Welcome!
We’re so excited that you stopped over to see what’s happening in kids ministry! Each week we’ll have all information and links you need to stay up-to-date right here in one convenient place.
We have options for you to work through the lesson with your family or set your kids up to watch one of our virtual lessons.
Study at Home
Get your Child a snack
Read the Bible Story to your child and/or
Click on the link to the YouTube Playlist for that week and watch the videos
BACK THIS MONTH - Lessons each week brought to you by our Childrens Director Melissa. “in person” lessons completes with worship music, videos, games, memory work and more
Review Memory work and Pray with your kids when they are done
If you have time or the desire - choose one of the follow up activities to help the kids engage with the lesson
LESSON OVERVIEW
WEEK:: THREE
BIG IDEA - Blessings are gifts God gives us.
THE BIBLE: The Beatitudes: Matthew 5:3-12
INSTRUCTIONS: Look up the story in your Bible.
Welcome back, friends! Today, we'll talk about a different kind of gift. . . and that gift is called a blessing!
Do you know what's special about blessings? You get them from God and then you can give them to other people!
What word did you hear a lot in our story today?
Does anyone know what that word means?
In the Bible, we learned a blessing is something God gives us because God is so kind to us. God doesn't have to give us blessings, but God chooses to.
God loves to bless us, especially when we do things that make God happy. Some things that make God happy are telling the truth, saying I'm sorry, being kind to others, and standing up for what is right.
Sometimes, a blessing is something you need for today, like clothes or food, but other times, a blessing is something that lasts forever, like God's love!
Who are the kinds of people that God promises blessings to?
To be "poor in spirit" means to be humble and to always give God the credit.
To "mourn" is not just about being sad, but being truly sorry each time we do something that God doesn't want us to do.
When you are "meek," you count on God's strength, and not your own.
People who "hunger and thirst for righteousness" are people who stand up for what is right.
Being "merciful" is about forgiving others and having compassion for them.
The "pure in heart" are those who are selfless and don't have underlying motives for doing good things.
"Peacemakers" get along with others and also help others do the same.
When you are "persecuted for righteousness' sake," you might face some difficulties because you choose to follow God.
Now when you think of blessings, these might not have been the first things you thought about. Usually we think about being blessed by having everything we need. But Jesus is teaching us in this Bible passage that when we show these kinds of characteristics, we will be blessed with something far greater than daily needs – God promises to bless us with great rewards in heaven. Even though we might feel sad or lonely sometimes, God will see our hearts and bless us in the long run!
ACTIVITY |COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
What are the different blessings God has given you?
INSTRUCTIONS: Set out scrapbook paper. Help the kids write as many blessings they can think of on the paper. Save the finished papers for the next activity. Offer suggestions to get the kids started, such as family, friends, their house, their pets, yummy food, school, clothes, etc.
TODDLER TIP: Help kids think of someone and/or something they're thankful for and write it on heart-shaped cutouts. They can use these for the next part of the activity.
LEVEL UP YOUR CRAFT
INSTRUCTIONS: Give each kid a small, cardboard box and markers, crayons, paint, and other things to decorate the outside of the box. Place the kids' written lists of blessings on the inside of the box after decorating.
These gift boxes will help you remember God loves you and blesses you. Open up your box to see the blessings God has given you! Blessings are gifts God gives us!
PRAYER
Toddler Tips: A toddler needs may have trouble understanding the concept of prayer because they cannot see God. Echo Prayer is a good strategy to encourage and teach kids how to talk to God. The teacher or parent speaks aloud a short segment of the prayer, and the children echo back the same sentence or phrase.
Dear God, thank You for blessing us. We are so grateful for Jesus who loves us so much. Thank You for all the things You give to us each and every day. Help us to use the gifts You give us to help others.
MAIN EVENT: A SERIES ON SPIRITUAL GIFTS
SERIES OVERVIEW:
With the holiday season having just passed by, most kids still have the concept of giving and receiving gifts fresh on their minds. While many, if not all, of the gifts that were unboxed at Christmas, will eventually fall into disrepair, gifts given by God will never fade! Through this “Unboxed” series, kids will discover what kinds of gifts those are, starting with the fact that everyone has special gifts! Then they will see how God can use those gifts to help others, among those gifts being special blessings from God, as well. Our gifts help us care about what God cares about, by focusing on heavenly things, and we can trust God with our gifts when we offer it up cheerfully!
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