Recess - Week 2
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 belong.
BIBLE: Ruth 1; Mark 3:31–35
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:
Whenever you feel any kind of anxiety or negative emotion, the first thing you can do is take deep breaths.
Let’s practice taking in some deep breaths as we focus on the word “belong.”
Now say all the words that come to mind when you hear the word “belong.”
What do you think it means to belong?
How does God help you belong?
Give each family member a puzzle piece. Look at your puzzle piece. Your piece might not match or fit with another person’s piece. In fact, there are only a few pieces that your piece really fits together with — and that’s okay. All the pieces are part of the same puzzle. Even when you don’t fit together, you belong together. Just like how we all belong in God’s family!
So when we say, “God helps me belong,” that means God welcomes you and loves you exactly as you are. God will surround you with people who will do their best to remind you of your belonging.
Ask: When a new “puzzle piece” shows up, what can you do to help them belong?
Pray: Dear God, thank you for helping me belong. Even when I feel alone in this world, I know I am never truly alone. I belong in your family, and I can welcome others to join in. Amen.