muscles. • Frown. • Laugh. • Make goofy faces. After each child has had a turn, ask: • What happened to the people when you looked through the kaleidoscope? (They looked funny; they changed from how they really looked; I saw lots of the same person instead of just one.) Say: Everyone looked different through the pocket kaleidoscope because of the shape of the lens. Show children the lens. The Bible says before Jesus
When it comes to socializing with others, whether with close friends at school or guests in the home, first- and second-graders usually prefer to stick to samesex friendships. They thrive on organized games and group activities. They want to please teachers but are beginning to recognize their role in relation to their peers. They want to win and always be first, and they have a strong sense of competition with others.
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2 25
Lesson 2
came, nobody knew what God was like. No one could understand God because no one could see him clearly—just as you couldn’t see the class clearly when you looked through the kaleidoscope. But when Jesus came, everyone could see God clearly. And what’s even more exciting is that everyone could be changed to be more like God. Listen to what the Bible says. Read aloud 2 Corinthians 3:14b, 18 from an easy-to-read version of the Bible such as the Hands-On Bible in the child-friendly New Living Translation. Ask: • What is a veil? (Something a bride wears on her head; a cover; a lacy cloth.) Say: A veil is something that covers our eyes so we can’t see clearly. Ask: • What does the Bible mean by a veil that covers our minds? (That we can’t understand God; that we can’t see God.) Say: The Bible says we can’t see God clearly without Jesus. He’s too hard to understand. But Jesus takes the veil away. We can learn about God through Jesus. And today we’re learning that God can change our hearts so we become more like he is. Let’s learn about a time God took the veil away from a bad person and changed him into a good person who believed in Jesus.
Understanding the way your first- and second-graders think will give you clues to ways you can better help them understand how God loves all people the same. At this age, children are interested in concrete learning experiences such as dramatization and rhythms. They have a limited concept of time and space and are interested in the present but not in the past or future. They yearn for competence in developing skills but are not overly competitive yet.
Bible Insight Acts 7:58 places Paul (also known as Saul) at the stoning of Stephen, which triggered a great persecution of the followers of Jesus. As a Jew, Saul zealously joined the persecution of the Christians and set out to destroy the church until his miraculous conversion about five years after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
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Bible Exploration & Application n Saul Changes Supplies: Bible Clear an area of the room so there are no obstacles that children could trip over. Have the children sit on the floor. Open your Bible to Acts 9, and show children the words. Then tell the following story, and be ready to lead children in the actions. Say: Listen carefully as I tell this Bible story so you can follow my actions. After Jesus had gone back to heaven, there was a bad man named Saul, who hated Christians. When I talk about Saul during the first part of the story, pound one fist into the palm of your other hand to show that Saul was mean. Pause to practice pounding your fist into your palm. Saul (pound your fist) thought Christians were disobeying God. He didn’t realize that the Christians knew the truth about God and Jesus and tried to obey God in everything they did. Saul (pound your fist) threatened the Christians and said he would kill all of them. Ask: • If you had been a Christian in those days, what would you have done if you knew Saul was coming to your town? (I would hide; I would run away; I’d try to tell him about Jesus.) Say: One day Saul (pound your fist) went to the high priest and asked for permission to arrest all the people who followed Jesus. The high priest thought it was a good idea, so he gave Saul (pound your fist) permission. Saul (pound your fist) traveled to a town called Damascus. Saul (pound your fist) and some others who were traveling with him started on the way to Damascus. Slap your thighs in a one-two rhythm to make the sound of walking. Pause for children to respond. As Saul (pound your fist) got close to the city, a bright light from heaven flashed around him. Shield your eyes. It was so bright that Saul fell to the ground and closed
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2
Saul Decides to Follow Jesus
his eyes. Now have children cover their eyes for the word Saul. He heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul!” Cover your eyes. Pause. “Why are you hurting me?” Saul (cover your eyes) didn’t know who was talking to him, so he asked, “Who are you?” The voice answered, “I am Jesus, the one you are hurting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Saul (cover your eyes) got up and opened his eyes, but he couldn’t see anything. The people who were traveling with him were amazed. They heard the voice that spoke to Saul (cover your eyes), but they didn’t see anyone. They took Saul’s hand and led him into Damascus. Let’s see how Saul (cover your eyes) may have felt when he couldn’t see. Have children stand up with their eyes covered. Then give directions such as “Walk three steps forward, turn around, and walk sideways for five steps.” Be sure your directions won’t cause any children to trip. Have children uncover their eyes and sit down again. Then ask: • What would it be like if you couldn’t see? (Scary; you wouldn’t know if you were going to run into something; you’d have to get other people to take you places.) Say: For three days Saul (cover your eyes) couldn’t see, and he didn’t eat or drink anything. Let’s rub our stomachs and make a growly noise to show how hungry Saul (cover your eyes) must have been. Pause. God spoke to a Christian named Ananias and told him to visit Saul (cover your eyes). Ananias was frightened because he knew that Saul (cover your eyes) had threatened to kill Christians. Show me how your face looks when you’re scared. Pause. Ananias said, “Lord, I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he’s come here to arrest all the Christians.” But God said, “Go, for I have chosen Saul (cover your eyes) to do important things. He will tell many people about me.” Ananias obeyed God. He went to the house where Saul (cover your eyes) was and put his hands on Saul (cover your eyes). Then he said, “Saul (cover your eyes), Jesus sent me to you. He is the one you met on the road to Damascus. Jesus sent me so you can see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” As soon as Ananias spoke, something like fish scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. Now, whenever I talk about Saul, let’s draw a heart in the air (draw a heart in the air) to show that he became a loving person instead of a mean person. Saul (draw heart) got up and was baptized to show that he wanted to follow Jesus. After that he ate some food and felt much better. Let’s pat our stomachs to show that Saul (draw heart) was full and felt better. Pause. Saul (draw heart) spent several days with Jesus’ followers in Damascus. He learned lots about Jesus. Soon he was even preaching that Jesus is the Son of God. All the people who heard him were amazed at how much he had changed. They said, “Isn’t this the man who was trying to destroy everyone who believes in Jesus? He even came here to arrest all of us! And now he believes in Jesus.” Saul (draw heart) learned so much about Jesus that no one could argue with him. The people he talked to were convinced that Jesus is the Son of God. Everything about Saul (draw heart) changed—he became a kind, loving
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2 27
Lesson 2
person, and he believed in Jesus. After a while, people started calling him Paul. Paul spent the rest of his life telling people about Jesus’ love. God changed Saul’s heart, and Saul (draw heart) became a better person. God can change our hearts, too. Let’s talk about that some more.
Hands-on Bible Give each pair of students a banana, two wooden toothpicks, and a small bowl of chocolate syrup. Have paper towels available. Have the children open their Hands-On Bibles to Acts 9 and find the “Inside Out” activity nearby. Say: Saul was a mean person, but we learned in our Bible story today that God changed Saul from the inside out. And God can change our hearts, too. Let’s do an experiment to see what that’s like. Let’s read the “Inside Out” activity and try this together. Read the activity with the class, and follow the instructions. Be sure you have adequate adult supervision to assist children as needed. As children are enjoying their snack, have them discuss the following questions with a partner: • What’s one thing you need to change in your heart? (I need to be nicer to my little brother; I need to obey my mom when she asks me to do something.)
See page 5.
• How can God help you change your heart? (By helping me trust him; before I do something I shouldn’t, I can pray and ask God to help me be good.) Close in prayer, asking God to change each of us from the inside out.
n Changed Hearts
If children have trouble cutting out hearts, make several different-sized hearts yourself, and let the children use them as patterns to trace. A simple way to make a heart shape is to fold a paper in half and cut an elongated half circle from the folded edge out.
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Supplies: white and colored construction paper, scissors, glue, tape, markers, CD player Have children cut different-sized hearts out of colored track 8 construction paper. Then have them each glue or tape the hearts to a sheet of white construction paper and use markers to turn them into pictures. For example, four small hearts with the points facing the center could create a flower, a single large heart could be the face of a beautiful princess, or several hearts in a row could form a caterpillar. While the children are making their heart pictures, ask: • Why do you think Saul was so mean to the Christians at first? (Because they believed different things about Jesus; because he didn’t understand what they knew was true about Jesus.) • Why do you think the bright light and the voice made him change? (Because he got scared into changing; because he knew it was God.) • What do you think it means that God can change our hearts? (It means that God can help us do good things; that God changes us so we’re like him.) • Why do our hearts need to be changed? (Because we do wrong; because we don’t always follow God.)
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2
Saul Decides to Follow Jesus
• What would you like to have changed about your heart? (Sometimes I lie; sometimes I get angry; sometimes I fight with my sister.) Ask several volunteers to tell you about their drawings. Then say: Look how you’ve changed these hearts. When you started, you had several individual hearts, but now you’ve changed them into a beautiful picture of something else. We can be changed, too. Listen to what the Bible says can happen to us. This is our Bible verse for today, from 2 Corinthians 5:17: “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” When God changes our hearts, it makes us new creations. Just as you changed your paper hearts into beautiful pictures, God can change our hearts. Hold up a piece of white construction paper and the color-change marker. This is a special marker. When I color with the colorful end, like this (scribble a patch on the white paper with the bright coloring tip of the color-change marker, and then hold up the paper again), I am reminded that sometimes I do wrong things. The Bible calls that sin. But when I am sorry for my sin, God forgives me, and he changes my heart on the inside. Use the other side of the color-change marker to draw a heart in the center of the color. The heart shape reminds me that God loves me and forgives me. I am a new person! Have children think of a sin they are sorry about and would like to ask God’s forgiveness for. Then have them take turns using the color-change marker to scribble a patch on the white part of their picture and then draw over it using the marker’s other tip. Say: The color change reminds us that God forgives us because he loves us so much. When we tell God we are sorry for our sins, God can change our hearts. If you just told God you are sorry for your sin, he just changed your heart! Play the song “Anyone Who Belongs to Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17) on the CD (track 8). Encourage the children to sing along as you play it a second time. Song lyrics are in the back of this teacher guide. Say: With God, we can become new on the inside! Now let’s see what a flower can teach us about change on the inside.
n God’s Beauty Supplies: Bible, one sheet of white paper Have children sit in a circle. Ask them to tell about a time they had a bad attitude about something. For example, someone might talk about having a bad day and taking it out on a little brother. As they share, ask them to scribble with the bright side of the color-change marker on the paper. Say: The Bible says Jesus is the way to God. Listen while I read this verse from the book of Romans. Read Romans 3:22a aloud.
Make it a point this week to send a note of encouragement to each child in your class. In your notes, tell the children that you love them and that you are praying for them. And don’t forget to follow through on that promise!
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2 29
Lesson 2
First- and second-graders, who think in concrete terms, may struggle to understand an abstract concept such as a “change of heart.” Focus on change in the way they think about God—a spiritual change of heart— to explain the term, and watch for opportunities to talk about the differences between physical and spiritual needs.
Say: The Bible says God sent Jesus Christ to change our hearts. If we place our faith in Jesus, we will be changed on the inside. Even though it can be hard sometimes, change can be good! We’re going to change these scribbles into a beautiful collage. Think of the things that are special about you—the things that make you like Jesus. For example, something special about my heart is that I love being with first- and second-graders. Draw some sort of design over some of the color on the paper with the colorchange side of the marker. Pass the color-change marker around the circle. Have each child tell one reason he or she is special, use the color-change side of the marker, and then pass the marker and paper to the next person. Continue until everyone has had an opportunity to change the color on the paper. It’s OK if each child says several special things. Be ready to help children think of reasons they’re special. Be sure to choose internal characteristics such as kindness and love rather than external characteristics such as having pretty clothes or beautiful eyes. Ask: • How did it feel to say and hear reasons you are special? (It felt good; embarrassing; nice; funny.) • How does being friends with Jesus make us special? (We never have to feel lonely; God will be happy with us because we’re friends with his Son.) Say: The special things about us changed this scribble art into a beautiful design. And the special thing about being friends with Jesus is that we can be friends with him forever. Sometimes changes can be hard, but when we’re friends with Jesus, he changes our hearts for good. If we are sorry for our sins and believe in Jesus, we will live with him in heaven one day. And while we are on earth, Jesus will always be with us, helping us change on the inside and become more like him. If Jesus is our forever friend, God can change our hearts so we’re more like Jesus. Return the color-change marker to the Learning Lab.
Closing n Changed on the Inside Supplies: wet wipes Ask: • What do you remember about our lesson today? (That God can change my heart; that God can help me do good things instead of bad things.) Have the children sit in a circle. Pass the pumice rocks around the circle. Have the children gently rub one of the rocks on the palms of their hands and then pass the rock on to the next person. When the rocks come back to you, put them away, and have children feel the palms of their hands. Ask: • How does your palm feel? (Dirty; icky; gross; dusty.) Say: Just as the rocks make our hands feel dirty, doing wrong things makes us dirty on the inside. When God changes our hearts, he makes us clean on the inside. Let’s clean our hands now. 30
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2
Saul Decides to Follow Jesus
Have children wash their hands if you have easy access to a sink, or pass around wet wipes for them to use. Otherwise, just have them dust off their hands. When everyone has clean hands, pray: Thank you, God, for making us clean on the inside. Thank you, God, for making us brand-new persons. We know that you can change our hearts. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Growing closer to Jesus extends beyond the classroom. Photocopy the “Growing Together” handout (at the end of this lesson) for this week, and send it home with your children. Encourage children and parents to use the handout to plan meaningful activities on this week’s topic. Follow up the “Growing Together” activities next week by asking children what their families did together.
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Grades 1 & 2 31
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Today your child learned that God can change our hearts. Children learned that God makes people into new creations when they believe in Jesus. They learned that God can make us clean on the inside so we can shine in praise of him. Use these ideas to help your child understand how God changes us to be more and more like Jesus.
Food Fun
Candy Creatures
Together with your child, make pancakes for breakfast. Mix the ingredients, and talk about how the mixture changes as each ingredient is added. Supervise while your child pours batter in a skillet. Watch the batter change into a cooked pancake. Talk about the way people change when they start living for God. Have your child use fruit, jelly, or peanut butter to turn the pancake into a self-portrait. Give thanks to God for making your child a new person from the inside out.
Have each family member make a candy caterpillar by sticking gumdrops onto a toothpick. Break another toothpick into pieces to make legs and antennae. Use cotton candy from a discount store to form cocoons around the caterpillars. If you can’t find cotton candy, use quilt batting or cotton balls that have been pulled apart. Talk about how caterpillars are changed from crawling creatures into flying creatures. Explain to your child that a butterfly will never turn back into a caterpillar again. Talk about how we become new persons in Christ.
God’s Changes Think of all the things God changes, and praise him for his power. Make this brainstorming session into a prayer and worship time. Pray, “God, I thank you that you make the weather change from being warm in the summer to being cold in the winter.” Have your child respond with another praise about God’s power. End your prayer time by thanking God for changing your hearts.
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Changed Forever Your child will have fun with this weird goo. Mix cornstarch with water in a large mixing bowl until the mixture is the consistency of cake batter. Put the bowl in the kitchen sink or the bathtub to avoid a mess. Have your child take a handful of the goo and squeeze it. It’ll feel like it’s turned into a hard ball, but as soon as your child opens his or her hand, the goo will return to a liquid. Talk about how, unlike the goo, when God changes a person, the change lasts.
Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Grades 1 & 2 granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com
