Avoiding Sins | Sunday School Lessons

Teach Kids About Avoiding Sins
Sunday School Lessons
Photo: Ece Turkoglu

Sins can be a tricky Sunday school lesson to teach. The problem I've faced when teaching kids about sins is that they don't see how it applies to them.

For instance, we go over the 10 Commandments regularly and talk about sins. That seems pretty simple, right?

Wrong.

Think about some of the 10 Commandments - 'Thou shalt not kill', 'Thou shalt not commit adultery', and 'Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife or house'.

While these are very important to teach the kids in Sunday school, it is also important to teach them about every day sins they will face, as well.

Sunday School Lesson

In this Sunday school lesson, we'll talk about the sins kids will face every day and how they can avoid them. Be sure to click on the 'Avoiding Sins Activity' to help reinforce the lesson.

Ask the kids, "What are some sins you can think of?"

Wait for answers.

Some answers may be stealing, killing, disobeying mom and dad, lying, taking the Lord's name in vain, and so on.

Today, we are going to focus on several of the above sins.

First - stealing.

Stealing, no matter how big or small, is stealing.


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Sunday School Activity!

Some men and women may steal a car, someone's purse, or even someone's child.

But, did you know that 'borrowing' someone's jacket, pencil, eraser, toy, calculator, game, movie, or anything else and not returning it is stealing?

Kids tend to borrow things from other kids all the time, but do they return them?

You may have good intentions to return what you borrowed, but if you don't return it, it's stealing.

Second - lying.

Why kids think they have to lie to impress others is beyond me, but they do.

When someone asks you, "Have you seen the latest movie?" or "Do you have the new Xbox game?", what do you say?

Believe it or not, many kids will say 'yes' even if they don't.

Some people call lies 'little white lies', but a lie is a lie no matter how big or small.

If you lie, no matter what the reason, ask God to forgive you. He will, but that doesn't mean you can do it again and again just because he forgives you. It means you have to try harder not to lie again.



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Third - taking the Lord's name in vain.

The bible tells us that any time you use the Lord's name in vain it is a sin.

There are people in churches across the world that know this commandment by heart, but still don't obey it.

Let's put this plain and simple - when you say, "Oh my, G - -", it is a sin!

When you say the name of the Lord in any form, it is a sin. The exceptions to this commandment is when you are speaking of him, talking about him, teaching about him, or reading about him.

Otherwise, keep his name holy and do NOT say his name carelessly.

Some of the other names you may hear people say are: Jesus, Christ, Lord, and God.

Avoiding Sins

Bible Verse for This Sunday School Lesson

 

Psalm 119:11 KJV

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

There are so many other sins that kids need to learn to avoid. Ask the kids now as the Sunday school lesson is winding down to see if they can think of any more ways that people sin.

Wait for answers.

When faced with sin, talking to God is the best way to avoid it.

You can say a silent prayer or just think about him in your head. God will help you with the sins you face daily.



 

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Daily Prayer | Sunday School Activities

Crossword puzzles are a fun way to give the Sunday school kids something extra to take home or to use as an added time filler during class. Below is a puzzle we simply titled 'Prayer' crossword puzzle. It can be used with many of our Sundays school lessons, or with the Daily Prayer Sunday school lesson.

Daily prayer is an important part of every Christian's life. Stress the importance of taking time to talk to God aside from thanking him before meals and before bed. God is there waiting on us. We are the ones who are too busy to talk to him.

Sunday School Activity

Daily Prayer Crossword Puzzle

(Double-click to print)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Daily Prayer with Prayer Partners | Sunday School Lessons

Sunday school lessons should teach kids about daily living as well as bible stories. For instance, how many of your Sunday school kids practice daily prayer? If you ask the kids this question, most will probably say they pray each day.

Prayer Partners
Sunday School Lesson
Photo: 松岡明芳
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Now, ask them when they pray and what they pray about.

Wait for answers.

Most of the answers will be "praying over food", "thanking God for family", "praying for family", and other things similar.

Today's Sunday school lesson is going to focus on daily prayer with prayer partners. Prayer partners can mean many different things, but today we are going to pair up the kids so that they can pray for each other all week long.

Teaching kids to pray for each other will help them understand the other person better along with following the Word of God and learning to develop a great prayer life.

Bible Verses About Prayer

Colossians 4:2 KJV

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

 

Matthew 18:20 KJV

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

 

1 Thessalonians KJV

Pray without ceasing.

 

Matthew 21:22 KJV

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

 

 

Sunday School Lesson - Daily Prayer



Prayer Crossword Puzzle
Click to Get It!

 

You can use any of the above bible verse about prayer for your lesson, or find another one you like. It's always a good idea to go over a bible verse with the kids each Sunday as it helps them learn God's Word and keep it close to their heart.

 

The bible teaches us about many people who prayed and God answered their prayers.

 

Daniel prayed every morning, noon, and night and God saved him from the lion's den.

 

The famous prayer of Jabez found in 1 Chronicles 4:10 KJV says, "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested."

 

There is also the famous 'Lord's Prayer' where Jesus is teaching his disciples how to pray.

 

Jesus himself even prayed.

 

Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane before he died on the cross for our sins. He prayed again on the cross asking God to forgive those around him. Another time he prayed was when he blessed the food before breaking it when he fed the 5000.

 

Prayer Partners - What To Do

 

What You'll Need:

 

• something to write on
• something to write with
• cut pieces of yarn large enough to tie around a child's wrist or ankle

 

Once you've discussed some of the prayers above, sit the kids down in a semi-circle on the floor. Have a large paper, poster board, or dry erase board to write on for everyone to see.

 

Go through each child one-by-one and ask for prayer requests. Write them on the board or paper for all to see. Be sure to write the child's name beside the prayer request.

 

Ask the next child in the circle, "Did you hear that prayer request?"

 

Then, tie a piece of yarn around that child's wrist and say, "You are in charge of praying for that request every day until next week."

 

The yarn will serve as a reminder for that child to pray for their partner's prayer request.

 

Instruct the child to pray for that person and their prayer request every time the yarn reminds them to pray. Even if it is 10 times each day.

 

Now, go to the next child and ask for their request.

 

Continue this until every one has someone praying for their request and everyone is praying for someone.

 

What You'll Learn

 

Praying for yourself and your own family is wonderful, but when we join together and pray for someone else and their prayer request we learn the importance of caring for others. It helps us to understand one another, grow closer to God, and get in a routine of praying all throughout the day.

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Book of Numbers | Sunday School Coloring Pages

When you're Sunday school class is studying the books of the bible, print out the FREE books of the bible Sunday school coloring pages on our site. We have lots of coloring pages for you to use and are adding more each week, so check back often. Adding your e-mail address to the right, will ensure you don't miss any of the FREE stuff we offer.

Books of the Bible Sunday School Coloring Pages

Below is the book of Numbers coloring page. Just to give you a bit of back ground on the book of Numbers, I've added a little bit about the bible story.

The children of Israel moved from place to place living in tents for 40 long years. What they didn't know when they started their journey to the promised land was that it was only a few short days walk from where they were to where they were going.

Instead, they wandered around the wilderness. The sad part was that none of the people who left Egypt made it into Canaan. Only their children was allowed to cross over into the promised land. Moses wasn't even one of them.

The Book of Numbers Coloring Page

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The words in the circle read 'The Children of Israel wandered in the wilderness 40 years.'

 

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Prayer - Trust in the Lord | Coloring Pages

Proverbs 3:5 is a verse kids and adults alike need to keep close to their hearts. It should be a verse that is automatically thought of when times are tough and when times are good.

Trusting in the Lord should be a daily practice for Christians. How can we, as teachers or parents, expect kids to trust in the Lord if they don't see us trusting?

No matter what life throws your way, 'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding'. Teach this verse and learn it yourself. Keep it close.

Another way to help kids understand this is with prayer. Kids often pray for the things they want or the people they know, but do they pray for God to lead them and guide them?

We used this coloring sheet to go along with the King David Sunday school lesson.

Coloring Pages

Here is just one of the coloring pages we have available for FREE on this blog. If you're looking for something different, just scroll through the pages to see what you can find.

The coloring page below can be used as a plain sheet for coloring or it can be folded in half to allow the kids to write on the inside. It can be folded the opposite way for the kids to draw on the outside whichever they prefer.

For older kids, have them write some of the things in their life they need to be trusting God to help them with. Have them keep it under their pillow as a reminder to trust God to lead their lives.

Have prayer with your class and ask God to lead each child they way he would want them to go.

Prayer - Trust in the Lord

Coloring Page

(Double-Click to print)

 

 

 

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King David - Sunday School Lessons

King David
Clipart: Christians Unite
Sunday School Lessons

Even though Jesse's youngest son became known as the famous King David, it wasn't an easy road. The road was long and hard. In fact, the road was so rough that only David himself was fit to walk it. But, because David trusted God and praising him all the way, David became king and was known as 'a man after God's own heart'.

If David had chosen his own path, God couldn't have used him.

Bible Verse for this Lesson:

Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

King David

Begin the Sunday school lesson by asking the kids if they know of a famous David in the bible. More than likely, they will think of David and Goliath.

Wait for answers.

While this is the same David, our Sunday school lesson today isn't about that particular story.

The lesson...

David was the youngest of 8 boys. His job was to watch over the sheep. But, even though he was the youngest and just a shepherd boy, God chose him to be a king. Normally, the king's son would become the new king, but not this time. God had a different plan.

Of course, David didn't immediately become the new king. There was already a king - King Saul.

The problem was that as time went on, King Saul became jealous of David and tried to kill him over and over.

Instead of David fighting back, he left.


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Coloring Page

If it had been time for David to become king, God would have made it possible, but it wasn't the right time yet. For many years, Saul sought to kill David, but was unsuccessful.

Time and time again, David had the chance to kill Saul too. But, he didn't.

Once he sneaked up behind Saul and cut a piece of his robe off. He wanted to show Saul that he could have killed him, but he chose not to.

Another time, he sneaked into Saul's tent and took his spear and canteen. Again, he could have killed Saul, but chose not to.

He wanted Saul to know that he wouldn't go against God.

In the end, Saul fell on his own sword and died. Then, King David took the throne.

It took 20 years for David to become king.

What We Learned:

God does things in his own time. While we tend to want things now, God doesn't always see fit for us to have it now. Sometimes, we have to wait years and years before he answers our prayers while other times he answers our prayers with a simple 'no'.

David was chosen by God to become King David, but 19 years later he still wasn't king.

David chose to serve God and to praise him through all those years. When the time was right, David took the throne.

When you pray, pray that God will have his own will with the answers to your prayers.

No matter what happens, God knows best and we must trust in that.
 

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Father's Day Sunday School Activity

Over the years, we've come up with some interesting gifts and crafts for the kids to make as a Father's Day Sunday school activity. Some were hits and others were less than great.

Father's Day
Sunday School Activity
Photo: changeorder - Flickr

But, one of our favorites stands true year-after-year.

It is simple, but does require a little help from some other adults.

Sunday School Activity for Father's Day

 

This Sunday school activity goes great with the Father's Day Sunday school lesson.

You can do this activity one of two ways. I'll tell you right up front - one is messy and the other is not. Although, we do prefer the messy one.

What you'll need for the NOT-so-messy activity:

• construction paper
• scissors
• glue
• markers

What to do:

Trace the child's foot on one piece of construction paper, cut it out, and paste it onto another sheet of construction paper. The papers should be two different colors.

Then, print on the sheet this little message to the fathers or grandfathers:

I am following in your foot prints (or steps - whichever you like).

Proverbs 22:6 KJV

 

You can print out the verse or leave it like it is above. With small paper, you may not have enough room for the entire verse. Of course, you can always print it out using a printer which will give you more space.

If a child in your class doesn't have a father figure, he or she can give it to a special man in the church that they choose.


What you'll need for the VERY messy activity:

Older kids can get more creative
if they choose and according to the
amount of time you have.
Photo: dekade 

• construction paper
• paint (be sure to get the kind that washes out of clothes easily)
• makers
• old sheet, blanket, or plastic table cloth
• bucket for water
• old towels

What to do:

Have the children take off their socks and shoes. Be sure to have a large work area covered with a old blanket or sheet. We like to use a plastic table cloth from our local dollar store.

Next, paint the bottom of the child's foot and place it onto the paper to make a footprint. Be sure to have a bucket or bowl of water nearby for rinsing the foot and an old towel for drying.

Do one paper for each child and let dry.

When the paper is dry, print this message to fathers or grandfathers:

I am following in your foot prints (or steps - whichever you like).

Proverbs 22:6 KJV

 

You can print out the verse or leave it like it is above. With small paper, you may not have enough room for the entire verse. Of course, you can always print it out using a printer which will give you more space.


If a child in your class doesn't have a father figure, he or she can give it to a special man in the church that they choose.

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Father's Day Sunday School Lesson

Teaching the importance of becoming a good father is not just the job of the parents. Kids come to Sunday school to not only learn about God, but to learn how they can be more Christ-like. As little boys grow, they need to be taught what it means to be a good Christian father and who better to set the good example than God our heavenly father?

Father's Day
Sunday School Lesson
Train up a child...

Father's Day

This Father's Day Sunday school lesson is geared toward the little boys in the class along with showing both girls and boys how much God the father loves them.

By teaching the young boys in the class what is meant by being a Christian father, the girls can benefit as well. This will help them understand the importance of looking for a man who will make a good Christian husband and father to their children.

Begin the lesson by asking the kids what Father's Day means to them.

Wait for answers.

Then ask if they know God is our heavenly father.

Wait.

1 Corinthians 1:3 KJV

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

God, our heavenly father, loves us so much that he sent his only begotten son to die on the cross for our sins so that one day we can go to heaven to live with him forever.

Now that's love.

Becoming a Christian Father

 

 

Provoke Not

Our heavenly father not only shows us what it is like to be a father, but gives us scripture to help boys become wonderful fathers too. The bible tells us that father's are not to provoke their children. Fathers are suppose to teach their kids about God, the bible, and how they are to live according to his word.

Ephesians 6:4 KJV

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

 

 

How can this verse help kids now? Many children tease, pester, and pick on other children just to make them angry or upset. Habits we learn as children often carry over into our adult life. We need to care for others lending a helping hand when needed. We should also stand up for those who are being picked on or pestered. This lets the Lord shine through.

Godly Routines

Fathers are to take their children to church, to teach them about God, and to lead and guide them in God's path. God promises us that if we raise our children for him, they will always come back to him no matter what things they encounter in their lives.

Proverbs 22:6 KJV

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

As parents, it is our job to take our children to church. It is also our responsibility to teach them at


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Sunday School Activity

home about God. Making bible study, church, Sunday school, VBS, and any time the church doors are open a family routine helps teach kids that fellowship and worship are essential for growing in Christ.

When kids are taught to attend these gatherings along with having daily prayer and bible study, they will also do this with their children. These small, yet huge, Godly habits will set the standard for your children and grandchildren for years to come.


For the Girls

Girls need to look for these qualities in a man they would like to marry. If the man has never been in a routine of going to church, he may not go when they are married. If the man doesn't love God, married life will be very difficult for the mother.

How?

The mother and father will not see eye-to-eye on the importance of taking their children to church, reading the bible, or having a good Christian family routine.


Becoming Christian Parents

Start praying today!

Ask God to help you become a wonderful Christian father or mother. Ask him to send you a wonderful Christian husband or wife that he chooses for you.

It is never too early to pray for these things.

Luke 1:37 KJV 



For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Pray with your kids now and ask God to help them become wonderful Christian parents.

 

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Tower of Babel - So That's Where Languages Came From

Tower of Babel
Sunday School Lessons

According to several different sources, there are more than 6700 different languages in the world. Of course, most of those languages are not spoken regularly. It is estimated that between 100 and 200 different languages are actual 'official languages' (whatever that means). Now, think back a little further than that...a little further...a little further...

The question is - where did all these different languages come from?

Thankfully, God doesn't leave us to wonder about this.

In this Sunday school lesson, kids will learn the disobedience of people and the power of God.

Sunday School Lesson - Tower of Babel

Begin your Sunday school lesson by asking the class how many languages they can name.


Wait for answers.

You'll need to start the Tower of Babel Sunday school lesson with Noah and his family leaving the ark after it came to rest on top of Mount Ararat.

Ask the kids how much they remember about the bible story of Noah. Try to keep them focused on 'after the flood' when everyone and everything left the ark.

What did God tell them to do?

God told Noah and his sons, "Be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 9:1 KJV).

It was Noah's family's job to have children and grandchildren and they were to have children and grandchildren to repopulate the earth. As the children had more children, they were to spread out over the earth, but they didn't.

Instead, they went east where they stayed in a land called Shinar.

Different Languages

After Noah left the ark, the bible tells us that 'the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech' (Genesis 11:1 KJV).



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Word Search
Sunday School Activity

But, it didn't stay that way for long.

You see, the people began to build a city. Then, they decided to build a tower. They wanted to make a name for themselves and decided to build a huge tower with a top that reached all the way to heaven (Genesis 11:4 KJV).

Not only did the people disobey God by not spreading out over the whole earth, they also thought they could do whatever they wanted. They thought they could just start building a tower and that it would reach heaven.

God had other plans, though.

He wanted them to know that he was in control.

So, he mixed up their languages so that they couldn't understand each other (Genesis 11:7 KJV). When God gave them all different languages to speak, they couldn't keep building the tower. No one could tell anyone else what needed to be done.

This tower became known as the Tower of Babel because everyone sounded like they were babbling to each other.

After this, the Lord scattered all the people around the earth.

The Power of the Lord God

God has the power to all things. The bible tells us we are to 'fear the Lord'. That doesn't mean to be afraid of him. It means that he will correct us when we do things we shouldn't. It means we should want to make God proud of us. We should want to please him.

Do you know the sick, scared feeling you get when you've done something wrong and you are hoping no one finds out about it?

When we are living our lives for God, we are happy and content, but when we are not living for God, we should fear him because we've done something wrong.

Strive each day to live for God. Fearing the Lord God is a good thing. It helps us to do what is right and to feel his love for us.

What We Learned

We learn that obeying God is the most important thing and when we find ourselves not obey God, he will correct us. Never think that God isn't watching. He knows what is going on at all times even inside your head. Yes - he knows what you're thinking.

Just as our parents must correct us when we do something wrong, God, our heavenly father, must also correct us. We see over and over in the bible when people did things they shouldn't and God had to correct them.

One of the most famous bible stories is that of Adam and Eve. After Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, God made them leave the Garden of Eden never to return.

Always obey your mom and dad and always obey God. If you do not, you can be sure that your earthly parents or your heavenly father will correct you.


 

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Tower of Babel Word Search - Sunday School Activities

You can do several different things when teaching the Sunday school lesson about the Tower of Babel, but for kids 7 years old and above, let them do a quick word search.

Use this word search either before the Sunday school lesson to get the kids thinking about how the words tie into the bible story or give it to them after to reinforce what you've just taught. Some teachers even like to send the papers home with the kids so the kids will have something to do on the ride home.

I've found that with the kids in our Sunday school class, if they don't do the puzzles in class, the papers sometimes don't even make it home. But, if the kids work on them in class, they can't wait to show them to their parents.

Every church is different as is every Sunday school class. Choose what's best for your kids and enjoy this FREE Sunday school activity.

And like I've said before - adults love word searches too (hint! hint!).

 

Tower of Babel Word Search

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