Understood
WELCOME TO WEEK 3
Welcome to week 3! Have you ever had someone finish your sentences for you? It was as if they knew exactly what you were going to say. Perhaps they could finish your sentences because they know you so well. Not many people can do that, but a close friend or family member knows you very well because they’ve spent time with you. Jesus knows us very well, because He is our creator! We can trust Him with our deepest thoughts because He loves us just the way we are.
BIBLE STORY
Let’s play a game called “Who do you think it is?” I will give several clues about a person and you guess who you think it is.
-Picked cherries off trees, rumored that he never told a lie, first president of the US (George Washington)
-Built her own rollercoaster, First woman to travel across the Atlantic by plane (Ameilia Earhart)
- Lost her sight and hearing at the age of 18 months, first blind deaf person to graduate from college, helped soldiers who became blind in war (Helen Keller)
-Brothers who were inventors, owned a bike shop, invented the first controlled airplane flight (The Wright brothers)
-Was an upholsterer, owned an upholstery business, believed to have made the American flag (Betsy Ross)
-Played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, First black athlete to play major league baseball, inducted into the baseball hall of fame (Jackie Robinson)
-An American inventor, founder of General Electric Corporation, developed the phonograph- a device for recording sound (Thomas Edison)
-Died for the sins of everyone, God in the flesh of man, Creator of the Universe (Jesus)
All of these people are known for the great works they accomplished throughout history. Based on the information about them, you could probably guess who the person was. You don’t have to be a famous inventor or a well known athlete for God to know exactly who you are. He knew you before you were born and He loves you for who you are and not for the wonderful things you can do. This week we will read about Nathanael meeting Jesus. He wasn’t sure if Jesus was the Messiah, until Jesus did something amazing. He showed Nathanael that he already knew him, before they even met. Jesus knows you too!
Read or listen to the scripture story in John 1:43-51
Where did Jesus meet Phillip? (In Galilee)
What did Jesus tell Phillip to do? (Follow me)
Did Nathanael believe Phillip had found the Savior from the prophesy? (No, he asked if anything good could come from Nazareth)
What was Nathanael surprised about when He met Jesus? (Jesus already knew him and told things about Nathanael)
What greater things did Jesus say Nathanael would see if he followed Him? (He would see heaven open and angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
God knows each one of us by name and He knows what makes us unique. Sometimes we might wonder why we don’t look, act, or excel at things like people around us. But God knows exactly who we are and how we were made. He knew us before we were born. We can trust that God, our Creator, loves you exactly the way you are.
Activity
Phillip was so excited to meet Jesus and he want his friend Nathanael to meet Jesus as well. Phillip was a good friend to Nathanael because he didn’t want him to miss out on the opportunity to meet and know Jesus, their Messiah. Being a good friend is more than just being friends online or looking at pictures of someone from a distance. Listen to the following examples and determine if you think this shows real friendship or if this is just an acquaintance.
Materials: Attached scenario cards printed or viewed on device
Alternate
We are all unique and enjoy different things. Although we are each unique, Jesus still knows us. He not only knows our names but He also knows the things we like to do and the things we are good at. Complete the following activity sheet “This is who I am…” picture frame. Fill in the blanks to complete each sentence about yourself, then draw a picture of yourself inside the picture frame. Jesus knows you and loves you just the way you are!
Materials: Activity sheet “This is who I am”, pencil
Create activity:
Jesus knows you and He knows what makes you, you! Complete the following poem describing yourself. You can create your own poem or use the attached sheet as an example. Your I Am poem does not need to rhyme or have a specific rhythm Just use words to describe yourself and your thoughts that make you unique! Add a self portrait at the bottom of your poem.
Materials: Printed copy of poem or sheet of construction paper to create your own, pencil, crayons
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Create a picture frame, decorate the outside with the words: Jesus knows me!
Materials: white construction paper, crayons, markers, pencil
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Read or listen to the scripture Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18. This scripture tells us how much God knows us and wants to be with us. It tell us that no matter where we go, God is with us. He knew us before we were born and he formed us to be exactly the way we are. It is not by accident the things we like and the special abilities we’ve been given. God knows all of it and we can use it to glorify Him.
What are some things you can know about God from reading these verses?
What are some things it says God knows about you from reading this scripture.
What friend do you have that you know really well?
What makes them a good friend?
What are some things your friend knows about you that everyone doesn’t know?
Are there secrets you can keep from God?
If you feel sad or lonely, does God know how you feel?
How does knowing God knows you very well make you feel?
How knowing God will always be with you help you know that you can trust God?
Practical Application at Home
God has created us to be exactly who we are and He knows us better than we know ourselves. When Jesus say Nathanael and already knew who he was, Jesus showed Nathanael that He was not an ordinary man but God. Nathanael believed that Jesus was the son of God, the long awaited Savior. He believed because Jesus showed him that He already knew who he was.
Phillip brought Nathanael to meet Jesus. Who are some people you can bring to Jesus. We can show Jesus to others in the way we treat them and how we serve the people around us. Look at the following activities. Choose one or two of them to try this week on people you would like to share Jesus with.
-tell someone Jesus loves them
-Send a note to someone who is discouraged
-invite someone to attend church with you
-invite a friend to attend your church’s online service
-bring a meal to a person in need
-call a church member who is shut-in and tell them you are thinking of them.
-take coats or blankets to a local shelter
Sharing Jesus’ love with others is one way to be a good friend. It is also a way for them to build a relationship with Jesus as well. Jesus knows you and he knows your friend. Jesus wants them to know how much he loves them.
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Donate to a local food shelter or toy drive this Christmas season. As a family, volunteer together or pick out toys you think another child your age might enjoy.