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This thread is for posting your Workshop Lessons and Ideas for teaching Phillipians 2:5-11

"...he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross..."

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Philippians 2
5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form,
8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (NRSV)

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Philippians 2:5-11

Computer Workshop


Summary of Lesson Activities:

Uses Cal & Marty's Scripture Memory Game CD and Let's Talk CD (Sunday Software)

"...he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross..."

Both the Cal and Marty and Let's Talk software programs

are now free to the supporting members of Rotation.org!

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"Teaching Philippians 2:5-11 ....Paul's understanding of the Cross"

In many of computer labs, you see both of these workhorse programs installed on computers. Here's a great lesson plan for using them both together for a memorable and fun lesson about the meaning of the Cross.

The game idea can be used to teach DOZENS OF OTHER STORIES.

Philippians 2:5-11
"...he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross..."

In a mere 7 verses, Paul summarizes God's purpose in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It's powerful stuff! ...and a great passage to have kids memorize, or at least become extremely familiar with. In this lesson plan, your students will break the verse down into its most ESSENTIAL KEY WORDS. The process of doing so will not only help them remember it, but understand it. The final result is a life application.

I have attached my Philippians 2:5-11 Memory Verse text file for use in the Cal and Marty's Scripture Memory Game software. Do not edit it outside of the Cal and Marty verse editor as the text file has special spacing for the program. See the Cal and Marty support page for the correct way to Copy and Paste a verse text file into the installed Cal and Marty game.


Lesson Plan


Opening:

Greet the children and introduce yourself.

Open with a prayer.

Dig:

Step 1: Conduct a Read Through Bible Study around the table. (10 min)

FIRST: Identify and EXPLAIN key vocabulary BEFORE your class starts reading the verses together (otherwise you have to start-stop your way through the verses and this doesn't help comprehension). There are several different interesting translations of this verse.

Probably the most important variant is found in verse 6. NRSV uses the word "exploited" where other translations use the word "grasped" or "held on to." Lots of discussion fodder there! You might even want to have kids following DIFFERENT translations to note the differences.

SECOND: UNPACK the verses. Don't assume your students "get" what the verses are alluding to. "Being found in human form" is strange English, especially to kids, and they may not realize Paul is talking about Christ's birth. Ask and EXPLAIN how Jesus was "obedient to the point of death".

They won't catch the ALLUSION to Isaiah 9 when Paul talks about God giving Jesus a name above every name. So read Isaiah 9 for the famous list of names for the Messiah (wonderful counselor...Prince of Peace). They won't understand that "under the earth" is a dramatic way of saying "everywhere" ....as it is a reference to numerous Old Testament descriptions of where water was stored (God separated the waters and made the dry land appear).

Step 2: Work on Memorizing
Working in groups of 2 or 3, have your students type the passage(s) into the Cal & Marty Scripture Memory Game's Verse Editor. (15 min)

Younger children should have the verses already entered in for them. Older children should do the entering in of the verses.

You can have each work group create the entire passage as a set in Cal & Marty, OR you can assign verses to different computers. Note: Attached is a Philippians verse set here for use in Cal & Marty's Scripture Memory Game if you're really short on time (see end of lesson).

Step 3: Unscramble the Verses in Cal & Marty's game (10 min)

When they are done using the verse editor, make sure they check their work, then have the teams play their own game. After that, switch computers and have them play the same set of verses on another computer and try to beat the other team's score!

If you are short on time, either type the verses into the editor yourself, or skip right to the "How Few Can You Do?" Game described below. Ideally, you would have your students do the typing because typing is part of the memory work, and they like to type. Have one type while another reads and checks the spelling of the typist. It should take a fifth grader about 10 minutes to put this entire verse set into the editor. Add more time if they also choose to add comments and quiz questions to each verse.

Depending on time you have and/or the age of your students, you might just do verses 5-9, or assign different verses to different computers.

For younger children, you can edit-in a shortened and simplified the Philippians 2:5-11 verses to something like:

Think like Jesus
Become a servant
Be obedient, even to death
Confess Jesus Christ is Lord


Even non-readers can unscramble these short verse if you're there to pronounce the words for them.

Step 4: Play the "How Few Can You Do?" game
with Let's Talk... (15 min)

CONDENSING DOWN the Philippians 2:5-11 passage is a Bible study game I call "HOW FEW CAN YOU DO?"

"Step 4" in this lesson plan can also be broken out as a Let's Talk lesson activity all on its own. It's a great way to use Let's Talk with any long passage.

Here's how you play...
First, split into teams and discuss the whole passage. Go over vocab. Explain that this is Paul writing to the churches. Then, have the teams use Let's Talk CD's "Talk Now" module to create a character and type in their condensed verses --which their onscreen character will speak aloud for the class in Rounds One and Two. (They can also do it on paper or whiteboard, --but it's not as much fun! Let's Talk is the software that speak aloud whatever the kids type.)

Round One: Have them condense the passage IN HALF. This will give them practice for round two.

Teacher: compare & contrast what the teams keep/eliminate. Ask the kids to debate.

Round Two: See who can come up with the SHORTEST version that still makes sense and captures the essential ideas.

Rule: they can only use words that are found in the verses.

Your "How Few Can You Do" results might look like this:

Think like Jesus
Become a servant
Be obedient,
Confess Jesus Christ
is Lord

(even more condensed)

Like Jesus
Servant
Obedient
Confess

Reflection:

There are two possible directions you can go to condense this passage. One is "about Jesus", but the second is "about us". In other words, the passage is about JESUS humbling himself. Or, it's about US doing things to confess Jesus as Lord. --Thinking like Jesus, serving like Jesus, being obedient like Jesus (taking up our own cross, so to speak).

For a final "life application" step.
Write out the best condensation in LARGE hollow letters on a posterboard. Then have the kids write phrases inside the letters that expand on the keywords. For example, inside the hollow letters for "Confess" they might write, "Don't be afraid to talk to God about your mistakes".

When they are done writing their comments, give them some glitter glue to decorate the letters and postboard so it will catch their eye every time they come into the lab.


This lesson technique works for all sorts of long passages and stories, and gives the teacher a lot of things to talk about with the kids. It can also be done without computers, but why remove half the fun??


A lesson by Neil MacQueen

Disclaimer: I am the owner of the software mentioned. My work with computers in CE grew out of my Rotation work. The Rotation Board has invited me to post my lab lessons and I appreciate that. I've since donated most of my software for use by the supporting members of Rotation.org

Attachments

Files (1)
For use only in the Cal and Marty software game
Last edited by Luanne Payne

Paul's Letter to Phillippians

Art Workshop

Scripture:

Philippians 2:1-4, 2:14-16a

Main Idea
How would we would look if we kept these verses close to our hearts and remembered them every time we interacted with others?


Lesson Objective:

At the end of the workshop the children should be able to tell what it means to be like-minded and to be one in spirit and purpose.
They should be able to tell some ways how they can look to the interests of others before themselves.
They should understand that Paul’s encouragement to do everything without complaining or arguing means not just with authority figures but even/especially with God’s commandments and the things Jesus wants us to do.

Materials:

  • pictures of people, either from magazines, newspapers, home (not returnable), or simple cut-outs
  • Large piece of poster paper, foam board, poster board, or display board-one per class.
  • glue or glue sticks
  • markers or pens
  • sticker stars (optional)


Preparation:

  1. Read Philippians chapters 1-4 (it’s not that long!)
  2. Read and familiarize yourself with the lesson and the craft.


Lesson Plan


Opening:

Welcome the Children to the Art Workshop
Ask for a volunteer to read Philippians 2:1-4. Have the children share some of the good things they thought about or did during the week. Could they tell any difference in how they felt when they were doing or thinking those things? You might want to list these on newsprint.

Dig:

Activity
This craft should take most of the class time. Have fun with it but keep in mind that this activity is designed to help the children be more focused on what God wants for them.

Explain that the board represents the spirit and that we are all one in the spirit. Ask the children what they think that means (accept all answers). 

Using only one posterboard or paper, have the children each draw a picture of themselves on the board-this does not need to be and should not be anything too fancy. If anyone is taking too long or keeping the class from moving on, that illustrates the first point of remembering to put others ahead of ourselves.
After drawings are complete, children should begin to glue their “people” to the board; explain to them that it’s ok to cover up the drawings in order to get all the pictures on. By gluing over our own pictures, this symbolizes and illustrates the second point of putting others ahead of ourselves No matter how full it gets, use only ONE board.
After all pictures are glued on, read Philippians 2:14-16a.
Ask: What does it mean to do everything without arguing or complaining? What is meant by everything?
Discuss:
We are to shine like stars as we hold out the word of life-what does that mean? (suggest, after discussing, that it means we are to be joyful as we share the gospel-not act like it’s a burden or annoying).
Have the children finish the poster by using markers to draw stars and write key words from the scripture today that will help them remember the lessons Paul wants us to learn.

Discussion (while children are making the collage)
  • Talk about the pictures. Discuss how it felt to have the drawing of themselves covered up.
  • Do they think that Jesus sees how they treat others? (let them answer-do not answer for them) Older children can be challenged a bit and asked why they think the way they do about this.
  • Ask why they think Jesus wants us to put others ahead of ourselves.
  • Ask each child to think of a connection from these verses to something in their own lives.
  • At 10:35, turn the children’s attention back to the shepherd, who will wrap up the discussion and pray with the children.


Clean up.

Have the children help clean up the room. Pick up scraps of paper, etc.

Reflection:

Reflection: Remind the children that they learned three important concepts today:
1) We are to be united as one in Christ
2) We are to put others ahead of ourselves
3) We are to shine like stars as we hold out the word of life.

Ask for any thoughts on this. Work on the memory verse.

Prayer: Ask for joys and concerns; be sure to pray over those and to incorporate them into the following prayer: Dear God, you are a generous God. You gave us your Son, your Spirit , and rules to live by to keep us safe and healthy. Help us to remember that you also gave us each other and that you have given us all of these things because You love us and that we should never complain or argue about them. Help us to be shining stars for you and to share your love with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


Art lesson written by Sharon Yacoviello, Fishers United Methodist Church,
Fishers Indiana.

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

Last edited by Luanne Payne

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