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SMALL TALK Bible Stories You Should Know VOLUME 1 Carl Frazier A WEEKLY EXPERIENCE FOR THE CHURCH FAMILY - Creation - The Fall - The Flood - Father Abraham - Ten Words - The Great Commandment CHILDREN’S LEADER GUIDE

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Small Talk

Bible Stories You Should Know

V o l u m e 1

Carl Frazier

A W e e k l y e x p e r i e n c e f o r t h e c h u r c h f A m i l y

- Creation

- The Fall

- The Flood

- Father Abraham

- Ten Words

- The Great

Commandment

children’s

leAder Guide

tAble tAlk: Volume 1 sm

All tAlk: children’s leAder Guide frAZier

From Table Talk participants

“Table Talk is one of highlights of my week. It’s a time when I can share in fellowship with my church family, have stimulating conversations with friends, and learn something new about the Bible.”–Scott McBride

“It always leaves our kids and us with something to think about for the week! We sometimes carry on the discussion later as a family.”–Greg Belles

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cArl frAZier is the Lead Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Cary, North Carolina. His passion in ministry revolves around preaching and teaching the Scriptures, vision casting with a congregation, and sharing with others on their faith journeys. Carl and his wife, Mary-Ellen, are the parents of two adult daughters.

Small Talk is the children’s component of Table Talk, a series of six-week programs for the church family designed to bring all ages together for dinner, fellowship, study, and conversation about key stories of the Bible.

Small Talk: Children’s Leader Guide contains everything that children’s leaders need to organize, set up, and implement a children’s program as part of Table Talk, covering the same Bible stories as those studied by adults and youth.

Volume 1Creation

The Fall

The Flood

Father Abraham

Ten Words

The Great Commandment

smAll tAlk: children’s leAder Guide

www.abingdonpress.com

Cover design: Marc Whitaker

RELIGION / Christian Life / Family US $14.99

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Session 1 11

Session 1 Creation

Focus for the Teacher

Session Summary God’s magnificent story begins in the first book of the Bible, Genesis. God’s love for

us is expressed through creation. Nature is a gift from God. Think of your favorite place in nature and know that God created it with you in mind. All of creation is a gift and an image of the majesty, beauty, exquisite wonder, and holiness of God.

Bible Summary—Genesis 1:1–2:4aIn today’s story, we will learn about the Creation and study what was created on each

day. We also will focus on God’s great love for us, expressed in the act of Creation.

Small Talk Point Creation is a masterpiece of God’s love for us!

Bible Verse “God is love.” (1 John 4:16)Hand motions for Bible verse:

God—Point with the index fingers to the sky.Love—Bring hands across the heart.

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12 Table Talk Volume 1: Small Talk

Before the Session

Materials Needed in Advance• Posterboard, whiteboard, or chalkboard• Construction paper• Markers• Crayons• Stickers• Glue or glue sticks• Story props

Light: FlashlightSky: Draw or show a picture of the sky Land: Draw or show a picture of land Seas: Draw or show a picture of the ocean Plants and trees: Small everyday house plant or artificial plantSun, moon, and stars: Draw or show a picture of the sun, moon, and starsFish and birds: Child’s stuffed animals or a drawingAnimals: Child’s stuffed animal or a drawing People: On construction paper or posterboard, draw male and female stick figuresRest: On construction paper or posterboard, write the word Rest

• Memory cards: Create fourteen memory cards—seven cards showing the days of Creation (Day 1 through Day 7) and seven cards showing what was created on each day (See props list above.)

Arrival Activity: My Favorite ThingsProvide art supplies for the children, such as crayons, markers, construction paper,

glue, and stickers. As the children arrive, tell them to draw or create a picture of one of their favorite things in nature (such as animals, sunsets, rainbows, or flowers). As the children finish, use their creative artwork to create your own unique bulletin board of creation. Use the Small Talk Point as the header to the bulletin board: “Creation is a mas-terpiece of God’s love for us!”

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Session 1 13

Elementary Lesson

Getting Started

Bible Lesson IntroductionSay: Welcome, everyone! We are so happy that you are here with us at Small Talk.

My name is _____________, and we are going to kick off today’s lesson with each one of you using your memory. First, close your eyes and picture the most beautiful or amazing thing or place you have seen in nature. Maybe it is the mountains reaching to the heavens, or the sound of the ocean, or a butterfly and its magnificent colors. Is everyone imagining a picture? Great, now open your eyes.

Let’s find out what some of your favorite things are in nature. (Take several answers and write them on posterboard, a whiteboard, or a chalkboard. If you are artistic, draw the answers, or you might ask someone who is artistic to draw the answers for you.) Wow, those are some amazing things!

We learn in Genesis, the first book of the Bible, that all creation comes from God. Today we are going to learn about God’s great love for us and how creation shows that love. Have you ever created something—maybe drawing a picture or building with blocks? It takes time, doesn’t it? We are going to find out how God is the great Creator. But before we do, let’s pray and worship the one true God!

PrayerLord, thank you for your creation, for the beauty you show us every day in the sunrise

and sunset, the grass where we run, the leaves on the trees, and the flowers that bloom. Help us to open our hearts and minds to your word so that we can bring glory to you in all the days of our lives. Amen.

WorshipIf you and your group enjoy music and have the time, sing some worship songs such

as “Blessed Be Your Name” or “All of Creation.”

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14 Table Talk Volume 1: Small Talk

Teaching the Lesson

(Turn off the lights, if possible, and begin reading today’s story in Genesis 1:1–2:4a. This passage and all Bible verses in Small Talk are from the Deep Blue Kids Bible, using the Common English Bible translation.)

Say: “When God began to create the heavens and the earth—the earth was without shape or form, it was dark over the deep sea, and God’s wind swept over the waters—God said, ‘Let there be light.’ And so light appeared.” (Turn on the lights and continue read­ing.) “God saw how good the light was. God separated the light from the darkness. God named the light Day and the darkness Night. There was evening and there was morning: the first day” (Genesis 1:1-5).

Wow, that is amazing! How did God create light? (Take answers.) The Bible tells us that God created the heavens and the earth, but it was still dark, so God said, “Let there be light.” (Hold up a flashlight to represent light.) God spoke things into existence! God said, “Let there be light,” and bam, there was light. Then God saw that it was good. Say that with me: “It was good.”

But God’s masterpiece was just beginning. God had so much more to share and cre-ate. The Bible tells us that on the second day, “God said, ‘Let there be a dome in the mid-dle of the waters to separate the waters from each other.’ . . . God named the dome Sky” (Genesis 1:6-8). (Hold up a picture of the sky.) God looked at the sky and it was good. Say that with me: “It was good.”

God looked around at the creation: the heavens, the earth, the light, and the sky. (Refer to the visual props.) Still, God’s masterpiece was not finished. God kept creating by speak-ing more things into existence.

On the third day God created the land and the seas. (Hold up props for land and seas.) “God said, ‘Let the earth grow plant life: plants yielding seeds and fruit trees bearing fruit with seeds inside it, each according to its kind throughout the earth’” (Genesis 1:11). (Hold up prop for plants and trees.) And God saw it and said . . . it was good. (The group should be joining in when you say, “It was good.”)

On the fourth day, God had more to share and much more love to give! “God said, ‘Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night. They will mark events, sacred seasons, days, and years. They will be lights in the dome of the sky to shine on the earth’” (Genesis 1:14-15). So God created the sun, moon, and stars. (Hold up prop for the sun, moon, and stars.) And God saw it and said . . . it was good.

On the fifth day, God saw what had been created: the heavens, the earth, the light, the sky, the land, the sea, the plants and trees, the sun, moon, and stars. (Refer to props.) Whew! That was a lot of work. But God’s masterpiece was not done yet! God created the fish for the seas and the birds for the air. “Then God blessed them: ‘Be fertile and multiply and

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Session 1 15

fill the waters in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth’” (Genesis 1:22). (Hold up prop for fish and birds.) And God saw it and said . . . it was good.

On the sixth day, God still was not done. God looked at all of it and was full of love and had more to create. God created the animals that walk on the land and crawl on the ground. (Hold up prop for animals.) And God saw it and said . . . it was good.

But God’s favorite creation was yet to be created! Does anyone know what it was? That’s right! God made the first people, and made them in a very special way. Scripture tells us, “God created humanity in God’s own image, in the divine image God created them, male and female God created them” (Genesis 1:27). (Hold up the prop for people.)

God told the people they were in charge of all creation, which included the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the animals on the ground. (Show props.) God created every-thing and then made people responsible for the creation!

What does it mean to be responsible for God’s creation? (Take answers.) How can we show God love and honor by taking care of creation? (You’ll get answers such as recycling, taking care of pets, treating nature with respect, not littering, and picking up our trash.)

God’s masterpiece was complete. God had finished the work of Creation, and so “on the seventh day God rested from all the work that he had done. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all the work of creation” (Genesis 2:2-3). (Hold up the prop for rest.)

God had a purpose with all of creation. God created everything in nature, and in it we see the expression of God’s love for us and the love that we are to show God.

Wrapping Up

ReviewOur Bible verse reminds us that God created all things out of love: “God is love”

(1 John 4:16).Say that with me: “God is love” (1 John 4:16).Teach hand motions for the Bible verse:

God—Point with the index fingers to the sky.Love—Bring hands across the heart.

Great job! Let’s try it one more time with the hand motions!“God is love” (1 John 4:16).God made many things during Creation. Let’s review what God created and when.Who can tell me what God created on the first day?(Take answers—then show the flashlight to indicate light.)That’s correct! On the first day God created light!Now, who can tell me what God created on the second day?(Take answers—then show the prop for sky.)

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16 Table Talk Volume 1: Small Talk

Awesome job! On the second day God created the sky!Now it gets a little tricky. Who thinks they know what God created on the third day?(Take answers—then show the props for land, seas, and plants and trees.)Wo w, you are all so smart! On the third day God created the land and seas and the

plants and trees.Who thinks they know what God created on the fourth day?(Take answers—then show the prop for sun, moon, and stars.)Amazing! On the fourth day God created the sun, moon, and stars.Whew! I don’t know about you, but I am tired. I sure am glad God is all-powerful!Wh at day are we on now? That’s right—day five! Who can tell me what God created

on the fifth day?(Take answers—then show the prop for fish and birds.)Great job! On the fifth day God created the fish and the birds.Th en day six came around, and still God was not finished. What did God create on the

sixth day?(Take answers—then show the props for animals and people.)Go d created all the animals that walk and crawl, and then the most cherished creation

of all—people!On the seventh day, what did God do? (Take answers—then show the prop for rest.)Go d rested and enjoyed the Sabbath! Creation is a reminder for us to enjoy all of

God’s beauty and bring God glory all the days of our lives, because “God is love.”Great job, everyone! Let’s pray.

PrayerLord, thank you for your wonderful creation. Thank you for giving us the breath of

life. Let us celebrate and give you glory and honor by loving you! Amen.

Activity (Optional): Creation Memory GameUse the following activity to reinforce the Bible story lesson.Separate into small groups (6-8 kids) with a leader for each small group.Place the memory cards face-down on the table and mix them up.Players take turns going one at a time, turning over one card and then another to find

its match. However, in this game players must find a Creation picture and match it to the day in which it was created. (For example, the Day 1 card would match the Light card.)

If the cards do not match, the player flips them back over, and the next player tries. When a match is found, the player picks up the match and goes again.

The game continues until all the cards are picked up.Students can also make their own games to take home and play with their families.

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Preschool Lesson

Getting Started

Bible Lesson IntroductionSay: Welcome, everyone! We are so happy that you are here with us at Small Talk.

My name is _____________, and we are going to kick off today’s lesson with each one of you using your memory. First, close your eyes and picture the most beautiful or amaz-ing thing or place you have seen in nature. Maybe it is the mountains reaching to the sky, the sound of the ocean, or a butterfly and its magnificent colors. Is everyone imagining a picture? Great, now open your eyes.

Let’s find out what some of your favorite things are in nature. (Take several answers and write them on posterboard, a whiteboard, or a chalkboard. If you are artistic, draw the answers, or you might ask someone who is artistic to draw the answers for you.) Wow, those are some amazing things!

We learn in Genesis, the first book of the Bible, that all creation comes from God. Today we are going to learn about God’s great love for us and how creation shows that love. Have you ever created something—maybe drawing a picture or building with blocks? It takes time, doesn’t it! We are going to find out how God is the great Creator. But before we do, let’s pray and worship the one true God!

PrayerLord, thank you for your creation, for the beauty you show us every day in the sunrise

and sunset, the grass where we run, the leaves on the trees, and the flowers that bloom. Help us to open our hearts and minds to your word so that we can bring glory to you in all the days of our lives. Amen.

WorshipIf you and your group enjoy music and have the time, sing some worship songs such

as “Blessed Be Your Name” or “All of Creation.”

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18 Table Talk Volume 1: Small Talk

Teaching the Lesson

(Before the lesson, hide the story props around the room where they can easily be found.) Say: Today I need every single one of you to help me find all of God’s creation. Did you

know that in the beginning was God and God alone? Then God spoke and said, “Let there be light!” And bam, there was light, and God saw the light and said, “It is good.” Friends, let’s say that together: “It is good.” (Have the group repeat it three times.) Great job!

Now, this is where I need everyone’s help. You’re going to be my “Creation Seekers” and help me find the other things God created. To do that job, you’ll need to listen for clues in the story. When we come to a part of the story where God created something, I’ll call on one of my Creation Seekers to go and find that creation in our classroom. Do you think you can help me today? Great! Let’s begin our creation adventure.

After God created light, God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” That was the first day.

On the second day, God made a dome and called it the sky. And God said . . . “It is good.” (Whenever you say these words, coach the group to say it with you.) What did God make on the second day? (sky) Great job! Now, I need one of my Creation Seekers to find the picture of the sky in our classroom. (Select a Creation Seeker, and ask the person to bring back the sky picture once it is found.) Good job, everybody!

Okay, on the first day God created light, and on the second day God created the sky. Let’s see what God created on the third day. On the third day, God said, “Let the waters under the sky come together into one place so that the dry land can appear” (Genesis 1:9). And God said . . . “It is good.” What did God make on the third day? (land and seas) Wonderful! I need two Creation Seekers to help find the land picture and the sea picture. (Select the Creation Seekers, and ask them to bring back the two pictures.) Great job, Creation Seekers!

Now, on the first day God created light; on the second day God created the sky, and on the third day God created the land and sea. But the third day wasn’t over yet. God said, “Let the earth grow plant life: plants yielding seeds and fruit trees bearing fruit with seeds inside it, each according to its kind throughout the earth” (Genesis 1:11). And God said . . . “It is good.” So, after creating the land and sea, what else did God make on the fourth day? (plants and trees) You all rock! Okay, I need a Creation Seeker to search for the picture of plants and trees. (Select a Creation Seeker, and ask the person to bring back the picture once it is found.)

Wow! Now we know three days of Creation. The first day God created . . . (ask the kids) light, the second day God created . . . (ask the kids) sky, and the third day God created . . . (ask the kids) the land and the sea and . . . (ask the kids) the plants and trees. Whew! That sure is a lot of things. But God still wasn’t done.

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On the fourth day God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night. . . . God made the stars and two great lights: the larger light to rule over the day [the sun] and the smaller light to rule over the night [the moon]” (Genesis 1:14-16). God looked at the sun, moon, and stars and said . . . “It is good.” Raise your hand if you can tell me what God created on the fourth day. (Call on a student and then let that person find the picture of the sun, moon, and stars.) Great job, Creation Seeker!

Okay, I think I need your help. On the first day God created what? (light) On the sec-ond day God created . . . (sky) On the third day God created . . . (land and seas; plants and trees) On the fourth day God created . . . (sun, moon, and stars) On the fifth day God cre-ated . . . Oh, wait a minute. We haven’t gotten to the fifth day!

On the fifth day God said, “Let the waters swarm with living things, and let birds fly above the earth” (Genesis 1:20). God created fish and birds! And God said . . . “It is good.” (Select a Creation Seeker, and ask the person to bring back the picture once it is found.)

On the sixth day God said, “Let the earth produce every kind of living thing: livestock, crawling things, and wildlife” (Genesis 1:24). God created lions and tigers, monkeys and bears. God made rabbits and sheep, cows and donkeys. God created ants, mosquitoes, and salamanders. God saw everything that had been created but thought something was missing. So on the sixth day God also created . . . who? That’s right—us! The Bible says, “God created humanity in God’s own image, in the divine image God created them, male and female God created them” (Genesis 1:27). And God said . . . “It is good.” In fact, it is “supremely good.”

What did God create on the sixth day, Creation Seekers? (animals and people) Great job! I need two more Creation Seekers to go and find our clues. (Assign one to find the animals prop and one to find the people prop.) Finally, friends, when the seventh day came, God looked at creation and was pleased. God marked the day as holy and rested! We call this the Sabbath—a day of rest. Whew!

Wrapping Up

ReviewSay: Let’s see if we can remember all that God created. (Ask the children who found

the props to stand in front of the group, in order, with their picture props.) Okay, friends, I need your help to figure out what God created on each day.

What did God create on the first day? (Light—Ask the child who found the light prop to hold it up.)

What did God create on the second day? (Sky—Ask the child who found the sky prop to hold it up.)

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20 Table Talk Volume 1: Small Talk

What did God create on the third day? (La nd and seas; plants and trees—Ask the child who found the land and seas prop

and the child who found the plants and trees prop to hold them up.)

What did God create on the fourth day? (Su n, moon, and stars—Ask the child who found the sun, moon, and stars prop to hold

it up.)

What did God create on the fifth day? (Fish and birds—Ask the child who found the fish and birds prop to hold it up.)

What did God create on the sixth day? (An imals and people—Ask the child who found the animals prop and the child who

found the people prop to hold them up.)

What did God create on the seventh day? (Children might be confused. Tell them God rested and declared the day holy!)

Wonderful job, Creation Seekers! Give yourself a round of applause.

Activity: Creation Memory GameUse the following activity to reinforce the Bible story lesson.Separate into small groups (6-8 kids) with a leader for each small group.Place the memory cards face-down on the table and mix them up.Players take turns going one at a time, turning over one card and then another to find

its match. However, in this game players must find a creation picture and match it to the day in which it was created. (For example, the Day 1 card would match the Light card.)

If the cards do not match, the player flips them back over, and the next player tries. When a match is found, the player picks up the match and goes again.

The game continues until all the cards are picked up.Students can also make their own creation memory games to take home and play with

their families.

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Small Talk Handout

Dear parents,Today in Small Talk we learned about Creation! God is the creator of all things

and shows divine love for us through creation.

Memory Verse

“God is love.” (1 John 4:16)(Practice this verse several times with your children during the week.)

Questions to Ask

Wh at did God make on each day of creation? What did God do on the seventh day?

What is God’s most cherished creation?What is your favorite thing about God’s creation?

Family Fun

Choose an activity that focuses on God’s creation! Some ideas include:•Gotoafarmers’marketandmakeaspecialmealtogether.•GoonawalkandmakealistofallthethingsyouseethatareGod’sCreation.•Paintapicturetogetherofsomethingincreationthatyourfamilycherishes.

Daily Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you so much for all the beautiful things you created! Thank you for your love. Help me remember to thank you daily for your creation and to bring you glory. Amen.

Small Talk Handout, Volume 1

Session 1: Creation

Copyright©2013AbingdonPress.•Permissiongrantedtophotocopythispageforlocalchurchuseonly.

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(The leader calls out each phrase below, and the kids repeat it.)

Early one morning, late one night (Early one morning, late one night)God said “love” at first sight (God said “love” at first sight)Hear the Lord call your name (Hear the Lord call your name)Because God loves you, have no shame (Because God loves you, have no shame)Love the Lord with all your heart (Love the Lord with all your heart)Be strong in your love; you’ll be so smart (Be strong in your love; you’ll be so smart)Talk about God wherever you go (Talk about God wherever you go)Praise the Lord with all your soul (Praise the Lord with all your soul)Write God’s word upon your heart (Write God’s word upon your heart)He is love from the start (He is love from the start)The Great Commandment I share today (The Great Commandment I share today) Is love the Lord all your days! (Is love the Lord all your days)Sound off (One, two)Sound off (One, two)All: One, two, three, four,One, two; three, four!

Great job, everybody!

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72 Table Talk Volume 1: Small Talk

Wrapping Up

ReviewSay: What do you think the Great Commandment means? (Take responses.)Does the commandment include talking about God to everyone we know? (yes)Does the commandment mean we should love God with our whole heart and our

whole being? (yes)How can we show love to God? (prayer, worship, using our gifts to serve)Is it okay for us to be upset with God? (yes)Raise your hand if you’ve ever been upset with your parents. Do you still love them even when you’re upset with them?Can we still love God even when we’re upset with God?We are commanded to love God, and that means we should bring everything to God. God is holy, just, and righteous. God is worthy of our praise.

ActivityChoose one of the following:• Write a letter to God explaining how you will show your love to God with all your

heart, all your being, and all your strength.• Draw a picture showing how you will show your love to God with all your heart,

all your being, and all your strength.• Create a card for someone to share the love of Christ.

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Preschool Lesson

Getting Started

Bible Lesson IntroductionSay: We’ve been learning a lot about how God is faithful, trustworthy, and holy. Today

we’ll learn the Great Commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

How do we love God with all our heart? (Take responses.) How do we love God with all our being? (Take responses.) How do we love God with all our strength? (Take responses.) Those are all great answers. Let’s go to the Lord in prayer.

PrayerLord, thank you for the gift of life. Help us to follow your commandments. Let our

hearts and minds be set on you as we turn to your word for guidance. Amen.

Worship If you and your group enjoy music and have the time, sing some worship songs.

Teaching the Lesson

Say: The Bible is full of God’s love for us. The Bible is like a road map. It gives us lots of information about how to have a safe, joyful journey with God. God is full of love for each and every one of us. God is worthy to be praised. God’s name is holy and true, and we can trust in God.

God provides us with commandments in the Bible. Can anyone tell me what a com-mandment is? (Allow for responses.) A commandment is something that we are to fol-low, whether we feel like it or not. The greatest commandment God tells us is found in Deuteronomy 6:1-9. (Read these verses to the children using your Bible.)

Did anyone hear a commandment in that Scripture reading? Let’s take a look one more time. It says in Deuteronomy 6:5, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength.” (Do the hand motions when saying the verse.)

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74 Table Talk Volume 1: Small Talk

Does the Great Commandment mean that we are to follow God’s word only on Sunday morning at church? (no) Does the commandment mean that we are to love God only when we feel like it? (no) Does the commandment mean we are to build up our muscles big and strong, so we can pump a lot of iron? (no)

Let’s look at this through a rhyme. Listen closely, and try and hear in the rhyme what God is asking us to do. (Call out each phrase below and have the kids repeat it.)

Early one morning, late one night (Early one morning, late one night)God said “love” at first sight (God said “love” at first sight)Hear the Lord call your name (Hear the Lord call your name)Because God loves you, have no shame (Because God loves you, have no shame)Love the Lord with all your heart (Love the Lord with all your heart)Be strong in your love; you’ll be so smart (Be strong in your love; you’ll be so smart)Talk about God wherever you go (Talk about God wherever you go)Praise the Lord with all your soul (Praise the Lord with all your soul)Write God’s word upon your heart (Write God’s word upon your heart)He is love from the start (He is love from the start)The Great Commandment I share today (The Great Commandment I share today) Is love the Lord all your days! (Is love the Lord all your days)Sound off (One, two)Sound off (One, two)All: One, two, three, four,One, two; three, four!

Great job, everybody!

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Wrapping Up

ReviewSay: We are to love God with everything we have. We are to put God first and talk

about God wherever we go.

Let’s say the Bible verse together one more time, with hand motions: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

Hand motions for Bible verse:Love—Cross arms across chest.Lo rd—Place right index finger on left shoulder, pointed diagonally, then move the

right arm across the body toward the right hip.God—Point both index fingers up to the sky.Al l your heart—Place the right hand on top of the left hand and move hands in and

out over the chest, like a heartbeat.All your being—Extend arms out in front and then to the sides.All your strength—Flex both arms.

Activity: Card of LoveLet the children use construction paper, markers, crayons, scissors, and stickers to

create a card for a friend, family member, neighbor, or grandparent to share God’s love. Provide glitter glue if you wish.

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Small Talk HandoutDear parents,

Today in Small Talk we learned that we are created and commanded to show God love. God is worthy of our praise!

Memory Verse

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)

(Practice this verse several times with your children during the week.)

Questions to Ask

Why did God ask Israel to “listen”? How can I be a better listener?Why is this verse called the Great Commandment?

Family Fun

Try painting and praying.•Getalargeblankcanvas.•Haveeachmemberofthefamilypainthisorherhandandmakeahandprinton

the canvas. Use different colors to distinguish handprints, as some may overlap.•Afterthepaintdries,printthisverseonthecanvas:“LovetheLord your God

with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5). •Hangyourfamilyartworkinyourhome!

Daily Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for giving us the Great Commandment. Help me to love you with all my heart, all my being, and all my strength. Thank you for our family, and we pray that we can continue to learn more about you together. Amen.

Small Talk Handout, Volume 1

Session 6: The Great Commandment

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