Philiptells Theethiopian

PhilipTells theEthiopian

AboutJesusActs8:26-40

hildrenunderstandthatprayeristalkingtoGod.TheytrustthatGodisthereandcanhearthemwhentheypray,buttheymaynotunderstandthatGodwantsto

speaktothemandthattheycanlistentoGod.UsethislessontohelpthemunderstandthatGodspeakstotheminmanywaysandthat,iftheylisten,theywillhearGod.

BiblePoint

ListentoGod.

KeyVerse

“ButtheCounselor,theHolySpirit,whomthe Fatherwillsendinmyname,willteachyouall thingsandwillremind youofeverythingIhavesaidtoyou”
(John14:26).

WeavingFaithIntoLife

Childrenwilllistento God.

Boldtextwithinthelessonisspokentext.

PhilipTellstheEthiopianAboutJesus

Acts8:26-40

BIBLeBACKGROUND

FORLEADERS

Philip Obeyed God’s Leading
According to Acts 8:4-8, Philip was preaching Christ, healing people, and bringing great joy to a Samaritan city. But God had another plan for Philip, which included guiding the first non-Jewish convert to faith in Jesus, and God’s plan resulted in Christianity being taken to Ethiopia. Philip responded in obedience.
Since the Ethiopian eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, we can assume he knew something of the Jewish faith. He may have been fully committed to the faith because he had traveled quite a distance to worship, perhaps as far as 200 miles! He had likely been inspired by his time of worship, because he was reading from Isaiah as he rode along. We might find it strange that Philip could hear what he was reading, but it was common in ancient times to read aloud. In fact, the language was such that sounding out the words was almost necessary.
Philip Was Prepared for Questions
At the Holy Spirit’s prompting, Philip overcame not only any fears or questions about non-Jews becoming Christians, but also any racial prejudice he may have had. The Ethiopian was a native of what is now northern Sudan and was black-skinned. God is not concerned with the color of our skin, and neither was Philip.
Philip had no difficulty answering the Ethiopian’s questions. He had probably been answering the same types of questions from the Samaritans. God had prepared the right person to present the gospel to the Ethiopian on the road.
When Philip told the man about Jesus, the Ethiopian apparently expressed belief immediately. Baptism was taken very seriously in the early church. Philip must have been fully convinced of the certainty / and sincerity of the Ethiopian’s belief, because he consented to baptize this traveler.
The Jesus Connection
Having completed his task, Philip was again sent on his way by God. The text seems to indicate that God miraculously swept him away, on to his next mission. The Ethiopian continued on his way, and tradition tells us that he spread the message of Christ in Ethiopia, soon baptizing the queen and others there.
We often don’t know why God guides us to do certain things. But when we know what God wants us to do, we must respond in faith and action. Who knows what God will do through us if we respond faithfully to the guidance of his Holy Spirit?
In what area of your life is God leading you to listen closely to his voice? You can write your prayer here.

GETTING

STARTED

WelcomeandCelebrateSupplies

CDplayer TeacherPackCD:“Welcome,

Friends!”(track16),“INeedJesus”(track12)

WelcomeandCelebrate

TipConsistentlyusethesamesignaltoannounceatransitiontothenextactivity.Youcouldflipthelightsoffandon,useatrainwhistle,haveapuppetrustlinginsideabag,orsingcleanupsongs.Keepitsimple,consistent,andfun.

WhatYou’llDo

Asthechildrenarrive,greeteachonewithasmile.Whenit’stimetobegin,useyoursignaltogatherthechildrentogetherinacircleonthefloor.

Leadchildreninsinging“Welcome,Friends!”(track16ontheCD)tothetuneof“AreYouSleeping?”Encouragechildrentofollowthemotionsinparentheses.

Welcome, friends!Welcome, friends! (make the“comeover” motiontwice)

ToGod’shouse,toGod’shouse.(puthandstogetheraboveheadtomakeahouse)

WewilllearnfromGodabove(pointup)

HowJesuscametosharehislove.(hugself)Jointhefun!Jointhefun!(jumpupanddown) (Repeat.)

Say:Welcome, friends!Todaywe’lllearnthatwecanLISTENTOGODandJesus.Theyknowwhat’s bestforus.Let’s singasongaboutJesus.

Leadchildreninsinging“INeedJesus”(track12ontheCD)tothetuneof“TheWheelsontheBus.”Encouragechildrentofollowthemotionsinparentheses.

IneedJesusinmylife,(pointtoheavenandthentoself)

Inmylife,inmylife.(pointtoself)

IneedJesusinmylife.(pointtoheavenandthentoself)

Hewantstobemyfriend.(putarmaroundafriend)

Jesus,pleaseerasemysins,(pretendtoscrubyourheart)Erasemysins,erasemysins.(continuescrubbingmotion) Jesus,pleaseerasemysins,

Andmake myheart brand-new.(hold out handsas ifpresenting a gift)

HeavenismygiftfromGod,(pointup)

GiftfromGod,giftfromGod.(holdouthandsasifpresentingagift)HeavenismygiftfromGod(holdouthandsasifpresentingagift)’Causehelovesmeeveryday!(giveyourselfabighug)

Say:Todaywe’llhearaboutafriendofJesusnamedPhilip.ThisfriendknewheneededtoLISTENTOGOD.AndwhenGodtoldhimtotalktoanEthiopianman, hedid. We’lllearnfromPhilipthatlisteningtoGodisoneofthebestthingswecan ever do.

KEYVERSE

ACTIVITY

HowGodTeachesUs

WhatYou’llDo

Havechildrenformacircleandsitdown.OpenyourBibletoJohn14:26,andshowchildrenthewords.TellkidstheBibleisGod’sspecialbook.

Say:OurKeyVersefromtheBiblesays,“ButtheCounselor,theHolySpirit,whomtheFatherwillsendinmyname,willteachyouallthingsandwillremindyouofeverythingIhavesaidtoyou”(John14:26).ThismeansthattheHolySpiritwillteachyou.Let’ssayourKeyVersetogether.Lead children insayingtheadaptedKeyVersewithyou:TheHolySpiritwillteachyou(John14:26).

Say:Let’slistentoeachothertohelpuslearnwhatitmeanstolistentotheHolySpirit.

Groupthechildrenintopairs,andhavethepairslineupatoneendoftheroom.Haveone partner ineach pairclose hisor hereyes. Thenhave thesighted partner gentlyholdthearmofthenon-seeingpartner.Whenyousay“go,”havethesightedpartnerslowlyleadtheotherchildaroundtablesandchairsandacrosstheroom.Havethepartnersswitchrolesandplaythegameagain.

Say:Justasyoutrustedyourfriendtoleadyouaroundtheroomeventhoughyoucouldn’tseehimorher,wecanlistentoGodandtrusthimeventhoughwe can’tseehimlikeweseepeopleintheroom.TheHolySpiritteachesusbyleadingusaswelistentohim.

Let’ssayourKeyVerseoncemore.LeadchildreninsayingtheadaptedKeyVersewithyou:TheHolySpiritwillteachyou(John14:26).

TalkWithKids

Leadchildreninthisdiscussion.

Ask:

•Whatwasitliketobeledbyyourpartner?

•WhataresomewaysyouknowGodcanleadyou?

•WhatwillyoudotolistentotheHolySpiritthisweek?

HowGodTeachesUs

Supplies

Bible

Say:TheBibletellsustoLISTENTOGODandtrusthim.AndGodgaveustheHolySpirittoleadus.WhenwebelieveinJesus,weknowthatGodandtheHolySpiritwillneverleadusinthewrongdirection. Let’s doourbesttolistentoGodthisweek.

BIBLE

EXPLORATION

PuppyPointers

Supplies

CDplayer Theopuppet tape

pictureofadog TeacherPackCD:“Here,Theo” (track5)

PuppyPointers

EasyPrep

TapethedogpicturetoTheo’spaw.

PuppyPointers

WhatYou’llDo

Say:Listen,everyone,Theo’scoming!Hehassomethingtoshowus.Let’sfindout whatit is.Play “Here,Theo” (track5 onthe CD),and bringout TheophilustheFaithRetriever.

Theo:Hi,everybody!

Teacher:Hello,Theo!It’sniceofyoutocometochurchwithustoday.

Theo:I’msohappytoseeallofyouboysandgirls!

Teacher:We’rehappytoseeyou,too!Itlookslikeyouhaveapicturewithyou.

Theo:Thisismygrandma.

Teacher:That’sgreat!Whatdoyoulikemostaboutyourgrandma?

Theo:She is so smart and gives the best advice. I always make sure to listen to her.Teacher:That’sgreat,Theo!We’relearningaboutlisteningtoday,too.Friends,let’stellTheoourBiblePointfortoday.

(LeadchildreninsayingtheBiblePointforTheo:LISTENTOGOD.)

Theo:Wow!IbetyougetevenbetteradvicefromGodthanIdofrommygrandma.

Teacher:Yes,wedo!Andtodaywe’regoingtoreadaboutamannamedPhilipwholistenedtoGod.

Theo:Thatsoundsgreat!Ihopeyouhaveagoodtime.I’mgoingtogocallmygrandma.

Teacher:Okay! Have a good day. Boys and girls, saygoodbye to Theo!

Encouragethe children towave or saygoodbye to Theo. Thenput Theo awayin a safeplacefornextweek’suse.

TalkWithKids

Leadchildreninthisdiscussion.

Ask:

•Theolistenstohisgrandma.Tellaboutapersonyoulistento.•Whyisitgoodtolistentopeoplewhoknowmorethanwedo?• WhydoyouwanttolistentoGod?

Say:Todaywe’llhearaboutamanwholistenedtoGodandgreat thingshappened.WhenweLISTENTOGOD,weknowhegivesustheverybestadvice.WhenGodtellsusthings,wewanttolistentoeveryword andfollowhim.Let’shearwhat happenedwiththemanwho listenedtoGod.

BibleTime:PhilipTellsAll

WhatYou’llDo

Open yourBible to Acts 8:26-40,andshowchildrenthe words.Tellchildrenthat theBibleisGod’sspecialbook.

BibleTime:PhilipTellsAll

Supplies

Say:DuringBibletimes,somepeoplerodeinchariots.Chariotswerecartsthatwere

pulledbyhorses.Onemanwe’llreadaboutintheBibletodayrodeinachariot,solet’spretend to ride in one, too. Lead the childrento sit inside the masking-tapechariot.

Showthepanofsand.Say:We’ll usethistoshowthedesertinwhatweread today.Leteachchildrunhisorherfinger throughthesand.

Showthe threetoy people. Hold eachone up individually and introduce them asthe angel,the Ethiopian, and Philip. Letthe childrenpassthetoyfiguresaround.

Showtherectangularblock.Say:We’llpretendthisisthechariot.Letthechildrenpassaroundthe“chariot.”

Choosechildren to taketurnsmovingthefiguresasyoudirectthem.Switchthechildrenfrequentlysotheyhavetolistencarefullythroughoutthepassage.Say:Ineedyourhelpto

Bible

CDplayermaskingtapepanofsandpanofwater3toypeople

rectangularblock

TeacherPack

CD:“WeCanListentoGod”(track21)

BibleTime:PhilipTellsAll

EasyPrep

tellwhathappened,andjustaswe’relearningtoLISTENTOGOD,you’llhaveto

listencarefullytomesoyouknowwhattodowhenIchooseyoutohelpme.

Say:OnedayanangelofGod(havethechildholdingtheangelholditup)saidtoamannamedPhilip(havethechildholdingtheangelmoveittothePhiliptoy),“GoontheroadtoGaza.”(Have thechildholdingPhilippretendtomakehimwalk.)

Say:SoPhilipheadeddownthedesertroad.(LetadifferentchildmovePhiliptothepanofsand.)AlongthewayhemetanEthiopianman.(Haveachildholdupthe“Ethiopian.”)TheEthiopianwasridinginachariot.(HavethechildrenmovetheEthiopianandthe“chariot” tothe panofsand.)The Ethiopianwas a veryimportant man. Hetook care ofallofthequeen’smoney.TheEthiopianwasonhiswayhomefromworshippingGodandwasreadingGod’s Word.(Haveachilddrivethechariotslowlythroughthesand.)

Say:TheangeltoldPhilip(haveachildmovetheangeltothepanofsandwherePhilipis)togoovertothechariot.(HaveachildmovePhilipnearthechariot.)WhenPhilipgotnearthechariot,hecouldhearthemanreading God’swords.PhilipaskedtheEthiopianifheunderstoodwhathewasreading.TheEthiopiansaidhedidn’t.SoPhiliptoldtheEthiopianallaboutJesus.

Have the kids turn and tellaneighborsomething they know aboutJesus.

Say:Astheytraveleddowntheroad,theycametosomewater.(HaveafewchildrenmovetheEthiopian,Philip,andthechariottothepanof water.)TheEthiopianaskedPhilipifhecouldbebaptized.TheEthiopianlovedJesuswithallhisheartandwantedtoobeyhim.SoPhilipbaptizedtheEthiopianthatveryday.(Letseveralkidstakeaturndipping the Ethiopianin the water.)

Usethemaskingtape

tomaketheshapeofachariotonthefloor,bigenoughforallchildrentositinside.

Say:WhenPhilipandtheEthiopiancameoutofthe water,PhilipwentwhereGodtoldhimtogo,andtheEthiopianwentonhiswayrejoicing.Hewassohappy!PhiliplistenedtoGodbyobeyingtheangel.TheEthiopianlistenedtoGodbyreadingGod’s Wordandbeingbaptized.WecanLISTENTOGODjustasPhilipandtheEthiopian did.Let’stellGodnowthatwe’lllistentohim.

Leadthe childrenin singing “We Can Listen toGod” (track21onthe CD) tothetuneof “IfYou’reHappy andYouKnowIt.”Asthey sing, have themhold hands andwalk along theedge ofthemaskingtapechariot.

WecanlistentoGodeveryday.

WecanlistentoGodandobeyhisholyWord.WecanlistentoGodeveryday.

(Repeat.)

TalkWithKids

Leadchildreninthisdiscussion.

Ask:

•Whatwasitliketolistencarefullyinthisactivity?

•HowisthatlikeorunlikehowyoulistentoGod?

Center1:Philipand theEthiopianSupplies

MyBibleHugs scissors

glue

bluetissuepaper

one1x3-inchsandpaperstripandone1x3-inch whitepaperstripperchild

Center1:Philipand theEthiopianEasy Prep

RemovetheLesson 10pagesfromeachMyBibleHugsstudent book,andwrite children’snames

onthem.Cutoffthe 3-panelstriponthe sideofeachpage.

Say:WhenweloveGodwithallourheart,wewanttolistentohiswords, justastheEthiopianlistenedtoPhilipandtoGod.WeknowthatwhenweLISTENTOGOD,hedoesreallygreatthings.Let’slistencarefully toGodthisweek.

WEAVINGFAITH

INTOLIFE

Chooseatleasttwoofthelearningcenterstohelpreinforcetoday’sBiblelesson.Gathertheneededmaterials,andputthesuppliesinanout-of-sightareauntilyou’rereadyforthem.Allowthechildrentochoosewhichcenterthey’dliketoexplorefirst.Thencirculateamongthechildrenastheycreateandexplore.EncouragethemtomakeconnectionsbetweentheiractivitiesandtheBiblebyaskingthemthequestionsincludedwitheachcenter’sdescription.

CENTER1:

PhilipandtheEthiopian

WhatYou’llDo

Give each child a Lesson 10 page from My Bible Hugs. Say: Todaywe’re learning to LISTENTOGOD.Let’smakesomepicturescenestoremindusofhowPhilipandtheEthiopianlistenedtoGod.

Giveeachchildastripofsandpapertoglueontotheroadintheleftpanel.Readaloudthetext,andletkidstellabouttimestheylistenedtoGod.

Showthechildrenhowtorollastripofwhitepapersoitlookslikeascrollandgluethescrollontothemiddlepanelsoitlookslikeit’sintheEthiopian’shands.Readaloudthetext,andletkidstellabouttimestheylearnedmoreaboutGod.

Havekidstearthebluetissuepaperandglueitontotherightpanelsoitlookslikewater.Readaloudthetext,andletkidstellwhytheybelieveinJesus.

Showthechildrenhowtofoldthepageaccordion-stylesothepanelontherightisbehindthemiddlepanelandthemiddlepanelisbehindthepanelontheleft.

TalkWithKids

Say:JustlikePhiliplistenedtoGodandtoldtheEthiopianallaboutJesus,wecantellothersaboutJesus.OnethingGodwantsallofustodoistotellothersabouthim. Thisweek,let’s LISTENTOGODandobeyhimbytellingsomeoneaboutJesus.We canevenusethesceneswejustmadetotellpeopleabouthowPhiliplistenedtoGod.

CENTER2:

ListeningEarsSnacks

WhatYou’llDo

Havechildrencleantheirhandsandthensitdownforthesnack.Say:JustlikeGodwantedPhilipandtheEthiopiantolistentohim,Godwantsustolistentohim.

Giveeachchildaricecake.Say:Pretend thisisyourface.Whatpartofthebodydoyou needto listento God?Allowtime, andthen givekids theappleslices toplacebesidethe rice cakes asears.

Say:Wecanlistenwithourears,butwecanalsolistentoGodinotherways.We

Center2:ListeningEarsSnacksSupplies

ricecakes

2appleslicesperchildplates

antibacterialgel (optional)

canlisten to God withour hearts. Have kids movetheir apple slices to create heartshapesontopofthericecakes.

Say:WecanhearfromGodwhenwereadtheBible,too.Havekidsplacetheappleslicesontopofeachother,andfliponeover,asifopeningabook.

TalkWithKids

Leadchildreninthisdiscussionastheyenjoytheirsnacks.

Ask:

•WhatdoyoulikeaboutlisteningtoGod?

•WhydoyouknowthatGodwillalwaystellyouthebestthingtodo?

Say:WhentheangeltoldPhiliptogotoGaza,Philipdidn’tknow why, buthelistenedtoGod.Godspeakstousalotof ways,too,andwhenweLISTENTO

ALLERGY

ALERT !

GOD,we won’t alwaysknow at firstwhy he tellsus something. Butwe can trustthatGodwillalwaystellusthebestthingtodo.

Center3:EarstoHear

Supplies

CDplayer

TeacherPack

CD:“ActionSounds” (track22)

Center4:Chariots

Supplies

1largefoamcupper2 children

4craftsticksperchild gluesticks

scissors

markers

crayons

copiesofthe“Chariot Wheels”handout(attheendofthislesson) oncardstock

Center4:Chariots

EasyPrep

Cutfoamcupsinhalf. Make2smallslits sidebysideinthetop

curvedpartofeachcupand2smallslitssideby sideinthebottomflatpartofeachcup.Cut out2wheelsforeach child.

CENTER3:

EarstoHear

WhatYou’llDo

Say:TodaywelearnedabouttwomenwholistenedtoGod.Let’splayalisteninggame. We’re going to listento a sound on theCD, tell what it is,and act it out. Itwill helpus realize that we canLISTEN TO GOD.

Play“ActionSounds”(track22ontheCD),andletthechildrenactoutthesoundstheyhear. TheCDprovidesa10-second pausebetweeneachsound.

TalkWithKids

Leadchildreninthisdiscussion.

Ask:

•WhatwasitliketolistentoandfollowthesoundsontheCD?

•WhydoeslisteningtotheCDhelpyoubeagoodlistener?

•WhatcanyoudotobeagoodlistenerwhenitcomestoGod?

Say:PhilipknewtheangelcamefromGod.Andwhenwepracticelistening,ithelpsusLISTENTOGODanddowhathesays.Let’sdoourbesttolistentoGodand obeyhimthis weekevery timewe havea chance.

CENTER4:

Chariots

WhatYou’llDo

Say:PhiliplistenedtotheangelandwenttoGaza.Ashewalkedthrough thedesert, hemet anEthiopian manin achariot. Let’smake chariotcrafts toremindustoLISTENTOGODlikePhilipandtheEthiopiandid.

Giveeachchildhalfofafoamcup.Letkidsdecoratetheircupswithcrayons.Showchildrenhowtogluethewheelstothesidesoftheircups.Thengiveeachchildfourcraftsticks,andencouragekidstousethemarkerstodrawfacesandclothesontwoofthestickssotheylooklikePhilipandtheEthiopian.Showkidshowtocarefullyslide

thecraftsticksintotheholesontop.Thenshowchildrenhowtoslidetheremainingtwocraftsticksintotheendholestomakethebarsthatthehorseswouldbehookedto.

EncouragechildrentousethecrafttoactoutwhathappenedwhenPhiliplistenedtoandobeyedGod.

TalkWithKids

Leadchildreninthisdiscussion.

Ask:

•ThinkabouthowPhilipandtheEthiopianlistenedtoandobeyedGod.What didtheydothatseemsthehardesttoyou?

•Tellaboutatimeitwashardtodotherightthing.

•WhydoyouwanttolistentoandobeyGod,evenwhenit’snoteasy?

Say:GodaskedPhilipandtheEthiopiantodosomeprettybigthings,buttheystilllistenedtohim.WecanLISTENTOGODandobeyhim,too,evenwhenit’snottheeasiestchoicetomake.

LASTING

IMPRESSIONS

DailyChallenges

WhatYou’llDo

Afterthechildrenhavecleaneduptheircenters,bringeveryonebacktoacircleareaonthefloor.ReviewthelessonactivitiesandtheBiblePoint,andthenencouragethechildrentosharewhattheyrememberaboutwhattheylearnedfromtheBibletoday.

Alsousethistimetochallengekidsintheirfaith.EncouragethemtochooseaDailyChallengeforapplyingtoday’slessontotheirlivesthisweek.Usethischallengeforencouragingyourchildren’sgrowingrelationshipswithJesus.

TalkWithKids

Say: Today we learnedthat we canLISTEN TO GOD.I would like eachof you tochooseaway tolistento Godthis week.

DailyChallenges

Supplies

MyBibleHugs

Givekidsthesetwochallengestochoosefrom:

•ListentoasongaboutGod,andtellyourparentswhyyouwanttolistentoandobeyGod.

• •PracticelisteningandobeyingGodbydoingwhatyourparentsask.

Say:Ifyouwant tolistento asong, circle the choicewithone dot.Ifyouwant toobeyyourparents,circlethechoicewithtwodots.Checkthateachchildcircled achoiceonhisorherMyBibleHugspage.Makesureyoutellkidsthechallengeyou

choose.YourcommitmentwillinspirechildrenandwillgivethemanopportunitytoseeGod at workin your lifeas well asin theirs!

Action Prayer

Supplies

Bible

ActionPrayer

WhatYou’llDo

Formacircle,andhavethechildrensitdown.

Asyoupray,passaBiblearoundthecircle.RepeattheprayeruntileachchildhashadachancetoholdGod’sWord,theBible.RemindchildrenthatGodspeaksthroughtheBible.Suggestthattheyasktheirparentstoreadtothemduringtheweek.

Pray:Thankyou,God,foryourWordAndthemanythingsyousay.

HelpustrustyouandyourWordAndlistentoyoueachday.

InJesus’name,amen.

WeavingFaithatHome

HavechildrentakehometheirMyBibleHugspageswhethertheyworkedonthemornot.Havethechildrentelltheirparentsthechallengetheycommittedtointhe“DailyChallenges”activity.Encouragetheparentstohelptheirkidsfulfillthiscommitmentduringtheweek.Byworkingtogetherandfocusingonthesamegoals,youandparentscanhelpchildrenweavefaithintotheirlives!

TalktoyourDirectoraboutemailingtheFREEFamilyConnecttoallyourchurch’sfamilies.Availableatgroup.com/digital.

ChariotWheels

TOCOPY