Faithful friends who served!
We all know the big heroes of the Bible: David, Peter, Noah, Moses. But every one of these heroes had friends who supported and helped them along the way. Whether we’re called to be out front or behind the scenes, we all have a role to play serving God and others.
Lesson Overview:
Memory Verse: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)
The Speaker - Aaron
Scripture: Exodus 4:10-17 and Exodus 6:28-7:6, A Reluctant Hero
Moses was a pretty big hero. God used him to lead Israel out of slavery in Egypt. But Moses was not a confident speaker. God called Moses’ brother to be his spokesperson. Aaron helped Moses share God’s message to Pharaoh; “Let my people go!”
Objective: Kids will learn, “God knows our needs and can meet them through others.”
The Wise Father-In-Law) - Jethro
Scripture: Exodus 18:1-27, Jethro Advises Moses
Moses had more than one “sidekick” to help him lead Israel. God gave him a father-in-law whose wisdom helped Moses to better meet the needs of an entire nation. God gives us wise mentors who can help us too.
Objective: Kids will learn, “I can learn from parents and teachers.”
The Connector - Naomi
Scripture: Ruth 2-3, Ruth and Boaz
When Ruth lost her husband, she took on the heroic role of caring for her mother-in-law. But it was Naomi who helped Ruth to see and make a love connection with Boaz, one that would help the two of them and put Ruth in the lineage of Jesus. God can use us and our friends to help us see things we might miss that God wants us to see.
Objective: Kids will learn, “Friends can help each other to see God’s plan.”
The Wing Man - Jonathan
Scripture: 1 Samuel 19, David and Jonathan
We know David as the hero of 1 Samuel, but in his day, it was Jonathan, the prince, who many people saw as the real hero. David and Jonathan were true friends who put one another first and always kept their word. They’re a picture of true friendship.
Objective: Kids will learn, “A true friend puts the other person first like David and Jonathan.”
The Peacemaker - Abigail
Scripture: 1 Samuel 25, David Meets Abigail
Sometimes even heroes can make rash decision that have bad consequences. A friend can step in and help us to make the wise choice, as Abigail did with David.
Objective: Kids will learn, “Friends can help each other make good choices.”
The Man Who Knew No Fear - Nathan
Scripture: 2 Samuel 12, Nathan Rebukes David
Who would dare to tell Superman or Batman they made a mistake? Most people would have been afraid to tell a king he was wrong, but a bold prophet named Nathan did just that. Nathan shows us that it’s important to have a friend in our life who is willing to hold us accountable.
Objective: Kids will learn, “We need good friends to hold us accountable to God.”
The Good Student - Elisha
Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-22
Imagine being the first man or woman to follow in the footsteps of a great hero! Elisha had big shoes to fill when the hero Elijah was taken up to Heaven. Elisha asked for and received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit and became a hero himself.
Objective: Kids will ask God to give them role models they can follow like Elisha had with Elijah.
David’s Mighty Men
Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:8-17, The Mighty Men
When David, the big hero, was thirsty, his three bravest and toughest soldiers risked everything just to get him some water. True friends and servants are willing to put others first so they can know they are loved.
Objective: Kids will learn, “I will put others ahead of myself this week.”
The Fire Walkers - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Scripture: Daniel 3
Daniel’s name is on the book, but he’s hardly the only hero in the book of Daniel. His three friends took a bold stand against the king without him, and God was there to protect them.
Objective: Kids will learn, “I will stand for God no matter what.”
The Point Man - John the Baptist
Scripture: John 1:19-37, John the Baptist Prepares the Way
John the Baptist was a hero to many, but he always knew he was a sidekick. His job was to prepare the people for the coming of the real hero, and as soon as Jesus arrived, he humbly got out of the way.
Objective: Kids will learn, “I need to put Jesus first in my life.”
The Music Man - Silas
Scripture: Acts 16:16-40, Paul and Silas in Jail
Whenever the Joker tied up Batman on the old TV show, Batman always had Robin by his side to help him remember not to give up. Paul had Silas by his side when he was in jail and God literally shook the walls of the prison. Good friends can lift each other up in hard times.
Objective: Kids will ask God to make them the kind of friend who encourages.
The Tent Makers - Priscilla and Aquilla
Scripture: Acts 18:1-3
Priscilla and Aquila were quite a dynamic duo themselves. The married couple were not just sidekicks to Paul, but the tent makers were always ready to encourage, to correct, and to support the ministry of the church.
Objective: Kids will learn, “God wants me to be a part of our church’s ministry.”
Each Lesson Includes:
Make It Stick! Parent Sheet - so you can let mom and dad know what kids are learning each week and look like a rockstar teacher who's thought of everything.
Memory Verse - so that you can make sure kids are getting Scripture in their minds and hearts every single week and you can feel like each lesson was a success even when it seems like 90% of your lesson time is spent saying things like "calm down", "let's be quiet", "hands to yourself!"
Skit or Puppet Show - so you have a way to easily connect the lesson with your hands-on and visual learners. No drama team? No problem! Just hand the script to the kids. They'll have a blast and think you're the coolest.
Craft Activity - so you can give kids a physical reminder of the Bible lesson (and give yourself an activity to keep them busy until mom and dad come back!)
Game - so kids don't leave and say church was BORING! Games are so important to help keep kids engaged. Our large group games always include a "What's The Point" section to help you connect the game to the lesson.
Large Group Lesson - so you can present the Bible story in a clear and fun way, which means now you can enjoy Saturday nights instead of stressing over putting a lesson together!
Small-Group Discussion - so you can find out who was paying attention and who was talking to their neighbor. Just kidding, this is a great way for you to build deeper relationships with your kiddos after each lesson, which means you're going to care about them so much you'll cry like a baby when they graduate and go to middle school :(
More! - Yes, there is even more than all of that so that you can easily put together the perfect lesson for your ministry each weekend, which means no more agonizing over how to adjust complicated lesson plans.
About This Curriculum:
Perfect for kids ages 6-12
12-weeks
Includes large group and small group resources
This curriculum is an instant download
