Big Idea: I can do what the Bible says.
Bible Basis: Matthew 6:1-4
Key Verse: “Don’t just listen (cup hands to ears and shake head “no”) to the word (extend hands like you’re holding a book)…you must do what it says (march in place).” James 1:22 (extend hands like you’re 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?
Why do you think Jesus wants us to give in secret so only God knows about it?
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Choose one (or more) of these activities to do with your child.
+ Playdough Party
- Supplies: Playdough (1 piece per child), plastic knife
- Directions: Tell the children to create their favorite food using the playdough. When finished, have a pretend dinner party. Encourage the children to break or cut off pieces of their “food” and give it to other children. When all of their food has been given away, encourage them to make something else and repeat.
- Say: You did a great job giving away your food. In today’s true Bible story, Jesus talks about giving to other people.
- Question: Is it easy or hard for you to give your things away to other people? Why?
+ Secret Givers (Application Activity)
- Supplies: Bean bags or similar (3 per group)
- Say: In today’s true Bible story, Jesus said that we should give to needy people, but we should do it very quietly so that no one knows we did it. Let’s play a game that helps us practice giving to people in secret.
- Directions: Choose 3 children to be the “givers” and hand them a bean bag. Have the remaining children sit in a row with their eyes closed and hands out. When ready, tell the “givers” to very quietly tiptoe toward the children, place their bean bag in one of the children’s hands, then tiptoe back. When finished, tell the children to open their eyes and have the recipients guess which child gave them the bean bag. For additional rounds, have the recipients become the new “givers.” Continue playing until every child has had a turn being the “giver.”
- Supplies: Have you ever given something away? What did you give? What did it feel like to give?
+ Mystery Bags (Application Activity)
- Supplies: Paper lunch bags (3 per group), rubber bands (3 per group), large marshmallow (1 per group), sock (1 per group), toy car (1 per group)
- Preparations: Place the marshmallow, sock, and toy car in separate paper lunch bags. Place a rubber band around the opening of each bag. The rubber band should be tight enough to cinch the bag mostly closed, but loose enough to squeeze a hand through.
- Say: Jesus loves when we give to needy people. Let’s play a game that helps us think of some things we could give to people who need help.
- Directions: One at a time, pass each of the mystery bags around the circle. Encourage the children to take turns putting their hand in the bag without looking and trying to guess what’s inside using only their sense of touch. When everyone has had a turn, reveal the mystery item to the children, then ask the corresponding question below.
- Question:
- Marshmallow: What are some other foods you could give to a needy person?
- Sock: What are some other clothes you could give to a needy person?
- Toy car: What are some other toys you could give to a needy person?
+ In the Wild (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Supplies: Dice
- Today's Bible Verse: “Don’t just listen (cup hands to ears and shake head “no”) to the word (extend hands like you’re holding a book) …you must do what it says (march in place).” James 1:22 (extend hands like you’re holding a book).
- Directions: Practice the Bible verse together until the children can remember it. When ready, tell the children they’re going to say the Bible verse while pretending to be animals from around the world. Allow the children to take turns rolling the dice, then recite the Bible verse while performing the corresponding animal action below. (Note: they do not have to do the hand motions while performing the animal actions.)
- Animal Actions:
- Tiptoe like Tippy the Mouse.
- Crawl like Tommy the Turtle.
- Wiggle like Willy the Worm.
- Stomp like Ellie the Elephant.
- Wave your arms like Ollie the Octopus.
- Choose your own animal movement.
+ Topher's Zoo Time Adventure! (Bible Story Review Activity)
- Supplies: Zoo Time game board (1 per group), Topher game piece cutout (1 per group), Zoo Time Adventure cards (1 set per group)
- Preparations: Print the game board, Topher game piece, and Zoo Time Adventure cards on cardstock paper. Cut out the Topher game piece and cut apart the 7 Zoo Time Adventure cards.
- Directions: Tell the children the object of the game is to help Topher the Gopher get to his friends at the zoo. Place the Topher game piece at the starting point. Place the Zoo Time Adventure cards face down in a pile. Allow the children to take turns drawing a card. Read the card aloud, then after the children answer the question or perform the action, allow them to move Topher the number of spaces indicated on the card. Continue playing until Topher has reached his zoo.
+ I Can Give (Response to God Activity)
- Supplies: GO! Home Guide (1 per child), markers or 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 one thing they would like to give to a person in need. When finished, encourage the children to show their drawing and tell about it.
- Say: Jesus loves when we give to people who need help, but sometimes it’s hard to give away our things. Let’s say a prayer to God and ask Him to help us give our things to people who need help.
- Prayer: Begin by asking if any of the children would like to pray. Allow any children who want to pray the opportunity to do so. When they’re finished, close the prayer by telling God about the things in the children’s drawings and by asking Him to help the children give to people who need help.
+ 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, give them a snack to eat and ask the following questions to help them go deeper into the story.
- Question: Why do you think Jesus wants us to give in secret so only God knows about it?
- Question: How do you think people feel when we give our things to them?
(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 loving me. And caring for me. You have given me so much. Please help me give to others. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read the account of Jesus’ encouraging us to give in secret in your child’s favorite Bible storybook.
Say this week’s Bible verse every morning with the actions (see above).
Read the account of Jesus’ Temptation from the Bible in Matthew 6:1-4 with your child.
Do more of the activities above!
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!