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Animated: a 4-Week Teaching Series for Children's Ministry TOPIC: The Prophets SCRIPTURE: Old Testament DECORATING THEME: Cartoon characters AGE GROUP: Elementary (Get the Preschool version here !) If you've ever gotten a little emotional during your favorite Disney or Pixar movie, you know animation is a powerful tool to not only tell big stories, but to make us feel big feelings, too! In this 4-week series, we'll look at some stories of the Old Testament prophets as we explore some of those feelings. These stories will remind kids that God cares about our big feelings. With God, we can all feel secure, comforted, valued, and loved , even when our emotions tell us otherwise. BIG IDEAS & BIBLE STORIES Because of God, I can feel secure. (Jeremiah at the Potter's House: Jeremiah 18:1-11; Psalms 139:1-14) God loves me even when I feel ashamed. (Jonah Swallowed by a Fish: Jonah 1:17-2:10; 1 Timothy 1:12-17) God gives me comfort when I feel sad. (Elijah Flees to Horeb: 1 Kings 19:1-13; Jeremiah 8:18-9:1) Because of God, I can feel valued. (Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls: Nehemiah 2:1-6, 11-18; 1 Timothy 6:6-19) WEEKLY CURRICULUM SUMMARIES: This week, kids hear about Jeremiah and the message he received at the potter's house. In animated movies, characters get stretched, squished, and reshaped-but somehow, they always come out stronger. This week, Jeremiah visits a potter's house and sees how God shapes people like clay, forming something good even when life feels messy. No matter what's happening around us, because of God, I can feel secure. This week, kids hear about how Jonah got swallowed up by a big fish when he tried to run away from God. When we make a mistake, it can feel like we're stuck in a scene we want to fast-forward. This week, Jonah feels ashamed of what he did, but even in the darkest, scariest place, God hears him and shows love. No matter how far we run or how bad we feel, God loves me even when I feel ashamed. This week, kids hear about Elijah and why he fled to Horeb. Every great movie has a moment when the hero wants to give up, feeling alone and hopeless.This week, Elijah is so sad and overwhelmed that he runs away and hides, but God doesn't leave him there-God meets him with food, rest, and a quiet whisper. In moments when feelings take over, we can remember God gives me comfort when I feel sad. This week, kids hear about Nehemiah and his mission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. It's easy to feel like a background character in life-like you're not the one in the spotlight. This week, Nehemiah isn't a ruler or a celebrity, but God sees his heart and gives him a special job to rebuild something that matters. When we feel overlooked or unsure of our worth, we can trust that, because of God, I can feel valued. MEMORY VERSE: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him." - Romans 15:13a (NIV)

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