User AgreementOrange gladly grants permission to churches, schools, and other licensees to tailor 252 Basics® materials to fit their unique leadership requirements, locale and format preferences, and physical environment needs. However, if you wish to edit the content substantively, including Bible stories, learning activities, scripts, and any other content in which biblical principles and concepts are presented, you are obligated to do so within the doctrinal guidelines we’ve expressed in our Statement of Faith. These resources are intended to be downloaded and printed for use by the subscribing entity only and may not be electronically transferred to or duplicated by other non-subscribing entities. Any unauthorized reproduction of this material or incorporation into a new work is a direct violation of US copyright laws. ©2013 Orange. All rights reserved. 252 Basics® and the 252 Basics® logo are trademarks of Orange. ©2013 Orange. All rights reserved. www.whatisorange.org/252basics

©2013 The reThink Group, Inc.All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com

Curriculum Materials for Kindergarten–5th Grades

Chief Executive Officer

Reggie Joiner

Creative Team

Kristen IvyCara MartensElizabeth HansenBrandon O’DellGreg PaynePhil PierceDan ScottJon Williams

Contributing Writers

Lauren BowmanLori ChergoskyJulie TiemannMike TiemannDana Wilkerson

Copy Editors

Elloa DavisJennifer DavisDana Wilkerson

Illustrations &Graphic Design

Mike DavisDan ScottBrian BascleJoe Goode

Technical & Web Support

Hadley Brandt

Orange Specialists

Amy GrishamJoy BowenAbbey CarrBecky KizerMisty PhillipsStephanie PorterSusan RichardsCourtney Templeton

WISDOM I need to make the wise choice. FAITH I can trust God no matter what. FRIENDSHIP I should treat others the way I want to be treated.

CREATE THE ENVIRONMENT: BASE CAMPThe theme for June and July this

summer is Base Camp: Get Ready for

the Climb! Because this is nine weeks

long, it’s a great opportunity to really

theme out your stage and hallways

and create a fun atmosphere all

summer!

Think about a Mt. Everest expedition or

Disneyland’s Matterhorn® with giant

snow-capped mountains and rock-

faces as you plan your environment.

You could go all out and build

mountain-scapes out of papier-

mâché or pink insulation board (for

sale at most large hardware stores).

Paint your “mountains” to look

like Mt. Everest or other famous

mountain peaks.

BEFORE KIDS LEAVE THE 5TH GRADE, WE WANT THEM TO UNDERSTAND 3 BASIC TRUTHS:

3 BASICS:

June | Week 5 | 2013 | K–5 Compact

3

FOR LEADERS ONLYGOD VIEW: THE CONNECTION BETWEEN WISDOM, FAITH, & FRIENDSHIP ANDGOD’S CHARACTER, AS SHOWN THROUGH GOD’S BIG STORY

When we look at the life and teaching

of Jesus, we’re reminded how

important it is to go back to the basics.

Luke gives us some insight into how

Jesus grew up. Luke 2:52 notes that

Jesus grew in wisdom and in favor with

God and others. Throughout our lives,

we should also circle back to these

ideas as we seek to live like Jesus.

These are the basics: Wisdom—I

need to make the wise choice;

Faith—I can trust God no matter what;

Friendship—I should treat others the

way I want to be treated.

Wisdom: Jesus taught that the best

way to learn what we should do is by

listening to God’s Word. The Bible

teaches us the wise choice for many

situations.

Faith: Jesus came to earth to

physically show us God’s love. We can

grow stronger faith in God because we

have seen what He did through Jesus.

Friendship: Jesus walked every day

with His friends, allowing them to

get to know Him, teaching them, and

helping their hurts. By following Jesus’

example, we can know how we should

treat others.

When we return to these ideas we can

begin to discover what God is doing in

us to change the world around us. This

summer we’re heading back to the

basics, where we’ll learn from Jesus’

life, teachings, and example.

This month, let’s think about how:

(1) God reveals Himself through the

person of Jesus Christ who lived the

perfect life on our behalf.

(2) If we want to be more like Jesus

we should strive to grow as He did in

wisdom, faith, and friendship.

(3) The Bible is the source of wisdom

and informs how we can have faith

as God uses us to change the world

around us.

This week, we’re discovering:In this week’s Bible story, Jesus tells a

story about a farmer who sows seeds

in different types of soil (Matthew

13:1-23). Some seed fell along the

path, some in rocky places and some

among thorns. But the seed that fell

on good soil produced a harvest.

The seed is like God’s Word, and the

soil is like people who hear God’s

Word. If we listen to God and do what

He says, we will be good soil and see

great growth. Our Bottom Line is God

is doing something in me when I do

what He says.

The monthly memory verse is: “And

Jesus grew in wisdom and stature,

and in favor with God and men.”

Luke 2:52 NIrV Growth is not simply

about knowing what God says; it’s also

about doing what God says. Learning

God’s Word and applying it to our lives

is the best way to grow like Jesus.

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Curriculum Materials for K-5th Grades

BIBLE STORY

Matthew 13:1-23

BOTTOM LINEGod is doing something in me when I do what He says.

MEMORY VERSE“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52 NIV

BASIC TRUTH: I need to make the wise choice.

PLUG INSMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES TO FOCUS THE ENERGY

Ideas for Early Arrivers

Kernels of Corn

POWER UPINTERACTIVE LARGE GROUP EXPERIENCE

TO ENGAGE THE HEART

Opener

Worship

Bible story

Prayer and Worship

Closer

CATCH ON SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES TO MAKE THE CONNECTION

(CHOOSE TWO OR MORE OF THESE ACTIVITIES)

Getting Dirty

Change the World

Seeds That Take Hold

Prayer

DISMISSALPrayer, share and reflect on today’s lesson before

leaving

HERE’S A SNEAK PEEK OF WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING IN KINDERGARTEN–5TH GRADE THIS WEEK:

JUNWEEK

5

4

3 BASICS:WisdomFaith

©2013 The reThink Group, Inc. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com

K–5COMPACT

Wisdom

Faith

Friendship

Matthew 13:1-23

3 BASICS:

June | 2013 | K–5

BIBLE STORY:

SUPER-NATURALRESOURCES

Applygo and do

Impressimpress this upon their minds

Personalize a personal story from the heart

Recycleimportant things to say over and over

Transitionmaking a transition from one leader to another

PLUG IN10-15 min

POWER UP20-25 min

CATCH ON25-30 min

BOTTOM LINE:

God is doing something in me when I

do what He says.

MEMORY VERSE:

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and

stature, and in favor with God and

men.” Luke 2:52 NIV

BASIC TRUTH:

I need to make the wise choice.

WEEK

5

9

PLUG IN: FOCUS THE ENERGYFocus the energy on today’s Bible story in a Small Group setting with an engaging discussion question and an interactive opening activity.

Before kids arrive, pray for each regular attendee by name. Pray for those who might visit your group for the first time. Ask God to help the kids understand today’s parable and see what kind of soil they might be. Pray the kids will find a way to do what they hear in the Bible. Thank God for growing us in wisdom, faith, and friendship.

1. EARLY ARRIVER IDEAWhat You Need: Popcorn bucket or offering container

What You Do:Pass around a popcorn bucket as the offering container and ask kids: How many of you like popcorn? When or where do you usually eat popcorn? What is your favorite type of popcorn? Is anybody allergic to popcorn? If yes, what snack do you like to munch on instead? If you could create a special flavor of popcorn, what would it be? What would you want it to taste like?

2. KERNELS OF CORNWhat You Need: “Kernels of Corn” Activity Page, markers

What You Do: Instruct kids to color the picture of the popcorn bucket and fill the bucket with individual kernels of corn.

TO ADAPT FOR OLDER KIDS: Encourage them to make up their own flavors. You can even make up “awards” to give out after they share. (Some examples are: most creative, most colorful, most unexpected, most unusual combinations, most likely that others will like, most delicious, most sweet, most sour, etc.)

What You Say: “Have you ever noticed that not all batches of popcorn pop perfectly? Sometimes it gets burned, and sometimes there are a lot of unpopped kernels. But look at the buckets of popcorn you made. They all look delicious!

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Wisdom

Faith

Friendship

3 BASICS:

June | 2013 | K–5

PLUG IN10-15 min

POWER UP20-25 min

CATCH ON25-30 min

WEEK

5

10

Today in Large Group, we will hear all about how people are like popcorn seeds when it comes to growing in faith.”

Lead your group to the Large Group area.

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Wisdom

Faith

Friendship

3 BASICS:

June | 2013 | K–5

PLUG IN10-15 min

POWER UP20-25 min

CATCH ON25-30 min

WEEK

5

19

CATCH ON: MAKE THE CONNECTIONMake the connection on how today’s Bible story applies to real life experiences through interactive activities and discussion questions.

1. GETTING DIRTY (application activity / review the Bible story) What You Need: “Getting Dirty” Activity Pages, markers

What You Do:Give each child an Activity Page. Instruct kids to draw the different types of soil and talk to each other about what they remember about each type of soil from Large Group.

What You Say:“First there is soil that is rocky. (Point to the right square on the page.) The roots of the seeds can’t grow down deep where the water is. After awhile, the plant dries out from the heat and dies. The second type of soil is weedy soil. (Point to that spot on the page.) The weeds choke out the seed and it can’t grow and eventually dies. The third type is the hard soil. (Point to that square.) The ground is so hard nothing can sink in and the seeds blow away. The last soil is the good soil. It has been taken care of. It has been watered, fertilized and turned over. How do you think we can take care of the soil? (Pause for responses.) We take care of our soil by paying attention and taking care of our relationship with God and others. God is doing something in me when I do what He says. God wants you and me to listen and obey Him, study His Word, and be kind to others. When we do these things, we can make the wise choice. The soil you are in is helping you and me to grow in the basics: wisdom, faith, and friendship.”

TO ADAPT FOR OLDER KIDS:What You Need: A large piece of butcher paper, paint, paint brushes, water, and Bibles

What You Do:Turn in the Bible and ask someone to read Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 aloud. Then roll out a long piece of butcher paper and hand everyone paintbrushes and paint and instruct them to work together and paint a mural of all the different places seeds can fall and what can happen—let them spread out and all work on different parts. Someone may even want to paint Jesus off in the boat teaching to all the people on the shore. Some kids might not want to paint, so they can help by coming up with ideas, re-reading parts of the story for clarification, or drawing outlines. Make sure all the different parts of the story are represented in your group’s mural, but each person can focus on what stood out to them or how they picture it in their minds. You might want to make an outline so you can count up the main events, then section off the paper. The more the kids have to figure this out, the more ownership and higher engaged they will be.

When they’re done with the mural, hang it up on the wall (or lay it out on the ground if it’s still wet). If there are multiple small groups in this age group, walk around and look at the other groups’ paintings too. Then talk through Matthew 13:18-23 specifically:

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Wisdom

Faith

Friendship

3 BASICS:

June | 2013 | K–5

PLUG IN10-15 min

POWER UP20-25 min

CATCH ON25-30 min

WEEK

5

20

1) What happens when someone hears about God but they don’t understand? 2) What happens when someone hears about God but they don’t have any roots? 3) What do the thorns refer to in this passage? 4) What happens to someone who hears and understands? 5) Which person does God want us to be? Why does He want us to hear His word and follow Him?

What You Say:“Spend a few minutes thinking about where your seeds are being sown. You don’t have to answer out loud. But my hope is that we will be people that hear God’s word and understand it. And then once we understand it, we put it into practice. We can see by the example in this parable that God is doing something in me when I do what He says. But when I don’t do what He says, my seeds can’t grow. Just think about the word “thorns”… does anyone else besides me think of pain and getting stuck? Not good. God is at work in all of us, and He loves all of us more than we will ever know, BUT He won’t make us do what He says. We have to choose to do that ourselves—out of love and trust.”

* 2. CHANGE THE WORLD (application activity / great for active learners)What You Need: Large paper grocery bag, sticky notes, pencils

What You Do:Challenge kids to brainstorm little ways they can change the world. Try to get at least one answer from each kid. (Examples: recycle, spend time with someone who is lonely, give money to help others, pray for people, be kind to others, pick up garbage, etc.) Instruct kids to write each idea on the sticky side of a sticky note and hand it to you. Then stick each note randomly on the inside of a paper grocery bag.

For the next round, tell kids to write one silly thing they would do if they were in charge of the world. (Examples: No homework, free ice cream, later bedtimes, more video games, etc.) Then you’ll also put these sticky notes in the inside of the paper bag, being careful not to overlap them.

Divide kids into two teams. Kids take turns picking a sticky note out of the bag. Before they pick, kids must guess whether they will pick a “caring change” or a “fun change.” If they get it right, their team shouts, “You rock!” and the team earns 100 points. If they guess wrong, their team shouts, “Let’s jump!” and they all do 10 jumping jacks. After everyone has had a turn, the team with the most points wins.

What You Say:“Congratulations! You are really all winners! Why? Whenever we spend time thinking about others and how to help, we are helping to change the world because we are thinking and caring for others like Jesus did. This changes us and helps us grow in wisdom, faith, and friendship. When I help others, I’m doing what God tells me to and God is doing something in me when I do what He says.”

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Wisdom

Faith

Friendship

3 BASICS:

June | 2013 | K–5

PLUG IN10-15 min

POWER UP20-25 min

CATCH ON25-30 min

WEEK

5

21

To ADAPT FOR YOUNGER KIDS: Add a Move (application activity / great for boys)What You Need: no supplies needed

What You Do:This game is similar to “Going on a Picnic,” but it uses movements. Circle the kids up. Ask one kid to do one movement while he says what it is, such as, “Jump!” The next kid says and does a new movement, and then does the first movement, so he might do, “Clap, jump!” The third kid adds yet another movement “Clap, jump, twist.” Once all kids have added a movement, everyone should do all the movements together. Repeat if you have time and kids are still interested.

What You Say:“You did a great job of doing what other people said and repeating their actions. That’s what we need to try to do with God, too. We should do what He says and what Jesus did. When we do that, we will grow the way Jesus did. It’s not enough to know about what God says; growing is about DOING what God says. God is doing something in me when I do what He says.”

3. SEEDS THAT TAKE HOLD (memory verse activity)What You Need: Bibles, large bag of popcorn or sunflower seeds, large sheets of construction paper, small bowls

What You Do:Ask kids to look up the Memory Verse (Luke 2:52) in their Bibles and read it aloud together. Then divide kids into teams of two or three. Give each team a large piece of construction paper, a bowl of seeds, and a Bible. They will race to write out Luke 2:52 using nothing but popcorn or sunflower seeds. The verse must be legible and spelling counts.

What You Say:“That was crazy but very cool. Using popcorn might not have been the wisest choice of items to write with, but today we talked about lots of things that help us to keep growing, like trusting God no matter what, making the wise choice, and treating others the way I want to be treated. When I focus and grow in the basics of wisdom, faith and friendship, I can see that God is doing something in me when I do what He says.”

TO ADAPT FOR YOUNGER KIDS: Look up the Memory Verse (Luke 2:52) and read it aloud together. Then divide the kids into four teams. Write the words “Jesus,” “wisdom,” “stature,” “God and man” on four large pieces of construction paper in large upper case letters. Place the sheets of paper on the floor. Give each group one word of the verse/phrase and a bowl of seeds. Teams will race to cover the outline of their letters with seeds or popcorn.

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Wisdom

Faith

Friendship

3 BASICS:

June | 2013 | K–5

PLUG IN10-15 min

POWER UP20-25 min

CATCH ON25-30 min

WEEK

5

22

PRAY AND DISMISSWhat You Need: No supplies needed

What You Do: Explain that kids are going to pray specifically for an area that they have a hard time with when it comes to

growing in wisdom, faith, or friendship. Maybe they feel it is hard to understand the Bible, they feel like they don’t know how to pray, or maybe they need to work on being a better friend. Share something you’ve been thinking you need to grow in—it’s okay to show kids that you’re still in process too.

Then guide kids in a time of “popcorn” prayer. You will start the prayer and ask God to help kids grow in their faith. Then you’ll give kids a chance to pray for one area in which they want or need to grow more.

What You Say:“Thanks, God, for hearing our prayers and always wanting the best for us. Thanks for doing something in us when we obey you. Amen. Let’s say the Bottom Line together one more time: God is doing something in me when I do what He says.”

TO ADAPT FOR OLDER KIDS:What You Need: Bibles

What You Do: When we’re looking for answers and direction, the Bible is a good place to start. You can also pray—but even then sometimes we’re not sure what to say. The Bible has some ideas for that too.

What You Say:“Psalms is a book of the Bible, full of praises and even questions for our awesome God. Show the kids one of your favorite Psalms and explain why it encourages you. Let’s all turn to that book and flip through the pages—anytime you see a cool praise or phrase about God, say it aloud. We’ll spend a few minutes praying the Psalms, thanking and praising God for being so amazing. God is doing something in me when I do what He says and He uses the Bible and prayer to give us instructions. God wants to do something in you-- He wants to use you to change the world. He has a great plan for your life-- your part is doing what He says! Praying prayers of praise from Psalms is something you can do anytime—especially when you don’t know what to pray or need to be reminded of how awesome God is. It’s obvious there just how much He loves you.”

Optional 5th Grade Discussion QuestionsIf you lead fifth graders, consider asking these discussion questions:

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Wisdom

Faith

Friendship

3 BASICS:

June | 2013 | K–5

PLUG IN10-15 min

POWER UP20-25 min

CATCH ON25-30 min

WEEK

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23

when it’s referring to our faith in God?

Give each child a GodTime card. Pass out Parent CUE cards as adults arrive for pick-up.

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What to Do:/QHMS�NƤ���ODQ�BGHKC

©2013 The reThink Group, Inc. All rights reserved.June 2013, Week 5

Kernels of Corn

What to Do:/QHMS�NƤ���ODQ���JHCR �"TS�HM�G@KE

©2013 The reThink Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

Getting Dirty June 2013, Week 5

©2013 The reThink Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

DAY 1READ Matthew 13:23Ask a parent if you can have a popcorn snack sometime today, and while you eat it, read this!

Jesus’ parable about the sower shows us the importance of making our hearts ready to receive His words. If we really want to learn more about God and grow in our relationship with Him, we have to be willing to put in the time to grow! If we don’t do what we need to do, we’ll be like a popcorn kernel that never gets popped—and what can you really do with that? On the other hand, if we spend time reading God’s Word, praying and going to church—and if we are willing to follow through on the things we discover—it’s like eating a delicious bowl of popcorn. Fully living and enjoying life!

THANK God for giving you a soft heart that’s ready to receive His words.

READ Proverbs 1:7If you really want to gain knowledge, you must begin by having respect for the Lord. But foolish people hate wisdom and training.

Have you ever tried to do something complicated without reading the instructions or getting help from an expert? Even athletes have trainers who are experts in exercise and nutrition and help them be the best that they can be. Who is someone you trust as an “expert” in the basics—someone who makes wise choices, trusts God no matter what, and treats others well? Reach out to that person today and ask them for some advice on how you can grow. Maybe even ask if they would mentor/train you to be the best that you can be at The Basics!

ASK others for help as you grow in The Basics.

DAY 2

©2013 The reThink Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

READ 1 Peter 2:1-36G@S�HR�XNTQ�E@UNQHSD�ENNC��#N�XNT�QDLDLADQ�SGD�ƥQRS�SHLD�XNT�G@C�HS��#N�XNT�ƥMC�HS�D@RX�SN�ITRS�G@UD�NMD�AHSD�NE�SG@S�ENNC��NQ�CNDR�NMD�AHSD�L@JD�you want more and more?

As you read God’s Word and start to see what it has to do with your everyday life, you’ll begin to want to read and understand it more. Ask an @CTKS�VG@S�SGDHQ�E@UNQHSD�O@QS�NE�SGD�!HAKD�HR�@MC�VGDM�SGDX�ƥQRS�QD@C�HS �6GX�do they like it so much?

Draw a picture of your favorite food and a part of the Bible you want to check out near the word WISDOM on your map to remind yourself that when you hear God speaking to you through the Bible, it can be hard to stop reading!

KNOW that God wants you to know more about Him and what He’s done.

DAY 4

DAY 3READ Luke 11:28What are some of the rules you follow?

At school? At home? At church?Now, what are some of the rewards of following those rules?

If you get stuck, ask your family and friends for ideas. God says that we’ll be blessed when we hear God’s Word and we do what He says. Blessings are like rewards. Write down any blessings that you can think of on your map to remind yourself of the good that can come from practicing WISDOM and following God’s rules.

LOOK for ways to put God’s Word into practice this week!

RU

LE

REW

AR

D

WEEK FIVEMEMORY VERSE“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52, NIV

BIBLE STORY

BOTTOM LINEGod is doing something in me when I do what He says.

3 BASICS

ParentCue

ParentCue

WEEK FIVEMEMORY VERSE“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52, NIV

BIBLE STORY

BOTTOM LINEGod is doing something in me when I do what He says.

3 BASICS

WEEK FIVEMEAL TIMEAsk a kid:good at it?Ask a parent: Talk about a time that you figured out what you should do, and you did it.

PARENT TIME

3 BASICS

ParentCue

WEEK FIVEMEAL TIMEAsk a kid:good at it?Ask a parent: Talk about a time that you figured out what you should do, and you did it.

PARENT TIME

3 BASICS

ParentCue