Big Idea: God cares about us, so we can turn our worries over to Him through prayer.
Bible Basis: Matt. 26:36-56; Mark 14:32-52; Luke 22:40-53; Jn. 18:1-11
Key Verse: “Turn all of your worries over to him. He cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through your Word to me draw near. Let me your Word ever pure retain; Let me your child and heir remain. All this I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN
Simply ask your child to share one good thing that happened today or this week (thumbs up) and one not-so-good thing (thumbs down). This is a great way to share celebrations and struggles with one another.
BIBLE LESSON VIDEO
ASK THESE QUESTIONS
For younger kids:
What was your favorite part of this story? Why?
Even though dying on the cross was going to be really hard, Jesus was willing to do it anyway. Why do you think Jesus did it?
For older kids:
What does this story teach you about Jesus?
Even though dying on the cross was going to be really hard, Jesus was willing to do it anyway. Why do you think Jesus did it?
REFLECT AND RESPOND
After the video, have your child pick one or more of the prompts on the GO! Home Guide.
Prayer Station prompt: Do you feel troubled or worried about something? Write a prayer to God and tell Him about it. Ask Him to take it from you.
Journal Station prompt: Write a letter to Jesus and tell Him how amazing He is for dying on the cross for you.
Bible Station prompt: Read it for yourself: Matthew 26:36-56. Draw a picture of the story or write to God about your favorite part of the story. Tell Him why you liked it.
Art Station prompt: What is something that you feel troubled or worried about? Draw a picture of it. While you’re drawing, ask God to help you not feel worried about it anymore.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
+ Artrageour Community Builder
- Directions: Have the kids sit in a circle. Give each kid a piece of paper. Place some markers in the middle of the group. Tell the kids to draw a picture of what their face looks like when they get really worried. As the kids begin drawing, count silently down from 10. When 10 seconds have passed, say “STOP!” Have the kids pass their paper to the person on their right and tell them to continue drawing on their new picture. Repeat this every 10 seconds until all of the drawings are finished. Encourage the kids to show the final pictures to the rest of the group.
+ Over to God (Application Activity)
- Set up: Print the “Prayer Hands” puzzle sheet on 8½ x 11 paper. Cut the sheet into 8 equally sized cards
- Say: In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus began to feel sad and troubled at the thought of dying on the cross, but He turned it over to God by praying. We’re going to practice doing that same thing right now.
- Directions: Ask the kids in your group, “What kind of things in your life make you feel troubled or worried?” As the kids share, write one answer on the back (blank) side of each “Prayer Hands” puzzle card. When all 8 cards have something written on them, spread them out on the floor with the “worries” facing up. Tell the kids that when you say “go,” they have to quickly turn all of the cards over and arrange them to form a picture of praying hands. Time them to see how fast they can do it. If you would like to play additional rounds, flip the cards back over and repeat, but tell the kids that after turning the cards over, they can only use their nose to arrange the cards. For each additional round choose a different body part to use such as chin, ear, elbow or forehead!
- Say: When we turned our worries over, it formed a picture of praying hands. The best way for us to turn our worries over to God is through prayer, just like Jesus did in the garden. In fact, let’s do that now.
- Pray: Decide on a way for your group to join together in prayer. You may choose to have the group hold hands, link arms, or take a knee and stack their hands in the middle of the group. Open your group in prayer. Encourage the kids to tell God about something that worries them and ask God to take their worry away. Finally, when finished, close the group in one final prayer of praise to God.
+ Bible Verse Bonkers (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Set Up: Print the “Bible Verse Bonkers” cards on 8½ x 11 cardstock and cut apart. Each set should have 11 cards.
- Directions: Ask the kids in your group to make up a Bonkers action—something crazy that the whole group will have to do. (For example: walk around like a chicken while barking like a dog.) When ready, place the 11 “Bible Verse Bonkers” cards face down in the middle of your group. Eight of the cards will have a portion of today’s Bible verse on it and three of the cards will be “Bonkers” cards. One at a time, have the kids in your group take turns flipping over cards. If they flip over a Bible verse card, have them try to place it in the right spot so that the verse reads in order. If they flip over all 3 “Bonkers” cards before completing the verse, the entire group must perform the pre-determined Bonkers action. After performing the action, allow the kids to finish placing the remaining Bible verse cards in order, read the verse aloud a few times. Next, remove the cards and ask the kids to recite the verse from memory. Play as many rounds as it takes for the kids to confidently memorize the verse. Today’s Bible verse says: “Turn all of your worries over to him. He cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7
- Question: How do you think God can help you with your worries?
+ Artrageous Prayers (Prayer Activity)
- Set up: Provide one plain white self-adhesive name badge for each kid in the group. Hang a piece of poster board or butcher block paper on a wall in the room. At the top of the board write the words, “I give my WORRIES to God.”
- Directions: Give each kid in your group a blank name badge sticker. Place some colored markers in the middle of the group. Tell the kids to think of something that makes them feel troubled or worried and draw or write about it on their name badge. When finished, allow the kids to show their prayer art and talk about it. Next, lead your group in a closing prayer. Encourage the kids to pray that God would take their worry away from them. Finally, when the prayer is over, lead the kids to the poster board sign that says, “I give my WORRIES to God.” Tell them to give their worry over to God by removing the sticker and sticking it to the sign. In the end, the kids will have created a visual art collage. Consider keeping the collages on the wall throughout the remainder of the “Artrageous” series.
(Due to copyright restrictions, the printable materials described in the activities above are only available to those who have registered for Our Savior’s Kids. To register your child(ren), click the button below)
CLOSING PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for caring about me and loving me so much. I know this because you sent Jesus to live and die for all my sins. When I am afraid or worried, remind me that you will hear and answer all my prayers because you love me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read in the Bible the story that was the basis for this week’s lesson:
Matthew 26:36-56
Do more of the activities list above with your child.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!