BIBLE PATH LESSON PLANS

Where Kids Discover How Love H.E.L.P.S. Others

OVERVIEW
Day
Big Idea

Bible Story

Bible Passage

Memory Verse

Project Ideas

Day 1

H = Heal
Others Hurts

The Good
Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37

Gal 5:14

Cards & Activity Kits for

Hospitalized Kids (or Blessing
Bandages)

Day 2

E = Encourage
Others

King David &

Mephibosheth

II Sam 9:1-11

I Thes 5:11

Letters for FVI Kids &

Pastors (or Blessing
Bandages)

Day 3

L = Lend a
Hand to Others

Friends of the
Paralyzed Man

Mark 2:1-12

Prov 17:17

Tie-Dyed Socks

Day 4

P = Pray for
Others

Prayers of Faith

James 5:13-18

James 5:16b

FVI Prayer Lanyards

Day 5

S = Share with
Others

The Boy with the

Loaves & Fish

John 6:1-13

Acts 20:35

Hygiene or School Supply Kits

OBJECTIVES / Program participants will have opportunities to:

Respond to the message of the Gospel by asking Jesus to forgive their sin and live in them.
Understand and apply Jesus parable of the Good Samaritan and his command to love your neighbor.
Recognize the variety of relationships that God uses to meets peoples needs around the world through
a helping web visual.
Comprehend that God desires for them to be a part of something much bigger than themselveswhere
they receive AND GIVE help.
Discover how they can help others in a variety of ways through examples from the Bible and hands-on
crafts and projects.
Remember how they can help others through the Love H.E.L.P.S. Others slogan.

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Bible Path Lesson Plan

DAY 1

Overview
Big Idea: Heal Others Hurts
Bible Story: The Good Samaritan
Bible Passage: Luke 10:25-37
Memory Verse: Gal 5:14
Introduce the Big Idea (2-3 Minutes)
Say: Each day were going to learn about different ways that God desires to use us to help other people.
Say: Each lesson is represented by a letter in the word H.E.L.P.S. (Display on poster, chalkboard or
whiteboard. Fill-in each new letter of the acrostic each day.)
Say: Today were going to learn letter H which stands for Heal Others Hurts.
Say: Our Bible story is about how people responded to a man who was hurt.
Bring the Bible Story to Life (10-12 Minutes)
Say: Jesus taught people to love their
neighbors as themselves. But a Pharisee
asked, Who is my neighbor? That is a
really good question, so Ill ask youwho
are your neighbors? (Take responses.)
Say: Now lets look at Jesus answer
which he gave in the form of a parable. A
parable is a story from life that teaches a
spiritual lessonor an earthly story with a
heavenly meaning.
Say: Im going to ask some actors to come
up and help me reenact the Bible story
while I read it
Reenact the story using the Impromptu
Theatre format as your read it directly
from Luke 10:25-37.

Impromptu Theatre Format

In advance, recruit some adults or teens to play each
of the characters (Jew, Robbers, Priest, Temple
Assistant, Samaritan, Innkeeperand even the donkey
if you like.)
Provide some very basic costumes and props for the
actors to use (scarves, beards, tunics, etc.)
Instruct the actors to perform their parts silently.
Play mood music as the story is read and acted out.
(Nothing high-tech is requiredjust a small boom box
and a good soundtrack CD like The Prince of Egypt.)
Tour Guide Alternative: If you are teaching the story
to your individual tour group, assign the parts to the
kids to reenact.

Make the Application (2-3 Minutes)

Say: Do you think the Samaritan and the Jew knew each other before the story happened? (Rhetorical
Question) No! In Jesus time, Samaritans and Jews were more like enemies. Jesus is teaching us that we
dont have to know someone or live near them to be their neighbor. Your neighbor could live in Africa!
Say: Jesus taught us that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. The Samaritan showed love to his
neighborthe Jewby helping him.
Say: So who is your neighbor? Anyone who needs your help! (Repeat the question and get the kids to
repeat the correct response in unison.)
Say: And how do you love your neighbor? By helping them! (Repeat the question and get the kids to
repeat the correct response in unison.)

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Say: How did the Samaritan heal his neighbors hurts? (Take responses. Answers should include things
like: soothed and bandaged his wounds; transported him to an inn; provided for his ongoing needs; etc.)
Say: How could you help heal a neighbors hurts? (Take responses. You may need to prompt responses
for younger kids.)

Memorize the Key Verse (Approx 5-7 Minutes)

Write the Bible memory verse beforehand on a poster, chalkboard or whiteboard in large enough letters
so that everyone can read it.
Say the verse together phrase by phrase with the kids until they are familiar with it.
Explain that youre going to name specific groups and whoever fits in that group will stand and say the
verse or phrase together. (Call out groups like: kids wearing red; girls; second graders; brown hair; etc.)
At some point, hide the verse so that the kids cannot see it while they are saying it.

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Bible Path Lesson Plan

DAY 2

Overview
Big Idea: Encourage Others
Bible Story: King David & Mephibosheth
Bible Passage: 2 Sam 9:1-7
Memory Verse: 1 Thes 5:11
Introduce the Big Idea (2-3 Minutes)
Say: Each day were learning about different ways that God desires to use us to help other people.
Say: Each lesson is represented by a letter in the word H.E.L.P.S.(Display on poster, chalkboard or
whiteboard. Fill-in each new letter of the acrostic each day.)
Say: Can anyone tell me what we learned about the letter H yesterday?
Say: Today were going to learn letter E which stands for Encourage Others.
Say: Our Bible story is about a king who encouraged one of his people.
Bring the Bible Story to Life (10-12 Minutes)
Say: Now lets experience the Bible
story together. Ive invited a special
guest to tell the story. He was a
famous Judge of Israel. Please
welcome Samuel
Retell the Bible story using the One
Man Show format. (You can use the
drama script which is included in the
following section or you can read
directly from the corresponding
Bible passages in 1 Sam 21 and 2
Sam 9.)

Solo Show Format

In order to be effective, you must become each of the
characters in the story using costumesand even different
voices and/or accents if you like.
Prepare some simple costume props like:
o Samuel: gray beard
o Young David: harp
o Jonathan: bow & arrow
o King David: crown
o Ziba: towel over arm
o Mephibosheth: crutches
Use a coat rack for your props and a changing screen to
hide behind.
Play-up the hectic pace of switching costumes and props
between parts.
Alternative: The Solo Show could be divided between
several actors if necessary.

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King David & Mephibosheth Script

Samuel: Shalom! My name is Samuel and Im here to tell you the story of two best friends who grew up together.
Their names were Jonathan and David. Now Jonathans father was King Saulwhich means that Jonathan was a
princeand the next in line to be king. But God had already chosen David to be the next king instead. That made
Saul very jealous and angry at young David.
Young David: What have I done wrong Jonathan? Why is your father trying to kill me?
Jonathan: I will find out. But no matter what happens, you must promise that you will show kindness to me and
my family as long as I live!
Young David: (with one hand over heart and the other in the air) I make this promise before the Lord that I will
do it!
Samuel: Many years later, Jonathan and his father, Saul, were both killed in battle. David became the King of all
Israel and then he remembered his promise to Jonathan
King David: (sitting in a chair as if he is on a throne) Is there anyone left of Sauls family? I must show kindness to
them because of the promise I made to his son Jonathan.
Ziba: (bowing down) I am your servant Ziba. I know that one of Jonathans sons still lives, but he is crippled in
both feet.
King David: Where is he?
Ziba: He lives in the town of Lo Debar.
King David: (standing up and pointing into the distance) Find him and bring him to my palace at once!
Ziba: Your wish is my command! (he rushes away)
Mephibosheth: (bowing down and fearful) I am your servant Mephibosheth. You called for me?
King David: (seated on his throne again) Dont be afraid. I intend to be kind to you because of the promise I made
to your father, Jonathan.
Mephibosheth: Why would you notice me? I am crippled and useless.
King David: (getting up from chair an extending his hand as if hes helping Mephib up) Im going to give you all
of your fathers land and I also command my servant Ziba and his sons to take care of everything for you.
Samuel: And so for the rest of his life, Mephibosheth ate at King Davids table in his palace like one of Davids
own sons. The end.

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Make the Application (2-3 Minutes)

Say: Yesterday we learned that our neighbor is anyone who needs our help. In the Bible story you just
heard, who was Davids neighbor? (Take responses.)
Say: Mephibosheth was afraid of King David because Mephibosheth was the grandson of King Saul and
David had been an enemy of King Saul. Mephibosheth needed Davids encouragement. How did David
encourage him? (Take responses. Answers should include the fact that David gave him back his fathers
land and servants to help him farm the land.)
Say: Mephibosheth had another reason to be afraid because in Bible times, crippled people were treated
like useless garbage. How did King David show Mephibosheth that he was a valuable person? (Take
responses. Answers should include the fact that David treated him like one of his own sons.)
Say: How could you encourage someone who is hurting or afraid or feeling useless? (Take responses. You
may need to prompt responses for younger kids.)

Memorize the Key Verse (Approx 5-7 Minutes)

Write the Bible memory verse beforehand on a chalkboard or whiteboard in large enough letters so that
everyone can read it.
Say the verse together phrase by phrase with the kids until they are familiar with it.
Ask for volunteers to come up one at a time to erase a word or tworeplacing the words with lines.
Repeat the verse together after each volunteer has erased some words filling in the missing words as
you go along.
Finally, try saying the verse together with all the words erased.

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Bible Path Lesson Plan

DAY 3

Overview
Big Idea: Lend a Hand to Others
Bible Story: Friends of the Paralyzed Man
Bible Passage: Mark 2:1-12
Memory Verse: Prov 17:17
Introduce the Big Idea (2-3 Minutes)
Say: Each day were learning about different ways that God desires to use us to help other people.
Say: Each lesson is represented by a letter in the word H.E.L.P.S.(Display on poster, chalkboard or
whiteboard. Fill-in each new letter of the acrostic each day.)
Say: Can anyone remind us what H and E stand for?
Say: Today were going to learn letter L which stands for Lend a Hand to Others.
Say: Lending a hand means helping another person do something that they couldnt accomplish by
themselves.
Say: Today were going to hear a Bible story about some men who used their hands and feet to help their
friend.
Bring the Bible Story to Life (6-8 Minutes)
Say: What would you do if you heard
that Extreme Home Makeover just
showed up at a house in your
neighborhood to film an episode?
How long would it take for their yard
and the street to be filled with
people?
Say: Thats what it was like with
Jesus. He was famous because people
everywhere had heard about his
miracles. When the people of
Capernaum found out that Jesus was
in town, everyone showed up at the
house where he was staying! First
they filled up the houseand then
the street outside! Now I want you to
pretend that youre part of that
crowd and youre waiting to hear
Jesus and see what he will do.
Say: In Capernaum there was a
crippled man who wanted to see
Jesus because he believed that Jesus
could heal himbut there was one

Crowded House Format

It is vital to get the kids to feel as if they are actually there
in the crowded house where Jesus is teaching:
o Create the walls of the house using boxes or fabric or
rope between posts (limit to 2-3 feet in height so
everyone can see over it.)
o Use tape to mark a boundary for your teaching area in
the center of the house.
o As the kids enter the room, pack them into the house
first, then ask the rest to sit outside.
Since you will be surrounded by kids on all sides while you
are teaching, make a point of turning occasionally while
you teach (but dont rotate continuously or youll make
yourself sick!)
In advance, recruit five people to play the parts of the
crippled man and his four friends.
Locate or make an improvised stretcher for the four men to
use to carry their crippled friend.
At the right moment in the story, the actors should work
their way through the crowd. When they reach the
house, they will lower their friend over the wall youve
created. (They could pretend to dig through the roof,
tossing aside pieces of broken Styrofoam or cardboard.)

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BIG problem! In Bible times, handicapped

people were thought to be cursed, so they
were treated like outcastsmost people
would not help them or even touch them.
Say: Since the man couldnt walk, he needed
someone who would take him to the house
to see Jesus. Fortunately, the crippled man
had four friends who decided to take him to
see Jesusbut by the time they arrived, the
house and the street were packed with
people.
Say: Now these four men had so much faith
that Jesus could heal their friend, that they
werent about to let that stop them! They
found a way up onto the roof of the house
where they cut a hole through the clay and
wood so they could lower their friend down
into the house!
Say: At this point, Im sure that everyone in
the house was wondering what Jesus would
say and do! Lets find out (Read the
dialogue or a condensed version directly
from John 2:5-12.)

Crowded House Format (Continued)

At that point, the four friends can leave and the
crippled man should stay in the circle with you for
the completion of the lesson.
Some other ideas you could use to represent the
men breaking through the roof (without actors):
o Rig-up a box above your head filled with
debris and rigged with a pull cord that you can
use to dump the contents on yourself.
o Hang a sheet from the ceiling that you can use
to cut out a square opening in the center.
o Hide someone in the drop ceiling above you to
pop open a ceiling tile and look down at you.
Tour Guide Alternative: If you are teaching the story
to your individual tour group, reenact the story in
miniature on the floor or a table top. Use a
cardboard box for the house and action figures,
dolls, stuffed animals, jelly beans or marshmallows
to create the crowds of people, etc. (Be creative!)

Make the Application (6-8 Minutes)

Say: The men who carried the paralytic to Jesus demonstrated their understanding of Jesus message by
caring for this handicapped outcast. They showed faith in actionor faith with hands and feet.
Say: Just like the men in the story, God desires for us to use our hands and feet to help others.
Say: How can you use your hands and feet to help others? (Take responses.)
Say: There is also another key part of this story that I dont want us to miss. Jesus did something far more
important than healing the paralytic of his physical disabilityJesus FIRST healed the man of his sins.
Say: God desires to heal you and I of our sins too because even though we may look OK on the outside
we are all sinners on the inside. We all lie and cheat and show anger towards others sometimes.
Say: Jesus knows that our sins hurt us now, and someday, we will die because of our sin. Jesus desires to
heal us from our sin, so that we can be freed from suffering and death.
Use this opportunity to present the gospel in whatever format you prefer and ask the kids to respond.
Memorize the Key Verse (Approx 5-7 Minutes)
Write the Bible memory verse beforehand on a poster, chalkboard or whiteboard in large enough letters
so that everyone can read it.
To begin, say each phrase of the verse, then have the kids echo each one back to you (fast and loud.)
When the kids are familiar with the entire verse, erase or hide it.
Have the girls stand-up and say each phrase (then they should sit down immediately when theyre done
with each phrase.) Have the boys stand and echo each phrase back to the girls.
Repeat the activity with the boys leading and the girls echoing.
Finally, have them echo the entire verse at once (rather than phrase-by-phrase.)
You can turn this into a speed and volume contest if you like.
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Bible Path Lesson Plan

DAY 4

Overview
Big Idea: Pray for Others
Bible Story: Prayers of Faith
Bible Passage: James 5:13-18
Memory Verse: James 5:16b
Introduce the Big Idea (2-3 Minutes)
Say: Each day were learning about different ways that God desires to use us to help other people.
Say: Each lesson is represented by a letter in the word H.E.L.P.S.(Display on poster, chalkboard or
whiteboard. Fill-in each new letter of the acrostic each day.)
Say: Can anyone remind us what H, E and L stand for?
Say: Today were going to learn letter P which stands for Pray for Others.
Say: According to the Bible, praying for others is a very powerful way that you can help them.
Bring the Bible Story to Life (6-8 Minutes)
Show & Tell Format
Say: Have you or your family ever prayed for someone?
Use a series of props to represent key
How did God help them? (Take responses.)
elements of the Bible passage. These
Say: Today, were going to learn about prayer from a
props will serve as trail markers through
letter written by Jesus brother James.
the passage.
Read James 5:13-18, pausing to explain each section
As you teach, frequently go back
using visual props as you progress.
through the props to help kids recall the
o Scripture Phrase: Is anyone in trouble? Pray.
details of the Bible passage.
Prop ideas: distress signal; life preserver; air
Add some intrigue by devising a creative
horn; alarm; etc.
way to reveal your props as you tell the
o Scripture Phrase: Is anyone happy? Sing.
story
Prop ideas: smiley face; music notes;
Look for out-of-the-ordinary props.
musical instrument; directors stick; etc.
(Some ideas for props for each section of
o Scripture Phrase: Is anyone sick? Ask the church to
the passage are included in the Bring
pray for them.
the Bible Story to Life section.)
Prop ideas: thermometer; crutches; gauze;
bandages; etc.
o Scripture Phrase: The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effectivebecause of Gods power
to heal the body (sickness) and the soul (sin.)
Prop ideas: dynamite; barbells; lighting bolt; salve; medicine; etc.
o Scripture Phrase: Elijah was a man [like us] and when he prayed, God answeredwith drought and
then rain. (Refer to 1 Kings 17:1 and 18:1, 45.)
Prop ideas: empty bucket; watering can; squirt gun, water cannon; etc.
Make the Application (6-8 Minutes)
Say: When we think about prayer, we usually focus on the pray-ER (the person praying.) If we have
enough faith, God will do whatever we ask. But thats not what James teaches us!

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Say: Other times, we focus on the prayer (the words prayed.) If we say just the right words, God will do
whatever we ask. But thats not what James teaches us either!
Say: James helps us focus not on the person who prays or the words of the prayerhe reminds us that it
is Gods POWER that meets physical and spiritual needs. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and
effective because of Gods power
Say: God asks us to prayit us up to him to decide when and how he will answer.
Say: What are some ways that you can remind yourselfand your family and friendsto pray for others
in need?

Memorize the Key Verse (Approx 5-7 Minutes)

Write the Bible memory verse beforehand on a poster, chalkboard or whiteboard in large enough letters
so that everyone can read it.
Say the verse together phrase by phrase with the kids until they are familiar with it.
Have the kids say the verse silentlyjust mouthing the words.
Then have them whisper it.
Continue to increase the volume each time until they shout the verse together from memory.

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Bible Path Lesson Plan

DAY 5

Overview
Big Idea: Share with Others
Bible Story: The Boy with the Loaves & Fish
Bible Passage: John 6:1-13
Memory Verse: Acts 20:35
Introduce the Big Idea (2-3 Minutes)
Say: Each day were learning about different ways that God desires to use us to help other people.
Say: Each lesson is represented by a letter in the word H.E.L.P.S.(Display on poster, chalkboard or
whiteboard. Fill-in each new letter of the acrostic each day.)
Say: Can anyone remind us what H, E, L and P stand for?
Say: Today were going to learn letter S which stands for Share with Others.
Say: Our Bible story is about a young boy who shared with others.
Bring the Bible Story to Life (6-8 Minutes)
Move & Say Format
Say: What is the hardest thing for you to share with others?
Use a series of motions and
(Take responses.)
phrases to represent key elements
Say: When youre really hungry, sharing your food is really
of the Bible passage. (Think Walk
hard! But thats exactly what the boy in our Bible story did.
Through the Bible.)
Read John 6:1-13, pausing to explain each section and the
As you teach, frequently go back
accompanying phrases and motions (in parentheses.)
through the motions & phrases to
o Jesus Crosses (rowing motion or crossed fingers)
help kids recall the details of the
o Crowd Follows (walking fingers)
Bible passage.
o Need Bread (fingers to mouth)
At the end, challenge the kids to
o No Dough (rub fingers together and shake head)
speed through the cycle from
o Boy Shares (hands held out)
memory without any help.
o 5000 Seated (clap one hand down onto other)
o Jesus Prays (fold hands)
o Bread Passed (hands passing)
o Everyone Full (rub stomach)
Make the Application (6-8 Minutes)
Say: What do you think God wants you to share with others? How will you do it? (Take responses.)
Memorize the Key Verse (Approx 5-7 Minutes)
Write the Bible memory verse beforehand on a chalkboard or whiteboard in large enough letters so that
everyone can read it.
Say the verse together phrase by phrase with the kids until they are familiar with it.
Ask for volunteers to come up to erase a word or twoleaving the first letter of each word.
Repeat the verse together after each volunteer has erased some words filling in the missing words as
you go along.
Finally, try saying the verse together with all the words erased (using only the first letters as a guide.)
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Bible Path Ideas & Resources for Teaching Younger Children
Bible Memory Activities / From The Bible Tells Me So: The Beginners Bible, Standard Publishing, 1998.
Musical Stars: You will need yellow and black paper, scissors, a childrens music CD, and player. Before
practicing the verse, cut out a number of large black circles, along with two large yellow stars. Cut
enough circles and stars for each child in the class. Lay the circles and stars on the floor in a circle.
Practice the Bible verse together. Have each child stand on a circle or star. As you play the music,
children will move around the circle stepping from one circle/star to the next. When you pause the
music, the children should freeze. The two children who are standing on the stars can say the Bible verse
together. Help the children with the words of the verse as needed.
Your Turn, Our Turn: Practice the verse together. Next divide the class into two teams. Explain that this
time they are going to say the words of the verse with their team. Team One begins by saying the first
word in the verse. Team Two then says the first and second word of the verse. Continue in this manner
with each team repeating what has been said and adding the next word. Repeat the verse, letting the
second team begin. If you would like to add movement, have each team stand when they say their
word and sit when the other team speaks.
Bible Verse Puzzle: You will need two pieces of poster board, scissors, markers, glue and a Bible with the
Bible verse marked. Before the session, write the Bible words in large letters on one piece of poster
board. Cut the poster board into several pieces to make a puzzle. Have children work to put the puzzle
together. Children can glue the Bible-verse puzzle to the other piece of poster board and decorate it
with markers. Open the Bible and read the Bible verse to the children. Read it in a whisper voice and
loud voice as you point to the poster.
Memory Handshakes: Have the children stand in a circle. Demonstrate the proper way to shake
hands. Show the children how to take turns shaking hands one at a time around the circle. Review the
words of the verse by saying them several times aloud with the children. Then explain how to do the
activity. Each person will turn and shake hands with the person next to them and say the first word of
the verse. Then they will turn and shake hands with the next person, and say the next word, and so on.
When you finish the verse, begin again. Include the scripture reference in the reciting of the verse. Once
children become comfortable with the activity, play variations, such as shake hands behind your back,
do high fives with the person next time, and so on.
Memory Blocks: You will need paper, wood blocks or cardboard boxes, a marker, and tape. Before the
session, write the words and scripture reference for the memory verse on separate pieces of paper and
tape them to the blocks or boxes. Show each word on the blocks and have the children help you put the
blocks in order. Then mix up the words again and have children help you sequence them. For variety,
have a child mix up the words and choose someone to put them in order.
Additional Teaching Resources
Fingers Tell the Story: Fingerplays, Pantomimes, and Litanies for the Very Young, compiled by Debbie
Stroh, Concordia Publishing, 1989.
Finger Play Activities, edited by Mary Gross, Gospel Light, 1995.
Instant Bible Lessons for Toddlers: Jesus is my Friend, Mary J. Davis, Rainbow Publishers, 2010.

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