INTRODUCTION
God Provides Water
Bible Point:
God always loves us.
Key Verse:
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want” (Psalm 23:1).
Big Picture:
Children will recognize some of the ways God shows love for them.
God Provides Water
Exodus 17:1-7
God shows love for children through many people in their lives. A hug from a parent and a kiss from a grandparent are just two ways God’s love comes into children’s lives. Your 5- and 6-year-olds can easily make the connection that love from people who care for them is a way that God’s love flows to them. Use this lesson to help kids understand that God uses people they see every day to show how much God cares for them.
BIBLE TIME!
This week the Bible (Exodus 17:1-7) tells us that Moses and the Israelites were still in the wilderness and the people were very thirsty. The Israelites began to complain, and Moses cried out to God for help. God gave the Israelites what they needed by causing water to come out of a rock. God loved his people and provided for their needs, even though they were complaining. God loves us and provides for our needs, too.
KEY VERSE
“God gives me everything I need” (adapted from Psalm 23:1).
BIBLE POINT
God always loves us.
PLAY AND PRAY
In Matthew 6:25-34 we learn that we don’t need to worry about our needs because God will provide for us. The Bible tells us that God takes care of the birds of the air, so certainly he will take care of us, too.
Take your child outside to watch the birds. Look at the birds’ beautiful “clothing” and watch as they gather food to eat. Look at the flowers and all their beautiful colors. Remind your child that God always loves us, and he gives us everything we need, too.
ASK
• How does God care for the birds?
• How does God care for the flowers?
• How does God take care of you?
FAITHFUL FLAVORS
Have your child make frozen juice “rock pops.” Give your child a measuring cup with his or her favorite juice inside. Have your child slowly pour the juice into an ice tray. Place the ice tray in the freezer for about one hour. Then have your child stick a popsicle stick into each square in the ice tray. Put the ice tray back into the freezer until the juice is completely frozen.
As your child enjoys his or her rock-hard juice, talk about the Bible story and how God provided water out of rocks for the thirsty Israelites. Point out how your child’s rock pop is as hard as a rock, but when it melts, it turns into a liquid like water. Remind your child that God always loves us and gives us everything we need.
ASK
• What are some ways people show their love for you?
• How has God shown love for you?
READY, SET, GROW!
This week your child learned that God always loves us. Your child committed to one of the following challenges to remember that God shows his love for him or her in many different ways. Help your child weave faith into life this week and follow through on the challenge!
1. Write a note to a grandparent or other grown-up, and tell them that you love them and that God loves you.
2. Play with dolls or action figures, and act out ways God shows love for you every day.
3. Help your parent or caregiver make dinner for your family. When your family eats, remind them that God gives you the food you eat because God loves each of you.