Seven Ones of Ephesians 4

Recently my KIDDOS were working hard to earn their Bible Badge for knowing the Seven Ones of Ephesians 4:4-6. To see our   Bible Badges Display Board just click on the link.  

When memorizing these important Bible Facts, I like to help my KIDDOS by coming up with a song and an 3D visual aid. 

You can hear the song and see a fun visual aid by clicking this link

I purchased all the Paper Mache Numbers at Hobby Lobby.  I waited for them to go on sale at 50% off.  I had originally thought I would be buying WOOD numbers....but, when I found these I was excited!!!  They are light weight and it was easy to glue the pictures to them. 

 

After the KIDDOS earned their BADGE, we added these to our Bible Bucket Reviews...this becomes an Early Arriver Activity.  (EAA)  This allows independent review time!!  I love it when the KIDDOS pick up a Bible Bucket Review and PRACTICE reciting FACTS they already had memorizing.  

I am thrilled to say ALL my KIDDOS memorized the Seven Ones of Ephesians 4!!!  Keep in mind, I teach PK-1st Graders.  That means they are 4 1/2 years old to 7 years old!   It always amazes me HOW much these KIDDOS can memorize and retain!!  They work hard, practice, recite, repeat, and then we REVIEW!!!  Just because, they earned a BADGE, does not mean we wont go back over the information from time to time!!  

I believe in making learning Bible Facts "fun" and "exciting."  Kiddos can MEMORIZE so much if we just give them the opportunity to do so!!!  

Blessings,

Ronda

Fished the Armor of God Unitt!!!!

We finished the Armor of God unit.  The children had soooo much fun learning all about the Armor God wants us to be wearing.  I decided for this post to post a lot of pictures of one of the kiddos in his FULL "ARMOR OF GOD."  

They all enjoyed making their ARMOR PIECES....and when we put them all together they had their entire suit of ARMOR.  I know they will NEVER forget learning about this very important subject.  

They LOVED learning about the Armor of God.

Happy Boy

 

Belt of Truth.  

Breastplate of Righteousness. 

Sandals of Peace.  

Helmet of Salvation.  

Shield of Faith.  

Sword of the Spirit.

Armor of God Exploring Bible History New Testament Lessons 6

The lesson on the Sword of the Spirit was a fun lesson.  The boys were very excited about learning about and making a SWORD.  

After teaching them that God's Word is a SWORD and that when we read it we often CUT through our hearts and that is what makes us CHANGE and live the way GOD wants us to live.  

I did do a lot of explaining how we do NOT hit people with our BIBLE and thus we should NOT use our "Take Home" sword to HIT others with.  I asked them how they would like it if I HIT them with my BIBLE....they all agreed that they would NOT like it at all.  So, I told them I did NOT want to see them hitting others with the SWORD we were making as a "Take Home" project.  It worked....with a classroom of 90% boys we did NOT have anyone hitting anyone with their sword.  YAY!! 
 

Their "Take Home" Sword was made from foam core board.  We copied the swords onto card stock and then glued it to the foam core board.  My loving husband helped me cut out all the swords for the kiddos.  In class the kiddos decorated their sword and added the cord around the handle.  As we decorated our sword we would sing a little song that taught the fact that the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God....It is the Bible.  

Ephesians 6:17 is the Memory Verse.  They ALL had this verse memorized before they left the classroom. 

The kiddos Explorer Journal Activity for Wednesday Evening is a type of puzzle. They were given the blank page and the sword blade piece and the two gold pieces for the handle. They colored the blade and glued it to the correct area of the sword.  Then they glued on the gold pieces to the handle.  This was a simple activity, however, for Preschool Kiddos simple puzzles are often a good little challenge.  They enjoyed this activity!

I LOVE this bulletin "Bulletin Board."  We added a copy of each of our "Take Home" activities.  The children love looking at each of the 3D items we made during class....It really helps them REMEMBER what we have learned.  I enjoy using this bulletin board as a REVIEWING Opportunity.

This has been a FUN activity for the kiddos...We have used this Flannel Board for a Game....We had the kiddos roll the Armor of God cube...and then tell me what piece of Armor it landed on....then add that piece of Armor to the Soldier....After, we had all his Armor in place the kiddos had to answer a question from the lesson...if they answered it correctly they got to remove one of the flaming darts.  They really enjoy doing this "game."

We have a few more weeks of the Armor of God lessons....we are going to be reviewing what we have learned for the next few weeks.  

Hope you are enjoy teaching Bible Class.

Blessings,

Ronda

Armor of God Exploring Bible History New Testament Lessons 4

This past Sunday we did our lesson on the Shield of Faith.  We focused on the fact that if we BELIEVE ALL of GOD'S promises then we have Faith.  We talked about how Faith helps protect us from the Devil and his tricks.  We talked about how the Devil wants us to believe lies and to do the wrong things.  But, if we keep Believing (have Faith) in God then we know how we should act and what we should be believing.  

I showed the kiddos pictures of a Roman Shield.  We talked about how BIG the shields were.  I told them FAITH is a BIG thing for us too.  If we want to live like GOD wants us to live then we have to have FAITH.

We sang a little song called, "Faith equals Belief."  They really liked the song....and at the end of class they were all able to tell me what Faith equals.  

The kiddos made Shields of Faith as their "Take Home" project.  The LOVED the glitter.  All in all, they kept the mess to a minimum, however there were specks of glitter through out the church building.  They were easily cleaned up with the vacuum.   We made a handle out of cardstock on the backs so that they could hold them the way a shield is to be held.  They really enjoyed making these.  

Our Memory Verse was Ephesians 6:16.  However, because I have so many little ones, I shortened the "need to know before Wednesday" part down to the first line.  "Above all taking the shield of faith."  I was pleased that most of them had it memorized before leaving the classroom on Sunday.

Our activity for Wednesday evening was a picture of a little boy or girl that the kiddos added a 3D Shield of Faith too.  They all did a great job on these and they are placed in their own Explorer Journal. 

We played the cube review game....they seem to look forward to playing it each week...and are disappointed if we "run out" of time.  Remember games can be great for reviewing past materials.  So, I suggest you review often.

Blessings,

Ronda

Armor of God Exploring Bible History New Testament Lessons 3

We are continuing our lessons on the Armor of God.  This past Sunday we added "Sandals of Peace" to our Belt of Truth and Breastplate of Righteousness.  We learned that God wants our feet to be SHOD with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace.    

I wanted the kiddos to realize that when we teach others about Jesus we are sharing news that gives people a lasting PEACE.  I also explained that sometimes people try to say that life is nothing but problems and disappointments,  but, because we are wearing our "sandals of peace" we know that God takes care of us and that we do NOT need to worry.  

I started off by asking the kiddos why we wear our shoes?  The answers were sooooo cute.   They responded with comments such as, "to protect our feet from the hot ground."  (BTW,  we have been in the 100 degrees for the past few weeks.)  One even said, "with out shoes you might step on rocks, glass or stickers. And that HURTS!"    One little girl said, "I wear shoes because they are cool and match my dresses."  (typical little girl ;-))   I loved ALL their answers.  I then explained that we wear the "Sandals of Peace" for all the same reasons.    

I explained the the "Sandals of Peace" protect our feet while we are teaching others.  They help us keep teaching even though some people don't want to hear the Good News of Jesus.   I then took what the little girl said and talked to them about how the "Sandals of Peace" go with all our other Armor pieces...and they help "complete" the outfit.    

As our "Take Home" activity we made "Sandals of Peace." Yes, they are wearable Sandals.  I think they turned out kinda cute.   I took pictures of each child wearing their sandals....I love little kids toes...and I know their parents will love receiving a pic. of their kiddo wearing their handmade "Sandals of Peace."

Our memory verse was Ephesians 6:15.  We sang the verse to a little tune and they all had it memorized before leaving class....BTW, I took the time to explain the word "SHOD."  I want them to understand what the verse means.  So, anytime I think there is something in a verse that is confusing I do my best to explain it in "KIDDO TERMS."  

The kiddos made the flip flop version of "Sandals of Peace" for their Explorer Journals.....They added the ribbons that say, "Jesus Loves Me."  We used this as a jump off point to say, "Since Jesus Loves us we need to feel peaceful." We went on and explained the need to SHARE the story of Jesus and HIS love for us....this is how we wear our "Sandals of Peace."

For our review game we rolled the cube I made for lesson one...I then asked the kiddos which piece of armor the cube landed on...We were pushed for time this past Sunday, as making the sandals and taking pictures, took up a little more time than our usual activities....so, I cut the review game time down by just letting them roll the cube after answering a question from the lesson.  They enjoyed it very much. 

Blessings,

Ronda

Armor of God Exploring Bible History New Testament Lessons

Today was the beginning of our new "Theme."  We are Exploring the Armor of God.  

Paul wrote the Letter to the brethren in Ephesus.  They lived under the Roman Government and were completely aware of the Armor a Soldier wore.  

The kiddos were excited to get started with this new topic.  However, I was asked SEVERAL times...."are we going to finish the Judges and learn about the Kings?"  They are so smart!!!  After lots of reassurance we went on with our new topic.

I had the kiddos put on the Explorer Hats today and we sang the song. "We Are Bible Explorers."  The kiddos love marching around the room as we sing this song.   

We then went right on with my lesson plans.  We added a BEE to their attendance charts as we sang our attendance song.  We then talked about Prayer and how we are to be REVERENT during prayer.  We then said our prayer.  Then we did some Basic Bible Review and Songs.  This is when we say our Books of the Bible.  Review how many book are in the Bible, how many main parts, how many book in the Old/New, etc.  

This is when I told them that our lesson was from the New Testament.  I told the kids it came from the Ephesian Epistle (telling them that they would impress their parents if they remembered that an Epistle is a fancy word for a letter.)    I then showed them  where Ephesus and Rome are on our NEW classroom map.  (I forgot to take a picture of the map...I will make sure to get one next week.)   I explained that Paul loved the Christians that lived in Ephesus and wanted them to be strong.   I then went on with the lesson about Armor.  

Our main focus was on the BELT OF TRUTH today.  We talked about our need for listening to TRUTH.  We talked about how the devil is filled with lies and is our enemy...and God's Word will help us defeat our enemy.

Our activity was a cardstock BELT OF TRUTH.  They were so cute wearing these as they left the classroom.

Our Memory Verse was Ephesians 6:14.  We had a little tune to sing the memory verse too.  I LOVE to have a song to go with their memory verses.  I think it helps them to memorize the verse.

Our Review Activity was a fun experience.  I coded a cube (old empty cardboard box) with all the pieces of the Armor of God.  The kiddos had to answer a question from the story for an opportunity to roll the cube.  Whatever piece of Armor the cube landed on the children added that to their "soldier."  The boys had a boy soldier and the girls had a girl soldier.  They seemed to enjoy this game.  If they do not get the answer correct I use that as the opportunity to correct any misunderstanding. BTW, this was a cheap game to make.

This is the cube...I covered the box with blue poster paper and then attached the Armor pieces.

We had our Who? What? When? Where? Where? Why? and How? cards.  And we had a card to add to our God's Awesome Plan for Man wall.  I really think this is an important part of ALL Bible stories.

This is our NEW Theme Bulletin Board.

On Wednesday Evening the kiddos will be "designing" their Belt of Truth.  They will glue on sequins after coloring their belt.  They will then add the little Bible to their belt...since the BELT OF TRUTH is the WORD OF GOD. 

I am looking forward to teaching this material.  I know the children really were excited this morning.  I hope they are always excited about learning lessons from God's Word.

Blessings,

Ronda