Big Idea: God wants me to help my family.
Bible Basis: Genesis 14
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.
+ Animal Buddies
- Supplies: Stuffed animals (5-10)
- Directions: Encourage your child(ren)to help the stuffed animals. As the children play, present them with different situations. For example, say, “Your animal is sleepy. How can you help him?” Then encourage the children to play act how they would help. Some other examples include, your animal is hungry, sick, hurt, or crying. Allow the children to adjust how they help their animal according to the situation.
- Say: You are such good helpers! In today’s true Bible story, there was a helper named Abram who helped someone from his family. We learned that God wants us to help our family!
- Question: Who are the people in your family? What do you love about them?
+ Hoppy Helpers (Application Activity)
- Supplies: Paper plates (1 per child) - works best with more than 1 child.
- Say:: Our families are a gift from God. Families are God’s way of loving and taking care of us. Let’s play a game that helps us think of ways we can help the people in our family.
- Directions: Spread the paper plates out on the floor. If possible, leave a few feet between each plate. Each child should stand on a different plate. Next, ask the children how they could help someone in their family. It could be their mom, dad, brother, sister, grandma, grandpa, or anyone else in their family. After one child answers, shout, “Let’s be hoppy helpers,” then have the children hop to a different plate while saying the Big Idea: God wants me to help my family.” When the children arrive at a new plate, ask the question again, take another answer, then repeat the above instructions. Continue playing until everyone has had a turn answering. When finished, sit down with the children and ask the question below.
- Question: Why do you think God wants us to help our family?
+ Helper Coupons (Application Activity)
- Supplies: Helper coupons (3 per child), envelopes (1 per child), markers or crayons, pen
- Say: In today’s true Bible story, Abram and Lot were in the same family. Abram helped Lot when he was in trouble. God wants us to help our families too. Let’s make some coupons to give to our family. They can use the coupons when they need our help with something.
- Directions: Give each child a coupon and some markers or crayons. Encourage the children to color and decorate the coupon. As the children are working, tell them to think about ways they can help their family (mom, day, brother, sister, etc.). When a child has decided how they want to help, write it down on their coupon for them. Some examples might include, helping to make dinner, setting the dinner table, folding laundry, washing the car, feeding the dog, helping brother clean up, playing with sister, etc. Allow the children to create one coupon for each of the ways they come up with to help. When finished, have the children put their coupons in an envelope and tell them to give it to their family memeber.
- Question: You are all great helpers, but God is the BEST helper! What are some ways that God helps you? (Note: Remind the children that God helps them by giving them Jesus and taking away their sins.)
+ 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 mom and dad. While the children are drawing, ask them what they would want to tell God about their mom and dad.
- Say: God loves us so much. He gives us mommies and daddies to love us and help us. Let’s say a prayer and thank God for our mommies and daddies. You can tell God anything you want about your parents.
- 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 thanking God for all of the moms and dads and telling God about the things that were shared by the children.
+ 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 tried to rescue Lot from the 4 armies? Why or why not?
- Question: How do you think Lot felt when his uncle, Abram, rescued him?
(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. They are so, so special! My family helps me so much. And I want to help them too. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read the account of the Abram rescuing 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 Abram and Lot from the Bible in Genesis 14 with your child.
Do more of the activities above!
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!