Early Childhood | Week of April 4, 2021

Happy Easter! Welcome to GrowKids Online!
Today we celebrate the most victorious day in history and how Jesus conquered death!

READ IT | TODAY’S BIBLE STORY

DISCUSSION: Jesus is Alive!
Read: Mark 16:1-8

  • Three women went to the place where Jesus was buried when the Sabbath was over.
  • Does anyone know what the Sabbath is? The Sabbath is a day of rest. The Sabbath ended at sunset on Saturday at around 6 p.m.
  • I wonder what spices they brought . . . Do you think they brought salt and pepper? Maybe some garlic powder or Italian seasoning?
  • No, I don’t think the tasty spices we put on our food are what they’re talking about in this story.
  • The spices they brought were for people who were buried in the tomb.
  • But when they arrived at the tomb, the stone door to the front of the tomb was not there!
  • When the women went inside the tomb, they saw someone dressed in a white robe sitting inside.
  • The man told them that Jesus had risen! Jesus was not there!
  • The women were both scared and shocked! The man told them to go tell Jesus’ friends that Jesus was alive!
  • We do a lot of fun stuff at Easter like egg hunts, where we get baskets with candy and play fun games, but we have to remember that Easter is about so much more! Easter is all about remembering that Jesus died to save us, but came back to life!

ACTIVITIES

MEMORIZE IT | Memory in Motion

INSTRUCTIONS: Watch the memory verse video and follow along with the new motions for this month’s verse!

SAY IT | THE BIG IDEA | Jesus overcame death. 

Jesus (Point to up to Heaven.)
overcame (swing arms around head making a rainbow.)
death! (Jump up high!)

DO IT |  Colorful Cross

Let’s create a reminder of what Jesus did for us to overcome death!
INSTRUCTIONS: Give each kid a piece of black construction paper. Tell them to draw a large cross outline on their paper with a pencil, then goover it using white glue. Next, completely cover the glue design with salt, then shake off the excess salt. You can recycle the excess salt by pouring it back into a container that can be reused for someone else’s paper.Have kids dip their paintbrush into watercolor paint and gently touch a part of their design with the brush to have the color spread. You do not have to wait for the glue to dry before painting.Encourage the kids to be gentle so as not to disturb the wet glue under the salt. Leave aside to dry.

TODDLER HACK: Create a cross out of foam that toddlers can trace on their paper with a white crayon. Then instead of outlining it with glue, have them fill the inside of the cross with glue, then add the salt and paint.

EAT IT | Out of the Tomb

 INSTRUCTIONS: Give each kid a donut hole and a regular glazed donut cut in half. Place the donut cut side down on a plate and roll the donut hole in front of the opening like this to represent the stone being rolled away from Jesus’ tomb.

  • What is your favorite thing about Easter?
  • How many eggs do you think a bunny could fit in its mouth?
  • What’s the best Easter candy?

Elementary | Week of March 28, 2021

Welcome to GrowKids Online!
God has great plans and this month we are going to learn how we get to be a part of His great plans!

DISCUSSION: Jesus Enters Jerusalem
Read: Mark 11:1-11

  • What were the two towns that were nearby Jerusalem where Jesus was?
  • What were the names of the disciples Jesus sent to get the donkey?
  • What did the people put down in the road in front of Jesus as Jesus came into Jerusalem?
  • Read Psalm 118:28. How does King David describe God?
  • What does Jesus riding on a donkeyinstead of entering in a grand way tell us about the kind of person Jesus is?
  • How do you think you are included in God’s plan?
  • What is one thing you can do this week as part of God’s plan?

ACTIVITIES

MEMORIZE IT | Balloon Bop Memory Verse
INSTRUCTIONS: Blow up a balloon and bounce it up in the air! Don’t let the balloon touch the ground. Each time you bop the balloon, say a word of the memory verse! Can you say the memory verse without looking it up?

Jeremiah 29:11

DO IT | Pyramid Plans
INSTRUCTIONS: Trace your hands on green paper. Write a note of thanks and praise to Jesus for including everyone in God’s plans on the hands. Then, cut it out and hang them in a place in your house that you often see. Let this praise hand be a reminder of His goodness!

Jesus had to make difficult decisions and chose them on purpose so that God’s plans could be carried out.
Aren’t you thankful that Jesus obeyed God, specifically so that you and I could be saved? We are included in God’s plans!

READ IT | Psalm 118:19-29
INSTRUCTIONS:Read Psalm 118:19-29.
King David wrote these psalms to praise God for saving him. And fun fact –King David happens to be an ancestor of Jesus!
Saving King David was part of God’s plan. You and I have a lot to praise God for as well.
What is something you want to praise God for?
Let’s shout those things out to praise God like King David did!
Jesus was God’s plan to love and help everyone, including you.
You are a part of God’s plan! We are included in God’s plans.

PRAYER

Dear God,
Thank you for making me part of your plan. Help each of us to be grateful for your plans and help us follow them. We love you!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

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Early Childhood | Week of March 28

Hi GrowKids! As we complete our Blueprints lesson this week, let’s be reminded that God’s plan is always perfect. It may not always work out the way we thought it would, and our circumstances may make us rely on Him, but we have to remember that He knows what is best for us and He has a perfect plan. Our Big Idea today is “I am included in God’s plan”. Say that out loud together. I am included in God’s plan.

Bible Story

SCRIPTURE | Mark 11:1-11

INSTRUCTIONS: Open a Bible in front of you to Mark 11:1-11. Have someone represent Jesus, the two disciples who get the donkey, and the other people who are there for the parade. Read the story and ask the kids to act out the story as you go. Ask the volunteer playing Jesus to ride a hobby horse. Give kids paper palm branches and extra clothes that kids can wave and lay on the ground for the kid playing Jesus.

# TODDLER HACK: Toddlers love to play and act out stories! Consider reading the passage a few times through, allowing different kids to play different parts each time.

What I love about this story is that everybody played a part!
Jesus asked friends to get the donkey for him to ride on.
Some people put their coats on the donkey for Jesus to sit on.
Others put their coats or large palm branches on the road to make Jesus an extra special path to ride on, perfect for a king.

Some people were just there to celebrate!
Everyone shouted, “Hosanna!” as they welcomed King Jesus to Jerusalem. Can we try shouting that together? Hosanna!
“Hosanna” means “save us.” Jesus came to Jerusalem to save all of us!

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for making us part of your plan. Help each of us to be grateful for your plans and help us follow them. We love you! Amen.

Memory Verse

MEMORY VERSE | Jeremiah 29:11

INSTRUCTIONS: Follow along in the video below.

Big Idea

THE BIG IDEA | I am included in God’s plans.

INSTRUCTIONS: Print or write the Big Idea on a piece of blueprint paper, roll it up like a tube.

This week’s Big Idea is: I am included in God’s plans. Say the Big Idea with me!

I am (Point to yourself.)
included (Hug your arms around yourself.)
in God’s (Point up to the sky.)
plans (Hold your hands out together in front of you with your palms up so your hands look like an open book.)

Activities

Activity: CONSTRUCTION CLEAN-UP

In a construction crew, it’s so important for each person on the site has to do their part. Let’s see what that looks like through this next activity!
INSTRUCTIONS: Beforehand, create fake gravel by crumpling up newspaper, paper grocery bags, and aluminum foil, making enough to fill up a large garbage bag. Split your group into two teams, giving each team a large bucket and a shovel or scoop. Dump out the contents of the garbage bag in a pile in the middle of the room. Have kids take turns bringing back as much “gravel” from the pile to their bucket. Play until the pile is cleared. The team with the most in their bucket wins!

# TODDLER HACK: Younger kids might not have the dexterity to balance items in a shovel or scoop. In that case, have them retrieve items by hand and bring it to their bucket.

Activity: PALMS OF PRAISE

INSTRUCTIONS: Give each kid at least two green hand cut-outs. Provide a variety of stickers, crayons, or markers. Ask the kids to either draw or add stickers (e.g. a dog sticker to represent their pet, a hamburger sticker to represent yummy food they get to eat) to their handprint that represent things they are thankful for. Make a “road” out of everyone’s palm by taping or gluing them onto butcher paper.

We are thankful to God for lots of things, including the things you’ve put on your handprints. We’re also thankful that we are part of God’s plans.
Remember today’s Big Idea: I am included in God’s plans.

What did Jesus ride on when Jesus entered Jerusalem?
What word were the people shouting when Jesus entered Jerusalem? Who is included in God’s plans?

Activity: I AM IN GOD’S PLAN

INSTRUCTIONS: Sing the following to the tune of ,”The Farmer in the Dell,” adding in a different kid’s name each time you sing it. Finish the song with “We are in God’s plan.” As you sing, tap your knees and clap along. Tap, tap, clap is a rhythm that works well for this.

I am in God’s plan
I am in God’s plan
Hosanna! Hosanna!
I am in God’s plan
Replace underlined part with “[Name of kid]’s” and “we are” as you repeat the song.

I am included in God’s plan and so are each of you! I’m so glad God has included us.
Part of God’s plan is for us to spend time with God. What are some ways we can spend time with God this week?
Part of God’s plan is for us to be like Jesus. What are some things we can do this week to be like Jesus?
Part of God’s plan is for us to tell others about Jesus. Who can you tell about Jesus this week?

SNACK-tivity

Snack Time: CUP OF DIRT

INSTRUCTIONS: Prepare instant chocolate pudding for each kid in clear cups or use ready- made pudding cups. Put crushed oreos into bowls that kids can scoop out and sprinkle on top of their pudding. Give each kid a few candy corn to top it off and consider having them use these shovel spoons to eat their cup of dirt!

Do you remember the different things people did when Jesus came to Jerusalem? Some people . . .
Went to get the donkey.
Gave their coat for Jesus to sit on.

Covered the road with their coats.
Covered the road with palm branches.
Which part do you think was the most important that day? Why?

Early Childhood | Week of March 21

Hi GrowKids! As we learn more about Jesus and how incredible He is, we want to be more like Him. Our mission as Jesus followers is to study God’s Word and learn more about Him and become more like Him. Jesus followed God’s plans, even when He knew it was going to be difficult, He followed God’s plan’ and that’s what we want to do: Follow God’s Plan.

Bible Story

INSTRUCTIONS: Open a Bible in front of you to John 12:20-33.
In our story today, we find that people from all over the world had heard about Jesus and wanted to talk to Jesus.
How would you feel if people from different countries knew your name?
These people probably traveled from far away places to meet Jesus. But when Jesus talked, he didn’t really talk about himself. Jesus talked all about God’s plan to save people, and how Jesus was simply following the plan.

Jesus used the example of a seed: When a seed doesn’t have soil, water, or sunlight, the seed would just stay a seed and not become anything more. But, if a seed follows the right plan, it can grow to become a tree full of fruit!

Just like the seed follows the right plan, Jesus told everyone that God’s plan for him was the right one. Jesus said that he would die but when he did, it would be to save everybody.
Jesus knew that the road ahead might be full of sadness and hurting. But Jesus trusted that love was the reason for God’s plan and trusted that God would bring him back to life.

God loved us so much that Jesus had to die for our sins. Jesus loved us so much that he followed God’s plan to save us!

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to save us. We are so thankful Jesus said yes to your plan. Help us be like Jesus and be willing to say yes, too. We know you only have the best plans in store for us. Amen.

Memory Verse

MEMORY VERSE | Jeremiah 29:11

INSTRUCTIONS: Follow along in the video below.

Big Idea

THE BIG IDEA | Jesus said yes to God’s plans.

INSTRUCTIONS: Print or write the Big Idea on a piece of blueprint paper, roll it up and put it in the blueprint tube from last week. Ask the same or a different volunteer to dress up as a construction worker to reveal today’s Big Idea.Ask one of the kids to come up to the front to open the tube and take the paper out to reveal the Big Idea.

This week’s Big Idea is: Jesus said yes to God’s plans. Let’s try it together!

Jesus (Hold both arms straight out to each side to make a cross.)
said yes (Nod your head.)
to God’s (Point up to the sky.)
plans (Hold your hands out together in front of you with your palms up so your hands look

like an open book.)

Activities

Activity: WHICH PLANS?

INSTRUCTIONS: Ask kids which of the following “plans” they would choose if they absolutely had to. Feel free to add your own to the list.
If you had to choose one of these plans, would you choose plan 1 or plan 2?

1) Brush your teeth with soap; 2) Drink sour milk.
1) Eat an onion; 2) Eat a lemon.
1) Have a cat as big as an elephant; 2) Have an elephant the size of a cat.
1) Eat ice cream that tastes like broccoli; 2) Eat cookies that taste like hamburger.

# TODDLER HACK: Simplify the choice of plans for the toddlers to things they more ordinarily have to decide. For example, “Would you rather make plans to go to the park or plans to watch a movie?” or “Would you rather plan to eat waffles or pancakes for breakfast?”

There are times when we have to choose from not-so-great plans. Sometimes, we don’t even know what are the right plans to make. But God knows! We just need to learn to say “yes” to God!

Activity: YES OR NO

INSTRUCTIONS: Ahead of time, place in a box an item from the room where you are gathering, preferably items the kids are used to seeing in your space (e.g. a storybook, a puzzle, or a toy car). Ask one kid to look in the box and see the item you’ve chosen. The rest of the kids can then ask yes or no questions to guess what is in the box. If you like, you can repeat this with several different items.

# TODDLER HACK: Place a large box on your lap such that the opening faces the kids. Have a kid put an item in your box while you close your eyes. Then without looking in the box, ask the group yes or no questions and have everyone answer it together. Keep asking questions until you can guess what’s inside the box.

Sometimes, you can’t see God’s plans. You have to trust that God sees the big picture and will carry out the perfect plans for you.
Jesus said yes to God’s plans and we can, too.

Activity: SIMON SAYS, JESUS SAYS

INSTRUCTIONS: Call out actions for the kids to do (e.g., pat their heads, turn around in circles). If the leader says, “Simon says. . .” before the action, then the kids should do that action. If the leader does not say, “Simon says. . .” before the action instruction, the kids should not do the action. You do not need to have anyone go “out” if they accidentally do an action that wasn’t preceded by “Simon says. . .” You can just enjoy the giggles of kids realizing they’ve been tricked! After every four to five actions, call out, “Jesus said. . .” to which the kids should respond, “. . . yes to God’s plans!”

Jesus knew that a part of God’s plan was for him to die. Do you think it was easy or hard for Jesus to say yes to God’s plan?
Because Jesus said yes to God’s plans, we can be forgiven and be part of God’s family!

SNACK-tivity

Snack Time: CONSTRUCTION CONE

INSTRUCTIONS: Serve kids a handful of snack mix inside a sugar cone.
What kinds of things do you like to say “yes” to?
We like to say yes to fun things like playing games or movie nights, but sometimes, God asks us to say yes to things that don’t seem fun or don’t make sense to us.
Because Jesus said yes to God’s plans, our sins are forgiven. When you say yes to God’s plans, you can be sure that it’s the best choice! God will do something amazing with your yes!

Elementary | Week of March 21, 2021

Welcome to GrowKids Online!
God has great plans and this month we are going to learn how we get to be a part of His great plans!

DISCUSSION: Jesus Brings Glory to God
Read: John 12:20-33

  • Where did people come from to talk to Jesus?
  • What kind of seed/grain did Jesus talk about?
  • What did Jesus say yes to?
  • Read John 12:32. Who did Jesus say would be drawn to Jesus if Jesus was lifted up?
  • What is something God wants you to say yes to this week?
  • Is it difficult for you to say yes to God’s plan when you’re not completely sure what it is?
  • What is something you will do this week because you said yes to God’s plan?

ACTIVITIES

MEMORIZE IT | Memory Verse
INSTRUCTIONS: Write Jeremiah 29:11 on paper so that each word can be covered up with a sticky note. As you review the verse, cover up words at random to help memorize the words. By the end, see if you can recite the verse while it is completely covered!

DO IT | Pyramid Plans
INSTRUCTIONS: Use a LEGO set and don’t look at the blueprint.Ask a sibling or parent to look at the blueprint and instruct you how to build. You can try holding up one piece at a time and ask if it is the next piece needed. The person with the instructions can only say, “yes” or “no.” Together, you should build the set according to the instructions.

Sometimes, you can’t see God’s plans. Just like how Jesus said yes to God’s plans, we can trust God sees the big picture and will carry out the perfect plans for us.
A part of saying “yes” to God is saying “yes” to God’s timing. The best thing we can do is say yes to God’s plan by patiently waiting and trusting that it’s what is best for us!

READ IT | Hebrews 5:7-9
INSTRUCTIONS: Read Hebrews 5:7-9
How do you think Jesus felt knowing that his life would end in a painful way?
From what we read in the Bible, we can see that Jesus wasreally concerned or maybe even afraid dying. But even though it would be extremely hard, Jesus was willing to obey God’s plan no matter what.
Why do you think Jesus was so dedicated to this difficult plan?
Jesus knew that saying yes to God’s plan was justlike saying yes to you. You mean that much to him! Jesus could see every person who would be reconnected to God and forgiven because of his choice. Because of love, Jesus said yes to God’s plans.

PRAYER

Dear God,
thank you for sending Jesus to Earth to save us. Help us to always be willing to follow Jesus’ example and say yes to your plan for our lives!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Hey Parents! Make sure you’re staying up to date with all things Grow Kids by clicking the “like” button on our Facebook page and following us on Instagram!

Elementary | Week of March 14, 2021

Welcome to GrowKids Online!
God has great plans and this month we are going to learn how we get to be a part of His great plans!

DISCUSSION: God So Loved the World
Read: John 3:14-21

  • What was the name of the man who came to talk to Jesus in John 3?
  • In John 3, what did God do because God loved us so much?
  • What can you do to receive God’s gift of salvation?
  • Read Ephesians 2:10. What is something you’ve noticed God teaching you?
  • How does the fact that love is the foundation of God’s plans change the way you think about the Bible stories you’ve heard?
  • What is most exciting to you about God having a plan for you?
  • Read Jeremiah 29:11. What do we usually put as the foundation of our plans? Is it love? Is it something else?

ACTIVITIES

MEMORIZE IT | Memory Verse
INSTRUCTIONS: Write Jeremiah 29:11 on construction paper and cut it into two-to three-word sections. Scramble the pieces of the verse. Put the verse together in order. Time yourself using a stopwatch and see if you can beat your own time!

DO IT | Pyramid Plans
INSTRUCTIONS: Grab a stack of plastic cups to build a tower. When you are done, make a paper fan by folding a piece of paper like an accordion. Try to knock down the tower by waving hand-held fan.
Why did the pyramid fall over so easily? There was not a firm foundation! What would you do differently to make your tower stronger?
It was so important to make sure your foundation was as strong as possible.
The foundation of God’s plan is LOVE, which is the strongest foundation possible!

READ IT | Ephesians 2:4-10
INSTRUCTIONS: Read Ephesians 2:4-10
What makes someone “rich?”
The Bible says God is “rich in mercy,” which means God has a never-ending supply of forgiveness and love.
But there isn’t anything we could do to earn it from God –not even all the money in the world. We can’t earn it because God gives it to us for free.
God’s love gave us a way to trust in Jesus to rescue us from sin and to give us purpose.
God has a big plan, andit’s a plan to give us big hope. Not just for our day-to-day lives but the biggest hope of all –we can look forward to life with Jesus in heaven! We can trust in God’s love for us. Love is the foundation of God’s plans.

PRAYER

Dear God,
You knew your plan would need a strong foundation. We are so happy that you love us, and that Jesus came to Earth for us. Help us to see how the way you made us uniquely is also a part of Your plan.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen!

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