WELCOME TO WEEK 1

Have you ever had to make a tough decision? Even when everyone else is making a choice that you know is wrong, are you still able to make the right choice? God doesn’t want us to follow after others especially when they are going the wrong way. We can make the right choices with God’s help.

Micah 3:5-12

BIBLE STORY

We hear news all around us. We may get news from a new station on TV, or from the radio. We can read about news from a friend. Some news we receive is good news and it makes us smile or happy to hear about it. Then there is news that might be shocking or sad. Sometimes we might even hear things that are wrong that we should not follow, but we can choose to do what is right. God wants us to choose the right things and not always believe or listen to the wrong things others may tell us. Listen to the news being shared. Use your emoji faces to decide if it is good news or bad news.

-Broccoli casserole is for dinner

-All children must eat ice cream for breakfast

-Dolphins are giving free rides

-School is closed for 2 weeks

-All of the roads are iced over

-All children must pay $20 a month for taxes

-Everyone has to pray to an idol

-Children do not need to obey their parents

-It’s give a gift day, bless one person with a gift today

-If you see something you like, you can take it

-Every time it rains, eat cinnamon rolls

Read or listen to the Bible verse for this week: Micah 3:5-12

Who did Micah say he was filled with? (The power of the Holy Spirit)

What type of news did Micah sometimes deliver to Israel? (To tell them of their sin)

What were the leaders of Jacob doing? (Despising justice and building Zion and Jerusalem with wickedness)

Even though the leaders were not doing right, what did they want from the Lord? (For Him to be with them and protect them from disaster)

What was going to happen to Zion? (Be plowed like a field)

What was going to happen to Jerusalem? (Become a heap of rubble)

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

Activity

Create a start and finish line in an open area (living room). Read the following scenarios and have your child ay what decision they would make. If they choose the right decision, tell them to take steps in the direction of the finish line. If they choose the wrong decision, have them take steps backward, or to the left or right, opposite of the designated finish line. You decide how many steps they can take for each answer given. Discuss why some decisions they made were not the right ones.

Materials: printed scenarios

Alternate

It can be hard to do the right thing when it seems everyone around us is doing the wrong thing. Try to do these 2 seemingly opposite things at the same time. See if you are able to stay focused on the task while your partner does a distracting action. EX: sing a song while your partner sings a different tune; Jump rope while partner plays patty cake; Read a book while partner calls out titles to their favorite book; walk backwards while partner gives the opposite directions.

Materials: various items such as a book, jump rope.

Independent activity:

Complete the following activity sheet. Match the person with the news they might have to give to someone.

Materials: printed activity sheet, pencil, crayons

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 are some decisions you’ve made this week?

Did you have to go against what someone else was doing?

How do you know you are standing up for what is right?

What is wrong with following the crowd just to make things easier?

How can you find strength to do what is right in the face of others who are doing wrong?

Practical Application at Home

It is important to hear the stories of other people who have made tough choices for God. Be a news reporter and interview the members of your family. Have several questions prepared to find out more about their experience. Hear their stories of times they’ve had to stand up for what was right and choose to do the right thing even when it was hard or the opposite of what others were doing. Use these stories to strengthen your faith and know that God will be with you just as He was with them.

Example questions for your interview:

What is a time you had to make a hard choice or stand up for something you knew was right?

Were you the only one speaking up for the right thing?

After you stood up and made the right choice, did anyone else follow you in making the same decision?

What do you regret most about that situation?

What did God help you with the most in that situation?

Were you nervous when you realized you would have to go against what others were doing?

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?