God wants us to use our gifts together to serve him.

Praise Jesus! Paul Describes How the Body of Christ Works Together Lesson 11 Bible Point God wants us to use our gifts together to serve him. Bible Verse He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love (Ephesians 4:16). Growing Closer to Jesus Students will n work together to accomplish a goal, n discover what it means to be a part of Christ s body, and n learn that cooperation takes work. Teacher Enrichment Bible Basis n Paul describes how the body of Christ works together. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 In 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Paul introduced to the Corinthians the concept that the church is like a body more specifically the body of Christ. From 1 Corinthians 12:1, we can infer that the Corinthians had raised questions about spiritual gifts, and Paul s comments in the passage suggest that they disagreed over whose spiritual gifts were most important. Apparently some people were feeling insignificant because of their gifts (1 Corinthians 12:14-20), and others were feeling overly important because of their gifts (1 Corinthians 12:21-26). Paul s message is a great equalizer: People with gifts that seem insignificant are actually much more important than they may think, and people with gifts that seem more spectacular aren t any more important than anyone else. An important fact to note can be found in verse 18: God has put each part just where he wants it. In a body, if one part is hurting, the other parts feel the hurt. And if one part feels great, it makes all of the body feel better! That s how the church should be! God gives different gifts for the building up of the body of Christ. We all are part of that body, and God wants us to use the gifts he s given us to fill the place intended for us in his church! That s how we ll be most fulfilled and how we ll work together with other Christians to further God s kingdom on earth. Other Scriptures used in this lesson are Romans 12:4-6a and Ephesians 4:3-4. Prayer Read Romans 12:4-5. How are you using your spiritual gifts to help others in the body of the Church? Pray: Dear Lord, thank you for giving us gifts we can use to your glory. Help me use my gifts to further your kingdom, and help me be an example to my students as I 125

Lesson 11 Before the Lesson n Collect the necessary items for the activities you plan to use, referring to the Classroom Supplies and Learning Lab Supplies listed on the chart. n Make photocopies of the Hands-On Fun at Home handout (at the end of this lesson) to send home with your children. n Pray for your students and for God s direction as you teach the lesson. This Lesson at a Glance Attention Grabber What Children Will Do Classroom Supplies Learning Lab Supplies Bible Verse Jumble Race Work together to put Ephesians 4:4 in the right order. Bible, index cards, marker, tape Bible Exploration & Application Closing The Missing Piece Use pieces of the geometric puzzle to create a rectangle, and then read Romans 12:4-6a to learn the importance of each part of the body of Christ. Wrap It Up! Work on a team to gift-wrap a Bible; hear Ephesians 4:3-4, 16; and discuss what it means to be joined by God. Trio Talks Become the hands, mouth, or voice to tell a story; read 1 Corinthians 12:27-31; and discover that each part of the body needs the others. My Place in the Body Discuss how their gifts fit into the body of Christ. Bibles, box Bibles, newsprint, scissors, transparent tape, pennies Gift-wrapped Bibles from previous activity, Three-in-One Storytellers handout (p. 133), scissors Newsprint, marker, tape, CD player, scissors, pencil 126

Welcome Paul Describes How the Body of Christ Works Together As kids arrive, ask them how they put last week s lesson into action in their lives. Ask questions such as How did you use your gifts last week to glorify God? and What special talents did you notice in others? Tell kids that whenever you sound the giggle hammer, they are to stop talking, raise their hands, and focus on you. Remind kids that as their hands go up, their mouths go shut. Explain that it s important to respond to this signal quickly so the class can do as many fun activities as possible. Repeating the Bible Point over and over will help the children remember it and apply it to their lives. Help children learn one point that will stay with them for days and even years to come. Attention Grabber n Bible Verse Jumble Race SUPPLIES: Bible, index cards, marker, tape Before the lesson, write the following Bible verse on index cards: For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future (Ephesians 4:4). Put only one word on each card, but be sure to put the entire reference on one card. As kids arrive, tape a verse card on each student so that the student can t see it. For example, tape the cards on the bottoms of their shoes, the tops of their heads, or on their backs. Tell kids not to read their cards. When everyone has arrived and has a card, say: Each of you is wearing a part of the Bible verse we re going to learn about today. Your challenge is to work together so that you re standing in the correct order without touching or removing your card. Let s see how quickly you can do it. My teacher guide says you should be able to do it in one minute and six seconds. But I think you can beat that time. Provide a Bible so kids can look up the verse to learn the right order. When students arrange themselves in the order of the verse, have them sit down. Ask: How did you accomplish your task? (We told each other what our cards said; we worked together to get the words right; we looked up the verse to find out how it went.) What did you learn about working together from this activity? (It s fun; it can be hard; it helps get the job done.) Say: Each person was necessary to put this verse in the right order. Last week we learned about the special gifts God gives us. Today we ll see that God wants us to use our gifts together to serve him. Have kids tape their index cards on the wall in the correct order. If your class has fewer than 22 students, give some students more than one card. Be sure these students have words that go together in the verse. If you have more than 22, make two sets of cards and form two teams. Be certain that everyone is needed to complete the verse. 127

Lesson 11 Bible Insight Because Corinth was an established commercial center and was home to a racial and social mixture, the early Christians in Corinth were from all walks of life. The mix of Jews and Gentiles, of upper class and lower class, of the intellectual and the uneducated, propelled Paul s constant concerns about the expansion of the church. Bible Exploration & Application n The Missing Piece SUPPLIES: Bibles, box Have kids form a circle, and place six pieces of the geometric puzzle in a box in the center of the circle. Set the seventh piece on the floor. Go around the circle and assign each child a number from one to six, repeating as needed until each child has a number. Say: When I call out a number, everyone with that number come to the middle of the circle and together choose one puzzle piece from the box. Work together to try to figure out how to make a rectangle shape by adding your piece to the piece on the floor. When I call out another number, leave the puzzle pieces in place and return to your spot in the circle. Begin calling out the numbers one through six in random order. Give each group about 15 seconds to work on the rectangle before calling another number. As kids add their pieces, allow them to rearrange the geometric puzzle as they try to form the shape of a rectangle. If everyone has contributed a puzzle piece and the rectangle still hasn t been formed, continue to call out numbers until the kids have completed the task. If necessary, help them finish (see the diagram in the margin). When the pieces have formed a rectangle shape, return the geometric puzzle to the Learning Lab. Hold up one of the coil bracelets. Say: I m going to toss this across the circle to someone. If it lands in front of you, answer my question. Then toss it to another person in the circle, and we ll let him or her answer the question, too. Toss the coil bracelet across the circle, and ask: What was it like to work when you had only a few pieces of the puzzle? (Impossible; it was hard to make the shape; I wanted help.) When did it get easier to make the rectangle? (When we had everyone s puzzle piece; when we could move the pieces around; when you helped us.) Could you have made the rectangle shape on your own? Explain. (No, my piece was triangular; no, it wouldn t work; no, I needed more shapes.) Say: You all needed each other to succeed in this activity. A passage in the book of Romans tells how the church needs to work this same way. Distribute Bibles, and have a volunteer read Romans 12:4-6a while others follow along. Use the coil bracelet again as you ask: How is this Bible passage like our activity with the puzzle? (Each person has something important to add; we have to work together to get the job done; we all need each other.) Why is it important for people in the church to work together? (Because Jesus wants to reach everyone; because there s so much to do; because we get more done when we work together.) What things can we accomplish when we work together as God s body? (Telling people about Jesus; helping poor people; inviting people to church; making people feel loved.) How can you live according to this passage every day? (I can help other people; we can work together instead of trying to do things ourselves; I can be friendly to other Christians.) 128

Why is it hard sometimes to be part of God s body? (We re not sure of our gifts; if we don t like someone, we won t want to work with him; everyone wants to do his own thing.) Say: God wants us to use our gifts together to serve him. Remember, we re each an important part of a team. We need to work together, which can be a challenge. This next activity will give you a chance to take that challenge! Return the coil bracelet to the Learning Lab. Paul Describes How the Body of Christ Works Together n Wrap It Up! SUPPLIES: Bibles, scissors, transparent tape, newsprint, pennies Have kids form trios, and give each group the following items: a pair of scissors, transparent tape, a large sheet of newsprint, and a Bible. Say: We re going to see which trio can gift-wrap its Bible the fastest. You each have a specific part to do the folding, the taping, or the cutting. As you work, you can only touch your part of the process. For instance, if you re the cutter, you can t touch the tape or the paper. As if this isn t challenging enough, you ll have to hold some coins on your heads! Distribute six pennies to each trio, and have each person balance two pennies on his or her head. Trios should form their own circles with their Bibles in the middle. When trios have their pennies on their heads, say: OK, let s see which is the fastest gift-wrapping trio here! Ready? Go! Allow trios to work until they ve completed their gift-wrapping jobs. Congratulate the trio that finishes first with a round of applause, whistles, and cheers. Have kids keep their pennies on their heads until the end of the activity. Ask: What was it like to work with the pennies on your heads? (Hard; challenging; frustrating; fun; weird.) How did you get the job done? (Working together; talking about it as we went; by doing our parts really well; telling others that they were doing a good job.) What did you like about having specific jobs? (It was fun; it made it different; we kind of got to know each other better.) What s it like when everyone works together on a team or in a group? (Cool; fun; neat; successful.) Say: We re all joined together by a special bond faith in Jesus! Let s look at Ephesians 4:3-4, 16 to see what that means. You ll recognize one verse in this passage as the one we used at the beginning of our class today. Have trios listen while you read Ephesians 4:3-4 aloud. Then have them read Ephesians 4:16, today s Bible verse, aloud with you: He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Then have trios discuss the following questions. 129

Lesson 11 Ask: What does it mean to be united in the Spirit? We should always do what Jesus wants us to do; we all trust Jesus; it means we should work together for Jesus.) What is the glorious hope we have for the future? (To go to heaven; to be with Jesus forever.) What is the one way we receive that glorious hope? (By believing in Jesus; by asking Jesus into our hearts.) How is this passage like our gift-wrapping activity? (Each person has a special job; we have to work together; when we work together we can do great things.) Why do you think God wants his people to work together? (So they won t argue; so they can get lots of stuff done; so other people will know about him.) What would happen if we all followed the words in this passage? (More people would believe in Jesus; our world would be a better place; Christians would be like a big family.) Say: In your trio, think of six ways you could work together to serve God. Each time you think of a way, take a penny off your head. When you get all your pennies off, have each person say a sentence prayer asking God to help you use your gifts to serve him. When trios have finished praying, say: God wants us to use our gifts together to serve him. This week, look for ways you can work together with your family and friends to serve God. Although it may take more effort to work together, you ll accomplish a lot more than you could on your own. Set aside the gift-wrapped Bibles until they re needed in the next activity. If the number of kids in your class isn t divisible by three, include yourself as part of a trio. Kids will enjoy seeing you participate! n Trio Talks SUPPLIES: Three-in-One Storytellers handout (p. 133), scissors, gift-wrapped Bibles from previous activity Photocopy the Three-in-One Storytellers handout. Cut apart the scenarios on the handout so you have one for each trio. Make extra copies if you have more than 12 students. Have kids form new trios. Have each trio member choose one part Hands, Voice, or Mouth. Say: Each trio will have a few minutes to practice the script I ll give you. And you each have an important part in the performance! If you re the Mouth, stand with your hands behind your back. If you re the Hands, stand behind the Mouth and put your hands in front of that person where his or her hands would normally be. The Voice will stand behind the Hands and read the script as the Mouth moves its mouth and the Hands add gestures. The rest of the class will watch your performance. Give each trio a scenario from the Three-in-One Storytellers handout. Allow a minute or two for trios to practice their scripts. When all trios have performed for the class, ask: What did you like about sharing these stories? (They re silly; they re lots of fun; I got to make funny motions with my hands.) 130

What was challenging about telling the stories this way? (The hands and mouth didn t know what the voice was saying; we had to guess what would happen in the story.) Would the performance have run as smoothly if any member of the trio was missing? Explain. (No, we couldn t have heard without the Voice; it would have looked weird without the Mouth; there wouldn t be any action without the Hands.) Say: Just as each member of your trio was important in telling the story, the Bible tells us that we re all important members of the body of Christ. Give each trio a gift-wrapped Bible. Have the Hands unwrap it so that the Voice can read 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 aloud. Ask the Mouths to share their groups responses to the following questions: What does this Scripture passage have to do with our three-in-one storytellers? (They needed each other; each part made up a storyteller; the parts had to work together.) Why do the parts of God s body the church need each other? (Because we can t do all his work on our own; because some people can do things better than others; because we need encouragement from others.) Why is each member so important? (Each person has a special gift that makes the body work; because the body wouldn t be whole without each part; because everyone has something special to offer.) What can you offer to your church body? (I m good with kids; I sing really well; I can welcome new people; I can tell people at school about Jesus.) Why is that part so important? (Kids need to be taken care of; singing makes the worship service nice; new people need to feel liked at church; people need to hear about Jesus.) What can you learn from this Scripture passage? (That my part is important in church; that we need each other; that we need to work together as one body.) Say: God has given each of us a special gift that the body, or church, needs. We need each other to work together as the body of Christ. God wants us to use our gifts together to serve him. Paul Describes How the Body of Christ Works Together HANDS-ON BIBLE Have kids turn in their Hands-On Bibles to the Bible Bio of Saul found on page 1209. Say: You may not think you have spiritual gifts that God can use for his glory. That s probably what one man in the Bible thought, too. I ll show you what I mean. Have kids form pairs, and have partners take turns reading the Saul biography. Saul never could have imagined all that God had in store for him to do! God has big plans for you, too! Give kids paper and pencils. Ask them to read and follow the directions in the Can God Use You? section. Have partners share their lists with each other, and then invite volunteers to share their lists with the rest of the class. Encourage kids to take their lists home with them so they can make a note of the dates they notice God using their gifts and talents. In future weeks, check in with kids to see what they ve discovered about their spiritual gifts. Kids process new information best by interacting with one another. Keeping kids quiet and controlled doesn t necessarily mean your class is a success. A more accurate barometer might be seeing happy, involved, excited students moving around the classroom, discussing how to apply to their lives the new truths they re learning. 131

Lesson 11 If you have more than 15 kids in your class, make two outlines and form two groups. This will allow more time to discuss each person s spiritual gifts. Closing n My Place in the Body SUPPLIES: CD player, newsprint, pencil, scissors, tape, marker Before the lesson, use a pencil to trace someone s body outline on track 12 a large sheet of newsprint, cut it out, and tape it to the wall. Cue the CD to I Can Do Everything Through Christ (Philippians 4:13) (track 12). Say: First Corinthians 12 says that we are parts of the body of Christ the church. It also says that each part of the body has a special job to do. Let s think about each other s gifts and try to decide which part of the body we could represent. Some of our talents include thinking, speaking, helping, encouraging, and serving. Let s start with [name]. What gift would you say [he or she] has? Where should we list that on our church body on the wall? Have kids discuss the gifts of each person in the class; then instruct students to write their own names next to their gifts on the silhouette. Affirm kids who think that their abilities aren t as useful, popular, or desirable as others. When everyone has written his or her name on the newsprint, have kids form a circle and link arms. Say: God wants us to use our gifts together to serve him. And with God s help, we can do just that! Let s listen to a song that reminds us how to do that. Play I Can Do Everything Through Christ (Philippians 4:13), and have kids sing along with the CD. (Lyrics are at the back of this book.) When the song is over, turn off the CD player, and close with prayer. Thank God for each person s gifts. Ask God to give you all the opportunity and strength to work together to serve him. Growing closer to Jesus extends beyond the classroom. Photocopy the Hands-On Fun at Home handout (at the end of this lesson) for this week, and send it home with your kids. Encourage kids and parents to use the handout to spark meaningful discussion on this week s topic. 132

Three-in-One Storytellers Handy Helpers One day my friend and I were going down to the park when we met a lady struggling with two big bags of groceries. Her little boy was tagging along behind. Since her hands were so full, we offered to help her carry the groceries. They were really heavy, but we didn t mind. When we got to her house, she said, Thank God you came along. You re an answer to my prayers! Poster Pals Just the other day my friends and I were trying to make a poster to wish our teacher a happy birthday. My friend Kim had some paper, I had a glue stick, and Nancy had a neat picture. All we needed were some markers to write, Happy Birthday, Mrs. Fields. We were glad that my other friend, Lynn, had a set of markers. The poster turned out great, and Mrs. Fields was really surprised. A Tidy Team Have you ever tried to wash a big dog by yourself? It just doesn t work! The last time my dog, Goliath, needed a bath, I had help from my brother and sister. My sister walked Goliath while my brother and I filled a big tub with water. Then Sis held the dog, my brother soaped him up, and I rinsed him with the hose. We all got wet, but Goliath got clean! Canoe Capers Last spring, a couple of friends and I went canoeing on the lake. One friend sat in the front, the other sat in the back, and I sat in the middle. The three of us had a blast but it took lots of work to make the canoe go where we wanted. First the person in front went to the left, and the person in back went right. Then the front went right, and the back went left. After going in circles a few times, I finally said, OK everybody go left. That worked well until we ran into a tree by the shore. Then we decided to let the person in front call the directions. Permission to photocopy this handout from Group s Hands-On Bible Curriculum Grades 3 & 4 granted for local church use. Copyright Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538. group.com 133

LESSON 11 God wants us to use our gifts together to serve him. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love (Ephesians 4:16). Read Colossians 3:12-14. Why is it so important for people in the church to love each other? Knock, knock. Who s there? Shoulder. Shoulder who? Shoulder bus driver your ticket. Knock, knock. Who s there? Handy. Handy who? Handy potato chips. I m hungry! Read Hebrews 3:13-14. How does working together help us stand firm in our faith? Read 1 Peter 4:10-11. What gifts do you notice in your family members? Every BODY needs to eat. How about sharing some of these FUN foods with a food pantry? Kids your age will appreciate it. Dried fruit snacks Alphabet soup Chocolate mix for milk Drink boxes Individual serving boxes of cereal 134 Permission to photocopy this handout from Group s Hands-On Bible Curriculum Grades 3 & 4 granted for local church use. Copyright Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538. group.com