65Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s

I’m So Glad That God Makes Things Grow

Bible Point God Makes Things GrowI’m So Glad That God Makes Things Grow • Lesson 5

Bible VerseGod makes things grow (adapted from 1 Corinthians 3:7).

Growing Closer to JesusChildren will n realize that God makes all living things grow,

n learn different ways to praise God, andn express thank yous to God for making things grow.

Teacher EnrichmentBible Basisn I’m so glad that God makes things grow.

Looking at the beauty of the natural world provides an opportunity to praise God. The psalmist’s amazement at the beauty of creation quickly turned into worship of the author of creation. Observing the natural world provides another important opportunity for us—an opportunity to stop worrying so much.

Everyone faces stress each day, but too often we allow that stress to dominate us. We quickly become convinced that our problems are insurmountable and God just doesn’t care. Jesus knew that so much of

worry, anxiety, and burnout stems from a failure to observe how God provides for the needs of plants and animals.

For this reason, in Matthew 6:25-30 he instructs his disciples to pause and look at the birds and the flowers. God cares for them and provides for their needs. How much more will he care for us, who are much more important to him!

Prayer• Read: Philippians 4:6-7.• What does this passage suggest will happen if you tell God about your needs?• Can you think of times when you felt God’s peace despite trying circumstances? Are you

worrying excessively about anything today?• Pray: Lord, forgive me for giving in to stress and anxiety so often. You provide for all of

creation so faithfully. Help me model worry-free faith in you to the children I teach.

Before the Lessonn Collect items for the activities you plan to use, referring to the Classroom Supplies and Learning

Lab Supplies listed in the chart on the next page.n Pray for the children in your class and for God’s direction in teaching the lesson.

Psalms 65:9-13;

104:14; 147:8; Matthew 6:25-30

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This Lesson at a GlanceWhat Children Will Do Classroom Supplies Learning Lab Supplies

ArrivalActivities

Direct children to one or more of the

optional activities until everyone

arrives.

Welcome Time—Receive a warm welcome from the teacher and Cuddles the Lamb.

Name tags (p. 8), scissors, marker, tape or safety pins, CD player

Option 1: Music Makers—Play thank-you music to God on their “instruments.”

Variety of plastic bowls, plastic spoons, bells, and other “musical” instruments

Option 2: Tunnels ’n’ Towers—Build with boxes, and learn that God makes things grow.

Medium-sized boxes

Pick-Up Time—Sing a song as they help clean up the room.

CD player

Bible Story Time

Bible Song—Sing about the Bible.

Bible, CD player

God Makes Things Grow—Interact with sensory items on the StoryBoard as they hear how God makes things grow from Psalms 65:9-13; 104:14; 147:8; and Matthew 6:25-30.

Wheat crackers

“The Growing Song”—Sing and march to a happy song.

CD player

Bible Activities

Hide and Seek—Play a fun finding game to remember to be thankful for growing things.

Doll

Interactive Bible Bulletin Board—Review the Bible Point with Cuddles the Lamb as they create a bulletin board together.

Basket and food patterns (pp. 77-78), scissors, tape, basket

Sing It Out—Sing and march to a happy song.

CD player

Bible Craft—Make wearable sowing sacks with heart-shaped “seeds.”

Paper lunch sacks, red construction paper, scissors, yarn, tape, crayons, heart pattern (p. 77), hole punch

Bible Game—Sow “seeds” and give God special thank-yous.

Sowing sacks from Bible Craft

Closing Green Thumbs—Say a prayer and have a snack.

Bananas, lime-flavored powdered gelatin, napkins

*See the end of this lesson for extra-time ideas and supplies.

67Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s

I’m So Glad That God Makes Things Grow

Arrival Activitiesn Welcome TimeSUPPLIES: name tags (p. 8), scissors, marker, tape or safety pins, CD player

• Play “God Makes Things Grow” (adapted from 1 Corinthians 3:7) (track 4) from the CD as children are arriving.

• Use Cuddles the Lamb to help you greet each child by name and with a warm smile.

• Tape or pin a name tag to each child’s clothing.• Say: Today we’re going to learn that God makes

things grow.• Place Cuddles out of sight so the children won’t be distracted

by him during the next activity.

n Option 1: Music MakersSUPPLIES: variety of plastic bowls, plastic spoons, bells, and other “musical” instruments

Set out a variety of plastic bowls, plastic spoons, bells, and other “musical” instruments. As children arrive, invite them to create music by ringing bells, tapping the bells with spoons, and drumming on the bowls with their hands or spoons. Tell children that today they’ll hear how God makes things grow. Explain that we want to thank God for making things grow and one way to thank him is with music. Have children make thank you music to God, and assure them that God hears their pretty songs. Encourage toddlers to take turns with the “instruments.”

n Option 2: Tunnels ’n’ TowersSUPPLIES: medium-sized boxes

Set medium-sized boxes in one area of the room. Let children stack the boxes one on top of the other to make a tall tower. Let children stand beside the tall tower to see who’s taller—the tower or the children. Explain that boxes don’t grow but that the children are growing taller every day because God makes things grow. Allow children to lay the boxes on the floor to make crawl-through tunnels.

n Pick-Up TimeSUPPLIES: CD player

As Arrival Activities draw to a close, gently mention that it will soon be time to clean up. Encourage children to help you pick up things in the room as you lead them in singing “Let’s Pick Up All Our Things” (track 2). Use the CD and sing the song to the tune of “Looby Loo.”

Repeating the Bible Point over and over will help the children remember it and apply it to their lives. Help children learn one point that will stay with them for days and even years to come.

track 4

track 2

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Let’s pick up all our things.Let’s pick up all our things.Let’s pick up all our thingsAnd put them all away.

Everyone here can help.Everyone here can help.Everyone here can help.Let’s put it all away.

Let’s pick up all our things.Let’s pick up all our things.Let’s pick up all our things.It’s time to stop our play.

Bible Story Timen Bible SongSUPPLIES: Bible, CD player

Say: Who makes things grow? God makes things grow. How do we know that? The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 3. Show children the Bible. The Bible is God’s special book. The Bible tells us about God and Jesus. Let’s sing a song about the Bible. Using the CD, lead children in singing “God’s Special Book” (track 3) to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”

This is God’s special book.Yes, it’s God’s book you see!I learn about all God has done,And his love for me!(Repeat.)

Bible!

Say: The Bible is God’s special book. In the Bible, we can read all about how God makes things grow. God makes you grow and God makes me grow.

Ask: • What are some other things that God makes grow? Pause as children respond.

Say: It’s important to learn about the Bible, because the Bible is God’s special story. Let’s sing a fun song all about the Bible! Lead children in singing “The Bible Is God’s Special Book” (track 11) with the CD. Play the song several times, if possible. Lyrics are on page 24.

Say: God makes things grow, and we can learn all about how God does that in the Bible. Let’s learn more!

tracks 3, 11

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I’m So Glad That God Makes Things Grow

n Bible Story: God Makes Things GrowSUPPLIES: wheat crackers

Before class begins, please check to make sure the sensory items are still securely attached so the children can touch them without danger of

pulling off the items or putting them into their mouths. In addition, put wheat crackers in the basket on Panel 3, and have extras handy nearby.

Panels 1 & 2Fold the StoryBoard so that children see Panels 1

and 2. Say: We’ve been learning that God makes things grow. When your garden grows well, we say you have a “green thumb.” Show me your pretend green thumbs. Wiggle them and say,

“Here I am.” Pause for children to wiggle their thumbs. Let’s play a game with our thumbs. I’ll name something that grows. If you see that picture on the StoryBoard, put your thumb on your nose like this. Show children how to put their thumbs on their noses, and encourage them to practice a few times. Then I’ll have someone point to that picture.

Have children find StoryBoard pictures as you ask questions such as “Who can find the flower?” Call upon two or three children to point to each picture. Be sure each child has a few turns. Have children find the following pictures:

• the field of crops (Touch the wheat.) • the fruit trees (Sniff the stickers.)• the cow (Ring the cowbell.) • the chicken (Stroke the feather.)• the grapes and grape leaf (Touch the leaf.)Say: You did such a good job with your pretend green thumbs. Let’s learn

a fun finger rhyme about green thumbs. You’ll need your pretend green thumbs. Hold them up like this. Make a double thumbs-up sign in front of you. Slowly repeat the following rhyme a few times. Encourage children to follow along and wiggle their thumbs.

Green thumbs know (wiggle one thumb)God makes things grow! (Wiggle the other thumb.)I’m so happy (wiggle both thumbs in the air)

God makes things grow! (Wiggle both thumbs.)Say: Plants and flowers and trees and animals grow. Let’s see what else

grows.

If you have very young children in your class, let them simply find and touch StoryBoard pictures and sensory items. Repeat the Bible Point often, and reinforce learning with hugs and smiles.

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Panel 3Fold the StoryBoard so children see only Panel 3. Say: Here’s a

family in their kitchen. Ask: • What are they doing? (Eating; sitting at the table;

having dinner.)• Who’s sitting at the table? Let toddlers point to each family

member in the picture as you help them say, “Mommy,” “Daddy,” and “baby.”• Who’s under the table? (A cat; the kitty.)Say: Kittens grow, too. They grow into cats. We can pat the nice kitty. Hold

the StoryBoard so children have a turn to pat the cat. Ask: • How does the kitty feel? (Soft; nice; fuzzy.)Say: God makes everything grow. God makes kittens grow, and God makes

people grow, too.I think the members of this family are ready to eat. Let’s help them say

a prayer to thank God for their food. Fold your hands and bow your heads. Pray: Dear God, thank you for our food. Amen.

We want to thank God for all he gives us. We want to thank God because we love him. Let’s blow God a thank-you kiss to show how much we love him. Lead children in blowing a kiss upward.

Now we’ll peek in the basket and see what the family is having for dinner. Let each child peek in the basket, and then give each child a cracker to eat.

Ask: • How did the cracker taste? (Good; crunchy.)• Who’s eating corn in the picture? (Daddy.) Let children find and touch

the corn.• What do babies eat? (Milk; baby food.)Say: Babies are too little for corn or crackers. Babies need milk to help

them grow. Let’s feed the baby pretend milk to help the baby grow big and strong. Let children take turns “feeding” the baby with the baby bottle from Sensory Packet 1.

When everyone’s had a turn, say: I’m so glad that God makes things grow. Let’s sing a song to thank God for making things grow.

n “The Growing Song”SUPPLIES: CD player

Using the CD, lead children in singing “The Growing Song” (track 6) to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell.” For extra fun, let toddlers make a marching band using the “musical instruments” from Option 1. Children may also clap and pretend to play crashing cymbals and big horns. If you use the instruments, omit the actions in parentheses.

track 6

Important: Put the StoryBoard away and out of reach of children.

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I’m So Glad That God Makes Things Grow

God cares for things that grow. (Squat down; then stand up tall.)God cares for things that grow. (Squat down; then stand up tall.)Heigh-ho, the derry-o,God cares for things that grow. (Squat down; then stand up tall.)

God makes the sun shine high. (Stand on tiptoes with your arms in a circle.)God makes the rain fall low. (Wiggle your fingers as you bend low.)Heigh-ho, the derry-o,So he can make things grow. (Squat down; then stand up tall.)

God cares for things that grow. (Squat down; then stand up tall.)God cares for things that grow. (Squat down; then stand up tall.)Heigh-ho, the derry-o,God cares for things that grow. (Squat down; then stand up tall.)

Say: God makes things grow, and he cares for growing things. God loves us and cares for us. The best way that God shows that he loves and cares for us is by sending his Son, Jesus, to be our forever friend. Jesus came to take the punishment for the bad things we do so we can go to heaven someday. Then we can live with him forever. Isn’t that great news? Let’s blow a great big kiss to God to thank him for sending Jesus!

Lead children in throwing a pretend kiss to God.

Now let’s get back to our lesson and play a hide-and-seek game about growing things.

Bible Activitiesn Hide and SeekSUPPLIES: doll

Before class, hide the garden veggie, animal finger puppets, fish squirter, and a doll in your room, but keep them in easy sight of the children.

Say: God makes things grow. God makes plants

grow—we love to eat God’s yummy carrots, and potatoes, and peas, and corn! God makes animals grow—we love to pet and play with puppies and kittens and rabbits! And God makes people grow—you used to be tiny babies, and God made you grow into big boys and girls. God made me grow, too! God makes everything grow! I’m so glad that God makes things grow!

Let’s play a game to help us remember how thankful we are that God makes things grow. I’ve hidden some things in the room that I want you to

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Lesson 5

help me find. When I call out your name, you’ll go find something for me. Once you’ve found it, I want you to pretend to make it grow big and tall. I’ll make sure that everyone gets a turn. Are you ready?

I’d like someone to find a yummy veggie for me to remind us that we’re thankful that God makes plants grow. Call a child’s name to find the garden veggie. Once the child has found the veggie, show him or her how to hold the veggie on the floor, raise it into the air, and then stand on tippy-toes with the veggie held high into the air.

Ask the child to place the vegetable on the table and return to his or her seat.Say: Now I’d like someone to find a [name one of the animal finger puppets] for

me to remind us how thankful we are that God makes animals grow. Call a child’s name to find the animal. Once the child has found the animal, encourage him or her to hold it on the floor and then pretend to let it “grow” by moving it high into the air. Have the child place the animal on the table and return to his or her seat.

I’d like someone to find me a [name the other animal finger puppet] to remind us how thankful we are that God makes animals grow. Call a child’s name to find the animal. Once the child has found the animal, encourage him or her to hold it on the floor and then pretend to let it “grow” by moving it high into the air. Have the child place the animal on the table and return to his or her seat.

Now I’d like someone to find me a baby doll to remind us how thankful we are that God makes babies and people grow. Call a child’s name to find the doll. Once the child has found the doll, encourage him or her to hold it on the floor and then pretend to let it “grow” by moving it high into the air. Have the child place the doll on the table and return to his or her seat.

Once all the items have been found, ask the children to close their eyes. Hide the items again. Continue playing until each child has had a turn finding one of the items. If you have a large class, let children form pairs to find the items.

Ask: • What food are you most thankful for? (Carrots; french fries; milk.)• What animal are you most thankful for? (My puppy; a cat; a cow.)• Can you name a grown-up you’re thankful for? (My mommy; my daddy;

my grandma.)Say: Thanks for those answers. I’m so thankful that God makes things

grow. Now let’s go find Cuddles and see if anything’s growing on our bulletin board!

n Interactive Bible Bulletin BoardSUPPLIES: basket and food patterns (pp. 77-78), scissors, tape, basket

Before class photocopy the basket and food patterns found at the end of this lesson. Cut out a food picture for each child and the basket. Tape the basket to the bulletin board.

73Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s

I’m So Glad That God Makes Things Grow

Bring out Cuddles the Lamb holding a basket containing the pictures of fruit and vegetables.

Teacher: Hi, Cuddles! What’s in your basket?

Cuddles: Can you guess? God makes it grow for people to eat.

Teacher: (Turning to children) What do you think is in Cuddles’ basket? (Pause for responses.) I think it must be food, don’t you, boys and girls? We’ve been learning that God makes things grow so we can have food to eat.

Cuddles: You’re all very smart! I do have food in my basket—well, paper food anyway!

Teacher: We’ve been learning that God makes things grow. And God makes food grow. Let’s put some good food on our bulletin board. Would you like to help us, Cuddles?

Cuddles: Sure! I’ll give everyone something from my basket.

Have Cuddles hand each child a food picture. Help children tape their food pictures “in” the basket and tell the name of each food item. When all the pictures have been placed, point to each food item and help children say, “God makes [name of food] grow.”

Teacher: (Pointing to the bulletin board) Look at how God makes things grow. God cares for growing things and sends sunshine and rain to make them grow. Let’s clap to show how glad we are that God makes things grow.

Put Cuddles out of sight.Permission to photocopy this script from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Toddlers & 2s granted for local church use.

Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

God makes things grow.God makes things grow. God cares for growing things and sends sunshine and rain to make them

n Sing It OutSUPPLIES: CD player

Stand in a circle. Using the CD, lead children in singing “The Growing Song” (track 6) to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell.” The lyrics are on page 71. Invite children to march in a circle as you sing. For extra fun, do the actions in parentheses as you march.

Say: We can thank God with our hearts for making things grow. Let’s make special paper hearts to help us say thank you to God.

track 6

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Lesson 5

n Bible CraftSUPPLIES: 5 red construction paper hearts (pattern on p. 77) and 3 construction paper streamers for each child, crayons, yarn, paper lunch sacks, tape, scissors, hole punch

Before class cut out five red construction paper hearts for each child. Use the heart at the end of this lesson as a pattern. Also cut three construction paper streamers for each child.

Set out crayons, tape, construction paper streamers, and yarn. Hand each child a paper lunch sack. Invite children to use crayons to decorate their sacks. Have children each tape three streamers to their sacks. As you work, make comments such as “Farmers plant seeds, and God makes them grow” and “Isn’t it good that God makes things grow?”

Cut lengths of yarn to fit around each child’s waist. Punch two holes in the top edge of the undecorated side of each sack, and thread the yarn through. Then tie the sacks around children’s waists. Let children show each

other their “seed sacks.” Say: I have some special “seeds” to put in your seed sacks. Hand each child five paper hearts to drop in his or

her sack. Let’s play a thank-you game with our seeds and sacks.

n Bible GameSUPPLIES: sowing sacks from Bible Craft

Gather children in a circle. Say: When farmers plant their seeds, they toss the seeds in the air. We’ll learn a fun thank-you rhyme. I’ll tell you when to toss a heart seed from your sack in the air.

Say the following rhyme. Have children toss one heart in the air after each line. Help children count to five as they each pick up five hearts, and then play again.

Thank you, God, for flowers and trees. (Toss a heart.)Thank you, God, for bugs and bees. (Toss a heart.)Thank you, God, for foods we know. (Toss a heart.)Thank you, God, for things that grow. (Toss a heart.)Thank you, God—we love you so! (Toss a heart.)

Closingn Green ThumbsSUPPLIES: bananas, lime-flavored powdered gelatin, napkins

Have children wash their hands. Then gather everyone together at the snack table. Say: Remember our pretend green thumbs? Hold your thumbs up and wiggle them. Let’s say our rhyme. Show me your thumbs.

Green thumbs know (wiggle one thumb)God makes things grow! (Wiggle the other thumb.)I’m so happy (wiggle both thumbs in the air)

God makes things grow! (Wiggle both thumbs.)

Lay three or four sheets of paper on top of each other, and cut out multiple shapes at once.

75Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s

I’m So Glad That God Makes Things Grow

75

Say: Only God makes things grow. Let’s say a prayer to thank God for growing things. Fold your hands. Pray: Dear God, thank you for making things grow. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Show me your pretend green thumbs again. Put your thumb on your nose if God helps you grow. Pause for responses. Put your thumb on your heart if you’re happy. Pause. Put your thumb on your tummy if you’re hungry! Pause for children to respond. Let’s eat pretend green thumbs. Hand each child a napkin with a peeled banana half on it. Pour a teaspoon of lime-flavored powdered gelatin on each child’s napkin. Show children how to dip the ends of their banana “thumbs” into the powdered gelatin and then eat a bite.

When children have finished eating, encourage them to throw their napkins away. Be sure children wear their seed sacks home.

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Lesson 5

For Extra Time If you have a long class time or want to add additional elements to your lesson, try one of the following activities.

n Harvest HeartsRepeat the rhyme children learned in the Bible Game. Let them use the heart shapes in their sacks to toss in

the air as if they’re planting seeds. After the rhyme, have toddlers “harvest” their seeds by picking up five hearts each.

Thank you, God, for flowers and trees. (Toss a heart.)Thank you, God, for bugs and bees. (Toss a heart.)Thank you, God, for foods we know. (Toss a heart.)Thank you, God, for things that grow. (Toss a heart.)Thank you, God—we love you so! (Toss a heart.)

n “God Makes Things Grow” SongWithout using the CD, lead children in singing “God Makes Things Grow” (adapted from 1 Corinthians

3:7) to the tune of “Jesus Loves Me.” For extra fun, do the motions in parentheses.

Trees and bees both big and small (stand up high; then bend low),God’s the one who makes them all. (Spread arms wide.)God makes things grow every day (squat down; then slowly rise up)And cares for them in lots of ways. (Place hands on heart.)God makes things grow. (Hold arms out at sides.)God makes things grow. (Raise arms higher.)God makes things grow (raise arms higher)Because he loves us so. (Place hands on heart.)

I am growing big and tall. (Stand on tiptoe.)I’m bouncing up just like a ball! (Jump in the air.)God helps us grow every day (squat down; then slowly rise up)And cares for us in lots of ways. (Place hands on heart.)God makes us grow. (Hold arms out at sides.)God makes us grow. (Raise arms higher.)God makes us grow (raise arms higher)Because he loves us so. (Place hands on heart.)

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I’m So Glad That God Makes Things Grow

Permission to photocopy these patterns from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Toddlers & 2s granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

PatternsCut loosely around each pattern instead of cutting exactly on the outlines.

78Permission to photocopy these patterns from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Toddlers & 2s granted for local church use.

Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

PatternsCut loosely around each pattern instead of cutting exactly on the outlines.