This lesson is design to teach children some concepts on how to live right for God.
Topics include: Glorifying God in all that we do. Being truthful. Putting God above money. Loving and respecting others.
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(Hold up video game system or display a picture of one.)
Good morning class. How many of you like to play video games?
There is a lot of Biblical truths we can learn from a video game. I bet you didn’t know that did you?
Ask some questions and wait on answers.
What is your favorite game?
Are you good at it?
Have you ever messed up in the game or lost?
What did you do?
I know when I mess up I hit the reset button and start over. Have you ever done that?
Sometimes you don’t like how the game is going and you want to start over. Does that happen?
When you start over you don’t make the same mistake again, you usually do that part right. Right?
Now Life is not exactly a video game is it?
We do mess up sometimes though right?
Sometime we do things that are just wrong like telling lies, disobeying parents or fighting.
The Bible tells us that this is sin.
Sin is anything we do, say or think that God would be against.
Have you ever sinned?
Can we go back and start a day or a week over so that we can get it right? NO!
If we can’t go back what can we do to start over, Can we erase the past? NO.
What we cant do God can do. Let’s look at a couple Bible Verse.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away and the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17 is telling us that if we put our faith in Jesus we become new. All the old wrong stuff we did belonged to the life we had before believing in Jesus. It’s like getting a new life in a video game or starting over. We don’t go back to the beginning of our life and start over, but we start from that point with all our mess-ups erased. Let’s look at the next verse.
1 John 1:9
If we confess or sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us or sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:19 is telling us that we need to admit our sin to Jesus and to ask for forgiveness.
What will God do if we ask for forgiveness?
Right. He will wipe them all away. We don’t have to worry about our past mess-ups, but we need to go forward trying not to make the same mistakes, like in the video game we learn from our mistakes and get past those obstacles.
Should you make mistakes, sin, just because you can ask forgiveness? No, God knows and doesn’t like those kind of thoughts!
Maybe you have never heard of Jesus and how he can give you a reset on your life; you have a lot of mess-ups in your life, you don’t like how the game is going and you feel like you are losing.
When a video game is over you can go and do other things, but when life is over what happens.
The Bible tells us that one of two things will happen. We will go to Heaven and be with Jesus forever or we will go to a place called Hell and be punished for our sin- our mess-ups. Our sin keeps us from Heaven and we need to get rid of it.
God doesn’t want to punish us forever, he wants us to be in Heaven.
God provided a way for us to get rid of our sin and go to Heaven.
Jesus took the punishment for our sin when he died on the cross for us.
If we want to do a reset and have our sin wiped away there three things that must happen.
1. Believe Jesus was God, and that he took the punishment for your sin when he died on the cross and rose again.
2. Admit that you have sinned and ask God for forgiveness.
3. Ask God to help you become more like Jesus.
Here is a prayer you can say.
(Have the kids bow their heads and close their eyes. Say the prayer and let kids choose to repeat it.)
Dear God, I know I am a sinner because I’ve done wrong things; please forgive me.
I believe Jesus is your son; he died on the cross to save me and rose three days later to be with you.
Please become God of my life. Lead me to make good choices and tell others about Jesus.
In Jesus name Amen.
(Ask kids to keep heads down and eyes closed. Ask any kid to raise her hand if that is the first time she ever said a prayer like that; believing in Jesus. Ask the child to go to another children’s worker, if available. That worker will reaffirm salvation and discuss what it means with the child.)
Follow-up to lesson
Sometimes video games come with instruction manuals; what are they for?
They help you through the game.
God gave us and instruction manual for life. What do you think it is?
Right, the Bible.
If we read our Bible that will help us big-time through life, and with Jesus we will win!
Who can tell me what sin is? Let the children answer.
Sin is anything that we do, or say, or think that goes against what God has told us in the Bible to be truth. It is anything that makes God unhappy.
What are some of the things that we do that go against God and make God unhappy? Let the children answer.
As they answer, write the sins on the egg with a permanent marker. Write them on top of each other so that the egg starts to look really black.
What is this thing we are writing on?
It is just a hard-boiled egg. Have you ever touched an egg?
How does it feel?
What does it look like?
Have different children feel the egg as they answer. (possible answers- hard, smooth, maybe a little rough, colored, dark, messy)
This egg reminds me of our hearts before we know Jesus. Before we know Jesus our hearts are hard and messy and far from perfect.
But this egg also reminds me of what Jesus has done for each of us. Jesus was the Son of God and lived a long time ago. Jesus spent His life telling people about God, how much He loved them and how God wanted them to live. But Jesus didn’t just live for us, He also died for us. He died for us because ALL of us have done the things that we wrote on this egg.
Name some of the things on the egg. (e.g.- We have all lied, or been unkind, or not obeyed our parents.) What did we call those things? Sin. Our sin keeps us from knowing God and following Jesus.
Start peeling the egg. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. But He didn’t stay dead. After 3 days, He rose again and is now living in heaven. Jesus died on the cross for you and if you believe in Jesus and tell Him you are sorry for your sin, then He can take away your sin just like I am taking off the dark, hard peel of this egg.
When you are done peeling the egg, What does it look like and feel like now? Have different children feel the egg as they answer. (possible answers- soft, malleable, no blemishes, clean) That is what happens to our heart when we ask Jesus to forgive us for our sins, the things that make him unhappy. Our heart changes from messy and dark and hard to being clean and soft.
** If the egg doesn’t peel smoothly, it’s okay! Talk about the fact that we do still sin and we aren’t perfect, but we are clean and soft and ready to follow Jesus.
Take the opportunity to lead the children in prayer and give them a chance to accept Jesus as their Savior.
]]>To teach children about faith you must first teach the kids the definition of faith. For the definition of faith the students will open their Bible to Hebrews 11:1.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.teach children about faith
So what does that mean? Discuss with the class about things we hope for or believe, but do not see- or see right away. We hope for the sun to come up every morning, the evidence is not there until the next morning comes. We believe that Christopher Columbus discovered America, none of us were there to see it, but we believe it to be true. We cannot see wind, but we see the evidence of it when trees sway or a windmill turns. That is evidence of things not seen.
Unannounced, throw a small ball towards the children. One of them will catch it. Use this as a visual lesson about faith. Tell the kids that you had faith that one of them would catch the ball. There was no proof prior to you throwing the ball, but you trusted it would happen. That is what faith is like- trusting in someone or something to be true.
Do another demonstration of faith by having a child come forward and stand on a chair. Stand behind the student and tell him to fall backwards and that you will catch him. If the child trust you he will have faith that you will catch him. Discuss with the children that it takes faith to believe in God and trust Him to save us.
Look up another verse.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please God. For whomever comes to God must believe He IS, and He rewards those that diligently seek him.
Do you have faith enough to believe God exist?
Is there any evidence that God exist?
Talk about how our world shows the existence of God. Ask how the world got here, let the kids answer. Surely one will bring up evolution in some form. To refute evolution ask the children if they’ve ever seen a tall building. How did it get there? We don’t believe that buildings, cars or streets just happen or evolve. Someone built them. Why would you believe that something as complex as or earth just happened, doesn’t it make more sense to believe God built it. The Earth is evidence of something not seen, God.
God rewards those that seek to know Him. The reward is being saved from our sin and spending eternity, after we die, with Him in Heaven.
Ask the class, “how do you get that reward?”
Use this time to present the Gospel and give an invitation to accept Jesus.
]]>Step 1
Display the verse, 1 Samuel 16:7, on a chalkboard, whiteboard or Power Point presentation. Use the Bible translation that best suits your church. Read the verse aloud together. The NIV version reads, “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Step 2
Have a class discussion. Instruct the children to raise a hand to be called on.
Ask the children the following questions and discuss their answers. How many of you care what others think about you? Why?
Have you ever based who you hang out with on how a person looks?
Has anyone left you out of their group because you were not “cool enough”? How does it make you feel to be left out? Talk about how it hurts to be left out, and make a point that leaving others out hurts them. Do you really want to hurt others?
Step 3
Take out the banana that has been prepped by refrigerating it for a few days after it has ripened. The banana will be brown on the outside but still perfectly good on the inside. The banana will be used for an object lesson. Hold the banana in front of the class and ask these questions: Do any of you like bananas? This banana is really brown on the outside; it looks rotten. Would any of you eat it? Why/why not?
Step 4
Begin to peel the banana while talking to the class. “Sometimes things look real bad on the outside, but you don’t know what is on the inside until you look. This banana was really nasty looking and some of you said you would not eat it. Now that I’ve peeled it, you can see that it is good and edible. Our verse today says that people look at the outward appearance, but God says you should not even consider the outside but look at the inside. We could have assumed the banana was rotten and thrown it away; we would’ve missed something good. Some people are like this banana: you have to get to know them, look beyond the outside appearance and really see who they are. You might find a true friend.”
Step 5
Read the verse together again. Close with this statement: “God’s word says that He doesn’t care about how you look, how you dress, how you smell, how much money you have or don’t have. He doesn’t care if you live with your parents, grandparents, other relative or adopted family. God loves you no matter what. God only cares about your heart — that means your attitude. God sees who you really are. He wants you to love him and love others; he wants you to do your best to live right, make right choices and treat others right. It doesn’t matter what others think about you because you are pleasing God with who you are and how you act. And that is the only thing that truly matters.”
Be sure to use some self esteem building activities
]]>What do these verses mean?
First, discuss what trust is, types of people we trust, and how trust is earned. For example, we trust police officers to protect us, and help us if we are in trouble. We trust doctors to make us feel better when we are hurt or sick.
Discuss how people who are older, or have more experience in a certain area, may have more knowledge than we do. When this is the case, it is wise to listen to them. For example, our moms and dads know what is best for us like eating healthy foods, getting plenty of rest, finishing our homework, etc. Our teachers know the subject they are teaching us, and therefore we should ask them questions, and listen to their lessons.
Activity: Have students look at a road map. Have students point out straight roads and windy ones. Ask students which road is easier to travel on. Discuss the parallel between a straight road on a map, and a straight road in life, free from obstacles and detours.
Explain how all the students came to class today trusting that their teacher would be there, a lesson would be taught, and they would be in a safe environment to learn. It was expected, because the teachers have our trust. It is the same with God. We can go to Him with any need, and trust that because He is God, He knows what is best for us, and He will guide us in our lives, making our paths straight.
Ask: What types of things can we trust God for? (Let students answer. If needed, guide with: forgiveness, peace, wisdom, etc.)
Ask: How do we present our requests to God, or ask Him for advice? (Let students answer, and lead them to the answer of “prayer.”)
Pray together thanking God for being there for us, directing our paths.
Lead students in prayer to accept Jesus, if they haven’t before.
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There once was a time when people would bury their treasures! Many times they didn’t want it to get stolen or lost so they would just bury it. Of course, there was always the risk that they might forget where they buried their treasure, so they would make a map and they would mark the spot of the treasure with and “X”. That’s where you get the term X marks the spot.
Have you ever dreamed of finding an old map and following it to a spot where a pirate had buried a chest full of glittering gold? Well, today I want to tell you about a treasure that is more valuable than a chest full of gold!
What is that treasure?
Jesus once said,
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
Illustration: Can you imagine what it would be like to be playing in your back yard one day…and you move a big rock in the corner of the yard and you find a map. And as you start to look at it you realize that it kind of looks like a map around your house. And you start to follow the map you come across a huge chest full of gold! That would be awesome!
And could you imagine the joy that you would have! That feeling is what Jesus said the kingdom of Heaven is like!
How do we get that treasure?
If you would like to find the treasure that Jesus was talking about, perhaps the Bible could be the map that leads us to that treasure.
Read: Jeremiah 29:13
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Illustration: Have you ever lost anything?
Conclusion
The Bible has a lot of information in it, but it is sometimes hard for us to understand, so how do you know exactly where the treasure is? That’s easy, because “X marks the spot.”
(Hold up the cross at an angle so that it looks like the letter x.)
Jesus died on the cross so that you and I could enter into the kingdom of heaven. When you look to the cross and put your trust in Jesus, the treasure will be yours. To enter the kingdom of heaven is the greatest treasure one could ever desire. It is more precious than silver, gold, or jewels. That is why Jesus calls us to give up all that we have and follow him.
]]>Have the kids open their bibles to Psalms 118, verse 24.
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
What it means to “Rejoice”
Ask the children what it means to rejoice.
To rejoice is to shout ‘yay’ when you get to go to the water park, or when your team scores the winning goal, or when you open that gift you always wanted. To rejoice is to feel so much joy that it can’t be kept inside. You can’t help it, you have to shout and dance.
Not only that, but it also means to thank whoever is took you to the water park, or scored the goal that won the game, or gave you that special gift.
Ask “when was the last time you felt like rejoicing?” The kids will respond with opening presents at Christmas or their birthday or maybe going on a vacation or playing with their friends.
And these things are good and reasons for rejoicing. Tell them that we should always feel joy and give thanks for all the good things we are given.
Just another day?
Have the children re-read the verse. Ask them to think about just a regular day and how busy it is.
Our lives these days are so hectic. With school, chores, friends, after school activities, we barely have time to breathe, let alone take the time to rejoice. It seems like we are always rushing around to get things done. It’s easy to get caught up in the day and let it breeze past us without noticing all the Everyday Blessings we are given.
But it is worth the time every day to reflect on all the good things that God gives us, starting with the day itself.
“This is the day that the LORD hath made…”
Isn’t it a miracle that God put the earth just far enough from the sun to keep it warm, and set it spinning just perfectly to give us both the day and the night? This gives us the rain and snow, helps the plants and animals grow. God put our planet in the perfect place.
Like the day itself, there are lots if “Everyday Blessings” that go by unnoticed.
Talk to them about the big blessings in their lives, such as family and friends. Then point out the small blessings as well, seeing an eagle fly high in the sky, or a butterfly sitting on a flower. Playing a game with their brother, sister, or friends is an everyday blessing.
Also, point out that God has made each day special for each person in the world. Everybody’s day is different than everyone else’s. We all have different friends, different families, different stuff that fills our day. God creates a new and special day for everyone in the world, every single day.
“…we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Tell the kids that this is what that verse means; to rejoice and give thanks for all the everyday blessings that happen all around us every day. These things would go unnoticed unless we take the time to think about them.
Have them sit for a moment of silence and think about all the blessings God gives them in during the day. Let them know that taking a moment every day to think about all the everyday blessings will give them a good reason to rejoice.
Finally, have them take out a piece of drawing paper and write Psalms 118:24 at the top. Then have them draw an everyday blessing that God has given them that they can “rejoice and be glad” about.
]]>Ask the children what they think the word love means and how they show it to others.
1st John 4: 7, 8, 12,13a
Dear Friends let us continue to love each other, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God.
But anyone that does not love does not know God- for God is Love.
This verse says God is love. What does that mean?
No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us and his love is shown through us. God has given us his spirit.
1st John 3:18
Let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions.
LOVE IS SHOWN THROUGH ACTIONS
God IS Love. He has given us (Christians) His Spirit.
1st Corinthians 13:4-8a
Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, It is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails
If God is love and these actions define love; we must do our best to follow these actions so that people will see God in us.
Love Never fails
If you follow God’s example of love all your relationships/friendships will be good.
1st John 3:16
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.
DO YOU KNOW GOD’S LOVE?
God wants you to be saved from the punishment for your sins (Hell).
He wants you to live forever with him in Heaven.
How can you be saved?
Romans 3:23
All Have sinned and come short of God’s glory.
(Admit you are a sinner, ask forgiveness)
Romans 10:9-10
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
(Confess you believe Jesus is the Son of God; that he died and rose again.)
Here is a simple prayer you can say to ask Jesus to save you.
Dear God,
I know that I am a sinner because I have done some wrong things. Please forgive me.
I believe Jesus was Your Son; He died on the Cross to save me and You raised Him from the dead three days later to live with You. Please become the God of my life; lead me to make good choices and tell others about Jesus.
In Jesus name I ask. Amen
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.
Many times people feel angry, but are not sure how to cope with this feeling, or cope with it inappropriately. Children can begin learning the basics of anger management from a young age, which is a skill they will need their whole lives.
Equipment: Scripture memory verse cards
Discussion Starter
“Let’s talk about a time when you were angry.”
Allow several minutes for children to share their stories about being angry at someone or a particular situation.
Then, point out that since many people have shared about times they were angry, this must be a pretty common feeling for people to have.
Ask, “What does the Bible have to say about being angry? Do you think it’s okay, or not?”
They will probably say they think it is not okay to be angry.
Then, help them find the scripture verse, and point out that it clearly says “be ye angry,” which means that God recognizes we will sometimes have angry feelings and that is normal.
The key point, though, is “and sin not” – which means that we should maintain enough composure even when angry so that our anger does not lead us into misbehavior or sin.
Discuss the need to “cool off” when angry, before you can deal with a situation.
Discuss likewise the need to allow other people a cooling off period, as well.
Discuss active and effective ways to release strong emotions such as anger, including raking leaves or other yard work, running or jogging, dancing, jumping rope, and similar activities.
Have the children stand up and practice some of these activities.
Discuss discreet and gentle ways to remain calm when needed, if an active option is not immediately available, such as counting to ten, breathing deeply, or saying, “I need some time to think about that. Let’s talk about that a little bit later tonight.”
Practice using these techniques with the children.
Ask if anyone has a specific situation they often feel angry about and want to practice dealing with. Use role-play to practice these situations that they have indicated they would like some help with. Or, set up your own role-play situation for them, based on typical experiences they are likely to have, such as someone cutting ahead of them in line at school or bumping into them in the classroom or a sibling who is bothering their toys at home.
For closing, review the scripture verse.
Pass out memory cards to take home for review and practice.
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