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Something to think about before teaching:

God first used the name “I Am” when speaking to Moses from the burning bush. The Jewish people in Jesus’ time understood that this name was God’s name. When Jesus used the name “I Am” for Himself, it was clear that He was claiming to be divine. Just as God is timeless, so is Jesus.

constructing: putting together what God says about the name-Bible Story -Crazy Game Time -Imagine the Game Challenge

testing: applying the name-Game Invention Lab -Craft-Game-Bible Memory-Express Yourself -Snack-Trading Cards -Family Time

Each Lesson contains:

discovering: finding out about the name-Guess the Junk-Alex and the Junkyard Gang -Uncovering the Name-Discovering the Verse

Junkyard Gameslesson One: I am

Main Point: Jesus, I Am, is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Bible Verse: Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58

Bible Story: Burning Bush, Exodus 3:1-14; Jesus and the Pharisees, John 8:48-59

Kids will learn that Jesus is who they need. He can always be counted on as He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Jesus is God always with us.

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discoveringguess the junkSupplies: empty soda cans

Preparation: Hide the soda cans in the junkyard (make a junkyard by just randomly placing junk in the area) or place in a box.

Welcome to the Junkyard. This is where all the things that cannot be used in Imagination Factory ends up. The Junkyard is always open for people to come in and find things that they can take with them and reuse.

I am going to give you three clues about what our junk find of the day is. Let’s see if you can guess what it is. (Either show the box or indicate that the junk item is somewhere among the other junk items.)

Clue #1: It is made of metal.Clue #2: It is in the shape of a cylinder. (Explain to younger kids what a cylinder is.)Clue #3: People drink out of these.

Answer: Soda cans

alex and the junkyard gangSupplies: empty tin cans (food cans), empty pop cans, clipboard

Preparation: Scatter the cans around the junkyard area. Choose 4-5 kids to be the junkyard gang this week. Have them practice the skit beforehand.

Alex has a clipboard in hand. He is looking through the junk and making notes on his clipboard. As the Junkyard Gang enters, he looks up and waves.

Alex: It’s the Junkyard Gang! Did you have a good day at school? (Have kids an-swer.) There is a bunch of new junk here today. I’ve been writing it all down but really it’s all right here. (Points to his head.)

Hey, you all could help me. We have cans everywhere. People forget to put them in the recycling bin and they end up out here. Cans belong in recycling, not the junkyard. Do you think you could look around and pick up any cans that you find?

(Group nods head and answers affirmatively. As Alex starts talking to the audience the gang hunts for cans.)

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(Alex holds up a can.)

The thing about cans is that they last a really long time. It takes between 80 and 200 years for a can to disappear. So they end up just lithering around here in the junkyard because no one wants them. No one goes to a junkyard to find cans. They go to find really cool stuff like old bicycles and parts for go carts and rockets and tree houses. The cans just stay. As is. They don’t change. For a lifetime or two.

(One of the kids comes up behind Alex and grabs the can out of his hand.)

Hey, why’d you do that? (Alex chases the kid around in circles trying to get the can back. Another member of the gang pokes Alex on the shoulder.)

Junkyard Gang member: Excuse me, but you told us to pick up all the cans. So he/she was just picking up the can.

Oh, yeah. I guess you are right. (Looks at kid that has been chased. Points at him and laughs.) Good job. Yeah, good job picking up the cans.

Looks like you are done. Why don’t you take the cans over there and find the recycling bin. Or better yet, maybe you could even think of a game to play with the cans. You know, like we used to play Kick the Can.

(The gang looks at him and then drop all the cans and start kicking them around.)

No! No! Not like that. You know one can. The game. You’ve played the game right? No? Ohh-hh. (Puts hands over face and shakes it.)

(The Junkyard gang picks up their cans, shrugs their shoulders and runs off. )

uncovering the nameSupplies: sign “I am”, clock with “X” on it (or picture)

Each week our name of Jesus is going to have a symbol to help us remember the meaning of the name. We will look at a picture that has part of the symbol up close. More of the symbol will be shown a little at a time. See if you can guess what the symbol is. (This can be done by having the kids yell out answers, dividing into two teams with a captain or choosing two kids to play in front of everyone.)

The symbol is a clock with a big “X” in front of it. Our name today is “I am.” What do you think the symbol has to do with the name? (Give the kids an opportunity to guess.)

When we think of a clock, we might think about time. The “X” in front of this clock means that we are not talking about time. The name, I am, means that Jesus is timeless. He never had a beginning. He will not have an end.

Jesus, I am, is not only timeless, but He is the same as yesterday, today and forever. He is always present with us. We can always count on Him because He will always be “I am” for us.

Options: Display: Place the symbol in the display. Make sure to print out the name “I am” from the file to label the clock.

discovering the verseRead John 8:58 together:

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58

Let’s say the verse again with some motions to help us remember it.

Jesus (Point to the sky.)Said to them (Put hands around mouth as talking.)Truly, truly (Put one hand out palm down and turn over. Then do the same thing with the other hand.)I say (Put hands around mouth as talking.)To you (Point.)Before Abraham was (Point to stars in the sky.)I am. (Put up one finger as if an “I”.)

Constructing Bible StoryThe Burning Bush, Exodus 3:1-14; Jesus and the Pharisees, John 8:48-59

Supplies: colored cardstock, marker, scissors, tape

Preparation: Cut out circles from the cardstock. Write point values on the backs of the circles: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 1000, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and ZONK. Tape the circles to a wall or board with the point values facing the wall.

Divide the kids into two teams. Pick a team captain for each team.

Today we are going to play ZONK to learn about the first part of our Bible story. When it is your team’s turn, I will read a question. Your team can work together to come up with the answer. The team captain must give the official answer within 30 seconds of the questions being asked. If you get the question correct, your team captain will pick a circle and you get the number of points on that circle. One of the circles has ZONK on it. If you get zonked, you lose all the points you have.

Question #1: Moses was keeping the flock that belonged to whom? a. His fatherb. His father-in-lawc. His ownd. His brother

Answer: His father-in-law, Jethro

Questions #2: Moses went to Mount Horeb. While there he sawa. A bushb. A camelc. A donkeyd. An alligator

Answer: A bush

Question #3:What was strange about the bush?a. It was purple.b. It had oranges growing on it. c. It was burning.d. It was burning but was not consumed.

Answer: It was burning but not consumed.

Question #4:Who called to Moses from the bush?a. Jethrob. His fatherc. Godd. No one

Answer: God

Question #5:What did God tell Moses to do?a. Go get helpb. Take off his sandals for he was on holy ground.c. Sacrifice a lamb to him.d. Put out the fire.

Answer: Take off his sandals for he was on holy ground.

Question #6:God told Moses that He had seen the affliction of His people who were living in what country?a. Israelb. Moabc. Egyptd. Kenya

Answer: Egypt

Question #7: God told Moses He was sending him to what person in Egypt?a. A rich farmerb. Pharaohc. Pharaoh’s assistantd. Joseph

Answer: Pharaoh

Question #8: Moses asked God who he should tell the people sent him. What did God reply?

a. Godb. Yahwehc. Don’t tell them anything. d. I am who I am.

Answer: I am who I am.

Add up the scores and announce the winner.

God spoke His own name, “I am.” Years later Scripture tells us that Jesus was teaching the Jewish people one day. This same name would be spoken again.

Jesus told the people, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” Jesus was talking about having eternal life. The people did not understand.

They said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our fa-ther Abraham who died? And the prophets who died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”

Jesus told them that Abraham rejoiced that he would see Jesus’ day. In other words, Jesus was saying that He lived before Abraham.

The Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

At that moment they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus hid himself and escaped out of the temple.

What Jesus said was so hard for the people to understand and accept. Not only was He saying that He lived before Abraham which seemed impossible, He was also saying that He was God. He used the same name for Himself that God used when speaking to Moses from the burning bush.

Jesus is I am. He is timeless. He is God. He is everything we need. Jesus, as I am, is the same yesterday, tomorrow and forever. We can count on Him always be present.

PrayerAsk Jesus to help the kids trust Him as I am. Thank Him that no matter what they need, Jesus, the I am, will always be that for them.

crazy game timeSupplies: Date and event resource pages, pop cans (30 if possible), three rectangular plastic con-tainers larger than a paper plate, 3 water resistant paper plates

Preparation: Fill the plastic containers with water and place on a flat surface. Place 10 cans and the paper plate beside each container. Print out the dates and the events. Cut the pages in half containing the events. Place the dates in order at the front of the room where the kids can see them.

Let’s see if someone can match some events that took place with inventing cans with the dates in front of us. Would someone like to try this? (Pick a volunteer.)

Mix up the events. Read the events one at a time, then give the volunteer the piece of paper. Have him/her place the event by the date. When finished, have the kids yell out if any events should be changed. When they are finished, announce if it is correct or not. If incorrect, keep trying with the au-dience’s help until it is correct.

1810: Tin can invented by Peter Durand1813: First commercial canning factory in England1858: First can opener invented1959: Pop top can invented1964: First 12 ounce aluminum can used for soda pop by Royal Crown Cola 1972: Aluminum can recycling was launched

Do you see anything funny about this timeline? (Give hints until someone sees that the first can opener was invented almost 50 years after the first can was made.) How do you think they were able to open the cans without a can opener? It was not easy. They had to use a hammer and chisel to open the cans. Later there was a special key glued to the bottom of the can that opened it.

It seems funny to us that a can was made long before a can opener. It does not seem logical that for 50 years, a can had to be opened with a hammer.

For the Jewish people, it did not seem right that Jesus came before Abraham. Jesus was right in front of them. Abraham had lived a long time ago. This made no sense to them.

When Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abra-ham was, I am,” He was telling them that He is God. He lived before Abraham because as God, He has lived forever.

Let’s play a game using some cans. I will need three volunteers. (Choose three kids.)

Your goal is to see how many cans you can stack on top of one another in 30 seconds. Do you think you can do that?

Let’s make it a bit harder. You must stack these cans on paper plates that are floating on water.

(Have the kids cheer on the others as they stack their cans. Stop them at 30 seconds.)

Was it hard to build the tower on water? Did the paper plate move around? Were you able to count on the plate being still for you?

When we build our lives on Jesus, the I Am, we are not building them on a foundation that moves around. Jesus can be counted on. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. We do not have to worry that today He loves us but tomorrow He does not. He will always love us. We do not have to worry that today He will answer prayers but tomorrow He will not. He always listens and answers prayers- even if it is not the answer we want. We do not have to worry that He will not be there for us. He always will be with us.

imagine the game challengeSupplies: empty clean cans-both tin and aluminum, paper, yarn or string, markers

Note: Miscellaneous items may be added such as bean bags, small balls, paper clips. Use whatever you have.

Divide the kids into groups of 5-6. Divide the supplies between the groups. Give each group time to imagine a game that illustrates the main point of the lesson: Jesus, I Am, is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is timeless as He is God and is always present with us.

The game must be able to be played in their small group and everyone must be able to play it.

When they finish planning the game, have them play it. Then, have them verbalize how the game illustrates the point. If time permits, show the games to the other groups.

Examples of some games: knocking down a pyramid of cans with a ball or bean bag, throwing something into various cans, walking on cans like stilts, obstacle course with the cans and string.

testingthe game invention labSupplies: same supplies from Imagine the Game Challenge

Have the kids work individually to create a game that can be played by themselves. Encourage them to think of a game that would help them to explain to someone that Jesus is I Am. The game could help explain the Bible story, the meaning of the name, or the idea that Jesus is timeless.

After creating the game, have them play each other’s games and have them explain their meaning to one another.

craft: “I am” pencil holderSupplies: Different colored electrical tape or duct tape, empty and clean cans

Preparation: Make sure there are no sharp edges on the cans. Remove labels from cans.

Tape the words “I AM” on the can. Designs can be made on the can with the tape.

If using duct tape, cut it into narrower strips.

Games: kick the canSupplies: can

One person is it. The can is placed in the middle of the room (or outside in a defined area.) The kids all run and hide while “it” covers his/her eyes and counts to 50. “It” then tries to find the other players and tag them. Anyone tagged must go to the holding pen (a designated area for captured players). Any player who has not been caught can run up and kick the can. When this happens, all those captured are freed if the player kicking the can was not tagged in his attempt. Note: If played in a smaller area, the kids can walk instead of run.

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bible memoryJesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58

Supplies: chalkboard and chalk or whiteboard and markers

Preparation: Write the verse in random order on the board.

One child comes to the board and picks the first word in the verse. He/she erases the word and writes it below the mixed-up verse. The next child picks the second word and does the same thing. Continue until the verse is in the correct order.

Option: Use multiple boards (or poster boards). Divide into teams and race to get the verse un-scrambled first.

express yourselfSupplies: Copy of questions for each small group

1. Why were people upset when Jesus said He is “I Am?”2. What does it mean that Jesus is “I Am?”3. When you are scared, how does “I Am” help you?4. When you are angry, how does “I Am” help you?5. When you are sad, how does “I Am” help you?6. What does it mean that you can always count on Jesus? That you can trust Him? Can you think of a situation where you have trusted Him? How did it make a difference?

snack: English muffin clockSupplies: English muffins, cream cheese, raisins, apple, pretzel sticks, butter knife, plate

Preparation: Cut the apple into long strips for the hands of the clock.

Spread the cream cheese on the muffin. Place raisins around the edge for the numbers on the clock. Place two apples strips for the hands of the clock. Place the pretzel sticks over the top of the clock in the shape of a “X.”

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trading cardsSupplies: printed card for each child, markers or crayons (optional)

Name: I AMSymbol: Clock with “X” over it

Verse: Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58

Give each child the card. If using the coloring cards, use markers or crayons to decorate them. Go over the verse together and review the symbol.

Supply List

guess the junk: ☐empty soda cans

alex and the junkyard gang: ☐empty tin cans (food cans) ☐ empty pop cans ☐clipboard

uncovering the name: ☐sign “I am” ☐clock with “X” on it (or picture)

bible story: ☐colored cardstock ☐marker ☐scissors ☐tape

crazy game time: ☐date and event resource pages ☐pop cans (30 if possible) ☐three rectangular plastic containers larger than a paper plate ☐3 water resistant paper plates

imagine the game challenge: ☐empty clean cans-both tin and aluminum ☐paper, yarn or string ☐markers

the game invention lab: ☐same supplies from Imagine the Game Challenge

craft: ☐different colored electrical tape or duct tape ☐ empty and clean cans

game: ☐can

bible memory: ☐chalkboard and chalk or whiteboard and markers

express yourself: ☐copy of questions for each small group

snack: ☐English muffins ☐cream cheese ☐raisins ☐apple ☐pretzel sticks ☐butter knife ☐plate

trading cards: ☐printed card for each child ☐markers or crayons (optional)

Junkyard Games

Main Point: Jesus, I Am, is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Bible Verse: Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58

Bible Story: Burning Bush, Exodus 3:1-14; Jesus and the Pharisees, John 8:48-59

family discussion:1. What does it mean that Jesus is I Am?2. How can we count on Jesus knowing that He is I Am? Will He always be everything we need?3. Why did the people get upset when Jesus said He was I Am?

family imaginative thinking:Brainstorm together as a family how Jesus has been there for you in the past. How is He there for you today? How will He be there for you in the future? Think about making an art mural on paper or collage of pictures showing some of these ways.

family game:Play beat the clock. Think of a task or fun activity to do. Set the timer and try to do the task or activity before the alarm goes off.

Discuss what it means that Jesus is timeless.

express yourself

Supplies: Copy of questions for each small group

1. Why were people upset when Jesus said He is “I Am?”2. What does it mean that Jesus is “I Am?”3. When you are scared, how does “I Am” help you?4. When you are angry, how does “I Am” help you?5. When you are sad, how does “I Am” help you?6. What does it mean that you can always count on Jesus? That you can trust Him? Can you think of a situation where you have trusted Him? How did it make a difference?