Sunday School Lesson
Theme:
I can grow in Christ.
Memory Verse:
Younger Children – Luke 2:52, And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Older Children – Colossians 2:6-7, So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Life Applications:
We can grow in Christ by making time for God, reading our Bibles regularly, memorizing scripture, and praying.
In the Classroom:
What does it mean to “grow in Christ?” How can we do that?
1-Put God first
2-Read your Bible Daily & Memorize Scripture
3-Pray
1 – Put God First – Making time for God
Have everyone find Luke 18:18-27, in their own Bibles.
Tell the story of The Rich Younger Ruler or read it from the Bible.
Explain that the rich young ruler put his wealth before God. He didn’t want to sell everything to follow Christ. Are there things in our lives that keep us from wanting to grow in Christ and follow Him?
Make a copy of this number one poster for each child. Have them list inside the number one the things that may be taking the number one position in their lives and preventing them from having time for daily Bible reading and prayer time. Help them to understand why that thing(s) is a hindrance to growth in their relationship with God and how they will need His help to overcome it.
http://cdn.www.ministry-to-children.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/number-one.pdf
2 – Read Your Bible Daily & Memorize Scripture
Why should we read our Bibles regularly? We learned earlier in our High Five lessons that the Bible is our Guide.
Read 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”
The Bible is useful for all of the things mentioned above. God can use the Bible to speak to us.
We need to know what the Bible says. When we are faced with a decision, we can use scripture to help us decide. We should never choose to do something that the Bible says we shouldn’t do.
- Give each child a copy of the Bible reading plan and encourage them to begin reading the Bible every day. (copies will be on the cart on Sunday)
3 – Pray
Daniel is a great example of someone desiring to grow in Christ. He prayed daily and was ready when he faced the lion’s den.
Daniel was faithful to his God. He had an established time that he stopped and prayed to God. He prayed 3 times a day. (Psalm 55:17) His window that opened in the direction of Jerusalem the Holy city was always opened when he talked to God. (2 Chronicles 6:26, 29) Daniel didn’t allow fear of death keep him from praying to the One True God.