Jesus and Me God and Me God and Family God and Church God and Life Program Summaries Jesus and Me God and Me God and Family God and Church God and Life Welcome to the presentation on the Program Summaries for the P.R.A.Y. series. Jesus and Me God and Me God and Family God and Church And God and Life The first award was created in 1945, and by 1983 had expanded to include four core programs. In 2018, Jesus and Me was created as a lead-in to the core series. This presentation will give you a “snapshot” picture or brief outline of each program.

Grade Levels Jesus and Me, K-1 God and Me, grades 2-3 God and Family, grades 4-6 God and Church, grades 6-8 God and Life, grades 9-12 The P.R.A.Y. series is based on grade level. Each level is developed as an individual study so that it can stand on its own as a complete unit. Students should jump in at their appropriate level and not go backwards and earn younger awards. Please adhere to these grade guidelines.

Program Summary: Jesus and Me (grades K-1) Jesus and Me is the introductory program in the P.R.A.Y. series. It is for boys and girls in Kindergarten and 1st grade. It introduces Jesus as the Son of God in familiar terms so that young children can see Jesus in their own day-to-day experiences as a Storyteller, Teacher, Friend, and Healer.

Jesus and Me Grades K-1 Theme: “Jesus as Storyteller, Teacher, Friend, and Healer” Hands-On: Jesus Scroll Craft Memory Requirement: 4 Bible verses Schedule: minimum 4 sessions The theme for this program is “Jesus as Storyteller, Teacher, Friend, and Healer.” The “Jesus Scroll Craft” is the hands-on component. Children will make a scroll out of paper towel tubes and add new stories after each lesson. They will use a cutout figure of Jesus to move along the pages of the scroll to tell the stories of Jesus. The memory requirement is one Bible verse in each of the 4 lessons. A typical schedule for the Jesus and Me program is 4 to 6 sessions, depending if you want to include an introductory session or a party at the end.

Jesus and Me Grades K-1 Table of Contents: Lesson 1: Jesus Was a Storyteller Lesson 2: Jesus Was a Teacher Lesson 3: Jesus Was a Friend Lesson 4: Jesus was a Healer The table of contents lists the four lessons: The first lesson is “Jesus was a Storyteller.” Children will learn that we are a part of God’s Big Story and then read the Parable of the Sower. Lesson 2 is “Jesus Was a Teacher.” Children will learn how Jesus taught his disciples and the crowds who followed him as he traveled along the way. The third lesson is a wonderful lesson on how Jesus calls us friends. Children will read about three of Jesus’ friends: Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. The last lesson is about Jesus as a Healer. Children will listen to and then act out the story when Jesus healed a person with leprosy. Children will be challenged to find ways to be like Jesus and be storytellers, teachers, friends, and healers in their own ways.

Jesus and Me: Scroll Craft Favorite Activity: Jesus Scroll Craft! A favorite lesson is the Jesus Scroll Craft. Children are surprised to see how long the scroll grows each week!

Jesus and Me: Award Purple is the color for the Jesus and Me program. Purple symbolizes royalty. When children wear the recognition, they are reminded that Jesus is King and also Storyteller, Teacher, Friend, and Healer. Purple is the color for the Jesus and Me program. Purple symbolizes royalty. When children wear the recognition, they are reminded that Jesus is King, and also Storyteller, Techer, Friend, and Healer.

Program Summary: God and Me (grades 1-3) God and Me is the first program in the P.R.A.Y. series. It is for boys and girls in grades 1-3. Children will tell their story (maybe even discover their story) of “God and Me” together.

God and Me Grades 1-3 Theme: “Best Friends with Jesus” Hands-On: GAMEBox Memory Requirement: The Lord’s Prayer Schedule: minimum 4 sessions The theme for this program is “Best Friends with Jesus.” Children will make a GAMEBox, and after each Bible lesson, they will make a game that reinforces the lesson. They will play these games with their families. The memory requirement is the Lord’s prayer. A typical schedule for the God and Me program is 4 to 6 sessions, depending if you want to include an introductory session or a party at the end.

God and Me Grades 1-3 Table of Contents: Lesson 1: God Created Me Lesson 2: Jesus Is God’s Gift to Me Lesson 3: I can Talk with God Lesson 4: Because God Cares for Me, I Can Care for Others The table of contents lists the four lessons: The first lesson is “God Created Me”. Children will read the story of creation and know that they are special to God. Lesson 2 is “Jesus is God’s Gift to me.” This pairs the Christmas story with John 3:16 to tell children that Jesus is our savior. The third lesson is a wonderful lesson on prayer to teach children “I can talk with God.” The last lesson is about the good shepherd and the story of Zacchaeus to help children know that “Because God Cares for Me, I can care for others.”

God and Me: Prayer Cube Favorite lesson: The lesson on prayer Kids use P-A-T-H* to learn four parts of prayer and they make a prayer cube. * Praise - Apology - Thanks - Help A favorite lesson is the lesson on prayer. They use the acronym “PATH” to learn four parts of prayer and they make a prayer cube for their gamebox. Path stands for: (praise, apology, thanks, help) P.R.A.Y. is a PATH to keep us close to God.

God and Me: Award Red is the color for the God and Me program. Red symbolizes love and the blood of Christ. When children wear the recognition, they are reminded that they are “Best Friends with Jesus.” Red is the color for the God and Me program. Red symbolizes love and the blood of Christ. When children wear the recognition, they are reminded that they are “Best friends with Jesus.”

Program Summary: God and Family (grades 4-6) God and Family is the second program in the P.R.A.Y. series. It is for boys and girls in grades 4 & 5. This program is an opportunity for young people and their families to explore their faith together.

God and Family: Grades 4-6 Theme: “Growing in God’s Love” Hands-on: PIZZA Memory Requirement: The Ten Commandments Schedule: minimum 6 sessions The theme is “Growing in God’s Love” and this is our “pizza” program. Children will compare the layers of a pizza to the layers of a family and learn about God’s plan to grow strong families. The memory requirement is the Ten Commandments. A typical schedule will include 6 to 8 sessions.

God and Family: Grades 4-6 Table of Contents Crust – Foundation – We Are God’s Family Sauce – Family Heritage, Spiritual Heritage Toppings – Our Talents and Gifts Strengthen Our Families Cheese – In God’s Family We’re Loved No Matter What! Because We’re Loved, We Follow Rules Bake – Being in God’s Family Helps Us When Things Are Tough Eat, Share, Enjoy! – In God’s Family, We Share as a Response to God’s Love The table of contents lists the 6 layers or steps to making a pizza. The crust represents our foundation. We need a foundation of faith to hold up our families. Sauce – because it simmers over time – represents our heritage, our family and spiritual heritage. The toppings represent the special talents and gifts - given to individual members – to strengthen our family. Cheese melts over the pizza and holds it together. “In God’s Family we’re loved no matter what! Because we’re loved, we follow rules.” Cheese represents the rules that keep us in right relationship with each other. You can’t enjoy a pizza without baking it. The bake lesson teaches us that “Being in God’s family helps us when things are tough.” Tough times can actually strengthen and improve families What do you do with a pizza? “ We Eat, Share, and Enjoy it!” “In god’s Family, we share as a response to god’s love”

God and Family: Grades 4-6 Favorite activity: making a real pizza! The hands down favorite activity, is making (and eating) a real pizza!

God and Family: Award Yellow is the color for the God and Family program. Yellow symbolizes sunlight and joy. When children wear the recognition, they are reminded of the joy and blessings of family as they seek to “Grow in God’s Love.” Yellow is the color for the God and Family program. Yellow symbolizes sunlight and joy. When children wear the recognition, they are reminded of the joy and blessings of family as they seek to “Grow in God’s Love”

Program Summary: God and Church (grades 6-8) God and Church is the third program in the P.R.A.Y. series. It is for young people in grades 6-8. Students will have the opportunity to work with their pastor or other Christian adult as they study the church's structures and objectives and participate in service projects that will give them a better understanding of the mission of the church.

God and Church: Grades 6-8 Theme: “My Journey with Christ” Hands-on: Video or Photo Album Memory Requirement: Creed Schedule: minimum 12 sessions Daily Bible Reading Requirement: 3 weeks min. Service Projects: Community and Church service projects The theme is “My Journey with Christ.” The hands-on component is either a video or a photo album that young people will make as part of their journey. The memory requirement is a creed or passage of scripture. A typical schedule will include 12 sessions. Students have a Daily Bible Reading requirement (3 weeks minimum) as well as service projects to the community and church.

God and Church: Grades 6-8 Table of Contents Unit I - My Journey: Meeting Christ Unit II - My Journey: Worshiping God Unit III - My Journey: Witnessing and Ministering for Christ The program begins with a unit on Jesus because Christ is the head of the church. Students have to know Jesus in order to know the church. Unit 2 is on worshiping God (students will study how Jesus worshiped, then look at how their congregation worships, and then be challenged to get involved in some aspect of leading worship) Unit 3 is on witnessing and ministering for Christ (students will study how Jesus witnessed and ministered, then look at how their congregation does it, and then be challenged to get involved in a project that will witness and minister in a meaningful way to others.)

God and Church: Grades 6-8 God and Church is often incorporated into confirmation programs. Special consideration must be made when teaching multi-denominations in one class. This is the only level that has denominational pins. A few comments that pertain specifically to this level: God and Church is often incorporated into confirmation programs. Remember, these awards may be presented to both Scouts and nonScouts alike. ALL church youth may participate and be recognized. Special consideration must be made when teaching multi-denominations in a one class. Certain lessons (like the ones on denominational history or congregational structure) must be completed within the child’s home congregation, or pastors can be invited to these lessons and share in a panel discussion. This is the only level that offers denominational pins. As the name implies, “God and Church” requires young people to study their church and denomination, so this is the level where denominational pins are available. These pins may be worn by themselves or pinned in the ribbon of the medallion.

God and Church: Grades 6-8 Favorite activities: Making videos Learning about their own congregations Interviewing clergy Visiting other churches Favorite activities include Making videos Learning about their own congregations Interviewing clergy Visiting other churches

God and Church: Award Blue is the color for the God and Church program. Blue symbolizes loyalty and truth. When young people wear the recognition, they are challenged to uphold these values as they continue a lifetime “Journey with Christ.” Blue is the color for the God and Church program It symbolizes loyalty and truth. When young people wear the recognition, they are challenged to uphold these values as they continue their lifetime “Journey with Christ.”

Program Summary: God and Life (grades 9-12) The final program in the P.R.A.Y. series is God and Life. It is for young people in grades 9-12. Young people in BSA’s Venturing program are also eligible to earn this award.

God and Life: Grades 9-12 Theme: “Called by Christ to Serve Daily Bible Reading Requirement: 3 months minimum Schedule: minimum 12 sessions plus 5 Service Projects Required: Write a Personal Statement of Commitment The theme is “Called by Christ to Serve.” The curriculum is a Bible study that requires reflection and personal application. The Daily Bible Reading Requirement is for 3 months minimum. A typical plan will include the book of Acts, as well as Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians. A typical schedule will include a minimum of 12 sessions plus 5 service projects. The final requirement is to write a personal statement of commitment.

God and Life: Grades 9-12 Table of Contents Lesson 1 - God Calls All Kinds of People Lesson 2 - God Doesn’t Expect Us to Do It On Our Own Lesson 3 - Each of Us Must Make a Personal Response to the Call of God Lesson 4 - God Gives Strength to Face Adversities Lesson 5 - God Can Accomplish Great Things through Those Who are Willing to Do God’s Will The curriculum is based on the life of the apostle Paul. The table of contents includes 5 lessons. 1. Before his conversion, Paul persecuted Christians. Lesson 1: God calls all kinds of people. 2. Paul was immediately helped by Ananias and then later by Barnabas. Lesson 2: God doesn’t expect us to do it on our own. 3. Paul was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. Lesson 3: Each of us must make a personal response to the call of God. 4. Paul led a difficult life: many people wanted him dead. Lesson 4: God gives strength to face adversities. 5. Because of Paul, the church was strengthened and it grew in numbers. Lesson 5: God can accomplish great things through those who are willing to do God’s will.

God and Life: Grades 9-12 Favorite Activities Bible Study Leading a worship service Doing the children’s sermon Favorite activities include the actual Bible study, leading a worship service, and doing the children’s sermon.

God and Life: Award Green is the color for the God and Life program. Green symbolizes new growth and eternal life. When young people wear the recognition, they are strengthened in the knowledge that they are “Called by Christ to Serve.” Green is the color for the God and Life program. Green symbolizes new growth and eternal life. When young people wear the recognition, they are strengthened in the knowledge that they are “Called by Christ to serve.”

Four-Star Recipients Four-star recipients are those individuals who have earned all four core programs of the P.R.A.Y. series. Four-star recipients will receive a certificate and letter of congratulations from P.R.A.Y. A special pin is available at additional cost.  Four star recipients are those individuals who have earned all four core programs of the P.R.A.Y. series. Four star recipients will receive a certificate and letter of congratulations from P.R.A.Y.. A special pin is available at additional cost. This pin may be worn by itself or in the ribbon of the God and life medallion.

Conclusion Each of the four programs in the P.R.A.Y. series is an independent unit. The P.R.A.Y. Programs are Bible-based and require service projects. Children and families are brought closer together and closer to Christ. In Conclusion, Each of the four programs in the P.R.A.Y. series is an independent unit. The P.R.A.Y. programs are Bible-based and require service projects. In this way young people are challenged to make direct application of scripture to their lives and to put their faith into action through meaningful service. Finally, children and families are brought closer together and also closer to Christ.

Blessings on Your Ministry! For more information and to view additional presentations, please visit www.praypub.org. Thank you! This concludes the presentation on the “Program Summaries for the P.R.A.Y. Series.” For more information and to view other presentations on the P.R.A.Y. curriculum, please visit the P.R.A.Y. website at www.praypub.org. Blessings upon your ministry! Programs of Religious Activities with Youth 11123 S. Towne Square, Ste. B, St. Louis MO 63123 phone 1-800-933-7729 or 314-845-3318 fax 314-845-0038 email pray@praypub.org