Lesson 1: The lost coin.
Passage: Luke 15:8-10 - Jesus tells a story of a woman who lost one of her ten silver coins. She searches everywhere for it, and rejoices when she finally finds it. Likewise, there is rejoicing in heaven when one lost person comes back to God, because each of us is special and precious to God.
Big Idea: God is joyful over you.
For Teachers:
-
Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug and introduce yourself. Ask them about their week.
Warm Up Activity: Sensory Bins — Activity Leader
Rice, rakes/shovels, coins, and paper roll tubes. Kids are free to explore the sensory bins with their hands and search for the hidden coins.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we are starting something brand new. We’ll be learning about some of the stories Jesus told to teach us about God. Today’s story is about a woman who lost her special silver coin and searched all over her home just to find it.
Let's watch our video to learn more…
Play Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Have you ever lost a toy or something that means a lot to you?
How did you feel when you lost it? What did you do?
How do you think the woman in the story felt when she lost her special coin? What about when she finally found it again?
Did you know that just like the coin was special to the woman, we are also special and precious to God?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you that you love each of us so much and that we are very special and precious to you. You know every single one of us by name, and you want us to get to know you too. May we learn more about you and grow closer to you every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Coin Purse Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will cut a bag shape out of felt (some pre-cut shapes will also be available), and glue it onto the paper. They can glue coins around the bag as well as the Bible verse.
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
-
Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit near the TV. Wait for children to arrive. Introduce yourself and ask about their week.
Warm up Activity: SPLAT — Activity Leader
Kids will form a circle with one kid (the “splatter”) standing in the middle. The “splatter” will randomly point to someone and shout “SPLAT!” The player pointed to must duck, then the two players on either side of the “ducker” must splat each other by pointing to one another and saying “SPLAT!” The last one to plat sits down, and the player ducking stands back up.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we are starting a brand new series about the stories that Jesus told his followers to teach them important lessons about God.
Today's story is about a woman who lost something really important to her.
Let's watch our video to find out more...
Play Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Did you ever lose something that was very special to you?
How did you feel and what did you do?
How do you think the woman in the story felt when she lost her coin? What did she do when she finally found it again?
What do you think this story teaches us about how God feels about us?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you that just like the silver coin was precious to the woman in the story, we are also precious to you. Thank you that you love us and that we can talk to you whenever we want because you care about us so much. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Coin Purse Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will cut a bag shape out of felt (some pre-cut shapes will also be available), and glue it onto the paper. They can glue coins around the bag as well as the Bible verse.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
-
Welcome — Activity Leader
Welcome the kids to class and introduce yourself.
Warm Up Activity: Heads Up Seven Up — Activity Leader
Seven kids (or a different number depending on group size) will be called to stand at the front. The rest of the kids will close their eyes and stick up their thumbs. The seven kids at the front will walk around and each touch the thumb of another kid before returning to the front of the room. If a kid’s thumb is touched, they will put it down right away. Once all seven kids have returned to the front, everyone will open their eyes and try to guess who touched their thumb.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we are starting a brand new series on the Parables of Jesus. Does anyone know what a parable is? (a story that is told to teach a deeper truth)
The parable that we'll be learning today is about a woman who had several silver coins but lost one of them.
Read: Luke 15:8-10
Let's watch our video to find out more...
Play Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Have you ever lost something that was very important to you? What was it?
How did you feel when you lost it and what did you do?
What happened in the story Jesus told his followers?
What deeper truth do you think the story is teaching us about God and us?
Can you think of a time when you felt far away from God? What did you do to feel closer to God?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the story we learn today, and how it teaches us that you love each and every one of us and that we are precious to you, just like the lost coin was precious to the woman in the story. Thank you that you want to have a relationship with us and that you listen to our prayers. Please help us to get to know you more and grow closer to you every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Felt Purse Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will each receive a sheet of felt, fold it in half, and cut out a bag shape (both sides matching). Then they can take a needle and thread and stitch around the sides (leaving the top open) to create a bag. They can also braid some thread or add a string as a strap.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver
For Parents:
-
What was the story you learned about in class today?
What was it that the woman in the story lost that was so special to her?
Can you think of something that's very special and important to you? How do you think you would feel if you lost it? What would you do?
What do you think the story is teaching us about how God feels about us?
-
What was the story you learned about in class today?
What was it that the woman in the story lost that was so special to her? What did she do?
What do you think the story teaches us about how God feels about us?
What are some ways that we can grow closer to God every day?
-
What was the story you learned about in class today?
What did the woman in the story do when she found out that she lost her special coin? What did she do once she had finally found it?
What do you think is the bigger message of the story about the woman and her missing coin?
What are some things that help you feel closer to God?
