STAND
WELCOME TO WEEK 5
This month we have used our senses to experience God. We have experienced, tasted, listened for God. We can get to know God better and grow closer to Him through all of the senses He has given us. This week we will see that following God makes us stand out, like a strong smell.
BIBLE STORY
Some animals stand out for some of the special abilities they have. We can probably identify animals with only a few special traits they possess. Listen to these clues about some special animal traits and guess what animal I am giving clues about.
This animal…
-Has a long rough tongue, a neck that is too short to reach the ground, and strong back legs (giraffe)
-Has toes with Scale like fringes of skin on back feet, can swim really well, and can run on top of water (lizard basilisk)
-is the only cat that lives in a group, its voice can be heard 8 Kilometers away, they sleep 16-20 hours each day (lion)
-is nocturnal, the largest wild cat, they like to swim in water (tiger)
-is stronger than a horse of the same size, they can recognize areas and other donkeys for up to 25 years, they can live up to 50 years (donkey)
-has stripes to help them camouflage, their babies can stand 6 minutes after birth, each ones stripes are unique like fingerprints (zebra)
-has cubs that are born with blue eyes, they have strong legs to help them jump out to catch prey, they are large but in the small cat family. (Puma/mountain lion/cougar)
-can smell with their antenna, they taste with the hairs on their legs and feet, they migrate 3,000 miles for winter (monarch butterfly)
These animals have special traits that make them stand out. That’s how you were able to guess what each animal was just based on the clues. God has given each one of us special traits as well that help us stand out. He wants us to stand out for Him. When we serve God, sometimes we may look or act different from the crowd around us. Our story this week describes how Jesus stood out among the people. Last week we read about how Jesus read from Isaiah and told his listeners that Isaiah was prophesying about him. Because Jesus grew up in Nazareth, it was hard for them to believe the boy they watched grow up could be the Messiah. They did not accept Jesus at his word and so Jesus continued preaching in other places. Let’s read in the Bible the next part of our story.
Read or listen to the scripture Luke 4:22-30
What did those from Nazareth say about Jesus? (Is this not Josephs son?)
What did Jesus say they wanted him to do? (Heal them as he had healed those in Capernaum)
What was Jesus’ response? (No prophet is accepted in his own country)
What story did Jesus reference from the old testament? (When there was no rain for 3 years during the time of Elijah and Elisha healing Naaman)
What was the same about both of those stories? (There were those in need inside Israel but both prophets had to go outside of Israel; Elijah receive helped from a widow from Zarephath and Elisha healed Naaman the Syrian)
How did those who heard Jesus words react? (They were filled with wrath and rose up to throw him out the city.)
Where had they planned to throw Jesus? (They led him to the brow of the hill, to where the city was built, that they might throw him over the cliff)
How did Jesus escape? (He passed through their midst, and went on his way)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
When we follow God it may look like we are standing out because we are doing something others may not want to do. When we show kindness, offer a helping hand, or have peace during a time when everything seems to be going wrong, we are standing out from the way others who do not follow God might behave. Practice role playing several scenarios with your group, showing what it might look like to stand out for God. When we follow what God would have us do, it may look strange to the people observing, but we can trust we are following God’s example to love others. Jesus stood out because he was the Messiah that some had not accepted. Jesus was doing things a new way and they did not know what to think of it all. Sometimes others may think the things we are doing is strange, but we can know we are standing out because we are following God.
Materials: scenarios
Alternate
Our sense of smell is connected to our sense of taste. Take this taste test and see if you need your sense of smell to experience taste as well. Have a few items prepared for tasting, hiding what each item is. As you have your child taste the item, have them plug their nose, holding some of their breath as they taste the item. Have them guess what item they just tasted. Then have them taste the items again without holding their nose and see if they are able to get a better taste with their sense of smell. Were you able to taste each item better using your sense of taste and smell? God has created all our senses to work together to have a more meaningful experience. We can use all of our senses to grow closer to God and have a full experience with Him. When we follow God we might stand our from others, but our experience will bee greater! Possible tasting items: carrots, peppermint, strong tea, bitter chocolate, gummy bear, apple sauce, milk, etc.
Materials: blindfold or a way to disguise food, Possible tasting items: carrots, peppermint, strong tea, bitter chocolate, gummy bear, apple sauce, milk, etc
Independent activity:
The bible talks about different smells and how some were pleasing to God. Create a bible petal reference by completing the following activity sheet. Use it as a reference sheet to remind yourself how we can be a sweet fragrance to God by following Him.
Materials: printed activity sheet
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials:printed coloring sheet, crayons or other coloring utensils
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
When we stand out sometimes we are made fun of for the choices we are making that seem different to others. When we follow God we might sometimes stand out and be set apart from others. What can you do when you feel alone or separate from others? How can you continue to stand out when it feels like you are alone? Read or listen to Psalm 71:1-6
Who is with us in our times of trouble?
Who does the verse say will deliver us?
Describe a time when you were afraid to stand out?
What are some ways you can stand out at school?
What are some ways you can stand out in your community?
How is standing our for Jesus a good thing?
Have you ever witnessed someone else standing out for God?
How did Jesus stand out among his hometown people?
Why did they find it so hard to accept to Jesus as their Savior?
Practical Application at Home
Think of some ways you can stand out at school, on the playground or on your team? How can you show that you are a follower of Jesus and treat others as such? Think of some of these ideas of how to stand out this week and choose a few of them to do this week. Find ways to show others’ Jesus love this week and then thank God for the opportunities you are blessed with this week.
-open the door for others around you
-give a helping hand to an opposing player
-say a kind word to someone when others may be saying unkind words
-play with someone at recess that is not playing with anyone
-Let others cut in front of you in line
-pray before eating during lunchtime
-Give God open credit for a blessing He has given you when someone asks
-Share your favorite bible story with a friend
-Be honest during your game even if you have the chance to cheat
-When disputing a point or argument, choose to end the argument and give them the point
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Enjoy the cool weather and take a nature walk. Observe the things God created and how they work together in His plan. What part do each of us play in God’s plan for us?