Jesus Heals a Man at Church

While working on lesson plans for Sunday School, it occurred to me that I might as well put my gatherings together in a blog post. In my limited Sunday morning time, I will only be able to use a small fraction of the resources that I gather, but I tend to go OCD when I follow a theme! Besides, who knows when, how, for what, or where I might need to use these ideas in the future? I'm a little late sharing my supplemental lesson ideas for tomorrow's lesson, but in the future I'm hoping to post on Mondays for the upcoming Sundays. This was actually a very difficult lesson to collect ideas for, as there are more adult sermons than Sunday school lessons on the web for this topic. Adapt and overcome! 

I use Toddler Level Word Aflame Curriculum, and this week is Week 7: Jesus Heals a Man at Church.  

Lesson Focus:  Jesus heals people at church.

Scripture Text: Matthew 12:9-13

Bible Words:    Jesus does good things! 

Coloring Pages: Jesus Heals a Man With a Withered Hand

Lesson (Age-Adaptable): Jesus Heals a Crippled Hand 

     This curriculum contains a little bit of everything: coloring, puzzles, games, lessons, etc.

Lesson (Activities): Man With the Shriveled Hand

Lesson: Jesus Healed a Withered Hand

Book List (Hands):

• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn  
• Press Here by Herve' Tullet  
• My Hands by Aliki
• Wash Your Hands by Tony Ross
• Hands Are Not For Hitting by Martine Agassi PhD
• One Hand, Two Hand by Max Lucado

Hand Print Craft Ideas: Choose what works for you based upon holiday/season/occasion, etc. These images did not have a website for me to credit, so let me say a special "Thank you" to the collection creators for their idea share! 

Sensory Learning:

• Teach the steps of hand washing Hands-on
• Provide a variety of sensory textures (sand paper, dirt, velvet, satin, water, feathers, egg in a bowl , etc) and talk about how things feel (wet, rough, soft, slimy,etc.)
• Provide an ample supply of lock or snap-together blocks for children to build their own church structure. Talk about how Jesus healed the crippled hand at church and how Jesus is still The Healer today!
• Allow time for children to explore a busy board. Some interesting DIY busy boards can be viewed at the following sites: DIY Busy Board, DIY Busy Board For Toddler Motor Developement, Latches Board For Toddler, DIY Busy Board For Kids, Homemade Busy Board For Fine Motor Developement

Have fun! If you have any suggestions for this topic, just comment them to me and I will look into adding them to this page! I always appreciate idea-swapping! 

Preschool Christmas Book List

Christmas Book List

No Room at the Inn: The Nativity Story by Jean M. Malone 
On the very first Christmas, Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. There was no room for them at the inn. So Mary and Joseph stayed in the stable. That night, Mary gave birth to her baby, Jesus- God's only son.

The Story of Christmas by Vivian French and Jane Chapman
The story of Jesus' birth is among the best-known and best-loved stories in the world.

Stable in Bethlehem: A Christmas Counting Book by Joy N. Hulme
Over a stable in Bethlehem, 12 drowsy doves are cooing. Snuggling in the fragrant hay, 11 cows are mooing. This tender bedtime counting book invites us to nestle with the animals in the manger where Jesus was born.

Who is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate and Ashley Wolff
"Who is coming to our house?"
"Someone, someone," says Mouse.
The animals in the stable are preparing for the arrival of baby Jesus.

Itsy Bitsy Christmas: You're Never Too Little For His Love by Max Lucado
Do you ever feel like you are too small or too ordinary? That is just how Itsy and Bitsy feel. When these two charming little mice hear that a King is coming to Bethlehem, they set off with great enthusiasm to find Him. Along the way, they are met with discouraging words telling them they are too little and unimportant for any king. Just when Itsy and Bitsy begin to believe that they really aren’t big enough for the new King, they learn that Christ the King has indeed come for everyone.

The Littlest Shepherd's Christmas by Carol Heyer
This is Reuel's big chance to prove that he can tend sheep just as well as his older brothers. All he has to do is keep a watchful eye on his little flock. But distracted by his brothers' teasing, he looks away just long enough for a little lamb to wander. Following a frantic search, Reuel finds his missing charge . . . and finds himself in the midst of the biggest announcement ever made. The Christ Child has been born, and Reuel is one of the first chosen to hear the news! After racing through the streets of Bethlehem, his misstep becomes a blessing when he encounters the Baby who will one day become the Shepherd of Men.

The Small One by Alex Walsh
Forced to sell his beloved donkey Small One, now old and weak, a young boy from Nazareth finds the perfect buyer in a man who is seeking a donkey to carry his wife, Mary, to Bethlehem, in a heartwarming story based on a Disney animated short.


The Innkeeper's Daughter by Jill Briscoe
When a shy innkeeper's daughter gets to play a part in Christ's birth, she discovers her own worthiness in God's eyes.

The Story of Christmas illustrated by Freya Tanz
The graceful illustrations of this timeless story brings the true meaning of Christmas to all who read it. Truly the greatest story ever told.

The First Christmas Night by Keith Christopher
A lyrical retelling of the birth of Christ modeled after 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Here is a beautiful retelling of the birth of Jesus on that joyous night in Bethlehem so long ago. The poem begins with the arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem through Christ's birth, the angels' appearance to the shepherds, and the visit by the Wise Men.

Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell 

That cold winter's night,
beneath the star's light...
...a Little One came for the world.

Happy Birthday Jesus by Michelle Medlock Adams

Each Christmas, we celebrate a very important event - the birth of Jesus. This charming little book recognizes the birthday aspect of Christmas - a concept even very young children understand and love. Contains rhyming text and colorful illustrations, depicting a family decorating the house in honor of Jesus.

What is Christmas? by Michelle Medlock Adams

Here's an engaging introduction to the true meaning of Christmas. This warm, humorous text lists all of the things that Christmas might be about, only to conclude that it is truly about celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Savior. Through the whimsical art and rhyming, fun-to-read verse, even the youngest child will come to understand what Christmas is.

Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck

The gentle beauty of the story of the first Christmas is now available as a board book. With a simple, lyrical text and radiant artwork, this book is perfect for the youngest child to be a part of the wonder of the Nativity. 

The Nativity Story by Juliet David and Jo Parry  

This simple introduction to the Christmas story is brought to life by Jo Parry's vibrant illustrations. Through clear, approachable text, the events leading up to Jesus' birth are straightforwardly retold, making this an excellent introduction to the Christmas story.

A Star For Jesus (Zonderkidz) by Crystal Bowman

'God made the stars and put them up high to shine down on earth from up in the sky.' But long ago God made a special star. He put it in the sky to send a message: 'Jesus our Savior has come ...' We can look at the stars at night. And we can remember that a long time ago, Jesus' star shone among them.

J is For Jesus: The Sweetest Story Ever Told by Crystal Bowman  

I want a candy cane too! Everyone loves a candy cane-but it's easy to overlook the meaning of this familiar Christmas tradition in all the hustle and bustle of the season. This sweet story reminds little ones that the candy cane represents Jesus' birth and the gospel message too.

There are so many more awesome Nativity books out there! I anticipate adding to this list yearly in combination with our other Christmas activities! It's so awesome to keep preschoolers exploring Christ's birth!

The Christ-Centered Daycare & Preschool Environment

And Jesus took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me." (Mark 9:36-37)

What makes the *Christian daycare setting so unique in today's ever-darkening world? 

It is our desire to provide an environment of worship and learning where children can discover God. Our Christian daycare and preschool  responsibilities include playing with the child or directing his play, reading to him, praying for each child, exhibiting Christ-like patience and love, and relating the events of the day -or the preschool lesson and theme- in words the child can understand. We purpose to ensure a safe, secure, nurturing, clean and efficient care to our children. 

Teaching God's Word to Little Ones:

Early Childhood is the best time to build a God-centered worldview for children. Strive to integrate Biblical Truth into the activities the children are doing. Take advantage of every opportunity to make Biblical Truths “real” to the children, repeating them over and over, applying them to anything normal around them. For example: “Do you see the dolphin in the puzzle? God made dolphins. What else did God make? God made everything!”  It is important to be able to express excitement, energy, and love for God’s Word when sharing Bible stories and their principles. The Bible is to be taught as historical Truth, not as just a story. 

1. Christian daycare must be Jesus-Centered. This means that in our teaching, we must emphasize the greatness of God. The Bible is first and foremost a book about God. We want our children to see how strong and big and faithful and loving and majestic and smart and satisfying our God is. This is my prayer for the children I care for - that they would experience God in such a way as to develop a lifelong desire for Him; so when times of trouble come they will take refuge in Him. "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" Psalm 34:8
2. Christian daycare must be Bible-saturated. This means that God's Word must permeate everything that we do. "From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:15  Mere human works are not enough to guide our children to God - they need the Bible. Only God's Word can change hearts.
3. Christian daycare must be Gospel-driven. We must be intentional to proclaim the Gospel to children and their families. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes."  Romans 1:16  This was also the command of Christ:"Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."  Mark 16:15
4. Christian daycare must address the whole family.We recognize that God has called parents to be the primary faith-nurturers of children. Therefore, Christian daycare providers should work with parents to assist them in fulfilling this calling. This means serving the parents as well as the children.
5. Christian daycare is about serving kids. At the end of the day, we are working to help and serve the children. Our work is to put their ultimate spiritual needs ahead of our own. "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." Mark 9:35

I hope that these thoughts have encouraged you to make your Christian Daycare and/or preschool about God, his Word, his Gospel and His families.

Another New Adventure!

Yes, I am the queen of new projects, and my latest new project adventure is called blogging!  I'm feeling fairly confident that in time, blogging and I will become the perfect match-up; out-letting the flow of all those creative preschool teaching juices.

I've been working in some form of childcare for 18 years, and have 5 children of my own. I love to teach preschool, I am a huge "themer", I focus a lot on creative arts and intentional play, and (against the prevailing preschool theology) I DO use lined paper and coloring pages regularly!! (I have rock-solid reasons behind that last statement that I will expound at a later date.)

I currently own and operate an in-home daycare and preschool. This has been a fantastic experience that has seriously broadened my concept of "family". (I will also be taking some time this year to expound on the VAST benefits of the in-home daycare experience for children, and why I feel it exceeds the benefits of daycare *centers.) Why "Christian Family Daycare"? It's very simple: we are a Christian family who have a daycare. Keep them safe. Show them Jesus. 

It is my hopes to use this blog as a means of sharing tons of Christian preschool fun and resources. And, of course, the growing, living, learning, and loving is in the journey! Enjoy every new adventure!