GROW
WELCOME TO WEEK 3
Waiting is hard to do! How often do you have to wait in 1 day? We wait all the time, sometimes its for a short time and other times we have to wait a long time. This week we will see how God waits for us. He knows we need time to grow and change and He loves us enough to patiently wait.
BIBLE STORY
Let’s play a game! We are going to have a race, using mini marshmallows and toothpicks! Have a starting line and an ending line designated. Have players push their marshmallows to the ending line only using the toothpick to push the marshmallow. Was it easy or hard to get your marshmallow to the end of the line. Was that much of a race? Usually races include speed but this race took a long time to get to the finished line. It was not a quick race but took patience to push the marshmallow with a little toothpick.
We need patience for lots of things and sometimes it can be hard. Sometimes the wait seems to take forever and sometimes the wait may be short. In our relationship with God, we still make mistakes and say the wrong things sometimes. God knows we are not perfect and that we will continue to grow and He will continue to change us, but it doesn’t happen over night. God loves us enough to be patient even when we make mistakes. Even when we make the same mistakes several times! Jesus told a parable about a fig tree that was not blooming. We know the purpose of a fig tree is to give figs. Even though the tree was not doing what it was created to do, the caregiver wanted to wait and work with the tree before cutting it down. God wants to work with us, He doesn’t want to give up. Let’s read our verse for today and see what the parable tells us about how much God loves us.
Read or listen to Luke 13:6-9
What type of tree did the man have in his vineyard? (Fig tree)
What did he find on the tree? (No fruit)
How long was the man waiting to see fruit? (3 years)
What did the man tell the vineyard care giver to do with the tree? (Cut it down)
What did the vineyard keeper ask to do? (Keep it and fertilize it for a year)
What would happen if the tree doesn’t fruit next year? (Cut it down)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
There are many stories that we enjoy reading, but it takes time to build a story. Let’s build a story together. I am going to write the first sentence of our story and together we will make our story grow by adding a sentence to it one person at a time. Write a the first sentence of a story, then pass the paper to the next person and have them add the next sentence to the story, then pass it to the next person to add the next sentence. Continue passing and adding one sentence at a time until you have reached the end of the story. Then read the story aloud. Help little ones dictate their sentence to you if needed. This story grew one sentence at a time, we had to be patient as we waited for the story to be finished. God waits patiently on us too. As we continue to grow and learn to be Christians, God waits patiently because He knows we throughout our lifetime we will grow and change in Him.
Materials: paper, pencil
Alternate
Have you ever gone on a roadtrip? Or taken a trip somewhere that seems to take forever? Sometimes we go places and we arrive quickly and sometimes we have to wait awhile to arrive. We have to be patient until we get to the place we are excited to see. God is also patient with us as we grow and mature in Him. Listen to these places and decide if it would be a quick trip or if you would have to be patient and wait awhile to arrive.
A trip to grandma’s
Going to the Grand Canyon
A trip to the grocery store
Visiting a national park
A drive to Canada
Going to the lake
A visit to the pond
A trip to your favorite restaurant
A walk to your neighbor’s house
A trip to the pool
Materials:
Independent activity:
When we plant seeds for a garden or a tree, it takes a long time for it to grow and turn into a full plant. We have to wait longer than a day or even a week! We have to continue to show it love by watering it, keeping the weeds out and providing it plenty of sunshine. We may not see a change in our plant right away, but there are plenty of changes happening underground. God cares for us by waiting as we change and grow. He can see the little changes in us, even when no one else can. God loves us and is patient with us, He knows we can not change over night, but is patient to watch us grow and change little by little. Provide your child with dirt and a seed or bean to watch grow. Place the bean in a ziplock with a damp paper towel, or in a small plastic cup filled with dirt. Help your child over the next few weeks, water and care for their plant, continuing to discuss how God cares for use while we grow and change.
Materials: bean or seed, ziplock bag or plastic cup, dirt
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Complete the following craft for the barren fig tree. Follow the instructions on this webpage.
Materials: Cardstock, tree template printed, scissors, glue, green felt or construction paper
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
What was the man waiting for?
What did the caregiver think would happen after a year?
Is it easy or hard to wait for a year for something to happen?
How does God wait for us?
Why do you think God is so patient with us?
What are some ways you can show patience to others?
Practical Application at Home
When we remember how patient God is with us, it can help us be patient with other people. We sometimes lose our patience with our friends, siblings, or classmates who are unkind to us. Listen to the following scenarios and tell how you could show patience in this situation.
Your sister jumps on your bed that you just made…
You brother breaks the Lego you just finished building…
Your classmate laughs at your drawing during class…
Your friend doesn’t want to share their favorite toy…
Your classmate teases you for bringing a strange lunch to school…
Your parents tell you about a trip that will happen in a few months…
Your upcoming party gets postponed…
Your sister is hogging all of the popcorn you are supposed to share…
The line for the roller coaster is really long…
You are driving across country and the trip will take over 10 hours…
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Enjoy the warmer 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?