This lesson plan is for the book I Wanted to Know All About God, which was written by Virginia Kroll in 1994. It gives children age 4-8 time to describe their own experience of the Divine. For more lessons from books, see Book Reviews and Lesson Plans for Children

Overview

These lesson plans are for ages 4-8. They focus on developing an understanding and appreciation of God.

Synopsis of Story

A young girl tells how she experiences God in the natural world. She also discovers what God is like through the goodness (the love, comfort and sharing) of wonderful people.   

Opening

Introductions of teacher and children, with each person relating something good they experienced during the previous week.

You may open with a Scripture reading: “…those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” John 3:21 (NRSV)

Then, read through I Wanted to Know All About God.

Discussion questions

• I wonder what you like best about this story. Elicit responses.
• I wonder what part of this story is most important for you right now.
• I wonder where or how you find God.
• Do you ever have trouble finding God?
• I wonder if there is any place where God never is.
• I wonder what or who helps you to know God.

Activities

Nature Walk

Go for a nature walk, stopping to look, listen, touch, smell, and perhaps taste.

Microscopes and Telescopes

Look through a microscope or telescope. Remember to never point a telescope to the sun, which can damage your eyes.

Apply the Story

Ask children what they learned about God based on their experience of the story.

Song

“All God’s Critters Have a Place in the Choir,” in Worship in Song: A Friends Hymnal, #306 (Quaker Press).

Closing

Everyone enters silence as you play a tape of nature sounds such as bird songs, surf or a mountain stream.

Credits

This lesson plan is based on a submission from David Wood.