Big Idea: God wants me to share with my family.
Bible Basis: Genesis 13
Key Verse: “As for me (point to self with thumbs) and my family (trace a circle in front of you with fingers), we will serve (march in place) the Lord (point up).” Joshua 24:15 (extend hands like holding a book).
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.
BIBLE LESSON VIDEO
ASK THESE QUESTIONS:
What is your favorite part of this Bible lesson?
What is today’s Big Idea?
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Choose one (or more) of these activities to do with your child.
+ Fruit Loop Necklace
- Supplies: Fruit Loops (1 box), string (1 piece per child.
- Directions: Tell the children to create a necklace by threading their string through the Fruit Loops® cereal. When finished, help the children tie the ends together so they can wear their necklace. Tell the children they can eat the cereal off of their necklace one piece at a time when they are with their family. Before eating each piece, they must tell one person in their family something they love about them.
- Say: Did you know that your family is a gift from God. It’s true! When you see the members your family, you can eat the cereal off of your necklace. But for each piece of cereal you eat, you have to tell one person in your family something you love about them!
- Question: What do you love most about your family?
+ The Last Limbo (Application Activity)
- Supplies: Broom stick
- Say:: In today’s true Bible story, Abram let Lot go first. Let’s play a fun game that helps us practice letting other people go first.
- Directions: Have each child pair up with a partner. Tell the children to form a line while hooking elbows with each other. (One pair of children should be standing in front of the next pair and so on.) In front of the line, hold the broom stick horizontally like a limbo stick and tell the children to walk beneath it. (They don’t have to bend backwards like a traditional limbo, they can simply duck underneath the stick.) As each pair approaches the stick, ask if either child would like to let their partner go first. Thank the child who says “yes” and give them a high five, then direct the children to duck beneath the stick one at a time. As they duck beneath the stick, have them say, “God wants me to share with my family.” Continue until all of the pairs have had a turn. For each additional round, hold the stick lower to the ground.
- Question: Was it hard for you to let your partner go first? Why or why not?
- Question: How do you think it makes God feel when you let others go first?
+ Donut Dash (Application Activity)
- Supplies: Donut Pictures (1 per child minus one)
- Say: God gives us a family to love. One of the ways we can show love to the people in our family is by sharing with them. Let’s play a game that teaches us how to share.
- Directions: This game is played like “Musical Chairs.” Place the “Donut Pictures” in a circle on the floor. There should be one less donut picture than there are participants. Have everyone walk in the same direction around the circle of donuts while singing the first verse of “Jesus Loves Me.” (See lyrics below.) When the song is over, the children must dash to sit down on one of the donuts. One of the children will not have a donut to sit on. Ask the children if anyone would like to make room and share their donut with the left-out child. While the left-out child takes a seat, thank the child who shared their donut and lead the group in cheering for them. Play additional rounds for as long as time or interest allows.
- "Jesus Loves Me" Lyrics: Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak, but He is strong!
- Question: God loves it when we share with our family. What are some other ways you can show love to the people in your family?
+ Knock Down (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Supplies: 15 Plastic cups, paper (1 piece per child), tape (1 roll)
- Today's Bible Verse: “As for me (point to self with thumbs) and my family (trace a circle in front of you with fingers), we will serve (march in place) the Lord (point up).” Joshua 24:15 (extend hands like holding a book).
- Directions: Practice the verse together several times. When ready, use the plastic cups to build a pyramid. Allow your child to help. Create a tape line about 5-6 feet from the pyramid. Give your child a crumpled piece of paper and have them stand behind the line. Have your child say the verse, or say the verse together, then prompt them to throw their paper at the pyramid. If they knock down all of the cups above the bottom row, celebrate and rebuild the pyramid for another round. If they don’t, continue playing until all of the cups are knocked down. Your child must always recite the verse before throwing their paper ball. Play as many rounds as time and interest allow!
+ Bible Story Stack (Bible Story Review Activity)
- Supplies: Story Pictures (download below), 5 small cardboard boxes
- Preparation: Print the “Story Pictures” on paper, then cut apart. Tape each picture to a different, small cardboard box.
- Directions: Place the story cubes with pictures in the middle of the group. Ask the children which story cube goes first. When they’ve chosen the correct cube, ask them to recount what happened in that part of the story. Place the first story cube on the floor or table, then stack each additional cube on top so the story progresses from the bottom up. Continue until the cubes are all stacked and the story is complete!
- Question: What was your favorite part of this story? Why did you like that part?
+ My Family (Response to God Activity)
- Supplies: GO! Home Guide (1 per child), crayons
- Directions: Give each child a GO! Home Guide and some crayons or markers. The sheet will have a space for children to draw. Tell the children to draw a picture of their family. When finished, have the children show their picture and tell about it.
- Say: Our families are a gift from God. God gives us a family to care for us and to help us love and follow Him. Let’s say a prayer and thank God for giving us the people in our family.
- Prayer: Begin by asking if your child(ren) would like to pray. Allow any children who want to pray the opportunity to do so. When they’re finished, close the prayer by thanking God for for your family.
+ Coloring Sheet (GO! Deeper Activity)
- Supplies: Bible story coloring sheet, markers or crayons
- Directions: Give each child a Bible story coloring sheet and some crayons or markers. While the children are coloring, ask the following questions to help them go deeper into the story.
- Question: If you were Abram, would you have let Lot pick the land first? Why or why not?
- Question: How do you think Lot felt when Abram let him pick first?
(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 giving me a family. I love them very much. Help me share with my family. And help me let them go first. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read the account of the Abram and Lot in your child’s favorite Bible storybook.
Say this week’s Bible verse every morning with the actions (see above).
Read the account of the Abram and Lot from the Bible in Genesis 13 with your child.
Do more of the activities above!
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!