The Lord’s Prayer, Week 1 (May 5, 2024)
Jesus’ teaches us how to pray.
Bible Passage: Matthew 6:9-13
Big Idea: God Is Our Loving Parent
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Welcome — Activity Leader — 2 minutes
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class and introduce yourselves.
Warm-Up Activity: The Lord’s Prayer Actions — Activity Leader — 7 minutes
Kids will watch the following video and spend time practice the actions — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d21nPdXIzUM
Intro & Bible Story — Bible Story Leader — 5 minutes
Today we’ll be learning all about the Lord’s Prayer that we just did the moves to. Has anyone every heard about the Lord’s Prayer before? It’s the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to follow.
Now we’re going to watch a video that teaches us a little bit more about the Lord’s Prayer.
Video Lesson — 5 minutes
The Lord’s Prayer (Cocoa Talk) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1A747zK37k
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader — 5 minutes
In the video we heard that there are different parts to the Lord’s Prayer, and we can learn something from each of them.
First, Jesus’ prayer starts by saying “Our Father in heaven” - what do you think about calling God “our father”?
This teaches us that God is like a parent who loves and cares about us, so we can talk to God and know that God is there listening and caring what we have to say.
Then we learn to say “hallowed be your name” - does anyone remember what “hallowed” means from the video?
It means to honor God’s name, or treat God with respect, just like we are taught to respect our own parents.
Does thinking of God as a parent who loves and cares about us change how you feel about God and how you want to pray to God?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader — 1 minute
“Dear God, thank you for everything we learned today about prayer, and how we can talk to you like we talk to a parent who loves and cares for us. We know that you are always there to listen to us no matter how we feel or what we want to say. Please help us to grow closer to you every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Craft: Hanging Poster — Activity Leader — 7 minutes
Kids will be given a mini poster with The Lord’s Prayer written on it. They can colour this and stick popsicle sticks to either side and attach string to make it a hanging poster
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Free Play — Both — 7 minutes
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver
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Welcome —Both— 3 minutes
Have the children sit near the TV. Welcome them to class. Introduce yourselves .
Warm Up Activity: The Lord’s Prayer Actions — Activity Leader — 7 minutes
Kids will watch the following video and spend time practicing the actions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d21nPdXIzUM
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader —5 minutes
Today we’ll be learning all about the Lord’s Prayer that we just did the moves to. This is the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to follow.
Has anyone heard about this prayer before? Can anyone say it from memory?
Now we’re going to watch a video that teaches us a little bit more about the Lord’s Prayer.
Video Lesson — 5 minutes
The Lord’s Prayer (Cocoa Talks): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1A747zK37k
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader — 5 minutes
In the video we heard that there are different parts to the Lord’s Prayer, and we can learn something from each of them.
First, Jesus’ prayer starts by saying “Our Father in heaven” - what do you think about calling God “our father”?
This teaches us that God is like a parent who loves and cares about us, so we can talk to God and know that God is there listening and caring what we have to say.
Then we learn to say “hallowed be your name” - does anyone remember what “hallowed” means from the video?
It means to honor God’s name, or treat God with respect, just like we are taught to respect our own parents.
Does thinking of God as a parent who loves and cares about us change how you feel about God and how you want to pray to God? In what way?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader — 1 minute
“Dear God, thank you for everything we learned today about prayer, and how we can talk to you like we talk to a parent who loves and cares for us. We know that you are always there to listen to us no matter how we feel or what we want to say. Please help us to grow closer to you every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Craft: Hanging Poster — Activity Leader — 10 mins
Kids will be given a mini poster with The Lord’s Prayer written on it. They can colour this and stick popsicle sticks to either side and attach string to make it a hanging poster
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver
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Welcome and Warm-Up — Activity Leader— 5 minutes
Welcome the kids to class, introduce yourselves.
Activity: Lord’s Prayer Actions
Kids will watch the following video and spend time practicing the actions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d21nPdXIzUM
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader —5 minutes
Today we’re going to be starting a two week mini-series on The Lord’s Prayer, which we just learned actions to.
Has anyone heard about the Lord’s Prayer before? Can anyone recite it from memory?
Now we’re going to watch a short video that talks a little bit more about what we can learn from Jesus’ prayer.
Video Lesson — 4 minutes
The Lord’s Prayer (Cocoa Time): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1A747zK37k
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader — 5 minutes
In the video we learn that there are different parts to The Lord’s Prayer. The first part is very simple, and it’s just “Our Father in Heaven” - do you usually address God as father when you pray? If not, how do you usually address God?
The thing is that God is not really male or female but the Bible often refers to God as father. However, there are also times in the Bible where God is described like a mother too - a parent who is nurturing and gives life to their children.
How do you feel about thinking of God as a heavenly parent? What kind of things does that bring to mind for you about what God is like?
If God is a loving parent, how does that change the way you see or think about God and how you pray?
The next thing we learn to say from Jesus’ prayer is, “Hallowed be your name” - can anyone remember what hallowed means?
It simply means to honor or respect or treat as holy. So we’re learning that we should treat God with honor and respect as a heavenly parent, just the same way we are expected to respect our own parents.
So because God is a loving parent, we can feel comfortable going to God with all of our thoughts and feelings… And t the same time, we should still give God honor and respect. There’s a closeness and also a reverence, which goes together.
Prayer — Bible Story Leader — 1 minute
“Dear God, thank you for the example Jesus gave us about how to pray. It’s not really about the exact words we say, but about how we approach you and relate to you as a heavenly parent who loves and cares for us, who listens to all our thoughts and feelings. We can feel comfortable with you and close to you, while still giving you honor and respect. Please help us to continue growing deeper in our prayer lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Craft: Prayer Wall — Activity Leader — 10 minutes
Posters will be put up on the walls with the prompts, “I’m thankful to God for…” and “I’m sorry for…” and “I’d like God’s help for…”
Kids will write on post-it notes things they’d like to pray for under each category and add it to the wall.
There will also be word search print outs available.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver
