Date: September 24, 2023
Early Childhood Essential: God is in control.
Memory Verse: “The Lord looks at the heart.” -1 Samuel 16:7
Bible Story Focus: David Protects His Sheep (1 Samuel 17)
Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, children will hear about David’s life before he became the king. Children will see that God was in control of David’s life even when he faced trials as a shepherd. Children will learn that even though David became a good king, he wasn’t as great as our Forever King.  

Circle Time Questions: (Preschool Purple Only)

• What kinds of things does a shepherd do?

Activities:

• Cotton Ball Sheep Craft

Date: September 24, 2023
Early Childhood Essential: God is in control.
Memory Verse: “The Lord looks at the heart” –1 Samuel 16:7
Bible Story Focus: David Protects His Sheep (1 Samuel 17: 34-37)
Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, children will hear the story of David protecting his sheep from a lion and a bear. This story helps us see that David trusted God with his life and that God is faithful in watching over his “sheep.” Children will understand that just like David loves and watches over his sheep, our forever king, loves and watches over us too.

Circle Time Questions:

• Have you ever been afraid of something before?

I Wonder Questions (Snack Time Discussion):

• How did David protect his sheep?
  • He fought a big bear that was trying to eat them.
• How is a shepherd like a king?
  • A shepherd takes care of his sheep like a king should take care of his people.
• Who is in control?
  • God is in control.

Activities:

• 8:30am/11:00am: Sheep Snack
• 9:45am: Cotton Ball Sheep Craft

Date: September 24, 2023
Unit: A Plan to Rescue: The Story of Noah and the Flood
Elementary Essential: God is good: He always keeps his promises.
Memory Verse: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. -Hebrews 11:1
Unit Overview:

Through the study of Noah and the flood, students will learn how God is just and merciful. God saved Noah and his family from a vast flood that destroyed every other living thing on earth, including all humans. The story shows us that God hates sin and judges those who participate in it and that he is faithful to those who turn from their sin and put their trust in him. It also foreshadows what is to come when God will destroy the earth of all wickedness and rescue his people once and for all.

Lesson Title: Building on Faith
Lesson Overview:

Kids will read Genesis 6:11-22. After participating in measurement activities to help them understand just how big of a task God gave Noah, they will discuss the parallels between the ark, which God used to rescue Noah and his family, and the cross, which God sent his son to die on to rescue us from our sin. Each kid will decorate and/or take a home a wooden cross to help them remember today’s lesson.

Lesson Scripture: Genesis 6:5-9:17
Lesson Objective: Kids will connect Noah building the ark to God rescuing his people from sin.
Lesson Application: I can trust that God kept his promise to send us a rescuer of our sin, just like he kept his word to rescue Noah from the flood.

Date: September 24, 2023
Unit: God is With Us
Elementary Essential: God is relational: He invites us to know him and dwells with his people.
Memory Verse: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.’” -Revelation 21:3
Unit Overview:

This year, fourth and fifth graders at The Crossing will take a closer look at who God is by participating in six units that reveal more about his character. 4th and 5th graders will investigate scripture to uncover what the Bible teaches about God dwelling with his people, despite the fact we are sinful and unworthy of him. The image of the temple appears not just in the Old Testament, but throughout scripture. Having a right understanding of this transforms our view of God, the work of Christ on the cross, the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts today, and our hope for our forever home in the new heavens and the new earth. By examining the temple, we learn the depth of God’s investment in his people.

Lesson Title: God became man in Jesus (Immanuel) and came to live with us so that someday we could live forever with him.
Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, 4th and 5th graders will take a closer look at how God dwells with his people as Immanuel—God with us through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Lesson Scripture: Matthew 1:18-2:11, John 1, John 2:13-22, Matthew 27:45-51
Activity: Each table group will use crepe paper and other decorations to turn one of their table members into a Christmas tree in 5 minutes. The winning table group will enjoy candy canes.