Big Help
WELCOME TO WEEK 5
Job’s friends wanted to help him even though they could not fix his problems. They came and sat with him, which seems like a small thing to do, but sometimes small things can be a big help to others. This week we will see how God can use our small actions to help others in big ways.
BIBLE STORY
Play “Name that Tune” using the word friend. Take turn among players singing or humming parts of a song that includes the word friend. Keep scores of home many songs you can come up with that have the word friend in the song.
Look how many songs we were able to remember that talk about friends. Clearly friendship is important to people. Friends are there for us when we are feeling down or when we want to rejoice. Eleven thee bible talks about friendship. In the story of Job, when he is feeling down his friends came to be with him to comfort him. They sympathized with his pain and how much suffering he was going through. Let’s read and see how his friends tried to help.
Read or listen to the scripture Job 2:11-13
How many friends cam to visit Job? (3 friends)
What were the names of his friends? (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar)
Why did they go see Job? (To sympathize and comfort Job)
Did they recognize Job? (No)
What did they do when they saw Job? (They began to weep)
How long did Job’s friends sit with him in silence? (7 days and nights)
Why didn’t they say a word to Job? (Because they knew how much he was suffering)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
We sometimes dismiss things that are small or come in small packages as unimportant, but something small can have a big effect. Think about how 1 raindrop becomes a flood
1 snowflake becomes blizzard
$1 added others
1 friendship becomes
God can use us even though we are small, to do big things. Play this match game, match what is small with its matching big item.
Materials: printed and cut matching game
Alternate
We can show others we care in big and in small ways. We may think our small deeds will go unnoticed, but they are often the things that mean the most to others. When we smile at others, hold the door open for someone, or let someone cut in line, those are things that can mean a lot to someone receiving it. Let’s do a small deed for someone else. We will make cookies and then deliver them to neighbors, the homeless, local hospital or fire station, or to our friends. Use your favorite cookie recipe to bake as many cookies as possible to pass out. Stack them and wrap them in Saran Wrap then tie it with a bow, or place them on a decorative disposable plate.
Materials: ingredients for making cookies, recipes for cookies,
Independent activity:
Our friendships mean a lot to us and when we are a good friend it can be mean something big to someone else. We don’t need to have a lot of toys, or be the best at everything to have good friends. Real friendship comes from how much we care for the other person in small ways. Complete this activity sheet (word search of friendship character traits, match friends in the Bible
Materials: activity sheet
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, scissors
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
How did the Psalmist say God helps us when we are hungry?
What does God give to the blind?
Who does God set free?
What does God do for the widows and orphans?
How do you help those around you?
What are small things others do for you that means a lot to you?
What are big things God helps you with?
Practical Application at Home
We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Think of the things Jesus helped people with when He lived on earth? Did he feed the hungry? Give sight to the blind? Heal the sick? We can care for others in a similar way but helping to feed the hungry, helping those who are sick, and giving to those who may need help getting medicine and care.
Make a list of ways you can help others around you in a similar way Jesus helped those while on earth. Put your list into 2 categories; small ways to help and big ways tot help. We may not always be able to help in big ways and sometimes wee need to help in more than just small ways. Look at your list and decide if there is anything you can do on your list of ways to help.
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?