Here are a few free resources to help you plan children’s church for Independence Day week-end. Have a great 4th of July holiday.
Children’s Sermons & Object Lessons:
Equipped for Battle Children’s Sermon
Are We on God’s Side Bible Story
Free at Last Children’s Sermon
Freedom Isn’t Free Children’s Sermon
Children’s Ministry Activities:
Independence Day Craft – Firecrackers
7 Great Ideas for the 4th of July
Now that Fall is in the air, it’s the perfect time to have a Fun Sunday centered around Fall.
Theme: Falling for God
Verse: Matthew 16:25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.
Possible Object Lessons:
Leaves: Talk about how leaves fall to the ground when Autumn comes. They don’t worry about being destroyed. They sacrifice themselves so the tree can survive the winter and the ground can be protected. In the same way, God wants us to fall for Him and not worry about the consequences. When the leaves prepare to fall, they turn colors and become prettier than they were before. When we fall for God, our lives will become more meaningful than they ever were before.
Falling in Love: Many people talk about falling in love. It means they have feeling for another person. But falling in love shouldn’t only be an emotion. When two people fall in love and get married, they make a commitment to be there for each other for the rest of their lives. They sacrifice their individual lives for each other. God wants us to fall in love with Him the same way.
Missionary Talk: This would be a good time to talk about missionaries and what they have sacrificed because of their commitment to God. You can use missionaries you church supports or find something at one of the following sites:
Games and Activities:
Have a hay ride.
Set up carnival games and bouncers.
Leaf Jump: Rake leaves in piles and have children jump in them.
Snacks: Fall is a great time for apple cider and roasting hot dogs over a bon fire.
This Thursday, May 14th, is the day we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus. That means this Sunday is the perfect time to teach a lesson on it. Here are a few online resources to help:
Lesson: Apostles Witness Jesus’ Ascension
Ascension of Jesus Object Lesson
Bible Fun For Kids – Jesus Has Lunch on the Shore and Goes to Heaven
Ascension of Heaven Verse Maze
Sermon for Kids – Up, Up, and Away
This Thursday and Friday is the time that the Jewish people celebrate the Feast of Purim. They honor Esther and remember how she saved the Jewish people. I can think of no better time to teach about Esther during mid-week classes or children’s church.
The story of Esther is found in the Book of Esther in the Old Testament. The main theme and verse from the Book of Esther is found here:
Esther 4:14 (NIV) For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?
What a powerful statement for our time. Children need to learn that they were created by God in this time and in the family they were born for an important purpose. Some day, they may need to make a stand as Esther did and risk something to obey God.
One fun thing you can do is have a Purim carnival where everyone dresses up as kings and queens and parades through the church or neighborhood. The children could make banners that say “For Such a Time as This”, and they could carry streamers and noisemakers.
Here are a few online lessons for teaching about Esther:
Esther Bible Lesson for Preschoolers
Esther the Queen Bible Activities
Church House Collection: Queen Esther
If you would like to do a series on Esther, here are a couple of online teachings:
Bible Study Planet:
Esther Bible Lessons For Children: