|
|
Preschool track
Overview of John
The story of Jesus in the Book of John is different from the story in any other New Testament book. The author of John tells the story of Jesus using beautiful words and pictures.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
Bible Readings
The Woman at the Well (John 4:1-42) Reading
One day Jesus and his friends went to Samaria. Jesus was hot and tried. Jesus sat down by a well. Jesus' friends went to buy food because they were hungry.
A woman came up to the well where Jesus was sitting. Jesus started talking to the woman. Jesus said, "I know all about you, and I know that you need to follow God." The woman was very surprised.
The woman said to Jesus, "How do you know all about me?"
Jesus said, "I know all about you because I am the Son of God, and I know that God loves you very much, even though you have made some mistakes."
The woman ran and told others in the town about Jesus.
Many people in Samaria began to believe in Jesus because of what the woman told them. They began to follow Jesus because they believed that Jesus was the Son of God.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
A woman came up to the well where Jesus was sitting. Jesus started talking to the woman. Jesus said, "I know all about you, and I know that you need to follow God." The woman was very surprised.
The woman said to Jesus, "How do you know all about me?"
Jesus said, "I know all about you because I am the Son of God, and I know that God loves you very much, even though you have made some mistakes."
The woman ran and told others in the town about Jesus.
Many people in Samaria began to believe in Jesus because of what the woman told them. They began to follow Jesus because they believed that Jesus was the Son of God.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
A Boy's Lunch (John 6:1-15) Reading
One sunny day, Jesus and his disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee. A huge crowd followed them. The crowd had heard about Jesus' stories and about the miracles he was performing. The crowd hoped to see the power of God through Jesus this very day.
The crowd followed Jesus and the disciples up into the mountains. Jesus looked out into the crowd and said to his friend, Philip, "There have to be over five thousand people here, and they haven't eaten anything. Where can we buy food for these people?
Philip knew they could not afford to buy food for that many people.
Another disciple, Andrew, noticed a boy in the crowd who had five loaves of bread and two fish. Andrew brought the boy to Jesus.
"It isn't much, but this boy has some food," Andrew said to Jesus.
"If you think it will help," said the boy, "I'll be happy to share my food."
Jesus instructed the crowd to sit down. Then Jesus took the bread and fish, and said, "Dear God, thank you for our blessings." Jesus broke the bread and fish, and began passing it out to the people.
Everyone in the crowd ate until each person was full. Jesus performed a miracle!
"Pick up what is left," Jesus instructed his friends. There were twelve baskets of food left!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
The crowd followed Jesus and the disciples up into the mountains. Jesus looked out into the crowd and said to his friend, Philip, "There have to be over five thousand people here, and they haven't eaten anything. Where can we buy food for these people?
Philip knew they could not afford to buy food for that many people.
Another disciple, Andrew, noticed a boy in the crowd who had five loaves of bread and two fish. Andrew brought the boy to Jesus.
"It isn't much, but this boy has some food," Andrew said to Jesus.
"If you think it will help," said the boy, "I'll be happy to share my food."
Jesus instructed the crowd to sit down. Then Jesus took the bread and fish, and said, "Dear God, thank you for our blessings." Jesus broke the bread and fish, and began passing it out to the people.
Everyone in the crowd ate until each person was full. Jesus performed a miracle!
"Pick up what is left," Jesus instructed his friends. There were twelve baskets of food left!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
Thomas Believes (John 20:24-31) Reading
"We've seen Jesus!" said the other disciples. Thomas didn't believe what the disciples told him.
"I doubt it. Jesus has died. I would only believe that you saw Jesus if I saw Jesus with my own eyes," replied Thomas.
Eight days later, the disciples - this time, Thomas was with them - were in their hiding place again. They had all the doors locked and were sitting in the room trying to decide what to do next. All of a sudden, Jesus appeared.
"Peace be with you,"said Jesus. "Thomas, don't doubt. Believe!"
"It's you, Jesus!" exclaimed Thomas.
Jesus said to Thomas, "Do you only believe because you see me? Have faith! Believe!"
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
"I doubt it. Jesus has died. I would only believe that you saw Jesus if I saw Jesus with my own eyes," replied Thomas.
Eight days later, the disciples - this time, Thomas was with them - were in their hiding place again. They had all the doors locked and were sitting in the room trying to decide what to do next. All of a sudden, Jesus appeared.
"Peace be with you,"said Jesus. "Thomas, don't doubt. Believe!"
"It's you, Jesus!" exclaimed Thomas.
Jesus said to Thomas, "Do you only believe because you see me? Have faith! Believe!"
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
Feed My Sheep! (John 21:15-19) Reading
When Jesus and the disciples finished eating breakfast on the beach, Jesus asked Peter a question, "Peter, do you love me?
Peter answered, "Yes, Jesus, you know that I love you."
Jesus said to Peter, "Feed my lambs. Share God's love with everyone." Jesus asked Peter again, "Peter, do you love me"
Peter answered, "Yes, Jesus, you know that I love you."
Jesus said to Peter, "Take care of my sheep." Jesus asked Peter again, "Peter, do you love me?"
Peter was very sad that Jesus asked him a third time if he loved Jesus, you know everything. You know that I love you. You are my best friend."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Follow my example."
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
Peter answered, "Yes, Jesus, you know that I love you."
Jesus said to Peter, "Feed my lambs. Share God's love with everyone." Jesus asked Peter again, "Peter, do you love me"
Peter answered, "Yes, Jesus, you know that I love you."
Jesus said to Peter, "Take care of my sheep." Jesus asked Peter again, "Peter, do you love me?"
Peter was very sad that Jesus asked him a third time if he loved Jesus, you know everything. You know that I love you. You are my best friend."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Follow my example."
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
I Wonder....
- why Thomas did not believe the other disciples?
- how the other people felt when the Samaritan woman told them that she met Jesus?
- why Jesus chose Peter to take care of his sheep?
- who are the sheep?
- how many people were there?
- how deep the well was
- what time of day the woman went?
- if the woman had a name?
Discussion Questions
- How do you think Peter felt?
- Can you think of something that you believe about Jesus?
- How do you think the woman felt when Jesus spoke to her?
- Jesus cares about full bellies, and so should we. How can you help others get enough food to eat?
Videos
Godly Play
|
The Good Shepherd
This video is 19:34 minutes long
|
The Good Samaritan
This video is 14:32 minutes long
|
Saddleback Kids
|
The Lost Sheep
This video is 1:58 minutes long
|
Jesus Appears to Thomas
This video is 2:34 minutes long
|
The Woman at the Well
This video is 1:22 minutes long
Holy Moly
|
Jesus Feeding the 5,000
This video is 5:58 minutes long
|
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
This video is 6:54 minutes long
|
Songs
|
Baa Baa Black Sheep by Cocomelon
|
Kindness is a Muscle by Universal Kids
|
|
This song is 6 seconds long
|
This song is 2:54 minutes long
|
|
Early Childhood Worship (John 13:34) by Saddleback Kids
This video is 1:57 minutes long
|
Being Kind by Empty Hands
This song is 4:50 minutes long
|
Service Opportunity
|
National Opportunity
|
International Opportunity
|
Tips for Adults
The Book of John was probably the last of the four Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John - written. The author is unknown, though tradition says that John, son of Zebedee, wrote the book. The Book of John focuses more on who Jesus is, the Son of God, and teaches less about God's kingdom. John teaches us that Jesus was "the Word" who was with God at the very beginning.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
Elementary Track
Overview of John
The story of Jesus in the Book of John is different from the story in any other New Testament book. The author of John tells the story of Jesus using beautiful words and pictures.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
|
Overview: John 1-12 by Bible Project
This video is 8:45 minutes long
|
Overview: John 13 - 21 by Bible Project
This video is 832 minutes long
|
Bible Readings
The Very Thirsty Woman (John 4:1-32) Reading
Turn on a faucet, and watch the fresh water flow. Water to fill a glass or a pet's water dish. Water to fill a pot for cooking rice. It wan't always that easy. In Jesus' time, the village women carried large buckets from their home to the well.
Jesus was traveling through a town called Sychar in Samaria. He was thirsty, so he looked for a well. Jesus asked a village woman, "Would you give me a cup of water?"
The woman's mouth dropped open in shock. "You are Jewish. I am a Samaritan. Jew don't like Samaritans. Samaritans don't like Jews," (The Jewish people and the Samaritan people had a serious disagreement long, long, ago. They couldn't agree about the correct place to worship God. It caused lots of problems.)
Jesus wanted the world to be different. He wanted to help people forgive one another. He wanted people to learn new ways to lie in peace. Jesus said, "I am thirsty for the water in your well. But I think you are thirsty for water from mine. I can give you water that will fill you with life."
The woman had never heard of water like that. She couldn't imagine where Jesus could get it. Jesus told the woman things about herself: "I understand that your life is complicated and hard." Jesus and the woman talked and talked. "I am waiting for God's special one to cone," she told Jesus. "He will teach us everything."
"I am God's special one!" said Jesus. The happy woman ran home to tell everyone the good news. "God's special one is here! He will give us the water of life!"
Jesus stayed two more days in Sychar. He made many new friends and told all who wanted to listen about God's generous love.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
Jesus was traveling through a town called Sychar in Samaria. He was thirsty, so he looked for a well. Jesus asked a village woman, "Would you give me a cup of water?"
The woman's mouth dropped open in shock. "You are Jewish. I am a Samaritan. Jew don't like Samaritans. Samaritans don't like Jews," (The Jewish people and the Samaritan people had a serious disagreement long, long, ago. They couldn't agree about the correct place to worship God. It caused lots of problems.)
Jesus wanted the world to be different. He wanted to help people forgive one another. He wanted people to learn new ways to lie in peace. Jesus said, "I am thirsty for the water in your well. But I think you are thirsty for water from mine. I can give you water that will fill you with life."
The woman had never heard of water like that. She couldn't imagine where Jesus could get it. Jesus told the woman things about herself: "I understand that your life is complicated and hard." Jesus and the woman talked and talked. "I am waiting for God's special one to cone," she told Jesus. "He will teach us everything."
"I am God's special one!" said Jesus. The happy woman ran home to tell everyone the good news. "God's special one is here! He will give us the water of life!"
Jesus stayed two more days in Sychar. He made many new friends and told all who wanted to listen about God's generous love.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
Jesus Heals with Words (John 4:46-54) Reading
What if would be like without telephones or computers that we can use to talk with people far away? Without telephones and computers, people still heard about Jesus and how he healed people. In this story, Jesus does not need to see or touch someone to make them well.
In Capernaum, an important royal official was worried. His son was very sick. He heard that Jesus could make sick people well. When he heard that Jesus was headed to Capernaum, this important official began the ling walk to meet Jesus. The journey was long, hot, and dusty. The official walked more than a day before he saw Jesus.
When official reached Jesus, he fell to his knees. He begged Jesus, "My son is very sick. Please come to my house."
"You just want to see a miracle," Jesus said.
"I want you to make my son better. Please come."
But Jesus said, "Go back home. Your son is alive."
The official trusted Jesus. He started the long journey home.
Before he arrived at his house, his servant ran to meet him. "Your son is alive and well."
"When did he get better?" asked the boy's father.
"Yesterday at one o'clock in the afternoon."
"That is the same time I was talking with Jesus. Jesus healed my son without seeing or touching him. Jesus is amazing!"
After this, the official and everyone in his house trusted in Jesus.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
In Capernaum, an important royal official was worried. His son was very sick. He heard that Jesus could make sick people well. When he heard that Jesus was headed to Capernaum, this important official began the ling walk to meet Jesus. The journey was long, hot, and dusty. The official walked more than a day before he saw Jesus.
When official reached Jesus, he fell to his knees. He begged Jesus, "My son is very sick. Please come to my house."
"You just want to see a miracle," Jesus said.
"I want you to make my son better. Please come."
But Jesus said, "Go back home. Your son is alive."
The official trusted Jesus. He started the long journey home.
Before he arrived at his house, his servant ran to meet him. "Your son is alive and well."
"When did he get better?" asked the boy's father.
"Yesterday at one o'clock in the afternoon."
"That is the same time I was talking with Jesus. Jesus healed my son without seeing or touching him. Jesus is amazing!"
After this, the official and everyone in his house trusted in Jesus.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
A Boy and his Lunch (John 6:1-15) Reading
Word had spread all across the lands
Of Jesus and his loving hands.
He cured the sick, he healed the blind.
To friends and strangers, he was kind.
The people gathered one by one
To see the things Jesus had done.
To every place that he would go,
The people followed, high and low.
He crossed the Sea of Galilee,
Went up a mountain, through the trees,
Then Jesus came to sit and rest
Among the friends he knew the best.
But even all the way up here,
The crowd had followed, oh so near,
To listen to the words he'd say,
To watch him heal, to hear him pray.
When he saw the large gathered crowd,
Jesus asked this question aloud:
"They've walked for miles on their feet.
Where can we buy them bread to eat?"
He said this with a little smile,
For Jesus planned it all the while,
Just exactly what he would so,
But wondered if his friends knew, too.
Now Philip, who was close at hand,
Did not know what Jesus planned.
For this was not a crowd of tens.
It was five thousand citizens!
"To earn the money we would need
To buy the bread enough to feed
All these people gathered here
Would take us more than half a year!"
Andrew spoke up then and said,
"Here is a boy who has some bread:
Five loaves, two fish - it's all good stuff!
But surely this is not enough."
Jesus took the loaves and then said,
"God, we thank you for all this bread."
He passed the loaves, he passed the fish,
He told the crowd, "Take all you wish."
They all sat down on the ground.
Is there enough to go around?
Five thousand people sitting there,
Somehow they had enough to share.
Once everyone was satisfied,
Jesus walked through the crowd and cried,
"So that not one crumb may be lost,
Gather up what you would have tossed."
The scraps from five small barley loaves
Now made twelve baskets overflow.
What wasn't enough for them before
Had somehow turned into so much more!
When people saw what he had done,
They shouted, "Surely he's the one!
Jesus is the prophet, he who
Has come to make all things anew!"
Jesus didn't want attention.
He realized their intention:
To force him to become their king,
Who would rule all and everything.
Instead of sitting on a throne,
Jesus chose to be all alone.
He did not boast, he did not speak,
Alone he climbed the mountain's peak.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
Of Jesus and his loving hands.
He cured the sick, he healed the blind.
To friends and strangers, he was kind.
The people gathered one by one
To see the things Jesus had done.
To every place that he would go,
The people followed, high and low.
He crossed the Sea of Galilee,
Went up a mountain, through the trees,
Then Jesus came to sit and rest
Among the friends he knew the best.
But even all the way up here,
The crowd had followed, oh so near,
To listen to the words he'd say,
To watch him heal, to hear him pray.
When he saw the large gathered crowd,
Jesus asked this question aloud:
"They've walked for miles on their feet.
Where can we buy them bread to eat?"
He said this with a little smile,
For Jesus planned it all the while,
Just exactly what he would so,
But wondered if his friends knew, too.
Now Philip, who was close at hand,
Did not know what Jesus planned.
For this was not a crowd of tens.
It was five thousand citizens!
"To earn the money we would need
To buy the bread enough to feed
All these people gathered here
Would take us more than half a year!"
Andrew spoke up then and said,
"Here is a boy who has some bread:
Five loaves, two fish - it's all good stuff!
But surely this is not enough."
Jesus took the loaves and then said,
"God, we thank you for all this bread."
He passed the loaves, he passed the fish,
He told the crowd, "Take all you wish."
They all sat down on the ground.
Is there enough to go around?
Five thousand people sitting there,
Somehow they had enough to share.
Once everyone was satisfied,
Jesus walked through the crowd and cried,
"So that not one crumb may be lost,
Gather up what you would have tossed."
The scraps from five small barley loaves
Now made twelve baskets overflow.
What wasn't enough for them before
Had somehow turned into so much more!
When people saw what he had done,
They shouted, "Surely he's the one!
Jesus is the prophet, he who
Has come to make all things anew!"
Jesus didn't want attention.
He realized their intention:
To force him to become their king,
Who would rule all and everything.
Instead of sitting on a throne,
Jesus chose to be all alone.
He did not boast, he did not speak,
Alone he climbed the mountain's peak.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
I Wonder....
- why Thomas did not believe the other disciples?
- how the other people felt when the Samaritan woman told them that she met Jesus?
- why Jesus chose Peter to take care of his sheep?
- who are the sheep?
- how many people were there?
- how deep the well was
- what time of day the woman went?
- if the woman had a name?
Discussion Questions
- Listen to the sound of water as it flows for your bath or from the hose or faucet. Listen to rain. Say a prayer of thanks for fresh water to keep your body healthy. Say a prayer of thanks for the "living water" of God's love.
- When did you see God's love flowing like fresh water today? Did someone help you today? Forgive you for a hurt? Did you help someone? Forgive someone?
- Ask an adult in your life if you could keep water bottles in your car, home, or church to pass out to homeless people or other thirsty people you may see.
- How do you think the boy's father heard about Jesus if there were no telephones or computers?
- Pretend you are loyal officials. Act out the story without using words. How would you look as you walked to meet Jesus? How would you look when your servant came to meet you?
- If someone is sad or sick, how can you help them if you cannot see them or be with them?
- Imagine sharing a meal with many friends. What sort of noise would you hear? What do we say when we pass the food around the table?
- Imagine having one loaf of bread, Suddenly there are five loaves. Then there are ten loaves! What would it look like to see more and more food appear? How would you feel?
- When are times when you like to be alone? When are times when you like to be with lots of other people?
Video
Saddleback Kid's
|
The Lost Sheep
This video is 1:58 minutes long
|
Jesus Appears to Thomas
This video is 2:34 minutes long
|
|
Jesus Feeds the 5,000
This video is 2:09 minutes long
|
The Woman at the Well
This video is 1:22 minutes long
|
Crossroad Kids' Club
|
God's Story: One Lost Sheep
This video is 3:21 minutes long
|
God's Story: The Good Samaritan
This video is 3:50 minutes long
|
Holy Moly
|
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
This video is 6:54 minutes long
|
Jesus feeds the 5,000
This video is 5:85 minutes long
|
Songs
|
Motions (John 20:31) by Saddleback Kids
This song is 2:30 minutes long
|
Motions (John 13:34) by Saddleback Kids
This song is 1:56 minutes long
|
|
Being Kind byEmpty Hands Music
This song is 4:50 minutes long
|
Feed My Sheep (Food Truck Party VBS) by Cokesbury
This song is 2:26 minutes long
|
5 2 1 Eat (Food Truck Party VBS) by Cokesbury
This song is 2:45 minutes long
Service Opportunities
|
National Organizations
|
International Organizations
|
Content for Adults
The Book of John was probably the last of the four Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John - written. The author is unknown, though tradition says that John, son of Zebedee, wrote the book. The Book of John focuses more on who Jesus is, the Son of God, and teaches less about God's kingdom. John teaches us that Jesus was "the Word" who was with God at the very beginning.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
This Sunday (9/4), Rev. Bill Hull will be leading the class "The Light Gospel" which will launch us into next week's readings of the Gospel of John.
This class will meet in EM 307/308 at 10:05 AM and on Zoom. The NEW Zoom link is below:
Topic: Gathering Together Around God's Word - Sunday Class
Time: Every Sunday 10:00 AM EST
Join our NEW Zoom Class
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83774936298?pwd=SUphSC9RUlkyNU1CWlA5Zit2UHJ0QT09
Meeting ID: 837 7493 6298
Passcode: 691833
Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
This class will meet in EM 307/308 at 10:05 AM and on Zoom. The NEW Zoom link is below:
Topic: Gathering Together Around God's Word - Sunday Class
Time: Every Sunday 10:00 AM EST
Join our NEW Zoom Class
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83774936298?pwd=SUphSC9RUlkyNU1CWlA5Zit2UHJ0QT09
Meeting ID: 837 7493 6298
Passcode: 691833
Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
This video is 53:19 minutes long