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They don't have to be complete ideas, just good ones Smile

Last edited by Luanne Payne
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Music

The following lyrics are easily sung to Amy Grant's "Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet" -found in numerous songbooks.


Refrain:
Peter will you go and spread my Word
Will you show the world I care,
Peter will you go and spread my Word
Will you show the world I care,

Verse 1:
Now the time is right,
to share my shining light,
Tell the world that I love them,

And I will be your guide,
I'll be by your side,
I'll be with you til the end....

Refrain

Verse 2:
To the nations you will go,
My heart you will now show,
Tell the world that I love them,

And I will be your guide,
I'll be by your side,
I'll be with you til the end....

Refrain

Peter lyrics by Neil. Have fun.


If you can't catch the phrasing, maybe these examples will help. Amy's lyrics in parentheses:

Pe-ter -will you go and spread my word
(Thy Word -is a lamp unto my feet)

Will you show -the world you care
(And a lamp -unto my feet)

To the nations you will go
(and when I feel afraid,)

my heart -you will now show
(And think -I've lost my way.)

Tell -the world -that I love them,
(Still -you're there -right beside me.)

Nothing -will I fear
(And I -will be your guide)

As long as You are near;
(I'll be right beside)

Please -be near me to the end.
(I'll -be with you to the end.)

Last edited by Rotation.org Lesson Forma-teer

Peter’s Rooftop Vision
Labyrinth / Prayer / Art Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

In this workshop, the learners will learn about a special type of cross called the Jerusalem cross. They will make one and walk a labyrinth of the cross while praying and listening to God.

Scripture Reference:

Acts 10:1-11:18

Memory Verse:
Acts 10:35:
“ . . . in every nation anyone who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to God.”

Concept for Kids:
In Peter's day, the Jews believe that the Messiah was only for the Jews, not for the Gentiles (non Jews).  To remind themselves to KEEP themselves separate, the Jews chose not to eat certain foods, like pork. When the Spirit shows Peter a vision of a blanket full of all kinds of food, Peter knew that the message of Jesus was for all, Jews and Gentiles. This was a HUGE shift for the disciples.

Children will understand the concept of the "IN" crowd, or the popular people. They will be able to talk about what groups are looked down on, or excluded, or put down.

What makes someone a Christian?

  • The particular church they go to?
  • The color of their skin?
  • How good they are?

When new Christians join our church, do they have to agree with us about everything, and do whatever we say?

Does our church restrict people from joining? Taking Communion?

How do we welcome people who are DIFFERENT than us to our church? to our class?

How can you reach out with Jesus' love to people who are different than you?  ...to people who are being persecuted for being different?

(This additional question content was added by Wormy)


Supplies:

  • The Children’s Bible;
  • black paper, matted;
  • gold and silver foil paper;
  • magnets to go on the backs of the pictures;
  • scissors,
  • glue,
  • pencils;
  • cd player;
  • cd with gentle, relaxing music or sounds;
  • labyrinth of a Jerusalem cross outlined on the floor;
  • copies of prayer sheets;
  • copies of handout about the labyrinth;
  • poster board with the memory verse on it.


Teacher preparation:

  • Read the Bible passages.
  • The story will be read from The Children’s Bible, so you might want to preview this, too.
  • Read over the background material included in your teacher packet as you review the lesson plan.


Lesson Plan


Opening:

Greet the children and introduce yourself. Remember that you are interacting with a different group of students each week—some may not know you. Wear your nametag and make sure that the children are wearing theirs.

Dig:

Read the story from The Children’s Bible, pp. 393-394 (stories #347 and #348.) Since the memory verse is from the NRSV Bible and not The Children’s Bible, use the poster board with the verse on it and go over it with the children, explaining that the term “fear” here means respect, reverence, or awe, not being afraid.

Ask:

  • What was Peter doing when he had his vision? (he was up on the roof alone, praying and sleeping)
  • What do you think God was telling Peter in the vision? (that the good news of God’s love is for everyone; lead them to the understanding that “everyone” means all the world.)


Show the children a picture of the Jerusalem cross. Ask them what makes this cross different from other crosses. Ask them how many crosses they see in this one cross. Explain the history and meaning of the cross using the following information:

The Jerusalem Cross was first used as a coat of arms for the Latin Kingdom in Jerusalem. During the Crusades, it was referred to as the “Crusaders Cross.” The four small crosses are symbolic of the four Gospels proclaimed to the four corners of the earth—to the north, south, east, and west—beginning in Jerusalem. The large cross symbolizes the person of Christ.

Point out Jerusalem on a map and indicate what is meant by the four corners of the earth by indicating north, south, east, and west.

Show the children the labyrinth of the cross on the floor. Explain that a labyrinth is an ancient symbol that has long been used as a meditation and prayer tool. It is a symbol that creates a scared space that takes us out of ourselves and into relationship with God. It isn’t a maze, with a puzzle to solve, but has only one path to follow. It provides an opportunity to experience the presence of God as you simply walk and allow the prayer to happen. Explain that prayer is often understood as a way of talking. Although we are aware of the many ways to say prayers to God, sometimes it is important to be very quiet and listen for God. On the rooftop, Peter prayed by listening.

Tell the children that while everyone is making a Jerusalem cross to take home, each child will get a chance to walk the labyrinth alone and use the time to listen to God and pray to God. Remind them that the more they listen, the more they can feel God talking with them. Let God’s spirit move according to its will rather their own. Tell them to let their imagination take them where God is, like Peter did. They should enjoy being close to God.

Start the children on the cross making. Have them cut out the five crosses on the gold or silver paper and glue them to the frame in the shape of the Jerusalem cross. They can glue a magnet on the back if they want one. As they are working, pull a child out one at a time and let them walk the labyrinth, praying to and listening for God. Have the cd of music or sounds playing softly in the background. Provide the prayer sheets if they want to use one. Continue until all children have had a turn in the labyrinth.

Reflection:

Let the children show off their Jerusalem crosses. Ask them what the crosses stand for as a way to review the meaning of the symbol. Show them that they can use their crosses as a mini-labyrinth by tracing the cross with their finger as they listen and pray.

Close with a prayer of your own, or use the following:
Gracious God, thank you for quiet times when we can talk to you and when we can listen to you. Give us guidance in our relationships with others. Amen.

Journal Time:
Help the shepherd pass out the journals. Ask the children to answer the following question:
What is something you said to God or heard from God in the labyrinth?

Adjustments for younger children:
The Beginner class members might need your help or the help of the shepherd in cutting out their crosses. If some of them don’t read yet, you should give them some prayer ideas orally before they enter the labyrinth.


References:

  • Activity Center Leaders’ Guide for The StoryTeller Series, Discovery Center. Christian Board of Publication, St. Louis, MO, c. 1998.
  • Age-Level Leaders’ Guide for The StoryTeller Series, Ages 4-5, Grades 3-4, Christian Board of Publication, St. Louis, MO, c. 1998.


A lesson written by Jan Marshall
from Brenthaven Cumberland Presbyterian Brentwood, TN

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.






Prayer Sheet

Pray for the children of Afghanistan.

Pray for the children of Liberia.

Pray for the children of Iraq.

Pray for our soldiers and the soldiers of other countries in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Pray for the children of countries where there’s not enough food for everyone.

Pray for the children of this country that don’t have enough to eat or a safe place to sleep.

Pray for those you know who are sick.

Pray for those you know who are troubled.

Pray for those you know who are mourning loved ones.

Pray for your parents.

Pray for your teachers.

Pray for our church.

Pray for yourself.

Pray that God’s spirit will guide you through this day and this week.

Stop and listen for God.

Last edited by Luanne Payne

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