Parents' Guide Calendar and Overview

OLD TESTAMENT

PARENTS’ GUIDE

MASTER SCHEDULE -- sample, fill in your own dates

Schedule of Classes:

 

     Date

Lesson/Activity

Special Notes

Opening Exercises

September 13

                  20

                  27

Creation

Adam & Eve/The Fall

Noah

 

 

Intro. to OT

Lucifer

Enoch

October      3

                   4

                  11

                  17

                  18

                  25

Movie Night: Noah

Tower of Babel

Abraham

Movie Night: Abraham

Isaac

Jacob

Outdoors if possible

 

 

Social Hall after Vespers

 

 

 

Mesopotamia

Ishmael

 

Lot

Esau

November    1

                   8

                  15

                  21

                  22

                  29

Joseph #1

Joseph #2

Moses #1

Movie Night: Moses

Moses #2

Balaam

All Saint’s Party

 

 

Social Hall after Vespers

Memory: 10 Commandments

12 Tribes

Ancient Egypt

Seder

 

10 Comm.

Bronze serpent

December   5

                     6                                                          

                  13

                  20

                  27

St. Nicholas Party

Joshua

Judges/Gideon

Nativity Pageant

Job

Parish Wide

 

 

Social Hall and Nsg. Home

 

 

Rahab

Deborah

 

Samson

January       3

                  10

                  17

                  24

                  30

                  31

Ruth

Samuel/Hannah

Saul             

David/Goliath/Psalms

Movie Night: David

David

 

3 Kings Party following

 

Memory work: Psalm 22

Social Hall after Vespers

 

Naomi

Eli

Jonathon

Psalm 22

 

Psalm 150

February     7

                  14

                  21

                  27

                  28

Solomon

Proverbs/Song of Songs

Elijah

Movie Night: Elijah

Elisha

 

Pack School Kits

 

Social Hall after Vespers

Queen of Sheba

Ecclesiastes

Assyria

 

Jehoshaphat

March         7

                  14

                  21

                  28

Jonah

Isaiah

Jeremiah

Ezekiel

 

Uzziah

Hezekiah

Judith

Josiah

April           4

                    5

                  11

                  18

                  25

PASCHA

Bright Monday Egg Hunt

3 Young Men in Fire

Tobit

Daniel

No Class

After Liturgy

 

Pack Health Kits

 

 

 

Babylon

Susannah

Persia

May            1

                    2

                   9

                  16

                  23

                  30

Movie Night: Esther

Esther

Minor Prophets

No lesson: Camping Trip

Minor Prophets

Ezra/Nehemiah

Social Hall after Vespers

 

Memory Work: Books of O.T.

 

Book Collection

 

Xerxes

Hosea

 

Habukkuk

Memory Work

June            6

                  12

                  13

Maccabees

Dress Rehearsal

Closing exercises/play

Book Collection

Social Hall after Vespers

Social Hall and Nursing Home

Hanukkah songs

 

 

            Each year we send home a parents’ guide to help you continue your children’s Christian education at home and to reinforce what is being taught in Church School.  This gives each family with children some ideas for exciting activities for you and your children to enjoy together; it is not meant to be comprehensive or exclusive. Use your creativity! If you know the topic of the week, you can also think up some wonderful ways to “bring it home” from Church. This can start as simply as reviewing the lesson of the week (Can the children tell you the story?) in the car on the way home from Church and continue through the week in your daily devotions and prayers. This year we focus on the Old Testament and each child, from the smallest to the teens, will have a Bible storybook or Bible itself to read in Church School and at home. If you take it home, be sure to bring it every week!

 

             It is very important even for the very young child to have daily prayers (Do you have a family icon corner? What about setting up one in his room?) and Bible (or Bible story) reading, maybe right after dinner or at bedtime. Your “home altar” could include icons (Jesus, Mary, family saints?), incense, candles, Bible, a jar of holy water, matches or lighter, prayer book. How about tablecloths or placemats or a piece of fabric or felt of the Liturgical colors to switch out seasonally. And, of course, include displays of specific artwork done by your child during the year for specific feasts and saints.

 

             Do you say grace after each meal? Each day they can practice crossing themselves, lighting candles, burning incense, etc. And on Saturday night, in preparation for Liturgy the next day, what about a time of private confession to the Lord? You could even “pray the hours” on days when you are home: 7 AM (First Hour) thanking God for His light, 9 AM (3rd Hour) thanking Him for His Holy Spirit, 12 Noon (6th Hour) thanking Him for His crucifixion, and 3 PM (9th Hour) praying with the wise thief, “Remember me, O Lord, in thy Kingdom.” Very little time spent, but a habit begun. Don’t forget a Jesse Tree (the 10-12 class is making one this year) and Advent wreath to bring Nativity closer to home.

 

            There will be some memory work for the year. While studying Moses, we will learn the Ten Commandments. While studying David, the 22nd  Psalm. And, in the last few weeks of the year, the children in the 3-5 and 6-7 year old classes should learn the books of the Torah (the first 5 books) and the older students all the names of the books of the Old Testament.  These will be recited when ready during opening exercises and prizes given.  This would be great memory work to do in the car on the way to Liturgy! Here's a bookmark to print front and back with all the memory work on it for easy review:

 

            Just because we don’t have classes on Nativity and Pascha does not mean you will not be busy! Put up your Jesse tree at the beginning of Advent and add one of the many ancestors of Jesus we’ve studied to it each day, reviewing the story as you do so. What’s a Jesse tree? See the next page for instructions. An Advent wreath with candles to light for each Sunday of Advent (How many are there in an Orthodox home?) will add a bit of beauty to your icon corner. Finally the big day arrives! The Nativity of Christ!  There is so much to do!  Decorate the tree with ornaments and paper chains.  Have a birthday cake for Jesus. Review the Christmas greeting, “Christ is born!” and the response, “Glorify Him!” Sing the Troparion: “Thy Nativity”.  You can make crèche scenes out of the strangest things at home – pine cone people, toilet paper tube people, spoon people, etc. Be sure to have a crèche at home to review the story; before Christmas, Mary and Joseph can slowly move around the room toward the stable. Prayer: Lord, may you come in our hearts as you came on earth as a little child.

            As we enter Lent, review fasting with your children; some may be too young to fast fully but still can understand the concept. Come to Presanctified Liturgies and as many Lenten services as you can. Make an egg tree: blow out eggs for several weeks before Lent and let them drain and dry. Then decorate them as prayer requests – as members of your family, friends, travelers by land, sea, and air, your government, etc. – one for each day of Lent. As you add the egg to the tree, pray for the person or intention; your intercessory prayers will lengthen as the 40 days continue.

And, finally Pascha! Each night at storytime, review what Jesus was doing that very day. Put the icon of Pascha in your icon corner. Practice the Paschal greeting in as many languages as you can muster so your child will be an active participant in the service. Sing together the hymn, “Christ is risen from the dead…” And don’t forget the wonderful traditions: dye eggs (use crayons to make Pysanky), prepare your Pascha basket and cover, bake Easter bread, make Pascha cheese. You’ll be busy this week!

 

            Now, on to suggestions for particular weeks. Note that in the back of the booklet are a coloring or activity page or 2 or 3 for almost every lesson. Crosswords and puzzles for older students are included with the materials, and, of course, the youngest students can color on anything in sight!

 

            Don’t forget our parties and movie nights. These also form part of the learning experience. They are included in the calendar. Movie nights will begin right after vespers on Saturday with dinner for the whole family, followed by a short animated video for the smaller children. The feature film for the older children (You can decide how to define “older”, depending on maturity) with popcorn will include an overnight lock-in; bring sleeping bags. I will need at least one parent to spend the night with us. Details on the parties will be in the newsletter.

 

12 Tribes of Israel with their symbols for Concentration Game:

 

THE JESSE TREE

 

     The idea for a Jesse tree comes from the Scripture referring to Jesus as being a tree from the root of Jesse. Jesse was the father of David, ancestor of Jesus both through Mary and through his adoptive father, Joseph. It was because of this ancestry that they were both traveling to Bethlehem for the census; Bethlehem was the city of David. Thus, the Jesse tree holds symbols of the ancestors, either physical or spiritual or both, of Jesus.

 

            Traditionally, the Jesse tree is placed in the home at the beginning of Advent. For each day, the children add an “ornament” to the tree, one for each of 40 Old Testament saints and prophets. It is left up during the Christmas season as a reminder of the centuries God spent preparing a people for His coming.

 

             How to make a Jesse tree? I’ve seen both 3-D and 2-D versions. With a 3-D version, you could take either a small purchased Christmas tree or a bare sapling or tree branch that looks like a tree, or make one with dowels like we are doing this year with the 10-12-year-old class is Church School. Then, for each character, you make a 3-D ornament that symbolizes the 40 characters you have chosen – e.g., an apple for Adam, a rainbow for Noah, a camel for Abraham, etc. These can be made a simply as taking a regular Christmas ball and gluing on a picture or a sticker, or with a multitude of craft styles and skill levels. They can all be in the same style or in a vast array of styles; if you leave them up to the creativity of the children, they’ll be in a vast array of styles, but interesting!

 

            3-D version takes up too much space or too easy to knock over? Then make a felt banner with a large brown or black tree with lots of branches. Hang it on the wall and cut out felt shapes symbolizing the various characters and place them as if hanging from or sitting on the branches, one for each day. Using felt, you do not need Velcro unless the “ornaments” are particularly heavy. Some people get really fancy and  needlepoint or embroider or stuff their ornaments; these will be heavy and need Velcro. 

 

You don’t have children at home anymore? What more lovely gift to make for the grandchildren or godchildren than a Jesse tree complete with ornaments (or ornament kits) that they would enjoy year after year?

 

          On the next page are selected readings for use as you place each ornament on the tree. The ornaments we made in Church School are in normal print. The other characters in bold are discussed in the opening exercises and ornament is suggested that can be made at home very, very simply to finish the 40 days.

 

JESSE TREE READING

 

Reading

Subject

Ornament

Genesis 1 and 2

Creation

Paper creation ball

Genesis 3

Adam and Eve

Bead apple

Genesis 5:18-24

Enoch

White Hair

Genesis 6:9-8

Noah

Rainbow of beads

Genesis 11:1-8

Tower of Babel

Tower of toothpicks

Genesis 12:1-8, 17:1-8, 18:1-15

Abraham

Egg-carton Camel

Genesis 21:1-6, 22:1-18, 24:1-17

Isaac

Lamb on Fire

Genesis 25: 21-34, chapters 27-29, 31:1-7, chapter 33

Jacob

Macaroni Angel

Genesis 37, Genesis 39-45

Joseph

Many-colored Coat

Exodus 2:1-3:21, 5:1-15, 12:21-36, all of 14, 19 and 20

Moses

Clay tablets

Numbers 22-24

Balaam

Spool Donkey

Joshua 2

Rahab

Small Basket on Rope

Joshua 2, 4, 6, 24:15

Joshua

Gold Trumpet

Judges 4

Deborah

Horse

Judges 6-7

Gideon

Clay pot with Candle

Judges 13-16

Samson

Scissors with Long Hair

Job 1 and 42

Job

Egg Face

Ruth 1:3-8, 6-19, 2:1-12, 4:9-11

Ruth

Sheaf of wheat

I Samuel 1, 2:18-20, 3 (whole chapter)

Samuel

Tunic on Hanger

I Samuel 9:15-10:8, 13:1-15, 15:10-28

Saul

Paper crown with jewels

I Samuel 16-17, I Samuel 19:1-10, 20:12-42, II Samuel 4:4, 9:1-7, 15:10-14, 18:5-14, 33

David

Leather Slingshot

I Kings 1:32-37, chapter 3

Solomon

Clay Temple

I Kings 17:1-18:2, 18:17-46, II Kings 2:1-13

Elijah

Feather Raven

I Kings 22:1-47, II Chronicles 19

Jehoshaphat

Harp or Cymbals

II Kings 4:1-36 and chapter 5

Elisha

Clothespin Naaman

Jonah 1-3

Jonah

Yarn Whale with Jonah

Judith 8-13

Judith

Doll’s Head

Isaiah 6, 37:33-38:8, 39

Isaiah

Fiery Coal

II Chronicles 29, 30, 32 + Isaiah 36-38

Hezekiah

Sun

II Chronicles 34 and 35

Josiah

Small Bible

Jeremiah 13:1-11 and chapter 28

Jeremiah

Felt Belt

Ezekiel 1:1-28, 3:1-9, 37:1-14

Ezekiel

Skeleton

Daniel 3

3 Young Men in Fire

Pipecleaner Men

Tobit 2, 5-12 (shorten as needed)

Tobit

Tobias’s Fishing Rod

Daniel 5 & 6

Daniel

Lion

Esther 5:1-8 and chapter 7

Esther

Beaded Crown

Daniel 22:33, Habakkuk 3:17-19, 2:20 and 3:3

Habakkuk

Pot of Stew

Micah 1:1-12, Micah 6:8 and Micah 5:2-4

Micah

Soldier

Nehemiah 2:1-6, 4:6-23, 8:1-9

Ezra and Nehemiah

Scroll

II Maccabees 5:11-27, 8:1-10:9

Judah Maccabee

Hanukkah Candles

 

 

 

 

Creation

CREATION

 

All through the week point out the wonders of nature; on which day was each created? Look for small ways to care for God’s creation: Do you recycle? Pick up litter?

Puzzle and coloring sheet.

Read the story of Creation at bedtime; you can dwell on one day each night.

Try making at home a Creation Terrarium for all to enjoy for months to come. 

Prayer: We thank You, Lord, for all You have created.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Match the day of creation with that which was created:

 

Day One                                                               Fish and birds

 

Day Two                                                              Light and darkness

 

Day Three                                                            Sun, moon, and stars

 

Day Four                                                              Land animals

 

Day Five                                                              God rested

 

Day Six                                                                Plants

 

Day Seven                                                            Land and Water

 

                                                                             Water and heavens

 

                                                                             Man

 

Coloring pages:

 


The Fall

THE FALL

 

Visit the Reptile House at the Zoo. What are snakes like?

Identify trees – maple, oak, Tree of Life, Tree of Good and Evil. How are all trees alike?    

            How are these 2 different?

Puzzle and coloring sheet.

Put the icon of the Resurrection in your icon corner; where are Adam and Eve?

Read the story at bedtime each night.

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to obey You at all times.

 

 

 

 

Trees of the Garden Puzzle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unscramble each of the clue words for the name of a tree.
Take the letters that appear in boxes and unscramble them for the most important tree.

 

Coloring pages:



Noah

NOAH

  • Visit the Zoo again; see all the animals. Remind the children that all these were on the ark.
  • Look around for pictures of rainbows – they’re everywhere! What do they say?
  • Is there a storm this week? What was the storm like for Noah?
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Read the story at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, give us the faith of Noah no matter how bad things look.

Coloring Pages:

 

Building the Ark
 

Noah welcomes the Animals
The Rainbow of God’s Promise

 

Tower of Babel

TOWER OF BABEL

Home activities:

  • Take a trip to Greektown  or visit a Greek Church. What are they saying?
  • Learn some phrases in another language or two.
  • Get a language tape from the library.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Read the story at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, help us to understand each other by listening and learning

Across:

1. the people spoke one _______________.

5. _________were used to build the tower.

7. ______ was used as mortar for the bricks.

8. The people wanted the tower to reach up to the _________.

Down:

2. the tower was called __________.

3. God wanted to ___________ the people all over the earth.

4. God confused their speech so they could not ______________ each other.

6. the tower was built on the plain of _________.

 

Coloring page:

The Tower of Babel

 

 

 

Abraham

ABRAHAM

Home activities:

  • How about the zoo again, this time for a camel ride?
  • If the weather’s warm, pack up and camp in a tent, even if it’s in the back yard. What do
  • you need? How do you cook?
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Trace Abraham’s journey on the map.
  • Put the icon of the Trinity in your icon corner. Invite three guests to tea or dinner; what
  • constitutes good hospitality?
  • Read the story at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, give us the faith of Abraham to follow You.

 

 

 

Coloring pages:

Trace Abraham's journey on the map:

 

ABRAHAM AND SARAH SET OUT


 

 

The Hospitality of Abraham

Isaac

ISAAC

 

Home activities:

  • No, you don’t have to visit the zoo again to see the sheep, but it would be fun to go to a petting zoo.
  • Look at pictures of babies, maybe even of your own early days. If you know someone
  • who’s pregnant, visit and discuss where babies come from.
  • How about a jewelry store to look at wedding rings. Compare with Rebekah’s wedding
  • jewelry.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet. Older children can color the comic strip story and read to the family. 
  • Read the stories of Isaac at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that we are wonderfully made, even as the baby Isaac.

 

 

Coloring pages:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rebecca at the Well

 

REBECCA COMES TO ISAAC

 

Jacob

 

JACOB

 

Home Activities:

  • Jacob made a pot of lentil stew for his brother Esau; make one for dinner.
  • Follow with a roast lamb the next day.
  • At each dinner, tell the appropriate story.
  • Look for angels through the week; they’re everywhere.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet. Older children can enjoy coloring the comic strip about Jacob's marriages. 
  • Read the stories at bedtime.

Prayer: Give us Your blessing, Lord, as Isaac did Jacob.

 

 

 

 

What did God promise Jacob at Bethel?



Coloring pages:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph as a child

JOSEPH (the child)

Home Activities:

  • Have your children tell you their dreams each morning and write them down; any meanings come to mind?
  • Dress in your most colorful clothes on “Joseph Day” and have a fashion show.
  • Make one child each day the favorite; how do the others feel?
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Read the story of Joseph up to Egypt at bedtime.

Prayer: Give us love for our brothers and sisters, O Lord.

 

 

 

Joseph's Crossword Puzzle












Across                                        Down
4. What Jacob gave Joseph                     1. Joseph’s father
6. Ruler of Egypt                             2. A hungry time, when 
7. Joseph's oldest brother                       there is no food
8. Mother of the other 10 brothers            3. Sold as a slave to the
9. Number of Jacob's sons                        Egyptians
11. Nation named for Jacob                    5. The youngest brother
                                              6. Bought Joseph as slave
                                              7. Mother of Joseph and 
                                                 Benjamin
                                              10.The land of pyramids 
                                                 and the Nile River

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coloring Page:

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph and His New Coat

Joseph in Egypt

JOSEPH (in Egypt)

 

Home Activities:

  • Give each child a chance to be the “butler” or the “baker”, complete with tasks and costume.
  • Visit a prison, or make a card for a prisoner.
  • See some cows and review Pharaoh’s dream.
  • Try a day of famine (fasting?); can you plan a way to prepare ahead so it won’t happen again?
  • And try hiding a special cup in someone’s bed or backpack each day; who’s got the cup?
  • Puzzle and coloring sheets. Can you add your own captions to the "Life of Joseph"?
  • Read the stories at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, bring good out of sadness and You did for Joseph and his family.

 

 

 

 

 

Coloring pages:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph is Sold as a Slave in Egypt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph Becomes Pharaoh’s Minister

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers

Moses (early life)

MOSES (early years)

Home Activities:

  • Look at baskets; visit a craft store or the basketweaving place in Catonsville. Lessons, anyone?
  • Learn about fire-building; can you light a campfire? Discuss the burning bush.
  • Try making a “brick”; there are cheap and nice kits for stepping stones in all the stores now; how will you decorate yours?
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Read the stories at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, speak to us as You did to Moses.

 

Uncode the plagues to find out what God has to say:

Unscramble each of the clue words for one of the plagues.
Take the letters that appear in boxes and unscramble them for the final message.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Princess Found Baby Moses in the Nile

Moses, the Prophet

MOSES, the prophet

Home Activities:

  • Memory: 10 Commandments.
  • Visit a courthouse; parallels with the commandments?
  • Look in the library for the plagues: locusts (grasshoppers sort of), hail, lice, blood, frogs,
  • skin diseases, cattle disease, flies, eclipses, etc. Study them. What would a plague of them be like?
  • Trace the journeys of Moses on the map.
  • Put the icon of the Transfiguration in your icon corner; point out Moses.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Read the stories at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, help us to obey You and not to be stubborn like Pharaoh.

 

 

The Ten Commandments

 

Unscramble the tiles; then place in the correct order!

 





Coloring Pages:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lord Spoke to Moses in the Burning Bush

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Red Sea Parts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moses Received the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ark of the Covenant

  1. What 3 things were placed inside the ark?
  2. What was their significance?
  3. Can you draw them inside it?

 

Draw the path of Moses's travels on the map:

 

Balaam

BALAAM

Home Activities:

  • Hm…donkeys and angels with flaming swords. Look for angels as you pass through the week; they’re everywhere.
  • Visit a petting zoo with a donkey.
  • Or shout, “Donkey stop!” each time you see a stop sign or red light.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Read the story at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, stop us as You did Balaam if we go the wrong way.

 

What did Balaam's donkey say to him?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unscramble each of the clue words from the story of Balaam and the donkey.
Take the letters that appear in boxes and unscramble them to find out what the donkey had to say to Balaam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balaam, the donkey, and the angel

Joshua

JOSHUA

 

Home Activities:

  • Get out all your instruments, play and real, bundle up, and march around your house 7 times, then shout and play. Looks foolish, but kids love to march.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Read the story at bedtime.
  • Don’t forget to put out your shoes on the night of the 5th!

Prayer: As for me and my house, O Lord, we will serve the Lord.

 

 

What did Joshua promise?


 

 

Coloring Pages

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Walls of Jericho Came Tumbling Down

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

Judges

GIDEON and the JUDGES

Home Activities:

  • Messy – give no cups at a meal and let the children drink with their hands or lap like dogs – review the story.
  • Make a variety of candle holders and illuminate your home one evening just with candles; they seem really bright.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Place each of the tribes of Israel and the judges on the map.
  • Print and color the comic strips of Gideon, Deborah and Samson. Read them to the family. 
  • Read the story at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, lead us and teach us as You did Gideon.

 

 

Coloring Pages:

 

 

 


 

 

Samson Destroys the Temple of the False Gods

Job

JOB

Home Activities

  • Job was sick and in pain. Visit a hospital or nursing home. Sing or dance or give gifts or anything you can do to bring happiness.
  • Visit a sick person at home and carol for Christmas. Don’t stay away from the old and sick or blame them like Job’s friends did!
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Read the story at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, help us to bring comfort to those who are suffering.

 

 

 

 

How did God answer Job from the whirlwind?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Help Job Find the Missing Animals:

Can you find them in the Book of Job?

 

 

 

 

Ruth

RUTH

Home Activities:

  • Remind yourself of Ruth’s hard work at home and in the fields in this time of holiday labors.
  • Do you know anyone who’s adopted? Send them a special “Ruth card” for Christmas.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Read the story at bedtime, along with the story of Christmas.

Prayer: Lord, may we, like Ruth, serve You with joyful hearts at this joyful time.

 

 

Ruth's Crossword Puzzle






























Across
3. I am the land of Ruth.
8. I am the husband of Naomi.
9. I am Naomi's rich relative.
Down
1. I lost my husband and two sons.
2. I am the city where Boaz lived.
4. Ruth gathered me in the field.
5. I am a Moabite woman who married Boaz.
6. I am Ruth's first husband.
7. I am the son of Ruth and Boaz.

 

Coloring Pages:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RUTH MEETS BOAZ

 


Hannah and Samuel

SAMUEL

 

Home Activities:

  • Sleep on a mat overnight as did Samuel, right next to your icon corner. Comfortable?
  • Samuel had one coat each year; go through your coats and bring next Sunday for the children in Russia any that are too small.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Color your comic strip and read it to the family. 
  • Read the story at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, let us hear Your voice in the quiet times, as did Samuel.

 

 

How did Samuel answer God?

The words below are from the story of the boy Samuel:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unscramble each of the clue words.
Take the letters that appear in boxes and unscramble them to find Samuel’s answer to God.

 

 

Coloring Pages:

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HANNAH, SAMUEL, AND ELI AT THE TEMPLE

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Samuel anointing David  .

 

 

 

Saul

SAUL

 

Home Activities:

  • Read stories of kings, real or fairy tale; what makes a good king? A bad one? Compare with Saul.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Visit the displays at the Walters of medieval kings and knights.
  •  Read the stories at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, help us to rule over our lives in obedience to You, unlike Saul.

 

 

 

 

What did Samuel say to Saul after his disobedience?


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David plays his harp for Saul

 

 

 

 

David and Goliath

DAVID AND GOLIATH

 

Home Activities:

  • Begin memorizing the 23rd Psalm.
  • Slingshot practice, anyone?
  • Outdoors with lots of space and no windows nearby.
  • Visit the sheep again at the petting zoo. What are their characteristics.
  • Know anyone with a harp? Try playing it. Or listen to harp music – is it soothing?
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet. Older children can color the comic strip and enjoy reading the story for themselves. 
  • Use the ornament cube to review the major figures up to King David. Can you identify each and tell their story?
  • Read the stories at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, give us victory over giants, as You did David.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Across

3. David played me to sooth King Saul.
4. I was a giant.
5. I anointed David king.
7. I was the son of King Saul.
8. David was a ___________ boy.
9. I was God's chosen people.
Down
1. I am the first king of Israel.
2. I am the birthplace of David.
5. David used me to kill the giant.
6. I killed the giant Goliath.
7. I was David's father.

 

 

Coloring Pages:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David was a Shepherd Boy

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David defeats Goliath with his Sling

David and Jonathon

DAVID AND JONATHON

 

Home Activities:

  • David and Jonathon is our focus here, but keep working on the 23rd Psalm.
  • Make or buy friendship bracelets; who will you give them to? Why?
  • After the slingshots last week, why not bow and arrow practice, again far from the house and neighbors. Re-enact the story of Jonathon and the archery.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Read the story at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be a good friend as was Jonathon.

 

 


Coloring Pages:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David and Jonathon Grew Up to Be Friends

Solomon

SOLOMON

 

Home Activities:

  • Can you take a box and, by reading the Scriptures, make a model of the temple of Solomon. This could take the kids all week!
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Visit a maternity ward at a hospital; how could a mother not love her baby?
  • Read the stories at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, give us the wisdom of Solomon.

 

 

Fill in the story of Solomon with the scrambled words below:

     King _________ was getting old. He had been king of ________ for many, many years. He called his wife, ____________, and told her that __________, their son, should be crowned  _________ in his place. So, they called for the priest __________ and the prophet __________ to anoint __________ king of __________.  ___________ rode a __________ thru the streets of ___________. The people shouted, “Long live ____ _______!”

     __________ learned much from his father, ________, but most of all, to love the Lord. He traveled to ________ to offer sacrifices to the Lord. There, ________ had a ______. God appeared to him in the ___________ and offered to grant him one wish. __________ asked for ________. God was so pleased by this request, that ___________ became the wisest man the earth had ever known.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unscramble each of the clue words to read the story. Take the letters that appear in numbered boxes for the final message from God to Solomon thru his father, David.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you build a model of Solomon’s Temple using these drawings plus the Scriptures as your template?

 

Coloring Pages:

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem
 

The Queen of Sheba Visits King Solomon


B

Books of Solomon

BOOKS OF SOLOMON

 

Home Activities:

  • Make Valentines this week, perhaps for a nursing home or orphanage. Deliver them in person.
  • Have your child wear his verse from Proverbs each day at home and recite it – no, he doesn’t have to wear it to school!
  • Make a jar of verses from Proverbs and pull one out each day to read, sort of like “fortune cookies”.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.

Prayer: Lord give us love for Your people as You loved us.

 

 

Which books did Solomon write?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now match the books with their description below:

 

  1. A book about the meaning of life is _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

 

  1. A book of love songs is _ _ _ _   _ _   _ _ _ _ _.

 

  1. 3. A book of wise sayings is _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

 

 

Coloring Pages:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SONG OF SONGS: THE LOVE OF GOD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ECCLESIASTES

Elijah

ELIJAH

Home Activities

  • Make a cake of flour and oil like the widow of Zarepheth made of Elijah.
  • Try to light a fire that’s been doused with water – it would take a miracle!
  • Try a day of silence to hear the “still, small voice”.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Can you trace Elijah’s journeys on the map? See I Kings 17:1, 17:3, 17:4, 18:2, 18:9.
  • Put the icon of the Transfiguration in your icon corner; point out Elijah.
  • Read the stories at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, let us hear You in the quietness of our souls.

 

 

 

Help Elijah reach the mountaintop



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elijah taken up to heaven in a fiery chariot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                      

                

 

 

                                                                                                          

 

 

 

Can you find the places mentioned in the story of Elijah on the map? Many of the names are NOT present; you'll have to research their location and write them in!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                   

Elisha

ELISHA

 

Home Activities:

  • Elisha healed the sick and raised the dead. Visit the hospital again. Pray there for the sick.
  • Make cards or bring flowers.
  • Read the stories at bedtime.
  • Color your comic strip on the healing of Naaman and read it to the family.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.

 Prayer: Lord, give us Your love for the sick as You did Elisha.

 

 

 

What miracle happened when Elisha laid his mantle on the Jordan River?

 

First: Unscramble the words below to identify these descriptions:

 

  1. Main character in the story
  2. The woman with two sons
  3. The king of Israel
  4. What Elisha was
  5. What Elijah gave to Elisha
  6. Who took Naaman to see Elisha


 

 

Unscramble each of the clue words.
Take the letters that appear in boxes and unscramble them to discover the miracle.

 

Coloring Pages:

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELIJAH SELECTS ELISHA

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELISHA RECEIVES THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH

 

 

 

 

 

Naaman is healed in the river Jordan

 

 

 

Jonah

JONAH

 

Home Activities:

  • Now it’s time to visit the Aquarium. See all the fish, big and small. Imagine Jonah in the belly of a huge fish.
  • Look at the boats of the harbor; which one would you choose if you were Jonah trying to escape.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Print and color the comic strip story. Read aloud to the family. 
  • Read the story at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, help us to obey Your commandments.

 

 

 

 

Jonah Crossword


 






























Across
6. where the sailors threw Jonah
7. Jonah's response to God's first word
9. clothing of king of Ninevah after Jonah's warning
10. cast by sailors to discover the culprit
11. father of Jonah
Down
1. capital of Assyria
2. Jonah's response to God's second word
3. what God had on Ninevah
4. what swallowed Jonah
5. number of days God gave Ninevah to repent
8. disobedient prophet
9. cause of the ship's distress
12. destination of ship

 

 

Coloring Pages:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jonah was swallowed by a great, big fish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JONAH THANKS GOD

 

Isaiah

ISAIAH

 

Home Activities:

  • You can see an eagle with Scales and Tails.
  • Or, have your child help with the charcoal and incense each day at your icon corner, remembering the vision of Isaiah. Use your child’s own incense burner.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.

Prayer: Lord, give us the strength to mount up like eagles in Your service.

 

 

Isaiah was known for his prophecies of the Messiah:

Can you decipher these two?

      Isaiah 7                                                                                                                   Isaiah 53

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

King Hezekiah restores the worship of the Lord

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KING HEZEKIAH IS ILL

Jeremiah

JEREMIAH

 

Home Activities:

  • Wear the belts you made in class this week at home. What does it symbolize?
  • Choose a verse from Jeremiah to write down and put in the pocket (older children).
  • Write a sympathy card to someone who is “lamenting” a loved one.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.

Prayer: Lord, keep us close to You in times of sadness.

 

 

Jeremiah and the Fall of Judah Crossword Puzzle


 













































Across
3. defeater of kingdom of Judah
5. a prophet in the last days of Judah
6. King of Judah in exile in Babylon
7. God's role to our clay
8. father of Jeremiah
11. defeater of kingdom of Israel
12. First king to whom Jeremiah prophesied
13. Second king Jeremiah prophesied to
14. King of Judah blinded by Babylonians
 
Down
1. king of Babylon
2. false prophet who opposed Jeremiah
4. Jeremiah's book of mourning
7. Priest who had Jeremiah beaten
9. Northern kingdom, already defeated
10. what Jeremiah buried in the river
13. capital of Judah, plundered by Babylon

 

 

Coloring Pages:

 


Jere

Jeremiah was thrown into a cistern, a well, as punishment from the rulers for telling the people the word of the Lord:

Ezekiel

EZEKIEL

 

Home Activities:

  • Look for bones everywhere. Can you put the chicken bones back into a chicken?
  • What about wheels? Each time you see a wheel, remind the children about the vision of Ezekiel.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.

Prayer: Lord, let us too see visions of Your great glory.

 

 

MATCHING

 

Can you match each of these prophets with their prophecy?

 

 

1. Moses                                              “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall become

                                                            as white as snow; though they are red like crimson,

they shall be as wool.”

 

 

2. Samuel                                            “I will put My law in their minds, and write it on

their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

 

 

3. Isaiah                                               “I have surely seen the opporession of My people

                                                            who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because

                                                            of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.”

 

 

4. Jeremiah                                          “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to

walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”

 

 

5. Ezekiel                                            “Behold I will do something in Israel at which both

                                                            ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.”

 

 

Hint: You can find these prophecies in the appropriate book at verses 3:11, 3:7, 1:18, 31:33, and 36:27.

 

 

Coloring Pages:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ezekiel is called as a prophet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ezekiel had a vision of the bones;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you know your bones? Learn them!

 

 


T

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

THE THREE YOUTHS IN THE FIRE

Home Activities:

  • No, don’t burn your kids at the stake as an illustration!
  • If you have the icon, put it in your icon corner.
  • Try the healthy meals of the king’s house for a week – vegetables, fruit – no rich foods or meat.
  • Visit the city incinerator – not your average field trip but gives the children a feel for the size of a “furnace”.
  • Or visit the fire station and learn about fire safety.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheets. Older children can enjoy coloring the comic strip and reading the story there. 
  • Read the story at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, let us praise You as did the three Holy Youths.

 

 

 

 

The Three Youths in the Fire


Coloring Pages:

 

 

 


Tobit

TOBIT

Home Activities:

  • The children have heard the story of Tobit in class; you can read it in the Apocrypha.
  • Go fishing! Either for real or in the bathtub for plastic fish with a tiny net. Adopt a goldfish.
  • Tobit was blind. Visit the School for the Blind or the American Federation of the Blind and learn about how blind people go about daily tasks.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.

Prayer: Lord, may our guardian angels watch over us as the angel watched over Tobit and Tobias.

 

 

Braille Puzzle:

 


 

 

Coloring Page:
 
 
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What did Tobias catch?

 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

Daniel

DANIEL

Home Activities:

  • Now you have to visit the lions at the zoo; it’s now spring and they’ll be out again.
  • Or, see the circus. What are lions like?
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet. Older children can color the comic strip version and enjoy reading the story. 
  • Sleep for a night under a table surrounded by stuffed lions, reading the story at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, give us the courage of Daniel.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE FEAST OF BELSHAZZAR

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God saved Daniel from the Lions

 

Esther

ESTHER

 

Home Activities:

  • Make Hamantaschen, Purim cookies of Haman’s 3-cornered hat. The easiest way is to take a pie crust mix and add some sugar. Roll and cut 3-inch rounds. Put a spoonful of apricot preserves in the middle and fold up three corners and pinch in the middle. Bake until golden.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Hold “Esther’s Dinner Party”, fixing the food and decorating for your guests.
  • Read the story at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, save us as You did Esther and defeat our enemies as You did Haman.

 

Queen Esther Crossword:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 






ACROSS
4. Built by Haman to kill Mordecai
6. Dinner planned by Esther
8. Raised Esther
9. Jewish festival to celebrate Esther
10. King of Persia
11. Queen before Esther
12. Capital of Persia
13. Esther's people
 
Down
1. Esther's preparation for seeing the king
2. Home of king and queen
3. New queen of Persia
5. Greek name for King of Persia
6. Reason Esther was chosen queen
7. Plotted against the Hebrews
9. Land of Ahasuerus
12. King's staff touched by Esther

 

 

Coloring Pages:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minor Prophets: Amos

AMOS

Home Activities:

  • Amos was a shepherd. Visit those sheep in the petting zoo again; kids love animals. They can also be found at the zoo itself.
  • Read other stories of shepherds – of David and of the shepherds at Christmas.
  • Another lamb dinner?
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.

Prayer: Lord, teach us to speak Your word, as did the prophet Amos.

 

 

 

How does Amos say the Lord will speak to His people?

 


Amos was a shepherd when God called him to prophesy.

Minor Prophets: Micah and Haggai

MICAH AND HAGGAI

 

Home Activities:

  • Use Micah’s kindness jar, full of coupons for help and love.
  • Visit that hospital or nursing home again, this time with favors you make at home.
  • But, Micah also prophesied the fall of Israel and Judah. Visit Fort Meade or the National Guard. See the museums and battlefields of Gettysburg. What is war like?
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Haggai rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem. Look at churches all week, their styles, etc. How is one built? Visit an architectural firm or a construction site for advice.

 Prayer: Lord, we pray for peace in the world and for all the armed forces and for all the churches in our neighborhood.

 

 

Micah and Haggai may be little-known, “minor”, prophets, but see if you can untangle these famous words:

 

Words of Micah

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Words of Haggai


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haggai Rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem

Ezra and Nehemiah

EZRA AND NEHEMIAH

 

Home Activities:

  • Memory work: Review those 10 Commandments and begin on the books of the Old Testament.
  • Try your hand at architecture: build the city walls from various materials – paper, sugar cubes, blocks, pickles, whatever – which is strongest? Can you build it with one hand, while the other holds a spear?
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Read the story at bedtime.

Prayer: Lord, help us to build Your kingdom, as Nehemiah and Ezra rebuilt Jerusalem.

 

 

BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

 

(to the tune of “Jesus Loves Me”)

VERSE 1

Ge-ne-sis Ex-o-dus, Le-vit-i-cus.
Numbers, Deu-ter-o-no-my
Josh-ua, Judg-es, Ruth God brings,
Two of Sam-uel, two of Kings,

VERSE 2

Two Chron-i-cles and Ezras two.
Ne-he-mi-ah, Tobit, Judith,
Est-her,  Mac-ca-bees, all three,
Psalms, Job, Pro-verbs, Ec-cle-si-as-tes,

VERSE 3

Song of Songs and two Wis-doms,
Ho-se-a, Amos, Micah, Joel,
O-ba-diah and Jonah, not all!
Nahum, then comes Ha-ba-kkuk,

VERSE 4

Ze-phan-i-ah, Ha-gg-a-i,
Zech-a-riah Mal-a-chi,
I-sai-ah, Jer-e-mi-ah
Ba-ruch and Lamentations, too

VERSE 5

Jer-e-miah’s E-pis-tle then,
Ezekiel, Dan, and that's the end
all of these God's works for-told,
and his pro-mis-es of old.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ezra read the Word of God to His people

 

 

Hanukkah

HANUKKAH

 

Home Activities:

  • Yes, you can celebrate Hanukkah at home even in June.
  • Make potato latkes (pancakes, available in the Jewish section in the supermarket, instant!)
  • Light your candles.
  • Puzzle and coloring sheet.
  • Play with the dreidl you made in class (older classes). Have fun!

Prayer: May the Light of the World bring light into our lives as He did at Hanukkah.

 

 

 

Hanukkah Crossword Puzzle

























Across
5. leader of the Maccabees
6. number of days the oil burned
9. books of the Bible with Hanukkah story
10. lit on Hanukkah
 
Down
1. Macedonian king
2. large candlestand in the temple
3. Feast that celebrates the burning of the oil
4. top used to play Hanukkah game
5. location of the temple
7. ruined by the pagans
8. people of the Maccabees

 

Coloring Pages:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you identify these images of Hanukkah?