NT-01

"Zechariah, Elizabeth and the Birth of John”

Big Idea

God means what he says.

Schedule

1. Small Groups: Drawing activity (5 min)

2. Big Group: Lesson (20 min)

3. Verse Activity: Fainting activity (5 min)

4. Small Groups: Index card chain activity (10-15 min)

Materials Needed

Piece of paper,   Marker,   Small marker board,   Dry erase marker,   Paper clips

Index cards cut in half with holes punched through the top and bottom with a hole punch

Before Big Group

1. Explain the following, writing the big idea below on the chalk/wipe board:

    The big idea for today is "God means what he says." We'll find out more about what this means in big group time.

2. Ask, "If you completely lost the ability to speak, what are some different ways you could communicate with others?" As the children respond, have one child record their responses on a piece of a paper. Bring this paper with you to big group time.

3. Explain that one way you could communicate with others without a voice would be to carry around a notebook or tablet and write down or draw what you want to tell people. Have one child demonstrate this by silently drawing something on the board with the other children trying to guess what it is they are drawing. Repeat as time allows.

After Big Group

1. Explain the following:

    Our big idea for today is "God means what he says." In our story, Zechariah heard a message from God directly from an angel. But, because he thought that what the angel said just couldn't happen, he didn't really believe that God could do what he said. But God did, and he did exactly what he said he'd do.

2. Ask, "God doesn't normally send angels to get a message to us. What's the best way for us to get a message from God today?" (Answer: Read our Bibles.) We call the Bible "God's Word," because it contains God's message to us. But do we believe God means what he says? Or do we sometimes doubt like Zechariah did? Let's take a look at some of the things God said in the Bible.

    Divide the children into groups of two or three. Hand each group an index card half and two paper clips. Have them place each paper clip through one of the holes of the card. Have them write, in small lettering across the top of the card, "What God Said" on the front, and "Did God mean it?" on the back.

    Assign each group one of the verses listed below. Have them look up and quietly read their verse together (with younger children, do this activity with them as one group). On the front of their card, have them write a summary of what God said in that verse. On the back, have them write "Yes!" to indicate that God meant what he said. When each group is finished, group around to each group, having them share what God said in the verse, and whether or not he meant it. As they share, attach each index card to the others, until they are all connected. If time allows, have each group look up another verse.

    Verses: Phil. 4:19, John 3:16, James 1:5, John 6:47, Matt. 28:20, James 4:8

    Genesis 9:11, Romans 8:28,

3. Hand each child a journal page. Have them fill it out, writing down the big idea “God means what he says” and how they can use it in their life (Examples: I can believe God's promises in the Bible.) Place the page in their journal binder.