Parental Dependence
CHILDREN'S LESSON:
In my back yard are some very small trees. When they were first planted they needed lots of care. They had to be watered and fertilized. They were not strong enough to even stand on their own. Sometimes the wind blows very hard so they need a stake in the ground to support them.
Boys and girls, that's why God has given you a Mom and Dad that want you to grow up in the Lord Jesus Christ. Just like your parents held your hand when you were learning to walk, you still need their support to grow spiritually. Your parents help you know right from wrong. Your parents may even make you do chores, homework and perhaps even Scripture memory. All of these things are like that stake in the ground; they help you grow up to be a strong follower of Jesus.
"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it" (Proverbs 22:6).
Expanding Spiritually to Look More Like Jesus
Object Lesson/Game: Growing to Be More Like Jesus
Materials:
- Balloons
- Music
Procedures:
1. Begin with a discussion about our earthly father vs. our heavenly father. Our earthly father is the father of our physical bodies, Heavenly Father is the father of our spirits.
2. What are some ways that you are like your earthly father (physical attributes, personality traits, talents, etc)?
3. Can you become like your heavenly father? YES!!! How? BY READING THE BIBLE, PRAYING, COMING TO CHURCH, LEARNING GOD’S WORD, ETC.
4. Show the children a balloon and explain that just like a balloon grows with each breath of air, we can also grow and expand spiritually as we learn about God and follow his ways.
5. How does the balloon change as you blow into it? IT GETS BIGGER; IT LOOKS PRETTIER, YOU CAN PLAY WITH IT NOW; ETC.
6. Explain that one of the ways we allow our heavenly father to help us grow is by memorizing Scripture. Review our two Bible verses: John 3:16 & Romans 10:13.
7. Play a game with the kids – Tell the children that when the music starts, they are going to work together to keep the balloon in the air. When the music stops, the child (children) with the balloon(s) will practice saying one of the verses. You can use 2 or 3 balloons so that many kids get a turn. Play several rounds as time allows.
To wrap things up – remind children that even though we might look and even act like our earthly father, as Christians, our job is to become more like our heavenly father. Pray that God would fill us with his love so we can become more like him.
"... until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13).
And here is a snack idea to reinforce the lesson …..
Materials:
- Ziplock bags
- Containers on each table of the following:
• Sour Patch Kids – Represents the kids (a little sweet, a little sour)
• Raisins – Our grandparents, teachers, etc (older and wiser, and maybe even wrinkly)
• Pretzels – Our earthly parents (wrap their arms around us, loving, filling)
• M&M’s – God’s influence on our lives (sweetness, makes everything else worthwhile, brings color)
Procedures:
1. Remind children that they are a child of God and because of that, their life can be sweeter and more satisfying. Tell the kids that today they are going to make a special trail mix to show all the people and things in their life that help make it wonderful.
2. Pass out a ziplock bag to each child.
3. Explain each part of the snack before the child is allowed to add it to their bag, going through each element one by one.
4. Pray and pass out water. Enjoy a yummy treat!
It's Stinky to Be Unthankful
Have you ever noticed how kids who don't like to share or express gratitude are often called "spoiled." What happens to an egg when it gets spoiled? It might look fine on the outside but let's see what it's like on the inside ...
You need to plan ahead for this object lesson by leaving a raw egg out on the counter for several days. Draw a sad face on the spoiled, “stinky” egg. Draw a happy face on a fresh egg. Explain to the children that the spoiled, stinky egg doesn’t like to share and isn't thankful. Crack the egg in a bowl so kids can smell the stinky insides. In another bowl, crack the fresh egg. Let kids see how the fresh egg looks and smells.
We might all look the same on the outside, but when we are ungrateful and unwilling to give thanks to God or others, we become spoiled. Our hearts and attitudes can be just as stinky as this spoiled egg. God longs for all of us to give thanks. When we do, our hearts and minds will stay fresh.
"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Romans 1:21).