Q4 Week 1

Bible Point: Follow Jesus.

Key Verse: “I am not ashamed of the gospel” (Romans 1:16).

Big Picture: Children will learn to follow Jesus. 

Note to Parents:

Young children understand Follow the Leader and love to play it. They’ve learned how to follow one- or two-step directions and have fun while doing it. They like the sense of accomplishment they feel when they can do what the leader does. So it’s only natural that they would want to follow Jesus once they know about Him. Use this lesson to help children know how much Jesus loves them and how delightful it is to follow Him!

Bible Time:

Mark 8:31-38 describes Jesus teaching a crowd of people. Jesus told the people that if they wanted to follow Him, they might have to give up some things. Jesus asked them what good it is to gain the whole world but lose their home in heaven. Even if we have everything in the world that we want, if we’re missing Jesus in our lives, our lives will be empty. As you read the Bible to your child this week, explain that we can be proud to follow Jesus. Talk about the little things Jesus provides that your child enjoys every day, such as pets, people to love, or a new pair of shoes.

Play and Pray:

Have a family talent show. First, help your child brainstorm about things he or she knows about Jesus. Then, help him or her come up with something to do for the family. For example, your child might sing a favorite Bible verse or use a sock puppet to tell about something that happened in the Bible.

Outdoor Adventures:

Have a family parade in your backyard to honor Jesus. Play homemade instruments and encourage your child to follow your directions as you shake, tap, or bang your instrument. Say, “I'm proud to follow Jesus” after every motion.

Encourage your child’s creativity by helping him or her gather household items that might make interesting sounds. Almost anything, with a child’s imagination, can become a musical instrument. Try using pans, plastic containers, or coffee cans for drums and lids of pans or large spoons to make clanging cymbal sounds. Also, try putting beans or rice in plastic containers to make shaker sounds. Use empty paper towel tubes or the bottom of a cake pan for trumpet sounds.

Ready, Set, Grow!

This week, your child learned that he or she can follow Jesus. Your child committed to one of the following challenges as a way to follow Jesus. Help your child grow in faith this week and follow through on the challenge!

-Make a picture of Jesus to give to someone. Tell the person why you FOLLOW JESUS.

-At bedtime, have a family member or loved one read to you from the Bible. Read about people following Jesus, like in Mark 8:31-38 or John 15:1-11.