What do our pets get up to when we leave them at home? That’s the thought behind this movie…

Applications:

Planning:

Say: [You could hold a planner or calendar to show the children as you talk] Did you hear the pets talking about their plans for their day? It seems funny to think that pets would plan, because all they do is lie around all day! Are you good at planning things? Do you know what you’re doing tomorrow? Do you have things planned for tomorrow night? What about next weekend? Next month? Planning helps us to think ahead and know what we are going to do in the future. Some people like to plan weeks, months or even years ahead. They like to know exactly what they are going to do next.

Sometimes our plans don’t always work out. Maybe we planned to get onto the school cheerleading squad or the football team and it doesn’t happen. Sometimes our plans can really fail. Maybe we have planned something for a very long time and then when the time comes it doesn’t happen at all. That can be very difficult. When our plans don’t work out we can remember that the bible tells us about someone’s plans that never fail. Do you know who I mean? Yes that’s right, God! His plans are far greater than our plans. We can trust that His plans always work out best. He knows what He is doing because He knows us inside out – even better than we know ourselves!

Bible Verses about Plans:

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11.

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will,we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the biggest thing you have ever planned?
2. Did your big plan work out? Why/why not?
3. Do you enjoy planning? Why/why not?
4. Do you think God wants us to make plans?
5. What do you think God’s plans for us are like?

 

Self Control:

Say: Did you see the cat that was trying not to eat the chicken in the fridge and the cakes! It can be really hard to stop yourself from doing things at times. Sometimes we all want to eat things that we shouldn’t eat. Or perhaps we have to stop ourselves from talking when our teacher is trying to speak or is telling us to do our work. Perhaps we find it difficult not to say nasty things back to other people when they hurt us. There are times when we will all need to control ourselves; to make sure we don’t do something.

The bible calls this self control. Self control is learning how to control the things we think, say or do. It is very difficult to do this, in fact James tells us that the tongue is one of the hardest things to control! (James 3:1-12) That’s because we all sometimes say things we know we shouldn’t. We need Jesus to help us control our tempers, control our thoughts and our attitudes. That’s why self control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We can’t do it alone so the Holy Spirit helps us to have self control; He produces it within us when we draw close to Him.

Bible verses about Self Control:

Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. Proverbs 25:28.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23.

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27.

Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. Titus 1:8.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is it difficult for you to stop doing?
2. Who might be able to help you to stop doing those things?
3. How can you get help to stop doing those things?
4. What is the most difficult thing for you to control in your life? (thoughts, feelings, actions, words)
5. What happens when we don’t have self control?
6. How can you ask God to help you have the self control you need?

 

 

Time:

Say: ‘The Secret Life of Pets’ is supposed to show us what our pets do with all the time they have at home. Do you have a pet? What do you think it does with all it’s time whilst you are at school? If you’re homeschooled, what do they do whilst you are out shopping or on holiday?

Our time is very important to God. He has given each one of us the time we have on this earth to use the best we can. What are you doing with your time? Of course, we all have to go to school or learn from home, but what about the rest of the time? Are we using it all up watching TV or going on the internet? It’s great to play – even God taught us how to rest by resting Himself (see Genesis 1), but we can use our time for lots of other things too. What good ways do you think we can spend our time? [get feedback – ideas could include helping people, volunteering, learning something new, telling others about Jesus, raising money for charity etc] There are so many good ways we can use our time! If we get stuck, we can always think about how Jesus used his time whilst he was on the earth. He spent his time helping his friends, healing people and telling them about God, teaching people and loving people.

Let’s be people that use our time well; thinking about how we can show God that we love Him and others by the way that we use our time. We won’t get our time back, so let’s give it all to Him, knowing He will do amazing things through us when we do!

Bible Verses about Time:

 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 2 Peter 3:8.

…making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16.

My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.Psalm 31:15.

A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. Psalm 90:4.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you spend most of your time?
2. What do you like doing best with your time?
3. What do you think it the best thing someone can do with their time/ what is the worst thing?
4. How often do you spend time talking with Jesus and reading your bible?
5. How can you make sure you use your time well?