June 21st & 28th: The Wise Men
About This Bible Story:
At the time of this story, Jesus was likely one or two years old and living with his family in a house in Bethlehem. This contradicts accounts of the Christmas story that place the wise men in the stable with the shepherds, the manger, and newborn Jesus.
With a star as their guide, the wise men searched for this child. Once they found him, they offered the first Christmas gifts—presents befitting a king. The Frolic Preschool Bible
does not mention King Herod, but as children continue to encounter this story, they’ll learn
of his role. Before the wise men reached Bethlehem, they met with Herod. Frightened that his power would be threatened by this new king, he told them he, too, wanted to worship the child. Because of a warning received in a dream, the wise men avoided Herod on their return.
A Child’s View of the Story:
This is a challenging time to share God’s story with kids. So many other stories—Frosty, Santa, Rudolph, the Grinch—compete for children’s attention at Christmas. Preschoolers’ senses are overwhelmed by decorations, lights, special foods, and gifts—lots of gifts! If the adults in their lives focus on presents, young children may begin associating Christmas with what they receive rather than with this holiday’s true meaning.
This is the best time to share God’s story with kids. Rejoice that you as a parent are called to share that Jesus is the reason for the season! In their Sunday school class they can play, learn, sing, and enjoy this Christmas story presented in age-appropriate ways. This story also helps children put gift-giving into faith-based terms. As they learn about the wise men’s journey and their fancy gifts, they will come to understand that Jesus—God’s gift to the world—is the best gift of all.
June 7th & 14th: The Christmas Story
About These Bible Stories:
In the Frolic Preschool Bible, the story of Christmas begins with Mary’s story. She received amazing news from the angel Gabriel, who greeted her, assured her of the Lord’s presence, and told her, “Do not be afraid.” When Mary learned she would have a child, she was surprised and asked “How can this be?” The angel told her what we still know today: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Mary affirms her willingness to serve God.
Teaching the story of Jesus’ birth to young children can give us an emotional and multisensory view of Luke’s gospel. The Frolic Preschool Bible starts with the urgency of pregnant Mary and an anxious Joseph looking for a place to stay. Their long journey ends in an unexpected place, where Jesus is born amidst the sights, sounds, and smells of the stable. Soon they’re joined by shepherds who’ve seen and heard a heavenly announcement from angels.
A Child’s View of the Story:
Young children probably won’t understand why Mary considered her pregnancy an impossibility. But they can understand why an angel’s visit would be a surprise. You can point out how this angel is bringing a message from God, just like angels in the Bible stories about The Fiery Furnace and Daniel.
Gabriel uses words that young children know: “Do not be afraid. Good news! A baby!” Some preschoolers have already received news about a baby on the way when they hear parents tell them about expecting a younger sibling, cousin, or other child through pregnancy or adoption. Learning about this birth announcement will help them more deeply understand that Jesus was fully human. Learning how Mary responded to Gabriel’s message will give them an example of another Bible time person loving and serving God.
May 24th & 31st: Jonah
About This Bible Story:
The story of Jonah may be one of the most exciting and dramatic stories in the Bible. Jonah knew the right thing to do, but rejected God’s request to go to Nineveh. To run away, he boarded a boat and fell asleep as a mighty storm created panic in the sailors. They prayed to their gods and tossed the ship’s cargo into the sea. When the captain woke him, Jonah realized, “It is because of me that this great storm has come upon you” (Jonah 1:12). The sailors threw him into the sea—and then turned to the Lord.
Jonah was held in the belly of a great fish for three days and nights. During this epic time-out, Jonah realized he could never escape God’s command, so he prayed and repented. Once he was spewed out of the fish, he traveled to Nineveh after all. After hearing his prophecy, more than 120,000 people turned their hearts to God. An entire population was saved from destruction!
A Child’s View of the Story:
The story of Jonah can be an exciting one for young children. They may have been on a boat, or at least seen pictures of one. They know what stormy weather looks and sounds like. And their imaginations can take them inside the belly of a giant fish. Preschoolers will enjoy playing the larger-than-life parts of this story. But we can also introduce the reason behind all of this fleeing and fishiness. God called Jonah to do something challenging, and Jonah said, “No way” at first. Jonah’s refusal led him to a ship’s hold and a fish’s belly.
Preschoolers are familiar with saying, “no way” too. They need to hear the important message in this story: Just as Jonah prayed for forgiveness, we can say, “I’m sorry” when we have defied God. We can always return to God, a place of forgiveness and safety.
May 10th & 17th: Daniel
About This Bible Story :
The book of Daniel describes a time when the Jewish people were captives in Babylon. The story of Daniel, like that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego a few chapters earlier, is about a faithful Israelite who defied the rules of Babylon. Instead of worshipping idols or King Darius, Daniel prayed only to the one true God. He found favor with the ruling king, but the king’s ministers became jealous and formed a plan they were sure would end his life.
Thrown into a den of lions, Daniel spent the night trusting God. King Darius spent the night awake and fasting. In the morning, the king made an amazing discovery—Daniel’s God had saved him! The king decreed that all people should “tremble and fear before the God of Daniel” (Daniel 6:26). In this story, we see how a faithful witness to God was protected from those who would harm him.
A Child’s View of the Story:
This story describes a brave hero, some conspiring villains, one surprised king, and a den full of lions. Children may enjoy the roaring sounds and furry manes, but there is more to this story for them. Daniel’s faithfulness to God is worth mentioning. He prayed to God, even when that meant breaking the rules. Children may be surprised to hear that a law from the king said that he was the one to pray to, not God. Point out that Daniel prayed openly, knowing he could be discovered.
A den of lions would be a very scary place for anyone to spend the night! Daniel may have felt afraid, but he was confident that God was with him. We can teach children they can be confident that God is with them during scary times. We are never alone. God hears our prayers and answers them, sometimes in very dramatic ways.
April 26th & May 3rd: The Fiery Furnace
This story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego happens a few chapters earlier than the well- known story of Daniel in the lions’ den. It provides another dramatic example of God’s protection. The people of Judah had been taken captive in Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, ordered the healthiest and wisest young men to come to the palace. Daniel and the trio of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were among those called. They were instructed to learn the language and writings of their captors, the Chaldeans.
Despite tremendous risk, these men continued to follow God. The Bible tells us that God intervened in a dramatic way to protect them from the fiery furnace. This story describes a fourth man who had the “appearance of a god” (Daniel 3:25). After they emerged from the fire, God softened the hearts of their captors, which allowed them to witness to God’s greatness. This story reminds us that God’s work is done in all sorts of circumstances.
A Child’s View of the Story:
The Frolic Preschool Bible can help children envision what happened in this vivid, fiery story. Most people worshipped a golden statue instead of God, but three men who were followers of God did not! For older
kids and adults, this story illustrates the high stakes of publicly professing faith in God. But preschoolers may wonder why people would waste time worshipping a statue. They may also wonder why these men were thrown into a hot furnace as punishment because they worshipped God. Most children will not have any framework for understanding this dramatic action.
This story can provide an opportunity to teach about God’s protection in scary situations. While we cannot guarantee to children that our Christian faith makes us fireproof, we can introduce many ways of understanding God’s presence and protection. Preschoolers’ relationships with trusted adults help them experience firsthand how it feels to be protected, safe, and in good hands.
March 15th & 22nd: Deborah
About This Bible Story
As a judge, military commander, and prophet, Deborah was a formidable person. As a woman living in the ancient world, she was a game changer with a brilliant mind. This story tells of decisive and deadly military action that comes from Deborah’s command to Barak that they battle the Canaanite army led by Sisera. Later verses in the story that are not part of the Frolic Preschool Bible describe how another woman, Jael, ended Sisera’s life with a tent peg.
For a preschooler to see strong, powerful women take the center stage in God’s story is an important way to emphasize that God works through many different people, then and now. Through the actions of these brave women, this story points to ways that the people of God can use their gifts for the good of God’s
kingdom.
A Child’s View of the Story
Frolic Preschool Sunday School might be the first time and place where some preschoolers hear this story of wise Deborah. The illustrations in the Frolic Preschool Bible bypass any scenes of battle. Instead they feature wise Deborah sitting under her palm tree and standing beside Barak after they are victorious in battle. Her brave actions made a big difference in the lives of God’s people.
This story introduces preschoolers to a wise and trustworthy woman who helped people solve their problems. It is not a stretch for young children to learn that a woman during Bible times was wise and helpful. They probably know some women like this in their own lives! Emphasize that God sends us wise helpers who know what to do when we do not. Sometimes those helpers don’t just do the difficult thing for us. Instead, they bring out the best in us so we can accomplish big things together.
March 1st & 8th: Joseph & His Brothers
Joseph’s life began in a favored position. He was the first son of Jacob’s second (and favorite) wife, Rachel, and his favorite child. But Joseph’s ten older brothers felt differently about him. They saw the robe their father gave to him, and they heard him tell about his dreams. Their jealousy and hatred led them to sell their brother into slavery. Then they misled their father into believing Joseph had died. This sibling rivalry was bitter indeed!
The brothers’ actions catapulted Joseph into a dramatic series of events. As a slave in Egypt, he was wrongly sent to prison. But the Lord would bring good out of this bad situation. Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams, which he always credited to God, resulted in Pharaoh choosing him for a position of power. Joseph’s actions led to preparations for famine, and eventually he forgave and fed his brothers. Through it all, God was with him.
The story retelling in the Frolic Preschool Bible describes a colorful robe and hungry people who need food. As preschoolers grow older, they’ll learn that there’s even more to the story when they hear of Joseph’s vivid dreams of sun, moon, stars, wheat, and cows. But any story about Joseph includes the sibling rivalry between a boy and his brothers. Children will be interested to learn that young Joseph grows up to have power and influence. He is able to feed his hungry brothers, who are sorry for their earlier mistreatment of him.
Preschoolers may find themselves on the receiving end of the question, “What do you say?” when an adult wants them to apologize. They need modeling and support to say the words, “I’m sorry.” They are just learning how apologizing and receiving forgiveness work, and this story can help them learn how these actions can be rooted in faith.