Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the church body worked together as God’s Word instructs us? What if, at an early age, children learned the importance of using their spiritual gifts to contribute to the work of the church? We can sit them in chairs and talk to them about this…Or we can bring them together for a hands-on activity designed to make that message stick!
This lesson begins with an activity that lays the groundwork for a group discussion of Romans 12:6-8.
Romans 12:6-8
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
In preparation for the lesson, collect a variety of food items needed to make a simple picnic. Adjust the amounts of the suggested items listed below to cover the number of children you expect to feed.
Jar of peanut butter (Check first to make sure there are no peanut allergies!)
Jar of jelly
Lemons and unsweetened lemonade mix
Ziplock bag of pre-measured sugar
Loaf of bread
Spreading knife
Large stirring spoon
Jug of drinking water
Empty pitcher
Picnic tablecloth
Sleeve of cups (enough cups for everyone in the group)
Paper bags (one for each child)
Before children arrive, divvy up all the items into separate bags. Each child should have something that is of no use without an item from another child’s bag. Place all bags together in a large picnic basket.
When children arrive, share the exciting news.
“Today, we will enjoy a picnic with our classroom friends! I have bags of picnic goodies for each of you in my basket. When everyone has a bag, we will enjoy our picnic together.” (If it is nice weather, take it outside. If not, an indoor picnic can be fun too!)
It won’t take long for curious children to peek in their bags and express their confusion. Don’t jump in with directions. Allow children to think through their situation and come up with their own solutions. More than likely, they will see their need to come together and share what they have. As much as possible, allow the group to work independently. If no leader from the group arises to suggest they share their items, ask questions to prod them into action. For example:
We need sandwiches for our picnic. Where can we get sandwiches?
Lemonade would taste good! But I only see water. How can we make lemonade?
Put children in charge of preparing the picnic so they understand the importance of working together and sharing what they have. Be prepared to lead the class in a time of discussion after the picnic. Encourage students to talk about this experience.
Were you disappointed when you opened your bag?
Did anyone refuse to share what they had?
What would the picnic be like if no one shared?
What would have been like if just one or two children demanded to keep what they had to themselves?
Name the steps that it took to resolve the problem. Complement the class on their efforts to share what they had so that everyone could enjoy the picnic.
Challenge students to relate this experience to what the scriptures tell us in 1 Corinthians 12:4-7. What would happen if everyone refused to share their God-given gifts with the church?
Would we have people in the choir?
Would we have teachers in the classrooms?
What would our nurseries look like on Sunday mornings?
Encourage children to think of ways they might serve the church in the future and ways they can serve now.
“Perhaps you will be a teacher one day… or maybe you will be a pastor. God might give you a gift of music so that you can sing in the choir or play an instrument. You might serve God’s church by visiting sick people, or inviting neighbors over for lunch so you can talk to them about Jesus."
Can you think of ways you can join your church family in making God’s church the best it can be even now?
Here are some suggestions:
Welcome new children who come into your class. Invite them to sit with you. Be their friend.
Open the doors for the elderly. Give out lots of smiles and hellos. Show them you care.
Keep an eye open for what you can do to keep our church grounds and classrooms clean and inviting.
Hand out worship guides.
Volunteer to wash toys in the nursery.
Invite neighbors or school friends to church.
Put aside some of the money that you earn for an offering to the church.
The ways we contribute to the work of the church might seem small, but those small things add up to big things when everyone works together. Think about it… That butter knife looked small laying in the bottom of the bag, didn’t it? What a mess our picnic would have been without it!
Comments