Children s Lesson 1 August 12-18, 2018 This Week s Theme: Suiting up the Spirit s way Title: Playing to Win Scripture Memory Verse: For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful (1 Corinthians 14:14, NIV). Bible Lesson: Ephesians 6:10 20 ESV Big Idea: We must have on the full armor of Christ in order to fight the devil. Opening Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, Your Word says that we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. We pray today and put on our whole armor to fight against the wiles of the devil. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Opening Activity: Alphabet Troop Materials: None Instructions: Tell the children that they will become letters of the alphabet. Quote the memory verse several times aloud with the children until they are familiar with it. Then, taking the first letter of each word of the verse, have several children lie on the floor and use their bodies to form the letter of the word. Tell the other children that this is their clue for the word of the verse. When the children correctly guess the word, the children form another letter and so on. Rotate the children to be letters and guessers. Scripture Memory Verse: For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful (1 Corinthians 14:14, NIV). Bible Lesson: Playing to Win Icebreaker: What is your favorite sport to play? Story: Read the story below. Get suited up! yells your coach. Get in there and win the game for us! You run onto the field, get into the huddle, and hear the play. You line up, and the ball is snapped. The quarterback turns and gives you the ball as you run toward the goal line. But just as the ball is placed into your hands, you re hit, and out comes the ball. Even worse, you re hurt and can t play anymore. 1
What happened? Why were you hurt? It wasn t because the other team hit you so hard. It was because you didn t put on your uniform and all its protective gear! You were willing to play in the game, but you forgot to put on the proper uniform and use all the equipment. Christians sometime forget to put on their uniform and often get hurt by the devil when he tries to tackle them. What is our uniform? Let s see what the apostle Paul said about it. The apostle Paul started several churches in different parts of the world. He loved people because God had done a great work in his own heart. He wanted to do the same thing for everyone else. Once Paul started churches, he would try to visit them periodically to see how they were doing. Before or after the visit, he would often write a letter to encourage them to walk in the Lord. Paul wrote a letter to the church he had started in a place called Ephesus. Near the end of the letter he wrote: Eph 6:10-17 ESV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (14) Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (16) In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; (17) and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, The apostle Paul didn t stop there, because the armor needed by Christians isn t just something to put on. There s a lot more to it than that. Paul went on to say, Eph 6:18-20 ESV praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (19) and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, (20) for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. You see, even though you may have your uniform on and play in the game, you still need the right play in order to win the game. That s why Paul told the church in Ephesus 2
to not just put on the armor, or uniform, of God but to pray without stopping. What? Pray without stopping? What did Paul mean? Paul knew the devil would try to defeat Christians, so he told the Christians of his day to always pray in the Holy Spirit. That way they would never pray with a wrong heart but would pray exactly the way God wanted them to pray. That way He would hear and answer their prayers every time. We can pray all the time, even when we don t understand what we re praying, because our spirit prays with the help of the Holy Spirit. Just ask the Lord and He will give the Holy Spirit to you. Is that cool or what? So the next time you suit up to play in the game, play to win by praying in the Holy Spirit! Questions to Ask: 1. What do you need to put on in order to play in a football game? (Your uniform) 2. Can you win a game just by being in a uniform? (No) 3. What did Paul say to the church in Ephesus about putting on their uniforms? (He said that they needed to put them on so that they could stand against the devil.) 4. Name some parts of the armor, or uniform, of God. 5. What is a very important thing that we need to go with the uniform? (Praying in the Holy Spirit) Life Application: 1. Christians can sometimes forget to put on their uniforms. What happens when a Christian forgets to put on his uniform? 2. Paul spoke about praying all of the time in the Spirit. What does that mean? 3. How important is it for a Christian to pray in the Spirit? 4. Do you speak in tongues? If not, would you like to? Closing Prayer: Ask the children to get in a circle and pray for one another under your leadership. Have an altar call and pray for individual prayer needs. 3
Children s Lesson 2 August 19-25, 2018 This Week s Theme: Israel s hurtin and Achan Title: Don t Touch That! Scripture Memory Verse: And of all that you give me I will give you a tenth (Genesis 28:22, NIV). Bible Lesson: Joshua 6 and 7 Big Idea: Give to God what is His tithe! Opening Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, Your Word says give and it shall be given unto you. Lord, teach us Your Word, and make it come alive in our hearts so that we can honor You in all we do in Your kingdom. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Opening Activity: Tithematics Materials:100 pennies Instructions: Separate the children into groups of two or three. Tell them that they will learn the meaning of the word tithe by doing this activity. Count out an even number of pennies to each group, and have the groups quote the verse aloud, one at a time. The first group to quote the verse correctly gets a chance to figure out the tithe of the amount of money that you gave them. The first group that successfully figures it out is the tithing champion. Scripture Memory Verse: And of all that you give me I will give you a tenth (Genesis 28:22, NIV). Bible Lesson: Don t Touch That! Icebreaker: Do you receive an allowance? Do your parents pay you for work done around the house? What do you do with the money? Story: Read the story below. We probably have all heard of the Ten Commandments. They are rules that God has given us to live by. One of the commandments is You shall not steal, which means not to take anything that belongs to another. 4
Most of us have probably broken that commandment at least once. When we did, we showed that we had no respect for the person that we stole from. In other words, we dishonored them. And don t forget that when we steal from someone, we get into big trouble. But would you think of dishonoring God by taking something that belongs to Him? Of course not! But believe it or not, sometimes it happens. You can just imagine the trouble that comes when someone steals from God. Well, let s hear a story about a man who did just that and the big problems it caused. When Joshua came to a city called Jericho, he saw the great wall that protected the city. God told Joshua to have the people march around the city for six days. Then, on the seventh day, the people were to march around the city seven times, and after that, the priest were to blow their trumpets. God told Joshua that the wall would then fall down, and they would take the city. So Joshua told the people what God had commanded him. He also told them not to take anything from the city for themselves, as everything in the city was to be given to the Lord. This was to honor the Lord for the victory they would win. On the seventh day, Joshua and the people marched around the city seven times. When the priest blew their trumpets, the wall came tumbling down, and the children of Israel took the city! But a man named Achan did something that Joshua had told them not to do, for he took some of the things that were to be given to the Lord. A little later, Joshua sent some men to spy out a city called Ai. When the men returned, they told Joshua, There s no need for all the men of war to go and fight in this battle, because the people of Ai are few in number. So about three thousand men went out to fight, but they ended up running away from the people of Ai. The men of Ai struck down thirty-six men of Israel, and the hearts of the people of Israel melted within them. Then Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothes and fell to the ground before the ark of the Lord. Joshua prayed, And Joshua said, "Alas, O Lord GOD, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan! O Lord, what can I say, when Israel has turned their backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it and will surround us and cut off our name from the earth. And what will you do for your great name?" The LORD said to Joshua, "Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their 5
enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you. Get up! Consecrate the people and say, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the LORD, God of Israel, "There are devoted things in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you." (Jos 7:7-13 ESV) So the next day, Joshua had the people pass by him as he waited upon the Lord to see who had taken the thing from Jericho. Finally a man named Achan was discovered to be the one who had taken something from Jericho. As a result of Achan s sin, many people lost their lives. We must never forget that everything in the whole world belongs to the Lord, and He gives us the things we need. The only thing that God requires from us is that we give Him the tithe of what He gives us. When we do not give Him the tithe, it s just like stealing from Him; but when we do give it to God, we are showing that we love and honor Him. So let s keep trouble away by giving God what is His. Questions to Ask: 1. When we steal something from someone, what are we doing to that person? (Dishonoring him) 2. What did God tell the children of Israel not to do after the wall at Jericho fell? (He told them not to take anything from the city.) 3. Why were the children of Israel not supposed to take anything? (Because the city and everything in it belonged to the Lord.) 4. When we give to God what belongs to Him, what are we doing? (We are honoring Him.) 5. What is it called when we give to God what belongs to Him? (Tithing) Life Application: 1. Achan learned the hard way about taking something that belonged to the Lord. How can we avoid being cursed like he was? 2. What did you learn about tithing from this story? 3. Describe how you would feel if someone stole something that belonged to you. Closing Prayer: Ask the children to get in a circle and pray for one another under your leadership. Have an altar call and pray for individual prayer needs. 6
Children s Lesson 3 August 26-September 1, 2018 This Week s Theme: Let s make a deal! Title: Rebekah s Boys Scripture Memory Verse: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1, NIV). Bible Lesson: Genesis 25 Big Idea: Is your flesh stronger than your spirit? Opening Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, I pray today that my strength is found in You. Greater is Jesus who is in me than he who is in the world. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. Opening Activity: Marching Orders Materials: None Instructions: Have the children stand and march in place. While they are marching, begin quoting portions of the verse to them, having them repeat each section after you. After the children have recited the verse several times, begin marching around the room while quoting the scripture. Finally, if possible, march the children through the house and quote the scripture. Let them show the adults what they ve learned. Have fun! Scripture Memory Verse: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1, NIV). Bible Lesson: Rebekah s Boys Icebreaker: Have you ever traded something with a friend and later regretted trading it? What did you trade, and how did you feel? Story: Read the story below. When Abraham s son Isaac was forty years old, he married a woman named Rebekah. Rebekah was the daughter of a Syrian named Bethuel. Rebekah was not able to have any children. But Isaac prayed for his wife, and the Lord heard Isaac s prayer. Rebekah soon became pregnant with twins! One day the babies began struggling in her womb. Rebekah prayed and asked the Lord why the children were struggling within her. The Lord said, There are two nations in your womb, and 7
two peoples shall come from you. One will be stronger than the other, and the older child shall serve the younger. When it came time for the babies to be born, the first baby came forth red and hairy. He was named Esau. The second baby then came out, and he was holding Esau s heel. They named him Jacob. As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter who loved the outdoors. Jacob became a peaceful man who chose to live in tents. One day Jacob cooked a big pot of red stew. Esau came in from the field, starving. When he smelled Jacob s yummy stew, Esau asked for a taste of it. (Because the stew was red in color, Esau was given the nickname of Edom, which means red. ) Jacob made a quick plan. He told Esau that he would trade him some stew for his birthright. The birthright was a special blessing that awarded the firstborn son everything the father owned. Esau agreed to Jacob s deal! He gave up his inheritance for a bowl of stew. He cared more about relieving the hunger pangs in his stomach than receiving his father s blessing for a lifetime! That s just like someone who is a millionaire giving up all of his money for a bowl of red beans! No way! Jacob had more respect for his father s blessing than did Esau. Later Jacob and his descendants became known as the nation of Israel. The spirit and body are like Jacob and Esau. The spirit respects and hungers for the Father in heaven. The body doesn t care anything about God, but only in taking care of itself. And just like Jacob and Esau struggled when they were in their mother s womb, the spirit and body are in a constant struggle too. When someone is born again, a war begins between the spirit and body. The person must decide who will win: the spirit, who wants to serve God, or the body, who is selfish and curses God. Remember, the one you feed is the one that wins! Only one can win. Which one will it be? Questions to Ask: 1. Whom did Isaac marry? (Rebekah) 2. What did Isaac do after Rebekah couldn t have children? (He prayed to the Lord.) 3. What happened to Rebekah after she became pregnant? (The babies struggled in her womb.) 4. What was the difference between Jacob and Esau? (Jacob dwelled in tents; Esau was a man of the field, a hunter.) 5. How did Esau lose his birthright? (He sold it to Jacob for a bowl of stew.) 8
Life Application: 1. Which person are you more like: Jacob or Esau? Explain. 2. Have your struggles between your flesh and spirit been difficult? How has it changed your life? 3. Please tell us if you have any problems fighting your flesh. Closing Prayer: Ask the children to get in a circle and pray for one another under your leadership. Have an altar call and pray for individual prayer needs. 9
Children s Lesson 4 September 2-8, 2018 This Week s Theme: Rich man, poor man Title: The Poor Young Ruler Scripture Memory Verse: In him was life, and that life was the light of men (John 1:4, NIV). Bible Lesson: Mark 10 Big Idea: It s better to be rich in your heart and go to heaven than to be rich in money and not go to heaven! Opening Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, You are my all in all. My heart is rich with Your grace and mercy. Thank You for saving me today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. Opening Activity: Whisper the Word Materials: None Instructions: Whisper into the ear of each child a different word of the verse until all words are given out. Then recite the entire verse aloud several times. After that, quote one word at a time from the verse, in random order. When the children hear their particular word quoted, have them stand up and assume the correct order of where they should be in the verse. Rotate the words from child to child in additional rounds. Scripture Memory Verse: In him was life, and that life was the light of men (John 1:4, NIV). Bible Lesson: The Poor Young Ruler Icebreaker: Are most of your friends rich, or are most of them poor? Story: Read the story below. After Jesus had finished praying for some children one day, a young man who had lots of money (in other words, the dude was rich!) came up to Jesus to ask Him a question. The young man, who was a ruler, asked Jesus, And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and 10
mother.'" And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth." And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God." Peter began to say to him, "See, we have left everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first." (Mar 10:17-31 ESV). Jesus was telling His disciples to be cool, that everything was going to be okay. He was telling them that if all they wanted was to be rich on earth, their hearts were poor. The young man who left sad was rich on the outside, but poor on the inside. Does someone have to be poor in order to go to heaven? No way! But there is a difference in being rich in what you have and being rich in your heart. Ask Jesus to come into your heart, and become rich! Questions to Ask: 1. What did the rich young man ask Jesus? (What can I do to go to have eternal life?) 2. What did Jesus first tell the young man to do? (Keep the commandments.) 3. Can you name two of the commandments Jesus mentioned? (Do not steal, do not lie, etc.) 4. Why did the rich young man leave sad? (Jesus told him to sell everything he had.) Life Application: 1. If Jesus would ask you to give up your family and follow Him, would you do it? Why or why not? 2. Do you know someone who is rich in heart, but poor in material things? If yes, what is that person like? 11
Closing Prayer: Ask the children to get in a circle and pray for one another under your leadership. Have an altar call and pray for individual prayer needs. 12