SCRIPTURE: LUKE11; 18
CHRIST CONNECTION:  Jesus taught people to keep praying and asking for forgiveness. Jesus died on the cross and rose again so sinners can be made right with God.
 KEY PASSAGE PHRASE:  Call on Me and pray, and I will listen. Jeremiah 29:12 (From Jeremiah 29:12)

GOSPEL GEMS:

• One of Jesus’ friends said, “Lord, teach us how to pray.” Jesus told three stories about prayer.   
• One story was about asking for bread, another was about asking for help from a judge, and the other was about how we all need forgiveness. 
• Jesus taught the people to pray and to keep asking for help. Jesus said, “God is good.” 

TEACHING STYLE:
Play, exploration, repetition and consistency help build a safe and fun environment for our Toddlers to learn about God's love. Consistency helps our littles know what to expect when they enter the classroom, they look for their favorite toys, know that they will always have time to play, sing songs, do a craft, go for a walk, and hear stories. Focusing on foundational Bible stories using visual and experiential learning to show that God is creator, loving, and sends Jesus. Gospel and Bible story vocabulary are introduced. Repetition through language and song help plant seeds in their little hearts. 

Directions:
Use the heart stamps to stamp all over the page.

Say:
Do a simple prayer with the kids, using your own fingers as you go through each point.

Directions:
Have the kids find all the different pictures of the people praying.

Say:
Jesus showed people how to pray. Does God always hear us when we pray? Yes! God is good and hears our prayers!  

Directions:
Hide the bread under one of the three buckets and have the kids take turns, turning over the buckets until they find it. Cheer when they find it.

Say:
Jesus taught His friends to pray for the daily bread they needed. Does God meet our needs each day? Yes! God met our greatest need when He sent Jesus.  

Directions:
Read the following. Extend one finger for each story highlighted in the second gospel gem. Explain that Jesus said to ask for food (hold up one finger), ask for help (hold up second finger), and ask for forgiveness (hold up third finger). Repeat, showing the babies one, two, and three fingers. Look for and count items around the room in multiples of three. End by praying out loud for the kids. Explain that prayer is talking and listening to God.  

Say:
Jesus said to ask for food (hold up one finger), ask for help (hold up second finger), and ask for forgiveness (hold up third finger). Jesus showed people how to pray. Does God always hear us when we pray? Yes! God is good and hears our prayers!