To Encourage
WELCOME TO WEEK 1
Have you ever made a mistake? Have you ever done something really wrong and regretted what you did? We have all made mistakes and felt bad for our actions. Jesus can encourage us and help us feel loved, even when we do wrong things. This week we will see how Jesus gave encouragement and hope to his disciples.
BIBLE STORY
If you had to serve a meal to your friends, what would you serve? Would you want it to be fancy at the table with special dishes, or relaxed like on a blanket outside? Let’s see what type of food choices you would come up with. I’m going to give you 2 things to serve and you have to add one more item you would serve with it. You can’t repeat the same add-on for each meal, you have to think of something different and you have to think of it quickly. It’s the first thing that comes to mind that you say out loud. Ready?
Cheese, crackers and ________?
Juice, sardines, and__________?
Sandwiches, tea and __________?
Cupcakes, cookies and_________?
Fish, bread and _________?
Pineapple, cottage cheese and _______?
Nuts, figs and ____________?
Cereal, toast and ________?
Bacon, eggs, and ________?
Salad, beets, and ________?
Were you able to come up with good combinations? Did the food sound appetizing to you? We can show people we care by providing for their needs such as food, water, and shelter. Jesus encouraged the disciples when they were still feeling unsure of what was going to happen. Jesus provided a large catch of fish and gave them a glimpse of what their future would be. Jesus encouraged Peter after he denied Jesus by forgiving him and showing Peter that he had a special purpose ahead. Let’s read and see what happened to give the disciples such encouragement to continue on.
Read or listen to the Bible verse for this week John 21:1-17
What holiday was about to occur in Jerusalem? (Passover)
Who did Jesus appear to at the Sea of Galilee? (Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee and 2 other disciples)
What did Peter say he was going to do that the other disciples joined with him? (Go fishing)
What was the problem they were having? (They weren’t catching any fish all night)
When Jesus was still on shore, what did He tell the disciples to do? (Throw their nets to the other side)
Who realized that it was Jesus talking to them? (John)
What did Jesus have waiting for them when they came to shore? (A fire with fish and bread on it)
When they finished eating, what did Jesus ask Peter? (Do you love me)
What was Peter’s response? (“You know that I love you”)
What did Jesus say in return? (Feed my lambs)
How many times did Jesus ask Peter if he loved him? (3 times)
Each time Peter answered the same, but how did Jesus respond each time? (“Feed my lambs”, “take care of my sheep”, “feed my sheep”)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
We’ve all made mistakes just as Peter did, and we feel sorry for them. When Jesus forgives us, we can feel encouraged. When we forgive others for the wrong things they’ve done to us, we are encouraging them through our forgiveness. Jesus wants us to encourage others not just with our words and with our actions, but also through our forgiveness.
Activity
Peter was disappointed in what he did when he betrayed Jesus. He may have felt discouraged and unsure if Jesus had forgiven him or given up on him. Jesus encouraged Peter by letting him know He was forgiven and that Jesus had a plan for Peter’s life. We can also be encouraged that even through our mistakes, God can use us to do mighty things in His name. There are also many other people in the Bible who have made mistakes and God was still able to use them. Play this game of Who Am I? To guess which imperfect bible character the card is describing.
Materials: printed guess who cards or device for viewing
Alternate
Complete the following activity sheet matching the verses that brings encouragement for each situation.
Materials: Printed activity sheet
Independent activity:
Jesus encourages us and we can encourage others as well. We can share Jesus’ love by showing others encouragement just as Jesus would do. Make a card or write a letter to someone you know who may need some encouragement. Perhaps they recently lost a loved one, they’ve had to move far away from family and friends, or they have been very sick. Write them a note of encouragement either on a homemade card or a card from the store. You can write your favorite encouraging scripture or write a note to let them know you are praying and thinking of them.
Materials: construction paper, glue, stickers, pencil, crayons
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Cut and color fish and glue them to a large sheet of construction paper. Using brown yarn or string, create a net over the fish by placing string on top of each other in perpendicular directions. If there is space on the paper, add a boat and continue to decorate the rest of the scenery including the sea, shore and disciples.
Materials: printed fish, large sheet of construction paper, brown yarn/string
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Read or listen to Psalm 4:1-3
In this verse the Psalmist calls on God to answer his call and to give him relief in his distress. He also asks for God’s mercy and for his prayer to be heard. It also describes the people of God as following false gods and being deceived. The Psalmist and the people of God had sinned against Him and allowed their hearts to stray. They needed God’s mercy and forgiveness for the things they had done.
What things have you done that were not right?
Have you ever needed God’s forgiveness?
Is it hard or easy to ask God to forgive you?
What do you feel after you have asked God for forgiveness?
How is knowing you are forgiven given you encouragement?
Can forgiving others be a way of giving them encouragement?
Practical Application at Home
We can encourage the people around us just as Jesus encourage the disciples. Jesus encouraged the disciples by spending time with them, feeding them, showing them forgiveness, and giving them a purpose. Jesus wants us to encourage others as well. This week, look for ways to give encouragement to others. They can be people in your family, extended family, teachers, teammates or classmates. Look at the list below for ideas of things you can do. You may want to pick one idea and share the encouragement with several people or do a different encouraging act each day. Look for ways to encourage others with the tools and skills God has blessed you with.
-write an encouraging note
-call a friend just to say hi
-give someone a compliment
-smile at others in the hallway at school
-give a small gift
-draw or paint a nice picture to give away
-offer your house guest or a parent something to drink or a snack
-Give someone you love a hug
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Donate to a local food shelter or toy drive this Christmas season. As a family, volunteer together or pick out toys you think another child your age might enjoy.