WELCOME TO WEEK 2

Have you ever been tricked into believing something that was not true? May you believed a picture only to find out later it was a made up picture. The Israelites were not being sincere and God was not pleased. This week we will see how we can be sincere in our worship to God.

Amos 5:18-24

BIBLE STORY

Have you ever seen a picture that seemed to crazy to be real? Have you ever heard a story that seemed to crazy to be true? Sometimes things are presented as real but in fact they are fake. Look at these pictures and decide if they are real of made up. 

Sometimes people can change a picture to make it look as though it is real but it is really fake. It’s important to be able to know the difference, but it is also important to be sure the things we present to others is real and not fake. When we worship God, He knows our hearts and if we are being fake or if we really mean the words we sing or say. Amos spoke to the Israelites and told them of their insincere hearts. They did not mean what they were saying because their actions towards other people did not match their displays of worship. This was not pleasing to God. God wants us to be sincere by also showing love to the people around us.

What did Amos say would happen on the day of the Lord? It will be a day of darkness and not light

Did God enjoy their festival celebrations? (No, they were a stench)

Did God accept their burnt offerings? (No, He had no regard for them)

What would roll on like a river? (Justice)

What would be like a never-ending stream? (Righteousness)

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

Although Amos had to share that God was not please with their worship, there is also good news. There were consequences to the Israelites behavior but God does promise that out of the ruins of the destruction, he will restore the house of David through the messianic king and rebuild the family of God to include people from all nations. God does judge the deeds of the Israelites but He also provides a way for redemption because ultimately God wants to be in relationship with us.

Activity

Play this game of “Are you sincere?” Pick one card from each pile and say the words on the card while completing the motions given. The audience has to determine if you are being sincere based on if your actions match your words. If the actions match the words (example; smiling face while saying kind words) the audience yells out “sincere!” The audience yells out “Insincere!” If the words and actions do not match. God was not happy with Israels worship because they were not being sincere. They did the act of worship, but they did not mean it and did not treat the people around them in a way that showed they worshipped God. Our words and worship should show in the way we treat the people around us.

Materials: printed game cards

Alternate

Cut out 2 hearts per person. Cut one of the hearts in half. When we do a half job, we are not doing our best or trying with all of our heart. God wants us to be sincere and give our all and our best, especially to Him. Think about these chores and decide if they are being done with all their heart or only halfheartedly.

Chores: throwing all the toys in the closet when cleaning your room…brushing the sweep crumbs under a rug…cleaning the mirror until it shines…double checking your test that you answered all thee questions…coloring your note to grandma very carefully…stuffing the blanket into the basket…leaving your sheets crumbled under your bedspread…sweeping under the table when cleaning the floor…placing your rinsed bowl into the dishwasher…watering all the plants in the yard several times a week.

Materials: 2 hearts per child

Independent activity:

Create a collage of kindness. Look in approved magazines and paste pictures you find of people being nice to others. At the top of the construction paper label “Sincere Kindness”. Glue the pictures to the piece of construction paper. Discuss the pictures they found and why they believe they show kindness.

Materials: large sheet of paper, glue, scissors, old magazines

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

What is something that looks real but is actually fake?

How can our worship feel fake?

How can we show God sincere worship?

How can our actions match the words we say?

How can our actions be different from our actions?

How can your friends show sincere friendship with you?

What is one way someone can show a fake friendship?

How can we be a sincere friend and not a fake friend?

Practical Application at Home

We can be sincere in our worship by treating others around us the way God wants. When we live the way God wants, we are worshipping God. Look for opportunities this week to display your sincere worship through your actions. There are people around you who may have lost a loved one, lost a parent, or lost a job. God wants us to show love to them not just with our words but through our actions. Think of ways to serve them, such as 

Sharing a meal together

Bringing them food

Spending time together

Helping them with chores at their house

Offering to sit with them and chat

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?