BIBLE EXPLORERS GOSPELS LESSON 14

This is lesson 14 in our journey through the Gospels chronologically. This will likely take 3 years to complete, teaching weekly through the school year. The material is geared for elementary age kids. Each lesson will have a list of Scripture references, materials, introduction, object lessons, and hands on activities. Most lessons can be completed in 1- 1.5 hours. A few may need more than one class time. New lessons will be posted weekly. The posts will not have pictures because I will not be posting pictures of other people’s children. At the end of each school year, a printed version of the curriculum will be made available for purchase. This will include an appendix with printouts, game pieces, and other classroom helps.

Lesson 14: The First Disciples

Scripture references:

John 1:35-51

Materials:

Bible

White board and markers

Index cards, markers, and tape

Bible costumes (optional)

Question sheets (see appendix)

Introduction:

Meanwhile…

While Jesus was in the wilderness, John kept baptizing and preaching. He didn’t understand where Jesus went or when he would be back. (Example for us) John had disciples (followers) but he was ready to release them to Jesus. When Jesus returned from the temptation, John points Him out to his disciples. It would seem from the text that they were not there for Jesus’s baptism. (John has to tell them what he saw and point him out) As soon as John tells them who Jesus is, they immediately follow.

Read John 1:35-37

Activities

Hands on Activity 1: Finding the Followers

Purpose- to be immersed in the story

1.     Set up stations for each of the locations where Jesus called his first five disciples. Label the stations and the characters.

2.    Act out by walking through the stations and having different children play the characters while reading the passage. John 1:35-51

Stations:

Jordan River

House Jesus was staying in

Another house or location where Simon Peter was

Bethsaida (north of the Sea of Galilee)

Fig tree

Characters:

John the Baptist, Jesus, Andrew, John (possibly), Simon Peter, Philip, Nathaniel

Note: the 2nd disciple of John the Baptist may have been John (the author of this Gospel since he does not name him)

Object Lesson 1: Do You Know Me?

Purpose- to see how wonderful it is that Jesus truly knows us

1.     Have each of the kids fill out answers to questions about their likes/dislikes, talents etc. (see appendix)

2.    Have another child (or the whole class) guess the answers for each child.

3.    Discuss how we don’t know each other fully, but Jesus does!

Note: If the kids have trouble filling in the answers, point out that Jesus knows us better than we even know ourselves.