Remember
Breath Prayer
Breath in: Your Word
Breath out: Is a lamp to my feet
Song Themes: Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord
Remember one another
Is anyone celebrating something that happened this week? Let’s share so we can all thank God together.
Is anyone struggling, feeling sad, lonely or scared? How can we pray for one another?
Remember what we learned last week
Practice the Following Jesus Liturgy (With our youngest kids only focus on the portion that we’re currently learning)
Leader: How is the Bible, the Word of God, like a lamp?
Psalm 119:105 reads, "Your Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." How can the Bible light our way? How is it helpful in our life?
Invite a conversation, listen, respond, and teach.
Reflect: Obey the Word
God leads us by His Spirit. He leads us through His Word. We know how we are to live and make wise choices because He teaches us these things. But, did you know it's not enough just to read the Bible, or even know the Bible? Imagine being able to hear His voice and being told what to do. Wouldn't that be AMAZING? Well, even when we do hear God whispering to our hearts through the scripture, or leading us by His Spirit, we must do more than hear and listen. We must DO the Word and obey what He has commanded. This is how Jesus knows we are His friends, when we do what He says.
Read John 15:14 - "You are my friends if you will do all that I commanded you."
It's not enough to hear. It's not even enough to listen. We have to OBEY the Word.
There was a servant of God who loved God very much, but he struggled to obey. And it's no wonder! God asked him to do something very difficult. He asked Him to forgive His enemies, show them mercy, and share the gospel or repentance with them.
Can you think of someone in the Bible who did not want to do what God asked of him?
There are probably many, but today we are focusing on Jonah.
Can anyone tell me about Jonah?
When did he live? - Before Jesus
Who were the Ninevites? - Enemies of the Israelites
What did God ask Jonah to do?
Let's listen to the story and learn about Jonah. Listen closely to see if and how Jonah heard and obeyed God's instructions.
Respond: Right Way, All the Way, the Happy Way
Experience: Role Play
(For groups of 3 kids or more)
You will need paper plates and markers
Make a "Pass or fail" plate. On one side of the plate have the kids draw a check-mark or happy face. On the other side of the plate have them draw an "X" or a sad face. These are going to be used to "score" each role play.
Chose two kids for each role-play. Assign one to give the instruction and one to obey (or not). Tell them their scenario and have them act it out. Then have the kids who were observing vote using their cards on whether the role-play was an example of obedience or disobedience. In order for the skit to earn the check mark or happy face, the role-play has to demonstrate "The right way, all the way, the happy way". Some skits will be purposefully designed to show what obedience looks like and some will act various examples of disobedience.
Examples (You can also make up your own!)
Classroom: A teacher asks a student to finish coloring and put their crayons away. The student whines, drags his/her feet and, in a final act of defiance drops a few crayons. Eventually, they put most the crayons back. Obedience or disobedience? Have the kids use their voting plate to answer. Ask questions and discuss.
At grandmas house for a sleepover. Grandma says it's time to turn out the lights and go to bed. The child tells grandma they want to stay up late, but are excited for the next day. They lay down, snuggle in, and tell grandma goodnight (right away, all the way, the happy way) - Obedience.
Dad sees that a child left toys in the backyard and says, "After dinner I want you to go pick up your toys from the backyard." The child finished dinner and runs to the backyard to pick up. Dad says, "Thank you." - Obedience.
Bus driver - Student is riding the bus. The student stands up. The bus driver says it's not safe and the child needs to sit. When the bus driver turns around the child stands up and makes a silly face. The bus driver has to tell the child to sit 3 or 4 times before he/she obeys - Disobedience.
Mom is going to the store and needs to take the kids with her. She tells everyone to load up in the car. Everyone does, but one child is complaining, whining, and making everyone miserable - Disobedience.
The youth pastor finishes an activity and tells the kids to come over and sit quietly on their bottoms. The kids do great and look forward to hear the next instructions. - Obedience.
With each scenario ask: Did he/she obey the right away, all the way, in a happy way? Invite discuss and observations. Have fun!
Encounter: Pray
Obedience is hard for adults as well as kids. Share with the kids a time that you struggled to obey. Let them know that, even as adults, we are called to obey God, His voice, and His Word, the Bible. Obedience is a gift from God. When we follow God we are worshipping Him through our choices and good attitudes. We are showing Him that we are His friends.
Pray and ask God to fill each one with His Holy Spirit, the Helper, who helps us to be God's friend by obeying the Word.