Grow: Where Are We Now

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K/1st Grade – Nov 12

Gather, Grow, Go  Lesson 2

Grow: Where Are We Now Bible Verse The seed that fell on good soil are those who hear the word and commit themselves to it with a good and upright heart. Through their resolve, they bear fruit. (Luke 8:15)

Teacher Enrichment This lesson is the second in a three part series entitled Gather, Grow, Go. As Arcola UMC looks to expand its physical footprint, we as a congregation must continue to be rooted in our mission of creating disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Disciples, who gather in Christian community, grow in their relationship with God and go into the world to spread God’s love. This series will examine the history of Arcola Church as a Christian community, evaluate how we are growing today as a church and envision how Arcola Church will continue to make disciples of Jesus in the future. This lesson focuses on the concept of Grow. Arcola UMC believes the people of the church should Grow in their relationship with God. Just as Jesus described in the parable of the Sower in the Book of Luke, chapter 8, we must plant ourselves in good soil in order to nurture that relationship and grow closer to God. In order to continue “being the church” and creating disciples of Jesus, we must first establish and foster our own personal discipleship. Regular Bible study, a solid prayer life and a Christian community of accountability are the sun, water and soil that allow us to grow in God. In this lesson, children will learn the parable of the Sower and relate seeds being planted in good soil to rooting themselves in actions that bring them closer to God. Children will explore practical ways they can grow closer to God and how the church community supports those practices. As you prepare to teach this lesson, read Luke 8:4-15 to familiarize yourself with the parable of the Sower.

Before Class Begins  Place the Sign In sheet and a pen where parents can see it upon arrival.  Place the Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards and pens where students can see them upon arrival.  Check that you have supplies for this lesson: - Arrival Activity, Watering Flowers Coloring Page – 1 per child - Plant Growing Cards & God Growing Cards - Poster Board - Small cups, Dirt, Seeds - Pre-printed popsicle sticks  Place an arrival activity at each place on the table.

Welcome SUPPLIES: Sign In sheet, Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards, Attendance chart, stickers, pens, Watering Flowers coloring page, crayons  Greet each child individually as they arrive. Introduce yourself by name.  Help children find or add their name on the attendance chart. Provide each child  

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with a sticker to place in today’s column on the attendance chart. Encourage children to complete a Joy or Concern card if they have a particular joy or concern they would like to express. Collect completed Joy & Concern cards. Encourage children to complete a Time or Talent offering card if they gave their time to God or used their talents to serve God or others during the previous week. Children should keep their own completed Time and Talent cards. If children bring monetary offering, they should keep it with them. Direct children to color the Watering Flowers Coloring Page. Encourage conversation among the children and with you! Get to know the children in your classroom by asking about their week including school, activities and families. Introduce new children to each other and encourage friendships.

Children’s Worship Gather, Grow, Go  Lesson 2

SUPPLIES: Sign In sheet, Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards  Arrive at Ruth Hall at 9:20 or 11:05.  Bring the Sign In sheet and completed Joy & Concern cards to Ruth Hall. Hand the     

Joy & Concern cards to the Children’s Worship leader as you arrive. Have children bring their completed Time & Talent cards and any monetary offering. If additional children arrive while in Ruth Hall, have parents complete the Sign In sheet and remind parents that pickup is in Room 107. Encourage children to participate in Children’s Worship and provide re-direction if necessary. Assist the Children’s Worship leader as needed. At the conclusion of Children’s Worship, children will enter the Great Room with their Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Shoeboxes will be blessed by Pastor Chris as part of the offering portion of worship. Upon exiting the Great Room, lead children back to Room 107.

The Lesson SUPPLIES: Poster board, Plant growing cards; Growing in God cards; Small cups, dirt, seeds, Growing in God popsicle sticks  Gather all the children in a circle on the carpet. As you are able, sit on the floor

with them or use a chair as part of the circle. SAY: Today we learned about growing. We heard a story Jesus told about a farmer who planted seeds. In order for the seeds to grow, the farmer needed to plant the seeds in good soil. Good soil, or dirt, is one thing plants need to grow. I have some other cards here. Let’s decide if each one is something plants need to grow or not.  Show one card at a time and have children determine if it helps plants grow.  If the object helps plants grow, use blue tape to tape it to the Plant side of the

poster board. SAY: Wow! Plants need a lot of things to grow. I think if we had all of these things we could grow some great plants.

Gather, Grow, Go  Lesson 2

SAY: Just like plants need water and soil and sun to grow, we need things for our hearts to grow closer to God. I have another set of cards. Let’s see which things would help us grow closer to God.  Show one card at a time and have children determine if it helps them grow closer

to God.  If the action helps them grow closer to God, use blue tape to tape it to the God side of the poster board. SAY: Wow! Just like this side of the poster is going to help plants grow, THIS side is really going to help us grow closer to God! If we pray and read the Bible and come to church and show love to others, we will grow closer to God! SAY: Today we are going to plant a seed for you to take home. You can give it all of these things (point to Plant side of poster) and over the next few weeks you will be able to watch it grow. It will remind you of how God wants YOU to grow closer to Him! It will remind you to make sure you are in good soil – doing all the things on the God side of our poster – so you will grow closer to God.  Have the children move from the carpet to seats at the tables.  Give each child a small cup.  Help children plant their seeds - Fill cup about half full with dirt. - Create a small indentation in the center. - Place 2 seeds in the hole. - Cover seeds with additional dirt. - Add a few drops of water.  Place a “Growing in God” popsicle stick in dirt.

Closing  Lead the children in a closing prayer. You may say your own prayer, ask one of the

children to say a prayer or use the one below. God, Thank you for giving me ways to grow closer to you. Help me be like a plant that grows in good soil. Gather, Grow, Go  Lesson 2

Amen  If time remains before parents arrive, encourage children to return to their coloring page if they did not complete it. Also encourage conversation between children and with you. This is another opportunity to build relationships with the children in your classroom!

Gather, Grow, Go  Lesson 2

Plant Growing Cards

Water Soil Sun Air Candy Rocks Birds

Gather, Grow, Go  Lesson 1

Growing in God Cards

Pray Read Bible Go to Church Love Others Help Others Mean Words Eat Candy Sleep in Church Gather, Grow, Go  Lesson 1