BIG IDEA: I CAN LIVE OUT LOUD IN MY WORLD
AIM: The ‘Living Like Jesus in MY WORLD’ Lesson is part of the ‘Live Out Loud’ teaching series. This lesson helps children understand that they can live out loud in their world for Jesus.
For BIBLE STORY VIDEOS and SONG IDEAS check out our dedicated Pinterest Board.
GAME IDEAS:
- Bust a Rhyme. (regular/widescreen) One person comes up with a word and the next person must make a word that rhymes with it. Once the rhymes run out everyone can do a fun
- Detectives. (regular/widescreen) The kids leader picks a child to be a detective and leave the room and a leader to start a rhythm of movement. The detective leaves the room whilst the leader starts the rhythm. The detective comes back in the room and must guess who the leader is. They get three tries to guess correctly.
- Simon Says. (regular/widescreen) Children are told to do actions only when ‘Simon Says.’ Each sentence is a command. However, when ‘Simon Says’ is not spoken first the children should not respond, but rather carry on with the previous command. If the child responds when ‘Simon’ has not spoken they are eliminated from the game.
BIG VERSE: A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy. But I came to give life—life in all its fullness. John 10:10.
Download the Bible Cards here.
SET the Scene:
Read Luke 22:54
There are several ways you could set the scene when speaking of Peter’s life, one is to have an interview with Peter. Another is to show this great video by LifeTV – ‘Peter Denies Jesus’.
REVIEW QUESTIONS:
- What was Peter doing?
- Where did he go?
- How many times did he deny knowing Jesus?
- What happened after the third time?
SPOT the Simple Meaning:
1. OBJECT LESSON: WE ALL GET SCARED TO SHARE SOMETIMES
You will need a Diary…. if you have your own this would work really well… you might even be brave enough to share a little from it?!
Can you imagine if you had a diary that you wrote everything in and then someone wanted to show it around and tell everyone what was inside it? All your thoughts, all your feelings, all told to people you didn’t know. That would be a little embarrassing and maybe pretty scary (depending on what was written in it). That’s because sharing personal things about ourselves is sometimes quite scary or embarrassing.
Well, for Peter it would have been more than a little scary or embarrassing to tell people that he was a friend of Jesus. When Jesus told him he was going to deny him Peter couldn’t believe it. Why would he ever deny being Jesus’ friend? He loved him too much for that! And up until now it hadn’t been a problem to be a friend of Jesus – most people loved him. In fact, crowds of people had been following him. Yet when Jesus was arrested and whipped Peter begun to realize that his good friend Jesus was going to die one of the scariest and most painfully horrible deaths in all of history. Peter must have realized that anyone that followed Jesus could be in danger too… maybe people would want to kill him as well?! To admit he followed Jesus now was like saying you were ready to die if you needed to. Peter wasn’t ready for that. He denied knowing Jesus three times.
Maybe you have felt scared to share about Jesus too. We all get scared to share sometimes. Yet we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us have the strength to be bold for Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:7 says “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” God can give us power to overcome our fear, or to simply do it afraid!
2. OBJECT LESSON: JESUS ENTRUSTS US TO SHARE HIM WITH OTHERS
Skit: Will you babysit my child?
Mom: Hi Sarah, I was just wondering if you could babysit Molly for me today?
Sarah: Molly? Isn’t she only one year old?
Mom: Yes, she’s still in diapers, but I’m sure she’ll be really good for you.
Sarah: I’d love to… but… are you sure? Don’t you remember what happened last time? Molly cried all day with me and I couldn’t get her quiet and then I fed her the wrong food …I’m not sure…I messed up last time and I’m not sure if I can do it again…
Mom: I trust you Sarah, I know you’ll look after Molly really well. The first time was just a trial, I know you’ll do better this time!
Sarah: I do love looking after Molly…
Mom: I know you’ll look after her well, she’ll have lots of fun!
Sarah: Ok then, but only if you’re sure…
Mom: Sarah, I trust you. You are a great babysitter – you’ll do a great job.
Sarah: Ok then!
Say: Did you see how Sarah wasn’t sure if she would be a good babysitter? She had made a mistake in the past and it made her question if she would be any better the next time. That was the same with Peter. He had made a big mistake in denying Jesus, but the story didn’t just stop with Peter disowning Jesus and then quietly wondering away. Even though Peter had denied Jesus he still stayed with the disciples. Imagine that?! He didn’t run away or kill himself (like Judas) but he stayed. He tried to be faithful to Jesus, even though he had messed up.
If you’ve ever messed up and done something you are ashamed of, or maybe if you haven’t spoken out about Jesus or been brave enough to admit you are his follower, you don’t have to walk away. Jesus came to the disciples and he spoke to Peter. He asked Peter three times if he loved him. Why? So that he could tell him these 3 words. “FEED MY SHEEP.” Peter knew that Jesus used the words “feed my sheep” to mean tell people about him. Jesus trusted Peter to tell others about him, even though he had let him down, even though he had been scared to share about Jesus and scared to admit he was his friend. WOW! Jesus is such a good friend! He doesn’t just forgive but he trusts us to share him with others too!
3. OBJECT LESSON: I CAN LIVE OUT LOUD IN MY WORLD!
WORLD NEWS! WORLD NEWS! WORLD NEWS! You will need to have some recent world news or be able to recall a time when there was some good world news. Some suggestions include Princess Kate and Prince William in England having a baby or a new President being elected. You could use a video clip, news article or photo from the event.
Peter went on to be an amazing preacher and helped to build God’s Church! Everywhere he went he would stand up and tell of all that Jesus had done. He was no longer scared or ashamed to be Jesus’ friend. He told everyone about his friend Jesus! He lived out loud. When we have amazingly good news we just have to share it!
What are some of the good world news stories that you have heard? [tell about some you have heard] When there is good world news we want everyone to know and we want to celebrate! It’s exciting to know and to share the news with other people. Peter knew that Jesus could transform lives. He knew that he saves and forgives people and he wanted everyone to know! Why? Because he had experienced Jesus’ love and forgiveness for himself… he knew how good he was…. and he wanted the world to know! He wanted to shout about it until everyone had heard the news! Are you living loud in your world? God wants to help you to share with others even when you are scared… it might not mean that you preach to everyone you meet like Peter did, but you might simply start by telling those that you know that you follow Jesus. Don’t be afraid to live out loud in your world! Jesus is with you every step of the way!
Show the If the world were a village clip.
SEARCH the Scriptures:
How and did others share about Jesus? See if the children can tell you how each of these people did it:
- Paul – travelled telling others and set up churches
- Judas Iscariot – did not share about Jesus – betrayed him.
- Peter – travelled telling others and preaching
- Pontius Pilate – did not share about Jesus – washed his hands of him.
- Mary Magdalene – went to tell the disciples Jesus had risen
- Samaritan Woman – told everyone that Jesus knew her better than anyone else.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What stops some people telling others about Jesus?
- Why would someone want to tell others about Jesus?
- What has Jesus done for you?
- Who do you want to tell about Him?
SENSE How You Feel:
How would it feel to be given a second chance by Jesus?
- Make the ‘World Craft’ by printing out the World Craft Templates
- Sensory: get some maps, compasses and inflatable globes and encourage children to find different countries on them.
- Build: the scene of Peter failing Jesus.
- Mould: Use clay or playdough to make a world.
- Fill in or color the activity booklets for 5-7s (UK version) and 5-7s and 8-11s.
SEEK God:
How can I let those around me know that I love Jesus?
Invite the children to think and pray about how they can tell others about Jesus. Ask them to place their hand over their heart and pray:
Father God, help me to have a heart to share You and the love of Jesus with others.
Ask them to place their hands on their feet:
Father God, help me to have feet that lead me to people You want me to share Your love with.
Ask them to place their hands over their mouths:
Father God, help me to speak words that would bring life to others and would help them know and live for You. Amen.
Click here for the ‘Live Out Loud in My World’ widescreen image
Click here for the ‘Live Out Loud in My World’ PowerPoint image
