Sunday School Lessons - Try Again, Try Again

We're human. We can't make it through life without failing. It's a part of life. We mess up. That's just the way it is. So, what's the good news? The good news it that when we fail, we can try again.

Sunday School Lessons - Try Again
Photo: Ernst Vikne

God loves it when we realize that we need him and begin to try again.

Children should never be led to believe they are perfect. It will cause heart break and heart ache that can never be healed (except by God, of course). So, what should we teach them?

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We should teach them it's okay to fail. What's not okay is to fail and never try again.

Try Again, Try Again Sunday School Lesson

Begin by asking, "Can you do everything by yourself?"

Some kids will answer yes at first. That's okay. You can prompt some questions like, "Can you drive yourself to school?, Can you fly a plane?, Can you walk across the ocean?", and so on.

Then ask, "Can you get to heaven on your own?"

Answer, "You can with God".

Then ask, "Can we do anything without God?"

This will get the kids thinking. Of course, many people believe they do everything themselves, but in reality, they can do nothing without God. He gives us food to eat, he gives us the air we breathe, he is the reason our hearts beat.

In return, we should do everything we do for God. We should also give Him the glory.

How do we do everything we do for God? When we play sports, we can let God shine through. How can we do that?

By treating the other players with kindness, by working hard to do our best during the game, by helping a player up that was knocked down. All of our actions let people know what kind of person we are.

If we are mean and hateful to everyone we meet, would that be letting God shine through?

No.

If we pushed people down during the game just to get ahead of them, would that be letting God shine through?

No.

What if we used bad language or made fun of others? Of course not.

Try Again

Sometimes, when we are doing something and get upset, we lash out at those around us. We may even yell and say something that hurts the other persons feelings. Maybe you've told a lie or took something that wasn't yours.

None of this is okay, but we can ask God to forgive us and try again.

Maybe we will even do the same wrong thing again the next time. We should stop and ask God to forgive us and ask for God's help to not do it again and guess what:

Philippians 4:13 says,

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

Because God says we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength, when we pray for God's help and we really truly want his help, He WILL help us.

Each time we argue, complain, push someone, lie, yell, or anything else we do that is bad, we can rest assured that we need only pray for God's help and try again.

Over time with God's help, we can be sure that we will stop doing those things and become more like God each and every day.

Teach the kids that we can't do anything by ourselves, but with God's help we can try again and try again until finally we can overcome those obstacles we need to get rid of sin our lives.
 

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Spiritual Growth - Sunday School Game

Teaching kids about spiritual growth is as important if not more than teaching kids to feed themselves. After teaching the Ruth in the bible Sunday school lesson, you can use this Sunday school game to let the kids have fun while they are learning about spiritual growth.

Spiritual Growth
Sunday School Game

Sunday School Game

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To teach the class about spiritual growth, play this Sunday school game.

You'll only need a few things for this game. You can also play it with any number of children. Here's what you'll need:

• cut out paper food items (carrots, apples, strawberries, pumpkins, corn, etc.)
• printed out verses and words (list shown below)
• tape

After you have cut out the food items, tape the words or verses (listed below) on the back and hide them around the room or area. Don't make them too hard to find - just hard enough for your age children.

For this example, let's say you have 12 kids in your class.

You'll need at least 2 paper food items for each child plus 12 more - a total of 36 food items (more for more kids).

Write the following on the back of the first 24 food items. You can add some of your own ideas too. You can also copy and paste so that you can print them out. Then, just cut and tape them on the back of the food items.

• Bible verses
• Prayer
• helping others
• sharing
• going to Sunday school
• bible school
• youth meeting
• attend church
• read your bible
• tell others about Jesus, God, and Heaven
• invite people to church and youth meeting
• talking to God
• or any other things that will help the kids spiritual growth

Here are some bible verse suggestions you can add to the backs of some too:

James 1:22 KJV

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.

 

Proverbs 10:5 KJV

He that gathereth in summer is a wise son:

but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

 

Philippians 4:13 KJV

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

 

 

You'll also need 12 things that will NOT help with spiritual growth. Below are just examples. Feel free to add your own.

• using bad language
• using the Lord’s name in vain
• telling lies
• disobeying
• being jealous of what others have
• stealing
• talking back to parents and teachers
• bullying
• hurting people’s feelings on purpose
• cheating
• throwing trash down on church property

 

How to play this Sunday school game:

 

After you have cut out the foods, taped on the words and verses above, and hidden them, it is time to explain the rules.

 

Each child will walk around the room looking at each piece of food. As they read the back of the food, they can decide if it will help their spiritual growth or hurt it. Let each child pick up two foods, but be sure they don't pick up the bad foods.

 

Once the kids have gathered two good food items, let them come back to sit in a circle. Let the kids take turns telling what they found and how it can help their spiritual growth. This is important as it will let you step in and explain why it will help when needed.

After everyone has gone, talk about the bad foods they found and why it will hurt their spiritual growth.

Use your own ideas and verses that you've been working on to help encourage the kids in your Sunday school class.


 

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Ruth in the Bible - Sunday School Lessons

Helping your spiritual side grow by harvesting the good things God has given us is just one of the Sunday school lessons that can be taught about Ruth in the bible.

Ruth in the bible Sunday school lessons.
Photo: wikimedia

While the word 'harvesting' may make it sound like a good Sunday school lesson to teach during the Fall when it is time for harvest, this lesson is great for anytime of the year. So, get your harvesting baskets ready and let's get started.

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Ruth in the Bible

Begin the class with prayer. Ask God to let all the little ears in the class not only hear, but to listen.

Here is the bible verse for this lesson:

 

James 1:22 KJV

 

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.

Ruth is a famous woman in the bible. She followed her mother-in-law to a far away country where she learned about working hard and about the one true God - our God. You see, at first, Ruth didn't worship God. Where she lived, everyone worshipped idols.

Do you know what an idol is?

An idol is anything that you worship instead of God. Some people worship statues while others worship the sun and moon. Can a statue made out of stone help you in any way?

Wait for answers.

Then ask, "Can the sun and moon answer your prayers?"

Wait for answers.

Of course they can't.

Ruth realized this too. She made a good decision to follow the one true God and because she did, God blessed her over and over again.

Harvesting to Feed Our Spiritual Side

Teach kids the whole book of Ruth!

When we think of harvesting, we think of farmers gathering their crops to eat. Food is what we need to help our bodies grow.

But, did you know that we need to harvest things from God to help our spiritual side grow?

For instance, bible verses help us grow. Listening in church and Sunday school helps us grow. Of course, these things don't help us to get taller or keep us from getting thirsty or hungry, but they do help the part of us that needs to become more like Jesus grow.

If we never learn more about God, how can we tell others? How can we grow closer to him?

What are some ways that you can think of that can help your spiritual side grow and help you get closer to God and become more like him?

Wait for answers.

Some of the things you should harvest to help you grow in Christ are:

• praying
• singing songs to/about God
• telling others about Jesus
• inviting friends to church
• reading your bible
• memorizing bible verses (like the one above)
• coming to church and Sunday school

Can you think of any more? Wait for answers.

Story of Ruth & Esther Flannel Board Figures

A Reminder

 

When we come to church and Sunday school, we need to not only listen, but to do what we've learned. Repeat the bible verse above.

Anyone can come and listen to the Sunday School lesson, but that won't help them grow in Christ. You must practice what you've learned. When you go home today, tell your parents or brothers and sisters your bible verse. Tell them about harvesting what you've learned to help your spiritual side grow.

Pray for the kids in your Sunday school class and your class at school. Tell them about Jesus.

All of these things will help you become more like Jesus. Keep learning and keep spreading God's word to others.



 

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Palm Sunday - Sunday School Activity

Palm Sunday - Sunday School Activity

A cute and easy Palm Sunday - Sunday school activity is to make a cross from palm leaves or palm fronds as they are also known. You can use real palms or you can also make this Sunday school activity from the plastic ones from the store.

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I hope you and your class enjoy this craft.

Just a tip: palm fronds can be hard to find if you don't live where they grow. Also, they can be quite expensive. Try using green construction paper cut and taped to the right length and size!

 

 

 

Get the Palm Sunday - Sunday School Lesson!

Get the Palm Sunday - Sunday School Game!

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Palm Sunday - Sunday School Games

Easily make the 'Palm Sunday' Sunday school lesson into an interactive Sunday school game by adding a few simple concepts. The kids will love it and will want to 'do it again'.

Palm Sunday- Sunday School GamePhoto Courtesy of
Eric Jones- Wikimedia

You can either read through the Palm Sunday lesson or print one up on your own to make this a cute yet simple Sunday school game.

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Sunday School Games - Palm Sunday

As you will see (if you haven't already), the story of Palm Sunday is quite simple and short which makes it easy to turn into a game. First, you'll need to pick out key words you'll want to use.

We used the following words: donkey, walk or walked, Hosanna, and Jesus

Get the Palm Sunday - Sunday school lesson!

What you'll need to do:

Before telling the story, you'll need to tell the kids which words to listen for in the story. Again, we used the words above. For smaller kids, you might just want to use two words and for older kids, you could add more.

To play this game as it ties into the story, you'll need to come up with some motions for each word. We used:

• donkey - make donkey ears by placing each of your hands on either side of you head and waving them back and forth like donkey ears.
• walk or walked - pat your knees to make a soft walking sound
• Hosanna - put both hands in the air and gently wave them back and forth from side to side
• Jesus - put both hands over your heart as a sign of love

As you read the story, the kids will listen for these words and make the motions. You may need to stop at the words and do the motions yourself. If needed, read the story again so the kids will be able to pick up on the words, do the motions, and learn the story better.

Alternate Sunday School Game

Get the Palm Sunday
Sunday School Activity
Photo: Wikimedia

Instead of sitting, tell the kids the story as you walk around the room or even outdoors. You could have a special place ready with coats lying on the floor, fake palm branches for the kids to pick up and wave, and turned over tables.

As you read the story, make your way to each of these places to make the story come alive!

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Palm Sunday | Sunday School Lesson

Palm Sunday is often overlooked by many Sunday school teachers. Yet, it is the story that leads to the cross and needs to be told. It's not only an amazing story, it contains miracles and every kid and kid-at-heart loves miracles.

Focus on the miracles and some 'over turned' tables of the Palm Sunday story for the Sunday school lesson below.

Fan Palms - Palm Sunday
Sunday School Lesson
Photo Courtesy of Ian Alesander

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'Palm Sunday' Sunday School Lesson

Begin the class by asking, "Does anyone know what day it is today?"

Many churches have their annual egg hunt on Palm Sunday, so you may get answers like: egg hunt, Sunday, someone's birthday and even Easter (you may even hear Christmas from smaller children - it's true).

Start your lesson by telling the kids the importance of Palm Sunday. It is the day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem and the day that began his journey to the cross.

Here is the story...

One week before Jesus died on the cross, he made his way to Jerusalem. Just outside the city, Jesus and his disciples stopped. He turned to two of his disciples and said, "Go into the village. Inside, you will find a donkey. Untie him and bring him to me."

Jesus also told the disciples that if anyone asked what they were doing or why they were taking the donkey to tell them 'the Lord needs him, but will send him back soon'.

The disciples walked into the city and found the donkey as Jesus had told them. Just as they untied him, the owner saw them and asked what they were doing. The disciples answered like Jesus had told them to and the owner allowed them to take the donkey.



Get the Palm Sunday- Sunday School Game
Photo Courtesy of
Eric Jones- Wikimedia

Miracle Number One - This is the first miracle. God had already prepared the donkey for Jesus to ride. He also prepared the owners heart to allow the disciples to take him.

When the disciples brought the donkey back to Jesus, they laid their robes over the donkey's back to give Jesus a nice soft place to ride.

Miracle Number Two - This donkey had never been ridden. Think about this for a minute - donkey's react like horses do. They buck and kick the first time someone gets on their back, but not this donkey. (Luke 19:30 KJV)

Jesus entered into Jerusalem riding on the donkey's back. As he entered, the people spread their garments in the road for him to ride over while others cut palm branches from trees and laid them down.

The people began to cry out, "Hosanna, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."

Hosanna is a sign of praise and means 'save'.

Get the Palm Sunday
Sunday School Activity
Photo: Wikimedia

When Jesus made it to the temple, he saw people inside selling items. The temple was like a church and should have been holy. The people should not have been buying, selling, and trading inside.

Then, Jesus began to drive them out. He overturned their tables and their seats and made them leave. The bible tells us that one of the things they were selling were doves.

After Jesus cleansed the temple, he healed blind and the lame. Even the children cried out, "Hosanna, Hosanna!", for even they knew to praise God.

Jesus love each and every one of us and we should love him back. He doesn't make us love him, but because of his amazing love for us, it is hard not to.

 

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10 Commandments Coloring Page - Number Four

Here is the 10 Commandments coloring page for commandment number four. Commandment number four is a commandment that often gets broken.

Why?

In today's world, businesses expect employees to work seven days a week. Sundays have become just another day to make a dollar or to catch up on work that couldn't be done the other six days. It is a sad time we are living in and there isn't much we can do about it.

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Refuse to work and risk being fired. Where does that leave your family?

The only advice I can give you is that you need to pray and ask God what his will is in your life. You should also pray to find out how you should raise your children to honor this commandment in a world that refuses to acknowledge they mean anything.

10 Commandments Coloring Pages - Number 4

Find more 10 Commandments coloring pages and Sunday school lessons.

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10 Commandments Coloring Page - Number Three

As our 10 Commandment Sunday School lesson talked about, this commandment is one of the hardest to keep.

Teach your Sunday School class early to 'Keep the Lord's name special' so they will never use his name in vain. A great song to help teach this is the old Sunday School song O Be Careful Little Eyes. Sing this song several times during your 10 Commandment lessons to help reinforce God's word and his will for us.

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May God lead you to teach what He needs your kids to learn. Pray before each lesson and listen to His instruction.

10 Commandment Coloring Pages

Often, when kids are around other children, they will say things that they might not say in front of family. As a Sunday school teacher, you need to stress to the children that when they are around others, it is more important than ever to keep God's name holy to set an example for others.

The coloring page below will help remind them that when they are at school they should strive to be Christ-like even when having a bad day.

 

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O Be Careful Little Eyes Song Lyrics

This song is an oldie, but a goodie. It is a great way to teach Sunday School kids about watching what they see, hear, touch, where they go and what they say. O Be Careful, Little Eyes can be a complete Sunday School lesson for younger children.

 

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O Be Careful Little Eyes Song Lyrics
Sunday School Lessons
Wikimedia

O Be Careful, Little Eyes

 

O be careful little eyes what you see
O be careful little eyes what you see
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little eyes what you see



O be careful little ears what you hear
O be careful little ears what you hear
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little ears what you hear



O be careful little hands what you do
O be careful little hands what you do
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little hands what you do



O be careful little feet where you go
O be careful little feet where you go
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little feet where you go



O be careful little mouth what you say
O be careful little mouth what you say
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little mouth what you say

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10 Commandments Coloring Page - Number Two

To help you teach the 10 Commandments, we wanted to make a coloring page for each one. Below is Commandment Two coloring page (Get Commandment One coloring page).

 

10 Commandments Color Page #2

 

 

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I added an entire Sunday School lesson for the 10 Commandments that can be used for any age children, as well. You can break it up into one commandment each week or five one week followed by five more then next. Of course, if you have older kids, you can teach all ten the same day. I hope you like what you find here at Sunday School Lessons of Plenty.

There is nothing greater than accepting Christ and living for Christ ourselves, then teaching children to do the same.

 

 

 

 

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