Family
WELCOME TO WEEK 5
Who is a part of your family? How many family members do you have? Did you know you are a part of another family as well? You are a part of God’s family. God has adopted us into his family, which means He chose you to be a part of His family. This week we will see how we a part of God’s family.
BIBLE STORY
We are each a part of a family, and how our families live, play and work varies from house to house. Each family has different rules, games, and traditions. Think about what your family does that may be specific to your family. List a few traditions, customs and special rules your family observes.
Here are a few questions to get you started:
What is a special holiday your family likes to celebrate each year?
What special thing does your family do around Christmas time?
What is a special thing your family does each week?
What is a special mean your family enjoys?
What does your family do to celebrate birthdays?
What is a rule at your house that you may not think your friends have?
What is a reward given at your house that you may not think your friends receive?
What is something special you do with your parents?
Your family has a special way of doing things because you are a family. When we are a part of a family, we join in on those activities because you are a member. We are also a member of a larger family, God’s family. God’s family has a certain way of behaving and acting as well. We are members of this family so we receive the rewards and responsibilities of the family. Paul talks about what it means to be a part of God’s family. God sees us as His children and we get the benefits and responsibility of being his children.
Read or listen to the scripture reading Romans 8:12-17
What is the obligation we are to live to? (Not to live according to the flesh)
What happens when we live according to the flesh? (We die)
Who is lead by the Spirit of God? (The children of God)
What does it mean to be adopted?
The Spirit doesn’t make you slaves but adopts you into what? (Sonship of God)
Who does this make you co-heirs with? (Jesus Christ)
When we share in Christ’s sufferings, what else do we share? (In his glory)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
Using cut-out person, create the family of God. Think about the people in your family, extended family and church family, and decorate a cut-out person of them. Write their name on the back of each cut-out person. Glue them together by their hands or glue them on a large sheet of construction paper. Label the top of the page “We are part of God’s family”
Materials: printed cut-out person, pencil/pen, crayons, construction paper
Alternate
Divide a sheet of paper in half down the middle of the paper. On one side of the paper write the title “Home and school rules” and title the other half of the paper “God’s family rules”. Make a list of 5-10 rules you have at home or school. On the other half of the paper, across from each home and school rule, see if you can list a similar rule as a part of God’s family. For example, at school there is a rule that you can not share food. In God’s family, we are to feed those who are hungry.
Materials: sheet of paper, pencil/pen
Independent activity:
Complete the following activity sheet
Materials: printed activity sheet
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Create an adoption certificate
Materials: printed adoption certificate
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
What does the Holy Spirit help us do?
How does the Holy Spirit make us a part of God’s family?
When you are part of a family, do you have to earn your title of son or daughter?
What is the reward of being part of God’s family?
What is the responsibility of being part of God’s family?
What is your job in your family?
What is your job in God’s family?
Practical Application at Home
In the Bible Nicodemus, who was a Pharisee, asked Jesus how one can be a part of His kingdom and Jesus replied by saying one must be born again of the Spirit. When we become a part of God’s family, we are born again, a new creation. We can put off the old things we used to do and put on the things God would have us do. We can not do this alone though, we can do it with the help of the Holy Spirit. When we are born of the Spirit, we have allowed the Holy Spirit to live in us, change us, speak to us, and most important we choose to listen and obey. We will sometimes make mistakes but the Holy Spirit will help us see those mistakes so we can ask and receive forgiveness. Complete the following statements out loud.
I used to….but now the Holy Spirit will help me ….
I used to treat….. but now the Holy Spirit will help me…
I used to put a lot of focus into…. But now the Holy Spirit will help me…
This week pray for the Holy Spirit to help you live as a part of God’s family and treat others in the way God would have you. When you make mistakes this week allow the Holy Spirit to show you the wrongs you’ve done and help you be humble to ask for forgiveness.
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.