Teaching Preschoolers Philippians 4:13: The Little Engine That Could Do Hard Things
As Sunday School teachers and parents, we often wonder how to make powerful Scripture verses accessible to our littlest learners. Today, I’m sharing a simple, engaging way to teach preschoolers about Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
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The Lesson
This interactive story helps three and four-year-olds understand that God gives them strength for their everyday challenges. By relating the Scripture to situations they regularly face, we make this profound truth tangible for young minds.
Setting the Stage
Start by asking your preschoolers: “Have you ever tried to do something really hard?” Watch their eyes light up as they share their experiences. This immediate connection draws them into the lesson and prepares their hearts for the message.
Meet Jamie
Introduce them to Jamie, a child just like them, who faces familiar challenges:
- First day of preschool jitters
- Learning to ride a bike
- Trying new foods
- Sharing toys with siblings
The Heart of the Message
In the story, Jamie’s mother offers a simple but powerful reminder: “Remember, God gives you special strength! You can do hard things with God’s help!”
This leads to our memorable phrase that children can repeat: “I can do it with God’s help!”
Interactive Elements
Include these simple actions to keep young children engaged:
- Make a scared face when talking about the first day of school
- Pretend to wobble on a bike
- Make silly tasting faces for new foods
- Practice gentle hugging motions for sharing
The Victory Moment
The story concludes by celebrating Jamie’s successes:
- Making new friends (wave hello together)
- Mastering bike riding (pretend to pedal)
- Enjoying new foods (thumbs up)
- Learning to share (practice sharing motions)
Why This Approach Works
- Relatability: Uses real-life situations preschoolers understand
- Interaction: Incorporates movement and repetition
- Simplicity: Focuses on one clear message
- Memorability: Links abstract concepts to concrete experiences
Taking It Home
Encourage parents to reinforce the lesson throughout the week by reminding their children of “Jamie’s story” when facing challenges. They can practice saying together: “I can do all things through Christ!”
Remember, at this age, children learn best through repetition and real-life application. This simple lesson plants seeds of faith that can grow into deep trust in God’s strength.
What challenges do your preschoolers face? How do you help them remember God’s strength is with them? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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