Lesson 1: Jesus prays for his friends.
Passage: John 17 - Jesus prays and speaks to God about his mission and his followers. First, he asks the Father to glorify him so that he can glorify God and give eternal life to those who believe. Then, he prays for his disciples, asking God to protect them, keep them unified, and set them apart in the truth as they continue his work in the world. Finally, he prays for all future believers, desiring that they would be united in love, just as he and the Father are one, so that the world may know God’s love.
Big Idea: Jesus prays for us.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome Activity: (5 minutes) - All leaders
Greet the children with the iPad roster outside the classroom door. Check-in the children in your classroom as they arrive.
Invite the children in to sit in a circle on the circle time rug.
Once everyone has arrived introduce yourselves and explain what they will be doing today.
Circle Time Question: Ask them to share one thing they like about the spring? (Flowers, warm weather, playing outside, baby animals etc)
Warm Up Activity: — Bug in a Rug (5 minutes)
Setup: Children dance or move around while music plays.
Action: When the music stops, kids curl up small like bugs with heads down.
Hidden Bug: One child is covered with a blanket or rug.
Guessing: The other children stand up and try to guess who is hidden under the blanket.
Transition to Bible Lesson (2 minutes)
That was amazing kids! You guys are great guessers, and great bugs!
Now it’s time to have a seat, can you let me know you are ready to listen by giving a thumbs up?
Great work, let’s begin…
Bible Lesson: (8 minutes)
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we are starting something brand new. We’re going to be learning all about the Easter Story from our favourite Nana Alex!
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What are some things you like to pray for? Do you pray for your friends and family? Do you feel close to God when you pray?
Why do you think Jesus prayed for his friends?
Jesus’ prayed that we would love each other. How can we show love to our family and friends?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us and praying for us. Help us to be kind, love others, and remember that you are always with us. And help us to remember that we can pray and talk to you about anything because you listen to us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Jesus Praying Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will glue the pre-cut parts of the picture onto their paper and colour.
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Use Roster iPad to dismiss each child and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome: (3 minutes)
Invite children to join you on the carpet at the front of the class
Using the Roster iPad check in all children to the classroom.
Introduce yourself and the other leaders today.
Warm Up Activity: (5 minutes) — Spot the Leader
Have the entire group stand in a circle.
Ask for one volunteer to be the guesser and have them leave the room or stand in the middle and close their eyes.
Secretly choose a leader.
Once the leader is chosen, the guesser can open their eyes and return to the center of the circle. The leader begins a subtle, repetitive action (e.g., clapping, touching their nose, tapping their foot).
Follow the leader: The rest of the group must discreetly observe and imitate the leader's action as quickly and seamlessly as possible. The key is to follow without staring at the leader to avoid giving them away.
Change actions: The leader should change the action frequently (every 10-15 seconds) to make the game challenging. Everyone else must follow the new action with a slight delay so the change doesn't immediately reveal the source.
The guesser tries to identify the leader.
Transition to Bible Story — (2 minutes)
That was fun! We have great leaders and great guessers.
We are going to start our bible lesson soon so can we make sure we are facing the TV?
When you are ready to begin could I get you to give a thumbs up? Great!
So today we are going to be learning about when Jesus prayed for his friends. This is one of the stories we read each year as we get closer to Easter.
Now let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Play Video Easter Stories Lesson 1
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Why do you think Jesus prayed for his friends? What were some of the things he prayed for? (for God to take care of them, for them to be filled with God’s love and united as one)
What do you think it means that Jesus wants all of his followers to be united as one? Is it like being on the same team and looking out for each other? How can we do that?
Who are some people that you can pray for?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear Jesus, thank you for praying for us and for teaching us how to love one another. Please help us to be kind, work together, and share your love with others. And help us remember that we can pray to you whenever we want because you’re always listening. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Jesus Praying Craft
Use the supplies provided to create a craft of Jesus praying.
Dismissal: Dismiss children using the roster IPad and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — All Leaders
Welcome the kids to class and introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: (5 minutes) — Spot the Leader
Have the entire group stand in a circle.
Ask for one volunteer to be the guesser and have them leave the room or stand in the middle and close their eyes.
Secretly choose a leader.
Once the leader is chosen, the guesser can open their eyes and return to the center of the circle. The leader begins a subtle, repetitive action (e.g., clapping, touching their nose, tapping their foot).
Follow the leader: The rest of the group must discreetly observe and imitate the leader's action as quickly and seamlessly as possible. The key is to follow without staring at the leader to avoid giving them away.
Change actions: The leader should change the action frequently (every 10-15 seconds) to make the game challenging. Everyone else must follow the new action with a slight delay so the change doesn't immediately reveal the source.
The guesser tries to identify the leader.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we are starting a series on the Easter Story.
What are some things you and your family do the celebrate Easter?
Before we watch our video, let’s read the passage together.
Read: John 17 (you can split this up in sections and have different kids read. It’s a long passage)
Now let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
One of the things that Jesus prayed for was unity among all believers. Why do you think it’s important for Christians to be united?
How does knowing that Jesus prayed for you personally change the way you see your faith?
Jesus also wanted his followers to show God’s love to the world. How can we do that in our daily lives?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear Jesus, thank you for praying for your disciples and for everyone who would come to believe in you. Help us to grow in faith, stay strong in truth, and show your love to others. May we be united as your followers and bring glory to your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Jesus Praying Craft — Activity Leader
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Who are some people that you like to pray for?
How does it make you feel to know that Jesus prayed for you?
What are some ways that we can love our family and friends like Jesus wants us to?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Why do you think Jesus prayed for his disciples and us?
Jesus asked God to protect his followers. What are some ways God takes care of us today?
Jesus also asked God to help us love one another. What are some ways that we can show love and kindness to others?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
How do you think Jesus’ prayer in the story show his love for us?
One of the things Jesus prayed for was unity among his followers. What do you think unity looks like in your life (at school, church, home, etc.)?
Jesus also prayed for God to protect his followers. What are some ways God protects and takes care of us?
Who are some people you can remember to pray for each day?
