INFANT SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS
YEAR 1
LESSONS 21 - 40
Lesson 21 Jacob at Bethel
Scripture passage: Genesis 28:10-22
Lesson Aim: To teach the narrative and to show that God does not cast sinners away because of one great sin but seeks to bring them to Himself.
Visual Aids: You could just concentrate on telling the story and then use the worksheets provided or you could use a flannelgraph.
Point 1 Show the visual aid of Jacob and Esau from last lesson. With a few appropriate questions, find out if the children remember the story. Eg. Were these twins like one another? Ask for some of the differences. What wrong thing did Jacob do? Ask the older children - why? How did Isaac think it was Esau? What did Esau feel like when he got home?
Point2 Pick up the story from the bitterness of Esau against his brother. Read v.41 of Chapter 27. Rebekah was terrified and decided to make an excuse to send Jacob away to a safe place which she knew. She said she wanted Jacob to marry somebody from her own family and not one of the women from the people around them, because these women did not love God. That place was far away but she knew that Jacob's uncle would be kind to him for her sake.
Point3 Discuss the loneliness and unfamiliarity of everything and the fear of the unknown. Perhaps talk about what it is like going to school or somewhere else for the first time. Jacob must have felt a bit like that. He had to leave behind everyone he had known and travel alone to a place he had never visited, and there he would meet people Rebekah had told him about but whom he had never met.
Point 4 Tell vividly the story of Jacob - sleeping under the starry sky with a stone for a pillow - having a dream quite out of the ordinary, in which God spoke to him and brought home to him the fact that God had not left him but was in that very place although he did not realise it. (Verse 16)
Point 5 Would you like to know what his dream was? Children like the idea of opening a parcel to see what is inside and, by telling the dream vividly, their curiosity will be aroused and attention kept. Tell of the ladder, of the angels and of God's words. Read these slowly and impressively. (Verses 13-15)
Point 6 Jacob was so moved by this experience that he wanted to leave a permanent record of how God appeared to him. So he used his stone pillow as a memorial stone and gave the place the name of Bethel. Read verses 18-22.
Conclusion
Sum up by thinking with the children about how important it was to Jacob that God spoke to him and encouraged him at a time when he was in trouble.
Lesson 22 Jacob, Leah and Rachel
Scripture passage: Genesis 29 v. 1 - 35
Lesson Aim: To help the children think about the problems of cheating and of favouritism.
Visual Aids: You could just concentrate on telling the story and then use the worksheets provided or you could use a flannelgraphor pipe cleaner figures.
Point 1 Recall events at Bethel. Jacob travelled a long way and eventually reached the place where Laban, Rebekah’s brother, lived. Describe the scene at the well with all the shepherds gathering with their sheep. Recall Abraham’s servant at the well when Rebekah came along.
Point2 Tell how Jacob asked the shepherds if they knew Laban and that, as they were speaking, Rachel, Laban’s younger daughter came along with her father’s sheep. Describe the meeting of Jacob and Rachel and tell how Rachel went to tell her father of the arrival of somebody from Rebekah’s family.
Point3 As soon as Laban heard about Jacob he hurried to meet him. Jacob was welcomed into his mother’s family and he helped with the work of looking after the animals. After he had been there for some time, Laban discussed paying him wages for all he was doing.
Point 4 Laban had two daughters, Leah and Rachel. Jacob loved Rachel. He said he would work for seven years for Laban, if he would allow him to marry Rachel. Laban agreed to this and Jacob worked on happily.
Point 5 Remind the children of how Jacob had cheated Isaac and then go on to tell how Laban cheated Jacob and how he gave him Leah, the older daughter, for his wife. Jacob was not at all pleased, but he agreed to work for another seven years for Rachel.
Point 6 Jacob loved Rachel more that Leah. Link this with Isaac and Rebekah each loving one son more than the other. God blessed Leah and she had children, while Rachel had none for a long time. Leah thought that because she had sons Jacob would begin to love her more, but he still loved Rachel. Once again, this was not a happy family.
Conclusion Tell a little of the story of Jacob’s twelve sons and of their place in history. Some of the children will have heard about Joseph.
LESSON 23 REVISES THE LAST TWO LESSONS
THE NOTES THAT FOLLOW FOR LESSONS 22 – 26 AND 28-29 WILL BE USED EACH YEAR, HENCE THE LENGTH AND DETAIL OF THE NOTES. THE TEACHER SHOULD CHOOSE WHICH ASPECTS OF THESE STORIES TO TELL EACH YEAR, PERHAPS BEING GUIDED BY THE WORKSHEETS.
Lesson 24 The Last Supper
Scripture passage: Matthew 26:130 and John 13:1-17.
Lesson aim: To show how Jesus' impending death was constantly in His mind as He looked forward to the Passover and to show that Jesus was going to die willingly for sinners.
Visual Aids: You could simply concentrate on telling the story and then use the worksheets provided. A drawing of what a table set for the Passover would look like when prepared would be appropriate, or pictures of each separate item, which children could take in turns fixing to a board.
Point 1 Talk briefly about the Children of Israel suffering in Egypt, about the plagues and especially the Passover, which was kept as a special feast every year. Every year a special feast was held in Jerusalem. It was called the Passover Feast and the Jews liked to be in Jerusalem for that time. As many as could travelled to Jerusalem to the Temple for the Passover and there they would remember the special occasion from many years before, when God saved the Israelites from the cruel king in Egypt.
Point2 Jesus was at Jerusalem for the Passover when something special took place. Where could Jesus and the disciples have their meal? The disciples asked Jesus. Jesus directed them to the place He had in mind and told them what to say when they got there (v.18). Jesus knew that He came into the world to die for sinners and He also knew that it was almost time for this to happen.
Point3 On the first day there was a special meal which families or friends took together. Tell what was needed for the meal: lamb, bread (baked without yeast), herbs, cups of wine, dishes of sauce and some other things too. Talk about all the disciples would have to do to make ready this special meal.
Point 4 The disciples did exactly as Jesus said. Jesus knew that the Passover would not be just the same as usual. He knew that before very long He would die. This would be His last Passover with His disciples. He looked forward to it in a special way. Describe them reclining at table. One of Jesus' friends was to turn out not to be a friend at all. He was going to betray Him. Discuss how you feel sad when someone who is your friend lets you down. When Jesus told them of the betrayer, each said, "Surely, it's not me, Lord?" Jesus said, "One of you who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me." He meant that one of them, who had seemed to be a friend, sharing in the things He did, sharing in the meal they had just eaten, was now going to betray Him. Tell how Jesus indicated that Judas was the betrayer. Discuss what the children would do if they discovered someone was going to kill them. They would try and avoid it. Explain that Jesus didn't try to stop Judas because He was willing to die.
Point 5 Tell the story vividly, but as simply as the Bible does. Talk about the food they had to eat: bread and wine. Explain how these would have a special meaning for the disciples from now on. Jesus had given them a special meaning. They would now remind them of Jesus and His death. Some of the children may be able to connect this with the Lord's Supper. Jesus introduced the Lord's Supper - the new sacrament to replace the Passover. Show how the Passover meal would help the Jewish people to remember what happened when they were freed from Egypt and show how this new sacrament was to remind Christians of Jesus’ death ‘till he comes’.
Point 6 It seems a very sad story and the disciples did not understand everything Jesus was telling them. Jesus was going to die soon; just as the Passover lamb had died. Jesus was going to save from sin. Get over the point that Jesus saves from sin just as, through the Passover Lamb, the Israelites were saved in Egypt. But Jesus also said: "I will not drink of this fruit of the vine, until I drink it new with you in My Father's Kingdom." He told them He was going to die but that that was not going to be the end of the story.
Conclusion Find out what the children know about the Lord's Supper and link this with the Bible story. Revise the main points of the passage, reminding the children that every time we celebrate the Lord's Supper it helps us to remember the love of Jesus and His willingness to die for sinners.
Go over the main points again. Jesus knew He was going to die. He knew who would betray Him but did not try to stop him, because He knew it was God's will that He should die to provide forgiveness for His people. The bread and wine that the disciples ate and drank would always remind them of Jesus and how He died to forgive sins.
Lesson 25 The Betrayal and the Garden
Scripture passage: Luke 22:39-62 and Matthew 26:36-46
Lesson Aim: To show that Jesus submitted to God's will that He should die the death of the cross. To show how two of Jesus' disciples let him down.
Visual Aids: You could simply concentrate on telling the story and then use the worksheets provided. You could use a pouch containing 30 pieces of silver (5p or 10p pieces) and a picture of a cockerel.
Point 1 Discuss with the children if they have ever been asked to do something but they were not willing to do it, e.g., go and brush their teeth after a meal; help out in the middle of a TV programme; say 'sorry' when they have been wrong. Discuss with them their feelings - they know what is being asked is not wrong in itself, but they don't feel like doing it just at that moment. What happens when they don't obey? Are they thinking only about themselves? How do they feel if they ask for help/a favour and they don't receive it?
Point2 Jesus was very concerned about something He had been asked to do. He was finding it hard to do but He knew He must do it. Look at what Jesus did and show how He was thinking about God. Jesus often went to the Mount of Olives and His disciples went also. He knew he was in danger but still he went. Jesus and His friends went together to this special/familiar place in His time of need. When we have a problem/crisis, we want to be at home or in a 'safe' place. We also like to be with our family/friends - people who care for us.
Point3 Jesus asked His disciples to pray. He was aware of their need as well as His own. Do we shut ourselves off and not speak to caring friends? Jesus moved away from the disciples but He was near enough for the disciples to hear and see Him. He prayed. He spoke to God about His problem. Why did He speak to God? We can speak to God too.
Point 4 Explain to the children that some 'awful things' were going to happen to Jesus - betrayed, tried, put to death - and that He prayed he might be spared these things. As Jesus prayed, He knew that He must go through these 'awful things'. He wasn't thinking about Himself. He wanted to please God, His Father. "Not my will," Jesus was resolute and determined. He did not flinch from doing His Father's will - right to the end. Tell the children that Jesus did all this for sinners.
Point 5 Jesus was still speaking to His disciples on the Mount of Olives when a large crowd came into the garden. They carried swords, clubs, lanterns and torches. Explain that this incident happened late at night - how do we know? What would the soldiers carry? (swords and lanterns) and the ordinary people? (clubs and torches). This large crowd had a guide. His name was Judas Iscariot and he was one of Jesus' disciples. He knew that Jesus came here often and he knew where to find Him. Judas said, "Peace be with you, Teacher" and went to kiss Jesus. Discuss who we kiss - people we love - like Mum and Dad. If someone kisses us do we think they are going to be nice to us, or not? Emphasise love/care aspect. Jesus said, "Judas, are you going to betray me with a kiss?" Judas' kiss wasn't to show that he loved Jesus but rather it was a sign to Jesus' enemies. It was to show them, in the dark, which one was Jesus, so that they could capture Him and take Him away. But Jesus knew what Judas was doing all the time because Jesus is God and God knows everything. One of His special friends betrayed Him. Judas was paid 30 pieces of silver for betraying Jesus.
Point 6 When the crowd came to take Jesus away, one of the disciples wanted to protect Jesus and used his sword, but Jesus told him to put it away. This disciple was called Peter. Explain that Peter was one of the disciples closest to Jesus and had been with Him on special occasions. Earlier, when Jesus told them that they would all run away and leave Him, Peter said he would not do that. Jesus told him that not only would he leave Him, but he would also say three times that he did not know Jesus and then a cockerel would crow.
Jesus was taken by the crowd and the disciples ran away. What would we do? Why? Peter cared about Jesus and wanted to know what was happening to Him so he followed, but far behind, and sneaked after Him. There was a fire outside the house where Jesus was taken and Peter joined the soldiers and servants who were trying to warm themselves around it. A fire had been lit because it was night-time and cold. Do you think Peter was pretending to be one of the crowd?
Point7 First, a servant girl said that Peter was a friend of Jesus, then two other people said the same thing and Peter said 'NO, NO, NO'. A cockerel crew. Just then Jesus turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered that Jesus had said this would happen Peter had thought he wouldn't let Jesus down. Jesus' words were always true. Peter was really sorry for what he had done. He went off and wept bitterly.
How do you think Jesus felt? Would he have felt let down?
Conclusion What about our attitude when asked to do something and we don't feel like it? Jesus did not think of Himself. He put Himself last - so should we!
J-JesusO-Others Y-You (an attitude that brings Joy)
Jesus prayed to God to help Him face His trial. We need to pray too because we can't have a right attitude on our own.
How many disciples were there? What was the sign to Jesus' enemies? Who followed Jesus when His enemies took him away? How many times did Peter say He was Jesus' friend? How many times did he say 'NO'? What happened then? What did Jesus do then? What did Peter do then?
Lesson 26 The Trial and the Crucifixion
Scripture passage: Luke 23:1-46 Matthew 27:32-56
Lesson Aim: To show how Jesus willingly died in order to save.
Visual Aids: You could simply concentrate on telling the story and then use the worksheets provided. Pictures of Pilate (Roman Governor), an angry crowd, the clothes men usually wore.