Fun Activity for Lesson 10

Play the traditional "Keep Away" with every child taking a turn in the middle. Have the children form a large circle. One child should stand in the center of the circle. The children should toss a ball or beanbag across the circle and try to keep it away from the child in the middle. The child in the middle should try to steal the ball while it is being tossed. Stop only when each child had a turn in the middle. Ask: How did it feel to be in the middle? How did it feel to have everyone trying to keep the ball away from you? Say: God does not keep His love away from anyone. God loves all people and wants all people to believe in Jesus. Christians should not keep the Good News of Jesus away from anyone. We should share God's love with all people, no matter what country they come from or what religion they practice. Today we are going to learn about a man who was prejudice against Christians, before he actually became one himself!

Week 11-Lesson Idea

Assign listening groups. Ask the boys to listen for the way Saul changed and what God used to change him. Ask the girls to listen for the way Ananias changed and what God used to change him. After you have finished reading Acts Chapter 9, ask each listening group to report its findings. Note that Ananias changed his attitude toward someone he didn't trust because he listened to God. Note how Saul changed from wanting to harm people who followed Jesus to being a follower of Jesus. Say: It is important that we are willing to change and put our prejudices aside when we know that God wants us to-just like the two men in our Bible lesson.

Week 10-Lesson Idea

This idea will take some preparation time. On seperate small slips of paper, write out the following words: maison, flugzeug, helado, tevreden, limonata, raha, ferias, inkuku. Roll up the slips of paper and put into balloons. You can duplicate words if you need to, so that you have one balloon for each kid. Blow up balloons and place them in the corner of the room. When you are about to start the lesson, have children take turns popping the balloons to reveal the words or phrases in foreign languages. Ask the kids to guess what their words or phrases mean in English. When they have had some time to guess, reveal the meanings of each word or phrase:maison-house(French);Flugzeug-airplane(German);Helado-ice cream(Spanish);Tevreden-please (dutch); limonata-lemonade (Italian); Raha-money (Finnish);Ferias-vacation(Portugese);Inkuku-chicken(Zulu)
Ask: Do you think it would be difficult to go to a country where people do not speak English? How would you communicate? Today we will be hearing a great story about Philip sharing God's love with someone visiting his region/community.

Week 9-Stay Small

Idea #1-Have the youth and adults talk to the younger kids about how they serve God or have the children interview them.

Idea #2-Make root beer floats and partner children with an adult. Have them serve one another. While enjoying the floats, talk informally with the children about age and serving God. Say: God doesn't place an age limit for the old or the young when it comes to serving in His Kingdom.

Idea #3-Put a swimming ring around you and explain that it's a life saver if you get in trouble in the water. Compare it to what Stephen was trying to do in telling the people about Jesus. Give the children a chance to put the life ring on and come up with ways they can tell their friends about Jesus being a lifesaver.

One more Lesson 8 Activity Idea

Ask the kids, "who do you know that needs some encouragement"? Then tell the kids that they are going to make something for that person.

Have kids decorate paper bags with stickers and markers. Then give them a treat to put in the bag. After they are finished, take turns praying for the people who will be receiving the gifts.

Stand Up For the Have-Nots Lesson 8 Ideas

Before your community group meets, write this phrase on construction paper: "When we work together we can do more for others." Cut the paper into six pieces. Keep one seperate from the others. During the activity, give children the remaining pieces while keeping the others hidden. Ask them to work together to complete the puzzle. When they realize they are missing a piece, give them your piece.

Talk about the importance of EVERYONE (no matter how young or old) in the church doing what God has called him to do. When a person doesn't do what God has called him to do, something is missing in the church.Encourage children at what they are good at doing. Examples: encouragement, prayer, listening to others, cheering people up. Encourage children to explore ways they can minister with other church members. Ask them what they are good at.
Direct their attention once again to Acts 6:7
Ask: What happened after more people got involved in helping the widows get food? (The church grew). It is the same way in our church. When more people use the skills God gave them, the church will grow because more people will get to know Jesus!!

Get Over Yourself-Lesson 7 Idea

Give everyone a white card and a white crayon. Have everyone write their name on card with a white crayon. Mix up all the cards. Give everyone a card. Talk about how you can't tell whose card is whose. Then give everyone a marker and have them color over the card to reveal the name. Talk about how we can't see which card is which. But God can. Explain that God can see what we cannot. We can't see each other's hearts but God can. Just like God saw Ananias and Saphirra,when no one else did.