Am I A Mistake? A Lesson About Depending On God In Hard Times
Here’s another Bible Lesson I wrote for kids. The model for this lesson is taken from this website. http://ministry-to-children.com/freedom-from-sin-lesson/ I thought I would write for them when I saw a Help Wanted Ad and then I found out that was old and the company isn’t hiring anymore. Again, if anyone knows of a company, please let me know. Thanks for reading! Enjoy!
Am I A Mistake?
Age Range: 7-12
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 12: 8-10 “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Gospel Connection: We live in a where people are expected to have “The Perfect body.” The right height, slim legs, etc. What happens what someone has legs that don’t run very fast or hands that don’t quite work like everyone else’s? Does God make mistakes? Talk about the story of the apostle Paul. It wasn’t until he was blinded by the light that he became a Christian and started depending on God.
Aim: Talk to kids about how God designed us to be made in his own image. He doesn’t make mistakes. Point unique traits about each person and tell them how our differences are what help us learn from each other about God’s goodness. Our heart is what really matters. God values a person who fears his name more than our outer appearances. When we are weak then he is strong. His power is made perfect in our weakness.
Start a conversation. Ask kids when they remember having difficult times in their lives and when did they do during those difficult times? Did they pray and talk to God? Remind them that God is there in times of trouble. Sing “Jesus Loves Me.” Close in a time of prayer thanking God for being strong in our weaknesses and thank him that his word says, “All things work together for good.” (Romans 8:28. NIV)
Basic supply List: Come in an exercise suit ready to face hardship head on. Have kids participate in exercises. Do sit ups, push-ups, and jumping jacks, ten each. Reach for the toes, do neck stretches, reach your arms your arms up to the sky and get ready to face any hardship life might bring. Maybe even bring weights or barbells any kind of portable exercise equipment you have at home. By the end of the lesson kids should know that real strength is found in depending on God for our hardships and no one is a mistake.
Other Ideas: Another scripture to talk about is 2 Corinthians 12 15:21 where it says, “Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
God wants us to use the body he has given us to glorify him. Whether or not you have a “normal” body like everyone else really doesn’t matter. There’s so much out there that if we waste time trying to be “perfect” It’s never going to happen! Instead of always trying to fix what we don’t like about ours elves, we should be asking, “How can I use what I have to glorify God my Creator?” Encourage the kids to thank God that they are fearfully and wonderfully made. Ask how can I serve others and the church in the body I have? No matter how many parts work, there’s something everyone can do to honor the Lord.
Author’s Note: I talk about hands that don’t work or feet that don’t walk like everyone else’s because I have cerebral palsy. I use a wheelchair. If someone is in a wheelchair or cannot stand because they have a physical limitation, have them do jumping jacks by bringing their arms straight up, and then touching their hands together. Have them lift their legs one at a time. Maybe have them bring their arms straight up and then bend the elbows behind their head. Have them bring one arm straight up and stretch over to the other side and then do the same thing with the other arm. Fingers exercises where they open and close their hands. They may not be able to do everything everyone else is doing, but that’s okay. It’s another great way to show the kids they are fearfully and wonderfully made. Each child should do what he or she can based on his or her ability. That’s all part of being a part of the body of Christ. As my mother tells me, “Focus on what you can do, rather than on what you can’t.” Have fun with it!