Recess - Week 1
For a lot of us, recess is one of our favorite parts of our kids school day. Our kiddos get to play dodgeball, hopscotch, or race friends around the play area. Recess helps our kids to stay active so they can grow strong, but it also gives them a chance to grow in their relationships. In this five-week series, our families will discover through the stories in the books of Judges, Ruth, and 1 Samuel the unexpected ways God can help them grow. As they do, they’ll learn how God helps us grow stronger, helps us belong, answers our prayers, tells us what is true, and can use anything we give.
BIG IDEA: God helps me grow stronger.
BIBLE: Judges 6–7; 2 Corinthians 4:5–9
MEMORY VERSE
Elementary: "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" 1 John 3:1A (NIV)
Toddler Twist: "We are part of God's loving family!" 1 John 3:1
WATCH:
Preschool- teaching video
Elementary- teaching video
SONG: Friend of God, and In You Alone
DISCIPLE:
All athletes know that breathing is important in sports — even playground sports. God designed us that way!
When God created the first human, Adam, God gave him the breath of life. When we breathe, our bodies take in oxygen, which our blood carries to all our muscles to keep everything inside our bodies moving. Breathing keeps us alive.
Practice taking in some deep breaths as we focus on the word “strength.”
Breathe in through your nose for five seconds — Hold it for five seconds —
Breathe out through your mouth for ten seconds — Try this a few more times.
Now say all the words that come to mind when you hear the word “strength.”
What does it mean to be strong?
How does God help us grow stronger?
God helps us grow stronger but not if we just sit around doing nothing. When Gideon found out God would help him defeat the Midianites, he jumped to action.
Let’s make a family plan for how we can grow stronger with God’s help this week.
Pray: Dear God, thank you for helping us grow stronger. Help us to trust you, to obey you, and to grow in wisdom and strength every day. Your love makes us strong. Amen.