Passages: Various
Big Idea: Whatever you do, do it all for God’s glory.
Ages: 5-7
Six lessons exploring the theme of work and rest throughout scripture.
From a very young age children are asked, “What are you going to be when you grow up?” Their answers vary from being a sports star to movie star, from being a powerful president to being a truck (as one of my children once said). Thankfully they did not grow up to be a truck!
It’s important that we help children to form a biblical framework about this thing called ‘work’. For most children, words like homework, housework, chores… do not conjure up positive thoughts. The frustration experienced by work is all too clear for them. But before everything was corrupted by sin, work was good.
God was the first to work. He separated, organised, planned, designed, painted, built and grew an amazing world. And when he’d finished, his work was good... very, very good. God made people to fill his world and to work in this world under him. As we work we are doing what God has intended for us.
Even from the beginning, God’s pattern of work and rest was there. We down tools because we’re not God (we’ll get sick if we don’t). We down tools because we love God more than the money we make. We down tools so that we can gather with our church family. And we down tools to show we trust that God will supply all our needs.
We enjoy the rest we have now from the burden of our sin and our freedom from Satan’s rule because of Jesus’ work on the cross. And we rest in anticipation of our heavenly rest from sickness and pain. Only Jesus can offer us true rest.
Some work is paid (chores, jobs), some unpaid (setting the table, cleaning our room). Children need to think God’s thoughts when it comes to the money they receive (the fruit of their work). God has given us everything, so we give back to God in thanks and praise.
God is concerned not only that we work, but that we do the work of the Lord. The work that only Christians do – preach the gospel with boldness, pray without ceasing, give generously, encourage each other, meet together, praise God - this is the work that lasts forever!
The unit comes complete with stories, pictures, suggested songs/memory verses, games, drama activities, crafts, large and small group activities. A resource pack full of crafts and worksheets is also included.