Have you ever messed up? Ever done something although people told you it would not work yet you did it anyway and it hurt others in the process? Maybe you felt embarrassed afterwards; like you let people down and could not face them. Maybe you felt like you did not deserve their forgiveness. Can I tell you, no matter what you do or don’t do, God will always love you! He will always be there for you when you fall. God will pick you back up for the hundredth time and welcome you with open arms. Just as the father welcomed his prodigal son home.
Here is a snapshot of what we will show the kids this week:
Bible Story Focus: Jesus teaches us that God loves us, no matter what. (Prodigal Son • Luke 15:11-24)
Memory Verse: “The crowds were amazed at his teaching.” Matthew 7:28, NIV
Key Question: Who teaches you important things?
Bottom Line: Jesus teaches me important things.
Bible Story & Worship
Watch the Bible Story Video with your kids so you can recap and discuss it with them in the “Bring Jesus To Their Level” section. Then join your kids in worship as we sing and dance for God.
Bible Story Video – The Prodigal Son (link)
Worship – My Forever Friend (link)
Worship – There Are Promises (link)
Activities
Next, use the Memory Verse video to practice our monthly verse. We will practice this verse all month. Be sure to use the hand motions as it helps the kids to remember. Also, think of a fun reward you can give them at the end of the month when they are able to say it all by themselves. The activity sheet and coloring page are fun resources to help reinforce story and/or big idea.
Memory Verse with Hand Motions (link)
Bible Story Activity (link)
Coloring Page (link)
Bring Jesus To Their Level
Finish up your church at home by recapping the story and practicing the memory again. Then say: “Our Bible story, today, was about something very important that Jesus teaches us. Jesus teaches us that God loves you (point to child) and you (point to child) and you . . . (continue and point to each child) . . . no matter what!
“Jesus told a story about a father and his son to teach us that God loves us, no matter what. Do you remember what the son did with all of the money his father had saved for him? (Pause.) Yes, the son went far away and spent all of the money on food, clothes, and parties. After the money was all gone, the son didn’t have any money to buy food, and he was very hungry. That’s when the son decided to go back home to his father. What did the father do when he saw his son? (Pause.) That’s right! The father gave his son a great, big hug and threw a party! The father was SO happy his son was back! Even though the son had made some bad choices, the father still loved him.
“Jesus told this story so we can know that God loves us, no matter what. Where can we read the stories Jesus told? (Pause.) Yes, the Bible! (Hold up the Bible.) Jesus teaches us lots of important things in the Bible. Who teaches you important things? (Together.) [Bottom Line] Jesus teaches me important things.
“He sure does! And the new Bible verse we’re going to learn will help us remember that Jesus is an amazing teacher! It says . . . ‘The crowds (arms out and around) were amazed (hands to eyes like binoculars then open and close) at his teaching (hands to mouth),’ Matthew 7:28.” (Open hands like a book.) (Practice this verse several times with your kids.)
“You sound great! (Give two thumbs-up.) Because Jesus teaches us that God loves us, no matter what, we’re going to do something special. We’re going to take turns giving ourselves a big hug and saying, ‘God loves me!’ (Have each family member give themselves a big hug and prompt them to say, ‘God loves me!’ End with a big family hug.) Yay! Now let’s pray. Would anyone like to pray before I pray?” (Give each family member who wants to pray the opportunity to do so.)
Prayer: “Dear God, Thank You for sending Jesus to be our friend forever and teach us important things. I pray we will listen to what Jesus says and remember that You love us, no matter what. You are so good, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
As we wrap up, I would like to leave you with one of the kids’ favorite ‘good-bye’ songs:
Let Me See Your Alligator
Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you in the discipleship of your kid(s). My prayers are with you.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
