Hi Kids. Do you still remember how the story of Jacob and Esau went? Even from the womb, the twins had been struggling with each other. We learned about the stories when Esau sold his birthright to Jacob and when Jacob stole the blessings that Isaac wanted to give Esau. These stories led to the hatred of Esau for Jacob and the threat to kill him. Jacob, then, had to run away and live to a far away land.
But after many years, Jacob decided to go back and meet with Esau. He sent messengers to Esau telling him about his return, his messengers came back saying that Esau is coming with 400 men. How do you think Jacob felt? Afraid? He was afraid that Esau is coming to attack them.
Free resources for Kids Sunday School and Children's Church
Showing posts with label Object Lesson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Object Lesson. Show all posts
Object Lesson: How a Little Girl Utilized the Telephone
This short story teaches the little children about the importance of faith and prayer and that God answers prayer. Note: The telephone conversation in the story can be used for role playing in the Sunday School class. This can be taught along with the story of how Jairus' daughter was healed by Jesus found in Mark 5:21-24; 38-43.
There was mother watching over a sick baby who came down stairs for a moment to take a second's rest. She heard the voice of her little, 4-year old girl in the living room by herself. She went and saw her seated in front of the telephone, and stood upon it, with the piece against the side of her head. The child was so earnest talking on the telephone and this was the conversation the mother heard, while the tears stood thick in her eyes.
"Hello."
"Well, who's there?"
"Is God there?"
"Yes."
"Is Jesus there?"
"Yes."
"Tell Jesus I want to speak to him."
"Well?"
"Is that you, Jesus?"
"Yes. What is it?"
"Our baby is sick, and we want you to let it get well. Won't you, now?"
No answer, and statement and question again repeated, and finally answered by a "Yes."
The little one put the ear-piece back on its hook, went down from the chair, and with a radiant face, went for her mother, who caught her in her arms.
The baby who has been began to mend that day and got well.
~ Elmira Free Press
MEMORY VERSE: Mark 11:24
Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
KIDS CRAFT: How to Make a Simple Telephone
Object Lesson on Orderliness
Here are three books. I put them down like this, one on top of the other, that is system. I throw them down carelessly, that is not system, it is not orderly.
Here I have a package of envelopes. There are fifty-two envelopes, one for each Sunday in the year. Each envelope is divided in the center. On one side I read, "For others." On the other half I read, "For ourselves." These are church envelopes. In this orderly way, we support our local church and give to missions. We like to have the girls and boys, as well as older people, use these envelopes.
The financial secretary of our church is just as willing to keep the records of young people who give but five cents in each side of the envelope as he is to keep the account of the man or woman who places five dollars in each side of the envelope every Sunday. By doing this, we want you to grow up systematic and orderly in all your religious life. Our Master is pleased when we do our religious duties "decently and in order."
Aside from giving to Jesus, what other things can we do systematically and orderly? How about in our Sunday School class? How about in our home? Explain that orderliness is achieved when each one understands and carries out the responsibilities expected of him or her. How should we behave in Sunday School class? What rules should we follow?
MEMORY VERSE: I Corinthians 14:40
Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
KIDS ACTIVITY:
Activity 1: Let the children shout their name all at the same time. Ask, did you understand each other? Now, let the children shout "Jesus". Ask, did you understand each other? You can also think of other things that they could shout about like their favorite color or favorite food or toy then let them shout one thing together afterward like only one color or food or toy.
Activity 2: Arrange Yourselves According to Game: This activity asks the kids to line-up and arrange themselves according to a certain direction like according to height, according to age, according to size of feet, according to length of hair, etc. If there are many kids, you can group them into 2 or 3 then they will race each other in arranging themselves. The first group to arrange themselves orderly wins a point.
Activity 3: Give them a piece of paper with time of the day on the left and let them write the things that they are supposed to do (their responsibilities). For example: 6:00 am - I will wake up, take a bath and eat breakfast. 7:00 am - I will go to school, etc. Another option is just let them write the rules that they are following at home or at Sunday School class. For example, 1. I should fix my toys after playing. 2. I should study my lessons before playing.
Here I have a package of envelopes. There are fifty-two envelopes, one for each Sunday in the year. Each envelope is divided in the center. On one side I read, "For others." On the other half I read, "For ourselves." These are church envelopes. In this orderly way, we support our local church and give to missions. We like to have the girls and boys, as well as older people, use these envelopes.
The financial secretary of our church is just as willing to keep the records of young people who give but five cents in each side of the envelope as he is to keep the account of the man or woman who places five dollars in each side of the envelope every Sunday. By doing this, we want you to grow up systematic and orderly in all your religious life. Our Master is pleased when we do our religious duties "decently and in order."
Photo credit: Pawel Bialas,
Stock.xchng
Aside from giving to Jesus, what other things can we do systematically and orderly? How about in our Sunday School class? How about in our home? Explain that orderliness is achieved when each one understands and carries out the responsibilities expected of him or her. How should we behave in Sunday School class? What rules should we follow?
MEMORY VERSE: I Corinthians 14:40
Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
KIDS ACTIVITY:
Activity 1: Let the children shout their name all at the same time. Ask, did you understand each other? Now, let the children shout "Jesus". Ask, did you understand each other? You can also think of other things that they could shout about like their favorite color or favorite food or toy then let them shout one thing together afterward like only one color or food or toy.
Activity 2: Arrange Yourselves According to Game: This activity asks the kids to line-up and arrange themselves according to a certain direction like according to height, according to age, according to size of feet, according to length of hair, etc. If there are many kids, you can group them into 2 or 3 then they will race each other in arranging themselves. The first group to arrange themselves orderly wins a point.
Activity 3: Give them a piece of paper with time of the day on the left and let them write the things that they are supposed to do (their responsibilities). For example: 6:00 am - I will wake up, take a bath and eat breakfast. 7:00 am - I will go to school, etc. Another option is just let them write the rules that they are following at home or at Sunday School class. For example, 1. I should fix my toys after playing. 2. I should study my lessons before playing.
Thank You God for Mr. Postman
When you come home from school the first thing you do is to look on the hall table to see if the Postman has brought you a letter. It is the same when we grow up. No matter how many letters we may receive we never get over the keen delight at having the Postman bring us letters.
I have here in my hand the Bible. In it, we can find the many stories of men we know like Abraham, David, Daniel, Jonah and Samson. But in it are also written letters. These letters found in the New Testament were written mostly by the Apostle Paul, other writers were the Apostles John and Peter. What did they write about? They wrote about God's message of love and forgiveness to all people who would read the letters, including little boys and girls. They were like the Mr. Postman sent by God to deliver His letters to us. We should be thankful that God used them to be His Mr. Postman. Would you also like to be God's Mr. Postman?
MEMORY VERSE: I John 2: 12
I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
KIDS ACTIVITY
Make a one-of-a-kind envelope and greeting card (see the complete instructions here). If the kids are too small, prepare beforehand - trace and cut envelope template, so they would just need to fold and glue the envelope and make the greeting card. Then, let the kids write a short letter for a loved one or friend telling them about God's love. (Example: Hello Jean, Do you know that Jesus loves you? I do, too. You're friend, Dolly)
Photo credit: Postman Pat by Howard Lake, Flickr
KIDS ACTIVITY
Make a one-of-a-kind envelope and greeting card (see the complete instructions here). If the kids are too small, prepare beforehand - trace and cut envelope template, so they would just need to fold and glue the envelope and make the greeting card. Then, let the kids write a short letter for a loved one or friend telling them about God's love. (Example: Hello Jean, Do you know that Jesus loves you? I do, too. You're friend, Dolly)
Photo credit: Postman Pat by Howard Lake, Flickr
Lesson from the Trees
I have a short story to tell you kids. While traveling on a train, I looked out of the window and saw an immense field wherein planted were hundreds, yes thousands, of little trees. I asked the man who sat beside me, "What are those little trees for?" He said, "They are growing those little trees to reforest the desolate, burned over regions of the Adirondacks." I said to myself, "That is just what we are doing in my church. We are growing girls and boys to reforest the needy places of the earth."
I asked, "How long do they keep those little trees there?" "Not very long," said he, "just long enough to give them a good start. Then they transplant them." Again I said to myself, "That is exactly what we do. We keep the girls and boys only a little while, then they are transplanted."
I had another question. "When they transplant these little trees how do they plant them, every-which-way?" "No, indeed," was his answer, "they are planted in rows, and close together." Exactly what we are doing in our church, I thought. We are growing our girls and boys, and we are keeping them close together, because they are such a help to one another, and there is great inspiration in numbers.
Looking out of the train window at those trees of future forests, I thought of the verse in Isaiah, "The mountains and the trees shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." I can hear the mountains and the hills of the Adirondacks singing because of the growing trees, and I hear the mountains and the hills of earth singing because of the millions of growing girls and boys who shall reforest the desolate places of earth.
Reflection: How are little girls and boys like those little trees? Why do little girls and boys need to go to church? How can growing girls and boys reforest the earth?
MEMORY VERSE: Psalm 92:13
I asked, "How long do they keep those little trees there?" "Not very long," said he, "just long enough to give them a good start. Then they transplant them." Again I said to myself, "That is exactly what we do. We keep the girls and boys only a little while, then they are transplanted."
I had another question. "When they transplant these little trees how do they plant them, every-which-way?" "No, indeed," was his answer, "they are planted in rows, and close together." Exactly what we are doing in our church, I thought. We are growing our girls and boys, and we are keeping them close together, because they are such a help to one another, and there is great inspiration in numbers.
Looking out of the train window at those trees of future forests, I thought of the verse in Isaiah, "The mountains and the trees shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." I can hear the mountains and the hills of the Adirondacks singing because of the growing trees, and I hear the mountains and the hills of earth singing because of the millions of growing girls and boys who shall reforest the desolate places of earth.
Reflection: How are little girls and boys like those little trees? Why do little girls and boys need to go to church? How can growing girls and boys reforest the earth?
MEMORY VERSE: Psalm 92:13
"Those planted in the house of the LORD will flourish in the courts of our God.
KIDS ACTIVITY:
After the object lesson about trees, enjoy making this Tree Craft as demonstrated by Sarah of Sunfish Press.
KIDS ACTIVITY:
After the object lesson about trees, enjoy making this Tree Craft as demonstrated by Sarah of Sunfish Press.
The Cross
Out in Colorado, high up the side of a mountain, where the snow never melts in the crevices, may be seen two long ravines, one straight up and down, the other straight across. The snow is packed into those ravines all through the year, and lifting the eyes one may see upon the lofty mountain side the Holy Cross.
In the summer seas, one of the things that mariners are guided by and that tourists look for, is the Southern Cross. There it is, fashioned by the position of the stars in the clear skies of the tropics.
There are many men who wear a cross as a watch fob. There are women who wear a cross as a pendant about the neck. This is an outward sign of an inner devotion. The important thing, my dear young Christians, is to have the cross, its power and meaning, stamped upon one's heart. Is that where you wear the Saviour's cross?
REFLECTION: Ask or tell the kids what does the cross mean. How can Jesus' death on the cross be meaningful to them?
MEMORY VERSE: I Corinthians 1: 18
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto them which are saved it is the power of God.
KIDS' CRAFT: Some craft with the Cross theme in mind that kids can do. See particular link for instructions.
Simple Cross Coloring Page
Egg carton cross
Yarn Crosses
More Cross crafts for kids from Danielle's Place.
More Cross crafts for kids from Danielle's Place.
Candle Children
First of all this candle speaks of Symmetry. How perfectly formed is this candle! It is smooth, there are no rough places that stand out like an ugly wart on one's face. Your life should have symmetry. God asks you to pay attention to your physical, mental and spiritual duties that your life may be well rounded, a life of beautiful symmetry.
Second, this candle stands for Fragrance. This is a fragrant candle. There are some children we do not like to have around, they are naughty, rude and mean. There are others we love to have with us at all times. They have what I call fragrance. They have the fragrance of thoughtfulness, the sweetness of unselfishness.
Third, this candle means Erectness. Look how straight it stands! Stand up straight, girls and boys. Do not stoop. Do not hump yourself over your school desk. Walk erect. It means so much now, it will mean much more in later years. Some day, if you listen to my word, you will be grateful that I said to you so emphatically that you could not forget, "John, Mary, stand up straight."
Fourth, the candle stands for Light. It is useless until the wick is lighted. It burns for others. Your life is a light. Jesus wants all Christians to think of themselves as lights in the world. "Let your light shine." Be a lighted candle for the Lord.
MEMORY VERSE: Proverbs 20: 27
"The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord."
KIDS CRAFT:
Make Cardboard Candlesticks : Turn paper tubes into candlesticks complete with shimmering flames. You can use paint to color the paper towel and tissue tubes or you can just glue colored construction paper or tissue paper to it. See complete instructions here. Another variation makes use of a template which the kids can print, cut, color and assemble to make a candle craft. See here.
KIDS SONG:
KIDS CRAFT:
Make Cardboard Candlesticks : Turn paper tubes into candlesticks complete with shimmering flames. You can use paint to color the paper towel and tissue tubes or you can just glue colored construction paper or tissue paper to it. See complete instructions here. Another variation makes use of a template which the kids can print, cut, color and assemble to make a candle craft. See here.
KIDS SONG:
God's Clock - Tells of His Faithfulness
Is there a "town clock" where you live? Is it dependable? Do men set their watches by it? Do people, passing it, glance up to see if they are late? In the village where I began my ministry, the Baptist tower held the town clock. I lived but a few doors away. I went to bed by it. I studied by it. I was wakened by it. Even now, and many years have passed since then, I can still hear its clear bell strike the hours.
The strangest clock I ever saw was in China. I went up the West River to the city of Canton. I was carried through the narrow, smelly, crowded streets to the top of a little hill at the city's edge. There, on the very tip-top, I saw the "Water Clock." There's an inscription which read, "This water clock is a most ancient, authentic, celebrated and sacred relic of Kwong Tung Province, over 1,300 years old. It was erected on the top story of the north Worshiping Tower which was built by Chin To, King of the South of China."
It was a strange, old clock, run by water. I stood and looked at it and thought, "This clock was running when George Washington was president; it was running when Christopher Columbus sailed on his great voyage of discovery; long years, long centuries before that it was built."
But there is a clock surpassing all others. I call it God's clock. It is the Sun. Since time began God's clock has kept time. It is the central clock of our universe. It regulates all others. It does not have to be wound. God has seen to that. How can we not worship the God who has made such a clock!
MEMORY VERSE: Psalm 74: 16
The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon.
KIDS CRAFT: Paper Clock Craft or Happy Sun Face.
Make a simple Paper Clock You can follow the instructions from these 2 links: Paper Clock Craft 1 and Paper Clock Craft 2. Choose which one you would like to make for your class. Then, you can practice telling the time with the kids. You can also display it in your classroom and put: Sunday school starts at _____.
Make a Happy Sun Face.
Photo credit: Janne1
KIDS CRAFT: Paper Clock Craft or Happy Sun Face.
Make a simple Paper Clock You can follow the instructions from these 2 links: Paper Clock Craft 1 and Paper Clock Craft 2. Choose which one you would like to make for your class. Then, you can practice telling the time with the kids. You can also display it in your classroom and put: Sunday school starts at _____.
Make a Happy Sun Face.
Photo credit: Janne1
The Human Camera - Be Pure
What a wonderful little machine a digital camera is! First we turn the power on, choose an object to take a picture of, hold the camera very steady, then snap, we have it. Next we press a little button to see on the LCD, "Oh, yes, perfect picture." Lastly, we hook up the camera to the printer then print a very nice picture. It's finished, all but pasting it in a photo book.
Wonderful little gadget, isn't it? But, do you know each one of us has a camera? God has given us a camera which works by itself. We have the open circle through which the pictures are taken, our eyes, and beyond the eyes, in the brain, are thousands of memory card. We start out in the morning and the moment we open our eyes we begin storing pictures in our memory card. We do not have to do any clicking for these pictures, one after another, click, click, click, and they are processed as fast as they are taken.
If you should say to a man who has reached 80 years old, "Tell me the clearest picture you can remember," he would not show a picture that was taken yesterday, or last week, or last year. He would turn back the pages of his memory book fifty, sixty years. The clearest pictures he possesses are those that were snapped in his boyhood.
Every day you are taking pictures that are going to remain with you as long as you live. Girls and boys, I pray that as you go out each morning and your human camera begins clicking, that you shall take only pictures that are true, pure and clean.
Read Matthew 6:22-23 then discuss with the kids
According to Matthew 6:22-23, our eyes can be good or bad? How is that? What kind of pictures are we taking with our human camera? Are your eyes good or bad?
MEMORY VERSE: Proverbs 4: 25
Drawing Eyes: Have fun with the kids as you teach them how to draw different kinds of eyes. Then write at the top or bottom of the paper "Be Careful Little Eyes What You See."
Wonderful little gadget, isn't it? But, do you know each one of us has a camera? God has given us a camera which works by itself. We have the open circle through which the pictures are taken, our eyes, and beyond the eyes, in the brain, are thousands of memory card. We start out in the morning and the moment we open our eyes we begin storing pictures in our memory card. We do not have to do any clicking for these pictures, one after another, click, click, click, and they are processed as fast as they are taken.
If you should say to a man who has reached 80 years old, "Tell me the clearest picture you can remember," he would not show a picture that was taken yesterday, or last week, or last year. He would turn back the pages of his memory book fifty, sixty years. The clearest pictures he possesses are those that were snapped in his boyhood.
Every day you are taking pictures that are going to remain with you as long as you live. Girls and boys, I pray that as you go out each morning and your human camera begins clicking, that you shall take only pictures that are true, pure and clean.
Read Matthew 6:22-23 then discuss with the kids
According to Matthew 6:22-23, our eyes can be good or bad? How is that? What kind of pictures are we taking with our human camera? Are your eyes good or bad?
MEMORY VERSE: Proverbs 4: 25
Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.
KIDS ACTIVITY
Play a guessing game. Put different objects in a bag or box. Ask a child to close his eyes, pick an object and guess what it is.
Sing this song: Be Careful Little Eyes What You See
KIDS ACTIVITY
Play a guessing game. Put different objects in a bag or box. Ask a child to close his eyes, pick an object and guess what it is.
Sing this song: Be Careful Little Eyes What You See
Drawing Eyes: Have fun with the kids as you teach them how to draw different kinds of eyes. Then write at the top or bottom of the paper "Be Careful Little Eyes What You See."
Choosing a King - God Looks at the Heart
What would you do if you were asked to select a young man who should some day be president of the United States? What tests would you apply? Would you look upon the clothes that he wore? Would you consider the color of his hair? Would you insist that he should be of a certain height?
Once upon a time there was a good and wise man who was asked to choose a king for his people. He started on his journey in search of the most promising youth he could find. By and by he came to a home where there were many boys.
One of these boys stood before him. He was tall. He was well formed. He had a good bearing. Surely, thought the king-chooser, here is the perfect man. But something inside him, "the still small voice" I think it was, said to him, "No, do not choose him, he is not the one."
The father then called a second son. Like the first he was goodly to look upon. The great man commissioned to choose a king was about to select this one when the same voice inside warned him to wait. A third son was summoned. A third time the voice said, "No, he is not the one."
How sad the father must have been to have all seven of his splendid sons rejected! All? No, not all. For the king-chooser said, "Have you no more sons?" "Yes, I have one other, but he is young and the keeper of the sheep. I am sure you would not think of him as a king." "Nevertheless," said the prophet, "send for him."
And he came, the youngest, the most unlikely one of all, at least so the father and the brothers thought. But the voice within said, "This is the one, choose him." You will want to read all of this wonderful story and you will find it in your Bible. It is in 1 Samuel the 16th chapter.
KIDS DISCUSS: If God looks at your heart, what will He see? What would God like to find in our heart?
MEMORY VERSE: I Samuel 16: 7
Once upon a time there was a good and wise man who was asked to choose a king for his people. He started on his journey in search of the most promising youth he could find. By and by he came to a home where there were many boys.
One of these boys stood before him. He was tall. He was well formed. He had a good bearing. Surely, thought the king-chooser, here is the perfect man. But something inside him, "the still small voice" I think it was, said to him, "No, do not choose him, he is not the one."
The father then called a second son. Like the first he was goodly to look upon. The great man commissioned to choose a king was about to select this one when the same voice inside warned him to wait. A third son was summoned. A third time the voice said, "No, he is not the one."
How sad the father must have been to have all seven of his splendid sons rejected! All? No, not all. For the king-chooser said, "Have you no more sons?" "Yes, I have one other, but he is young and the keeper of the sheep. I am sure you would not think of him as a king." "Nevertheless," said the prophet, "send for him."
And he came, the youngest, the most unlikely one of all, at least so the father and the brothers thought. But the voice within said, "This is the one, choose him." You will want to read all of this wonderful story and you will find it in your Bible. It is in 1 Samuel the 16th chapter.
KIDS DISCUSS: If God looks at your heart, what will He see? What would God like to find in our heart?
MEMORY VERSE: I Samuel 16: 7
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 man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
KIDS ACTIVITY:
Heart counting game. This is a game where the kids can practice their counting and matching skills. They will make half-hearts from construction paper with written numbers and corresponding number of stickers on them. So that 2 groups can play, make 2 sets of the paper hearts. The group that matches all the hearts first, wins the game. Find the instruction on how to make the paper hearts here.
3D Heart Paper Craft and Stuffed heart finger paint craft. These are heart crafts from DLTK which the kids can easily do. They can hang them as decoration or they give as gifts to their loved ones. Click the links for the complete instructions. To customize it to the lessons today, they can write on the hearts words like "I love Jesus" or "I've got joy in my heart" or the things God wants to find in our heart like "Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Care, etc"
KIDS ACTIVITY:
Heart counting game. This is a game where the kids can practice their counting and matching skills. They will make half-hearts from construction paper with written numbers and corresponding number of stickers on them. So that 2 groups can play, make 2 sets of the paper hearts. The group that matches all the hearts first, wins the game. Find the instruction on how to make the paper hearts here.
3D Heart Paper Craft and Stuffed heart finger paint craft. These are heart crafts from DLTK which the kids can easily do. They can hang them as decoration or they give as gifts to their loved ones. Click the links for the complete instructions. To customize it to the lessons today, they can write on the hearts words like "I love Jesus" or "I've got joy in my heart" or the things God wants to find in our heart like "Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Care, etc"
The Snowflake - Lesson on Uniqueness
Have you ever thought how snow is made, and where it comes from? It is formed high in the air, from vapor, and comes down from the clouds, just like rain. If you will look at the snowflakes through a magnifying glass, you will see a great variety of shapes and no two are alike. And all of them are beautiful. We talk about the sparkling beauty of diamonds and other precious gems; crystal snowflakes are more beautiful by far. If only we could keep them from melting, what a necklace or a setting for a ring a collection of snowflakes would make!
Snowflakes are also like people, no two are the same. Each one is uniquely and beautifully created by God. Do you believe that each one of us is special? We are. And no one is like you. So you don't really have to be jealous of each other because God loves each one just the same.
God's love is shown to us in the snow, too. For a fall of snow is like a great blanket, covering the tender roots and seeds, keeping them from freezing, assuring us of another harvest. As today you walk home through the snow, let it speak to you of your Father's love.
Memory Verse: Job 38: 22
"Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail?"
Kids' Craft: Snowflake Crafts
Visit DLTK for all sorts of snowflake crafts for children age 2+ , 3+, 5+, 6+ and 10+.
Visit How Stuff Works for more snow craft projects for kids that can be done outdoors like snow painting, rainbow in the snow or ice hangings.
Happy New Year
The morning of the first day of every year we enter into a contest. We see who will be the first to give that day's greeting. Before I was awake this morning, my boy ran into my room shouting, "Happy New Year! Happy New Year!" He won the contest.
Now, however, you are in Church and it is not proper for you to speak out loud, so I am able to get ahead of you. A Happy New Year to you, every one.
Well, what will make this year a happy year for you? I will tell you. Let us take this word Happy, and instead of writing it across the page let us write it straight up and down.
H stands for Helpful. You cannot have a happy year unless you are helpful. He who does not try to be helpful is never very happy.
A for Active. I want your year to be full of activity. I hope you will be able to skate and slide downhill many days this winter, and that you will enter into all the spring and summer sports with zest and joy.
P for Playful. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. You will want to do something other than play, of course. You will have some home responsibilities, but sandwiched in with the work, may there be a good measure of play.
P for Purposeful. Yes, early in life you should form a purpose. Two questions will help you gain that purpose. 1st—What is it that I want to do? 2nd—What is it that God wants me to do?
Y for Youth.
Helpful
Active
Playful
Purposeful
Youth.
COMPLIMENTARY BIBLE LESSON: Read Luke 2:40. Discuss with the kids how Jesus as a child was described. What do they think Jesus did as a child. Then read Luke 2:41-52 or tell the story of the boy Jesus being at the temple. Discuss why Jesus was at the temple. Why he did not leave the temple? What was his purpose? As an application, ask the kids how can they be like Jesus?
MEMORY VERSE: Psalm 19: 14
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
KIDS CRAFT: Create a Calendar
- Print a custom Ten Commandments Calendar. Choose one with picture which the kids can color. Or you can choose the no picture version to allow the children to draw their own images to go with the commandment.
- The children can also draw on a piece of bond paper to show some ways how they can be HAPPY - Helpful, active, playful and purposeful youth.
Christmas - The Best Word
What is the best word? I think I can hear each of you as he answers. One says "Mother is the best word." Another says, "Father." Still another, "Daddy." A fourth one answers, "Home." Now I hear a voice that says, "America." Another voice shouts, "Friend." Yes, there are many, many words to which we might rightfully give the title "best word."
But for this season of the year, and for this particular Sunday, there is one word that stands out from among all the others. That one word is "Christmas." On December 25 will be Christmas day. I think this word "Christmas" is the best word because it includes all the other good words.
In your home, you have a rug. There are many colors in that rug, yet it is all one fabric. The many colors are skillfully woven and beautifully blended to make the one fabric. Think of this word Christmas as a rug, made up of many words of many colors. We see in this rug the word "mother." What would Christmas be without mother! We see also the word father, and the words sister, brother, grandfather, grandmother, aunt, uncle, friend, home. Then clearest of all in this wonderful rug is the word Christ. Christ is Christmas. Yes, Christmas is the best word for it gathers within its meaning all other good words.
MEMORY VERSE: John 1: 4
"In him was life; and that life was the light of men."
MEMORY HYMN: "Joy to the world!"
KIDS CRAFT: Christmas Paper Rug
b. Insert a second colored strip through the slit beside the first strip of paper, but now under then over.
c. Repeat a and b until you reach the other edge.
d. Cut off the excess of the cross strips, get 2 more strips of colored paper and glue it to the two longer sides to seal the strips in place.
But for this season of the year, and for this particular Sunday, there is one word that stands out from among all the others. That one word is "Christmas." On December 25 will be Christmas day. I think this word "Christmas" is the best word because it includes all the other good words.
In your home, you have a rug. There are many colors in that rug, yet it is all one fabric. The many colors are skillfully woven and beautifully blended to make the one fabric. Think of this word Christmas as a rug, made up of many words of many colors. We see in this rug the word "mother." What would Christmas be without mother! We see also the word father, and the words sister, brother, grandfather, grandmother, aunt, uncle, friend, home. Then clearest of all in this wonderful rug is the word Christ. Christ is Christmas. Yes, Christmas is the best word for it gathers within its meaning all other good words.
"This happy day, whose risen sun
Shall set not through eternity;
This holy day, when Christ, the Lord,
Took on him our humanity;
For little children everywhere
A joyous season still we make;
We bring our precious gifts to them,
Even for the dear Child, Jesus' sake."
MEMORY VERSE: John 1: 4
"In him was life; and that life was the light of men."
MEMORY HYMN: "Joy to the world!"
- Fold 2-3 different colored construction papers into paper fan or accordion style with 1/2-1-inch thick strips lengthwise.
- Unfold and cut along the lines. Set aside.
- Fold another piece of construction paper crosswise.
- From the fold, cut straight lines towards the edge with 1/2-1-inch gap between the lines. (You can draw guidelines first using a ruler if you wish.) Do nut cut through the edge. Leave at least 1 inch of uncut paper at the edge. Unfold the paper.
- Now, you can start weaving your paper rug.
b. Insert a second colored strip through the slit beside the first strip of paper, but now under then over.
c. Repeat a and b until you reach the other edge.
d. Cut off the excess of the cross strips, get 2 more strips of colored paper and glue it to the two longer sides to seal the strips in place.
- Turn the project over then you can decorate with letters or with stickers if you wish.
The Christmas Tree
A few days before our first Christmas in the tropics, a friend said to me, "I am sending a tree down from the mountains for your children." In due time the tree arrived. You can imagine the joy of our entire household when they looked upon a genuine, evergreen, Christmas tree. We set it up in our big "sala," that is our living room, and there it remained for many days, the delight of our eyes.
The tree of the Christmas season has some specifically Christmas messages. First, it is evergreen. That reminds us of the eternal Saviour, "the same yesterday, today and forever."
At the very tiptop of the tree, we place a star. There it shines, high above all else, reminding us of the higher, holier life to which we are summoned. The star beckons us to loftier aspirations. Christ came down from heaven. He became one of us, sharing our human life. But he is ever above us as well as with us, luring us on to the life of God.
The Christmas tree is ablaze with lights. Jesus brought light into the world. How dark the world would be without him!
About the base of the tree, and suspended from the branches are many gifts. They are tokens of the love and esteem we hold for each other, and remind us of God's great gift of love, Christ himself.
MEMORY VERSE: John 3: 16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
KIDS CRAFT:
You can make a Paper Christmas Tree from Little Handprints - (see complete instructions here) or you can make a simple Christmas card with Christmas tree design made of construction paper (see complete instructions here).
Reference: Col, Jeananda. Enchanted Learning. http://www.EnchantedLearning.com 1996.
Thanksgiving
What does Thanksgiving mean to you? I hear one boy say, "It means a big dinner." I think we all agree with him. Who does not welcome and enjoy a good dinner! I hear Mary say, "Thanksgiving means a day off from school." I guess you are right too. School is not such a charming place that girls and boys are unwilling to have an occasional holiday.
Now I am going to ask some of the older people what the day means to them. There is a young woman. She is a stenographer. She says, "Thanksgiving means a day away from the office. I am at the office every day except Sunday, and I do appreciate, now and then, a day that is really my own."
Over there is a traveling salesman. What does Thanksgiving mean to you? He says, "It means a day at home. Last year, I spent one hundred and sixty-nine nights away from home. I have three children. I should like to see them every day. There are times when many days pass and I do not see them. Thanksgiving week, I plan to be at home."
There are others I could ask. Each has his answer. But Thanksgiving has a special meaning for us. It is the Harvest time. I have here an apple. Isn't this a beautiful apple? What color! Who mixed the paints, who handled the brush to give such color to this apple? God. He, in his infinite love and wisdom, has provided, through the unfailing laws of nature, for the growth, sweetness, coloring and beautifying of all the products of the fields. This apple is but one of many kinds of fruits.
Praise, then, is the great meaning of Thanksgiving. God, our heavenly Father, sends us every good gift. From his bountiful hand come our daily and nightly mercies. We should praise him every day. But the day for the united chorus of praise is Thanksgiving.
MEMORY VERSE: Psalm 150: 6
"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord."
KIDS CRAFT: Thanksgiving Activities for Kids
Free printable Thanksgiving Mazes for kids
Little Blots Preschool Lapbook: There are lots of ideas here that the kids can do. You can do a series of these crafts or make it a group project.
Now I am going to ask some of the older people what the day means to them. There is a young woman. She is a stenographer. She says, "Thanksgiving means a day away from the office. I am at the office every day except Sunday, and I do appreciate, now and then, a day that is really my own."
Over there is a traveling salesman. What does Thanksgiving mean to you? He says, "It means a day at home. Last year, I spent one hundred and sixty-nine nights away from home. I have three children. I should like to see them every day. There are times when many days pass and I do not see them. Thanksgiving week, I plan to be at home."
There are others I could ask. Each has his answer. But Thanksgiving has a special meaning for us. It is the Harvest time. I have here an apple. Isn't this a beautiful apple? What color! Who mixed the paints, who handled the brush to give such color to this apple? God. He, in his infinite love and wisdom, has provided, through the unfailing laws of nature, for the growth, sweetness, coloring and beautifying of all the products of the fields. This apple is but one of many kinds of fruits.
Praise, then, is the great meaning of Thanksgiving. God, our heavenly Father, sends us every good gift. From his bountiful hand come our daily and nightly mercies. We should praise him every day. But the day for the united chorus of praise is Thanksgiving.
MEMORY VERSE: Psalm 150: 6
"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord."
KIDS CRAFT: Thanksgiving Activities for Kids
Free printable Thanksgiving Mazes for kids
Little Blots Preschool Lapbook: There are lots of ideas here that the kids can do. You can do a series of these crafts or make it a group project.
The Doors of Life
This morning, after you were awake, you passed through your bedroom door. Then you went through the bathroom door. Later you entered, through a door, the dining room. After a time, with your father and mother, you left the house through the outside door. You walked down the street and here you are in church, having entered through the door.Every day you are passing through various doors. What wonderful things doors are! I wonder who invented doors. What would we do without doors?
There are doors to houses and there are doors to life. Let me tell you about them. A door is made of wood. What beautiful wood is in these church doors! The doors of life are made of our will. By the exercise of our will we open and close whatsoever doors of life we choose.
The doors of our houses swing on hinges. Heavy doors seem as light as a feather because they are so delicately hung upon hinges. The hinges of the doors of life are made not of brass or iron, but of love.
When, in a little while, you leave this church you will take hold of a knob and pull open the door. The doors of life have knobs. Those knobs are called courtesy. You can open well any door you choose if only you will use the knob courtesy.
What about the lock? Yes, doors have locks. So also have the doors of life. Can you guess what locks the door of life? It is faith. If you have faith, faith in God, faith in the Savior, faith in things that are true and pure, you need never fear that your house of life will be broken into by burglars. You are secure if you have the lock of faith. Now here is a strange paradox,
namely — you lock your door only by opening it. Open your door to the Master.
MEMORY VERSE: Revelations 3: 20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door,
I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with me.
KIDS CRAFT: What's Inside the Door? Craft
The idea and instructions for this craft can be found in Crayola. You can make a variation of this craft. Instead of drawing the child's favorite things inside the store, he can draw what is inside his heart - the things that are true and pure or people he loves.
Patience: Lessons in the Dark
Here are what we commonly call Chinese lilies. Two weeks ago, they were but 2 or 3 inches high. Now, they are between 2 and 3 feet. How rapidly they've grown! How can we explain it? I can give one reason for this. It's because they had enough preparation. The bulbs from which these lilies grew were kept in the dark for 10 days. There, in the dark, they saved up strength and energy for the work that was before them.Many years of Jesus' life were hidden from the public eye. They were years when, as far as the world is concerned, he was in the dark, preparing for the great work of his public ministry. My dear young people, do not whine over the days and years you have to go to school. They are not simply days of waiting, they are days of preparation.
Again, these lilies come from dark and humble surroundings.
Now, here is a very plain dish. In the dish are a few ordinary rocks taken from our yard. Water is poured upon the rocks. Among these rocks the lily bulbs take root. Girls and boys, it does not matter much what kind of home you have, as long as it is a good home.
John Wesley's youth was hid away in a poor Methodist chapel. Abraham Lincoln was born and grew up in the dark and humble surroundings of a log cabin. Our Savior himself was born in a manger, and his childhood home was far from being a palace. Make the best of what you have and all will be well. God will take care of you and bring you out of the darkness.
How fragrant these lilies are! Faith, hope, love, patience, strength and truth - these fragrant qualities of life often grow best in the dark. My prayer is that our good Father make your life as fragrant as these flowers.
REFLECTION: Ask the kids
1. What would you like to be when you grow up?
2. What do you need to do to become what you want to be?
MEMORY VERSE: Luke 2:52
"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor whith God and men."
KIDS CRAFT: How to Make Origami Paper Lily or Free Coloring Pages
Origami Lilly - Click here for funny video clips
Alternatively, just print a free flower coloring pages from letmecolor.com
God's Measure - The Ten Commandments
I have here some measures. This is a ruler. This is a square. And this is a tape measure.There are other measures like quarts and pecks and bushels. Then there are liquid measures, quarts and gallons and barrels. There are also measures of weight, ounces, pounds and tons.
Now these different measures are the same all over the
God's measures are the same. God has a measure for girls and boys, and that measure is the same in
John, come up here, I want to measure you. Stand there, that's right. I have the mark, now let us see how tall you are. Four feet, three and one-half inches. That is fine. You are a big boy, aren't you?
I also wish that I could measure you according to God's measure. But I cannot do that. You must do that yourself. How tall are you as you look at yourself in the light of the Saviour's life? According to his measure I pray that you may be tall and strong.
MEMORY VERSE: James 2:11 For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. KIDS ACTIVITY: Download the Teach Kids the Ten Commandments Flipchart and use it to share the Gospel to the kids. It explains the purpose of the 10 Commandments of God, that is, to lead one to Christ.
For The Cheapest and Best Things in Life ... Give Thanks
A business man would not think this matter a very good advertisement. He thinks that the best things are never cheapest. There are a few examples, however, in which that is not the case.First, the air we breathe. It doesn't cost us anything, it Is not metered out to us, so we have a saying, "as free as air." You go down to the pharmacy and purchase a bottle of perfume. A good perfume will cost not less than one dollar a bottle. The air we breathe is immeasurably purer and better than the most expensive perfume.
Second, the water we drink in. Do you like ice cream soda? For certain, you do. If you don't you are not a normal girl or boy. How much does a good ice cream soda cost? That depends; some places it is 10 cents and some 15 cents. You think you might like to have ice cream soda every meal, but before long you would tire of it. The water you drink is necessary, and it costs you nothing.
Third, a book, that is this book, the Bible. If you like to buy a cutting-edge fiction book, it will cost you anywhere from $1.00 to $3.00. But here is a book, the most popular, the most wonderful book that was ever written. You can buy a Bible for a couple of cents, and if you don't have the cents, there is a great Bible Society that will give you a free copy, so that no one might be without the Word of Life.
Finally, the things that are cheapest and best are the matters of the soul, the spiritual ministries and influences of life. They are worship, communion, faith, hope, prayer and love. Nobody stands at the door and demands a dollar of you as you enter. The seats inside the church are free to rich and poor, aged and young. These free seats are like the salvation that is proclaimed here - FREE.
MEMORY VERSE: Isaiah 55: 1
"Ho, every one that thirsts, come to the waters, and he that has no money; come, buy, and eat; yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."
KIDS ACTIVITY
Let the children draw the things that they enjoy that is free or cheap. It can be as simple as a heart representing the love of God and family; or the sun representing the light and beauty of God's creation. Afterward, let them share the picture they drew. Then end in thanksgiving to God.
The Still Small Voice
What is the loudest noise you ever heard? Did you ever hear an huge cannon fired? Of course you've heard thunder.
The loudest, most frightening sound I ever heard was a steam boiler explosion. The town heating plant was only three doors away from my house. The whole plant exploded one prayer service evening. The church building was engulfed into darkness, the walls shook, windowpanes were broken on every side. In panic people got down on their knees and crawled towards the doorway. That was the loudest noise I ever heard.
Now, I have here a hammer. I will drop it to the floor. Listen. Is the sound very loud? Here I have a large nail. Hear the sound this makes as it is dropped. The noise that it made is not as loud as the noise produced by the falling hammer.
Here is a small nail. You will have to listen very carefully if you hear the sound of the nail as it strikes the carpet. Do you have good ears? Let us test them.
Here is an ordinary pin. If you keep very quiet you will be able to hear the falling of this tiny pin. Do not move in your seat. Every one, attention! Listen. Did you hear it? Yes, most of you did.
That pin did not make much noise. No sound could be more hushed than a dropping pin. Ah, but there is a sound that is infinitely more quiet. At the same time it is louder than the roll of thunder, or the firing of a huge cannon, or the explosion of a great boiler. Do you know what it is?
Some call it "conscience." I like to think of it as a voice. It is the still, small voice within. When you are about to do wrong, this voice speaks to you. Hear this still, small voice, and obey. And you will do well.
MEMORY VERSE: I Kings 19: 12
"And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."
KIDS CRAFT: How to Make Bunny Ears.
The loudest, most frightening sound I ever heard was a steam boiler explosion. The town heating plant was only three doors away from my house. The whole plant exploded one prayer service evening. The church building was engulfed into darkness, the walls shook, windowpanes were broken on every side. In panic people got down on their knees and crawled towards the doorway. That was the loudest noise I ever heard.
Now, I have here a hammer. I will drop it to the floor. Listen. Is the sound very loud? Here I have a large nail. Hear the sound this makes as it is dropped. The noise that it made is not as loud as the noise produced by the falling hammer.
Here is a small nail. You will have to listen very carefully if you hear the sound of the nail as it strikes the carpet. Do you have good ears? Let us test them.
Here is an ordinary pin. If you keep very quiet you will be able to hear the falling of this tiny pin. Do not move in your seat. Every one, attention! Listen. Did you hear it? Yes, most of you did.
That pin did not make much noise. No sound could be more hushed than a dropping pin. Ah, but there is a sound that is infinitely more quiet. At the same time it is louder than the roll of thunder, or the firing of a huge cannon, or the explosion of a great boiler. Do you know what it is?
Some call it "conscience." I like to think of it as a voice. It is the still, small voice within. When you are about to do wrong, this voice speaks to you. Hear this still, small voice, and obey. And you will do well.
MEMORY VERSE: I Kings 19: 12
"And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."
KIDS CRAFT: How to Make Bunny Ears.
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