To Encourage
WELCOME TO WEEK 3
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
Play a game of “Who stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar”. Sit in a circle and begin by sitting criss-cross and clap your hands in the air, and then clap your hands on your lap. Altogether say this rhyme:
“Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar…. (Everyone)
“Oh _____ stole a cookie from the cookie jar”(fill in the blank with one persons name said by the leader of the group).
“Who me” (The person who was picked)
“Yes you!” (Everyone)
“Couldn’t be” (person picked)
“Then who” (Everyone)
_______ (the name of someone else playing, said by the last person who was picked)
Repeat from the beginning filling in the blank with the persons name who was last called out. Continue the game until everyone has had a turn being the cookie thief.
Did you admit to stealing the cookie from the cookie jar or did you deny it? Of course we all denied stealing a cooking, we didn’t want to say it was us! This week we are reading a story of how Peter denied Jesus. The difference with us denying our cookie and Peter denying Jesus, was that Peter really did know Jesus but he didn’t want anyone to know the truth. Peter felt bad about denying Jesus but He was not sure how Jesus felt about him. Jesus encourages Peter and lets him know he is forgiven. Let’s read about what happens in the Bible reading today.
Read or listen to the Bible verse for this week John 21:1-17
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
Play this fishing game. Create a magnetic fishing set by attaching a small magnet to the ends of each fish with glue or with self adhesive magnets. Using a stick attach fishing string or yarn to the end, and then wrap and tie a paperclip to the other end of the string. Have your child go fishing with their stick fishing hook and try to catch the fish. Say the words of encouragement written on each fish as they catch them. Catch and release the fish to play several rounds. Alternately: scatter the fish cut-outs on the floor. Use marker such as a beanbag, penny or small rock, toss the marker toward the fish. If the marker lands on the fish, then read the encouraging words written on the fish.
Materials: Fish cut-outs with words of encouragement, small magnets, paperclip, stick, fishing string or yarn
Alternate
Jesus built a fire for the disciples and made breakfast for them to share and talk over. What a wonderful meal of conversation they must have enjoyed. Jesus encouraged the disciples and lifted their spirits through his gesture of food and conversation. Let’s create our own meal and blanket are that we can sit around and fellowship by. Display a small tray of fruit, nuts, cheese or other small finger snack foods to enjoy. Sit on the floor gathered around the tray of food and a blanket to share a meal and talk. Discuss what it must have been like for the disciples to sit and eat with Jesus. How did Peter feel while he sat and ate the meal? Share stories of times you have needed forgiveness and received it, or did not feel forgiven, and how either made you feel. Allow time for everyone to share.
Materials: Snacks prepared on a small tray or plate, blanket
Independent activity:
Make a poster that can be used to encourage someone or as your own reminder of how much Jesus loves and forgives you. Color and decorate the poster. You may write your favorite encouraging verse or write the following scripture . Joshua 1:9: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Materials: Printed poster, poster stickers, crayons, markers, pencils
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 cut-outs, scissors, brown string/yarn, glue. crayons/markers
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
How do you think Peter felt sitting next to Jesus during the meal?
Have you ever been in trouble and not known if you were forgiven?
How does it feel to not be forgiven?
How does it feel when you are forgiven?
Do you remember your mistake and remind others of it after you are forgiven?
Do you remind others of their mistakes after you’ve forgiven them?
How can our forgiveness be encouragement to others?
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 encoring 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.