JESUS LOVES ME

By Kimber Bailey Scott

OPEN:

Have an animal puppet and give it a name. Pull this puppet out of your “magic bag.”

This is _____. He likes to snuggle and sniff his friends. (do this to some of the kids with the puppet) He likes to have his ears scratched and be petted. Can you scratch his ears and pet him? (talk to the puppet) I’m glad you’re one of our friends in class. (put the puppet back in your “magic bag”)

SNACK:

We’re going on a pretend trip today. The children and their families in our Bible story went to see Jesus. Jesus loved the children. He wanted them to come to Him. Let’s pretend that we are going to see Jesus. Let’s make a lunch to take.

(choose simple cookie cutters that fit a slice of bread.)

Let’s cut out your bread & cheese. (Show children how to place bread and cheese on paper plates to cut with the cutters and make sandwiches. Now give each one a lunch sack, a plastic Ziploc bag & put the sandwich in it.)

LESSON:

Comb your hair. Don’t forget the blanket, said mother. The children, moms, dads and families were excited as they started out on a trip to see their special friend. (walk around your room) Let’s walk along the road like the children and families in the Bible did. Do you see any birds? (look up) The children may have skipped and hopped. (Skip and hop) They may have climbed a big hill (bend as if climbing) or jumped over a puddle of water (jump).

Then they heard people talking and saw their special friend. Who do you think was their special friend? (Jesus) They may have spread out a blanket to sit on later (spread out your blanket) The moms and dads were taking their children to see Jesus. Just as they saw their friend Jesus (put a hand over eyes) one of Jesus’ helpers said “STOP! Jesus is too tired and busy for children. Don’t bother Him.”

When Jesus heard this, He said “Let the little children come to me.” Jesus touched the children. He talked to the children and held some of them in His arms. Jesus was happy to see the children. The children were happy to see Jesus.

APPLY:

(Have everyone sits on the blanket) Who were the moms and dads taking their children to see? Who talked to the children, touched them and was happy to see them? Who loves you? (mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, Jesus, etc.)

SING:

Jesus loves me

Jesus loves me this I know

For the Bible tells me so

Little ones to Him belong

They are weak but He is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me. (3x)

The Bible tells me so.

Jesus Loves the Little Children

Jesuse loves the little children

All the children of the world

Red and yellow, black and white

They are precious in His sight

Jesus loves the little children of the world.

RHYME:

Jesus Loves Me So

Reach high, reach low.

Wherever I go – Jesus loves me so. (hug self)

Sit down, stand up.

I’ll always know – Jesus loves me so. (hug self)

NEED:

Bible

Animal puppet

“Magic bag” or sack

Blanket

Cookie cutters

Bread

Cheese

Ziplocs

Paper lunch sacks

Wet wipes