My Wonder Studio

Here is a 20- to 30-minute lesson plan that highlights the following lesson objective: “Be able to identify key elements that enhance a Christian’s witness; recognize how a good Christian example can draw others to Jesus: one’s countenance, comportment, and actions all play a part in one’s witness to others,” and “Be able to identify opportunities to share Jesus with others, and how to be ready to do so at any time.” (Christian Life and Faith: Witnessing and Missionary Training: Preaching the Gospel-2d, 2e)

Read “Would You Like to See Jesus?”

Talking points:

1. Jesus’ love is unconditional. He loves each one of us fully and completely. Ask your children if they understand what “unconditional love” is. If not, give them some examples of what it means to show love unconditionally.
2. Instead of asking, “Why should I show kindness?” we should ask “Why not?” Is there a recent scenario where your children have found it difficult to show kindness or love to someone? Where they wondered why they should share something with someone, or why they should show compassion or kindness, especially when the person didn’t seem to be deserving? Discuss how they would be more like Jesus and help to pass on Jesus’ love to others if they were to live by His example of loving all, regardless of who they are or what they do or don’t do to make it easy to love them.
3. Mother Teresa considered everyone to be equally deserving, because she saw Jesus in each person she served. Ask your children if they know of someone who they feel is undeserving, and how it may change the way they see this person if they were to see Jesus in them.
4. Look up the verse Matthew 25:45 and discuss it more in-depth.

Read “A Thought for the Day: Light Up!”

Watch “Show Jesus.”

Discuss ways your children can show Jesus to others. It doesn’t always have to be in big or obvious ways. Often it’s the small, considerate, and kind things they do that people will notice. If people are aware they love Jesus, then when they show them how they love Jesus through example, these people may also come to know Jesus and understand His great love.

End with this thought “A Thought for the Day: An Important Job?”

Here is a lesson plan that can be covered in five 15- to 20-minute sessions, relating to the lesson objectives: “Be able to list Jesus’ twelve disciples who followed Him while He was on earth, and the role that they played in helping Jesus in His mission,” and “learn of some of the lives of the great men and women of the Bible.” (Christian Life and Faith: Biblical and Christian Foundation: Discipleship-1b; and Christian Life and Faith: Witnessing and Missionary Training: Great Men and Women of God-1a

SESSIONS 1 – 4
Read and study the following classes, going over one a day. (Tip: To gain the most from these classes, read the story in a children’s or regular Bible. Scriptural references are found within each article.)

• “The Acts of the Apostles: Temporarily Blinded”
• “The Acts of the Apostles: Prison Doors and a Jailor’s Heart”
• “The Acts of the Apostles: Paul Appears before King Agrippa”
• “The Acts of the Apostles: Peace in the Midst of the Storm”

SESSION 5
Listen to the audio “I Know Whom I Have Believed.” Look up 2 Timothy 1:12 in the Bible to show the children which of Paul’s letters this is from.

Study the verses in “Crazily Cool Card Set: Want Some Power?” Ask the children if they can find the one verse that was written by Paul. (Answer: 2 Corinthians 4:7.)

Discuss the verses in “Crazily Cool Cards Set: An Active Force Field.”

Memorize a verse from one of the above two “Crazily Cool Card Sets.” (You can also print these out to use as coloring pages.)

Additional resources:

• “Level 1 Lesson Plan: Introducing Paul the Apostle”
• “The Acts of the Apostles: Temporarily Blinded” 3D picture and coloring page
• “The Acts of the Apostles: Prison Doors and a Jailor’s Heart” 3D picture and coloring page
• “The Acts of the Apostles: Paul Appears before King Agrippa” 3D picture and coloring page
• “The Acts of the Apostles: Peace in the Midst of the Storm” 3D picture and coloring page

Here is a lesson plan that can be covered in 30 to 40 minutes, or made into a more in-depth study over a few days. It highlights the lesson objectives: “Be able to articulate why the Holy Spirit was sent to believers after Jesus departed” and “be able to define the baptism (or overflowing) of the Holy Spirit, and understand the purposes of Holy Spirit baptism, to give one comfort and peace, power to give more love to others, to be a greater witness of God’s love through Jesus, transformative power, a closer relationship with Jesus, wisdom to understand God’s Word, and help in hearing God’s voice; read and memorize Bible verses which highlight the purposes of the Holy Spirit.” (Christian Life and Faith: Biblical and Christian Foundation: The Holy Spirit-1a,b)

Listen to the song, “Ye Shall be Witnesses.” 

Read “The Acts of the Apostles: The Gift of the Holy Spirit”

Read “The Gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Listen to “Rivers.”

Talk about the various ways the Holy Spirit helps us with the following:

• Understand God’s Word and apply it in our lives
• Hear God’s voice or the convictions laid on our hearts by God
• To be filled to overflowing with the love of God for others so that we are open to Him working through us to help others
• Gives us power and boldness to be a witness for Him

Read “Faith-filled Models from the New Testament: Peter the Apostle.”

Listen to the audio “A Bible Adventure: Peter’s Transformation.”

Read “The Acts of the Apostles: Healing of the Lame Man.”

Listen to “Perfect in Weakness.”

Bring out the ways Peter changed from denying he knew Jesus just prior to the crucifixion (John 18:15–28), to becoming a man of great faith and courage, not afraid to stand up for Jesus after he was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:14–38, Acts 3). He even defied the high priest and elders of the temple who commanded them to not teach about Jesus (Acts 4:13–31).

Choose and memorize a verse from “Crazily Cool Card Set: The Holy Spirit.”

Additional resources:

• Power of the Holy Spirit
• Bright Pebbles: When We Receive God’s Power
• 3D Picture: The Acts of the Apostles: The Gift of the Holy Spirit
• Coloring Page: The Acts of the Apostles: The Gift of the Holy Spirit
• 3D Picture: The Acts of the Apostles: Healing of the Lame Man
• Coloring Page: The Acts of the Apostles: Healing of the Lame Man

Note to parent or teacher: Here is a 30- to 40-minute lesson plan on the follow lesson objectives:

• Be able to describe what “courtesy” means, and that good etiquette is an offshoot of practicing courtesy. (Character Building: Social Skills: Courtesy-1a)
• Be able to identify ways in which courtesy is part of a Christian's example, and the components of courteous behavior. (Character Building: Social Skills: Courtesy-1b)
• Understand how one’s behavior affects others and modify one’s behavior accordingly. (Character Building: Social Skills: Courtesy-1c)
• Recognize when one is practicing courtesy and when one is not. (Character Building: Social Skills: Courtesy-1d)
• Be able to list basic social expectations of the country one lives in, such as greetings, table manners, phrases that show courtesy, and awareness of others’ feelings. (Character Building: Social Skills: Courtesy-1e)

Watch “Make Each Step a Loving Step.”

Define courtesy: Polite behavior that shows respect for other people. (Merriam-Webster)

Read “What Is Courtesy?”

Make a list with the children of courteous behavior they would like to improve in.

Read “We’re Having Guests.” Ask the children if they have any questions about things they should do when you have guests.

Discuss local customs for being polite and courteous.

Read “He’s the Picture, We’re the Frame.”

Read “A Caring Servant.”

Watch “The Power of a Smile.” Smiling and helping others are examples of courtesy. Here are some ways the main character in this video was courteous and the good results that were achieved because of that.

• While preparing for the day, the main character made the decision to put a smile on his face. He didn’t wait for something to happen to make him happy; he decided from the start to be positive and smile.
• He wasn’t just smiling to look nice, but to help others. The first person he helped with his smile was his mother with the baby. Later, he helped others with his smile.
• The main character was also concerned about being the help others needed. For example, to cheer up the bird, he sang a happy tune. And when he saw the woman struggling with her cart, he helped her push the cart.
• Smiling won him friends, and those friends helped him smile at the two people who were arguing.
• His smile helped people believe that good would come when the gloomy cloud gave way to a rainbow.
• His happiness and concern for others helped him to show the girl the love God has for her.
• Ask the children if they noticed other acts of courtesy in the video and what results came from those actions.

Read “Simple Courtesy.” This can be followed up with the activity found here.

Note to parent or teacher: Here is a 30-minute lesson plan on the following lesson objectives:

• Learn of the blessings and benefits that God gives to those who give Him to others. (Character Building: Values and Virtues: Generosity-1b)
• Learn to identify ways in which one can show generosity to others. (Character Building: Values and Virtues: Generosity-1e)

Read “A Key to Christmas Joy.”

Talk about how “shining for Jesus” is made up of the gifts we give Him during the Christmas season and all throughout the year! The following articles explore some of the gifts we can give to Jesus.

Read “Gifts for Jesus.” Look here for ideas on how to get the most out of this class.

Read “Piles of Presents for Jesus.”

Read “The Angel and the Gifts.”

Make a “My Christmas Giving Wheel,” and spin it daily to find an activity you can do as one of your daily gifts to Jesus.

Give to Jesus through the ideas found on “A Christmas-Activity Calendar” on days 4, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, and 24. If you like, you could give these gifts to Jesus on some of these same dates.

Read “What Can I Give to Jesus?”

Note to parent or teacher: Here is a 30-minute lesson plan on the following lesson objectives:

• Be able to identify the Great Commission as the duty of all followers of Jesus to spread His message of love and truth. (Christian Life and Faith: Biblical and Christian Foundation: The Great Commission-1b)
• Learn of the importance of the message of salvation, and why Christians are called to witness. (Christian Life and Faith: Biblical and Christian Foundation: The Great Commission-1c)

Watch “I’ll Shine” or listen to the audio “I’ll Shine.”

Read “Christmas Angels.”

Ask the children to recall what those in “I’ll Shine” and “Christmas Angels” did to shine for Jesus. (For example, singing songs about Jesus, encouraging the elderly or the sick, writing letters and making cards, passing tracts to people, performing for others, praying for others, helping care for younger siblings, helping family and friends.)

Read Matthew 5:14–16.

Read “The Light of the World.”

View “You Are God’s Ray of Light.”

Have fun solving the space travelers’ problems in “Bible Space Trek: The Parable of the Lamp.”

Read “Tell Others.”

Read “Tell Everyone,” and follow the ideas for discussion found in “‘Tell Everyone’ Supplement.”

Read “Prayer Potential” to see how prayers help to fulfill the Great Commission Jesus has given us.

Discuss how Jesus needs us to shine for Him all year, not just at Christmas. Explain that Christmas is often a time when people are curious about who Jesus is and want to know more about Him. We can use this special time of year to tell others about the wonderful gift of salvation that Jesus came to earth to give us.

Memorize one of the verses on being a witness for Jesus found on “Crazily Cool Cards Set: Sharing God’s Love.”

Additional:

• Read “Light, Light, Light.”
• Read “Powerful Performance Pointers”: tips for those who are involved in performances.