Leader Guide

Leader Introduction

Welcome students as they arrive with their parents.
OPTIONAL: As they arrive, play the song “The Gold Nugget.”

Today’s Bible story reinforces and expands the lesson from Lesson 1 about the poor widow’s coins that she gave as an offering. Back at Quantum Labs, Detective Widget has a new mystery to solve about carrots; not just any carrots—caramel-coated ones! Children learn the importance of generosity: To cheerfully give and share what God gives you.

*Scripture is quoted from the New Living Translation except as noted.

Optional Opening Game

Glue the largest cup in the middle and about 2 inches from the side of the cardboard.

Glue the smaller cup about 4 inches from the larger cup.

With scissors, cut four 1-inch slits spaced equally around one end of the cardboard tube.

Fold the four tabs outward. Put glue on each tab.

Place the glued tabs of the tube flat on the cardboard about four inches from the small cup.

Place a strip of masking tape over each tab to hold it in place as the glue dries.

Place the cardboard assembly on the floor in an area where there is plenty of space around it.

In the Bible story, what were people dropping into the collection boxes in the Temple? Coins (their offerings).

We don’t have collection boxes, but in this game, you are going to drop coins into containers.

Point to the cardboards. There are three different sizes of containers.

Demonstrate: stand over the cups and drop a few coins into them.

Children get three coins each. One child plays at a time and tries to drop three coins into the largest cup first. After each child has taken a turn, gather the coins.

Play again with the smaller cup, and repeat once more with the tube, which is the most difficult.

Now have each child take a turn dropping their coins into any of the three containers—but this time, players must look upward and close their eyes with no peeking as they drop their coins!

Optional: Move the cups a few feet away and have children take turns tossing the coins toward the cups. Repeat as time allows.

Conclusion: In this game, we had a fun time dropping the coins into the cups. When we generously give our offerings to God, it shows that we are thankful for all He gives to us! God loves it when we cheerfully and generously give to Him and others!

Video Lesson

The Widow’s Coins

In today’s video, Jesus and His disciples watch as the people give their offerings in the Temple collection boxes. Someone does something that catches Jesus’ attention. Let’s watch to see what that person did!

Play Video (Bible story)

The Widow's Coins

Bible Story

Teaching Time

Encourage children to participate as much as possible as you tell the Bible story from the points below. Emphasize the words in black italic text, which correspond to an action or word for the children to imitate. Vary your facial expression, voice, and volume level to hold children's attention and interest.

● Place the bowl and container of coins on the table. Place the two pennies on the table aside from the larger coins.

● Place a chair beside you and in front of the table. Have children stand up to begin.

● Jesus and His disciples came into the Temple. Walk in place.

● Then they sat down near the collection boxes. Sit down in the chair and have children sit on the floor or chairs.

● There were many rich people who took coins from their money bags and dropped them into the boxes. Hold an imaginary bag in one hand and pull coins out to drop them into the imaginary collection box several times.

● The rich people were proud of how many coins they put into the boxes. Tilt head up and nod proudly.

● You could hear the clicking, clinking, and clanking of the coins as they dropped into the boxes. Children put hands over ears for a loud noise. Take handfuls of coins from the container, drop them into the metal bowl.

● Jesus and the disciples watched as, one by one, the rich people gave their offerings. Make binoculars with fingers and place over your eyes to watch.

● Then all by herself, a poor widow slowly walked to the offering boxes carrying a small money bag. Children stand up to walk slowly with head down.

● The widow took out one small coin and dropped it into the collection box. Take one penny and drop it into the metal bowl. The children act out doing this too.

● There wasn’t a loud clickety clank sound heard this time. Cup ear trying to hear.

● Then she took out a second small coin and dropped it into the box. Take one penny and drop it into the metal bowl. The children act out doing this too.

● There was no clicking or clanking heard from the second coin. Cup ear trying to hear.

● Nobody but Jesus even seemed to notice that she was there.

● Then the poor widow walked away. Walk in place slowly. The children do the same and then sit down.

● Jesus motioned His disciples to gather around Him. Motion for children to stand and gather around you.

● Then Jesus looked at His disciples and said, “This poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. They have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she has given everything she has.”

Optional Review Questions

· Why was the widow’s small offering more than the other large offerings? She gave all she had. The others gave a little of all they had.

· How is a Temple like a church? People come to pray, give, worship, learn about God and serve God.

Jesus told His disciples that the widow gave everything she had as an offering to God. Isn’t that amazing? God gave a much bigger gift to us when He gave His only Son Jesus!

God gave His only Son because He loves us so much. Jesus gave His life on the cross to save us from our sins. When we share Jesus with others, it is the most generous gift we can ever give.

Object to Go

● If carrots are your favorite vegetable, shout Yummy! Children respond.

● What kind of sound do you hear when you bite and chew a carrot? A crunch, a snap.

● Yes, fresh carrots are a healthy snack and they can be noisy too!

● In today’s video, someone gives a generous gift of carrots to a bot. Which Robot do you think gives a gift of carrots, Doodad, Gears, Gizmo, Grip, Rig or Widget? Children respond.

● Now those carrots aren’t as healthy as a plain carrot. Those carrots are coated with something sweet. What do you think the coating is? Children respond.

● Let’s watch the video to find out the answers to both of these mysteries!

Leave the question unanswered until it is revealed in the video.

Play Video (Caramel Coated Carrots)

Caramel Coated Carrots

Rig is correct, Jesus teaches in the Bible that we should give our gifts in private or in secret.

Hold up the Super-Gizmo image. Do you think this means that every time you give a gift you must put a mask on like Gizmo so no one knows it is you? Children respond.

No! That isn’t what Jesus is saying. He is saying the reason you give should not be so others see you. The rich people in the Temple loved to be admired by other people as they gave their large offerings. Jesus compared their giving to this. Make noise with the musical instruments or noise maker.

You had to look, didn’t you? The rich people loved to make a show of all they did so others would see and praise them!

Jesus said when you give to someone in need, don’t do it to be seen by others—do it because You want to share what God has given you!

The poor widow gave all she had because her heart was filled with love for God and others. Like Gizmo told Widget, he didn’t give the caramel coated carrots to get anything back.

Jesus saw the poor widow when nobody else seemed to notice her, and He sees us even when others don’t! (Matthew 6:1-4)

Verse to GO!

Proverbs 11:25 (MSG)

Play Video (Verse to Go)

Proverbs 11:25 (MSG)

Verse to Go

Today’s Bible memory verse is Proverbs 11:25. Say the memory verse slowly.

“The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.”

Proverbs 11:25

We learned the first part of this verse last time. If you weren’t here, no problem – we will all say it together again!

Stand facing the children and help them to repeat phrases and imitate the motions.

The one… point both index fingers to your chest.

Who blesses others… Outstretch one hand to give.

Is abundantly blessed… point to sky with one hand and bring the hand that was outstretched flat to your chest.

Repeat slowly a few more times.

Great! Now let’s learn the second part of the verse.

Those who help others…. Point to self and others, then stretch arms outward

are helped… Smile and bring one hand flat to your heart.

Optional: Make sure the children understand what it means to bless others and the meaning of “abundantly”.

We bless others when we show God’s love and kindness to them.

The word “abundant” means a large amount or many.

So, by blessing others, we will receive blessings from God and others.

Note: Preschool children may not be able to memorize the entire verse. They may simply repeat it with you. Be sure all children understand its meaning.

Prayer Time

Close the lesson in a simple prayer to encourage the children to be generous in giving.

For example: Dear God, we have more than enough to give back to You and to help others who have needs because You abundantly give to us. We praise You, we thank You, and we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Music Time

Music Time

The lyrics and chords for this song are found in Resources.

Play the video song “The Gold Nugget.” Encourage children to move with the music and sing along with the chorus. Move up and down riding a horse. Use a shovel and a pick to dig up gold with the prospectors!

The Gold Nugget

Chorus

When you bless others you’ll be blessed abundantly
Bring ’em in, Help ’em out, Help ’em up, Give a shout
Bless abundantly
Think of the one in need

Singing Activity

Singing Activity

Lead the children in singing the song “Generosity” (to the tune of “London Bridge”) from Lesson 1.
Additional instructions and chords are located in Lesson 1

Take-Home Coloring Page

As children color, review today’s lesson using the discussion points below:

● What are the people doing in this picture? Giving their money (coins) as offerings in the Temple. Dropping coins into the offering (collection) boxes.

● What is an offering? A gift to God.

● Who was watching as people gave their offerings? Jesus and His disciples.

● Do you think people paid more attention to the rich men giving their bags of money, or to the poor widow? The rich men.

● How many coins did the widow put in the offering? Two small coins.

● What did Jesus say about her gift? It was larger than all other people’s gifts!

OPTIONAL TAKE-HOME TRADING CARD:

Optional: Hand out GizmoGO! trading cards for PROFESSOR SPECTRUM, one per child; available for purchase under Products. Explain that there is a different trading card for each of the three lessons, so if they come back to Sunday school each week, they can collect all three! (Lesson 1 was RIG OF THE WEST—GENEROSITY, Lesson 3 is WIDOW’S COINS.)

Game

Game

Play the Optional Opening Game “Coin Drop” at the beginning of this lesson.

Play the game “Gold Rush!” from Lesson 1.