It was hard for people to understand the things of heaven. Jesus told stories called "parables" to help them. Help your preschoolers learn about the parables of Jesus.
The ideas below may help you teach a lesson about how Jesus used stories called "parables" to teach people about the things of heaven. Feel free to use these ideas to supplement your current curriculum or to make your own lesson.
Story Suggestions
- Luke 6:43-45 - A Tree and Its Fruit
- Luke 6:46-49 - Wise and Foolish Builders
- Luke 8:1-15 - The Story of the Farmer
- Luke 10:25-37 - The Good Samaritan
- Luke 12:13-21 - The Rich Man
- Luke 15-16:1-15 - Other Parables
Game Ideas
Pin the Windows on the House
Directions: Before class draw a big house on a piece of butcher paper and hang it up. Do not include windows or the door. During the class, have each child come and recite the memory verse you have chosen for the day. If they say it correctly, give them a window or the door (print out the template below, make additional copies depending on the size of your class) to place on the house. If they say it incorrectly, let them go back and memorize it some more and try again. Once all of the children have placed the windows and door on the house, explain to them that they have now built a strong foundation and were wise builders by memorizing God's word.
Apple Relay
Directions: Divide the children into two lines, standing one in front of another. An apple is started down the line with each player handing it to the one behind him without turning around. As it comes on its way back, after having gone to the end of the line, each player reaches behind him to grab the apple without looking. It will make a snappier race if the apple makes a couple of trips up and down the line.
Snacks
A good snack for this lesson would be:
Honey Crisps
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup multi-colored sprinkles
Directions: Place a piece of waxed paper on a cookie sheet. Combine powdered sugar, honey and peanut butter in a bowl and mix well. Stir in cereal and raisins. Using hands, shape mixture into 1 inch balls. Roll balls in sprinkles and place on cookie sheet. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Store in a covered container. Makes about 30.
Another good snack would be cupcakes with white or light chocolate icing. Use colored sugar to coat the icing to look like sand.
Art Center Ideas
Heart Healing Bag
Materials:
- Brown paper bag
- Scissors
- Red, black, and pink construction paper
- Glue
- Black marker
- Novelties (notepads, pencils, little wrapped candies)
Directions:
- Cut out a heart using the red construction paper that is as wide as the paper bag.
- Glue the heart to the bag, trimming away the brown bag that is sticking up from the top of the heart.
- Cut a strip of paper from the trimmed off piece of paper bag to make a handle for the bag. Glue the ends to the inside of the bag.
- Make a face for the heart by cutting out little pink hearts for the nose and dimples, the white and black construction paper for the eyes. Draw a smile between the dimples with a black marker.
- Give the children some novelties to place in their bags, and instruct them to give this bag to someone who is not feeling well or needs to be cheered up.
Money Jar
Materials:
- Baby food jar
- Tissue paper (assorted colors)
- Template of coins (print below)
- Glue
- Safety scissors
- Gold and silver crayons
Directions:
Preparation: Before class, cut out various shapes and sizes of tissue paper.
- Give each child a clean baby food jar. Have them glue pieces of tissue paper to their jar.
- Let them color in their money from the template below, using gold and silver crayons.
- Cut out the coins and let children place them in their money jar.
Suggested Prayer (or use your own)
Thank you, God, for sending Jesus. Who died to set us free. Thank you, God, for all your love. And, taking good care of me.
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