Preschool: Animals of the Bible
LESSON INTRODUCTION
Unit Essential Questions:
What can animals in the Bible teach us about God?
What animals are mentioned in the Bible? Why are they mentioned?
What are the context characters and who are they?
Lesson Essential Questions:
What is a vulture?
What can the vulture teach us about God?
Bible Text:
Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 62:5-6, Romans 8:38-39
Contextual Lenses:
Learning Goals:
Learners will be able to identify a vulture, and name its qualities.
Learners will be able to define what hope is.
Learners will be able to describe how our hope comes from trusting in God’s promises.
Learners will understand that the Bible was written in a different language.
Teaching Points:
We have hope because of God’s good promises.
LESSON INFORMATION
What you should prepare . . .
Either cut out the context character and glue it to a popsicle stick or use the context character plush toy.
Print off the included coloring page for each student in your class. Set out crayons and markers that learners can use to decorate their paper.
To keep track of the different characteristics of God embodied by the six animals, create an anchor chart that includes their names. As you’re introduced to each character, add what you’ve learned about the animal, and what the animal teaches us about God to your chart.
What you should know . . .
In Isaiah 40:31, many Bible translations use the phrase "soar on wings like an eagle" to describe what it’s like to put your hope in the Lord. However, the Hebrew word used here is "nesher,”, which is more accurately translated as vulture—specifically the Griffon vulture. While eagles can fly up to 10,000 feet, the Griffon vulture soars to an astonishing 37,000 feet, higher than any other bird. Eagles hunt live prey, but vultures feed only on dead animals.
The Bible also references the nesher in Job 39:27-30, describing it as a bird that builds its nest high on rocky cliffs and has incredible eyesight to spot food from afar. The nesher is also mentioned in Micah 1:16, where it is described as bald, further confirming that Isaiah was referring to the Griffon vulture rather than an eagle. The vulture’s impressive ability to soar effortlessly on air currents makes it a powerful metaphor for those who place their hope in God, trusting Him to lift them up and give them strength.
The Bible uses “pictures” to help us better understand who God is and what God is like. In order to better understand the meaning of God’s words we have to know and understand these “pictures.” As responsible readers of the Bible, noticing the metaphors helps us to read the Bible in its proper context.
LESSON INTRODUCTION
Ask learners to think about these two questions before you play the video. Spend some time letting them share their answers.
Wonder Questions: (slides 1,2,3)
I wonder what kind of animal this is? (There are three powerpoint slides that each pull back and show more of the animal. See how quickly learners can guess the animal.)
I wonder how high this animal can fly?
ENGAGING WITH CONTEXT
Play the Video. (Slide 4) You can also show pictures and teach the content of the video if you would rather do that.
Video Script:
Have you ever heard of a vulture? Some people think vultures are scary, but they’re actually amazing creatures that live in the lands of the Bible. There’s one special type of vulture called the Griffon Vulture, and it’s known as the King of Birds. It can fly higher than almost any bird—up to 37,000 feet in the air! That’s as high as an airplane! Can you imagine flying that high?
With a wingspan of 8 feet, the Griffon Vulture spreads its wings and catches the hot air rising from the ground, using very little energy to soar high into the sky. That’s a pretty smart bird, right? It doesn’t even need to flap its wings much—it just glides on the wind. Vultures live in rocky places, on cliff sides, and use the air currents to help them soar.
Here’s something cool: In ancient Egypt, vultures were seen as a symbol of royalty. The wives of kings and female pharaohs would wear vulture crowns because vultures were strong and protective. Egyptians even used the picture of a vulture in their writing to mean “mother,” because vultures care for their babies.
The Bible talks about the vulture as a way to help us understand what it feels like to put our hope in God. Just like the vulture soars high in the sky, when we trust in God, it’s like we’re flying without getting tired. Isn’t that awesome?
Introduce Victoria the Vulture. (Slide 5)
Use either the context character cut out on a stick or a plush toy.
Tell learners that Victoria will be helping us learn more about God and the Bible.
EXPLORE THE STORY
Read Scripture (Slide 6):
Let’s read Isaiah 40:31:
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles (vultures); they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Here’s something fun to learn. The Bible was written in a different language called Hebrew, and in this verse, the word that is translated as eagle should really be translated as vulture. In the Bible times people saw vultures flying high in the sky and used them as a picture of hope and strength.
(You can explain to learners that the Bible wasn’t originally written in English, but in a language called Hebrew. Sometimes, when people translated the Bible into English, they chose words that were more familiar with, like "eagle." But the Hebrew word in this verse actually refers to a "vulture," specifically the Griffon vulture. Since we don’t often see vultures like the ones in Bible times, translators used "eagle" because it’s an easier bird for us to picture. This is a great chance to introduce the idea of how understanding the original language and culture helps us better understand the Bible.)
Questions:
What do you think it would feel like to never get tired?
What are some things you look forward to, like birthdays or holidays?
When we hope for something good, it’s like looking forward to those special days. Hope is when we trust that something good is coming, even when things might be tough right now. And we can have big hope because we know that God loves us and is always in control.
Let’s read Psalm 62:5-6:
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.”
And Romans 8:38-39:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
RESPOND TO THE STORY
Reflection Questions:
What is hope?
What gives you hope?
How does it make you feel knowing that nothing can separate you from God’s love?
Isn’t it amazing to know that we can trust God’s promises? We don’t have to worry because God is in control and loves us so much. Nothing can ever separate us from that love, and that gives us hope!
Prayer:
Dear God, thank You for loving us so much. We put our hope in You because we know You keep Your promises. You are in control of everything, and we trust You. Thank You for always being with us. Amen.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Color Victoria the Vulture. Bring Victoria the Vulture to life with this fun and engaging coloring page!
Make a mask. Get creative by designing your own vulture mask or using the ready-made template provided!
Share Your Hope. Sit in a circle and have learners fill in the blank after saying, “God gives me HOPE because I know God ____________. (Examples: loves me, is faithful, is trustworthy, is generous…) Encourage learners to listen to one another and celebrate each answer to help them connect with the truth that God gives us hope in so many wonderful ways!
Vulture Fly Activity.
Get Ready to Fly!
Pretend you are a vulture soaring high in the sky. Spread your arms wide like wings.
Take Off!
Fly gracefully around the classroom, flapping your wings and circling as if searching for a place to land.
Circle and Land!
When the leader says, “Land!” gently find a spot in a circle with your classmates.
Lesson Files Include:
Lesson PDF
Presentations Files (Keynote, Power Point, Google Slides)
Videos
Coloring Pages
Mask Cut Outs
Character Cut Out
Sample Anchor Chart
Context character plush toys and sticker sheets coming soon!
Contact info@lovegodloveothers.com if you are interested in trying out this unit with your students!
