Kid Zone	Sabbath School Multi-Year Cycle "You are the child of the Greatest Creator"
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Program
This page lists a schedule and method for producing special Sabbath school programs.

Year	Program	Focus
1	Bible Heroes	Favorite Bible stories
2	The Love of God	The Plan of Salvation. What is God doing to save us and to change us?
3	Evangelism - Building the church	What we should be doing to change the world.
4	The Creation	Taking care of the world. The wonderful creator Jesus.
5	Rescue Me!	Great rescue stories in the Bible. God saves us.

Developmental Milestones
Ages	Interests		Physical		Cognitive Skills		Skills and Tools
3	Imitation		Climbs, kicks, runs, screws and unscrews lids		Matching objects and pictures, sorts, simple puzzles		Mechanical toys, vertical, horizontal and circular strokes with crayon
4	Fantasy play		Kicks ball, throw overhand		Draws circles, square, few numbers, some colors		Crayon
5	Stories, sing, dance, act		Hop, climb, swing		Count to 10, four colors		Finger paint, clay, crayon, copies geometric shapes, draw person
6-8	Magic, tricks, collections, simple table games		Tie shoe laces, catch balls		Copies designs, shapes, letters, numbers, reading, writing		Scissors and small tools, throwing at targets
9-11	Competitive sports, strategy games, clubs, secret codes, rituals, collections, hobbies		Unlimited		Fictional stories, projects		Cooking, sewing, plays, puppet ministry
Plan crafts and activities based on skills and interests and on your moral teachings. This might be a good opportunity to introduce or enforce your beliefs if they conflict with the relics of the popular culture.

Program Format

Time	Activity	Sabbath School			Time	Special Program
Length		One hour				Two hours
Format		1	2	3		1	2	3	4
15	Early	Early birds			15	Early birds
10	Songs	Songs	Songs	Songs	15	Songs	Songs	Check in	Check in
15	Story	Story	Story	Bible games and group activity	30	Story or game	Story	Rotate to different stations	Story, craft, music, games and food booths
20	Activity	Lessons	Lessons		50		Craft
10	Snacks		Snacks		15	Optional
5	Closing	Closing	Closing	Closing	10	Closing	Closing	Closing	Closing

Sabbath School Format

Group Rotation Schedule
Time Period		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Activity		Group Location
1	Craft 1	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
2	Craft 2	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	1
3	Craft 3	3	4	5	6	7	8	1	2
4	Craft 4	4	5	6	7	8	1	2	3
5	Craft 5	5	6	7	8	1	2	3	4
6	Games	6	7	8	1	2	3	4	5
7	Movie	7	8	1	2	3	4	5	6
8	Snacks	8	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Group size maximum is 6 to 8 children.
The movie or snack stations can be used to hold the late children until the next rotation.

1. Regular Class - the traditional class. Children separate into individual classes.
2. Special Class - the traditional class with a special activity. Either snacks or a craft or a group project. It helps us to plan for special events that occur during the month that are significant to our culture.
3. Group - All classes meet as one group for a group activity or a special project.

Special Program Format
These programs last during Sabbath School and regular church service. The scheduled time for each activity can vary.

1. Entertain - Children are entertained by a single performer. This performance could include a group activity with the children. For example, puppet ministry, a game show format, or Bible drills.
2. Super Sabbath - Children meet to do a single activity. Generally, this is a major craft or it could be a major game or competitive activity. Unless the craft or activity is flexible, this format is not good if you have many late children.
3. Rotation - Scheduled rotations. Every 15 minutes, each group rotates to a new activity. New or late children must wait for the start of a next rotation to join in an activity. Until then, they can watch a video program or prepare for the next group by getting all the free items that are distributed to each group.
   If you often have children who come late, this format is good. It rewards those who are early because they get a chance to visit all the stations. It also helps the late children to complete a project.
4. Bazaar or Booths - Support multiple activities. Set up different booths or stations and allow each group of children to rotate to different stations. Children spend ten to 15 minutes at each station. Each station specializes in one activity. Use different devices to track the attendance of Children at different activities.

Sample	General Schedule Format
Month	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4	Special Program
First Quarter	God and Me - A personal relationship				New Beginnings
January	Class	Class	Class	Special	Super Sabbath
February	Class	Special	Class	Group
March	Class	Class	Class	Class
Second Quarter	Family				Planting
April	Class	Class	Class	Special	Bazaar. Remember Passover or easter.
May	Class	Mother's day	Class	Group
June	Class	Class	Father's day	Class
Third Quarter	Growing in God				Growing
July	Class	Class	Class	Special	Super Sabbath. Coordinate with vacation Bible school.
August	Class	Class	Class	Group
September	Class	Class	Class	Class
Fourth Quarter	Celebrating the presence of God				Harvest
October	Class	Class	Class	Special	Super Sabbath or Bazaar. Remember Christmas and Hannukah.
November	Class	Class	Class	Special
December	Class	Class	Group	Special

 

Year 1	Bible Heroes and Characters
Month	Topic	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4	Special Program
First Quarter	The Friends of God					God chooses a friend
January	Before the Flood	Adam	Abel	Enoch	Noah	The Fathers The Heros of God
February	The Call	Abraham	Isaac	Jacob	Joseph
March	Israel	Moses	Joshua	Peter	Paul
Second Quarter	The People					God chooses a people
April	Men	Gideon	Samson	Jonathan	Hosea	The 12 sons of Jacob.
May	Women	Eve	Ruth	Deborah	Jezebel
June	Children	Josiah	David	Moses	Jesus
Third Quarter	The Leaders of the People					God chooses a leader
July	Prophets	Daniel	Isaiah	Jonah	Elijah	The Leaders
August	Kings	Saul	David	Solomon	Hezekiah
September	Priests	Aaron	Eli	Samuel	Melchizedek
Fourth Quarter	God comes to His people					God leads his people
October	The Baby	Mary	Simeon	Eli	The Baptist	Jesus - the Gift from God
November	The Disciples	Peter	Judas	Matthew	John
December	Jesus	Birth	Life	Miracles	Mission

Year 2	The Love of God
Month	Topic	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4	Special Program
First Quarter	A Relationship with God					Talk to God
January	Mothers	Sarah	Rachel	Hannah	Mary	Prayer Psalm 23
February	David	Courage	Thanksgiving	Protection	Forgiveness
March	Jesus	Submission	Lord's Prayer	Crucifixion	High Priest
Second Quarter	The Word of God					Knowing God
April	Bible	Books	Writers	History	Psalms	The Armor
May	Law	Love	Commandments	Grace	Faith
June	Jesus	Creator	Leader	Example	Redeemer
Third Quarter	The Holy Spirit					Work for God
July	Teaching	Samuel	Eli's sons	Sanctuary	Parables	The Gifts
August	Preaching	Children	Donkey	Stones talk	Disciples
September	Miracles	Storm	Possession	Ten Lepers	Lazarus
Fourth Quarter	Growing in God					The harvest
October	Love	Ruth	Jonathan	The Coat	Jesus	The Fruits
November	Patience	Job	Joseph	Abraham	Paul
December	Peace	David	Melchizedek	Jesus	Jerusalem

 

Year 3	Evangelism - Building the church
Month	Topic	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4	Special Program
First Quarter	A family for God					Why I believe
January	Me	Who: Prayer	What: Bible study	Why: Worship	How Much: Commitment	Me and My House.
February	Parents	Priest	Counselor	Teacher	Discipline
March	Family	Work	Worship	Sabbath	Church
Second Quarter	Friends for God					Telling others
April	Neighbor	Knowing	Helping	Praying	Invitation	My Neighborhood
May	School	Teachers	Staff	Popular	Unpopular
June	Friends	Siblings	School	Church	God
Third Quarter	A house for God					Living the life
July	Reverence	Manners	People	Property	Service	My Church
August	Worship	Praising	Reading	Listening	Doing
September	People	Teacher	Deacon	Members	Pastor
Fourth Quarter	A world for God					Tell the world
October	Missionaries	Support	Medical	Bible workers	Inner cities	The Great Comission. The World
November	Foreign	Language	Culture	People	Religion
December	World	10/40 Window	Atheist	Poor	Rich

Year 4	The Wonderful Creation
Month	Topic	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4	Special Program
First Quarter	The Planet - "I am the light"					The earth
January	Earth	The Rock	The Pearl	The Ephod	Blue Stone	Recycling Caring for the earth
February	Water	Flood	Red Sea	Foot washing	Baptism
March	Sun, moon, stars	Joseph dreams	Matthew 24	Menorah	Jesus
Second Quarter	The Trees - "I am the vine"					Body temple
April	Grain	Bread	Manna	Famine in Egypt	Daniel's beans	Health
May	Fruits	Grape	Olive	Forbidden tree	Tree of life
June	Temperance	Alcohol	Drugs	Smoking	Water
Third Quarter	The Animals - "I am the Lamb of God"					Clean and Unclean
July	Birds	Dove	Raven	Bees	Rooster	Care of Animals
August	Fish	Frog	Fish	Whale	Dog
September	Animals	Lamb, Bull	Lion	Goat	Donkey
Fourth Quarter	The Sabbath - "I will give you rest"					Time for God
October	Rest	Sabbath	Jubilee	Forgiveness	Heaven	Care for people
November	Friends	Jonathan	Delilah	Ruth	Moses
December	Celebrate	Communion	Baptism	Wedding	Tabernacles

 

Year 5	Rescue Me!
Month	Topic	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4	Special Program
First Quarter	Noah's Ark					Noah
January	Sin	Adam	Cain	People	Babel	The Promise
February	Message	Noah	The Ark	The Animals	The Door
March	Judgment	Haman	Nineveh	Sodom	Flood
Second Quarter	The Exodus - escape from sin. The Plan of Salvation					Moses
April	Exodus	Slavery	Moses	Plagues	Freedom	The Sanctuary
May	Sanctuary	Outer Court	Holy Place	Most Holy Place	Heaven
June	Feasts	Passover	Pentecost	Yom Kippur	Tabernacles
Third Quarter	The Crucifixion - God keeps his promise					Messiah
July	The Seed	Eve	Isaac	Judah	Mary	The Pardon
August	The Lamb	Innocent	Sacrifice	Substitute	Cleansing
September	Messiah	Suffering	Death	Resurrection	Conqueror
Fourth Quarter	The Second Coming - God rescues me					Jesus
October	Sin	Gift	Repentance	Baptism	Communion	The Rescue
November	Message	Covenant	Gospel	Prophets	3 Angels
December	The Coming	Judgment	Pardon	Reward	Heaven

Below is a sample of how each month is organized.

Year 5	March: The Judgment
Lesson learned		The actions of God teaches us more about His mercy than his anger.
Memory verse: Matthew 7: 1-2			Bible Verse	Activity
1	Haman	Judged by your own standards	Esther 5-7	Dinner party
2	Nineveh	God prefers to forgive	Jonah 4	Craft
3	Sodom	Judgment of a city. A few righteous people can save a whole city.	Genesis 18	Play
4	Flood	Judgment of the world. God protects the righteous during the punishment.	Genesis 6-9	Puppet Show
Special program		The covenant. The promise of God to provide a way for all to escape judgment.

Scheduling
The special program format is planned for the end of each quarter. A special class can be planned for the end of each of the other months or during months where there are five Sabbaths.

Staff
Some group activities such as games, allow some of the staff to take time off.

1. Greeters. Welcomes the child, takes attendance and distributes name tags
2. Craft Assistants. But others require many more helpers. Most crafts are designed to be personalized or includes a variety of choices. The process of doing this begins when the child arrives.
   This person writes the name of the child on their craft, allows them to choose a craft and keeps them in order until craft time arrives.
3. Music. Song service and music leaders.
4. Story Tellers. The major entertainment.
5. Teachers and Group Leaders. Helps distribute crafts and assists children with their crafts.
6. Security. Makes sure children do not leave the room or go to the bathroom unsupervised.
7. Leader. Makes sure each segment starts on time. Helps wherever possible.

Attendance Devices
These are designed to work with the Bazaar or rotation formats. An extra prize can be given to those who complete the assignments.

• Passport. This works well with international themes and the Bazaar format. They are handed out by the greeters. Children get a stamp or sticker for each booth that they visit.
• Stickers, stamps and prizes. Children receive a "goodie" bag when they check in.
• Treasure Hunt. Children search for hidden symbols, messages or answers to questions about each station that they visit.

Crafts and Activities

1. Story Quilt. I have designed a series of story quilts to go with the fourth quarter special Sabbaths.
2. Books. Creation books, prayer books, sticker collections, photographs and other collections.
3. Computer. Games can be used as one booth activity or as an activity for the early birds.
4. Acting. Each child acts a role in the bible story. This includes any significant animal.
5. Food and Allergies.
   • No Peanuts. Many children are allergic to peanuts and other nut oils. Peanut makes and excellent glue for creating crafts from fresh food.
   • Snacks. Many people are vegetarian or have rules about the junk food contents of their children's meals. If you can, avoid food or distribute only fresh fruits and vegetables especially with a group of unknown children.
6. Contests. I personally do not like competitive activities, but we can keep these to a minimum and use this time to encourage team building, listening, and good leadership skills. These activities are only to be done a minimum number of times. They are not meant to teach, but to reinforce information already learned.
   You can vary the teams.
   • Boys versus Girls.
   • By Birth month. Those born in January to June versus July to December.
   • Class versus Teacher. The teacher gets double any points the class loses and gets points for any misbehavior.
   • Color of clothes. Warm colors versus cool colors.
   • Alphabetical order. By the beginning of their first names.
   All the games are based on knowledge of the Bible. But you can make it more interesting. You can pattern the format of the game after several games and game shows.
   • Concentration. Five related categories of four or five questions. As each question is answered a hidden picture is uncovered. This is a series of drawings that are based on the sound of the word. Use only Bible words. Extra points are given for solving the clue.
   • Jeopardy . Five related categories of four or five questions. You provide the answer, they provide the question.
   • The Feud. This is based on lists of related items in the Bible. The real game gives more points for the most popular answer. You can give more points for the more difficult answers.
   • Tell the truth. The absent minded teacher. This form of story telling is good only for a group that knows the story. The object is to tell the story and let the children point out your mistakes. The teacher gets the points that the students lose. It is important to interrupt the story to correct the error as soon it is clear that they did not see the error.
     One tricky statement is to say that Jonah was caught by a whale, or that there were three wise men. The bible story only said a big fish - not a whale. We do not know how many wise men visited the baby Jesus.
     
     With younger groups you can modernize the story so that they can catch the errors. For example, Jonah went to Ninevah on a bus. If you have sound effects then that would be fantastic!
     Read Proverbs 30: 5-6 and Revelation 22: 18-19 to make sure that you are not in violation.
   • Teachinghearts games. Many of our games can be used as the main program or to entertain early birds or as ice breakers.
     • "In the belly of the fish". The game is based on the hang man game. There are several categories from which you can choose and the game can be personalized to fit your program. Teams can take turns guessing a letter. They lose their turn when they guess incorrectly. Give points for each letter guessed and a larger number of points for identifying the word. The number of points given for identifying the word decreases as more letters are chosen.
       For example, if there is 1000 points for identifying a ten letter word then, subtract 100 points for each letter correctly identified and 20 points for each incorrect letter. The value of the pot decreases to a minimum of 50 points.
       Both teams lose points if Jonah gets eaten by the fish.
     • "Match Game". The images can be personalized and the game modified to suit your needs.
       • Strangers How well do you know your group? Take pictures from a variety of angles of ears, teeth, nose, mouth feet, fingers of members of the group and see if others can identify them. Match the body part with either a picture or the name of the person.
       • Alphabet. This is appropriate for children learning the alphabet. Match Upper case to lower case letters, or match letters to the names of familiar objects.
       • Numbers. Match a number to the number of objects in the picture.
       • Colors. Match the name of the color with the object.
     • "Plastic Surgery". Reconstruct faces with Dr. Frank N. Stein. Allows you to use pictures of your eyes, mouth and nose.
       Play Strangers.
     • "Mad Scientists". Create new animals with Dr. Jack Hill and Mr. Hyde.

Security
We do not live in heaven and unfortunately many people join children's ministries simply to hurt children. This includes pastors, teachers, and nice friendly old people.

• Children should not be allowed to leave the room without an approved adult.
• Children should not leave the building without their parents or guardians. Set up a system that identifies the people who drop off and pick up children who are left alone.
• When you register children for special programs, make sure that parents understand that they should come inside to pick up their children. They should not be allowed to wait outside for their parents. You should also make it clear to parents that you expect them to accompany the children when they come in and to pick them up.
• Children should not go to the bathroom alone.
• It is probably good to periodically check the bathrooms to make sure that no one is hanging around there.
• Organize your space so that younger children are closer to the nearest bathrooms. They will not get lost very easily and you will have to make many trips there.
• Teenagers tend to be caught up in the moment, especially when they are together. As a result they are sometimes unreliable. Older children may play too roughly with younger children or ignore them or they may say inappropriate things. They should not be left alone to supervise children. Especially young boys.
• The children of your volunteers usually fall through the cracks.

I realize that it is impossible to put all the detailed instructions and examples and alternatives on this site. But I have included enough information so that you can make your own plans.