new daniel and his friends are forced to move to babylon • lesson...

Daniel and His Friends Are Forced to Move to Babylon • Lesson 10

Bible Verse“The Lord himself watches over you!” (Psalm 121:5a).

Growing Closer to JesusChildren will n talk about times they’ve been away from home,

n hear how God watched over Daniel and his friends in Babylon,n reassure Whiskers about going away from home, andn ask God to watch over them when they’re away from home.

Teacher EnrichmentBible Basisn Daniel and his friends are forced to move to Babylon.

The timing of this event is approximately 605 B.C. The northern kingdom of Israel had already fallen to the Assyrians. Jerusalem and the southern kingdom of Judah had not yet fallen to the Babylonians. The group that Daniel was in was the first group of captives taken to Babylon. There was still another group taken before the final deportation and the destruction of Jerusalem.

Note that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, didn’t just take captives; he also exported some of the most valuable things in Jerusalem—furnishings and articles from the Temple. The fact that he was able to secure these things demonstrates that he either had control over Jerusalem or that the people of Jerusalem just didn’t care about the things of God. Perhaps both were true. God wouldn’t have delivered the king of Judah to the Babylonians if the king and the people had been focused on serving him.

The young men chosen to be taken to Babylon were the “cream of the crop.” They were to be from the families of royalty and nobility, so Daniel must have been a “somebody” in his own city. Quite possibly the exporting of the children of royalty was intended to demoralize Judah’s remaining leadership and to deter the possibility of rebellion. Whatever the reason, we know that God watched over these young men even in the faraway land of Babylon.

Prayer• Read Psalm 121.• What do you fear will make you stumble or fall?• Pray: Lord, help me remember your watch-care over me. I release to you my worries about…

Before the Lessonn Collect the necessary items for the activities you plan to use, referring to the Classroom Supplies and Learning Lab

Supplies listed on the chart.n Make photocopies of the “Today I Learned…” handout (at the end of this lesson) to send home with your children.n Pray for the children in your class and for God’s direction in teaching the lesson.

Bible Point God watches over us when we’re away from home.

Daniel 1:1-3

141Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Preschool, Ages 3 & 4

This Lesson at a GlanceWhat Children Will Do Classroom Supplies Learning Lab Supplies

Welcome Time

Welcome!—Receive name tags, and be greeted by the teacher.

“Shirt Name Tags” (p. 24), scissors, marker, safety pins or tape

Let’s Get Started

Direct children to one or more of the optional activities until

everyone arrives.

Option 1: Packing Up—Pack suitcases to go on a trip.

Small suitcases or duffel bags, toys, clothing items

Option 2: Moving Day—Pretend to be moving far away.

Option 3: Vacation!—Make a poster of their favorite places to go on vacation.

Poster board, marker, scissors, glue sticks, travel magazines and brochures

Pick-Up Time—Sing a song as they pick up toys and gather for Bible Story Time.

CD player

Bible Story Time

Setting the Stage—Make a list of items they’d take on a trip.

CD player, vacation poster from Option 3

Bible Song and Prayer Time—Sing a song, bring out the Bible, and pray together.

Bible, CD player

Hear and Tell the Bible Story—Hear Daniel 1:1-3, and learn how Daniel and his three friends moved away to Babylon.

Bible, CD player

Do the Bible Story—Play a moving-day game, and affirm that God watches over them.

Closing A Trip to Cousin Joey’s—Help Whiskers get over his fear of going away from home.

God Is Watching—Sing a song about God watching over them, and close in prayer.

CD player

*See the end of this lesson for extra-time ideas and supplies.

Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Preschool, Ages 3 & 4142

Lesson 10

Welcome TimeSUPPLIES: “Shirt Name Tags” (p. 24), scissors, marker, safety pins or tape• Kneel down and make eye contact with children as they arrive.• Greet each child individually with an enthusiastic smile.• Thank each child for coming to class today.• As children arrive, ask them about last week’s lesson and take-home page. Use

questions such as “What did you tell your family about David and Goliath?” and “How did God help you be brave this week?”

• Say: Today we’re going to learn that God watches over us when we’re away from home.

• Hand out the shirt name tags children made during Lesson 1, and help them attach the name tags to their clothing. Have extra shirt name tags on hand for children who weren’t in class last week or to replace damaged name tags.

• Direct children to the Let’s Get Started activities you’ve set up.

Let’s Get StartedSet up one or more of the following activities for children to do as they arrive. After

you greet each child, invite him or her to choose an activity.Circulate between the activities to offer help as needed and direct children’s

conversation toward the point of today’s lesson. Ask questions such as “How do you feel when you’re away from home?” or “Tell me about a time your family took a long trip.”

n Option 1: Packing UpSUPPLIES: small suitcases or duffle bags, toys, clothing items

Set out small suitcases or duffel bags, clothing items, and toys. Help children pack the toys and clothing in the suitcases as if they were going on a trip. Ask children to tell you what they’d take with them on a long trip. Have them move the suitcases from one area of the room to another and then back again. Tell them that today’s Bible story is about a time God’s special people went on a long trip.

n Option 2: Moving DaySUPPLIES: none

Have children stand at one end of the room. Choose one child to be the Head Soldier, and have that child stand in the middle of the room. Tell the children that some of God’s people were ordered to move. Have the Head Soldier call out, “Moving day!” and describe how kids must move across the room: walk, crawl, jump, skip, hop—the Head Soldier can call out any kind of movement except running. When everyone is across the room, choose a new Head Soldier and have children play again. Explain that today they’ll learn why God’s special people had to move.

Remember that children learn in different ways. The more senses you involve, the more they’ll learn. By including a variety of Let’s Get Started activities each quarter, you’ll be able to reach children of all learning styles and developmental abilities.

Soft cloth or leather suitcases work best for this activity. If you have to use hard plastic suitcases, be sure to supervise children carefully so they don’t pinch their fingers.


Daniel and His Friends Are Forced to Move to Babylon

n Option 3: Vacation!SUPPLIES: poster board, marker, scissors, glue sticks, travel magazines and brochures

Before class, cut out pictures of vacation spots from travel magazines and brochures. Be sure to include pictures of nature sites such as lakes or oceans as well as amusement parks.

Set out the vacation pictures, glue sticks, and a sheet of poster board. On the top of the poster board, write the Bible Point: “God watches over us when we’re away from home.” Encourage children to pick out pictures of their favorite places to go. Then have them glue the pictures to the poster board to form a collage. As children work, encourage them to tell you about places they’ve been with their families. Remind them that God watches over us when we’re away from home.

Save the vacation poster for the “Setting the Stage” activity.

When everyone has arrived and you’re ready to move on to Bible Story Time, encourage children to finish what they’re doing and get ready to clean up.

n Pick-Up TimeSUPPLIES: CD player

Lead children in singing “Come Along With Me” (track 2) with the CD to the tune of “Come and Go With Me.” Encourage children to sing along as they help clean up the room.

Come along with me and pick up all our things,Pick up all our things,Pick up all our things.Come along with me and pick up all our thingsSo our room will be clean.(Repeat 2x.)

Bible Story Timen Setting the StageSUPPLIES: CD player, vacation poster from Option 3

Tell the children you’ll play a fun marching song to get their attention. Explain that when you play the song, the children are to stop what they’re doing and march to you. Practice this signal a few times as you play “Marching Music” (track 10) on the CD. Encourage children to respond quickly so you’ll have time for all the fun activities you’ve planned.

Ask: • What did you make or do when you came to our class today? (Packed a suitcase; pretended to move away; picked out pictures of places to go on vacation.)

If you don’t choose Option 3, cut several pictures of vacation spots from travel magazines and brochures, and glue the pictures to a sheet of poster board. You can use the poster for the “Setting the Stage” activity.

track 2

track 10


Lesson 10

Say: If you packed a suitcase, stretch your arms apart like an open suitcase, and then clap your hands together as if you’ve snapped it shut. Pause. If you pretended to move away, stand up and wave at three friends. Pause. If you picked out places to go on a vacation, point to the pictures you chose.

Hold up the vacation poster, and invite the children who helped make it to point out the vacation pictures they chose. Ask other children to tell you about their favorite vacation places, too.

Then say: When you go on vacation, you go away from home for a while. We’re going to hear a story today about a time God’s people had to go away from home for a long time. But first let’s play a game about going on a trip. We’ll need to take a lot of different things with us, so we’d better start packing. I’ll say, “I’m going on a trip and I’m taking [name of object].” Then the person next to me will say what he or she will take. We’ll keep going until we’ve all said what we want to take. It will be a long, silly list!

After each child adds his or her item, repeat the list, beginning with your item by saying: I’m going on a trip and I’m taking [name of your item] and… Let each child repeat their item again. Continue until you’ve repeated the entire list. Then ask:

• What special things do you take with you when you go on a trip? (My teddy bear; books; my blanket.)

• What would happen if you forgot to take something special? (I’d be sad; I couldn’t sleep if I forgot my blanket.)

Say: Our Bible story today is about a boy named Daniel and three of his friends. They had to leave their homes and go on a long trip to a new place. They could only take as many things as they could carry, so they had to leave some of their special things at home. They were probably sad, but they knew God was watching over them.

Say: I know someone else who also had to leave his home—Jesus! His home was heaven, and he left heaven to be born as a little baby on earth.

Ask: • What do you think Jesus brought with him from heaven? (Nothing; books.)

• How do you feel about Jesus leaving heaven to be with us? (Happy, because he came for us; good, because then we get to know Jesus.)

Say: Just as God watched over Jesus while he was away from home, God watches over us when we’re away from home, too.

Here’s a tip about the emotional development of your 3- and 4-year-olds. They are

• generally happy;

• influenced by the reactions of other children; and

• sensitive to the moods and reactions of adults.



n Bible Song and Prayer TimeSUPPLIES: Bible, CD player

Jump on two feet to the story area, and have children sit down. Say: Now it’s time to choose a Bible person to bring me the Bible marked with today’s Bible story. As we sing our Bible song, we’ll pass around our special Bible. The person who’s holding the Bible when the music stops will be our Bible person today. Remember that everyone will get a chance to be our Bible person.

Lead children in singing “I’m So Glad for the Bible” (track 4) with the CD to the tune of “Give Me Oil in My Lamp.” As you sing, pass around the special Bible.

I’m so glad for the Bible.Keep me learnin’, learnin’, learnin’.I’m so glad for God’s book today.I’m so glad for the Bible.Keep me learnin’, learnin’, learnin’—Keep me learnin’ all about his way.

(Repeat first verse.)

When the music stops, invite the child who’s holding the Bible to bring it to you. Stamp the child’s hand with the book stamp, and thank the child for bringing you the Bible. Then stamp the other children’s hands. Return the book stamp and ink pad to the Learning Lab.

Say: I’m thankful for [name of child who brought you the Bible]. Tell each child that you are thankful for him or her. Let’s thank God together for all our friends in this class.

Lead children in singing “I’m So Glad We’re Together” (track 5) with the CD to the tune of “Give Me Oil in My Lamp.”

I’m so glad we’re together.Keep us prayin’, prayin’, prayin’.I’m so glad we’re all here today.I’m so glad we’re together.Keep us prayin’, prayin’, prayin’—Prayin’ for each other every day.

Lead children in folding their hands and bowing their heads as you continue to sing.

Thank you, Lord, for each one.Keep me thankful, thankful, thankful.Thank you for everyone who’s here.Thank you, Lord, for each one.Keep me thankful, thankful, thankful—Thankful for our friends both far and near.

Let me hear ’bout God’s love—Keep me learnin’, learnin’, learnin’.Let me hear ’bout God’s love for me.Let me hear ’bout God’s love—Keep me learnin’, learnin’, learnin’.Let’s shine the light for all to see.

tracks 4 & 5


Lesson 10

n Hear and Tell the Bible StorySUPPLIES: Bible, CD player

Open the Bible to Daniel 1. Say: Our story comes from the Bible, God’s special book. Our Bible Big Book shows us pictures of the Bible story.

Show children page 1 of the Bible Big Book: Daniel and His Friends. Say: Daniel and his three friends went on a long trip to a place far away. Let’s take a trip around our classroom as we listen to our story.

Set the Bible Big Book aside, and have children form a line behind you. Play the “Moving Away” segment (track 16) on the CD, and ask children to listen as they follow you around the room.

After the story, stop the CD, and lead children back to the story area. Say: That was a good trip.

Ask: • What do you like about going on a trip away from home? (Playing games in the car; we get to do fun things; sometimes we stay in a motel with a swimming pool.)

• What don’t you like about going on a trip? (It takes a long time to get there; I miss my toys; sometimes it’s boring.)

• When Daniel and his friends went on their trip, they knew they wouldn’t be coming back. What do you think it was like for Daniel and his friends to leave their homes? (Sad; hard; fun to see a new place.)

• Daniel and his friends walked with their families all the way to Babylon. How would you feel if you had to walk to a new home? (Tired; scared; I’d rather go in a car.)

Say: Daniel and his friends were probably tired and scared when they arrived in Babylon. They missed their homes, and they didn’t know what Babylon would be like. But they knew one thing—God was watching over them. God watches over us when we’re away from home, too. Let’s play a game to remind us about that.

n Do the Bible StorySUPPLIES: none

Play the Moving Day game again, as described in Option 2. Clear a path through the center of your classroom. You may have to move furniture to the side. Have children stand at one end of the room. Choose one child to be the Head Soldier, and have that child stand in the middle of the room. Say: Daniel and his friends were ordered by soldiers to move. [Name of child] will be our Head Soldier today. When [name] calls out, “Moving day!” we’ll all move to the other end of the room. We can’t run, or we’ll get tired out before we get there. We’ll have to walk, crawl, skip, jump, roll—whatever the Head Soldier says. When everyone is across the room, we’ll choose a new Head Soldier.

Tell the Head Soldier you’re ready. When he or she calls out “Moving day!” move across the room with the children using the action the Head Soldier descibes. When everyone has reached the wall, ask:

track 16



n God Is WatchingSUPPLIES: CD player

Say: God watches over us when we’re away from home. Even if we go on a long trip far away like Daniel did, God keeps watching over us. God never sleeps, so he can watch over us all day and all night. Let’s learn a song you can sing if you go on a trip. This song reminds us that God watches over us when we’re away from home.

Lead children in singing “God Watches Over You” (track 17) with the CD to the tune of “A-Tisket, A-Tasket.” If you want to include the names of all the children in your class, sing the song without the CD.

God watches over you,Over [names].When you’re playing or at home,God watches over you each day—Watches over you each day. (Repeat.)

Close with a prayer similar to this one: Dear God, thanks for always watching over us. We know you’ll be with us all the time, even when we’re away from home. In Jesus’ name, amen.

• Where does God watch over us? Lead children in responding, “God watches over us when we’re away from home.”

Have a new Head Soldier declare another moving day, and lead everyone back to the wall where you started. Each time you “move” between walls, lead children in repeating the Bible Point.

Repeat the game as time allows. After the last round, say: Daniel and his friends didn’t want moving day to come. They wanted to stay home. But no matter where they went, God was watching over them. Our Bible verse says,

“The Lord himself watches over you!” Can you say that with me? “The Lord himself watches over you!” Our friend Whiskers is a little nervous about going away from home. Let’s see if we can teach him that the Bible says, “The Lord himself watches over you!”

Closingn A Trip to Cousin Joey’sSUPPLIES: none

Bring out Whiskers the Mouse, and go through the following puppet script. When you finish the script, put Whiskers away and out of sight.

(Whiskers is hiding his face in his paws.)

Teacher: What’s wrong, Whiskers?

Whiskers: I don’t want to go.

Teacher: Where are you going?

Whiskers: (Shaking head) Nowhere. I don’t want to go.

Teacher: Is your family going somewhere?

Whiskers: (Nodding) My mommy and daddy are taking my brother and me to visit our cousin Joey. We’ll have to take a long trip in the car to get there.

Teacher: Well, that sounds like fun to me. Why don’t you want to go?

Whiskers: I’ve never been to my cousin Joey’s house before. What if he doesn’t want to play with me? What if I don’t like his toys? What if there’s no bed for me to sleep in? I’d rather just stay home.

Teacher: Whiskers, we just heard a Bible story about some boys who had to go to a new place. Children, can you tell Whiskers the story we heard about Daniel and his friends?

(Help children tell today’s Bible story and Bible verse to Whiskers. Then continue.)

Whiskers: Did Daniel and his friends like Babylon?

Teacher: Well, they were a little bit scared, just like you’re feeling scared to go to your cousin Joey’s. But they knew that God watches over us when we’re away from home.


Lesson 10

n God Is WatchingSUPPLIES: CD player

Say: God watches over us when we’re away from home. Even if we go on a long trip far away like Daniel did, God keeps watching over us. God never sleeps, so he can watch over us all day and all night. Let’s learn a song you can sing if you go on a trip. This song reminds us that God watches over us when we’re away from home.

Lead children in singing “God Watches Over You” (track 17) with the CD to the tune of “A-Tisket, A-Tasket.” If you want to include the names of all the children in your class, sing the song without the CD.

God watches over you,Over [names].When you’re playing or at home,God watches over you each day—Watches over you each day. (Repeat.)

Close with a prayer similar to this one: Dear God, thanks for always watching over us. We know you’ll be with us all the time, even when we’re away from home. In Jesus’ name, amen.

track 17

Whiskers: You mean God can still see me if I’m at my cousin Joey’s house?

Teacher: Of course, Whiskers. God watches over us all the time, and he can see us no matter where we are or what we’re doing.

Whiskers: Well, I guess I’ll go then. My brother says our cousin Joey’s really nice. I bet he’ll have a lot of toys. I better go pack my suitcase now. Goodbye! I’ll see you next week!

Permission to photocopy this script from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Preschool granted for local church use.Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

Growing closer to Jesus extends beyond the classroom.Photocopy the “Today I Learned…” handout (at the end of this lesson) for this week, and send it home with the children. Encourage parents to use the handout to plan meaningful family activities to reinforce this week’s topic.



n Lively Learning: Going on a TripHave children sit in a circle, and explain that you’re going to take them on a long trip. Slap your hands on

your thighs to set your “walking pace.” Then lead children on a pretend trip through the following obstacles:• tall grasses (rub hands together to make a swishing noise),• big lake (pretend to swim),• steep mountain (slap your thighs at a slow walking pace, and then speed up for going down the mountain), and• muddy swamp (make squishing noises with your mouth as your hands “stick” to your thighs).As you “travel,” remind children that God watches over us when we’re away from home.

n Make to Take: My Own SuitcaseBefore class, copy the “Suitcase-Handles Pattern” (on the following page). You’ll

need two handles for each child. Cut out the handles before class.Give each child two sheets of colored construction paper and two handles. Help

each child glue or tape the sheets of paper together on three sides to form a suitcase. Then show the children how to glue the handles on the top. Let children decorate their suitcases with markers, stickers, and other art supplies. As they work, talk with them about trips they’ve taken. Ask them what they might put in their suitcases. Remind them that God watches over us when we’re away from home.

n Treat to Eat: Traveling Trail MixHave children wash their hands. Then help them work together to make tasty trail mix.

Set out bowls of ingredients, such as chocolate chips, mini pretzels, banana chips, and a variety of cereals. Create an assembly line by stationing two or more children near each ingredient. Pass resealable bags down the line, and have children add ingredients. Encourage children to take turns holding the bags and scooping the ingredients. When they’ve made enough bags for everyone, have them sit down and enjoy their snack. Explain that people often take snacks like this when they travel. Remind them that God watches over us when we’re away from home.

n Story Picture: Daniel and His Friends Move to BabylonGive each child a copy of the “Today I Learned…” handout (at the end of this

lesson). Set out crayons, scissors, glue, and one of the plastic leis. Have children take turns snipping pieces from the lei and then gluing the colorful pieces to the knapsacks in their pictures. As children work, talk with them about what it would be like to move to a new place. Remind them that God watches over us when we’re away from home.

See page 5.

For Extra Time If you have a long class time or want to add additional elements to your lesson, try one of the following activities.


Lesson 10

Suitcase-Handles PatternPhotocopy and cut out the suitcase handles. You’ll need two handles for each child.

151Permission to photocopy this handout from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum®, Preschool, granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

“ The Lord himself watches over you!” (Psalm 121:5a).

n How did Daniel and his friends feel about leaving their homes?

n How do you feel when you’re away from home?

n What can our family do to remind us that God is watching over us when we’re away from home?

n On your next trip, pack a Bible in your luggage as a reminder that God watches over you when you’re away from home.

n Sing "God Watches Over You" with your child to the tune of “A-Tisket, A-Tasket.” Fill in the names of family members.

God watches over you,

Over [names].

When you’re playing or at home,

God watches over you each day—

Watches over you each day.

Daniel and His Friends Move to Babylon (Daniel 1:1-3)

Help me learn this:

Today your child learned that GOD WATCHES OVER US WHEN WE’RE AWAY FROM HOME. Children heard how Daniel and his

friends moved (Daniel 1:1-3). During class, children asked God to be with

them when they’re away from home.

Lesson 10

Ask me:

Family Fun G

od watches over us when

we’re away from home.

152 Permission to photocopy this handout from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum®, Preschool, granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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