Gospel of John– Book of God’s Love
Key Point – God loves you and Cares for you
Memory Verse – John 14:18 I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you.
Bible Story/Children’s Sermon – John 11 the story of Jesus and Lazarus. Explain to the kids that God will never leave us he is always with us no matter where we go. Jesus loves us. The Bible is all about how much he loves. It tells us in the Bible in Romans 3 that God loves us so much that he sent His one and only son to die for our sins so that we could be God’s friend again and that we go to heaven.
God’s Love for us
Never Ends
Is Shown by Him protecting us
He will never leave us.
Game – Lazarus come forth! – Chose two teams of 5. Have two kids on one team be the designated wrappers and the three Lazarus’ stand at the other end of the room. When the Team leader says go have the designated wrappers wrap up one of their team mates, they must wrap the roll of toilet paper around the Lazarus 12 times once they have reached 12 their judge will lift his arm the next Lazarus will say Lazarus come forth, at that point the wrapped up team member will run to the back of the room and tag the next Lazarus with his hand and have a seat. The Lazarus who is next will run down to the designated wrappers and the game will continue until all Lazarus’ have come forth, the first team with all Lazarus’ sitting will win.
Object Lesson –
Materials:
Pitcher of water with a note on it that says “God’s Love”
6 clear glasses
A tray to set everything up on.
Set the glasses up into a pyramid. The top glass should have a note attached that says “YOU”. I tell the kids that the top glass is like them. We’re going to fill them up with God’s love. ”We get filled with God’s love when we hear that Jesus died on the cross and rose again for our sins. (pour some water into the glass) We get more of God’s love when we find out that He is a Father to us and loves us like we are His children (pour more water into the glass) We get even more love when we find out that He is never going to leave us and is always there for us. (Pour more water)” The glass should be filled just to the brim. Then I ask, “What’s going to happen if we get anymore of God’s love? …That’s right it’s going to spill right out into the other glasses. Who do you think these other glasses are?” (they answers should be other people or our friends or our family.) When God fills us up with His love it spills out of us and we can share that love with others. I want you to remember to continue to fill your selves up with God’s love by reading the Bible and listen to people tell you about Him. Also remember to let that love spill over by telling other people who He loves them and by being kind to them.
Skit – Boy is upset because everyone treats him bad. He feels like no one cares for him. That no one loves him that he is a big fat loser. The MC explains that we are loved by God. The bible tells us we are created for His good pleasure. He desires to have a relationship with us. No matter if everyone you know doesn’t like you God’s love has no end.
Skit – A girl (clumsy Clara) comes out and bumps into the MC. She is sad because she keeps making mistakes and spilling things at home sometimes she bumps into friends at school. She is afraid that she is going to lose all of her friends because she is so clumsy. The MC explains that he doesn’t think that will happen but even if it does the bible tells us in Heb. that Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
Object Lesson – God shows his love for us by protecting us. When
Materials:
1/4 teaspoon salt
Pinch of pepper
Small cup saucer
Plastic spoon
What you will do during class:
You will pour a small mound of salt (about 1/4 of a teaspoon), representing God’s people into the middle of the saucer. Then you will drop a very small amount of pepper over the mound of salt. The pepper, representing harm or evil will then be removed using the plastic spoon. First you will rub the spoon vigorously over a piece of clothing to create static electricity. When you place the spoon near the pepper, it will attach itself to the spoon and can be lifted away.
What you will say:
Today, I would like to show you how we can always trust in our Lord to protect us. Even when circumstances seem hopeless. This saucer can represent the world, that we all live in. I am going to take some salt and place it on the world. This salt represents God’s people. Now as we know the world is full of danger and evil. Let me take some of this pepper, and put it on top of the salt. This pepper represents danger, and it is right on top of God’s people. How can we remove this danger? (Allow for responses and explain how most suggestions would be hopeless or take forever.)
It may seem impossible to us, but God can do miraculous things. Let me show you. (Take the spoon and rub it to create static electricity, then lift off the pepper.) You see, sometimes we are faced with danger and have no clue how to escape. But God is always there for us. He can keep us safe no matter what.