For Kids: Grace | Lectionary 12 (Pentecost 4) | Year A
Opening Song: The Apostles' Creed
Note: Today's lesson is based on Romans 6:1b-11 in the Lectionary readings.
Big Idea: God gives us something better than we deserve...
Story: "Praise God" | Spark Story Bible, pg. 158
Ask: God gives us a beautiful world to live in. He even gave us Jesus - who lived, died, and then came back to life so we could live forever with God. He also gave us the Holy Spirit to live in us and be with us all the time.
Do you think we did anything to earn this beautiful world, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit? Or - to put it another way - could we do enough things to make God want to give us the world, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit?
No. God gave us the world and Himself because of His love and grace.
Let's watch a video that explains what grace is...
Lesson Video | What is Grace?
Ask: On Christmas, do you get gifts because you earned them? Because you worked really hard for them? (Probably not...). What about on your birthday? Do people bring you presents because you worked really hard for them? Or do people just give them to you because they like you and want to do something nice for you?
Grace is kind of like getting presents on Christmas or your birthday. You didn't do anything to get a present - instead, you were given it as a gift because someone loves you and wants to do something kind that will make you happy.
Are any of you perfect? ... Do you think you deserve God sending Jesus to live and die for us? (No). That's right - God sent Jesus and the Holy Spirit because He loves us and wants us to be with Him forever. God even forgives us for the bad things we do called sin when we ask Him to because of His love and grace.
Say: Everything Jesus did for us and everything the Holy Spirit does for us are gifts. It's important to accept a gift when its given to you, so we believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and accept the gift of God's love, forgiveness, and life that He offers us. That's grace!
To thank God for His grace, we can write poems or songs like the one we read from the Bible earlier or sing songs like this one...
Song for Kids: Amazing Grace
Activity Sheets or Play
After the song, hand out the activity sheets. Younger children are welcome to play with the Duplos (encourage them to play out a story that fits with the lesson).
End with the Lord's Prayer when the Usher comes to let you know the prayers have started.
(If you need more time)
Go around the room and ask the children to share something they are thankful for this week.
Ask them if there is anything or anyone they would like to pray for this week.