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Welcome everyone!!
This is our third week learning a little bit more about the 10 Commandments from the bible. This week we are going to be learning some things about God's name, but before we begin, here are a couple of new songs for you to enjoy! SUNDAY SCHOOL WORSHIPMusic Video: Thankful from DIG IN on Vimeo. 
Today we’ll learn about some of the names people call God in the Bible. Let’s begin by sharing nicknames people call us. Can you guys think of some? What are they?
Thanks for sharing your nicknames! A lot of people have nicknames. A nickname might tell something about who we are or be a different way to say our real name. Did you know that God not only has nicknames in English but that there are different ways to say his names in other languages? All the names people call God tell about him, and they respect God’s name. That means they tell how wonderful God is.
What was your favorite name of God in another language?
The video said we use God’s name to praise him, and we don’t use it disrespectfully. What’s a good way to use God’s name? It was neat to learn how people who speak other languages say God’s name! No matter what language you’re using, you can use God’s name to praise him and say nice things, because we respect God’s name when we talk about him. Bible Lesson
Over the last couple of weeks we’ve learned about God’s commands. God’s commands are things God tells us to do that help us have the best life. This week we’ll find out that God commands us to use his name right. The command says we respect God’s name when we talk. Let’s learn more about that...
Did you know that there is a book that parents can get that has a list of ALLLLLL the names for babies in it, so new parents can choose very special names for their babies. Your name is special, and your parents gave you your name for a reason. We say our names proudly because they’re special. God’s name is special, too, so we respect God’s name when we talk. God is so amazing, so when we say his name, we want people to know that his name is special and it means power, strength, love, and lots of good things. All our names mean something, too. What if someone used your name in a mean way? How would you feel when someone says your name in an unkind way? What if someone used your name in a silly way? What did you think if you heard your name used wrong? Names are special, and they mean something. God’s name is special, too. And when we use God’s name, we tell people who he is. That’s why we respect God’s name when we talk. We want to use God’s name in a way that makes sense and shows that God is awesome! The Bible says God has more than one name, and we can respect all God’s names when we talk. Let's look at some of those names now: I Am who I Am (Exodus 3:13-14) God told his friend that his name is “I Am who I Am.” That’s an interesting name. It tells us God is powerful and in control. Lord of Lords (Deuteronomy 10:17) That means God is ruler over all people and things. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6-7) Wow! God is a wonderful listener, he’s mighty and brings us peace, and he’s a loving father over all people on earth! God is so great—he’s all these wonderful things! There’s one more name.. Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8) Alpha and Omega means “beginning and the end.” God made the whole world, so he started it all and he’s the one who keeps the whole world moving and alive! God’s name is so great. That’s why we respect God’s name when we talk. Everything about God is wonderful. When we say any of God’s names, we remember how great he is, and we want others to know, too. Before we move on, there's one more thing we should talk about... So we're talking about how we respect God's name when we talk about him, butone thing you might have have heard about what this commandment means is that we don’t say “Oh my God.” But let's listen to this...
"Then I will praise you with music on the harp,
because you are faithful to your promises, O my God. I will sing praises to you with a lyre, O Holy One of Israel."
So if the Bible says it, how can it be bad? What’s the big deal about OMG?
First, let’s look again at that verse. As I read it, think about what the verse is trying to say. What is this verse trying to say? This verse is written as a praise to God. It’s a little like saying, “Oh my friend, you are so cool!” That’s why it’s okay to say “O my God.” The heart behind what we’re saying matters. If we’re praising God, that’s a great, respectful use of his name! More often, though, when we hear this phrase, it’s as an exclamation or a curse that has nothing to do with God. What are some types of situations where you’d typically hear that phrase? Perhaps when something shocking, bad, disgusting, or exciting happens? In those cases, people aren’t using God’s name as a praise; what they’re saying has nothing to do with God. And in many cases, it’s a reaction to something bad! If people used our names when they weren’t even thinking about us, we wouldn’t like that. It might even be hurtful and disrespectful. And God’s name is even more important than our names, so it should be treated with more respect than ours. Our names help identify us. But if we know your name is Aidan, we still don’t really know anything about you. God’s name shows us he is Creator, holy, forever, and so much more! And God’s name is all over the place; we see it when we see glimpses of who he is. Did you know that in the time the Bible was written, the Jewish people didn’t even write out God’s whole name? They left out the vowels. So if you look at the Old Testament in its original language, Hebrew, you would see God’s name, Yahweh, without the vowels. That was a sign of respect and how they treated God’s name differently from other names. God’s commandment didn’t say we can’t write his name. But it does tell us to be careful how we use God’s name! We respect God’s name when we talk, and that means we use it to praise him or say good things about him, not to curse. Craft / Colouring
We respect God's name when we talk because his name is very special. Our names are special, too. Sometimes even hearing our names can be exciting.
When someone calls our names in a kind way, that makes us happy. God loves us and is excited when we call his name, too. Saying God’s name as we pray to him and telling others about his love are great ways to say God’s name. God loves us and knows our names so we're going to make something today that shows off our beautiful names and reminds us of God’s love. **Click on the picture above to print off the page, then gather the following supplies to decorate your name hanging. (“God Loves” handout, card stock or construction paper, glue stick, markers, fun stickers, hole punch, curling ribbon) Each of us has a special name that tells people who we are. When we hang up our nameplates, we can remember that God loves us and knows our names. God’s name is special, too. Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
There are so many names that you have that help us to learn more about you and many of your characteristics. We pray that as we go about our days that we would remember to always respect your name, giving you the respect and honour that you deserve. Amen.
You're back!! We're SO glad that you're here!
Today we'll be learning about another of God’s commands—those are things God tells us we must do to keep us safe and healthy. Do you remember our road? Driving on a road makes us think of safety, and we’ll be learning about God’s rules that keep us safe and healthy. Each week we're going to add a street sign to our road. Before we do that though, let's sing some songs!! These are both new so jump up and join in the words and actions! SUNDAY SCHOOL WORSHIP
Okay so this week we are continuing our series on the 10 Commandments.. Are you ready for a new sign for our road?
This week our lesson is based on the commandment that we should only worship God, no other idols. Today we're going to be adding this sign to our road. (click on the image to print off) If you'd like, you can draw a picture of a road and then click the above link to print off this weeks sign to add to it. You should then keep this road as we will be adding more signs to it over the next few weeks. 
This street sign says “1” because there’s only one real God. We’ll read in the Bible about some people who made fake gods with their own hands, and we'll hear about how Josiah made sure to get rid of anything that would help people worship fake gods and taught people that there’s only one real God.
What do you know about other religions? How do you think they got started? In our video today, we’ll see what happens when our friend Carl gets a little confused about following only the real God. Talk-About Video 2: Carl's Bible from DIG IN on Vimeo.
Why did Carl start writing a new Bible?
What was the problem with what Carl did? There are people who have come up with other ideas for religions with different gods, and they’ve been able to spread those ideas better than Carl did. It’s a good thing Jacob stepped in to set Carl straight! But other religions aren’t true, because God is the only real God.
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Supplies: jumbo craft sticks (2 per child), glue, wooden clothespins (1 per child), bread (optional), toaster (optional), toast toppings such as butter, cinnamon, sugar, and jam (optional), plates (optional), plastic knives (optional).
Directions:
Decorate two jumbo craft sticks. Be sure to include the prayer, “Give us today the food we need.” Using Glue, secure the craft sticks on either side of the clothespin. The end of the clothespin that you pinch should line up with the end of the craft stick. |
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In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus prayed, “Give us today the food we need.” In other translations or versions of the Bible, this part of the prayer says “our daily bread.” Let’s make toaster tongs to remind us that we can ask God for help with whatever we need.
What’s your favorite breakfast food?
What do you like to put on your toast?
Eating bread or toast can remind us of Jesus’ prayer: “Give us today the food we need.” Asking for help is part of prayer, and we can ask God for anything we need.
What’s your favorite breakfast food?
What do you like to put on your toast?
Eating bread or toast can remind us of Jesus’ prayer: “Give us today the food we need.” Asking for help is part of prayer, and we can ask God for anything we need.
Hello Friends!!
This week is our second week talking about the Lord's Prayer. Last week we spoke about praise. Praise is important in our relationship with God as it is a way of telling God how grateful we are to him, and how awesome we think he is!
Let's do some praising right now! Join us in a couple of songs....
This week is our second week talking about the Lord's Prayer. Last week we spoke about praise. Praise is important in our relationship with God as it is a way of telling God how grateful we are to him, and how awesome we think he is!
Let's do some praising right now! Join us in a couple of songs....
SUNDAY SCHOOL WORSHIP SONGS
Music Video: Good in Every Way from DIG IN on Vimeo.
Music Video: Whole Lotta Change from DIG IN on Vimeo.
So today we’re going to be learning that wanting God’s will is part of prayer. That means we ask God what he wants for us when we talk to him.
It’s great to talk to God. He’s our friend, and he’s a great listener. Since we’re learning about talking to God today, I wonder, can you guys think about some other people in our lives that we like to spend time with, talking with?
There are lots of people we can talk with. We might talk with them because we need help, or to learn something new, or maybe just for fun. We can talk with God like that, too. Today we’ll find out we can ask God what he wants. Wanting God’s will is part of prayer. We’ll read in the Bible about a time Jesus talked to God about what God wanted for him.
Sometimes though we might find it’s easier to think about what we want than what God wants.
For example, what would you ask for if your birthday was coming up?
I'm sure that whatever you thought of were all fun birthday gift ideas! Let’s see what happened when a boy asked God for his birthday wish.
It’s great to talk to God. He’s our friend, and he’s a great listener. Since we’re learning about talking to God today, I wonder, can you guys think about some other people in our lives that we like to spend time with, talking with?
There are lots of people we can talk with. We might talk with them because we need help, or to learn something new, or maybe just for fun. We can talk with God like that, too. Today we’ll find out we can ask God what he wants. Wanting God’s will is part of prayer. We’ll read in the Bible about a time Jesus talked to God about what God wanted for him.
Sometimes though we might find it’s easier to think about what we want than what God wants.
For example, what would you ask for if your birthday was coming up?
I'm sure that whatever you thought of were all fun birthday gift ideas! Let’s see what happened when a boy asked God for his birthday wish.
Talk-About Video 11:God's Will from DIG IN on Vimeo.
Can you think about a time you got a present you didn’t really like?
How could not getting what we want be a good thing?
What good came out of the boy in the video getting the wrong gifts?
The boy in our video wanted a video game system, not a baseball bat. But what he didn’t realize is that he could make a new friend with his baseball stuff! What he got was more amazing than what he wanted because God’s will is better than what we want.
How could not getting what we want be a good thing?
What good came out of the boy in the video getting the wrong gifts?
The boy in our video wanted a video game system, not a baseball bat. But what he didn’t realize is that he could make a new friend with his baseball stuff! What he got was more amazing than what he wanted because God’s will is better than what we want.
GAME TIME
If you have time and some space perhaps you would like to play a game called "Mother, May I? - really you don't have to use the word Mother tho...
All the kids will line up on one side of the room and you will have to choose a person to stand on the other side of the room near the wall. The goal is to reach the pther side of the room. Take turns to ask “Mother, May I…?” or "(insert name), May I...?" and include a movement request, such as take three steps forward or one hop forward. You can do what was requested if the reply is “Yes, you may.” but you must stay in place if the response is “No, you may not.”
Here are some ideas for requests; walk backward, hop on one foot, crab-walk, twirl in circles, take giant steps, take tiny steps, fly like a bird, swim like a fish
All the kids will line up on one side of the room and you will have to choose a person to stand on the other side of the room near the wall. The goal is to reach the pther side of the room. Take turns to ask “Mother, May I…?” or "(insert name), May I...?" and include a movement request, such as take three steps forward or one hop forward. You can do what was requested if the reply is “Yes, you may.” but you must stay in place if the response is “No, you may not.”
Here are some ideas for requests; walk backward, hop on one foot, crab-walk, twirl in circles, take giant steps, take tiny steps, fly like a bird, swim like a fish
BIBLE LESSON
So, as we've already talked about, today we're talking about wanting God’s will and how it is a part of prayer. Prayer is when we talk with and listen to God, and today we’ll learn that when we talk with God, we’ll start to want what God wants.
Our bible story time today looks at how Jesus talked with and listened to God.
One time Jesus was teaching a big crowd, and he taught them how to pray;
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is is heaven.
Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil"
We learned about this prayer last week, and we’re going to be learning a little bit more about it for the next couple of weeks.
Can you think of times that you pray?
Jesus prayed all the time because God was his best friend, and he loved to talk with God. Jesus wanted to know what God wanted for him. God can be our friend too, and we can talk to him anytime. God wants the very best for us.
Let’s look at some other times Jesus talked with God.
One time Jesus was very, very sad, and he talked with God then, too. Can you think about why might it help to talk with God when you’re sad?
The Bible says Jesus was getting ready to do something really difficult and so he went to a garden called Gethsemane. Jesus took his friends there too but then he went to talk with God alone. Remember, we can talk with God anytime, and we can talk to God anywhere!
Wanting God’s will is part of prayer and Jesus knew that, so in the garden he said to God, “Do I really have to do this hard thing, God? If you want me to, I will, because I want to do what you want, God!” Jesus wanted to obey God.
Being obedient is sometimes difficult, sometimes being obedient means doing something that you really don't want to do.
Jesus really didn’t want to do this thing God had asked him to do because he knew it was going to be really hard! But Jesus also wanted to do what God asked, so he told God he’d do it if God wanted him to.
I think that Jesus was feeling really conflicted about the difficult thing that God was asking him to do. Jesus went back to talk to God three more times, each time telling God that he would do what God asked even though it was going to be hard.
Jesus asked God what his will was, and God answered that he wanted Jesus to do the hard thing. The very difficult thing that God was asking Jesus to do was to die on the cross and came back to life. It was very stressful and sad, BUT it was worth it, because it means we can be friends with God!
Jesus’ example of how wanting God’s will is a part of prayer. It means letting go of what we want, or want to do, and doing what God tells us is best. God’s in control no matter what, but a change happens in our hearts when we choose to want God’s will over our own.
It’s not always easy to let go of what we want to do and try to do the thing that God wants, but we can also ask God to help us learn to want to do his will as part of the prayer.
When we pray, we also listen to God. We might listen for him to answer a question we asked, or we might listen for him to say he loves us. When we listen, we’re open to God’s will, or what he wants for us. We might not hear something with our ears, but we might hear something inside our hearts. Let’s listen for God to talk to us.
Our bible story time today looks at how Jesus talked with and listened to God.
One time Jesus was teaching a big crowd, and he taught them how to pray;
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is is heaven.
Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil"
We learned about this prayer last week, and we’re going to be learning a little bit more about it for the next couple of weeks.
Can you think of times that you pray?
Jesus prayed all the time because God was his best friend, and he loved to talk with God. Jesus wanted to know what God wanted for him. God can be our friend too, and we can talk to him anytime. God wants the very best for us.
Let’s look at some other times Jesus talked with God.
One time Jesus was very, very sad, and he talked with God then, too. Can you think about why might it help to talk with God when you’re sad?
The Bible says Jesus was getting ready to do something really difficult and so he went to a garden called Gethsemane. Jesus took his friends there too but then he went to talk with God alone. Remember, we can talk with God anytime, and we can talk to God anywhere!
Wanting God’s will is part of prayer and Jesus knew that, so in the garden he said to God, “Do I really have to do this hard thing, God? If you want me to, I will, because I want to do what you want, God!” Jesus wanted to obey God.
Being obedient is sometimes difficult, sometimes being obedient means doing something that you really don't want to do.
Jesus really didn’t want to do this thing God had asked him to do because he knew it was going to be really hard! But Jesus also wanted to do what God asked, so he told God he’d do it if God wanted him to.
I think that Jesus was feeling really conflicted about the difficult thing that God was asking him to do. Jesus went back to talk to God three more times, each time telling God that he would do what God asked even though it was going to be hard.
Jesus asked God what his will was, and God answered that he wanted Jesus to do the hard thing. The very difficult thing that God was asking Jesus to do was to die on the cross and came back to life. It was very stressful and sad, BUT it was worth it, because it means we can be friends with God!
Jesus’ example of how wanting God’s will is a part of prayer. It means letting go of what we want, or want to do, and doing what God tells us is best. God’s in control no matter what, but a change happens in our hearts when we choose to want God’s will over our own.
It’s not always easy to let go of what we want to do and try to do the thing that God wants, but we can also ask God to help us learn to want to do his will as part of the prayer.
When we pray, we also listen to God. We might listen for him to answer a question we asked, or we might listen for him to say he loves us. When we listen, we’re open to God’s will, or what he wants for us. We might not hear something with our ears, but we might hear something inside our hearts. Let’s listen for God to talk to us.
Prayer Time
Dear God,
We thank you that Jesus showed us how to pray, and taught us that asking you what your will is in our lives is a part of that. Help us to come to you in prayer, anytime, anywhere, and help us to also listen for you during our prayers. Be with us as we go about our weeks.
In your name we pray,
Amen.
We thank you that Jesus showed us how to pray, and taught us that asking you what your will is in our lives is a part of that. Help us to come to you in prayer, anytime, anywhere, and help us to also listen for you during our prayers. Be with us as we go about our weeks.
In your name we pray,
Amen.
CRAFT / ACTIVITY
When Jesus prayed in the garden, he talked to God again and again because his heart was sad and worried. But Jesus wanted to do what God asked because God said was best and we can trust God and want his best for us, too.
Let’s make some gardens of our own that we can take home, they can remind us when we pray to ask God what his will is, or what he would want from us.
Let’s make some gardens of our own that we can take home, they can remind us when we pray to ask God what his will is, or what he would want from us.
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Supplies:
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Directions:
- Using scissors, cut the empty toilet rolls (or papertowel roll, or a portion of pool noodle) in half so that each piece will make an arched half-circle piece that can stand up on its own.
- Use scissors to make 3 slits across the top of each arched piece so kids can stick their craft sticks into the slits.
- Give each child three craft sticks to color with markers. The sticks will be the stems of the flowers.
- Give each child a pool noodle piece, and explain that it will be the grass in the garden. Show how to stick craft sticks into the slits. Invite kids to put animal stickers on the “grass.”
- Give each child three cupcake liners to color as flower blooms. Help kids to glue the flower blooms to the top of their stems.
Kids!! I'm thrilled to let you know that we'll be back at church soon! and although we're not going to have Sunday School for a little while we are going to do some things just for kids in the service, and we're looking forward to see your smiling faces around the church again.
Well, last week we finished our Fruit of the Spirit series and now we are moving onto something new! But first, we have some new songs to learn too!!
Well, last week we finished our Fruit of the Spirit series and now we are moving onto something new! But first, we have some new songs to learn too!!
Music Video: All That Is Good from DIG IN on Vimeo.
Music Video: Million Reasons from DIG IN on Vimeo.
Okay so singing worship songs is actually a great lead in to our lesson this week. This week we are learning about Praise! Today we’ll learn that praise is part of prayer.. Prayer is talking with God, and praise is talking with God about how awesome he is.
Another way to praise is clap and cheer, can you think about some places or situtations where you might clap and cheer? What were some of the answers that you came up with?
Perhaps you might have cheered at a friends little league ball game, perhaps you've been to professional hockey game and clapped and cheered when Connor McDavid scored another epic goal! Perhaps you family has come and celebrated with you at your school Christmas concert or dance recital.
There are lots of times that people deserve a good cheer from us. For today though, we’ll be finding out that God deserves the biggest cheers because he’s a pretty awesome God!
That’s why praise is part of prayer; God loves to hear our praises and cheers for him when we talk with him.
What do you think praise being part of prayer really means?
What is praise? How would you describe it?
Let's watch this video and see what praise is and what it isn’t....
Another way to praise is clap and cheer, can you think about some places or situtations where you might clap and cheer? What were some of the answers that you came up with?
Perhaps you might have cheered at a friends little league ball game, perhaps you've been to professional hockey game and clapped and cheered when Connor McDavid scored another epic goal! Perhaps you family has come and celebrated with you at your school Christmas concert or dance recital.
There are lots of times that people deserve a good cheer from us. For today though, we’ll be finding out that God deserves the biggest cheers because he’s a pretty awesome God!
That’s why praise is part of prayer; God loves to hear our praises and cheers for him when we talk with him.
What do you think praise being part of prayer really means?
What is praise? How would you describe it?
Let's watch this video and see what praise is and what it isn’t....
Talk-About Video 10: Pure Praise from DIG IN on Vimeo.
Do you think the kids in this video were truly praising God?
What can distract you from praising God?
If praise is about your heart and your focus, what activities besides music could be praise?
Praise is part of prayer. It’s a reminder that God is in control and a celebration of how amazing he is! So praise means we’re focused on God, not going through the motions of praise while our minds think about other things.
What can distract you from praising God?
If praise is about your heart and your focus, what activities besides music could be praise?
Praise is part of prayer. It’s a reminder that God is in control and a celebration of how amazing he is! So praise means we’re focused on God, not going through the motions of praise while our minds think about other things.
Low ENERGY GAME
The Bible tells us there are big, beautiful gates in heaven. When we get there, we’ll be so thankful to be with our friend God and we’ll all be praising him. Let's read and then memorize Psalm 100:4
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name."
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name."
Let’s play this game and pretend we’re going through the gates of heaven praising God!
Adults;
- Have the kids form a circle, holding their neighbors’ hands up high to create “gates.”
- You start the game by walking in and out of the circle through the gates kids are making as you repeat Psalm 100:4.
- Each time you say “Enter,” take the hand of the nearest child to join you, creating a chain. The kids who were on either side of the child who joined you will step together and hold hands to create a new gate.
- Continue saying the verse and leading kids in and out of the circle, adding new kids to the chain each time you say “enter.” The chain will get longer and the circle smaller.
- When there are only two kids left, encourage them to form a “bridge” for the whole chain to pass through.
- Help kids create a circle as before, and begin again.
- Continue playing as time allows.
We’ll be so happy when we get to be in heaven with God. What do you think you want to talk with God about face-to-face in heaven?
When we get to heaven, we’ll get to see our friend God and thank him for all he has done for us. But we don’t have to wait until we get to heaven. Even though we can’t see his face, we can talk with God now and he’s always listening. When we talk with God, we can praise him because praise is a part of prayer.
When we get to heaven, we’ll get to see our friend God and thank him for all he has done for us. But we don’t have to wait until we get to heaven. Even though we can’t see his face, we can talk with God now and he’s always listening. When we talk with God, we can praise him because praise is a part of prayer.
BIBLE LESSON
In the Bible, Jesus taught his friends how they could talk with God. He taught his friends this prayer....
"Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who have sinned against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil."
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who have sinned against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil."
Have you guys ever heard this prayer said before?
The very first part of Jesus’ prayer shows us to praise God. Let’s think a bit more about what praise is.
If someone does a really good job at something you might give them a hug to say well done, or you might say “You did a great job at that!”
Have a think about how you might praise these people;
Dad when he made a delicious dinner. (Say "Yum!" or ask for more?)
A friend who made something cool with Legos. (Say "That looks so cool, or ask the friend to show them how they built it)
Sister after she scores a goal in a soccer game (You might say "Hooray!" or high five her!)
We praise people in all kinds of ways, but God deserves praise more than anyone else! God made the whole world, and God is the best at loving and caring for us.
One man named David wrote a song to praise God. It’s in the Bible. David’s song shows us all kinds of ways to praise God. Let’s practice these ways now..
Psalm 100:1 "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth."
David said everyone in the world can shout happily that God is awesome! Can we shout joyfully, telling God he’s awesome?
David said there are other ways to praise God, too.
Psalm 100:2 "Serve the Lord with joy. Come before him with singing."
David said we can praise God by singing. Do you have a favorite worship song that you like to sing? How about this one?
The very first part of Jesus’ prayer shows us to praise God. Let’s think a bit more about what praise is.
If someone does a really good job at something you might give them a hug to say well done, or you might say “You did a great job at that!”
Have a think about how you might praise these people;
Dad when he made a delicious dinner. (Say "Yum!" or ask for more?)
A friend who made something cool with Legos. (Say "That looks so cool, or ask the friend to show them how they built it)
Sister after she scores a goal in a soccer game (You might say "Hooray!" or high five her!)
We praise people in all kinds of ways, but God deserves praise more than anyone else! God made the whole world, and God is the best at loving and caring for us.
One man named David wrote a song to praise God. It’s in the Bible. David’s song shows us all kinds of ways to praise God. Let’s practice these ways now..
Psalm 100:1 "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth."
David said everyone in the world can shout happily that God is awesome! Can we shout joyfully, telling God he’s awesome?
David said there are other ways to praise God, too.
Psalm 100:2 "Serve the Lord with joy. Come before him with singing."
David said we can praise God by singing. Do you have a favorite worship song that you like to sing? How about this one?
Music Video: My God Is Powerful from DIG IN on Vimeo.
Praise is part of prayer, and that’s what we just did when we sang a song, telling God how great he is. Let’s look at another way David said we can praise God.....
Psalm 100:3 "Know that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep he tends."
David said we can praise God by remembering that God made us and that we’re his children. God made each of us to be special! What’s something special about you? You’re all special, and God made you to be that way! We can praise God for how he made us! We can say “Wow, God! The way you made me is amazing!”
David shared two more ways he praised God. Let’s look at the next two verses..
Psalm 100:4-5 "Come into his city with songs of thanksgiving. Come into his courtyards with songs of praise. Thank him, and praise his name. The Lord is good. His love continues forever. His loyalty continues from now on. "
David said we can praise God just by thanking him. He also God gives us his great big love! God loves all the people in the world, and since God’s love reaches to everyone, let’s end our activity with a big group hug!
When we share God’s love with others, it’s another way to praise God because he hears us even when we’re telling others how great he is!
Prayer is when we talk with God, sing to God, clap for God, and many other things. We can praise God by doing these things and showing God how amazing he is. Praise is part of prayer, and we can praise God anywhere and anytime in all the ways we learned today!
Psalm 100:3 "Know that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep he tends."
David said we can praise God by remembering that God made us and that we’re his children. God made each of us to be special! What’s something special about you? You’re all special, and God made you to be that way! We can praise God for how he made us! We can say “Wow, God! The way you made me is amazing!”
David shared two more ways he praised God. Let’s look at the next two verses..
Psalm 100:4-5 "Come into his city with songs of thanksgiving. Come into his courtyards with songs of praise. Thank him, and praise his name. The Lord is good. His love continues forever. His loyalty continues from now on. "
David said we can praise God just by thanking him. He also God gives us his great big love! God loves all the people in the world, and since God’s love reaches to everyone, let’s end our activity with a big group hug!
When we share God’s love with others, it’s another way to praise God because he hears us even when we’re telling others how great he is!
Prayer is when we talk with God, sing to God, clap for God, and many other things. We can praise God by doing these things and showing God how amazing he is. Praise is part of prayer, and we can praise God anywhere and anytime in all the ways we learned today!
PRAYER TIME
Dear God,
Thank you that you love us SO much. Thank you that there are many ways for us to show you that we love you through praise, whether we say quiet prayers, or sing loudly Lord, you love to hear our praise to you.
Amen
Thank you that you love us SO much. Thank you that there are many ways for us to show you that we love you through praise, whether we say quiet prayers, or sing loudly Lord, you love to hear our praise to you.
Amen
CRAFT / ACTIVITIEs
Today we learned that praise is part of prayer.
We can praise God with claps, cheers, songs, and even whispers. It’s great to praise God whether it’s loud, quiet, or even if no one can hear it at all.
So, let’s learn to praise God with our hands. People who are deaf and can’t hear with their ears make words with their hands, and we can, too! Follow these simple actions...
We can praise God with claps, cheers, songs, and even whispers. It’s great to praise God whether it’s loud, quiet, or even if no one can hear it at all.
So, let’s learn to praise God with our hands. People who are deaf and can’t hear with their ears make words with their hands, and we can, too! Follow these simple actions...
"I LOVE GOD"
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When we talk with God about how wonderful he is, that’s called praise. There are so many exciting ways to praise God. So let's make something that’ll help us praise him with fun sounds, Today we're going to make praise shakers!
These shakers are a fun way to praise God with loud noise. We can even use them when we sing and make music! That’s a special way to talk with God and praise him.
These shakers are a fun way to praise God with loud noise. We can even use them when we sing and make music! That’s a special way to talk with God and praise him.
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Supplies:
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Directions:
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Hello friends!!
How are you doing? I hope that you and your families are doing well.
This is our last week in the fruit of the spirit series and this week is about self-control. But, before we jump in, lets sing some songs together. If you're like me you must be starting to get to know these songs really well!!
How are you doing? I hope that you and your families are doing well.
This is our last week in the fruit of the spirit series and this week is about self-control. But, before we jump in, lets sing some songs together. If you're like me you must be starting to get to know these songs really well!!
SUNDAY SCHOOL SONGS
Music Video: Whole Lotta Change from DIG IN on Vimeo.
So this week we are going to be learning about self-control. Self-control is when we make a choice not to do something we know is wrong. Being friends with God helps us to have self-control and avoid doing wrong, even if it’s hard.
What are some things that distract you from what you’re supposed to be doing—like homework?
Our video today is about a girl who got distracted by a lot of things. She wasn’t using self-control to limit her distractions. Let’s see how she turned things around. As you watch, think about which of her distractions happen to you, too.
What are some things that distract you from what you’re supposed to be doing—like homework?
Our video today is about a girl who got distracted by a lot of things. She wasn’t using self-control to limit her distractions. Let’s see how she turned things around. As you watch, think about which of her distractions happen to you, too.
Which distractions did she have that you have, too?
How could you have self-control and limit those distractions?
The girl in the video said, “I feel like Jesus was right beside me, like he gave me the strength to turn this around.” How can you turn to Jesus for strength to have self-control?
Like the girl in our video, we can turn to Jesus for help with self-control when we’re having a hard time with it.
How could you have self-control and limit those distractions?
The girl in the video said, “I feel like Jesus was right beside me, like he gave me the strength to turn this around.” How can you turn to Jesus for strength to have self-control?
Like the girl in our video, we can turn to Jesus for help with self-control when we’re having a hard time with it.
Games/ ACTIVITES
What are some of your favorite games to play?
It’s super fun to play games. But if someone doesn’t follow the rules, the game usually isn’t as much fun. Following the rules of a game takes self-control; we can’t just do whatever we want. Since we’re learning self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, let’s play a couple of games where we have to use self-control to follow the rules.
Blind Duck, Duck, Goose
1. Have kids sit in a circle.
2. Choose a kid to be the first person to go around the circle. The "Ducker"
3. Have the kids in the circle close their eyes. Explain that if they open their eyes, the Ducker won’t choose them.
4. The Ducker walks around the outside of the circle as for a traditional game of Duck, Duck, Goose, except that the word duck is said silently. The Ducker taps kids gently on the head without saying anything until a child is chosen to be the “Goose.”
5. The word goose is said aloud when the chosen child is tapped on the head. The Goose opens his or her eyes and chases the Ducker, who will try to take the Goose’s seat, around the circle.
6. The Goose becomes the new Ducker, and the kids in the circle close their eyes again.
7. Continue playing as time allows.
In our game, we had to use self-control to keep our eyes closed and wait for the Ducker to come to us. Following the rules takes self-control.
Let's try another one... When we’re doing something fun, it’s hard to stop. To stop doing something we want to do takes self-control, in this one we have to practice self-control and stop running.
Red Means Stop
For this game you'll need a red and a green piece of construction paper (or something to hold up that is red and something that is green)
1. Have kids line up against one wall.
2. Stand near the opposite wall with a piece of construction paper in each hand.
3. When you hold up the green paper, kids can run toward you as fast as they can. When you hold up the red paper kids must freeze where they are. If any kids are still moving they must return to the starting wall.
4. The first child to reach the wall behind you becomes the new stoplight. Everyone else returns to the starting wall and begins again.
5. Continue playing as time allows. If you’d like, play music while kids play.
When we’re running fast, it’s hard to stop. We had to control our bodies when we played the game; that’s self-control. And we use self-control when we stop before making a wrong choice or when we stop playing when Mom says to clean up. Jesus helps his friends have self-control and make good choices.
It’s super fun to play games. But if someone doesn’t follow the rules, the game usually isn’t as much fun. Following the rules of a game takes self-control; we can’t just do whatever we want. Since we’re learning self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, let’s play a couple of games where we have to use self-control to follow the rules.
Blind Duck, Duck, Goose
1. Have kids sit in a circle.
2. Choose a kid to be the first person to go around the circle. The "Ducker"
3. Have the kids in the circle close their eyes. Explain that if they open their eyes, the Ducker won’t choose them.
4. The Ducker walks around the outside of the circle as for a traditional game of Duck, Duck, Goose, except that the word duck is said silently. The Ducker taps kids gently on the head without saying anything until a child is chosen to be the “Goose.”
5. The word goose is said aloud when the chosen child is tapped on the head. The Goose opens his or her eyes and chases the Ducker, who will try to take the Goose’s seat, around the circle.
6. The Goose becomes the new Ducker, and the kids in the circle close their eyes again.
7. Continue playing as time allows.
In our game, we had to use self-control to keep our eyes closed and wait for the Ducker to come to us. Following the rules takes self-control.
Let's try another one... When we’re doing something fun, it’s hard to stop. To stop doing something we want to do takes self-control, in this one we have to practice self-control and stop running.
Red Means Stop
For this game you'll need a red and a green piece of construction paper (or something to hold up that is red and something that is green)
1. Have kids line up against one wall.
2. Stand near the opposite wall with a piece of construction paper in each hand.
3. When you hold up the green paper, kids can run toward you as fast as they can. When you hold up the red paper kids must freeze where they are. If any kids are still moving they must return to the starting wall.
4. The first child to reach the wall behind you becomes the new stoplight. Everyone else returns to the starting wall and begins again.
5. Continue playing as time allows. If you’d like, play music while kids play.
When we’re running fast, it’s hard to stop. We had to control our bodies when we played the game; that’s self-control. And we use self-control when we stop before making a wrong choice or when we stop playing when Mom says to clean up. Jesus helps his friends have self-control and make good choices.
BIBLE LESSON
Self-control is when we decide we won’t make a choice we know is wrong. When we’re friends with God, he helps us say “no” to wrong choices.
Can you guys think about someone you know who says “no” to wrong choices?
Jesus is the very best at self-control and we're gonna learn more about that now...
The Bible tells about a time Jesus showed self-control because of love. He did something he really didn’t want to do for us. Jesus died on the cross. He could’ve stopped it, but because he loves us so much, he used self-control to stay on the cross. Because Jesus used self-control to stay on the cross and died, we can be friends with God.
Jesus loved people and told them about God. He said that he was God’s Son and some people thought Jesus was telling a lie, and because of that they wanted to hurt him.
On this sad day, soldiers took Jesus to the place they would put him on the cross. Jesus has awesome power, and he could’ve gotten away from them, but Jesus used self-control to stay with the soldiers because he knew that dying on the cross would make it so we can be forever friends with him. Wow!
When we make a choice to obey our parents or guardians we use self-control. We could just run away, but instead we use self-control and do what our parents or guardians ask because it’s what is best for us, and God will help us use self-control to obey.
Are there things that you do to obey your parents or those people that are responsible for you?
Saying “no” to wrong choices or "no" to making bad decisions is using self-control. Sometimes it can be really hard to do, but when we’re friends with God, we can ask him to help us. We can remember that even Jesus used self-control, and we can, too.
Back in the Bible story it says the soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross.
Again, Jesus had the power to leave anytime, but he used self-control because he loves us so much. Jesus knew if he would die on the cross, he would take the punishment for all the wrong things we’ve done. That’s why Jesus stayed on the cross.
Next, the soldiers took Jesus’ clothes and played a game to see who would get to keep them.
Has anyone ever taken your stuff? It’s really not fun when people steal our stuff. It might make us want to grab the things they took back and yell at them, but Jesus used self-control. He didn’t yell or grab his clothes back.
How do you think it might be helpful to use self-control when someone takes our things?
Let’s look back at the Bible to find out some more ways Jesus used self-control...
Back in the bible it says that the soldiers put a sign over Jesus’ head. They made fun of Jesus and called him names. Others came by and shouted mean things at Jesus, too. Jesus didn’t shout mean things back, and he didn’t get off the cross—because he loves us.
It hurts when people say mean things to us. But we can use self-control in times like that. Jesus didn’t yell back at the people. He used self-control, and we can, too. God will help us say no to wrong choices, like saying mean things back when someone is being unkind.
We have a choice to do the right thing even when someone else isn’t. When we do that, we’re using self-control. Jesus shows us how, and God will help us! Jesus used self-control on the cross because he was taking the punishment for all the wrong things we’ve ever done. That makes it so we can be friends with God - Forever!
Can you guys think about someone you know who says “no” to wrong choices?
Jesus is the very best at self-control and we're gonna learn more about that now...
The Bible tells about a time Jesus showed self-control because of love. He did something he really didn’t want to do for us. Jesus died on the cross. He could’ve stopped it, but because he loves us so much, he used self-control to stay on the cross. Because Jesus used self-control to stay on the cross and died, we can be friends with God.
Jesus loved people and told them about God. He said that he was God’s Son and some people thought Jesus was telling a lie, and because of that they wanted to hurt him.
On this sad day, soldiers took Jesus to the place they would put him on the cross. Jesus has awesome power, and he could’ve gotten away from them, but Jesus used self-control to stay with the soldiers because he knew that dying on the cross would make it so we can be forever friends with him. Wow!
When we make a choice to obey our parents or guardians we use self-control. We could just run away, but instead we use self-control and do what our parents or guardians ask because it’s what is best for us, and God will help us use self-control to obey.
Are there things that you do to obey your parents or those people that are responsible for you?
Saying “no” to wrong choices or "no" to making bad decisions is using self-control. Sometimes it can be really hard to do, but when we’re friends with God, we can ask him to help us. We can remember that even Jesus used self-control, and we can, too.
Back in the Bible story it says the soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross.
Again, Jesus had the power to leave anytime, but he used self-control because he loves us so much. Jesus knew if he would die on the cross, he would take the punishment for all the wrong things we’ve done. That’s why Jesus stayed on the cross.
Next, the soldiers took Jesus’ clothes and played a game to see who would get to keep them.
Has anyone ever taken your stuff? It’s really not fun when people steal our stuff. It might make us want to grab the things they took back and yell at them, but Jesus used self-control. He didn’t yell or grab his clothes back.
How do you think it might be helpful to use self-control when someone takes our things?
Let’s look back at the Bible to find out some more ways Jesus used self-control...
Back in the bible it says that the soldiers put a sign over Jesus’ head. They made fun of Jesus and called him names. Others came by and shouted mean things at Jesus, too. Jesus didn’t shout mean things back, and he didn’t get off the cross—because he loves us.
It hurts when people say mean things to us. But we can use self-control in times like that. Jesus didn’t yell back at the people. He used self-control, and we can, too. God will help us say no to wrong choices, like saying mean things back when someone is being unkind.
We have a choice to do the right thing even when someone else isn’t. When we do that, we’re using self-control. Jesus shows us how, and God will help us! Jesus used self-control on the cross because he was taking the punishment for all the wrong things we’ve ever done. That makes it so we can be friends with God - Forever!
Object Lesson (Parent/GUARDIAN PARTICIPATION REQUIRED)
Supplies: Candy such as skittles or M&Ms (2 per child)
Since we’ve been learning that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, here is a fun way for us to practice self-control. (put one candy in front of each child).
Say: "This is your candy, but you can’t eat it yet. You're going to practice some self-control to keep yourself from eating it until I say it’s time. If you wait until I say it’s time, you’ll get another piece of candy! But if you don’t use self-control and you eat it, you won’t get a second piece of candy."
After about a minute tell the kids that while they're waiting they can go and do something to help them while they wait.
Say: "It’s not easy to use self-control. But hang in there! If you wait, you’ll get two pieces of candy! Let’s do some things to help us to wait and use self-control."
For the next minute and a half, guide kids to do any mix of the following; Turn their backs to their candy, walk away from the table and play with a toy, look at a book or get a drink of water..
When roughly two and a half minutes have passed since you placed the candies, call out that everyone can go back and eat their candies.
Give a second piece of candy to all the kids who managed to wait to eat until you said so, congratulating them for using self-control. If any kids already ate their candies, avoid calling them out—just avoid giving them a second piece of candy.
Talk About It
What made it hard to wait to eat your candy? What helped you wait to eat your candy?
It can be hard to have self-control, but like we did in our activity, we can help ourselves have self-control by doing something different. Instead of taking a toy from someone else, we can find a different toy to play with. Or when we feel upset or mad, we can walk away
Since we’ve been learning that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, here is a fun way for us to practice self-control. (put one candy in front of each child).
Say: "This is your candy, but you can’t eat it yet. You're going to practice some self-control to keep yourself from eating it until I say it’s time. If you wait until I say it’s time, you’ll get another piece of candy! But if you don’t use self-control and you eat it, you won’t get a second piece of candy."
After about a minute tell the kids that while they're waiting they can go and do something to help them while they wait.
Say: "It’s not easy to use self-control. But hang in there! If you wait, you’ll get two pieces of candy! Let’s do some things to help us to wait and use self-control."
For the next minute and a half, guide kids to do any mix of the following; Turn their backs to their candy, walk away from the table and play with a toy, look at a book or get a drink of water..
When roughly two and a half minutes have passed since you placed the candies, call out that everyone can go back and eat their candies.
Give a second piece of candy to all the kids who managed to wait to eat until you said so, congratulating them for using self-control. If any kids already ate their candies, avoid calling them out—just avoid giving them a second piece of candy.
Talk About It
What made it hard to wait to eat your candy? What helped you wait to eat your candy?
It can be hard to have self-control, but like we did in our activity, we can help ourselves have self-control by doing something different. Instead of taking a toy from someone else, we can find a different toy to play with. Or when we feel upset or mad, we can walk away
Craft / Activity
Stop and Go
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Supplies:
white card stock (1 sheet per child) large craft sticks (1 per child) crayons glue sticks or tape |
Directions:
1. Cut each piece of card stock into an octagon. (click the image for a template.) 2. Write “Stop” in large letters on one side and “Go” on the other side. 3. Have kids colour the 'Stop' side red, and the 'Go' side green. 4. Tape or glue the popsicle stick to the octagon. |
Today we learned that we use self-control to "stop" (show the “stop” side) before we make a wrong choice. And we "go" (show the “go” side) when there are good choices ahead of us. We might even use the “stop” side (show the “stop” side) when we’re doing something good like playing with toys but it’s time to clean up.
We use self-control to stop and do the right thing. When we’re his friends, Jesus helps us have self-control.
Click the images below to print a copy
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Well kids, it look as though we're going to be able to get together at the church again soon, but it is going to look quite different. We've missed you all SO much over the last couple of months and so we REALLY look forward to when we get together for church and Sunday school again!
Before we begin this weeks Sunday school lesson lets sing a couple of songs together. Feel free to get up and do some of the actions aswell!
Before we begin this weeks Sunday school lesson lets sing a couple of songs together. Feel free to get up and do some of the actions aswell!
Okay so this week we are nearing close to the end of our Fruit of the Spirit series and I wanted to just touch quickly on the fact that when we're friends with God and invite Jesus into our hearts God gives us access to ALL of the Fruits of the Spirit, It isn't that God just gives us one or two of them, he gives us them all. Sometimes its easier for us to act with love, or to be kind rather than to self-control or patience but that's where we maybe need to ask for God's help to work on those areas.
This week we're going to be learning about Gentleness. The dictionary definition of gentleness is "the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered".
Often we're told to be gentle with something or someone. Can you think about something that maybe your parents have told you to be gentle with? Or can you guys think of someone that is gentle? What do you like about that person?
It may be easier to understand why gentleness is important when we think about other people treating us with gentleness.
Let's watch this video and hear about Keizo's story...
This week we're going to be learning about Gentleness. The dictionary definition of gentleness is "the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered".
Often we're told to be gentle with something or someone. Can you think about something that maybe your parents have told you to be gentle with? Or can you guys think of someone that is gentle? What do you like about that person?
It may be easier to understand why gentleness is important when we think about other people treating us with gentleness.
Let's watch this video and hear about Keizo's story...
Talk-About Video 8: Keizo's Story from DIG IN on Vimeo.
What was gentle about the way the librarian treated Keizo?
Why was gentleness a great thing for Keizo?
How does this story inspire you to be gentle when other people make mistakes?
The librarian could’ve charged Keizo the full amount. It’s what he owed because of his mistake! And she could’ve yelled at him, too. But instead, she showed Keizo gentleness, and that helped Keizo out a lot. We can help others by being gentle when they mess up because gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit that God gives us.
Why was gentleness a great thing for Keizo?
How does this story inspire you to be gentle when other people make mistakes?
The librarian could’ve charged Keizo the full amount. It’s what he owed because of his mistake! And she could’ve yelled at him, too. But instead, she showed Keizo gentleness, and that helped Keizo out a lot. We can help others by being gentle when they mess up because gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit that God gives us.
ACTIVITY / GAME
There are lots of ways we can be gentle. We can be gentle with our words, gentle with our hands, and gentle with our feet. We can even be gentle with a ball. Since we’re learning about gentleness today, let’s practice being gentle with a ball.
Here are the supplies that you'll need; a laundry basket or other basket or bowl, and 1 ball that will fit into the basket or bowl.
Lie the laundry basket or bowl on its side and line up on each side of the basket. You're going to work as a team to get the ball to stay in the basket and not roll out again. Okay... go for it!!! When you've had a few truns at getting it to stay in the basket come on back :)
It’s hard to roll a ball gently. We have to use self-control and not be rough. There are other things it’s hard to do gently. Can you think of something that is difficult to do gently? Maybe you think of things like playing tag on the playground or throwing a ball.
Sometimes it’s hard to use gentle hands and gentle words, too. Jesus is always gentle. He was gentle with the woman the leaders brought to him. He’s gentle with us, too. When we’re friends with Jesus, he helps us be gentle.
Here are the supplies that you'll need; a laundry basket or other basket or bowl, and 1 ball that will fit into the basket or bowl.
Lie the laundry basket or bowl on its side and line up on each side of the basket. You're going to work as a team to get the ball to stay in the basket and not roll out again. Okay... go for it!!! When you've had a few truns at getting it to stay in the basket come on back :)
It’s hard to roll a ball gently. We have to use self-control and not be rough. There are other things it’s hard to do gently. Can you think of something that is difficult to do gently? Maybe you think of things like playing tag on the playground or throwing a ball.
Sometimes it’s hard to use gentle hands and gentle words, too. Jesus is always gentle. He was gentle with the woman the leaders brought to him. He’s gentle with us, too. When we’re friends with Jesus, he helps us be gentle.
BIBLE LESSON
As we move into our bible lesson I want us to do a quick object lesson... grab a piece of paper, it doesn't matter what kind of paper, any colour...
On your paper, use your finger to draw a picture or write down the worst thing you’ve ever done—something you’re really ashamed of that you wouldn’t want everyone to know you did.
Now imagine that as you’re holding up your paper, the “ink” from your finger suddenly becomes visible, and everyone can see what you wrote. How would you feel if everyone could see what you wrote?
We all have things we’d rather people didn’t know about us. Fortunately, your “finger ink” won’t become visible, so no one will know what you wrote.
Well, the woman in today’s Bible story felt like you just did…only for her, everyone did see what she’d done wrong. You see, Jesus was teaching a crowd of people when some religious leaders brought a woman to him. They put her in front of the crowd and announced that she’d been caught on a date with someone else’s husband!
What do you think it was like for her to stand in front of the crowd, with everyone knowing that wrong thing she’d done? And she didn’t just have to stand there; here’s what the religious leaders said to Jesus;
"The Law of Moses commands us to stone to death any such woman. What do you say we should do?" (John 8:5)
This woman was in big trouble. The law said she deserved to be killed by having people throw stones at her. But Jesus surprised everyone by treating the woman with gentleness.
"They were saying this to trick Jesus. They wanted to catch him saying something wrong so that they could have a charge against him. But Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger." (John 8:6)
What do you think Jesus wrote in the sand?
We don’t know what Jesus wrote in the sand, because the Bible doesn’t tell us! Maybe he was writing Bible verses. Maybe he was writing the word “forgive". Maybe he was listing the names or sins of the religious leaders! Or maybe he was just doodling. Whatever Jesus was writing, it wasn’t enough for the religious leaders. They demanded an answer! So here’s what Jesus said.
"The Jewish leaders continued to ask him their question. So he stood up and said, “Anyone here who has never sinned should throw the first stone at her.” Then Jesus stooped down again and wrote on the ground." (John 8:7-8)
What do you think of Jesus’ answer? How did it show gentleness?
Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit, and that means it comes from God. Jesus showed a great example of gentleness. He could’ve gone along with the religious leaders. He could’ve said how bad the woman’s sin was. But instead, he pointed out that everyone had sinned. This woman was no different from anyone else. And you know what? That message got through.
"When they heard this, they began to leave one by one. The older men left first, and then the others. Jesus was left alone with the woman standing there in front of him." (John 8:9)
Jesus is gentle because gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit that comes from God. After everyone walked away, you know what Jesus could’ve done? He could’ve thrown a stone, because he was perfect and without sin! But here’s what he did instead.
He looked up again and said to her, “Where did they all go? Did no one judge you guilty?' She answered, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “I don’t judge you either. You can go now, but don’t sin again.”
Think about what you wrote on your paper earlier. You might feel like Jesus could never love you or forgive you after what you’ve done. Or maybe you know he loves you, but you feel like he looks at you a little funny knowing you did what you wrote on that paper. The truth is, even though Jesus can’t stand sin, he is gentle and loving with us, and he is ALWAYS ready to forgive.
On your paper, use your finger to draw a picture or write down the worst thing you’ve ever done—something you’re really ashamed of that you wouldn’t want everyone to know you did.
Now imagine that as you’re holding up your paper, the “ink” from your finger suddenly becomes visible, and everyone can see what you wrote. How would you feel if everyone could see what you wrote?
We all have things we’d rather people didn’t know about us. Fortunately, your “finger ink” won’t become visible, so no one will know what you wrote.
Well, the woman in today’s Bible story felt like you just did…only for her, everyone did see what she’d done wrong. You see, Jesus was teaching a crowd of people when some religious leaders brought a woman to him. They put her in front of the crowd and announced that she’d been caught on a date with someone else’s husband!
What do you think it was like for her to stand in front of the crowd, with everyone knowing that wrong thing she’d done? And she didn’t just have to stand there; here’s what the religious leaders said to Jesus;
"The Law of Moses commands us to stone to death any such woman. What do you say we should do?" (John 8:5)
This woman was in big trouble. The law said she deserved to be killed by having people throw stones at her. But Jesus surprised everyone by treating the woman with gentleness.
"They were saying this to trick Jesus. They wanted to catch him saying something wrong so that they could have a charge against him. But Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger." (John 8:6)
What do you think Jesus wrote in the sand?
We don’t know what Jesus wrote in the sand, because the Bible doesn’t tell us! Maybe he was writing Bible verses. Maybe he was writing the word “forgive". Maybe he was listing the names or sins of the religious leaders! Or maybe he was just doodling. Whatever Jesus was writing, it wasn’t enough for the religious leaders. They demanded an answer! So here’s what Jesus said.
"The Jewish leaders continued to ask him their question. So he stood up and said, “Anyone here who has never sinned should throw the first stone at her.” Then Jesus stooped down again and wrote on the ground." (John 8:7-8)
What do you think of Jesus’ answer? How did it show gentleness?
Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit, and that means it comes from God. Jesus showed a great example of gentleness. He could’ve gone along with the religious leaders. He could’ve said how bad the woman’s sin was. But instead, he pointed out that everyone had sinned. This woman was no different from anyone else. And you know what? That message got through.
"When they heard this, they began to leave one by one. The older men left first, and then the others. Jesus was left alone with the woman standing there in front of him." (John 8:9)
Jesus is gentle because gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit that comes from God. After everyone walked away, you know what Jesus could’ve done? He could’ve thrown a stone, because he was perfect and without sin! But here’s what he did instead.
He looked up again and said to her, “Where did they all go? Did no one judge you guilty?' She answered, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “I don’t judge you either. You can go now, but don’t sin again.”
Think about what you wrote on your paper earlier. You might feel like Jesus could never love you or forgive you after what you’ve done. Or maybe you know he loves you, but you feel like he looks at you a little funny knowing you did what you wrote on that paper. The truth is, even though Jesus can’t stand sin, he is gentle and loving with us, and he is ALWAYS ready to forgive.
OBJECT LESSON
**If you have some string or wool you can give each child few feet of it to use during this example**
When you think of the word gentle, what other words come to mind?
We don't often think of “strong” or “tough" when we think of being gentle. We don’t tend to connect gentleness with strength. So does being gentle make us seem weak?
Okay - if you have some string or wool you should go ahead now and tangle the yarn into a messy, intertwined ball. If you don't have any string or wool you can just imagine what a piece of tangled string looks like..
Okay, it’s time to try and untangle the yarn, either right there in front of you, or in your mind.
What works best when you’re untangling yarn? What doesn’t work?
If you yank and pull hard on a tangled mess of yarn, you might pull the knots tighter and make everything worse. But if you’re gentle, you can get it untangled! If you’re struggling, try to be more gentle and get your yarn untangled.
With yarn, we discover that gentleness is the way to go. We'd would say it’s a more powerful way to work than pulling and yanking, because you can actually solve the problem!
Let’s see what the Bible has to say about how gentleness can actually make us more powerful.
Proverbs 15:1 says "A gentle answer makes anger disappear, but a rough answer makes it grow."
What happens if we respond to someone elses anger with harsh words? or what would happen if we respond with calm gentleness? Gentleness is so powerful, it gives us power over other people’s anger. According to this Bible verse, our gentle words can make someone else less angry! Gentle words are so powerful because they shows wisdom.
"But the wisdom that comes from God is like this: First, it is pure. It is also peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help people who have trouble and to do good for others. This wisdom is always fair and honest." (James 3:17)
Wisdom helps us make good decisions. And this verse says that wisdom from God is always gentle. So when we’re being gentle, we’re using God’s wisdom.
Gentleness comes from God because God is gentle. Jesus even talked about the power of his gentleness in our lives. Because Jesus is gentle at heart, we can come to him when we’re overwhelmed. He has the ability to make hard things feel lighter and easier for us. Jesus’ gentleness makes him strong enough to carry our heavy burdens and make them feel light. So let’s ask him to do that now...
When you think of the word gentle, what other words come to mind?
We don't often think of “strong” or “tough" when we think of being gentle. We don’t tend to connect gentleness with strength. So does being gentle make us seem weak?
Okay - if you have some string or wool you should go ahead now and tangle the yarn into a messy, intertwined ball. If you don't have any string or wool you can just imagine what a piece of tangled string looks like..
Okay, it’s time to try and untangle the yarn, either right there in front of you, or in your mind.
What works best when you’re untangling yarn? What doesn’t work?
If you yank and pull hard on a tangled mess of yarn, you might pull the knots tighter and make everything worse. But if you’re gentle, you can get it untangled! If you’re struggling, try to be more gentle and get your yarn untangled.
With yarn, we discover that gentleness is the way to go. We'd would say it’s a more powerful way to work than pulling and yanking, because you can actually solve the problem!
Let’s see what the Bible has to say about how gentleness can actually make us more powerful.
Proverbs 15:1 says "A gentle answer makes anger disappear, but a rough answer makes it grow."
What happens if we respond to someone elses anger with harsh words? or what would happen if we respond with calm gentleness? Gentleness is so powerful, it gives us power over other people’s anger. According to this Bible verse, our gentle words can make someone else less angry! Gentle words are so powerful because they shows wisdom.
"But the wisdom that comes from God is like this: First, it is pure. It is also peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help people who have trouble and to do good for others. This wisdom is always fair and honest." (James 3:17)
Wisdom helps us make good decisions. And this verse says that wisdom from God is always gentle. So when we’re being gentle, we’re using God’s wisdom.
Gentleness comes from God because God is gentle. Jesus even talked about the power of his gentleness in our lives. Because Jesus is gentle at heart, we can come to him when we’re overwhelmed. He has the ability to make hard things feel lighter and easier for us. Jesus’ gentleness makes him strong enough to carry our heavy burdens and make them feel light. So let’s ask him to do that now...
PRAYER
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for the gentle way you treated the woman in the Bible and for the gentle way you treat us, even when we don’t deserve it.
Thank you that you are humble and gentle at heart. Thank you that your gentleness makes you strong enough to carry our heavy burdens. Give us the strength of gentleness, and fill us with the spirit of gentleness today.
In your name, amen.
Thank you for the gentle way you treated the woman in the Bible and for the gentle way you treat us, even when we don’t deserve it.
Thank you that you are humble and gentle at heart. Thank you that your gentleness makes you strong enough to carry our heavy burdens. Give us the strength of gentleness, and fill us with the spirit of gentleness today.
In your name, amen.
CRAFT / COLOURING
When the leaders brought the woman to Jesus, he was gentle. The leaders wanted to punish the woman, but Jesus responded by kneeling down and writing in the sand. Perhaps you would like to try and make some kinetic sand today.
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Supplies:
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Directions:
1. Mix the sand and flour together in each bowl. 2. Add about ½ cup oil to the sand mixture in each bowl, and encourage kids to mix it with their hands. Add more oil as needed until the sand is a good consistency for building. 3. Give each child a paper plate, a craft stick, and ¼ of the sand from the group’s bowl.Encourage kids to write or draw in the sand with the craft stick and then erase it. Or help them build the sand into a tower and then smooth it back down. 4. After kids finish playing with their sand, give them each a resealable bag to put the sand in |
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Good Morning Friends!!
How are you guys? We are missing you all SO much! and we look are looking forward to when we can all meet back at the church. It will be such an exciting time!
Until that time though, we hope you are well, staying safe and healthy and most of all, having fun and enjoying this extra time with your families.
This morning before we move onto our next fruit of the spirit, let's watch and sing some of these songs together. They are songs that we have done before so they should be getting familiar now :)
How are you guys? We are missing you all SO much! and we look are looking forward to when we can all meet back at the church. It will be such an exciting time!
Until that time though, we hope you are well, staying safe and healthy and most of all, having fun and enjoying this extra time with your families.
This morning before we move onto our next fruit of the spirit, let's watch and sing some of these songs together. They are songs that we have done before so they should be getting familiar now :)
WORSHIP
Music Video: You Forgive Me from DIG IN on Vimeo.
Music Video: The Love of God from DIG IN on Vimeo.
Okay, so we are now in week 7 of the Fruit of the Spirit series and this week we're learning about Faithulness.
Being faithful is defined in the dictionary as being loyal, constant and steadfast. So faithfulness is when we put these words into action, like when we stick by our friends, when we remain loyal to them.
Do you have a best friend? or a friend that has been faithful to you?
Our bible story a little later on is about two friends who showed God's faithfulness to each other, but what would happen if that story happened with rodents instead of people...... well, let's find out!
Being faithful is defined in the dictionary as being loyal, constant and steadfast. So faithfulness is when we put these words into action, like when we stick by our friends, when we remain loyal to them.
Do you have a best friend? or a friend that has been faithful to you?
Our bible story a little later on is about two friends who showed God's faithfulness to each other, but what would happen if that story happened with rodents instead of people...... well, let's find out!
What did you think about this story acted out with hamsters and gerbils instead of people?
Can you guys think of another animal and tell of what the bible story would be like if it happened with those animals?
David and Jonathan weren’t really rodents, or any other kind of animal. But they were faithful to each other. Jonathan protected David and was a faithful friend.
Can you guys think of another animal and tell of what the bible story would be like if it happened with those animals?
David and Jonathan weren’t really rodents, or any other kind of animal. But they were faithful to each other. Jonathan protected David and was a faithful friend.
BIBLE LESSON
Our bible story today comes from 1 Samuel 20.
The friends in our Bible story were named David and Jonathan. David and Jonathan were best friends, they were so close that they were like brothers.
Jonathan was King Saul’s son. That meant he was in line to be the next king. But God had promised David that he’d be the next king, even though David was just a shepherd. Because of that, King Saul—Jonathan’s dad—hated David.
David went to find Jonathan and asked him, “Why is your dad trying to kill me?”
But Jonathan didn’t believe that Saul really wanted to kill David. So they came up with a plan to find out how Saul really felt. Let's read about it in 1 Samuel 20:5-7
David says “Look, tomorrow is the New Moon celebration. I am supposed to eat with the king, but let me hide in the field until the evening. If your father notices I am gone, tell him, ‘David wanted to go home to Bethlehem. His family is having its own feast for this celebration. If your father says, ‘Fine,’ then I am safe. But if your father becomes angry, you will know that he wants to hurt me."
Next, David and Jonathan had to come up with a secret way to tell what Jonathan found out. If Saul really did want to kill David, Jonathan could get in trouble for telling him! Here’s what Jonathan came up with;
"On the third day of the celebration I will go to that hill and shoot three arrows as if I am shooting at a target. Then I will tell the boy to go find the arrows. If everything is fine, I will tell the boy, ‘You went too far! The arrows are closer to me. Come back and get them.’ If you hear me say that, then you can come out of hiding. I promise, as surely as the Lord lives, you are safe. There is no danger.
But if there is trouble, I will say to the boy, ‘The arrows are farther away. Go get them.’ If I say that, you must leave. The Lord is sending you away. Remember this agreement between you and me. The Lord is our witness forever.”
Very soon the new moon festival started. When it began David hid in the field, and Jonathan went to the festival. King Saul noticed that David's seat was empty but he didn't say anything about it.
On the second day when King Saul noticed that David was missing he asked his son Jonathan, “Why didn’t David come to the New Moon celebration yesterday or today?” Jonathan answered, “David asked me to let him go to Bethlehem.
That’s when King Saul got mad. He told Jonathan to go find David so he could kill him. But Jonathan was a faithful friend, so he refused. King Saul got so mad that he hurled a spear at Jonathan! Luckily, King Saul missed. But Jonathan had a clear answer: His dad wanted David dead.
It was time for the second part of their plan, where David and Jonathan would use their secret code. Let's read 1 Samuel 20: 35-39
"The next morning Jonathan went out to the field to meet David as they had agreed. Jonathan brought a little boy with him. He said to the boy, “Run. Go find the arrows I shoot.” The boy began to run, and Jonathan shot the arrows over his head. The boy ran to the place where the arrows fell, but Jonathan called, “The arrows are farther away.” The boy picked up the arrows and brought them back to his master. The boy knew nothing about what went on. Only Jonathan and David knew."
After Jonathan’s servant left, David came out of hiding to say goodbye to Jonathan. This was a really sad moment. They weren’t just saying goodbye for a little while; they knew they’d probably never see each other again.
"Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace. We have taken an oath in the Lord’s name to be friends forever. We have asked the Lord to be a witness between us and our descendants forever.”
This is a really sad ending to the story of two best friends eh? How do you think David and Jonathan felt when they said goodbye forever?
When our friends move away, we can sometimes still keep in touch. We might text or call them. But there was no technology for David and Jonathan to keep in touch. They couldn’t even send letters; it was too risky since Saul wanted to kill David.
Well, even though they wouldn’t see each other again, their hearts remained faithful to each other. Jonathan was willing to give up being king because he knew God’s plan was for his friend David to be king. He was willing to risk his life to help David escape. Jonathan was a faithful friend.
Even years later when David became king and Jonathan had died, David found Jonathan’s son and showed kindness to him. Even after Jonathan was gone David was still being a faithful friend.
Being a faithful friend means sticking with someone no matter what. God is the most faithful friend of all.
The Bible tells us that Jesus made it so we can be God’s friend.
"And not only will we be saved, but we also rejoice right now in what God has done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is because of Jesus that we are now God’s friends." Romans 5:11
The friends in our Bible story were named David and Jonathan. David and Jonathan were best friends, they were so close that they were like brothers.
Jonathan was King Saul’s son. That meant he was in line to be the next king. But God had promised David that he’d be the next king, even though David was just a shepherd. Because of that, King Saul—Jonathan’s dad—hated David.
David went to find Jonathan and asked him, “Why is your dad trying to kill me?”
But Jonathan didn’t believe that Saul really wanted to kill David. So they came up with a plan to find out how Saul really felt. Let's read about it in 1 Samuel 20:5-7
David says “Look, tomorrow is the New Moon celebration. I am supposed to eat with the king, but let me hide in the field until the evening. If your father notices I am gone, tell him, ‘David wanted to go home to Bethlehem. His family is having its own feast for this celebration. If your father says, ‘Fine,’ then I am safe. But if your father becomes angry, you will know that he wants to hurt me."
Next, David and Jonathan had to come up with a secret way to tell what Jonathan found out. If Saul really did want to kill David, Jonathan could get in trouble for telling him! Here’s what Jonathan came up with;
"On the third day of the celebration I will go to that hill and shoot three arrows as if I am shooting at a target. Then I will tell the boy to go find the arrows. If everything is fine, I will tell the boy, ‘You went too far! The arrows are closer to me. Come back and get them.’ If you hear me say that, then you can come out of hiding. I promise, as surely as the Lord lives, you are safe. There is no danger.
But if there is trouble, I will say to the boy, ‘The arrows are farther away. Go get them.’ If I say that, you must leave. The Lord is sending you away. Remember this agreement between you and me. The Lord is our witness forever.”
Very soon the new moon festival started. When it began David hid in the field, and Jonathan went to the festival. King Saul noticed that David's seat was empty but he didn't say anything about it.
On the second day when King Saul noticed that David was missing he asked his son Jonathan, “Why didn’t David come to the New Moon celebration yesterday or today?” Jonathan answered, “David asked me to let him go to Bethlehem.
That’s when King Saul got mad. He told Jonathan to go find David so he could kill him. But Jonathan was a faithful friend, so he refused. King Saul got so mad that he hurled a spear at Jonathan! Luckily, King Saul missed. But Jonathan had a clear answer: His dad wanted David dead.
It was time for the second part of their plan, where David and Jonathan would use their secret code. Let's read 1 Samuel 20: 35-39
"The next morning Jonathan went out to the field to meet David as they had agreed. Jonathan brought a little boy with him. He said to the boy, “Run. Go find the arrows I shoot.” The boy began to run, and Jonathan shot the arrows over his head. The boy ran to the place where the arrows fell, but Jonathan called, “The arrows are farther away.” The boy picked up the arrows and brought them back to his master. The boy knew nothing about what went on. Only Jonathan and David knew."
After Jonathan’s servant left, David came out of hiding to say goodbye to Jonathan. This was a really sad moment. They weren’t just saying goodbye for a little while; they knew they’d probably never see each other again.
"Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace. We have taken an oath in the Lord’s name to be friends forever. We have asked the Lord to be a witness between us and our descendants forever.”
This is a really sad ending to the story of two best friends eh? How do you think David and Jonathan felt when they said goodbye forever?
When our friends move away, we can sometimes still keep in touch. We might text or call them. But there was no technology for David and Jonathan to keep in touch. They couldn’t even send letters; it was too risky since Saul wanted to kill David.
Well, even though they wouldn’t see each other again, their hearts remained faithful to each other. Jonathan was willing to give up being king because he knew God’s plan was for his friend David to be king. He was willing to risk his life to help David escape. Jonathan was a faithful friend.
Even years later when David became king and Jonathan had died, David found Jonathan’s son and showed kindness to him. Even after Jonathan was gone David was still being a faithful friend.
Being a faithful friend means sticking with someone no matter what. God is the most faithful friend of all.
The Bible tells us that Jesus made it so we can be God’s friend.
"And not only will we be saved, but we also rejoice right now in what God has done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is because of Jesus that we are now God’s friends." Romans 5:11
activities / CraftS
Today we learned that faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit, and we heard about two faithful friends in the Bible—Jonathan and David. Those friends stuck together always! Let’s look at some sticky things to see which is most like David and Jonathan’s friendship: super sticky! If you'd like you can try this experiment. Gather up the supplies and follow the directions below.
Supplies: Scotch tape, painter’s tape, duct tape, sticky notes
Directions:
1. Cut strips from each of the rolls of Scotch, painter’s, and duct tape and peel off one sticky note.
2. Point out some surfaces to test such as clothing, and perhaps a window and a kitchen countertop
3. Test each piece of tape and the sticky note on each of the surfaces and decide together which surface you think is the stickiest.
What did you do to test your sticky tapes?
How do you know which tape was the stickiest?
The stickier tapes where harder to pull away once they were stuck to something. That’s like Jonathan and David’s friendship. They were faithful friends and stuck together.
Who’s someone you like to stick with, and why?
It’s so good to have faithful friends, but the most faithful friend we’ll ever have is God. God sticks with us, and nothing will ever pull God’s love away from any of us. God’s friendship is the super-stickiest!
Supplies: Scotch tape, painter’s tape, duct tape, sticky notes
Directions:
1. Cut strips from each of the rolls of Scotch, painter’s, and duct tape and peel off one sticky note.
2. Point out some surfaces to test such as clothing, and perhaps a window and a kitchen countertop
3. Test each piece of tape and the sticky note on each of the surfaces and decide together which surface you think is the stickiest.
What did you do to test your sticky tapes?
How do you know which tape was the stickiest?
The stickier tapes where harder to pull away once they were stuck to something. That’s like Jonathan and David’s friendship. They were faithful friends and stuck together.
Who’s someone you like to stick with, and why?
It’s so good to have faithful friends, but the most faithful friend we’ll ever have is God. God sticks with us, and nothing will ever pull God’s love away from any of us. God’s friendship is the super-stickiest!
We don’t see our friends here at church all the time, but we can still be faithful friends to each other like David and Jonathan were faithful when they were apart. We can make friendship necklaces to remind us we’re faithful friends. Each friend gets half of the heart to remind friends that they’re still friends, even when they’re not together.
1. Click the image to print off the sheet for this activity, or re-create your own by drawing a heart.
2. Once you've coloured your heart, cut it in half and punch a hole in each half.
3. Attach some string or thread to each half. You can keep one half and give the other to a friend.
1. Click the image to print off the sheet for this activity, or re-create your own by drawing a heart.
2. Once you've coloured your heart, cut it in half and punch a hole in each half.
3. Attach some string or thread to each half. You can keep one half and give the other to a friend.
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Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for showing us how to be faithful friends like David and Jonathan were. Thank you for loving us so much that you sent your son to earth to show us how to be friends with you. Please help us be faithful friends to others.
Amen
Thank you for showing us how to be faithful friends like David and Jonathan were. Thank you for loving us so much that you sent your son to earth to show us how to be friends with you. Please help us be faithful friends to others.
Amen
MEMORY VERSE
Last but not least, don't forget about the bible verse that we're trying to memorize. It's from Galatians 5:22-23
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
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