Gospel According To Dr. Seuss

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Gospel According toDr. SeussA One Room Sunday School ProgramRev. Danyelle Ditmerwww.littlepeoplebigword.com January 2016

Table of ContentsWeek 1Me & YouMy Book About Me, ByME, MyselfWeek 2Sizable MattersHorton Hears a Who(Movie)Week 3Stars in Our EyesThe SneetchesWeek 4Fear NotWhat Was I Scared Of?Week 5Don’t be JudgyGreen Eggs and Ham(Movie)Week 6Imaginations Gone WildOh Think the Things YouCan ThinkWeek 7Gimme!How the Grinch StoleChristmas (Movie)Week 8Bustin’ BalloonsThe ZaxWeek 9Life is MessyThe Cat in the Hat(movie)Week 10Oops & Uh-ohsBartholomew and theOobleckWeek 11A Butter WayThe Butter Battle BookWeek 12Go GreenThe Lorax (Movie)Week 13Off We GoOh, the Places You'll GoWeek 14Let’s Celebrate!Celebration SundayRev. Danyelle Ditmerwww.littlepeoplebigword.com January 2016

Week 1: Me & YouBible VerseI give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart. Your works arewonderful—I know that very well. (Psalm 139:14)ThemeEvery person is wonderfully and uniquely made by GodSeuss Summary: My Book About Me, By ME, MyselfWith a mix of serious (and seriously silly!) “Yes” and “No” questions;fill-in-the-blanks; images to complete, and simple writing activities,My Book About Me, By ME, Myself encourages children to write anddraw their own biographies.Bible BackgroundPsalm 139 is one of the best known psalms with its affirmation ofGod’s role as creator, not only of the universe, but as the divineparent of every human being. According to the Psalmist, every partof us is made by God -- mind, body, emotions. The term“wonderfully made” is translated from adjectives used to mean“miracle.” So then, our very existence as complex beings is one ofthe miraculous acts by which we know God exists. Not only are wemade in God’s image (Genesis 1) but each detail about us wascrafted by God. This is yet another affirmation for children and abuilding block for healthy self-image.ActivitySupplies: “All About Me” printable and pencilsPREP: Make copies of the “All About Me” printable. Give each child an “All About Me” printable and a pencil.Me & YouPage 1 of 4

Have children complete the printable by filling in the appropriateinformation. Collect the printables to use later in the session.Dr. SeussSupplies: the book My Book About Me, By ME, MyselfPREP: Complete the pages in My Book About Me, By ME, Myself.TIP: This is an excellent session for a pastor or lay-leader who doesnot regularly serve in ministry with children to guest lead. Ask children to sit down in a circle for the story.SAY: This book is a little different than most because it’s co-writtenby me! This way you can get to know a little about me.READ: My Book About Me, By ME, MyselfASK: Are there any other things you may want to know? (allowchildren to ask a few questions)Bible PointSupplies: BibleSAY: One of the great things about this book is that it changes allthe time depending on who is writing it with Dr. Seuss. It’s a greatreminder that every person is unique.READ: Psalm 139:14 to affirm every person is wonderfully made byGod.ASK: What do you think it means to be “wonderfully made”?(miracle)Me & YouPage 2 of 4

SAY: God made every person with the same attention to detail andcraftsmanship as when God made the whole universe. God doesn’tmake trash or junk. Every bit of you should be celebrated with aweand wonder from the way you look to the things you love even yourquirky ways. Every person is a miracle!ActivitySupplies: “HATS Off To You” printable, pencils or pens, scissors,12x18 construction paper in various colors, glue sticks, a camera orsmartphone, and “All About Me” printables completed earlierPREP: Ask older adults to join this session as guests to beinterviewed by the children. Be sure to have enough volunteers forgroups of two. Print copies of the “HATS Off To You” printable onto11x17 paper. Pair an older and younger child together. Explain that each team will interview one of the older adults fromthe congregation using a special “HATS Off To You” printable.Also mention that each child will share his/her “All About Me”printable with their small group. Return each child’s “All About Me” printable and give each teaman “HATS Off To You” printable and a pencil. Point out that thereis space below each question to write the information. Encouragechildren to use their best penmanship. Direct children to share their “All About Me” printables first as away of introducing themselves. Then, children may take turnsasking and writing down questions. Assign each team an older adult to interview. Encourage groupsto find a quiet space for the interview.Me & YouPage 3 of 4

Take a picture of each group during the interview to use in adisplay. If time allows, print the pictures before the end of class. When children complete their interviews, ask them to glue the“HATS Off To You” printable onto a piece of construction paper tocreate a nice border for a display. If possible, ask children to dothe same with their group picture. Complete a display by showcasing each group’s “HATS Off ToYou” printable and picture (optional: each child’s “All About Me”printable) where others in the congregation can see.Prayer Huddle Gather children together in a circle. Ask them to put their hands in the middle of the prayer huddle.PRAY: Gracious and Loving God, we are so thankful that you craftedeach of us in unique and wonderful ways. Help us to always findways to celebrate these qualities. We are thankful for our wholechurch and learning more about each other. Amen. Explain that when you say “Go in peace,” everyone will lift theirhands out of the huddle and say “To serve God!”Me & YouPage 4 of 4

Week 2: Sizable MattersBible VerseWhat is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a singlesparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. Andthe very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid;you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.(Matthew 10:29-31)ThemeEveryone is important to God no matter how big (or old) they are.Seuss Summary: Horton Hears a WhoIn the Jungle of Nool, Horton the elephant hears a faint voice on apassing clover. He realizes there very small people on the cloverwho need help so he puts the clover in a safe place. But the otheranimals don’t believe him. They don’t believe their are people sosmall that they live on the clover. They think Horton is a fool andthey steal the clover and hide it. No one believes Horton but hedoesn’t give up. There is an entire world on that clover and he isdetermined to save them because “a person’s a person no matterhow small!”Bible BackgroundAs part of a much larger discourse, these verses offer a strikingpromise of God’s love and care, not only for every one of God’screatures but indeed for every hair on their heads. This is powerfullycomforting, especially to children who often think they are “toosmall” or feel unimportant. If God knows every single sparrow in thesky, and every single hair on our hears, that means there is nothingtoo great or too small for God to care about. God cares for and loveschildren and adults alike. This passage offers children an importantreminder that to God everyone, no matter their size or age, isprecious and worthy of God’s attention.Sizable MattersPage 1 of 4

Activity Invite children to sit in a circle. If you have a large group, formtwo circles. Explain the game of telephone. An adult will begin the game bywhispering a short phrase into the ear of the person to his/herright, then that person will whisper what they hear to the nextperson, and so on, until the person at the other end receives thegiven word or phrase and says it out loud. Play the game as time allows.Dr. SeussSupplies: DVD of Horton Hears a Who (25 mins), DVD player, andtelevision Gather children together so that everyone can see the television.SAY: It can be hard to hear when someone whispers in your ear. Justimagine how hard it was to hear the voice of something that lives ona speck of dust. Horton hears the voice and reasons there mustexist a person, too small to be seen, but who is definitely there. But,the other animals don’t believe him. Let’s watch. Watch Horton Hears a Who.ASK: Why didn’t the other animals believe Horton? (the Whos weretoo small to see or hear)Bible PointSupplies: BibleREAD: Matthew 10:29-31 to hear that God cares about even thelittlest things like the hairs on our head.Sizable MattersPage 2 of 4

ASK: What do you think it means that God knows all the hairs onyour head?SAY: This is Jesus’ way of telling us that God cares for every single,itty-bitty piece of the world. God can see and hear even the smallestof voices and concerns. That means, no matter our size, God caresabout you and loves you.ActivitySupplies: a timer, and for each team you will need a pair ofchopsticks, a chopstick helper, pom-poms in three sizes, bowls or adividing tray to separate pom-poms by size, and a cupTIP: Ask a local Asian food restaurant or market or Noodles &Company to donate chopsticks and chopstick helpers.PREP: Divide the pom-poms by size into individual bowls or adividing tray and place them at one end of the room. Put an emptycup for each team at the other end of the room as the starting point. Divide children into teams to run a relay race. Show kids the different size pom-poms and explain that each sizeis worth a different point value: Large is 1 point, Medium is 2points, and Small is 4 points. The team with the most pointswins. Demonstrate how to use the helper-chopsticks to pick up a pompom. Assure kids it is okay to use both hands to hold thechopsticks, if needed. Point out that just like Horton had to be careful with the Whos,children will need to carefully hold the chopsticks to carry thepom-poms as fast as possible in the relay. Play as time allows.Sizable MattersPage 3 of 4

Prayer Huddle Gather children together in a circle. Ask them to put their hands in the middle of the prayer huddle.PRAY: Holy God we give you thanks that you see even the smallestin the world and care for them. Help us to hear others calls Amen. Explain that when you say “Go in peace,” everyone will lift theirhands out of the huddle and say “To serve God!”Sizable MattersPage 4 of 4

Week 3: Stars in Our EyesBible VerseSo God created human beings in his own image. In the image of Godhe created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)ThemeEvery person is created by God. We are both alike and different fromone each other, but God called all of us very good.Seuss Summary: The SneetchesIn The Sneetches, some Sneetches have green stars on their bellieswhile others do not. “Those stars weren’t so big. They were really sosmall. You might think such a thing wouldn’t matter at all.” But theydid. The stars were as a source of discrimination until SylvesterMcMonkey McBean came to town with a machine to add and removestars. Suddenly the Sneetches are forced to question theirdifferences.Bible BackgroundIn the first chapter of the Bible, we learn God created all things andhuman beings were the culmination of this orderly and intentionalwork. Of all that God created, only humans are made in the image ofGod and described as “very good.” Much can be said about what itmeans to be made in the image of God, including that God createdpeople to have intelligence and imagination, capable of creativityand love. But perhaps above all, for children, it’s important tounderstand that they are created by God and in God’s image. This isa basic building block for their self-image as a person who is worthyof respect and love the same as every person.Activity Gather children in the middle of the classroom.Stars in Our EyesPage 1 of 4

Explain that you will call out something descriptive, like “wearsglasses, and doesn’t wear glasses,” and each child will move tothe appropriate side of the room. Call children back to the middle of the room and repeat withother creative descriptors (hair color, clothing, number ofsiblings, hobbies, etc.). On the last round, while children are still in two groups, ask thefollowing questions about fairness.ASK: Is it fair if one group gets a special snack but the other groupdoesn’t? Is it fair for that group to pick the game to play or the showto watch? Is it fair for that group to always win the game or get thebest seats?Dr. SeussSupplies: the book The Sneetches Ask children to sit down in a circle for the story.SAY: Let’s see what Dr. Seuss has to say about all this in his bookThe Sneetches.READ: The SneetchesASK: What was different about the two groups of Sneetches? How dothe Sneetches treat those who are different from them? Do you thinkit’s fair or right to treat people differently because of the way theylook? What about those who act differently?SAY: We learned earlier that there are many things that make peopledifferent from one another. Sometimes it’s the color of our hair orwhat we are wearing or something about our families or what weenjoy doing.Stars in Our EyesPage 2 of 4

ASK: Do you think any of those things make some people betterthan others?Bible PointSupplies: BibleREAD: Genesis 1:27 to discover God created all people in the imageof God.ASK: What is the one thing all people share in common? (the imageof God) What do you think it means to be created in the image ofGod? (we are special among all God’s creation; create like God;imagination; thinking; know right from wrong; etc.)SAY: In another part of the Bible we learn that all those things thatmake us different, like what we enjoy doing or what we wear or thecolor of our skin or hair, don’t mean anything because everyone isthe same in Jesus (Galatians 3:28). That doesn’t mean all of asudden we look exactly the same or do exactly the same thing, weare still unique people, but that above all else we love each otherfirst and foremost as children of God.ASK: How can we help make sure everyone is treated fairly in ourclass and our church?ActivitySupplies: Thumball Who Are You?TIP: Thumball Who Are You? is available to purchase online. You canmake a similar ball by using a permanent marker to write “get toknow you” type questions. Ask everyone stand up and form a circle.Stars in Our EyesPage 3 of 4

Explain the purpose of the game is to get to know each otherbetter and help us see that even though we are all different,everyone is a child of God. Show children how to gently toss the thumball to another player. When a child catches the thumball, his/her thumbs will land ontwo questions. Instruct children to pick one question to answer.Encourage other children to help early readers with the questions. Once a child answers a question, lead the whole group in saying“Thanks, child of God.” Continue to play until everyone has a had a turn or longer asdesired.Prayer Huddle Gather children together in a circle. Ask them to put their hands in the middle of the prayer huddle.PRAY: Thank you God for bringing us together. Help us rememberthat it’s silly to judge others like the sneetches did. Give us courageto celebrate what makes us different and wisdom to know that weare all created in your image. May we go from this place knowing weare loved by you and should love all others. Amen. Explain that when you say “Go in peace,” everyone will lift theirhands out of the huddle and say “To serve God!”Stars in Our EyesPage 4 of 4

Week 4: Fear NotBible VerseThis is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraidor discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.(Joshua 1:9)ThemeWe can’t runaway from fear but we can face our fears knowing Godis with usSeuss Summary: What Was I Scared Of?This is one of Dr. Seuss’ short stories. It is about an unnamednarrator who has never been afraid of anything before and issuddenly terrified by an empty pair of green pants. The pantssuddenly seem to be everywhere, seemingly following the narrator.Eventually the narrator is cornered by the pants and screams andyells for help until suddenly the pants began to cry. The narratorrealizes the pants are just as scared of him as he is of them.Bible BackgroundThis passage both recognizes the reality of fear and the power offaith to overcome it. God commands Joshua to not be afraid becauseGod is with him. Joshua is able to overcome his very real fearbecause he believes in faith that God’s word is true that, indeed, theAlmighty God will lead the way and surrounded him as he faces hisfear. Wether it’s feelings of inadequacy, a phobia, or being scared ofgreen pants, fear is a powerful emotion that can cripple us. God’scommand to not fear coupled with a promise of God’s abidingpresence can be very comforting to children who often deal with(typical) fears like things that go bump in the night, animals, or ateacher’s harsh rebuke.ActivitySupplies: props for each phobia (optional)Fear NotPage 1 of 4

Gather children together in a circle. Explain the word “phobia” means “fear” and there are hundreds ofdifferent phobias. Play a guessing game to see if children can guess the fear by itsname. Use the props to add humor or help them guess. Nomophobia - fear of losing cell phone contact Catoptrophobia - fear of mirrors Arithmophobia - fear of numbers Selenophobia - fear of the moon Genuphobia - fear of knees Octophobia - fear of the number 8 Sesquipedalophobia - fear of long words Acerophobia - fear of sour foods Porphytophobia - fear of the color purple Omphalophobia - fear of belly buttons Consecotaleophobia - fear of chopsticks Peladophobia - fear of bald people Phobophobia - fear of phobiasDr. SeussSupplies: the book What Was I Scared Of?SAY: A lot of those fears seem silly to us but to some people theyare very real fears. Let’s see what Dr. Seuss has to say about fears.READ: What Was I Scared Of?Fear NotPage 2 of 4

ASK: How did the narrator try to deal with his fear of the greenpants? (denying, running away, hiding) Do you think you would beafraid of green pants moving on their own? What are some thingsyou’re afraid of? (allow time to share)Bible PointSupplies: BibleSAY: The narrator in our book tried a lot of different ways to getaway from those scary pants, but when he finally faced off withthem, he discovered they were just as scared. And they becamefriends! Joshua overcame his fear by trusting in God and facing hisfear.READ: Joshua 1:9 to hear God’s command not to fear because Godpromises to be with us.ASK: Can you guess how many times the Bible says “fear not”? (365,one for every day of the year!)SAY: God tells us not to be afraid for a very important reason.Because God is with us. When we are scared, God is there to help usbe brave and strong enough to overcome our fears. It may still taketime, but we can always trust that we are not facing those fearsalone.ASK: Does anyone want to share about a time you overcame a fear?(allow children the opportunity to share but be ready with a briefstory of your own)ActivitySupplies: green construction paper, scissors, pants pattern, drawingpaper, crayons and markersFear NotPage 3 of 4

NOTE: This activity was inspired by the book It’s Not a Stick and thewonderful imaginative activities of transforming a stick intoanything other than a stick.PREP: Copy the pants pattern onto green construction paper. Cutout the pants. Give each child a piece of drawing paper and a pair of greenpants. Explain to them that one way we can conquer fear is my laughingand making the very thing we fear something silly. Challenge kids to turn the pair of green pants into something sillyby using their imaginations to manipulate, cut, draw (anythinggoes!) the pants into a new picture.Prayer Huddle Gather children together in a circle. Ask them to put their hands in the middle of the prayer huddle.PRAY: Almighty God, help us to know we are never alone when weare afraid because you are with us. And with you, we can face ourfears and overcome them. Let us be strong in you and never allowfear to hold us back from the joy of life. Amen.

passing clover. He realizes there very small people on the clover who need help so he puts the clover in a safe place. But the other animals don’t believe him. They don’t believe their are people so small that they live on the clover. They think Horton is a fool and they steal the clover and hide it. No one believes Horton but he doesn’t .

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