The Divided Kingdom...Jeroboam WAS NAUGHTY

Who? What? When? Where? Why? & How?

 

 This Sunday we will be officially on to lesson two of the Divided Kingdom.  Since I am blessed to teach a lesson one week and then REVIEW the lesson the next week...each lesson last me two weeks.  This really is a blessing, as I am writing these lessons.  Sometimes, LIFE gets me going in about a 100 different directions...I am sure you ALL have been there!!!  

So, what is LESSON TWO about???  It is about Jeroboam the very NAUGHTY King.  We are going to be focusing on Jeroboam's wicked decision to place Altars at Dan and Bethel.  We are going to talk about IDOLS and what can become IDOLS in our life.  

God's Awesome Plan For Man--Time Line Card

I want the KIDDOS to understand the HISTORY in this LESSON. I want the KIDDOS to get the fact that Jeroboam had his own justification for erecting the altars---after all, he was worried about the people's allegiance.  (I want them to understand that we can NEVER JUSTIFY SIN.)  I want them to know that Jeroboam was sinning against GOD and leading the people of Israel into sin.  I want them to understand that GOD had promised Jeroboam that HE would be with him....AS LONG AS JEROBOAM did what GOD wanted...but, sadly, Jeroboam chose to be naughty.    There are so many life lessons found within the story of Jeroboam.  I am attempting to BRING those stories out as we Explore this lesson. 

Our Prophet Time Line.

We will be introducing 2 more prophets this week.  The YOUNG PROPHET~that was sent to Jeroboam to WARN him.  The OLD PROPHET~that convinced the Young Prophet to sin against GOD.  Again, there is so many LIFE altering lessons found in this story.  My main focus for the KIDDOS will be to NEVER listen to ANYONE trying to tell you it is OK NOT TO OBEY GOD!!! 

Our "WORD WALL."  We will be adding the word IDOL to our wall this week.  This is the "technical" definition.   I will also explain that ANYTHING we LOVE can become an IDOL. 

 The KIDDOS have 2 'NEW' geographical places to FIND on the map.  We will find DAN and BETHEL.  I  will try my best to explain Jeroboam's reasoning for placing the altars at Dan and Bethel.  I want to point out that these two places are a type of "book ends" to the Northern Nation of Israel.

Our Memory Verse this week will be Leviticus 19:4.    I will often use a portion of a verse as a memory verse for the KIDDOS.  I want them to GET the POINT of the verse...and since they are ranging in age from 4 1/2 to 7...I do not want to STRESS them out over a really LOOOOOOOONG memory verse.  BTW, If one of the KIDDOS does NOT have the memory verse memorized "WORD FOR WORD" but, they can tell me the meaning of the verse...that is JUST FINE BY ME!!!  I want them to UNDERSTAND why the verse is IMPORTANT!!!    We will be singing this Memory Verse to the tune of Frere Jacque.  That will help them get it memorized!    I normally inform the parents the "tune" we sing our memory verses too...that way they can SING/REVIEW  the Memory Verse during the week.  

Tune:  "If You're Happy and You Know It..."

We will have another NEW SONG this Sunday.  This song is sung to a familar tune...  If you know the song, "If You're Happy and You Know It..."  Well that is the tune I use for this SONG.  I know the KIDDOS will LOVE to sing this SONG.  I like the fact that this song explains in a nutshell what led the Nation of Israel into captivity.  

Our "TAKE HOME" activity will be a 'Paper Bible Pop Up.'  At least that is what I am calling it.  :)  This is constructed out of card stock paper.  The little holder is neon green card stock...it is folded like one of those "TABLE TENTS" you see on restaurant tables.  However, attached to it is a paper BIBLE.  The KIDDOS will color the BIBLE and then we will staple the Bible Pages to the edge of the NEON GREEN Table Tent.  That is what gives the Bible the 3D effect!  The KIDDOS will then GLUE their Ribbon Bible Bookmark down.... (I have the RIBBONS attached to the back of the activity....but, it will be up to the KIDDOS how they want to glue their Ribbon Down.   

 After typing ALL of that...I sort of felt CONFUSED...So, I decided to add a few more pictures to try and SHOW you better what I was failing at explaining.  :)

 I felt the Scripture Printed on the "TAKE HOME" activity was very applicable to the lesson....Jeroboam did not KEEP the COMMANDMENTS of GOD... BUT, WE WILL!!!

Our Review Game is one you have seen before....I do REUSE Ideas....Especially if the KIDDOS enjoyed it.  So, this is how we will "PLAY" this Review Game.  We will sing a song that goes along with the LESSON.  (The Kingdom Was Divided, A Prophet is A Messenger, or Jeroboam Was Naughty.)  However, I will say "STOP!" randomly throughout the song.  The KIDDOS will have to stand still in whatever HOOP they are in.  I then let them take turns rolling the die.  The KIDDO in the HOOP with the corresponding number that the DIE lands on will have to answer a question from the lesson.  I like this activity...it get the KIDDOS singing, moving, thinking, and excited!!!  An added BONUS---this can be "played" with SO MANY DIFFERENT STORIES!!!!  Invest/Make It ONCE--USE IT OVER AND OVER AND OVER again!!!!

Our Explorer Journal Activity is so much more simple in nature.  We will be adding DAN and BETHEL to our OWN MAP.  The KIDDOS will color their own MAP of the Divided Kingdoms...and then they will stick a 3D POP up ALTAR at DAN and BETHEL.    We will be doing this activity NEXT Sunday.  SO, by that time the KIDDOS will understand the importance behind this story.  

Hope you can tell how excited I am about teaching this lesson.  I will say, teaching the History of the Divided Kingdom to 4 1/2 -7 year olds is not without its challenges.  BUT it is so worth the effort!!!!  I am thrilled at how they are SOAKING in these stories.   

Blessings,

Ronda

The Divided Kingdom

Sometimes it is HARD to get things rolling after coming off vacation.  This year was NO different.  Unpacking, cleaning, shopping, birthday parties, my youngest son needing staples in his head...you, know just the normal day to day responsibilities that come with being a wife and mom.  :)  

However, I have been working on some changes in the classroom...we have had PROMOTIONS...so, some of my KIDDOS have moved UP to the BIGGER KIDDOS class.  :(  It is hard to let them go and yet, I LOVE to hear from their new teacher just HOW SMART THEY ARE!!!!  YAY!!!!!      

But, back to my classroom...We are beginning a new section of our Exploring Bible History curriculum....Please understand, I am undertaking this writing process...it is NOT yet ready to be published...and it is a real labor of love.    

We are moving into the Exploration of the Divided Kingdom!!!  I am excited to teach this part of Bible History to these kiddos.    When I was talking to them last Sunday about our up and coming adventures....they seemed to be very excited.  

Our new bulletin board is a picture of a castle...DIVIDED and crowns on each side.  The crowns came from Dollar Tree!!!  I just wrote each KINGS name on the crown...and because I wanted to add some FUN to the wall, I just pushed up on the crowns and added a bottom staple...Makes the crown POP off the wall.    Please notice the SCEPTER at the top of JUDAH'S side.  I am going to be reminding them that the SCEPTER would NOT depart from JUDAH!!!  When GOD promises something HE ALWAYS keeps HIS PROMISES!!!   At the bottom of each side I added a command hook....Since we will be talking about the PROPHETS that carried GOD'S messages to the Kings and people...I wanted a place to put them.  This way when we learn about a Prophet...we will place him on the side to which he prophesied.  (The PROPHETS are just a PAPER DOLL cut out...with the name, message and who they prophesied too typed on it.)

 This will be a new song...The KIDDOS will sing it on SUNDAY as we begin LEARNING all about the Divided Kingdom.   I love having songs to go along with the topic....It really helps IMBED the LESSONS they are learning into their mind.  (One of my favorite things is this:  Stepping into the ladies room, after Bible Class and before Services and hearing one or more of the KIDDOS singing a song from BIBLE Class.  PRECIOUS!!!)

Because, my focus is always the WHO? WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? WHERE? WHY? AND HOW does this effect me? questions...These are the cards that will go in our DO YOU KNOW? card holder. 

The square picture of Rehoboam and Jeroboam will go on the "GOD'S AWESOME PLAN FOR MAN" timeline wall.  We refer to that wall a LOT when we go back and review the THEME of the BIBLE.  GOD'S PLAN is always moving forward towards the coming of JESUS...and OUR SALVATION today. 

The KIDDO'S Take Home project for this Sunday will be Rehoboam and Jeroboam Puppets....my KIDDOS have always enjoyed acting out the lesson...so, this is what I came up with....I am hoping they will be able to tell me which KING was from the NORTH and which one is from the SOUTH.  Hopefully, by the time they go home from class we will have that all figured out for them.  Young ones ofter struggle with Bible Time names....and keeping them straight when their names are so similar may cause a bit of a confusion. 

Since we will be talking about Rehoboam NOT listening to WISE counsel...I thought this would make for an applicable MEMORY VERSE.  We will sing it to the tune "If your happy and you know it..."  I am certain they will have it memorized before leaving the classroom. 

Because we will be talking about the PROPHET Ahijah I have a PROPHET picture setting on the table...BUT, that is NOT ALL...I want them to understand what a PROPHET really was...HE WAS GOD'S MESSENGER!!!  So, we will also add the word PROPHET to our Word Wall.  We will also sing one of my songs...."A Prophet Is A Messenger."

We will have several PROPHET CARDS and Sing the Song several times during these lessons.......the KIDDOS will surely know what a PROPHET of GOD is by the time we are through with the Lessons on the Divided Kingdom.  :)

Our Review Game for this week is "Ahijah's Robe."  The Kiddos will answer a question from the lesson...then they will be allowed to "rip" a piece of the coat from the puzzle....and then place it in the NORTHERN Pile or the SOUTHERN Pile.  The Robe Puzzle has already be cut apart...that way they can easily "RIP" or pick up a piece.  We played something similar to this back when we were studying Moses.  I let the KIDDOS pull off pieces to the GOLDEN CALF...and the LOVED RIPPING down the altar...So, I am hoping they will LOVE RIPPING up Ahijah's Coat.  :)

Next Sunday we will REVIEW the LESSON from this week...and do our Explorer Journal Activity.    I struggled to come up with the Take Home and Explorer Journal Activity for this lesson...But, I know the KIDDOS will enjoy this one for sure.  It involves getting to use GLITTER and SEQUINS!!! 

The KIDDOS will color the Rehoboam and Jeroboam and add a SPLIT CROWN that will open to reveal the First Two Kings of the Divided Nation....They will get to glam up the crown with the GOLD GLITTER and their choice of sequins.  I think they turned out cute and help reinforce the fact that the KINGDOM WAS DIVIDED!!!  

Hope you join us as we EXPLORE the Divided Kingdom.   My Kiddos LOVE being Bible Explorers!!!!  

Blessings,

Ronda