Grades 1-3
Introductory Activity – Promise Maker
Materials: no materials needed
Form the kids into groups of two. Instruct them to think of a promise they would like to make this week and then act it out for their partner without talking. Have them take turns several times in acting out their promises. Examples of promises can be, I will walk my dog this week or I will clean my room. Explain that in today’s Bible story God makes Abram a promise. Say that you want them to pay close attention if God keeps His promise.
Live It Out
Game – Circle of Promises
Materials: Beanbag
Instruct your kids to sit in a circle. Tell them that when the beanbag is thrown to them, they will alternate saying a promise they can make to God and a promise that God has made to them. For example, the first child could say, “I will read my Bible this week,” and the second child could say, “God promises to be with me.” After a child says the promise, he will throw it to the next child. Help your kids understand that God is not only a promise maker, but he is also a promise keeper. He made a promise to Abram, and even though it seemed impossible, He kept his promise!
Craft – Promise (Ninja) Stars
Materials: Jumbo craft sticks, pens, glue
Give each child five jumbo craft sticks. Instruct them to write one promise they would like to make for the next week on each stick. Tell them to glue the middle of the sticks together on top of each other to make a star shape. (For the boys, you can refer to them as ninja stars.) Encourage the kids to place the stars in a visible place at home, so they can be reminded of the promises they made for the week. Say the Life Point together as a class and remind your kids that even though they may not live up to all their promises, God always honors His promises.
Grades 4-6
Introductory Activity – Line Charades
Materials: no materials needed
Place your children in a line. Tell the kids you will tell the child at the end a phrase. That child will then turn to the next child and act out the phrase. That child will then act out the phrase to the next child. This will occur all the way down the line. The last child must guess the original phrase. Rotate the students and allow them to play again. Ask: “Why was it hard to figure out the correct phrase?” Explain that God chose to communicate His promise to Abram very clearly about how He would provide Abram a son.
Live It Out
Game – Funny Promises
Materials: no materials needed
Form the students into groups of 3 or 4. Tell them that you are going to read a sentence of how you need help. As a group, they will respond to your statement with a promise of how they can help you. Encourage them to make their promises relevant but humorous. Allow each group to share their promise with the entire class. The group that gets the most laughs receives a point. The group with the most points at the end wins! Afterwards, say the Weekly Verse with the kids and remind them that God is not like people. People make bad promises or even break their promises. However, God’s promises are always good, and He never breaks His promises.
Possible sentences you can use (with potential humorous promises):
It sure is cold outside today. (I’ll wrap you up in toilet paper to help you get warm!)
I’m going to have to wash my car tomorrow. (I’ll dump some water on your car.)
Look at all those dirty dishes that need to be cleaned. (I’ll break the dishes so you don’t have to clean them!)
This box is incredibly heavy. (I’ll bring you my robovac to carry the box.)
Craft – Promise Rock
Materials: rocks or stones, permanent markers
Hand out a stone to each of your kids. Ask: “What is something that makes you feel afraid?” Allow your kids to answer. Then ask: “What is one of God’s promises that speaks to your fear?” Here are some promises from the Bible that you can refer to:
Deuteronomy 31:6 – God will not fail or leave you.
James 1:5 – God will give you wisdom when you ask for it.
Exodus 14:14 – God will fight for you.
Luke 24:49 – God’s Holy Spirit is with you.
Psalm 62:2 – God is your rock and salvation.
Instruct the kids to write one of the scripture references on their rock. Encourage them to keep it in their pocket so they can remember God’s promise. Lead everyone to say the Weekly Verse together.
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