I did it (with God's strength!)

My girls and I have had so much fun creating these devotionals. I have learned so much along the way and I pray that anyone who takes the time to do some of these devotionals with their children will be blessed in the same way.  


God instructs us to teach our children. However you do that, remember that your childrens' faith is an eternal blessing!


Psalm 8:2
Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.

God bless you and your families!


ps--I'd love to hear how you've used these devotionals and if you've had any favorites. Send me an email or post a comment!

Elijah - Part 1

Lesson Learned:  Elijah obeyed God and God protected him during a drought.

Materials Needed: black construction paper, additional piece of paper, pencil, scissors,  glue stick

Bible Verse:
1 Kings 16:33
³³ Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to arouse the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him.

1Kings 17:1-6

17 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.”

² Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: ³ “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. ⁴ You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.”
⁵ So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. ⁶ The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.

James 5:17
¹⁷ Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.  

Talking Points:  Elijah was a prophet who loved God and listened to God's commands. Elijah lived in a time when mos of the people around him were ignoring God and disobeying him.  This made God angry, and God told Elijah to pray that it would not rain for the next few years.  When it does not rain for a long time, it is called a drought.  When there is no rain, food does not grow and it can be hard find  water.  Elijah prayed that it would not rain, but he trusted God that God would protect him and still give him food and water.  And God did.  God sent some birds, called ravens, to bring food to Elijah during the drought.  It is good to trust and obey God; when you don't it can make Him angry.

Questions:  What is a drought? Why was God angry at the people and send a drought? What kind of animal brought food to Elijah?  Would you be surprised if a bird brought you your dinner tonight?

Activity:
Handprint Raven
Have the child draw an oval and let them cut it out or help them do it.  Glue the oval in the center of another piece of paper.  Next trace both of the child's hands on the black piece of paper and cut them out.  Glue the hand prints on either side of the oval circle to create the raven.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please protect us like You protected Elijah.  Help us to obey You and listen to Your commands. We do not want to anger You.  We love You. Amen!

Elijah - Part 2

Lesson Learned: Elijah was taken up to Heaven suddenly.


Materials Needed: 2 paper plates, drinking straw, tape, orange or yellow construction paper, scissors, pencil


Bible Verse:
2 Kings 2:2-11

2 When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. ² Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to Bethel.”

But Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
³ The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?”
“Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “so be quiet.”
⁴ Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, Elisha; the Lord has sent me to Jericho. ”
And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho.
⁵ The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?”
“Yes, I know,” he replied, “so be quiet.”
⁶ Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.”
And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them walked on.
⁷ Fifty men from the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. ⁸ Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
⁹ When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”
“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
¹⁰ “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”
¹¹ As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 



Talking Points: Elijah was a very important prophet of God.  A prophet is a person who can someone else God's plan before it happens.  Elijah performed many, many miracles and heard God's voice often.  One day, Elijah was walking with his friend, Elisha, when suddenly God took Elijah up to Heaven in a chariot of fire.  His friend, Elisha,was very surprised that Elijah had disappeared so suddenly.


Questions:  Do you know what a chariot is?  Who do you think was driving the chariot? Where do you think Elijah went?  Why do you think Elijah was taken up to Heaven this way?


Activity:
The Chariot of Fire
Step 1: Draw the outline of several flames on the yellow and orange construction paper and let the child cut them out.  

Step 2: While they cut out the flames, use the pencil to draw a circle in the middle of each of the paper plates with spokes coming out to the edge of the plate.  Then let the child trace over the pencil with a black marker to turn the paper plates into chariot wheels.

Step 3: Let the child tape the flames onto each wheel of the chariot.
Step 4: Bend about 1/4 - 1/2 inch of each end of the straw and tape each end to the inside of the paper plate (for the axle of the chariot). 
Step 5: Lift the chariot high above your head and fly it down to the child and pretend to take them on a ride.



Prayer:  Holy Father and Lord. You can do anything!  Open our hearts and minds to always remember that. Amen!

Paul

Lesson Learned:  God had a plan for Paul to share the gospel message.

Materials Needed: large box, small broom or similar object

Bible Verse:

Acts 26:4-23

⁴ “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. ⁵ They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. ⁶ And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. ⁷ This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. ⁸ Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
⁹ “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to opposethe name of Jesus of Nazareth. ¹⁰ And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. ¹¹ Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.
¹² “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. ¹³ About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. ¹⁴ We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic,^[a] ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
¹⁵ “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. ¹⁶ ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. ¹⁷ I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them ¹⁸ to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
¹⁹ “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. ²⁰ First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repentand turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.²¹ That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. ²² But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen — ²³ that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”

Talking Points:  God has a plan for each and every one of His people, including you. Today we read about a very special person named, Paul.  Paul was actually called Saul before he believed in Jesus and before he believe in Jesus, Saul did not like anyone who did.  In fact, he tried to get people who believed in Jesus thrown in jail or killed.  One day, Saul was headed to a town called Damascus when a bright light appeared out of the sky and blinded Saul.  Saul could not hear anything but he heard a loud voice coming down from Heaven. The voice belonged to Jesus and Jesus told Saul, "I am real; believe in me and tell others about me!"  From that time one, Saul was called Pau.  Paul spent much of his time traveling all over the world--sometimes by boat, sometimes by walking--to tell everyone he met about the gospel message and that Jesus loved them.

Questions:  What was Paul's name before he was blinded by the light?  Who do you think was talking to Paul when he was blinded? What message did Paul receive from Jesus?

Activity:  

On a Misson

Take a large box and turn it upside down so that your child can sit in it. (You may have fun letting your child paint or color the boat before they use it). Let them "row" the boat with the small broom. When they reach their destination, sing a song or too about Jesus.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, You love us and You have a plan for each one of us. Lord, we want to share the Gospel of Your message with Your people, just like Paul did.  Lead us to share with someone today! Amen!

Solomon

Lesson Learned: Solomon asked God for wisdom and God gave it to him.

Materials Needed:  2 envelopes, chocolate chips

Bible Verse:
1 Kings 3:5-15
5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
⁶ Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.
⁷ “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. ⁸ Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. ⁹ So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
¹⁰ The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. ¹¹ So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, ¹² I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. ¹³ Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor —so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. ¹⁴ And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” ¹⁵ Then Solomon awoke —and he realized it had been a dream.

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 


Talking Points:  Solomon is often considered the wisest man that ever lived.  He has written many of the Proverbs--or wise sayings--in the Bible.  When Solomon was a young man, he became king of Israel.  God visits Solomon in a dream and tells him that He will give Solomon anything he asks for.  Solomon was such a young king that he felt he didn't know how to rule the country well so he asks God to give him wisdom and the ability to make good choices.  God was glad that Solomon had not been selfish and asked for a bigger house or more money or more friends, and He gives Solomon what He asks for.  When you ask God for help with something you need, God will help you too.

Questions: What did Solomon ask God for? If you could ask God for anything, what would you ask Him for? Why?

Activity:
Place chocolate chips in both envelopes, putting more chocolate chips in one envelope than the other.  Hold up the envelopes, tell the child that there are chocolate chips in both of them but one has more than the other.  The child has to choose which envelope they want.
After they are done deciding, explain to them that sometimes it is hard to make a decision.  King Solomon had to make many difficult decisions and that is why he asked God to help him.  He knew he couldn't do it by himself.




Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank You for helping us when we need it. Help me to make good choices and have wisdom like Solomon. Amen!



 

Samson

Lesson Learned:  Samson was a very strong man in the Bible.


Materials Needed:  pillow case, stool or small chair, comb


Bible Verse: 
Judges 13:1-5, 24 & 16:4-6, 15-30

Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.

² A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah,from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth.³ The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. ⁴ Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. ⁵ You will become pregnant and have a sonwhose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite,dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”

Judges 13:24

²⁴ The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him,


Judges 16:4-6

⁴ Some time later, he fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was Delilah. ⁵ The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, “See if you can lurehim into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels^[a] of silver.”
⁶ So Delilah said to Samson, “Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.”


Judges 16:17
¹⁷ So he told her everything. “No razor has ever been used on my head,” he said, “because I have been a Nazirite dedicated to God from my mother’s womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man.”



Talking Points:  God makes each and every one of us special. In this story, we read about a special man named Samson that God made very, very strong.  Samson never, ever cut his hair because it was his hair that made him so strong.  God made you special too: maybe you are good at drawing or you are a fast runner or you are good singing. God made you special, just like He made Samson very, very strong.


Questions:  Has God given you any special gifts? What are they? What was Samson's special gift? What made him so strong?


Activity:
Playing Hair Cut
Set up a hair cutting station.  Let the child sit on the chair and wrap the pillow case around their shoulders like they are going to a salon.  Comb their hair and pretend to cut it with finger scissors. Then, switch with  the child and let them cut your hair.


Prayer:  Dear God, thank You for making each of us so special.  Thank You for giving me (insert something special about the child).  You are an amazing God. Amen!

David and Goliath

Lesson Learned:  With God's strength, David defeats the giant, Goliath.

Materials Needed: 5 small sheets of gray construction paper, grocery sack, large piece of construction paper, pencil, scissors, piece of string, tape

Bible Verse:
1 Samuel 17:2-11, 16, 40, 45-50
2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.
 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.
 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.

16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.

40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.
 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

Talking Points:  David was just a small boy when he went to fight a great, big giant named Goliath.  Goliath did not love God and was very mean.  Everyone else was scared to fight Goliath because he was so big and so mean, but David knew that with God's help, he could defeat Goliath.  David took 5 small stones with him and a sling and when he saw Goliath, he took one stone out of his bag, put it in his sling, and he defeated Goliath.  He only had to use one stone to defeat Goliath because David loved God and God was on his side. With God's strength, David defeated the giant, Goliath.  When we are on God's side, we will win too.

Questions:  Why were the people scared of Goliath? Was David scared? Why not? Who helped David defeat Goliath? Have you ever felt scared or uncomfortable around someone? What did you do?

Activity:
Trace the outline of a person onto the construction paper with the pencil and cut it out.  This will be Goliath. Cut a piece of string about 2-3 feet long and tape it to the back of the outline of Goliath.  Tape the other end of the string to the top of a door frame so Goliath is hanging from it.

Crumple up the 5 pieces of gray construction paper until they form small balls. Put them into the grocery sack.

Now, the child is going to try to throw the "balls" at Goliath in the doorway. 

Prayer: Holy Father, we can do anything with You!  We know we have nothing to fear when You are on our side.  We want to be with You always! Amen!

The Day the Sun Stood Still

Lesson Learned:  God stopped the sun and the moon from moving for one day.

Materials Needed:  yellow marker, paper

Bible Verse:
^{Joshua 10:12-14
12} On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel:

“Sun, stand still over Gibeon,
    and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon. ”
¹³ So the sun stood still,
    and the moon stopped,
    till the nation avenged itself on its enemies,

as it is written in the Book of Jashar.

The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. ¹⁴ There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel!

Talking Points:  Joshua was the leader of God's army and Joshua loved and followed God's directions in everything, including battle.  Joshua and his army were facing a very difficult battle, but God was on their side. Joshua prayed for God's help, and God made the sun and moon stand still for an entire day so that Joshua's men would not have to fight in darkness. Only God could do that!

Questions:  Who stopped the sun and moon? For how long?  What kinds of things do you do when the sun is up? What kinds of things do you do when the moon comes up?

Activity:  Have fun drawing a sun on a piece of paper. Then, have the child stand with both hands holding the sun.  Have them make a big circle with their arms, while holding the sun, and when you say stop, they have to stop moving the sun.  When you say go, they continue making the circle.  Repeat this activity a few times.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, only You could stop the sun and moon for an entire day.  We are so in awe of Your power and so thankful that You love us.  Amen!

Humbled

Lesson Learned: God calls us to be humble.

Materials Needed: newspaper, paint, paper plate, string, scissors, plastic cup, tape

Bible Verse:
James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

Phillipians 2:3-5
³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. ⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 


Talking Points:
God is more important than anything else. God wants us to think about other people before we think of ourselves. We wants us to thank Him for everything we have and can do.  This is called being humble.  God calls us to be humble, and when we think of others before ourselves, God will lift us up and take care of us. 

Questions:  Are you being humble when you take other people's toys from them? Are you being humble when you talk back to your parents? Are you being humble when you share your toys or let someone go ahead of you on the slide?  Does God want you to be humble?

Activity:
Making a Hot Air Balloon
Spread out newspaper on the table to prevent any spills.  Paint the child's hands and make hand prints on the paper plate.  As the paper plate dries, cut 2 pieces of string about 6-8 inches long. Tape each piece of the string to each side of the paper plate.  Tape the other end of the string to the plastic cup.  The child will enjoy making their very own hot air balloon. Explain that a hot air balloon lifts people up off the ground just like God lifts us up when we are humble.

Prayer:  Holy Father, thank You for all Your words in the Bible. Help me to be humble and always recognize that You in all I do. Amen!

Written in the Clouds

Lesson Learned:  God knows your name.

Materials Needed: glue, cotton balls, piece of blue paper, marker

Bible Verse:
Luke 10:20
²⁰ However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Phillippians 4:3
³ Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.  

Talking Points:
God knows everything about you.  He knows what time you get up in the morning and what time you go to bed.  He knows if you went to the park or if you shared your toys with your friends.  Most importantly, He knows if you love Him or not, and when you tell God you love Him and that you want to live your life for Jesus, He will write your name in the book of life, in Heaven, along with other believers.


Questions:  What is your first/middle/last name? Do you know how to spell your name? Does God know your name?


Activity:
In bubble letters, draw your child's name with the marker on the blue sheet of paper.  Then, let the child dip the cotton balls in glue and place them in the letters.


Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I am so glad that You know all about me and love me so much.  I pray that my name will be in the Book of Life next to all the other people who love You and believe in You. Amen!
  

Parental Guidance Required

Lesson Learned:  God wants you to listen and remember your parents' instructions.


Materials Needed: string, scissors, noodles


Bible Verse:
Proverbs 1:8-9
⁸ Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
   and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
⁹ They are a garland to grace your head
   and a chain to adorn your neck.


Ephesians 6:1-3
 ¹ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.² “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”


Talking Points:  God tells us that it is important to listen to our parents.   Your parents love you and want what is best for you.  God has given your parents wisdom for raising you and it is important to listen to what they say.  When we listen to our parents and do what they tell us to, we are really obeying God.  When we do not listen to our parents, we are disobeying God and that is why our parents punish us when we disobey.  It is very important to obey God and your parents want you to learn that.


Questions:  What are some ways you can obey your parents? (If the child needs prompting, you can offer some examples:  you can pick up your toys right away when your parents ask you instead of doing it later; listen to your parents and don't talk back to them;  be nice to your parents.)


Activity:  
Cut a piece of string about 12 to 18 inches long.  Thread the string with noodles and make a macaroni necklace to wear as "a chain to adorn your neck" as a reminder to obey your parents and obey God's words today.

Prayer:  We thank and praise You Lord for the family You have given us. Help us to obey our parents today and listen to all their instructions. Amen!

Please Forgive Me

Lesson Learned:  God forgives us our sins when we confess them and ask for forgiveness.

Materials Needed: large sheet of brown construction paper, scissors, tape, marker or pen

Bible Verse:
1 John 1:9
⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

1 Peter 2:24
²⁴ “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”   

Talking Points:  God is a kind and caring God and He forgives you when you do something wrong.  He knows that sometimes we will do bad things, things we don't want to do, things called sins.  Sometimes we are mean to our friends, we don't share our toys, and we disobey our moms or dads.  He knows that we need to tell Him we are sorry when we do these things.  That is why He sent Jesus down to earth to die on the cross. When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the price for all the sins that people confess.  God forgives us our sins when we confess them and ask for forgiveness.

Questions:  How do you feel after you are mean to your brother, sister, or friend? How do you feel after you fail to share your toy or get sent to time out? When you do something wrong, what should you do?  Isn't it great that God will forgive us for those things when we tell Him we are sorry and ask for forgiveness?

Activity:
Draw a large, simple cross and cut it out. Hang the cross on the wall.  Throughout the day, encourage the child to ask God for forgiveness whenever they sin.  When they hit their sister, write it on the cross and have them ask God for forgiveness. When they fail to obey, write it on the cross and have them ask God for forgiveness. Explain to the child each time they bow down before the cross that God forgives them their sins.  Jesus came and died on a cross and God forgets our sins we we confess them and ask for forgiveness.

Prayer:  Holy and Heavenly Father, we need Your help to not sin. Please help me to (fill in blank for things child might need help with, e.g., listening to mom and dad, not lying, being kind, etc).  We can't do these things on our own and we need Your help. Amen!

David: The Chosen King

Lesson Learned:  David the shepherd boy is chosen as Israel's king.

Materials Needed: none

Bible Verse:
1 Samuel 16:1-12
¹ The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
 ² But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”
   The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ ³ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”
 ⁴ Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”
 ⁵ Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
 ⁶ When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”
 ⁷ But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
 ⁸ Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” ⁹ Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” ¹⁰ Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” ¹¹ So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
   “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
   Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
 ¹² So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
   Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

Talking Points:  A long time ago before Jesus was even born, there was a man named Jesse who had eight sons.  God told His servant, Samuel, to go find Jesse and to tell Jesse that one of his sons had been chosen as Israel's next king.  God told Samuel not to consider how the sons looked or how tall they were before choosing the king.  Samuel, guided by God, then chose the youngest son, David, to be the next king.  David was only a small boy when Samuel told him that he would be the next king of Israel.

Questions:  Who did Samuel choose as king?  How did Samuel choose him?  Was David young or old? Do you think you would want to be a king or queen right now?

Activity: 
This game is played like duck, duck, goose except you say shepherd, shepherd, king.
In this game, kids sit down in a circle facing each other (if you only have one child, you can use stuffed animals as the other participants.) One person is "it" and walks around the circle. As they walk around, they tap people's heads and say whether they are a "shepherd" or a "king". Once someone is the "king" they get up and try to chase the person who is "it" around the circle.

 The goal is to tap that person before they are able sit down in the "king's" spot. If the king is not able to do this, they become "it" for the next round and play continues. If they do tap the "it" person, that person has to "it" again.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank You so much for choosing all of us for a special task. We can't wait to see what job You have for us to do. Amen!

The Ascension

Lesson Learned: Jesus returns to Heaven to be with His Father.

Materials Needed: helium balloon

Bible Verse:
Luke 24:50-53
⁵⁰ When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. ⁵¹ While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. ⁵² Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. ⁵³ And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.  

Mark 16:19
 ¹⁹ After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

Acts 1:9-11
 ⁹ After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
 ¹⁰ They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ¹¹ “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”


Talking Points:   We celebrate Easter because Jesus died on the cross for our sins and then was resurrected and made alive by God.  Because this happened, we all have a chance to go to Heaven if we believe and trust in Jesus.  After Jesus' resurrection, He returned to His friends and many other people to show them that He had risen from the dead, just as He had promised He would and to prove that He was the Son of God and to tell them about the kingdom of God. One day as they listened to Him, He was taken up to Heaven right before there very eyes until finally He was hidden by a cloud.  He was returning to Heaven to be with His Father.

Questions:  Where was Jesus going?  How do you think Jesus' disciples felt as they watched Him be taken up into the sky? How do you think you would feel?

picture from here

Activity:  Do today's devotional outside.  Hold the helium balloon while you read the verses from the Bible and when you read about Jesus' ascension, let the child release the balloon and watch it rise into the sky until you can't see it anymore.  Explain that the disciples watched Jesus rise into the sky in a similar manner.

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to save us from our sin.  Please help us keep our eyes always focused on You. We look forward to the day we see You in Heaven with Your Father. Amen!

On The Road to Emmaus

Lesson Learned: Jesus appears to 2 men walking to Emmaus after His resurrection.

Materials Needed: paper, scissors, tape, mirror

Bible Verse:  

Luke 24:13

¹³ Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognizing him.

 ¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

   They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

   ¹⁹ “What things?” he asked.

   “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

 ²⁵ He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!²⁶ Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

 ²⁸ As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. ²⁹ But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

 ³⁰ When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. ³² They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

 ³³ They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together ³⁴ and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” ³⁵ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. 

Talking Points:  After Jesus' death, some of his friends went to look for Him the tomb. But much to their surprise, He wasn't there and people all over town were talking about it.  Two men were walking from a town called Emmaus talking about all that had happened when Jesus appeared to them.  They didn't even recognize Jesus and they began to tell Him about everything that had happened in Jerusalem over that first Easter weekend.  They told Him that they had hoped Jesus was the Son of God.  Then, Jesus told them all about how He was indeed the Son of God and showed them all the Bible verses that talked about Him.  Then, when they believed it in their hearts, they recognized Jesus and they realized He was the Son of God and had been resurrected just like He'd promised.

Questions:  What were the men talking about when Jesus appeared to them? Did they know who He was when they saw Him?  Why not?

Activity:

Help the children draw different mustaches on the paper then cut them out. Roll a small piece of tape so it is sticky on all sides then place the strip on the mustache. When completed the children can then stick their mustaches on their faces then glance in the mirror to see how silly they look. You could also make a beard, goofy eyebrows, etc. to complete the look. 

Prayer:  Dear Lord, You are so good and Your ways are so good. Help us to always recognize You and to live a life full of honor for You! Amen!

Slow Down

Lesson Learned:  Be slow to speak.


Materials Needed: none


Bible Verse:
James 1:19-21
¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. ²¹ Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.


Talking Points:  God gave you many useful parts. Ears for hearing, hands for coloring, feet for running, a head for thinking, and a mouth for talking and singing.  God wants you to use all those parts to honor Him, especially your mouth.  James tells us in this Bible passage to be quick to listen and slow to speak.  We need to listen to others and be sure that we think about every word that comes out of our mouths. Is what your saying kind or mean? If it's kind, you can say it. If it's mean, it's better not to say it.  Be slow to speak and it will honor God.


Questions:  Do you know what "opposites" are? Are quick and slow opposites? What does it mean to do something quickly? What does it mean to do something slowly? Why do you think James tells us to speak slowly in these Bible verses?


Activity:  
Opposites Game
Ask the child the opposite of various things. For example, what is the opposite of slow? What is the opposite of up? big? tall? happy? soft?  


Then, have them run fast. Have them fun slow.
Have them jump high. Have them jump low.
Have them sit up. Have them lie down.
Have them speak quickly. Have them say something very slowly.


Prayer:  Praise be to God our Father in Heaven! We love You and we know that we depend on You to help us watch what we say.  May You watch our tongues so that we only say what is good and appropriate. Amen!