TS1 Lesson 1 - God Made You for a Reason.pdf

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We have chosen to start off the curriculum with the lesson “God Made You for aReason,” to begin laying a Foundation in the lives of the children. Before we canbegin to show them how to live their lives and what principles to build their livesupon, we must first lay a foundation. That foundation must explain their purposein life. Your children must understand that God made them for a reason. If thisfoundation is not laid, the children will think that Christianity is just a bunch a rulesthey have to follow, and will not understand that they were created to live for God. People who do not understand God’s purpose for their lives end up living for themoment. They are not interest in planing for the future or better yet, eternity. Theywill pursue every momentary, eathly reward that interest them. Storing up richesin heaven will be a foreign concept to them as they will drift from one popular per-suasion to the next.

How many times have we seen these children grow up and spend their teen yearstrying to figure out what their purpose in life is? They ask questions like, “Why amI alive? Who am I? Why is my life like this?” Do you know why they ask thesequestions? Because they have no foundation! They do not understand that Godmade them for a reason.

The Bible says in Colossians 2:7, “Plant your roots in Christ and let him be thefoundation for your life.” Teachers, the only way we can lay a foundation in thelives of our children is to show them that God created them for a reason.

He made them: 1. In His Image2. To Know Him 3. For a Purpose

Once this foundation is laid, it can be built upon. We can then Focus on Christian Living, Following God’s Commands and Facing Life’s Battles.

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2

What is God doing?

Participants: Any kid that volunteers.

Props: A “runner” with a microphone.

Preparation: Tell the “runner” to only pick kids that are sitting down quietly with their handraised.

Playing: Ask the kids the question, “What is God doing in your life?” Encourage them torespond however they want. They may want to share what God is doing in their family.Maybe God has been providing for them or helping them at school. You can even ask themwhat God has been teaching them at Kids’ Church. Also, encourage the Kids’ Church lead-ers to involve themselves in this activity. The kids will benefit from hearing what God is doingin their lives. The point of this activity is to build faith in the kids. As soon as a leader or oneof the kids shares, other kids will start to recognize that God has been doing things in theirlives as well. It is a great time of reflection. [Make sure that after each testimony, you teachthe kids to thank God for what He is doing.]

Welcome

Rules

Opening Prayer

Pledges

Songs of your Choosing

4 Reasons

1. Balloon Stomp

Props: Six balloons and six pieces of string, each 18 inches long. Tie the strings onto the balloons.

2. Seek

Props: Three girl’s items (stuffed animal, doll, bracelet) and three boy’s items (base

ball, yo-yo, baseball cap).

Lesson BreakdownPPrree -- OOppeenniinngg AAccttiivviittyy

OOppeenniinngg

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Lesson One

3God Made You For a Reason

Short Overview of the Lesson

Quiet Seats ExplanationProps: 4 Red balloons, 4 blue balloons, a whistle, and quiet seat prizes.

Lesson IntroductionProps: Pictures of Creation

Power Point: God made you for a reasonSub points: He made you: 1. In His image2. To know Him3. For a purpose

Memory Verse: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1)Props: Overhead projector, blank transparency or poster boards.

Bible Lesson: “Creation” (Gen.1)

Props: Large mirror with sheet covering, 3 large cards with “clues” written on visibly, pictures ofCreation

Object Lesson #1: “God made you in His image”Props: Poster board cut in the shape of a person, 6 pieces cut out to form the same shape of theperson, but with the facial/body features (pieces: 1 from the eyes to top of the head, 1 from belowthe eyes to the base of the neck, 1 from the base of the neck - showing the heart - to the waist,except for the arms, 2 arms/hands, 1 from the waist down to the feet), picture of monkey.

Object Lesson #2: “God made you to know HIm”Props: Actor to play Adam, someone to speak as God

Object Lesson #3:“God made you for a purpose”Props: One white board, dry erase markers

Life Lesson: “A boy and his kite”Props: Illustrated Story

Next Week: Build Your Life on Jesus

Director’s Note: The Big Picture

Lesson BreakdownLLeessssoonn TTiimmee

4 Lesson One

OOppeenniinnggWelcome

Props: Whistle

Good morning! I am so excited to be here today. If you are excit-ed, let me here you scream! Now, if you are really excited, Iwant you to clap one time. Clap two times. Clap three times.Now Give God a big hand clap. Today’s lesson is so important;we are going to teach you that God made you for a reason. Noone in this room was an accident or a surprise to God. He knewyou before you were born. He has a purpose for your life. I wanteveryone to look up to heaven. Everybody say, “I love you God”.(Allow the kids to respond.) We are going to get started today.Everyone put 10 fingers up in the air and count down with me:10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1.

RulesKids’ Church always works best when we work together. Whenwe follow rules, things run smoothly. There are many childrenhere today. In order for us all to have fun and learn, we all haveto follow the same rules. We do not play favorites in Kids’Church, and we do not allow bullies either. We all follow thesame rules. Today we have a shortcut to help us remember therules. The shortcut is the word "SOW." Let us sow a good seedtoday by obeying the rules. (Keep the rules posted or write

them on the chalkboard or on poster board.)

Let us review the rules:S- Stay in your seat.O- Obey your leaders.W- Whistle means quiet.

Notes

Set the tone right away as the kids areentering the building:

1. Music - Have up beat, ageappropriate music playing as the kids are entering the building.

2. Greeters - Have greeters at the door greeting the kids and telling them where to sit.

3. Announcements - Make surethere is someone on the mic communicating clearly to the kids such things as:“Welcome to Kids’ Church. Wehave 10 minutes beforeSunday School starts. Take offyour coat. Girls, sit on my left.Boys, sit on my right. I amexcited to see everyone hertoday!”

4. Countdown - We officially startSunday School with a count-down.


Opening PrayerDear God, Thank you so much for making me. I know you made me for areason. I ask that you would help me figure out who I am in youreyes. Help me to live my life for you. Help me to discover thereason why you made me, and to build my life on you. I loveyou God. I LOVE YOU GOD. Today I give myself to you. InJesus’ Name. Amen.

Pledges(Refer to the powerpoint presentation)

Songs of Your ChoosingIf you have a praise and worship team, it would be great toimplement them for this part of your service. If you do not havea praise and worship team, then use cassettes or CDs. Try toplay songs that the kids will know. Have the songs written ontransparencies or poster boards so the entire audience can seethe words and participate in your praise and worship time.

The Four Reasons Why We Come to Kids Church

Props: Poster board or overhead projector so everyone cansee the "Four Reasons."

Every week, always take time to teach the kids why they cometo Kids’ Church. "Spaced Repetition" is the name of the teach-ing technique that we employ at this point in the lesson. Theconcept is simple; by reinforcing and repeating these four keytruths every week, it becomes ingrained in our children. Havethe kids repeat "The Four Reasons Why We Come to Kids’Church." You can even give rewards to kids who can say themcorrectly without help. Pick two boys and two girls, and havethem say the "Four Reasons" without looking at them. Doingthis every week can be a great start for your kids to always knowwhy they are doing the things we tell them to do every week.1. To love God first2. To learn His word3. To lead others to Jesus4. To live right every day

Notes

Allow one of the children to lead theopening prayer. You might have to offera little guidance. Choose a boy or a girlwho would like to pray. Here is a sam-ple prayer that you can guide themthrough. Remember to keep it short andto the point.

You will eventually want to get thekids to the point where they canpray on their own without anyhelp from you.

Before you pick the two boys andgirls to say the four reasons,teach them to everyone as agroup. You can start off by sayingto the kids, “If you are in schooland someone asks you why you

go to church, what will you say?”

Answer

Game Time

Games are fun and exciting. I do not know one singlekid who does not like to play games. I do not know one single kid who does not like to win cool prizes after play-ing a game. Let’s face it, kids are bored at church. Theywant to laugh, play, and have fun. Teachers want themto learn the Word of God. Is it not possible to haveboth? Who says Sunday school has to be dry and bor-ing? There is a middle ground. Include games in yourSunday school.

Game Time should be:

� A review of last week’s lesson

� Fun

� Organized

A review of last week’s lesson - The only way thatkids can play a game, is if they answer a question fromlast week’s lesson. Instantaneously, kids are going tostart listening to your teaching every week because theywant to play a game.

Fun: Game time must be fun! Make sure your gamesare exciting and unpredictable not get in a rut with yourgames. You need to keep the kids guessing as to whatwill happen next.

Organized - We call game time, “controlled chaos.” Wewant the kids to have the most fun they can have in acontrolled environment. There is a lot of organizationrequired for game time. For instance, someone has to:

� Set-up and clean-up the game� Pick kids to answer the review question� Operate the CD player� Help the kids pick a prize

Notes

1. Use your game time as a review time.

2. Make sure you have two opposing teams.

3. Assign runners.

4. Assign someone to operate your CD player.

5. Put someone in charge of organizing and cleaning up games.

6. Put someone in charge of giving out prizes.

7. Ask simple questions.

8. Explain the game well.

9. Judge quickly and fairly.

10. Make sure you rehearse the games with your workers.


Review QuestionsSelect one child from each team who can answer their reviewquestion correctly to play in this first game. Allow each child tochoose two partners of the same sex to play this game withthem.

1. What was Jesus’ mother name _______? Answer-Mary.

2. Where was Jesus born? In a boat? In a manger? Or on an island? ________? Answer-Manger.

Game #1Balloon Stomp

Participants: Three boys and three girls.

Props: Six balloons and six pieces of string (each string 18inches long). Tie the strings onto the balloons.

Playing: Use the loose end of string that is attached to the bal-loons to tie around the left ankle of each participant. When thegame begins, the players will try to pop one another’s balloonsby stomping on them. At the same time, each player must try toprotect his own balloon. When a player’s balloon is popped, hemust immediately quit playing. The last person with an intactballoon is the winner.

Precaution: Be sure the players understand they are supposedto pop one another’s balloons and not their own.

Notes

� Use your voice to build up excite-ment while asking the question.

� As soon as you have finished askingthe question several things shouldhappen at the same time.

1. Upbeat music starts to fill in dead time.

2. A pre-assigned “runner” runs outinto the audience and finds a kidwho knows the answer to the question. “The runner” always ask the kid the answer to the questions (off the mic) before the music stops. If the kid does not know the answer, the “runner” should find another kid.

3. Once the runner signals to the game leaders they have founda kid who knows the answer tothe question, the game leaderblows the whistle to stop themusic.

4. Ask the kid his/her name.

5. Ask the question again allowingthe kid to give the answer on themic. The runner helps kid pickthe right amount of partnersneeded to play the game.

6. Game leaders ask a second question for the opposite siderepeat steps (1-5).

7. One game leader explains thegame to the audience. The othergame leader explains the gamethe kids on stage making sureeveryone understand how toplay & WIN the game.

8. Make sure there is a clear startto the game. Usually game leader will say “On your mark,get set - GO!”

8 Lesson One

Review Questions

Select one child from each team who can answer their reviewquestion correctly to play in this second game. Allow each childto choose two partners of the same sex to play this game withthem.

1. Jesus died on a cross for our _________. Answer-Sin

2. Jesus died but three days later he _______ again. Answer-Rose.

Game #2Seek

Participants: 3 girls from the girls’ team and 3 boys from theboys’ team.

Props: Three “girl” items (stuffed animal, doll, bracelet) andthree “boy” items (baseball, yo-yo, baseball cap).

Preparation: Place, but do not hide, the six items in variouslocations. The “girl” items should go on the girls’ team. The“boy“items should go on the boys’ team. Both teams shouldhave one item near the front of the room, one item in the backof the room, and one item in an in between location.

Playing: When you say, “GO” participant number one on bothteams will run out into the audience and retrieve one of theitems, bring it back to the stage, and place their item into thehands of the game leader. As soon as the item is in the handsof the game leader, participant number two will run out into theaudience and retrieve one item, bring it back to the stage, andplace their item into the hands of the game leader. As soon asthe item is in the hands of the game leader, participant numberthree will run out into the audience and retrieve the last item,bring it back to the stage, and place their item into the hands ofthe game leader. The team who gets all three items into thehands of the game leader first wins the game.

Game leader should encourage the audience to yell at the par-ticipants, telling them where the items are.

Notes

9. As soon as the game leader saysthe word “Go”, the person operating your CD Player plays upbeat music.

10. As soon as there is a clear winner, game leader will blowthe whistle, the music will stop,game leader will announce thewinning team.

11. Helpers on the stage will� clean up game� help winning team pick a

prize. Give loosing teamconsolation prize.

� set up the next game.

Make game time exciting. Always getthe audience to cheer for their fans.

Do not allow “Boo-ing” or unkindgesturing whenever a team does notwin the game. Always promotehealthy competition.

Notes

1. This is what we are teaching

2. This is why we are teaching what we are teaching.

3. This is our supportingverse

4. This is how we will support the power point.

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KKeeyy WWoorrddss aanndd KKeeyy PPhhrraasseess

Lesson Time

1. Power Point: God made you for a reason.

2. Direction: Nothing was created by accident.

3. Memory Verse: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Gen. 1:1 NKJV)

4. Sub points: He Made you:

� In His image� To Know Him� For a Purpose

Key words and Key Phrases that should be used through-out the Lesson.

God made you for a reason

Nothing was created by accident

Object Lesson #1: ImageObject Lesson #2: To know HIm

Object Lesson #3: Purpose

10 Lesson One

Quiet Seat Explanation

Props: You will need a loud whistle, four blue balloons for theboys' side, and four red balloons for the girls' side. You will alsoneed helpers on the boys' side and helpers on the girls' side topass out the “Quiet Seat” prizes. Prizes like candy, snacks, orBibles are all effective prizes. The prizes are given only to thekids who are the quietest during the teaching time. The “QuietSeat” time officially starts after the whistle has been blown.

Presentation: Boys, I have four balloons on your side. If I seeyou talking to your friends or playing with your neighbor, I amgoing to pop a balloon. If I pop all four of your balloons, I amgoing to give all of the candy to the girls. Girls, you also havefour balloons. If I see any type of distraction on the girls’ side, Iam going to pop a balloon. If I pop all four of your balloons, I amgoing to give all of the candy to the boys.

I have quiet seat watchers walking around looking for the per-fect kids. A perfect kid is a kid who is sitting up straight, feet onthe floor, hands in your laps, and whose eyes are on the teach-ers. If the quiet seat watchers see a perfect kid, they will slip apiece of candy into your hand. You are not to eat that candy untilyou are outside of the building.

Everyone should be sitting up straight with your feet flat on thefloor. No one should be moving around at this time. The bath-rooms are now closed. The only ones who will be movingaround in here are the quiet seat watchers. Their job is to watchyou, not us.

If I see anyone talking, I will pop a balloon. You know what hap-pens if we pop all of your balloons; you go home today withnothing. We are now ready for the most important time of theday. It is now time for the preaching of the Word of God. Onthe count of three, I will blow my whistle, and quiet seat time willofficially began. One, two, and three. (Blow the whistle.)

Notes & Illustrations

When explaining the “quiet

seat” rule, teachers should besure to communicate well. Youare communicating your expec-tations to the kids. Kids need toknow what the rules are, and theconsequences for breakingthem.

Tips1. Use pauses

2. Look at the kids when you are talking to them.

3. Do not pace. (Stand strong and make purposeful move- ments.)

4. Make sure you speak with authority. (This does not mean yelling; it means having a clear, strong and stern voice.)

5. “Quiet Seat” time does not officially begin until you blow the whistle. (You can not pop a balloon until you blow the whistle.)


Lesson Introduction

Power point: God Made You For A Reason

Props: Pictures of Creation (Included in your power point

presentation)

Presentation: Have you ever heard people call God our“Creator” and wondered what that meant? It is kind of a bigword. A Creator is “one who makes something.” If you take ablank sheet of paper and make it into a paper airplane - youhave made something. You would be called the creator of apaper airplane. God is the ultimate Creator; He not only madesomething but He made something out of nothing!

In the very beginning of the Bible, Genesis 1:1 tells us that, “Inthe beginning God created the heavens and the earth”. This is

today’s memory verse. It is very important to remember thisverse because today we are telling you that in the beginning,God took nothing and made it into everything. Some people willtry to tell you that one day there was a large explosion, and thatexplosion made the Earth and everything on it. They think theworld was created by accident. They are wrong! The Bible saysthat it was God Himself that made everything. Nothing wasmade by accident. It took God 6 days to make everything. Thisis how He did it:

On Day 1 (turn off all of the lights in the room) God madelight and separated it from the darkness. (Turn lights back on.)

God separated the day from the night because we need light tosurvive. It was no accident that God did this. He made light fora reason.

On Day 2 God made the sky. He purposely separated it fromthe water.

On Day 3 God made land filled with trees and plants.(Illustration 1--Show picture with land and trees) It wasno accident that God did this. He knew that people and animalswould need food and shelter. God made land filled with treesand plants for a reason.

On Day 4 (Illustration 2) God made the sun, moon, andstars. He knew that we would need one light to guide us duringthe day, and and one light to guide us during the night. With Godthere are no accidents. He made everything for a reason.


Illustration 1

Illustration 2

Illustration 3

Use soft background music toset the tone as you teach thelesson introduction.

12 Lesson One

On Day 5 God made creatures that could live under the water.He also made creatures that could live in the sky. Each creaturewas specifically made with the ability to survive on their part ofthe Earth. It was no accident that God gave wings to the birdsand fins to the fish.

On Day 6 God made all kinds of animals to live on the Earth.(Illustration 3--Show picture of animals) Each one wasmade for a different reason.

The memory verse today shows us that God made everything.The Bible proves to us that absolutely nothing that God madewas by accident. Why is it then, that there are people who thinkthey are an accident? That does not make any sense. If youthink that you are an accident, you are wrong. God does notmake accidents. He made you for a reason. Today you willlearn that, He made you:1. In His image2. To know Him3. For a purpose

MEMORY VERSE “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”

(Genesis 1:1)

Props: Overhead projector, blank transparency or poster boards.



BIBLE LESSONGod Made You For A Reason

Props: Large mirror with sheet covering it, 3 large cards withclues visibly written on them, pictures of Creation

Presentation: Have a large mirror covered by a sheet so thatthe kids will not see that it is a mirror.

Nothing was made by accident. God made everything for areason. It took Him 6 days to make everything. On the 6th daywe learned that God made all of the animals on the land. AfterHe made the animals, God was not done. The Bible says thatHe made something else that day, and of everything that Hemade, this was the most important to Him. He saved the bestfor last. Can you imagine what it was that He made? I will giveyou three clues.

Clue #1: (Illustration 4)The Bible says that He made thiscreation “in His image”. He made it to be just like Him. This cre-ation was made to represent God to the whole Earth.

Clue #2: The Bible also says that this creation was made toknow Him. That means that God wanted to have a unique andpersonal relationship with this creation.

Clue #3 is that God made this creation for a purpose. Thatmeans that this creation was not created by accident. God hada plan in mind for this creation.

Do you know what this creation is yet?

(Illustration 5--Take cover off of mirror.)His creation was people: you and me. Of everything God made,He said that we are His “treasured possession.” God madeeach of us for a reason. The first person God made was Adam.(Illustration 6--Show picture of Adam and Eve) Godmade Adam for a purpose; that purpose for Adam was to loveGod and to be loved by God. God wanted to have a personalrelationship with Adam. He wanted Adam to know Him. Just likeGod wanted Adam to know Him, He wants you to know Him.Long before he made the Earth, God decided that you would bethe focus of His love. You are not an accident. God knew youbefore your birth and He knows you by name. When He madeyou, He made something great out of nothing. God made youfor a reason.


Illustration 4

Illustration 5

Illustration 6

14 Lesson One

OBJECT LESSON 1God made you: In His Image

Props: Poster board cut in the shape of a person, 6 pieces cutout to form the same shape of the person, but with thefacial/body features. (pieces: 1 from the eyes to top of the

head, 1 from below the eyes to the base of the neck, 1 from

the base of the neck - showing the heart - to the waist,

except for the arms, 2 arms/hands, 1 from the waist down

to the feet.).

Presentation: When people look at you, do they often say, “Youlook like your Dad” or, “You look like your Mom?” That happensto me a lot. When people look at me, they see my Mom. WhenGod looks at you and me, do you know who He sees? He seesHimself. When God looks at you, He sees Himself. The Biblesays , “God patterned people after Himself” (Genesis 1:27 NLT).That does not mean that you have the exact same hair as Godor that God has the same scar on His leg as you. Let me showyou how God made you in His image. (Illustration 7--Showblank poster of person) This is you.

(Illustration 8--Place on the piece that shows the eyes)God made you with the ability to see needs around you. Hemade you so you could see the kid at school that no one likes.When you stop and show kindness to that kid, you are showingthem who God is.

(Place on the piece that shows the mouth) God made youwith the ability to speak life and encouragement to someone. Hemade you, so you can tell your Mom that God is going to takecare of her and the family. When you encourage someone, Godis able to encourage them at the same time.

(Place on the the arm piece) God made you with the ability toreach out to people who are hurting. He made you so you canplace your hand on your friend’s shoulder and pray for themwhen life is hard. You were made with the ability to hug some-one who feels unloved.

(Illustration 9--Place on the piece with heart) He madeyou with the ability to love. The Bible says that, “God is love” (IJohn 4:8 NLT). When you experience love for other people, youare experiencing God on the inside of you. When you show loveto people. You are showing exactly who God is.


Illustration 7

Illustration 8

Illustration 9


(Place on the legs/feet) God made you with the ability to goout to the people around you and share God with them. Youwere made to not only tell them who He is, but to show them.The way you walk and live everyday can represent God toeveryone without even saying a word. You can be a godlyexample to your family by living right everyday.

God made you in His image. You were patterned after Him.When He sees you, He sees a reflection of Himself. That iswhy it is important that you do not let people tell you how to act,how to dress, or how to talk. You were not made in their image.God made you in His image. Do not try to be like anyone else.Do not pattern your life after people on TV, or in magazines. Donot get caught up in hating the way you are, and wishing youwere like someone else. God made you for a reason.

OBJECT LESSON #2God made you: To Know Him

Props: Actor to play Adam, someone to speak as God

Presentation: Of everything God made, He only made one ofHis creations to know Him. This unique creation is not thetrees. It is not the land. It is not the water. The only creation thatGod made to know Him, is you. (You can also bring the mir-

ror out and use it here).

The Bible says, “He is a God who is passionate about His rela-tionship with you.” He knows everything about you, but what Hereally wants is for you to know Him. He says, “You will seek meand find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah29:13 NIV). He wants you to make Him part of your life. Hewants you to talk with Him, just like He talked to Adam. In theBible it says that Adam knew God. God was with Adam in thegarden and Adam talked to God:

ADAM: (Illustration 10) God I love you. Thank you. You arealways with me. Thank you. You know me and You made meto know You.

TEACHER: Not only did Adam talk to God, but God also talked


Teaching Object Lessons

Throughout the lesson, I haveincluded notes on exactly when touse the objects. When teachingobject lessons, timing is very impor-tant. The object is used as a visualaide to make your words easier tounderstand. The purpose of usingvisual aides is to grab your audienceattention and force their imagina-tion to concentrate on what you aresaying. Therefore, the object shouldalways work exactly the same asyour teaching.

16 Lesson One

to Adam. God wanted Adam to know that He loved Him, so Hegave Adam advice about how to stay safe in the garden.

GOD: Adam you are free to eat from any tree that you like in thegarden. It is all there for you. Just make sure you do not eat fromthe tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you do, you willdie.

ADAM: (Illustration 11) Yes, God. Thank you for takingcare for me.

TEACHER: Adam was able to talk to God about anything.Talking with God is how Adam got to know God. Knowing Godis not only for Adam to experience. God made you so youcould know Him too. He wants you to talk to Him just likeAdam did. Talking to God may be new for you but it is so easyto do. Let us talk to God together right now. Quiet seat watch-ers, we are going to stop watching the kids for a momentso they can talk to God.

Let us say together, “God I love you.” (Have the kids repeat

after you.) Now say it like you really mean it. “God I love you.”

God is here right now and really wants to hear everything youhave to say to Him.

This time, talk to God on your own. Tell Him whatever you want.You could say, “Thank you for making me for a reason,” or,“Thank you for making me in your image,” or, “God, I want toknow you more.” Tell him whatever is on your heart. (Give thekids a chance to do this.)

Quiet seat watchers, you may begin watching the kids again;looking for the kids who are sitting up straight and paying closeattention to the teachers. See how easy it is to talk to God. Themore you talk to Him, the more you will get to know Him. Youcan talk to Him in the morning, throughout the day or even inbed at night. God made you to know Him.

OBJECT LESSON #3God made you: For A Purpose

Props: Someone to play Adam, white board, and dry erasemarkers.


Illustration 10

Illustration 11

Remember, the quiet seat watchersare walking around looking for kidswho are sitting up straight, payingattention and not talking. If youwant the kids to speak during thelesson time, have the quiet seatwatchers freeze so both partiesknow it is ok for the kids to interactwith the teacher. When you are fin-ished with the interaction, give thequiet seat watchers instructions tostart looking for kids who are quiet.


Presentation: Do you want to know something that makes mevery sad? I will tell you. It makes me sad when people chooseto do nothing with their life. They sit around and waste it. Thereare these guys that live on my block. They dropped out ofschool and all they do is just hang out on the street all day. Doyou think God made them for this reason? No. The Biblesays that “God made everything for his own purposes”(Proverbs 16:4 NLT). That means that every single personGod made, He made for a purpose.

Adam was the first person God made for a purpose. (Adam

enters) Adam had a very important job. God told him to nameall of the animals on the Earth. The Bible says that God broughtall of the animals to Adam. Adam then named each animal. IfAdam said it was a Giraffe, its name became “Giraffe.”(Illustration 12--Adam uses marker to write “Giraffe” onthe white board) If Adam said it was a Monkey, its namebecame “Monkey.” (Illustration 13--Adam writes“Monkey” on the white board) If Adam said it was a Zebra,its name became “Zebra.” (Illustration 14--Adam writes“Zebra” on the white board) To name all of the animals Godmade was one of Adam’s purposes in life. Because Godwanted Adam to name all of the animals on the earth, God gaveAdam the ability to do that job.

God made you for a purpose. He did not make you to sit aroundand waste the abilities that He has given to you. No one else inthe world is like you. No one else can do the things God madeyou to do. Maybe you do not know what your purpose is yet.That is ok. The Bible says, “everything got started in Him andfinds it is purpose in Him” (Colossians 1:16 MSG).

God will lead you to your purpose if you stay close to Him. Godmade you to talk to Him, to worship Him, to read His word, andto do what it says. If you do these things, God will show you yourpurpose along the way.

Maybe your purpose today is to go home and tell your familywhat you learned here at Sunday School. Your purpose tomor-row may be to tell someone at your school how much God lovesthem. The Bible says that, “God himself fixed beforehand theexact times and the places where you would live” (Acts 17:26TEV). God has made you to live in your family, in your school,and in your neighborhood for a reason. Nothing about you is


Illustration 12

Illustration 13

Illustration 14

Always provide practical examples to help the kids understand what you aresaying or how to do what you are telling them to do.

18 Lesson One

an accident. God made you for a purpose.

Today's Life LessonA Boy and His Kite

Frame 1

Andy and his Dad loved to sit in the park and watch all the kitesfly. It was Andy’s favorite thing todo. One day while they were sit-ting there, Andy decided that hewanted to have his very own kite.He said to his Dad, “I am going tomake a kite. But it is not going tobe just any kite. I am going tomake it special because I want it

be the fastest kite in the city.” His Dad thought that it was a greatidea and since the citywide kite flying competition was the nextweek, he promised Andy that he could come back to the park tocompete.

Frame 2

That night Andy started collecting nails, wood, fabric and all thebest materials he could find tomake his kite. He came up with agreat idea for the pattern. He cutout a big letter “A” for “Andy” andpasted it on the front of his kite.He did this for a reason. Hewanted everyone in the park toknow that it was his kite. This kite

would represent him. Everyone would know that he made it.

Preaching point

The same way that Andy made his kite to represent himself,God has made you to represent Him. He did this by makingyou in His image. The Bible says that He patterned you afterHimself. You do not need to try and be like anyone else becauseGod made you to be like Him. You were made to remind thepeople around you of God. You were made to represent Hislove. You were made to represent His kindness. You weremade to represent His patience. Do not try and be like anyoneelse. God made you in His image for a reason.


The first and most important rulefor telling the Life Lesson is, “Do notread the Life Lesson from a script.”Take the time to learn the LifeLesson, so you can make the storycome to life as you tell it. Storiesengage the kids’ imaginations. Theywill enter the ‘make believe’ worldof the story and often times identifywith the characters.

As the communicator, your respon-sibility is to use your voice and yourbody to make this story live in theminds and imaginations of the kids.

The story teller should use a storytelling voice and a preaching voice.Andy is the main Character.Consider giving Andy his ownunique voice. He is a little boy somake his voice age appropriate.Practice Andy’s dialogue in Frame 1:“I am going to make a kite...”

Whenever you start your preaching,make sure you are not using yourstory telling voice. When it is timeto preach, your words should befilled with authority and passion.Make sure you look at your audi-ence, and speak directly to theirhearts.


Frame 3

Early the next morning, Andy raced out of his house with the kitehe made. He was so excited. Itwas time to practice before the bigcompetition. He ran to the park andas soon as he got there, hereleased his kite into the sky. It wasso fast, just like he had planned.Andy ran wildly all over the park.The kite whipped around in the

sky; it felt like it was going 100 miles an hour. Suddenly heheard something snap. He looked up and saw that the string ofhis kite had snapped in half. He reached his hand over his eyesto see where his kite was, but it was too late. The wind hadalready taken his kite away. It was no where to be found.

Frame 4

All that was left was the handle and half of the string. Andy wasso sad. He sat down alone andbegan to cry, “The kite I made withmy own hands is gone.” He hadworked so hard to make it. It wasgoing to be the fastest kite in thecity. He made it for a reason. Hethought he was going to win thecompetition and everyone was

going to know that it was his kite, but now he has no kite at all.

Frame 5

That night Andy had a dream that he was flying the kite hemade. He loved his kite. It was sostrong and fast. Everywhere hewent, people would gather aroundto see how amazing his kite was.The letter “A” on his kite was sobright. People would look into thesky and say, “There is Andy’s kite!”His kite brought him so much joy.

Of all the things that Andy had ever made, his kite was hisfavorite. When he woke up from his dream, he decided that hewas going to go out and search for the kite until he found it.

Preaching Point

The way that Andy feels about his kite is the way God feelsabout you. You are His treasured possession. He made you fora reason and of everything He made, you are His favoritecreation. He knew you before you were born and He knows


In frame three Andy is excited. Makesure you convey excitement in yourvoice as you tell this part of thestory.

In frame 4, Andy is crying. His Kite isbroken. Slow down the rhythm ofthe story and use your voice to con-vince the audience of Andy’s feel-ings. You can also sit as you tell thispart of the story. Drop your shoul-ders and let your body communi-cate how Andy feels right now.

In frame 5, the rhythm changesagain. Your voice should no longerbe filled with sadness. You can goback to your normal narrator’svoice.

20 Lesson One

everything about you. If someone has told you that you were anaccident, they are wrong. God made everything. That meansthat He made you. Do you think God would make an acci-dent? That would be impossible because nothing happenswithout God knowing. There has never been a moment in yourlife when God did not have His eyes on you. The Bible says thatyou are the focus of his love and attention. Andy loved his kiteso much. It became the focus of his attention.

Frame 6

Andy started heading down the street to the park. As he walkedpast the store, something in thewindow caught his eye. It said,“Handmade Kite For Sale.” Thekite had a letter “A” on it. It was hiskite! “That is my kite!” Andy shout-ed, “I made that kite! They can notsell it, it belongs to me!” Andyrushed inside the store.

Frame 7

“Sir, the kite in the window is mine!” Andy said to the manager.José the store manager was not afriendly guy. “It is mine now,” hegrunted, “you can buy it back if youreally want it.” Andy started toexplain what happened, “You see, Iwas in the park, practicing for thebig competition and…” José cut

him off. “If you really want it, you can by it. The price is $20.”Andy was angry. “You do not understand. This is no ordinarykite. It was made for a reason. It has a specific purpose.Idesigned this kite to be the fastest kite in the city. No one hasa kite like mine because I made it for a purpose.”

Preaching Point

Just like Andy’s kite, you were made for a purpose. You weremade different than everyone else. No one can do the thingsGod made you to do. He placed you in your family for a pur-pose. You are a specific nationality for a purpose. You havecertain natural abilities for a purpose. Nothing about you is anaccident. Everything started with God and everything finds itspurpose in God. God put every detail about you in place for anultimate purpose. Do not look at the people around you andwish that you could do the things they can do. No one wasmade like you.


In frame 6, Andy has now found hiskite. He is shocked to find out thatthe story owner is selling his kite. “That is my kite!” Andy shouted.

He is now angry that they are sellinghis kite.

“I made that kite! They can not sellit. It belongs to me!” Andy rushedinside the store.

To add excitement to frame 7, youcan give the store owner his ownunique voice. He is not a friendlyman. His voice is stern and verydirect.

“It ismine now,” he grunted, “youcan buy it back if you really want it.”

Andy’s voice is now filled with disap-pointment.

“You see, I was in the park, practic-ing for the big competition and…”

Now go back and forth with the twovoices at the appropriate time.


No kite was made like Andy’s kite. It was special to Andy. ButJosé would not give the kite back to Andy. Andy knew that theonly way to get the kite back would be to buy it. Since Andy’sfamily did not have a lot of money, He knew that he would haveto work hard to get it.

Frame 8

Andy worked as hard as he could. He painted houses, he tookout people’s garbage, he baggedgroceries at the store, he mowedpeople’s grass. Andy did whateverit took to get the money. The com-petition was only a day away andhe needed his kite. His kite wasmade to win.

Frame 9

It was the day of the competition and Andy finally had enoughmoney to buy back his kite. He ranto the store. He gave José his $20.He was so happy to have his kiteback in his hands. He knew thiswas going to be a good day. Heknew his kite was going to be thefastest kite. It was made for thisreason. Andy ran as fast as he

could to the park. He got there just in time for the competition tobegin. He grabbed the handle in one hand and released the kitewith the other.

Frame 10

The kite raced to the top of the sky. Andy felt so proud of it. Theletter “A” was big and bright foreveryone to see. It flew fasterthan it had the other day; itsoared back and forth with light-ning speed. Everyone wasamazed at how the kite could fly.The judges had never seen afaster kite in all the years of com-

petition. They announced with excitement that Andy’s kite wasthe winner; all the people in the park cheered and celebratedwith Andy.


In frame 8, Andy is doing physicallabor. Use your body to pretend likeyou are mowing the grass. Andy isworking very hard. You shouldsound a little tired.

He painted houses, he took out peo-ple’s garbage, he bagged groceriesat the store, he mowed people’sgrass.

In frame 9, Andy has all the moneyhe need to buy back his kite. He isexcited.

To add creativity to your story, youcan have money as a prop.

He gave José his $20.

To prepare for your point of decisionand closing prayer, you should playyour altar call music now.

22 Lesson One

Point of DecisionIf there is anyone here today who has wished that they could besomeone else; or wondered, “Why am I even here?”; or havebelieved that you were a mistake or an accident – today’s les-son is for you. God made you for a reason. Stop believing thelies that you need to look a certain way or act a certain way. Godmade you in His image. He made you to know Him and Hehas put you here for a purpose. Today, you need to choose todestroy the lies in your mind. You are not an accident. You needto choose to believe the truth that God made you for a reason.Raise your hand in the air if you want to choose to believe thetruth. Let us pray.

Closing PrayerGod, today I choose to believe what your Word says about me.I choose to believe that I am not an accident. I believe that youmade me for a reason. I want to know You more God. I amgoing to talk to You more, worship You more and read YourWord more. Thank you that You will show me my purpose. I cannot wait to discover more of the reasons why You made me. Ilove You God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


The point of decision always asks thekids to make a decision based on thelesson taught.

Today you need to choose to destroythe lies in your mind. You are not anaccident. You need to choose tobelieve the truth that God made youfor a reason. Raise your hand in theair if you want to choose to believethe truth. Let us pray.

Make the prayer short and simple.Try to keep the prayer restricted tothe lesson you have taught. Makesure you continue to use your keywords and key phrases.

Your goal is to pray a prayer that thekids will remember and pray forthemselves during the week.

List the three biggest needs your children have?

1.

2.

3.

Are you addressing each of these needs? Every one of you should know your children so well, that ifI asked what any child's most important spiritual need is, you could answer. We need to learn that lis-tening equals caring. The more you listen, the more you care. There is no shortcut. These lessons werenot created in an office somewhere. Every week as we are out on the streets visiting the children in thedifferent boroughs of NYC, talking to them and talking to their parents, we are on the lookout. We arelistening for needs that must be met. We are listening to questions that need to be answered. As thesethings come to light, we weave lessons around these issues.

Statistics tell us that one out of four girls, and one out of seven boys have been abused. The heart-breaking thing is that those statistics remain the same when only kids who go to church are polled. Thatmeans that a significant portion of your children are dealing with some form of abuse. We need torespond! The foundation of our Judeo-Christian heritage is crumbling. There is nothing for our kids tobase their lives on anymore. On the outside, they may look like the same kids whose moms and dadsdrop them off at your classroom door every week, but do you know who they are on the inside? Is whatyou are going to teach them this week going to help them, or are you just trying to pass on Bibleinformation?

Every week these lessons are geared to bring your children to a point of decision, a point of change.Do not pass on some arcane information and then go home. Make the Bible alive! Make it real. Makeit relevant for your children. No wonder they think Sunday School is boring. How many times do youhave to hear about Daniel in the lion's den before you figure it out? But the biblical principle of God'sprotection found in the life of Daniel is something we all need to hear. Use examples from your lifeabout how God has protected you and those around you. Use Daniel as an example of how God pro-tected people in the Bible, but bring them to a point of decision where they can decide to trust in thatprotection for themselves. That is making the Bible relevant.

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