Big Idea: God’s power is strong when I am weak.
Bible Basis: Acts 27
Key Verse: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.’ So I am very happy to brag about how weak I am. Then Christ’s power can rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
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?
How do you think Paul felt when he finally reached land? Why do you think that?
For older kids:
If God can stop storms, why do you think He didn’t stop the storm that Paul was in?
If Paul was doing all of this for God, do you think God should have made it easier for Paul? Why or why not?
REFLECT AND RESPOND
After the video, have your child pick one or more of the prompts on the GO! Home Guide.
Prayer Station prompt: Write a prayer to God. Thank Him for doing BIG things through you when you feel weak.
Journal Station prompt: Write a letter to God and tell Him about one of your worst days ever. Can you think of something good that God did through that day? Write about it.
Bible Station prompt: Read it for yourself: Acts 27. 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 do you look like when you’re having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day? Draw a picture of it. While you’re drawing, ask God to give you strength when you feel weak.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
+ Strength in Weakness (Application Activity)
- Set Up: Provide each small group with two equally-sized stacks of books or Bibles. When stacked, the books or Bibles need only be a few inches high. As a substitute, you could also use two equally-sized chairs.
- Say: In today’s story, Paul had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. In fact, he had a bunch of days like that—days that made Paul feel weak. But Paul rejoiced in his weakness, because that allowed God to be strong. We’re going to do an activity right now that will help us see how God makes us strong when bad things happen to us.
- Directions: Set two equally-sized stacks of books in the middle of the group with about 8 inches between them. Provide the kids with a single piece of paper and an empty plastic cup and give them the following challenge: use the paper to create a bridge that is strong enough to hold up the cup. They may not move the books closer together or use any other objects to assist. Allow the kids to problem solve and to experiment with different solutions. When enough time has passed or the kids have given up, tell them that you will show them the solution, but first they have to answer a question. Ask the kids to tell you about something bad that has happened to them. Each time a kid shares, fold the paper long-ways so that it eventually looks like a paper fan. (Each fold should be about an inch apart for a total of 7 folds.) When you’ve finished your 7th and final fold, set the accordion shaped paper across the books and place the cup on top (see picture below.) The paper will be strong enough to hold the cup up.
- Say: If this paper hadn’t been bent out of shape, it wouldn’t be so strong. That’s kind of like us. When bad things happen, we can get all bent out of shape. It’s no fun and it doesn’t feel so good either, but that’s when God shows His strength. For example, if you got made fun of at school, God might use that situation to help you stand up for other kids who get made fun of. If your grandma died, God might use that situation to help you comfort a friend when they lose a grandparent.
- Question: Think about each of those bad things you shared. How could God make you better or stronger through that situation? Is there something good that God could do through that bad thing?
+ Picture This Bible Verse (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Directions: “Picture This” Bible verse cards and markers
- Directions: Place the “Picture This” Bible verse cards in the center of your group. Each card will contain a part of the verse. Have the kids arrange the cards in the correct order. For younger kids who are still learning to read, you may have to assist them with this. Today’s Bible verse is: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.’ So I am very happy to brag about how weak I am. Then Christ’s power can rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. Tell the kids that they’re going to replace each part of the verse with a picture. Begin by reading the words on the first card and asking your group if they can think of a picture that represents those words. Choose one of the kids to flip the card over and draw that picture on the back. Continue this for each of the cards. When finished, once again place all of the cards in order on the floor with the words facing up. Begin by reading the verse together. For younger kids, they can listen to you reading the verse a couple of times before they begin to join in. Choose a kid to flip one of the cards over so that the picture is facing up. Recite the verse again. Continue having kids flip over cards and recite the verse until all of the words have been replaced with pictures. When your group is able to recite the verse using only the pictures, have them begin removing one card at a time. Each time you remove a card, recite the verse. Continue doing this until all of the cards are removed and the kids can recite the entire verse from memory.
- Question: Imagine if nothing bad ever happened to you. How would you be different? Would that make you a stronger person or a weaker person? Why?
+ What's in your Heart? (Prayer Activity)
- Directions: Today we learned that God’s power is strongest when we are weak. So we can learn to trust Him and rely on His power inside of us to make those weak moments powerful in our lives. Today we're going to take some time to draw a heart on a piece of paper and write inside it a characteristic we need more of in our life this week. (Example: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, or self-control) Then on the other side of the paper, we are going to write down something we need God to help us stop focusing on this week. Then draw a big X through it. (Example: jealousy, selfishness, anger) Allow everyone to share their thoughts verbally. When finished, open the group in prayer. Allow any kid who would like to pray aloud to do so. Have the kids tuck their slip of paper in their pocket or Bible so they can remember this week.
(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, when I am weak, remind me of your strength. Strengthen me through your Word and send people into my life to encourage me. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read in the Bible the story that was the basis for this week’s lesson:
Acts 27
Do more of the activities list above with your child.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!