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Preschool track
Overview of 1 John
Some early Christians thought this letter was written by John, the good friend of Jesus, but the letter itself doesn't sat. It might have come from another John who was a leader among the first Christians, maybe the person called "the elder" in 2 John and 3 John.
Even if we aren't sure who wrote 1 John, the message of this short book sounds like the Gospel of John. It's all about love and cautions against sin.
This letter uses many kind and tender words. But it's also firm about truth. It says that if we claim to believe in Jesus, we should love like Jesus loves. That doesn't mean we always do things right. In fact, this letter says that if we think we haven't sinned, we're fooling ourselves. But we can admit our sins, and God will forgive us (1 John 1:8-9). Then we can get back to doing our best to love other people.
Love isn't simply something we feel. It's something we do. This letter says, "Let's not love with words or speech but with action and truth" (1 John 3:16). If we really love God, then our lives should be full of love for people (1 John 4:7-8). This letter reminds us that God loves us - so we can love others!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
Even if we aren't sure who wrote 1 John, the message of this short book sounds like the Gospel of John. It's all about love and cautions against sin.
This letter uses many kind and tender words. But it's also firm about truth. It says that if we claim to believe in Jesus, we should love like Jesus loves. That doesn't mean we always do things right. In fact, this letter says that if we think we haven't sinned, we're fooling ourselves. But we can admit our sins, and God will forgive us (1 John 1:8-9). Then we can get back to doing our best to love other people.
Love isn't simply something we feel. It's something we do. This letter says, "Let's not love with words or speech but with action and truth" (1 John 3:16). If we really love God, then our lives should be full of love for people (1 John 4:7-8). This letter reminds us that God loves us - so we can love others!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
Overview of 2 John
Second John is the shortest book in the Bible. Because it is only one chapter long there aren't any chapter numbers - only verse numbers. This book is a letter written by someone called "the elder" to "the chosen gentlewoman and her children" (2 John 1). Elder was a common title for a Christian leader at the time the letter was written. The "gentlewoman and her children" might have been actual people, or they may have been a church and its members. Many women in the early church opened their homes to local Christians and served as leaders in those small churches.
Whoever these people were, the letter makes clear that they had plenty of love for each other. They lived the truth they had been taught. They understood God's command to love. And they knew that the duty to love was nothing new. They knew love was. the most important command they could follow.
But readers of this letter may have been confused about other things. There were people spreading the lie that Jesus didn't come to earth as an actual human being but was just a spirit. Some of the early Christians helped this lie spread further by welcoming people who taught those wrong ideas into their homes. The elder said that giving these teachers food and shelter was like supporting their evil actions, and he taught that Christians shouldn't help these fakes.
The elder encouraged the gentlewoman and her children to live in love, and also to stand firm in the truth. That message remains for us today!
Whoever these people were, the letter makes clear that they had plenty of love for each other. They lived the truth they had been taught. They understood God's command to love. And they knew that the duty to love was nothing new. They knew love was. the most important command they could follow.
But readers of this letter may have been confused about other things. There were people spreading the lie that Jesus didn't come to earth as an actual human being but was just a spirit. Some of the early Christians helped this lie spread further by welcoming people who taught those wrong ideas into their homes. The elder said that giving these teachers food and shelter was like supporting their evil actions, and he taught that Christians shouldn't help these fakes.
The elder encouraged the gentlewoman and her children to live in love, and also to stand firm in the truth. That message remains for us today!
Overview of 3 John
Third John is one of the shortest books in the Bible. Because it is only one chapter long, there aren't any chapter numbers - only verse numbers. Third John is a letter written y "the elder" to a man named Gaius (3 John 1).
The elder encouraged Gaius for his faith, praising him for standing strong in truth and showing love through his actions. But the elder criticized a man named Diotrephes who took the warning too far against people who taught wrong ideas about Jesus. But Diotrephes refused to welcome genuine believers who visited. He even kicked out of the church anyone who welcomed these true Christians. The elder said he planned to come and correct Diotrephes face-to-face. In the meantime, he was glad he had friends like Gaius who lived according to the truth.
This letter shows us that we should be on guard against wrong ideas but always welcome real believers. It reminds us to be faithful, stand strong in truth, and show love through our actions!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
The elder encouraged Gaius for his faith, praising him for standing strong in truth and showing love through his actions. But the elder criticized a man named Diotrephes who took the warning too far against people who taught wrong ideas about Jesus. But Diotrephes refused to welcome genuine believers who visited. He even kicked out of the church anyone who welcomed these true Christians. The elder said he planned to come and correct Diotrephes face-to-face. In the meantime, he was glad he had friends like Gaius who lived according to the truth.
This letter shows us that we should be on guard against wrong ideas but always welcome real believers. It reminds us to be faithful, stand strong in truth, and show love through our actions!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
Overview of Jude
Jude is only one chapter long so there aren't any chapter numbers - only verse numbers. This book is a letter that warns of danger. The people who received this letter were told to "fight for the faith delivered once and for all to God's holy people" (Jude 3). They were to make sure they believed the facts about Jesus, and to teach other people those same important truths.
Not long after Jesus lived and taught, some people began to change the true story of Jesus into something they liked better. Those people twisted the truth. They thought that because God had forgiven their sins, they could do whatever they wanted and God would continue to forgive them. But living that way didn't follow what Jesus taught. It wasn't the new life that God planned for everyone who believes in Jesus.
Jude tells its readers to guard themselves from false beliefs and to confront people who spread lies. It relies on several examples from the Old Testament and other Jewish books to make its point. This letter reminds us that we're called to follow God and stand strong in our faith even when people around us aren't doing the same.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
Not long after Jesus lived and taught, some people began to change the true story of Jesus into something they liked better. Those people twisted the truth. They thought that because God had forgiven their sins, they could do whatever they wanted and God would continue to forgive them. But living that way didn't follow what Jesus taught. It wasn't the new life that God planned for everyone who believes in Jesus.
Jude tells its readers to guard themselves from false beliefs and to confront people who spread lies. It relies on several examples from the Old Testament and other Jewish books to make its point. This letter reminds us that we're called to follow God and stand strong in our faith even when people around us aren't doing the same.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
Bible Readings
Light and Darkness (1 John 1:5-10) Reading
The next three stories all come from books written by a person named John. They are letters with a lot of advise, things the writer wants you to remember. Imagine if your grandparent or aunt or uncle or teacher wrote you a letter or sent you a text message about something really important about how you were supposed to live.
Here's what John said:
"It's been a long time since Jesus lived among us. So I wanted to write to you and help you remember some of the things he taught us. Before I tell you these things, imagine yourself on top of a hill on a warm summer day. Flowers and tall grass are all around you blowing in the breeze. The sun is shining and feels so nice and warm. You shut your eyes and lift tour face toward the sun. It feels so good that you never want to leave that place. Now imagine that you are in a very dark room. It doesn't feel like before. Someone who loves you very much brings in a candle. The light from that candle brightens the room, and the room is not as dark as before.
Jesus taught us that God wants us to live in the light, not the dark. To live in the light means to live in love. God is light because God is love. Jesus taught us to love God and to love others. Jesus also wants us to remember that we are not perfect. We make mistakes and ask for forgiveness, God will always forgive us. When we pray to God and love one another, we are living in the light.
Light will always be stronger than darkness. Even the smallest candle can brighten a dark room. You can make this world brighter by loving one another."
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
Here's what John said:
"It's been a long time since Jesus lived among us. So I wanted to write to you and help you remember some of the things he taught us. Before I tell you these things, imagine yourself on top of a hill on a warm summer day. Flowers and tall grass are all around you blowing in the breeze. The sun is shining and feels so nice and warm. You shut your eyes and lift tour face toward the sun. It feels so good that you never want to leave that place. Now imagine that you are in a very dark room. It doesn't feel like before. Someone who loves you very much brings in a candle. The light from that candle brightens the room, and the room is not as dark as before.
Jesus taught us that God wants us to live in the light, not the dark. To live in the light means to live in love. God is light because God is love. Jesus taught us to love God and to love others. Jesus also wants us to remember that we are not perfect. We make mistakes and ask for forgiveness, God will always forgive us. When we pray to God and love one another, we are living in the light.
Light will always be stronger than darkness. Even the smallest candle can brighten a dark room. You can make this world brighter by loving one another."
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
Things We Do and Things We Say (1 John 3:18-24) Reading
Have you ever told someone, "You are my friend" and then you did something that wasn't very friendly? That's something John wrote about in one of his letters. Imagine he was writing his letter to you!
"Dear Children,
I have been thinking a lot about what it means to say, "I love you." Three little words that mean so much. Have you ever heard someone say, 'Actions speak louder than words'? What do you think it means when someone says that?
Sometimes we say one thing and then do something different. Have you ever made a promise and then not been able to keep it? Remember that what you do is as important as what you say. So if you say that you love someone or you tell someone he is your friend, then you show it. You are kind to others. When you see a child on the playground who needs a friend, you offer to play with her.
You can show that God is love when you treat others with love and kindness. God knows that we all make mistakes. God asks us to keep trying."
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
"Dear Children,
I have been thinking a lot about what it means to say, "I love you." Three little words that mean so much. Have you ever heard someone say, 'Actions speak louder than words'? What do you think it means when someone says that?
Sometimes we say one thing and then do something different. Have you ever made a promise and then not been able to keep it? Remember that what you do is as important as what you say. So if you say that you love someone or you tell someone he is your friend, then you show it. You are kind to others. When you see a child on the playground who needs a friend, you offer to play with her.
You can show that God is love when you treat others with love and kindness. God knows that we all make mistakes. God asks us to keep trying."
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
Make Smart Choices (3 John 11) Reading
Sometimes it's hard to make good decisions. Someone may want you to do something that might not be smart or right. Knowing what to do that is right is something everyone knows about, even your parents. Here's what John had to say about it in one of his letters. It's really amazing that something written so long ago is still important today.
"Dear Friend,
I know that I have been reminding you about a lot of things in the letters I have been writing. There's one thing more I wt you to remember. It's really a small thing, but it is very important. When you see someone doing something that you know is not smart or good, don't do it. Say someone wants you to cheat on a test. You know that's not a good thing. You can say no! If someone wants you to join in and treat another child badly, you can say no!
God is very happy when we do things that are good. Doing good things helps the world become a better place. God asks that we care for one another and do good things to help others. Helping set the table for dinner is a good thing to do. Making sure your pet always has clean water is a good thing to do. Making wise choices is a good thing. Doing good things helps us to see God.
The world is full of people. Some of them are very good. Some are not always good. Stay with those who do good things."
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
"Dear Friend,
I know that I have been reminding you about a lot of things in the letters I have been writing. There's one thing more I wt you to remember. It's really a small thing, but it is very important. When you see someone doing something that you know is not smart or good, don't do it. Say someone wants you to cheat on a test. You know that's not a good thing. You can say no! If someone wants you to join in and treat another child badly, you can say no!
God is very happy when we do things that are good. Doing good things helps the world become a better place. God asks that we care for one another and do good things to help others. Helping set the table for dinner is a good thing to do. Making sure your pet always has clean water is a good thing to do. Making wise choices is a good thing. Doing good things helps us to see God.
The world is full of people. Some of them are very good. Some are not always good. Stay with those who do good things."
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
I Wonder....
- what are some good choices you make?
- how we can make good choices?
- how we can love others like Jesus?
- why it's hard to make good decisions?
- if your parents have ever made a mistake?
- if your brother or sister has made a mistake?
- have you ever made a mistake?
Discussion Questions
- Think of a time when you made a mistake. Did you say you were sorry? Did you tell God you were sorry?
- How can you live in the light with God and with others?
- Make a prayer journal with a pad of paper. Decorate it with markers and stickers. Write your prayers to God in it. Tell God about how you are going to live in the light.
- Have you heard someone say one thing and then do something different?
- Who are some people you know that need to be shown love?
- What can you do to show your family and friends that you love them?
- Who are your friends? What are some of the things you do together?
- Wo can you talk to when someone asks you to do something bad?
- What can you do to make the world a better place?
Videos
Saddleback Kids
Slapstick Theater (John's Letter About Love)
This video is 1:09 minutes long
Crossroad Kid's Club
God's Story: John
This video is 3:47 minutes long
Songs
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Helping Song by Cocomelon
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Love Round by Lifetree Kids
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This song is 3:14 minutes long
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This song is 2:04 minutes long
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Forever Love, Forever God by The Lifetree Kids
This video is 3:19 minutes long
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Being Kind by Empty Hands
This song is 4:50 minutes long
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Art Projects
Kindness Rocks
Materials:
Adult Preparation:
Instructions:
- Rocks
- Paint
- Paint brushes
- Smocks (or outfit that can get messy)
- Water cups
- Modge podge (or equivalent)
Adult Preparation:
- Gather Materials
- Lay out materials
- Purchase or find smooth, flat rocks (river stones)
Instructions:
- First, wash and dry your rocks
- Next, let the rocks sit overnight to dry completely
- Then, prep the rocks by painting a solid coat on them
- Allow to dry completely
- Once rocks are completely dry, paint the rocks with kindness rocks quotes, words for kindness rocks, kindness rocks designs, or decorations
- Let dry completely
- Next, seal the rocks with modge podge (or an equivalent) and allow to dry completely
- Finally, go out and hide your rocks of kindness in approved spots
Overlapping Hands
Materials:
Adult Preparation:
Instructions:
- Construction paper
- Pencil
- Markers or crayons
Adult Preparation:
- Gather Materials
- Lay out materials
Instructions:
- First, trace hands that are overlapping on paper
- trace as many hands as you wish
- Then, color in the hands
- you can chose as many or little colors as you wish
- Finally, hang up
Helping Others Around the World
Materials:
Adult Preparation:
Instructions:
*Taken from Little Cooks Reading Books
- Glue or tape
- Scissors
- Construction paper
- Markers or other writing utensil
Adult Preparation:
- Gather Materials
- Lay out materials
Instructions:
- First, make a world globe
- Then, cut out your world.
- Next, trace your hand onto different colors of construction paper.
- The number that you will need will depend on how big your hand is and how big your world globe is. We made 8 hand cutouts.
- Once you trace your hand, cut out each hand.
- Be sure to leave some of the "wrist" on the cut out because you will use that part to attach to the world cutout.
- Then on each hand, write a way that you want to use your "helping hands" to help others
- Next, flip over your world cutout so the front is down on the table
- Once flipped, glue or tape each hand around your world, with the writing on the hands facing out so that when you look at the front of the world, you are also looking at the hands with the writing on it.
- Continue with each hand until they are surrounding your world
- Finally, hang your world in a place where you will be reminded of your acts of kindness on a regular basis.
*Taken from Little Cooks Reading Books
Service Opportunity
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National Opportunity
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International Opportunity
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Tips for Adults
1 John
This letter is all about love. It reminds us that God is love, and that anyone who truly loves God will also love people.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
2 John
This short letter tells Christians to keep loving - but to be on guard against welcoming false teachers into their homes.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
3 John
This book encourages Christians to welcome real believers and show them hospitality.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
Jude
This short letter tells Christians to defend the truth against people who spread lies about Jesus. Its sharp words were written to address a problem that needed immediate action
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
Elementary Track
Overview of 1 John
Some early Christians thought this letter was written by John, the good friend of Jesus, but the letter itself doesn't sat. It might have come from another John who was a leader among the first Christians, maybe the person called "the elder" in 2 John and 3 John.
Even if we aren't sure who wrote 1 John, the message of this short book sounds like the Gospel of John. It's all about love and cautions against sin.
This letter uses many kind and tender words. But it's also firm about truth. It says that if we claim to believe in Jesus, we should love like Jesus loves. That doesn't mean we always do things right. In fact, this letter says that if we think we haven't sinned, we're fooling ourselves. But we can admit our sins, and God will forgive us (1 John 1:8-9). Then we can get back to doing our best to love other people.
Love isn't simply something we feel. It's something we do. This letter says, "Let's not love with words or speech but with action and truth" (1 John 3:16). If we really love God, then our lives should be full of love for people (1 John 4:7-8). This letter reminds us that God loves us - so we can love others!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
Even if we aren't sure who wrote 1 John, the message of this short book sounds like the Gospel of John. It's all about love and cautions against sin.
This letter uses many kind and tender words. But it's also firm about truth. It says that if we claim to believe in Jesus, we should love like Jesus loves. That doesn't mean we always do things right. In fact, this letter says that if we think we haven't sinned, we're fooling ourselves. But we can admit our sins, and God will forgive us (1 John 1:8-9). Then we can get back to doing our best to love other people.
Love isn't simply something we feel. It's something we do. This letter says, "Let's not love with words or speech but with action and truth" (1 John 3:16). If we really love God, then our lives should be full of love for people (1 John 4:7-8). This letter reminds us that God loves us - so we can love others!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
Overview of 2 John
Second John is the shortest book in the Bible. Because it is only one chapter long there aren't any chapter numbers - only verse numbers. This book is a letter written by someone called "the elder" to "the chosen gentlewoman and her children" (2 John 1). Elder was a common title for a Christian leader at the time the letter was written. The "gentlewoman and her children" might have been actual people, or they may have been a church and its members. Many women in the early church opened their homes to local Christians and served as leaders in those small churches.
Whoever these people were, the letter makes clear that they had plenty of love for each other. They lived the truth they had been taught. They understood God's command to love. And they knew that the duty to love was nothing new. They knew love was. the most important command they could follow.
But readers of this letter may have been confused about other things. There were people spreading the lie that Jesus didn't come to earth as an actual human being but was just a spirit. Some of the early Christians helped this lie spread further by welcoming people who taught those wrong ideas into their homes. The elder said that giving these teachers food and shelter was like supporting their evil actions, and he taught that Christians shouldn't help these fakes.
The elder encouraged the gentlewoman and her children to live in love, and also to stand firm in the truth. That message remains for us today!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
Whoever these people were, the letter makes clear that they had plenty of love for each other. They lived the truth they had been taught. They understood God's command to love. And they knew that the duty to love was nothing new. They knew love was. the most important command they could follow.
But readers of this letter may have been confused about other things. There were people spreading the lie that Jesus didn't come to earth as an actual human being but was just a spirit. Some of the early Christians helped this lie spread further by welcoming people who taught those wrong ideas into their homes. The elder said that giving these teachers food and shelter was like supporting their evil actions, and he taught that Christians shouldn't help these fakes.
The elder encouraged the gentlewoman and her children to live in love, and also to stand firm in the truth. That message remains for us today!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
Overview of 3 John
Third John is one of the shortest books in the Bible. Because it is only one chapter long, there aren't any chapter numbers - only verse numbers. Third John is a letter written y "the elder" to a man named Gaius (3 John 1).
The elder encouraged Gaius for his faith, praising him for standing strong in truth and showing love through his actions. But the elder criticized a man named Diotrephes who took the warning too far against people who taught wrong ideas about Jesus. But Diotrephes refused to welcome genuine believers who visited. He even kicked out of the church anyone who welcomed these true Christians. The elder said he planned to come and correct Diotrephes face-to-face. In the meantime, he was glad he had friends like Gaius who lived according to the truth.
This letter shows us that we should be on guard against wrong ideas but always welcome real believers. It reminds us to be faithful, stand strong in truth, and show love through our actions!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
The elder encouraged Gaius for his faith, praising him for standing strong in truth and showing love through his actions. But the elder criticized a man named Diotrephes who took the warning too far against people who taught wrong ideas about Jesus. But Diotrephes refused to welcome genuine believers who visited. He even kicked out of the church anyone who welcomed these true Christians. The elder said he planned to come and correct Diotrephes face-to-face. In the meantime, he was glad he had friends like Gaius who lived according to the truth.
This letter shows us that we should be on guard against wrong ideas but always welcome real believers. It reminds us to be faithful, stand strong in truth, and show love through our actions!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
Overview: 1-3 John by Bible Project
This video is 9:35 minutes long
Overview of Jude
Jude is only one chapter long so there aren't any chapter numbers - only verse numbers. This book is a letter that warns of danger. The people who received this letter were told to "fight for the faith delivered once and for all to God's holy people" (Jude 3). They were to make sure they believed the facts about Jesus, and to teach other people those same important truths.
Not long after Jesus lived and taught, some people began to change the true story of Jesus into something they liked better. Those people twisted the truth. They thought that because God had forgiven their sins, they could do whatever they wanted and God would continue to forgive them. But living that way didn't follow what Jesus taught. It wasn't the new life that God planned for everyone who believes in Jesus.
Jude tells its readers to guard themselves from false beliefs and to confront people who spread lies. It relies on several examples from the Old Testament and other Jewish books to make its point. This letter reminds us that we're called to follow God and stand strong in our faith even when people around us aren't doing the same.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
Not long after Jesus lived and taught, some people began to change the true story of Jesus into something they liked better. Those people twisted the truth. They thought that because God had forgiven their sins, they could do whatever they wanted and God would continue to forgive them. But living that way didn't follow what Jesus taught. It wasn't the new life that God planned for everyone who believes in Jesus.
Jude tells its readers to guard themselves from false beliefs and to confront people who spread lies. It relies on several examples from the Old Testament and other Jewish books to make its point. This letter reminds us that we're called to follow God and stand strong in our faith even when people around us aren't doing the same.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
Overview: Jude by Bible Project
This video is 7:44 minutes long
Bible Readings
Light and Darkness (1 John 1:5-10) Reading
The next three stories all come from books written by a person named John. They are letters with a lot of advise, things the writer wants you to remember. Imagine if your grandparent or aunt or uncle or teacher wrote you a letter or sent you a text message about something really important about how you were supposed to live.
Here's what John said:
"It's been a long time since Jesus lived among us. So I wanted to write to you and help you remember some of the things he taught us. Before I tell you these things, imagine yourself on top of a hill on a warm summer day. Flowers and tall grass are all around you blowing in the breeze. The sun is shining and feels so nice and warm. You shut your eyes and lift tour face toward the sun. It feels so good that you never want to leave that place. Now imagine that you are in a very dark room. It doesn't feel like before. Someone who loves you very much brings in a candle. The light from that candle brightens the room, and the room is not as dark as before.
Jesus taught us that God wants us to live in the light, not the dark. To live in the light means to live in love. God is light because God is love. Jesus taught us to love God and to love others. Jesus also wants us to remember that we are not perfect. We make mistakes and ask for forgiveness, God will always forgive us. When we pray to God and love one another, we are living in the light.
Light will always be stronger than darkness. Even the smallest candle can brighten a dark room. You can make this world brighter by loving one another."
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
Here's what John said:
"It's been a long time since Jesus lived among us. So I wanted to write to you and help you remember some of the things he taught us. Before I tell you these things, imagine yourself on top of a hill on a warm summer day. Flowers and tall grass are all around you blowing in the breeze. The sun is shining and feels so nice and warm. You shut your eyes and lift tour face toward the sun. It feels so good that you never want to leave that place. Now imagine that you are in a very dark room. It doesn't feel like before. Someone who loves you very much brings in a candle. The light from that candle brightens the room, and the room is not as dark as before.
Jesus taught us that God wants us to live in the light, not the dark. To live in the light means to live in love. God is light because God is love. Jesus taught us to love God and to love others. Jesus also wants us to remember that we are not perfect. We make mistakes and ask for forgiveness, God will always forgive us. When we pray to God and love one another, we are living in the light.
Light will always be stronger than darkness. Even the smallest candle can brighten a dark room. You can make this world brighter by loving one another."
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
Things We Do and Things We Say (1 John 3:18-24) Reading
Have you ever told someone, "You are my friend" and then you did something that wasn't very friendly? That's something John wrote about in one of his letters. Imagine he was writing his letter to you!
"Dear Children,
I have been thinking a lot about what it means to say, "I love you." Three little words that mean so much. Have you ever heard someone say, 'Actions speak louder than words'? What do you think it means when someone says that?
Sometimes we say one thing and then do something different. Have you ever made a promise and then not been able to keep it? Remember that what you do is as important as what you say. So if you say that you love someone or you tell someone he is your friend, then you show it. You are kind to others. When you see a child on the playground who needs a friend, you offer to play with her.
You can show that God is love when you treat others with love and kindness. God knows that we all make mistakes. God asks us to keep trying."
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
"Dear Children,
I have been thinking a lot about what it means to say, "I love you." Three little words that mean so much. Have you ever heard someone say, 'Actions speak louder than words'? What do you think it means when someone says that?
Sometimes we say one thing and then do something different. Have you ever made a promise and then not been able to keep it? Remember that what you do is as important as what you say. So if you say that you love someone or you tell someone he is your friend, then you show it. You are kind to others. When you see a child on the playground who needs a friend, you offer to play with her.
You can show that God is love when you treat others with love and kindness. God knows that we all make mistakes. God asks us to keep trying."
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
Make Smart Choices (3 John 11) Reading
Sometimes it's hard to make good decisions. Someone may want you to do something that might not be smart or right. Knowing what to do that is right is something everyone knows about, even your parents. Here's what John had to say about it in one of his letters. It's really amazing that something written so long ago is still important today.
"Dear Friend,
I know that I have been reminding you about a lot of things in the letters I have been writing. There's one thing more I wt you to remember. It's really a small thing, but it is very important. When you see someone doing something that you know is not smart or good, don't do it. Say someone wants you to cheat on a test. You know that's not a good thing. You can say no! If someone wants you to join in and treat another child badly, you can say no!
God is very happy when we do things that are good. Doing good things helps the world become a better place. God asks that we care for one another and do good things to help others. Helping set the table for dinner is a good thing to do. Making sure your pet always has clean water is a good thing to do. Making wise choices is a good thing. Doing good things helps us to see God.
The world is full of people. Some of them are very good. Some are not always good. Stay with those who do good things."
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
"Dear Friend,
I know that I have been reminding you about a lot of things in the letters I have been writing. There's one thing more I wt you to remember. It's really a small thing, but it is very important. When you see someone doing something that you know is not smart or good, don't do it. Say someone wants you to cheat on a test. You know that's not a good thing. You can say no! If someone wants you to join in and treat another child badly, you can say no!
God is very happy when we do things that are good. Doing good things helps the world become a better place. God asks that we care for one another and do good things to help others. Helping set the table for dinner is a good thing to do. Making sure your pet always has clean water is a good thing to do. Making wise choices is a good thing. Doing good things helps us to see God.
The world is full of people. Some of them are very good. Some are not always good. Stay with those who do good things."
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
I Wonder....
- what are some good choices you make?
- how we can make good choices?
- how we can love others like Jesus?
- why it's hard to make good decisions?
- if your parents have ever made a mistake?
- if your brother or sister has made a mistake?
- have you ever made a mistake?
Discussion Questions
- Think of a time when you made a mistake. Did you say you were sorry? Did you tell God you were sorry?
- How can you live in the light with God and with others?
- Make a prayer journal with a pad of paper. Decorate it with markers and stickers. Write your prayers to God in it. Tell God about how you are going to live in the light.
- Have you heard someone say one thing and then do something different?
- Who are some people you know that need to be shown love?
- What can you do to show your family and friends that you love them?
- Who are your friends? What are some of the things you do together?
- Wo can you talk to when someone asks you to do something bad?
- What can you do to make the world a better place?
Video
Saddleback Kid's
Slapstick Theater (John's Letter About Love)
This video is 1:09 minutes long
Crossroad Kid's Club
God's Story: John
This video is 3:47 minutes long
Songs
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Early Childhood Worship (Love) by Saddleback Kids
This song is 3:58 minutes long
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Love Round by Lifetree Kids
This song is 2:04 minutes long
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Forever Love, Forever God by Lifetree Kids
This song is 3:19 minutes long
Art Project
Kindness Rocks
Materials:
Adult Preparation:
Instructions:
- Rocks
- Paint
- Paint brushes
- Smocks (or outfit that can get messy)
- Water cups
- Modge podge (or equivalent)
Adult Preparation:
- Gather Materials
- Lay out materials
- Purchase or find smooth, flat rocks (river stones)
Instructions:
- First, wash and dry your rocks
- Next, let the rocks sit overnight to dry completely
- Then, prep the rocks by painting a solid coat on them
- Allow to dry completely
- Once rocks are completely dry, paint the rocks with kindness rocks quotes, words for kindness rocks, kindness rocks designs, or decorations
- Let dry completely
- Next, seal the rocks with modge podge (or an equivalent) and allow to dry completely
- Finally, go out and hide your rocks of kindness in approved spots
Overlapping Hands
Materials:
Adult Preparation:
Instructions:
- Construction paper
- Pencil
- Markers or crayons
Adult Preparation:
- Gather Materials
- Lay out materials
Instructions:
- First, trace hands that are overlapping on paper
- trace as many hands as you wish
- Then, color in the hands
- you can chose as many or little colors as you wish
- Finally, hang up
Helping Others Around the World
Materials:
Adult Preparation:
Instructions:
*Taken from Little Cooks Reading Books
- Glue or tape
- Scissors
- Construction paper
- Markers or other writing utensil
Adult Preparation:
- Gather Materials
- Lay out materials
Instructions:
- First, make a world globe
- Then, cut out your world.
- Next, trace your hand onto different colors of construction paper.
- The number that you will need will depend on how big your hand is and how big your world globe is. We made 8 hand cutouts.
- Once you trace your hand, cut out each hand.
- Be sure to leave some of the "wrist" on the cut out because you will use that part to attach to the world cutout.
- Then on each hand, write a way that you want to use your "helping hands" to help others
- Next, flip over your world cutout so the front is down on the table
- Once flipped, glue or tape each hand around your world, with the writing on the hands facing out so that when you look at the front of the world, you are also looking at the hands with the writing on it.
- Continue with each hand until they are surrounding your world
- Finally, hang your world in a place where you will be reminded of your acts of kindness on a regular basis.
*Taken from Little Cooks Reading Books
Service Opportunities
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National Organizations
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International Organizations
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Content for Adults
1 John
This letter is all about love. It reminds us that God is love, and that anyone who truly loves God will also love people.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
2 John
This short letter tells Christians to keep loving - but to be on guard against welcoming false teachers into their homes.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
3 John
This book encourages Christians to welcome real believers and show them hospitality.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
Jude
This short letter tells Christians to defend the truth against people who spread lies about Jesus. Its sharp words were written to address a problem that needed immediate action
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
Each Sunday there will be a class addressing the reading for that week. The classes will engage the particular Bible book for that week, paying specific attention to a theme or topic. These classes are hybrid and will meet each Sunday, in-person (EM307/308) and on Zoom, at 10:05am. The Zoom link is at the bottom of this email and is the same for each week.
Topic: Gathering Together Around God's Word | Sunday Class
Time: Every Sunday 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89900787541?pwd=QXF5dzBnM1Y0K1FPczgvWVNwYnFmZz09
Meeting ID: 899 0078 7541
Passcode: 328476
Topic: Gathering Together Around God's Word | Sunday Class
Time: Every Sunday 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89900787541?pwd=QXF5dzBnM1Y0K1FPczgvWVNwYnFmZz09
Meeting ID: 899 0078 7541
Passcode: 328476
This video is 52:50 minutes long