one preteen

©2021 The reThink Group, Inc. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com 1

W E E K S M A L L G R O U P

ONE PRETEENO C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

TODAY’S BIBLE STORY

Someone Like YouImage of God

Genesis 1:26-28

TODAY’S KEY QUESTION

How would you describe God?

TODAY’S BOTTOM LINE

You were made in God’s image.

MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE

How you made me is amazing and wonderful. I praise you for that.

What you have done is wonderful. I know that very well.

Psalm 139:14, NIrV

MONTHLY LIFE APP

Individuality—Discovering who you’re meant to be so you

can make a difference

BASIC TRUTH

I can trust God no matter what.

TODAY’S SUGGESTED SCHEDULE

PRELUDE: Setting the tone for the experienceSee the Getting Ready pages at the end of this document for a detailed description of what you’ll need for today.In the Prelude folder of your curriculum, you’ll find a variety of other resources to help you prepare.

SMALL GROUP

SOCIAL: Providing time for fun interactionJust for FunOpening Activity

LARGE GROUP

STORY: Communicating God’s truth in engaging waysWORSHIP: Inviting people to respond to GodWelcome/OpenerWorship (“Every Beat” from Every Beat, “Gloriously Free” from Make a Move, and “Who You Say I Am” from Who You Say I Am single)Bible Story (Communicator Script)Key QuestionPrayer

SMALL GROUP

GROUPS: Creating a safe place to connectApplication Activity: Take a Snapshot Bible Story Review: Bible Story Review andDiscussion Questions Memory Verse Activity: Verses to Take with You Prayer Activity: Make it Personal with Prayer

HOME: Prompting action beyond the experienceParent Cue Card (print or email)Devotionals for KidsParent Cue App

25M I N

35M I N

15M I N






Genesis 1:26-28








Psalm 139:14, NIrV

MONTHLY LIFE APP



BASIC TRUTH


PROVIDING TIME FOR FUN INTERACTION15 MINUTES

PRELUDE SOCIAL STORY WORSHIP GROUPS HOME

Before kids arrive, pray that God would give you eyes this month to see how each one of your students is a masterpiece that God created. Ask Him to give you individual insight into each of them and the courage to tell them what you see in them.

1. JUST FOR FUNW H AT Y O U N E E D : Offering container

W H AT Y O U D O : • Invite kids to put their offerings in the offering container as they arrive. • Pair kids up and tell kids to face each other.• Tell teams to pick one kid to be the “mirror” and one to be the actor. • The actor moves slowly in front of the “mirror” and the “mirror” reflects the

movement and facial expressions of actor. • The goal is to reflect the actor’s movements so well you can’t tell who is the

mirror and who is the actor.• Give teams time to practice reflecting each other’s movements.• After teams have practiced, allow teams to take turns “reflecting” each other

and see if the rest of the group can guess who the mirror is.

M A D E T O M O V Ean activity that increases the oxygenin the brain and taps into the energy

in the body






Genesis 1:26-28








Psalm 139:14, NIrV

MONTHLY LIFE APP



BASIC TRUTH


PROVIDING TIME FOR FUN INTERACTION15 MINUTES


2. OPENING ACT IV I T YW H AT Y O U N E E D : Large butcher paper, tape, markers, mirrors, paper or index cards

W H AT Y O U D O :• Divide the group into three or four teams.• Tell teams to select one kid to be the artist and give

everyone except the artist a mirror. • Tape a large piece of butcher paper on the wall and have the artist pick a

spot to draw on the paper. • Teams stand with their backs to the butcher paper. • Kids will use the mirror to see what their team’s artist is drawing.• Write an object on a piece of paper for the artist to draw and show it to the

artists. Be sure the kids guessing don’t see what you wrote. • When you say “GO,” artists simultaneously begin drawing the object for

their teams to guess. • The first team to guess the object receives a point. • Tell kids you will award points based on which team you hear say the correct

word first. • Switch artists each round. Be sure everyone who wants to be an artist gets

an opportunity. • The team with the most points wins.• When you are finished playing, gather kids in a circle.

W H AT Y O U S AY:“The artists did a great job creating masterpieces, and everyone did a great job identifying what the masterpieces were. [Transition] Let’s head to Large Group to hear about one of God’s masterpieces and why it is so different from the rest of His creation.”

MADE TO PL AYan activity that encourages learning through following guidelines and/or

working as a group






Genesis 1:26-28








Psalm 139:14, NIrV

MONTHLY LIFE APP



BASIC TRUTH


CREATING A SAFE PLACE TO CONNECT25 MINUTES

M A D E T O C R E A T Ean activity that explores ideas through

the process of drawing, building, designing, and problem-solving


1. TAKE A SNAPSHOT[ L I V E F O R G O D | A P P L I C AT I O N A C T I V I T Y ]W H AT Y O U N E E D : Prepared bags, paper, hand sanitizer• Candy Option: Fill each bag with Skittles® or M&M® (at least 10 pieces), Licorice Rope (1-2 pieces), Lifesavers® (5 -10). You can use individual, fun-size packages of each candy or buy the candy in bulk and divide it into the

individual “Writing Supply Bags.” • Non-Candy Option: Fill each bag with 3-4 pipe cleaners and 1-20 beads for

each kid.

W H AT Y O U D O :• Gather kids in a circle and instruct them to sanitize their hands.• Give each kid a bag of candy and a piece of paper.• Tell kids to write their names on their bags of candy.• Instruct kids to write words or draw pictures on their papers they would use

to describe God—the catch is that they have to make their creations using only the candy in their bags!

• As they finish, allow kids to share their creations. • Especially for common descriptions, ask why they chose those words to

describe God? • Challenge them to think of a verse or a story from the Bible to support why

they would describe God the way they did. • Be sure to affirm their descriptions before asking why they choose that word

to describe God.• Instruct kids to return their candy to their bags. • Allow kids to take their candy home. • Suggest that when kids get home, before eating their candy, they re-write or

re-draw the words for their families.






Genesis 1:26-28








Psalm 139:14, NIrV

MONTHLY LIFE APP



BASIC TRUTH


M A D E T O C O N N E C Tan activity that invites kids to shareand collaborate with others while

growing their understanding



2. B IBLE S TORY EXTENS ION [ TA L K A B O U T G O D | B I B L E S T O R Y R E V I E W ]W H AT Y O U N E E D : “Gingerbread Cookie” Activity Page, markers, Bibles

W H AT Y O U D O :• Give each kid a “Gingerbread Cookie” Activity Page.

• Set out markers for the kids to use.• Ask some of the questions below, encouraging kids to color their

Gingerbread Cookies according to the directions you give. ú NOTE: Feel free to modify and add to these questions, based on what

you know about the kids in your group. • Questions could include:

ú Would you rather fly like a bird or swim like a dolphin? If your answer is fly like a bird, color the face orange; if your answer is swim like a dolphin, color the face yellow.

ú Would you rather eat pizza or ice cream? If your answer is pizza, color the right arm red; if your answer is ice cream, color the right arm green.

ú Would you rather sing or dance on stage in front of a group of people? If your answer is sing, color the left arm blue; if your answer is dance, color the left arm brown.

ú Would you rather be able to run as fast as a cheetah or be as strong as an elephant? If your answer is cheetah, color the left leg orange. If your answer is elephant, color the left leg blue.

ú Would you rather have the chance to direct a movie or invent a new toy? If your answer is directing a movie, color the right leg purple. If your answer is inventing a new toy, color the right leg green.

ú Would you rather have a pet dragon or a pet unicorn? If your answer is a dragon, draw and color scales on the body. If your answer is a unicorn, color the body with a rainbow of colors.

• Prompt kids to compare their gingerbread people. ú Are there any that look identical? ú Ask: What does unique mean? Emphasize how God created each of us

different from each other. • Give kids a Bible.• Look up and read Genesis 1:26-27. • Ask:

ú How are humans different from any other of God’s creations? ú Despite our differences as people, what do all of us have in common? ú What does it mean to be made in the image of God?

• Explain that while we may struggle with how to define what it means to be made in God’s image, we can say we reflect God in a way no other part of His creation does.






Genesis 1:26-28








Psalm 139:14, NIrV

MONTHLY LIFE APP



BASIC TRUTH


M A D E T O C O N N E C Tan activity that invites kids to shareand collaborate with others while

growing their understanding



3. D ISCUSS ION QUEST IONS [ TA L K A B O U T G O D | B I B L E S T O R Y R E V I E W ]W H AT Y O U N E E D : No supplies needed

W H AT Y O U D O :Ask:• What does it mean to be made in the image of God?

• Sometimes it is hard to wrap your head around what it means to be made in the image of God and we need to trust God no matter what. What can help us to remember no matter how we feel that God made us in His image?

• What does it say about how we should treat others, knowing that they are made in the image of God? What about the annoying kid in your class—how would it define how you treat them to remember they are made in the image of God?






Genesis 1:26-28








Psalm 139:14, NIrV

MONTHLY LIFE APP



BASIC TRUTH



MADE TO PL AYan activity that encourages learning through following guidelines and/or

working as a group


4. VERSE TO TAKE WITH YOU [ H E A R F R O M G O D | M E M O R Y V E R S E A C T I V I T Y ] W H AT Y O U N E E D : Bibles, flyswatters, markers, posterboard, sticky notes, paper

W H AT Y O U D O :• Give kids a Bible.

• Look up the memory verse, Psalm 139:14, and read it together.• Write the verse on a poster board.• Divide the group into two teams. • Give one kid from each team a flyswatter and instruct the kids with the

flyswatters to gather around the paper.• Explain that you will use a sticky note to secretly cover up a word of the

memory verse. • When you show the teams the verse, the first kid to swat the sticky note gets

an opportunity to guess the hidden word. • If they guess correctly, their team gets a point. • If they guess incorrectly, the other team gets a chance to guess and earn a

point. • Award a point to the winner of the round and ask kids to pass the flyswatters

to one of their teammates.• Make sure everyone gets a turn. • Optional: Increase the difficulty by covering up multiple words.• Ask:

ú What does the verse say about God? ú Why does the psalmist praise God? What are some other reasons we can

praise God?






Genesis 1:26-28








Psalm 139:14, NIrV

MONTHLY LIFE APP



BASIC TRUTH



MADE TO REFLECTan activity that creates space

for personal processingand application


5. MAKE I T PERSONAL WITH PRAYER [ P R AY T O G O D | P R AY E R A C T I V I T Y ] W H AT Y O U N E E D : (optional) mirrors and dry erase markers

W H AT Y O U D O : • Gather kids in a circle. • Ask kids to think back to earlier in your group time and

remember the words they used to describe God.• Encourage kids to write those words on their mirror. • To get as many words as possible on the mirror, ask kids to share their words

with each other and write others’ words on their own mirrors, too.• When kids look into the mirror, what do they see on their reflection? • Tell kids to look in their mirror and pick a word that describes God.• Guide the group in prayer using Psalm 139:14. Encourage kids to use their

mirrors during the prayer.• A sample prayer could be:

ú God, You are . . . (Pause for kids to fill in the blank aloud or silently. Kids can fill in the blank using the words on their mirrors.)

ú God, how You made me is amazing and wonderful. I praise You for that. (Pause for kids to list some awesome characteristics of God.)

ú God, what You have done is wonderful. I know that. (Pause for kids to think of what God has done.)

ú God, help us to remember we are made in Your image, and help us to see others the way You see them.

ú In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen





GETT ING READYH E R E ’ S E V E R Y T H I N G Y O U N E E D T O K N O W T O G E T R E A D Y F O R T H I S W E E K

SOCIAL: PROVIDING TIME FOR FUN INTERACTION(15 MINUTES)Welcome kids and spend time engaging in conversation and catching up. Get ready to experience today’s story. (Choose one or both of these activities.)

1. JUST FOR FUNMade to Move: an activity that increases the oxygen in the brain and taps into the energy in the bodyW H AT Y O U N E E D :• Offering container

2. OPENING ACT IV I T YMade to Play: an activity that encourages learning through following guidelines and/or working as a groupW H AT Y O U N E E D :• Mirrors, one for each kid• Large piece of butcher paper• Tape• Markers• Paper or index cards

GROUPS: CREATING A SAFE PLACE TO CONNECT(25 MINUTES)Create a safe place to connect and learn how the Bible story applies to real life experiences, through interactive activities and discussion questions.(Choose as many of these activities as you like.)* If you don’t have time to do all these activities, be sure todo activity #2.

1. TAKE A SNAPSHOT [ L I V E F O R G O D | A P P L I C AT I O N A C T I V I T Y ]Made to Create: an activity that explores ideas through the process of drawing, building, designing, and problem-solvingW H AT Y O U N E E D :• Hand sanitizer• Plastic zip top bags or paper bags; one for each kid• Variety of materials for activity

ú Candy Option: Fill each bag with Skittles® or M&M® (at least 10 pieces), Licorice Rope (1-2

pieces), Lifesavers® (5 -10). You can use individual, fun-size packages of each candy or buy the candy in bulk and divide it into the individual “Writing Supply Bags.”

ú Non-Candy Option: Fill each bag with 3-4 pipe cleaners and 1-20 beads for each kid.

• Paper; one sheet for each kid

*2. B IBLE S TORY EXTENS ION[ TA L K A B O U T G O D | B I B L E S T O R Y R E V I E W ]Made to Connect: an activity that invites kids to share and collaborate with others while growing their understandingW H AT Y O U N E E D :• Print the “Gingerbread Cookie” Activity Pages and

cut apart; one for each kid• Markers or colored pencils• Bibles

3. D ISCUSS ION QUEST IONS [ TA L K A B O U T G O D | B I B L E S T O R Y R E V I E W ]Made to Connect: an activity that invites kids to share and collaborate with others while growing their understandingW H AT Y O U N E E D :• No supplies needed

4. VERSE TO TAKE WITH YOU[ H E A R F R O M G O D | M E M O R Y V E R S E A C T I V I T Y ]Made to Play: an activity that encourages learning through following guidelines and/or working as a groupW H AT Y O U N E E D :• Bibles• Two flyswatters• Posterboard

ú (Optional) Write the memory verse, Psalm 139:14, on the poster board.

• Sticky notes• Paper





GETT ING READYH E R E ’ S E V E R Y T H I N G Y O U N E E D T O K N O W T O G E T R E A D Y F O R T H I S W E E K

5. MAKE I T PERSONAL WITH PRAYER[ P R AY T O G O D | P R AY E R A C T I V I T Y ]Made to Reflect: an activity that creates space for personal processing and applicationW H AT Y O U N E E D :• (Optional) Mirrors and dry erase markers

ú Note: Potential websites for mirrors: Dollartree.com, craftsandfabrics.net, Orientaltrading.com. Another option is to check other ministries in your church that may use mirrors for centerpieces for events you could borrow. Kids will use the mirrors following weeks.

HOME: PROMPTING ACTION BEYOND THE EXPERIENCE• Print on cardstock or email this week’s devotionals

and Parent Cue cards. • Tell parents about our additional family resource:

Parent Cue app.

one preteen

Documents