God and Me (Grades 1-3)

Curriculum Goals:

• To provide an opportunity for young people and families to explore their faith together
• To help children realize that God is active in every part of their lives
• To help children know that Jesus is their best friend
• To memorize the Lord’s Prayer

General Description

The God and Me curriculum is designed to help children become best friends with Jesus and tell their story of “God and Me” together. Children will tell their story of “God and Me” by starting with the creation story. Children will learn that God is their Creator and that God calls them by name, and they will give praise to God. Their story will continue as they learn of God’s love through Jesus. As they tell parallel stories of their own birth and the birth of Jesus, they will proclaim that Jesus was born to be their Savior. Their story will grow as children learn that God wants them to pray. Children will be encouraged to talk and listen to God as they share from their heart. Their story of “God and Me” will wrap up with the parable of the lost sheep. As children learn to lean on God as their Good Shepherd, they will be challenged to reach out and be “good shepherds” to those around them.

GAMEBox

Children will make a game in each lesson and keep their games in a GAMEBox (God And Me Exploring BOX). These games will reinforce the Bible lessons and provide opportunities for families to explore God's love together.

Outline:

Introduction

Jesus Blesses the Children – Matthew 19:13-15

Section 1: God Created Me - Children will study the creation story and learn that God was pleased with all creation. They will acknowledge God as Creator and give praise to God.

• God Said That It Was Good – Genesis 1:1 – 2:3
• God Calls Me by Name - Isaiah 43:1-2 & 4
• Praise God! - Isaiah 44:23

Section 2: Jesus is God’s Gift to Me - Children will learn of God’s love through Jesus. As they tell parallel stories of their own birth and the birth of Jesus, they will proclaim that Jesus was born to be their Savior.

• Jesus Is Born - Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-34; Luke 2:1-20; Matthew 2:2-12
• Jesus Was Born to Be a Savior - John 3:16

Section 3: I Can Talk with God - Children will learn how important prayer was to Jesus and that God wants them to pray. They will learn four parts of prayer to help them share their thoughts with God. Children will be required to memorize the Lord’s Prayer.

• Jesus Prays - Mark 1:35-37
• The Lord’s Prayer - Matthew 6:9-13
• God Talks to Samuel - 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Section 4: Because God Cares for Me, I Can Care for Others - As children learn to lean on God as their Good Shepherd, they will be challenged to reach out and be “good shepherds” to those around them.

• Jesus Is the Good Shepherd - Matthew 18:12-14
• Jesus Is a Friend to All - Luke 19:1-10

Schedule

A typical schedule for completing the God and Me curriculum might include five different sessions (an introductory meeting plus four sessions to complete the four lessons).

Eligibility Guidelines

Girls and boys in grades 1, 2 & 3 are eligible to participate in the God and Me program even if they do not belong to a Girl Scout, Boy Scout or Camp Fire group (church youth and Sunday School members are eligible to participate in this program). Each participant must have his or her own copy of the Student Workbook. A pastor's signature is required on the application/order form.

Adult Mentor Program

Parents have the option of enrolling in the God and Me Adult Mentor Program. In this program, the parent is an active learning participant alongside the child. The parent would have lessons and projects to complete in the Mentor Workbook just like the child, and then both parent and child would work on the student curriculum together. The mentor program is designed to provide the adult with additional opportunities to model his or her Christian faith and to help a young child talk about his or her belief in God.

Materials Available:

#33604 - God and Me Student Workbook - required booklet for each child

#33603 - God and Me Counselor Manual - resource guide for the pastor/counselor

#33606 - God and Me Adult Mentor - optional program for parents if they want to participate in the program alongside their children

Order these booklets online at www.praypub.org or call 1-800-933-7729.

Awards

Students must complete all the requirements before ordering any awards. The last page in the Student Workbook is the Award Application Form. This form must be submitted to P.R.A.Y. (awards are not available in local scout shops).

Visit http://www.praypub.org/god_country/me/god_me4.htm to view the awards.

The following items are available for the adult leading the program. These items may be purchased in advance so that the counselor may wear them while teaching the class.

#001MC – God and Me Counselor Patch

#002M8 – God and Me Counselor Pin

God and Family (grades 4-5)

Curriculum Goals:

• To provide an opportunity for young people and families to explore their faith together
• To learn six ways of strengthening families through faith
• To help families grow in God’s love
• To memorize the Ten Commandments

General Description

The God and Family curriculum is designed to help youth understand the importance of family and God’s role in a healthy family. The God and Family Program provides an opportunity for young people and their families to explore their faith together. Children will read about different families in the Bible, which can teach them about God’s plan for strengthening families. To remember these lessons, children will compare families and “pizza.” The six steps for making pizza will give students a concrete, “hands-on” model on which to build their understanding of God’s love for their families. They will make a pizza as they study how families can grow together in God’s love, and they will choose “family projects” to be done with their family at home.

Outline:

Introduction

Joshua’s Family Will Serve God – Joshua 24:14-15

Step 1: Crust-Foundation – We are God’s Family

Every pizza needs a crust or foundation. Families need foundations, too. Students will read passages from Deuteronomy and Matthew to learn how families need to build their foundations on God and on God’s love.

• God’s Great Big Family – Deuteronomy 6:4-8
• New Family in Christ – Matthew 28:1-10; John 3:16

Step 2: Sauce – Family Heritage, Spiritual Heritage

Every pizza has sauce (which has simmered over time). Like the sauce, a family’s heritage grows over time. A family’s heritage, especially its Christian heritage, is an important part of its identity. Students will learn about Ruth (how she came to faith through marriage) and Jesus (how he was brought up in the faith from infancy on) and realize that even though our faith journeys may differ, our faith in Christ is the same.

• Ruth – Ruth 1:1-18
• Mary, Joseph, and Jesus – Luke 2:21-24, 40

Step 3: Toppings – Our Talents and Gifts Strengthen Our Families

The toppings on a pizza make each pizza unique. Like the toppings, the individual members of a family bring unique gifts and talents that strengthen and make their family special. Students will read about Moses and Aaron, two brothers with very different gifts, and Timothy, a young man with the gift of faith. Students will be challenged to name their own gifts and the special gifts in each member of their family.

• Moses & Aaron – Exodus 4:10-17, 27-31, 17:8-13
• Timothy – 2 Timothy 1:1-7, 3:14-17; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2, 6

Step 4: Cheese – In God’s Family We’re Loved No Matter What! Because We’re Loved, We Follow Rules

The cheese on a pizza covers everything and holds it together. Families need to be held together, too. Christian rules and guidelines can help families relate to each other and live together as God’s family. Students will study Jesus lost in the temple and the parable of the prodigal son and discuss WHY we need rules. They will then be required to memorize the Ten Commandments.

• Mary, Joseph, and Jesus – Luke 2:41-52
• Prodigal Son – Luke 15:11-32
• 10 Commandments – Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21

Step 5: Bake – Being in God’s Family Helps Us When Things Are Tough

When pizza comes out of a hot oven, it’s better than ever! Families can be like pizza: by relying on God, families can come through the heat of tough times and be even stronger. Students will study Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, and Paul and Silas in prison, and be challenged to name the “faith tools” that can help their families in tough times.

• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – Daniel 3
• Paul and Silas – Acts 16:19-34

Step 6: Eat, Share, Enjoy! – In God’s Family, We Share as a Response to God’s Love

Pizza tastes good: it nourishes our bodies and satisfies our hunger. Pizza is fun to share: everybody loves a pizza party. Families are like pizza: they need to provide spiritual nourishment for family members, and they need to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those around them. Students will read about the feeding of the five thousand and the Great Commission to learn the importance of sharing God’s love with other people.

• Boy who shared his lunch – John 6:1-15
• Apostles – Matthew 28:16-20

Schedule

A typical schedule for completing the God and Family curriculum might include seven different sessions (an introductory meeting plus six sessions to complete the six lessons).

Eligibility Guidelines

Girls and boys in grades 4 & 5 are eligible to participate in the God and Family program even if they do not belong to a Girl Scout, Boy Scout or Camp Fire group (church youth and Sunday School members are eligible to participate in this program). Each participant must have his or her own copy of the student workbook. A pastor's signature is required on the application/order form.

Adult Mentor Program

Parents have the option of enrolling in the God and Family Adult Mentor Program. In this program, the parent is an active learning participant alongside the child. The parent would have lessons and projects to complete in the Mentor Workbook just like the child, and then both parent and child would work on the student curriculum together. The mentor program is designed to provide the adult with additional opportunities to model his or her Christian faith and to help a young child talk about his or her belief in God.

Materials Available:

#33597 - God and Family Student Workbook - required booklet for each child

#33598 - God and Family Counselor Manual - resource guide for the pastor/counselor

#33595 - God and Family Adult Mentor - optional program for parents if they want to participate in the program alongside their children

Booklets may be ordered online at www.praypub.org or call 1-800-933-7729. They may also be available at your local council store.

Awards

Students must complete all the requirements before ordering any awards. The last page in the Student Workbook is the Award Application Form. This form must be submitted to P.R.A.Y. (awards are not available in local scout shops).

Visit http://www.praypub.org/god_country/family/god_fam_awards.htm to view the awards.

The following items are available for the adult leading the program. These items may be purchased in advance so that the counselor may wear them while teaching the class.

#001FC – God and Family Counselor Patch

#002F8 – God and Family Counselor Pin