Week 22: June 1

Our theme for June is "Jesus Heals"

Week 22- Jesus Heals with Living Water (John 4:1-42)

Today we began our unit called "Jesus Heals." We started off our discussion with what it means to be healed. The kids mostly talked about how they had a cut that was healed, or their grandma was sick but now is healed, and other physical hearings. Then, I guided the conversation to emotional healing... a child's feelings were hurt but now he feels better, or a kiddo was upset with her sister but isn't anymore. Last, I brought up spiritual healing. I read the kids the story (paraphrased but I didn't type it... sorry!) and I asked the kids what type of healing the woman needed. They were spot on answering "spiritual!" 

This lesson is a little tricky to get because it involves a metaphor, but I gave each of my kids a small pail to help them remember. Not all answers were spot on (as you can expect) but It went something like this:

The lady at the well could give Jesus water. 
Why did Jesus ask for water? (To drink. He was thirsty. He didn't know how to get it from the well by himself.)
Jesus really didn't need the woman to get him water. He wanted to talk to her. What did Jesus want to talk to the lady about? (Spiritual healing. How to use the well. He wanted to heal her. He wanted to be friendly because nobody liked the Samaritans.)
Yes, Jesus wanted to be friendly and talk to the lady. He wanted to heal her from her sins. Can we heal sins? (No. Of course not! That's Jesus' job!)
Only Jesus can heal our sins. Only Jesus can take away the pain we feel when we are hurting. Asking Jesus to be in our hearts is like drinking water when you are thirsty. You feel SO much better afterward.

Jesus said that He is the "Living Water." Does this mean Jesus is actually water that we can drink? (No. Jesus is in our hearts.)
You're right! Jesus was telling the lady that He is like water, because everyone needs it, and it makes you feel so much better! 

After that, He said that if you have Living Water you will never thirst again. Does that mean we never have to drink water again? (No. It means that Jesus will be in our hearts forever. Jesus won't ever leave us. Jesus is with us always.)
That's pretty awesome, isn't it? Anytime we are in need of healing, we can ask Jesus to help us. Whether we fall on the playground and scrape our knees, a kid at school says something that hurts our feelings, or we alone because nobody will listen, Jesus is always there for us. Jesus is our Living Water! 

My kiddos then made this adorable well that was only slightly difficult for a couple to put together (The rope wrapping around the brown sticker was tricky!) but they were so proud! They also got to "drink" their "living water" from the metal pails. (Yes, it was full of air, and yes, my kids have great imaginations!) It was so cute to watch; I should've taken pictures!

June Lessons

Our theme for June is "Jesus Heals"

Week 22- Jesus Heals with Living Water (John 4:1-42)
Week 23- Jesus Heals a Paralytic (Mark 2:1-12)
Week 24- Jesus Heals a Crippled Hand (Luke 6:6-11)
Week 25- Jesus Heals a Nobleman's Son (John 4:43-54)
Week 26- Jesus Heals at Bethesda (John 5:1-15)

Week 21: May 25

Our theme for May is "Jesus Teaches us to say 'Thanks!'"

Week 21-Thanks, Teachers!

Being the last week before school is out (yay!) and me being a teacher (yay!) I thought this would be a great week for the kids to make their teachers cards reminding them that God loves them and their students are very thankful to have them. One of the little ones doesn't attend school (yet) and he gave his card to me! Such a sweetheart. 

Week 20: May 18

Our theme for May is "Jesus Teaches us to say 'Thanks!'"

Week 20- Thanks, Healer! (Luke 17:11-19)

Is it obvious my brain is fried, being a public school teacher by (week)day and Children's Programs Director by weekend? I totally missed pictures (again!) of this activity, but it was cute!

This week we talked about how there was once a man that was very sad because he had leprosy. We compared leprosy to chicken pox, and the kids were astounded that back in those times instead of going to a hospital for treatment the sick people were sent out to the edge of the villages and not allowed to be around their family anymore. 

The kids were each given 2 small circles cut on manilla paper to glue onto a half-sheet of card stock. On one side, they chose very sad eye stickers and created a sad man with leprosy using crayons. We then finished the story, about how Jesus came to the rescue and healed the men, and only one came back and said "Thanks!" to Jesus for healing him. On the back of the card stock, we drew the man again, this time with happy eyes, and no spots! We talked about how sometimes God gives us good things, and we sometimes don't say thank you. The kids learned that God is pleased when we do remember to thank Him for the blessings we receive. 

Week 19: May 11

Our theme for May is "Jesus Teaches us to say 'Thanks!'"

Week 19- Thanks, Mom!


Being Mother's Day, we often have an influx of kids. I bought some candy and these cute berry buckets for the kids to make for their moms to say "thanks!" for all they do. I didn't get any pictures, but here's the OT image: 

The kids loved making them (easy for busy days!) and I heard a lot of positive feedback from parents, as well! It was a berry cute craft! 

Week 18: May 4

Our theme for May is "Jesus Teaches us to say 'Thanks!'"

Week 18- GUEST TEACHER (Prodigal Son says "Thanks, Dad!") (Luke 15:11-32)


This week we had a visitor come downstairs, Mr. Ben, to share with the kids the story of the Prodigal Son. To fit our theme of "Thanks" this month, Mr. Ben talked to the kids about how thankful the Son was that he had a Dad he could come home to, and how thankful we are that we have our Heavenly Father to call on in our time of need. 

May Lessons

Our theme for May is "Jesus Teaches us to say 'Thanks!'"

Week 18- GUEST TEACHER (Prodigal Son says "Thanks, Dad!")
Week 19- Thanks, Mom!
Week 20- Thanks, Healer!
Week 21-Thanks, Teachers!

The first week of May was a spare day (a day I leave aside for extra lessons, bad weather, or, in this case, for visitors who want to share) and Mr. Ben came to talk to the kids. The next week is Mother's Day, and the last week is Memorial Day/End of School and I like to thank our teachers who have worked with the kiddos all year.