In the Beginning . . .

Growing into a Life of Faith

UNIT 2: LESSON 8:

Kids of the Bible

Josiah, the Boy King

Key Concept
God wants us to obey.

KEY CONCEPT MOTIONS:

Bible Summary
2 Kings 2223; 2 Chronicles 3435 In todays lesson children will learn about Josiah, the boy king. Josiah led the people in repairing the temple, and called them to return to worshipping and obeying God. Josiah read all the words in the Book of the Law and then gathered all the people together so they too could hear Gods words.

Each time you say the Key Concept during the lesson, use the following motions: God [point up] wants us to obey [thumbs up].

Objectives
KNOW WHAT:

Children will hear how King Josiah led the people back to obeying God.
SO WHAT:

Children will learn that God wants us to obey Him.

NOW WHAT:

Children will participate in an activity to identify times when they can obey God.

Spiritual Formation
Obedience

People Needed
Teacher, Helper

Bible Verse
I have promised to obey Your words. Psalm 119:57

Supplies
(Labeled visuals below can be found in the Lesson 8 Visual folder on the Fall Quarter CDs.) CD player Music for singing Sound Effects #1 CD (optional) Large jar with lid and game die as used in Lesson 5

The Great Kid Game game board as used in Lesson 5 Game piece as used in Lesson 5 5 Large gift bags from Lesson 5, stuffed with tissue paper and the items listed below: Silly Willy Bag Crown Bible Story Bag The Beginners Bible 3 Hard hats or other builders hats 3 Toy tools Lalalalala Bag Piece of paper with name of song I Can Obey (or other song you plan to sing) Thinking Hat Bag Fun hat (the Thinking Hat) Folded paper with the following written on it: Today you are going to think about a time when you obeyed. Question Mark Bag Folded paper with the following question written on it: How can we obey? 2 Question Mark pictures: Child brushing teeth and Child in bathtub (Lesson 8 LG 2 and Lesson 8 LG 3) 2 Boxes or crates strong enough to sit on Scroll

Fall Quarter

2007 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teachers Guidebook / Lesson 8

UNIT 2:

Kids of the Bible

Unit 2 Life Application game board as used in Lesson 5 Game piece as used in Lesson 5 5 Two-sided God Wants Me to Obey game cards (Lesson 8 SG 4aLesson 8 SG 8b) Crayons

For each child: Activity paper (Lesson 8 KC 1) 3 Star stickers Key Concept sticker (Lesson 8 SG 9) Two-sided take-home coloring sheet (Lesson 8 SG 10 and Lesson 8 SG 11) Snack

Notes:

In Advance
Recruit a Helper to operate the music and sound effects CDs and participate in the lesson as a builder (see pages 45). Determine which songs you will use and be prepared to lead the children in singing. Song suggestions: Upbeat song for transition from Activity Stations to the Creative Bible Teaching I Can Obey (Reach Up High CD) Touch the Sky (Touch the Sky CD) Determine whether or not you will use the sound effects CD. If you prefer to not use the sound effects, or to use only a few of them, look at each sound effect listed in the lesson and determine if you will play the sound effect from the CD, say the words yourself, have the Helper say them, read them from a piece of paper pulled out of the corresponding gift bag, or omit the sound effect, and then modify the lesson accordingly. Gather the supplies listed above and arrange your classroom as you did for Lesson 5. Place the two boxes or crates that will be used for telling the Bible story (see pages 4 and 5) on one side of your teaching area. Write the words, The Bible says that we should obey God on a large sheet of paper and roll it into a scroll. Place the scroll in the box the builders will stand by during the telling of the Bible story. Print the fronts and backs of the five God Wants Me to Obey game cards. (There are four identical cards per pageyou need only one card from each page.) Copy corresponding fronts and backs onto cardstock and cut them apart so you have five two-sided game cards. Prepare the materials that will be given to each of the children. To prepare the stickers, print or copy the pages onto Avery label sheets #5294. Consider cutting the stickers apart for easier distribution. Print out the lesson and practice the teaching time.

Fall Quarter

2007 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teachers Guidebook / Lesson 8

UNIT 2:

Kids of the Bible

Teachers Prep
READ 2 KINGS 2223; 2 CHRONICLES 3435. This week, carefully read and study the story of Josiah. He was a young boy when he was chosen to be the king. He accomplished many things. He repaired the temple, and called the people back to obey God. Josiahs story is one of cleansing. He challenged his people to become aware of their sin and to stop. He called the people to rid their lives of sin and to cleanse their hearts. Think about areas in your life that God may be calling you to clean up. Is there anything God is asking you to give up or change? Maybe you are in a relationship that does not honor God. Maybe you have become careless in the words you use. Or maybe your attitude towards others or God needs to change. Take time to reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. Thank God for what He has given you. Ask Him to make you aware of the areas in your life that you need to clean up. Then, like Josiah, obey God.

Activity Stations
(20 MINUTES)

Choose which Activity Stations you will use from the list included in the Activity Stations folder.

Creative Bible Teaching

(15 MINUTES)

[Play upbeat music as children transition to the teaching area. Invite kids to sit down.]
TEACHER:

Hello, friends! My name is _______ and Im so glad youre here today! Today we are going to play a really fun game and learn a lot of things about God! We are going to sing songs and hear a Bible story as we all play a game together. Its going to be so much fun! First, lets remember two special rules. Can you hold one finger in the air? [Along with kids, hold up one finger.] Good job! Rule number one, be safe. You can be safe by sitting [name designated area]. Now hold two fingers up in the air [along with kids, hold up two fingers]. Rule number two, be kind. You can be kind by sitting down so everyone can see and being quiet so everyone can hear. Now were ready to play

Teacher Note:
Regardless of what number the die shows, say it shows the number indicated in the lesson.
3 Fall Quarter

[SFX 81: The Great Kid Game! (with music).]

SEE TEACHER NOTE TEACHER:

[Dance and clap.] Since weve been playing The Great Kid Game over the past few weeks, Im sure you remember how we play! Well start right here [point to Start Square] and go all the way to the end [point to the last square]. This is our game jar [hold up jar with die in it].
2007 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teachers Guidebook / Lesson 8

UNIT 2:

Kids of the Bible

Ill shake this game jar and when I stop and open the jar, well know how many spaces we can move in the game. I need your help. When I shake the jar, I need you to shake with me. Hold your hands together in front of you and shake, ahahahah [shake jar]. Shake along with me! [Shake jar wildly, open it, and examine die.] We got a two! Lets count together. Ready? [Count as you move the game piece.] One . . . two. Hey, thats the Silly Willy Square!
[SFX 82: Silly Willy: Yippee! You landed on me, Silly Willy! Get ready, because soon youre gonna look really silly.]

TEACHER:

Lets open up the Silly Willy Bag and see what silly thing is inside! [Open Silly Willy and look inside.] Oh, I like this! [Pull out a crown.] This must mean there will be a crown in our Bible story today! Pretend to put on your crowns as I put on this one. Ready? [Along with kids, put crown on your head.] Great job! Silly Willy, how do I look?
[SFX 85: Silly Willy: You sure look silly! Good job, friends. You can move along in The Great Kid Game!]

TEACHER:

Thanks, Silly Willy! Lets keep going! [Take off crown.] Are you ready to shake? Lets shake our game jar! [Shake jar, then open it and look at die.] Three spaces! Lets count together. [Count as you move the game piece.] One . . . two . . . three. We landed on the Bible Story Square! I love Bible stories! Lets open the bag! [Open the Bible Story Bag, take out the Bible and open it.] Today we are going to hear a story about a boy in the Bible who obeyed! The Bible story is about a little boy who was a king. [Pick up crown that was in the Silly Willy Bag.] Hmmm. [Choose a boy to participate in the telling of the story and say that childs name.] You can pretend to be the little boy who was a king. [Take the boy by his hand and bring him to the front. Place the crown on the boy, then help him sit on the box.] We also need builders in our Bible story. [Choose a girl and a boy to participate in telling the story and say those childrens names.] You can be the builders in our Bible story. [Take the boy and girl by their hands and bring them up front. Invite the Helper to join you.] I have something for you to wear! [Take out three builders hats and three tools. Place a hat on the two children and the Helper, and give them each a tool. Help the two children stand off to the side with the Helper, near the box with the scroll in it. Then stand behind the child sitting on the other box.] It looks like everybody is ready, so lets click on our listening ears. Click! Click! [Tug on each earlobe.] And lets put on our special eyes. Shookum! Shookum! [Hold hands to eyes, one at a time, shaping glasses.] Good job! Our Bible story is about a little boy named Josiah. [Wave king childs hand.] Josiah had a dad who was the king, but then his dad died, so Josiah became a king when he was a little boy. Josiah was a very good king. He loved and obeyed God. He listened to God and did what God told him to do. When little Josiah was king, he saw that no one was taking care of the church. It started to fall apart. Josiah loved God and wanted the church to be a place where people could come to sing and learn about God. But the church was old and falling apart. People were not obeying God. So Josiah sent his people to go and fix the walls of the church.
4 Fall Quarter 2007 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teachers Guidebook / Lesson 8

UNIT 2:

Kids of the Bible

[Point kings hands to builders. The two construction kids and Helper pretend to hammer, saw, and build on the box.]
[SFX 86: Hammering and sawing.]

TEACHER:

Lets all pretend to fix the church. Everybody pretend to hammer. [Along with kids, pretend to hammer nails.] Now lets pretend to saw wood. [Along with kids, pretend to saw.] The people who were fixing the church found something while they were building. [Helper opens the box they were hammering on, takes out the scroll of paper, opens it, and looks surprised.]
HELPER:

Look! I found something. [To other two builders.] Stay right here. I want to show this to the king! [Take scroll to the king.]
TEACHER:

One of the builders found some words from the Bible and wanted to show the king.
HELPER:

King! King! Look! [Give scroll to the king and go back with the two builder kids.]
TEACHER:

King Josiah took the words from the Bible that the builder found. He read the words in the Bible. [Unroll the scroll and hold it in front of king child.] Then the king became really sad. [Roll up the scroll as king child makes a sad face.] Can everybody show me your sad face? [Along with kids, make a sad face.] The king was reading the Bible, and he found out that all his people were not obeying God. Uh-oh! The Bible says God wants us to obey Him. So King Josiah thought for a minute. [Place king childs finger by his head like he is thinking.] Hmmm. Hmmm. The king decided his people needed to obey God, just like the Bible says, so he called them over to him. [Make come on motion with one of kings hands.] Come on over. Come on over. Lets do that together. Ready? [Along with kids, make come on motion with one hand.] Come on over, come on over. [Helper and two builders come and sit in front of the king.]
TEACHER:

King Josiah read them the words from the Bible. [Unroll the scroll in front of the king and lower your voice.] The Bible says that we should obey God. [Put the scroll down.] King Josiah helped his people learn that God wanted them to obey. The people started obeying God. King Josiah was happy. [King makes happy face.] Can you all show me your happy face? [Along with kids, make a happy face.] The people finished fixing the church so everyone could come and learn about God. King Josiah helped his people learn that God wanted them to obey. We can obey God too. When we obey, we listen to God and do what God tells us to do. [Collect props and invite children and Helper to sit back down.] Thank you for helping me tell the Bible story!

Fall Quarter

2007 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teachers Guidebook / Lesson 8

UNIT 2:

Kids of the Bible

We can obey God just like the people in the Bible story. Lets say our special words together. We are going to say, [say slowly] God [point up] wants us to obey [thumbs up]. Say it in your loud voice. God [point up] wants us to obey [thumbs up]. Say it in your quiet voice. God [point up] wants us to obey [thumbs up]. Good job! We heard the Bible story and learned that God wants us to obey Him. Now, lets shake the game jar and move along on our game. Its time to shake! [Shake jar wildly, then open it and examine die.] Its a one! Count with me. [Count as you move the game piece.] One. We landed on the Lalalalala Square! [Point to the Lalalalala Bag.] Every time we open up this bag we get to sing a song. But before we find out which song were going to sing, we have to stand and sing, like this. [Along with kids, sing Lalalalala! Then remove tissue paper and look inside the bag. Pull out piece of paper and announce name of song to kids.]
MUSIC

Song suggestion: I Can Obey

TEACHER:

Great singing! Now wiggle your toes, wiggle your nose, and have a seat. We can obey God when we help others because God wants us to help others. Lets shake our game jar and see what we get. Lets all shake, shake, shake together! [Shake jar wildly, then open it and examine die.] Three spaces! Lets count together. [Count as you move the game piece.] One . . . two . . . three. Its the Thinking Hat Square! Every time we land on the Thinking Hat Square, we get to think about very important things. [Remove tissue paper from the Thinking Hat Bag, take out Thinking Hat, and put it on your head.] Lets find out what we get to think about today. [Pull folded paper from Thinking Hat, unfold it, and read it aloud.] Today you are going to think about a time when you obeyed. Hmmm, well one time my dad told me to eat my vegetables and I obeyed him and did what he told me to. While the music plays, think about a time when you listened to and obeyed your parents.
[SFX 87: Thinking music.]

TEACHER:

On the count of three, if youve obeyed your parents, shout, Yes! One . . . two . . . three. [Yes!] Great job, everyone. When we obey our parents, we obey God. Remember God wants you to obey. [Take off Thinking Hat.] Lets keep going in our game! Lets shake our game jar again. Everybody shake with me. [Shake jar, then open it, and examine die.] Its a three! Count with me. [Count as you move the game piece.] One . . . two . . . three. We landed on the Question Mark Square. The Question Mark Bag always has a special question and some pictures to help us answer the question. Lets find out our question for today. [Pull folded paper from the Question Mark Bag, unfold it, and read it aloud.] Our question is, How can we obey?
Lesson 8 LG 2

Look, there are pictures in here to help us with the question! [Show picture of a girl brushing her teeth.] What is this girl doing? [Brushing her teeth!] Right, shes brushing her teeth. When your mom or dad asks you to brush your teeth, should you obey and do what you are told?
2007 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teachers Guidebook / Lesson 8

Fall Quarter

UNIT 2:

Kids of the Bible

[Yes!] Yes, we can obey God by listening to our parents. Lets pretend to brush our teeth. [Along with kids, pretend to brush your teeth.] Lets say our special words together. God [point up] wants us to obey [thumbs up]. [Show picture of a little boy in a bathtub.] What is this boy doing? [Taking a bath!] When your mom or dad asks you to take a bath, should you obey and do what you are told? [Yes!] Yes, we can obey God by listening to our parents. Lets pretend to take a bath. [Along with kids, pretend to wash your body.] Lets say our special words. God [point up] wants us to obey [thumbs up]. We learned how we can obey God, so we are finished with the Question Mark Square. Lets shake the jar and move along. [Shake the jar, then open it and examine die.] Yea! We got a two! Lets count together. [Count as you move the game piece.] One . . . two. Hooray we did it! Hip, hip, hooray! We won the game! And we learned that we can obey God! [Dance and clap. Invite kids to clap.]
[SFX 88: Celebration music.]

Lesson 8 LG 3

TEACHER:

Lets celebrate by singing!

MUSIC

Song suggestion: Touch the Sky

Life Application Activity

(10 MINUTES) TEACHER:

Great singing! Lets count to three and sit. One, two, three, and sit. Yahoo! Today we learned so much. We learned that God wants us to obey. I think we are ready to play our next game. Its called the God Wants Me to Obey game. [Place the Unit 2 Life Application game board in the middle of the kids. Hold the five game cards in your hand, and place the game piece on the Start space.] We are going to play a game. We will start at the beginning of the game [point to the Start space] and go to the end of the game [point to the Finish space]. When we land on these pictures [point to the five pictures on the board], we will stop and do what is on our matching game card [show game cards]. To move our game piece [show game piece], we will count squares. Lets play our game.

ar St

[Move the game piece around the board as the kids help you count. Stop at each of the pictures and read the matching card.]
START CARD:

Count and touch your nose three times as I move the game piece.
Lesson 8 SG 4a

Fall Quarter

2007 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teachers Guidebook / Lesson 8

UNIT 2:

Kids of the Bible

SILLY WILLY CARD:

Make a funny face while I count to 10. [Along with the kids, make a funny face.] 1-2-3-4-5-67-8-9-10. You are silly! Count and clap your hands four times as I move the game piece.
BIBLE STORY CARD:

Lets read the Bible story from the Bible to remember how Josiah obeyed God. While we read the Bible story we can eat our snack. [Give each child a snack and read the story of Josiah from 2 Kings 2223 in The Beginners Bible.] Count and touch your toes five times as I move the game piece.
HOUSE CARD: Lesson 8 SG 5a

[Give each child an Activity paper. Point to the picture of the house.] We can obey God by listening to our parents. When your mom or dad asks you to make your bed, what should you do? [Make the bed.] [Give each child a star sticker to put by the house picture.] When you listen to your parents, you are obeying God. [Point to the picture of the children playing.] When you share, you are obeying God. When you are in church and someone wants to play with you, what should you do? [Share the toys.] [Give each child a star sticker to put by the friends playing.] When you share, you are obeying God. [Point to the picture of the children eating a cookie.] When you tell the truth, you are obeying God. Your mom said you should not eat a cookie, but you did. If your mom asks if you ate the cookie, what should you say? [I ate it. Tell the truth.] [Give each child a star sticker to put by the children eating a cookie.] When you tell the truth, you are obeying God. Count and shake your body two times as I move the game piece.

Lesson 8 SG 6a

Lesson 8 KC 1

Home

Church

SPECIAL WORDS CARD:

Friends

Lets say our special words together with our quiet voices. God [point up] wants us to obey [thumbs up]. Now lets say them in our squeaky voices. God [point up] wants us to obey [thumbs up]. Count and touch your shoulders three times as I move the game piece. Good job! We won the game! What did we learn today? God [point up] wants us to obey [thumbs up]. Lets talk to God and ask Him to help us obey. When we want to talk to God, we can pray. [Lead the children in the following finger play.] Open them. [Open hands.] Close them. [Close hands.] Open them. [Open hands.] Close them. [Close hands.] Give a little clap. [Clap hands.] Open them. [Open hands.] Close them. [Close hands.] Open them. [Open hands.] Close them. [Close hands.] Fold them in your lap. [Fold hands in lap.] [Invite the children to repeat after you as you pray.] Dear God, Thank You for the Bible story. Please help me obey You. Thank You for our snack. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Lesson 8 KC 1

Lesson 8 SG 7a

Special Words
Lesson 8 SG 8a

Fall Quarter

2007 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teachers Guidebook / Lesson 8

UNIT 2:

Kids of the Bible

Go

Snack and Coloring Activity

(15 MINUTES)

nts us to o wa be

This is the time for you and the children to build community. A great way to let the kids know you care about them as individuals is to ask them questions about themselves. GIVE each child a snack to eat. GIVE each child a Key Concept sticker to put on their shirt while they are eating their snack. TELL kids: You can obey God. TELL any new kids or friends how fun it was to have them with you at church today. ASK each child a question or two about themselves: What games do you like to play outside? What do you like most about coming to church?

Lesson 8 SG 9

y.

Lesson 8 SG 10

God wants us to obey.

Boy King Josiah (2 Kings 22:1--23:3)

Lesson 8 SG 10

Fall Quarter

2007 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teachers Guidebook / Lesson 8