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
This week we are using our sense of smell to experience God. There are things that stand out to us, like a strong smell. Think of the types of smells you might encounter at the following places.
At grandmas house
At the zoo
At a restaurant
In a back alley
In your classroom
In the bathroom
In a garden
Driving past a skunk
There are smells everywhere, some are pleasant and some are very unpleasant. A really bad smell can stand out and catch our attention and a sweet smell can make us stop and figure out where it is coming from. We can stand out from others when we follow God. When we follow Him, we might not always agree with how others believe and we might not always be liked for our beliefs. But God calls us to follow Him and therefore stand out. Last week we saw Jesus stand up in the synagogue and proclaim that he was fulfilling a scripture that was describing the awaited Messiah. We will see this week that the people who saw Jesus grow up from a little boy, had a hard time believing Jesus was the Messiah. They wanted him to prove himself. They did not accept Him and Jesus had to continue on with his ministry someplace else. Let’s read to see what happened.
Read or listen to 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
There are some smells that stand out to us because they give us a warning and help keep us safe. Think of some smells that stand out in order to keep you safe from harm. Listen to the following scenarios and decide how their sense of smell gave them a warning.
Materials: scenarios
Independent activity:
Create a smell test for your family. Use small cups or containers with lids. Rub a cotton ball with a scent and then place it in the cup and cover with the lid or aluminum foil. Poke small holes in the tops using a pencil. Label each cup and write down each scent to remember for later. Have your family smell and guess each cups scent. They can guess out loud or write it down and then check with your labeled sheet to see if they were right! Possible scents: pickle juice, peppermint oil, jelly, honey, maple syrup, dish soap, body soap, perfume, hand soap, banana, vanilla flavor, rubbing alcohol, evergreen scent
Materials: Cotton balls, small cup, aluminum foil or other lid with holes, pencil, Possible scents: pickle juice, peppermint oil, jelly, honey, maple syrup, dish soap, body soap, perfume, hand soap, banana, vanilla flavor, rubbing alcohol, evergreen scent
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
Why did the people of Jesus’ hometown have a hard time believing in who he was?
What did the people of Nazareth want to do with Jesus?
How was Jesus able to escape?
What can we do when we feel others are against us as we follow Jesus?
Who can we rely on to help us through?
What are some things you can do to stand out for Jesus?
Why is standing out for Jesus a good thing?
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?