Starting Over
…it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:5
Props: video game and system, television
Begin by playing three or four minutes of the video game in front of the children. Make a few mistakes along the way. Then, start the game over and pause it.
I love playing video games. If you play enough, you can make it all the way to the end. But usually that’s not what happens. Usually you make so many mistakes that you have to start over. When you start over, do your mistakes stay with you? (Allow for response). No, thankfully not. No matter how bad you might do in one game, you can always start fresh with nothing against you. If all your mistakes stayed with you, you’d never finish the game.
All of us are going to mess up and make our friends mad sometimes. They’re going to do the same thing to us. Usually we don’t even mean to. We’re just human. We need to let our friends start over. If we don’t let each other start over when we mess up, we’ll never make it all the way through and stay friends. When your friends mess up, remember to forgive and forget their mistakes and let them start over. True love is quick to forgive.
Shipwrecked
[Love] always protects… 1 Corinthians 13:7
Props: 4-5 chairs (lined up front to back), oars, life vests, “water” to surround the “boat,” and any other “nautical” looking props available
Four or five workers are paddling their way along on a pleasant boat ride when one decides he wants a view of the ocean water—from the bottom of the boat. He commences to reveal his plan to cut a hole in the bottom of the boat to better assist him in seeing the ocean water. The others highly discourage such a plan with vehement protests (e.g., “What are you doing?!” “Are you crazy?” “We’re all in the same boat, man,” ”Don’t do this—you’ll hurt us all!”). Undaunted by their remarks, he commences with his plan. The boat sinks, much to the dismay of the others, who are now stranded at sea.
This boat sank because someone who was in it destroyed it. The damage had nothing to do with an outsider attacking. I know that this skit is silly, but it can help us learn about something very serious. Not all problems come from other people. Sometimes the biggest problem people have is themselves. Some of your friends might want to do or try things that could hurt them, like taking drugs, drinking or smoking. Some kids watch things on TV or on the computer that they shouldn’t. Maybe they even cut themselves or hurt themselves some other way. It is your job as a friend to protect them from those things. The Bible says, “[Love] always protects…” That means you’re not just going to ignore those who are hurting themselves or who could hurt themselves or others.
If you know someone who is doing or talking about dangerous things, you can help protect him by (1) trying to talk him out of it, and (2) telling an adult you can trust. You’re not being a tattle-tale when you tell on someone who is doing something dangerous. Love always protects. Sometimes it’s not easy, but that’s what true love is all about.
Rude Wardrobe
[Love] is not rude… 1 Corinthians 13:5
Props: oversized mismatched and ugly clothing
(As you teach this lesson, gradually put the ugly clothing over your own). We were created by God to be like Him. The Bible says that God is love. So if God is loving, then we should be ______ (Allow the children to “fill in the blank”). Something about true love is that it looks good on. Today I’m wearing an outfit that looks good on. It fits me. It matches. That’s the way it is with love. We were meant to love others, so when we do, it “looks good on.”
But sometimes we choose not to show love to others. Instead of saying or doing courteous and respectful things, we choose to speak or act rudely toward others. Rude words and behavior cover the love of God inside of you, like the clothes I’m putting on cover the nice outfit. Rudeness will make you look bad. It will keep others away from you. None of you would want to go out looking like this. In the same way, you shouldn’t go out “wearing” rudeness. It just doesn’t look good.
The “Love” Family (skit)
…love is kind. 1 Corinthians 13:4
Props: masking tape, Bible, scissors
Setting: A family—the “Love” family – comes to the stage. Mr. and Mrs. Love – along with their children, Brother and Sister Love — appear normal except for one thing: they’re all taped up. The family members have tape around their wrists and ankles and over their mouths.
Narrator: Not too long ago in a town not too far from here there lived a family not too different from some families you might know. (Enter the Love family, hobbling on stage while taped up). Mr. and Mrs. Love lived with their children, Brother and Sister Love in a lovely little home. They were a lovely family with lovely lives. There was only one problem: They didn’t know how to show their love for one another.
Anytime they tried to say anything to one another…
Love family: Mmmmmpppphhhhh… (progressively louder and more emphatic).
Narrator: Things just never quite came out right. And anytime they tried to do anything for each other or give anything to each other….
Love family: Swing hands around and become frustrated to the point of half-accidentally hitting each other. Meanwhile, make noises of frustration.
Narrator: Well, that just didn’t turn out well, either. And whenever they tried to go anywhere as a family…
Love family: Head in the same direction, but fall all over the floor as a result of your ankles being tied together.
Narrator: This went on for years until one day… “Love Man” appeared.
“Love Man,” an ordinary boy, enters.
Narrator: Wait a minute… you don’t look like a Superhero.
Love Man: I’m not. I’m just an ordinary kid.
Narrator: Then what are you going to do to help this family in distress, in dire circumstances and desperate conditions…?
Love Man: I’m going to tell them about the love of God, and He will teach them how to love each other.
Narrator: Hmm…
Love Man: (Holds up Bible and speak to family) The Bible says that love is kind. God has been kind to you and it’s time for you to be kind to one another.
(Family mumbles in response).
Love Man: First you must accept God’s kindness. Are you ready to do that?
(Family mumbles yes and nods).
Love Man: (cutting the tape from each of them) God’s love will make you free to love others.
Love family: (embracing and speaking to one another simultaneously) “I love you!”
Narrator: From that day on the Love family really did live a life full of love for each other, a love that they showed to each other in their kind words and actions.
(Love family exits, doting all over each other).
The Talent Show (skit)
[Love] does not envy… 1 Corinthians 13:4
Setting: Five students are trying out for the school talent show. All of the students must vote on each act before it will be allowed into the show. Each student has a problem with jealousy, not wanting to be outdone in talent.
Teacher: Alright, class. It’s time for the annual talent show. You all know how we do this. Each person who wants to be in the show will come forward to try out. The rest of you will vote. Your vote as a class will decide whether or not that act will be allowed into the show. Okay, first up: Alexander. Alexander, what will you be doing?
Alexander: I’m going to spin a basketball on my finger.
Others: He can’t do that!
Teacher: Why not?
Darin: Because we can’t spin a basketball on our finger, and then we won’t look so talented.
Teacher: Very well. Barbara, what is your talent show act?
Barbara: I’m going to draw a picture.
Others: She can’t do that!
Teacher: Why not?
Cecil: Because we can’t draw a picture. And if she draws one and we don’t, we won’t look so talented!
Teacher: Very well. Cecil, what is your talent for the show?
Cecil: I’m going to play the drums.
Others: He can’t do that!
Teacher: Why not?
Barbara: Because we can’t play the drums. And if he plays the drums and we can’t, we won’t look so talented.
Teacher: Very well. Darin, what are you doing for the show?
Darin: I’m going to curl myself up like a pretzel and roll across the stage.
Others: He can’t do that!
Teacher: Why not?
Alexander: Because we can’t curl ourselves up like pretzels and roll across the stage. And if he curls himself up like a pretzel and rolls across the stage and we can’t, everyone will think he’s more talented than we are.
Teacher: Very well.
Narrator: And so there was no talent show that year because everyone was envious of everyone else’s talent. And the class sat in silence. The end.
The Vase
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:6
Props: two identical glass vases, one in its original condition and the other “glued” together
Once there was a little girl whose mother gave her a glass vase. The vase was ordinary, but it was special to the girl because it was a gift from her mother. She kept the vase on the dresser in her room, but when it got dusty she would carry it to the kitchen sink to wash it. One day as she walked into the kitchen with the vase, she tripped and dropped the vase, and it broke into dozens of pieces. (Hide the vase) The little girl was so sad because the vase was so special to her. Her father walked in and saw the mess.
“Dad, what am I going to do?” she asked.
“You’ll have to throw the pieces away. They’re dangerous and they might hurt you,” replied her father.
“Can’t we fix it?” asked the girl.
The father knew that fixing it would take a long time, but he agreed to help her fix it. He knew how much that vase meant to her. They worked for hours, finding pieces and figuring out how they all fit together. Finally, the vase was fixed. The girl was so happy to have her vase back. She put it once again on her dresser to look at and enjoy. (Display second vase).
When someone messes up, or “falls,” and makes a mistake, it is up to you what you’re going to do about it. If you love them, like the little girl loved her vase, you’ll try to help them get back together again. You’ll go to God and let Him fix their problems.
If you don’t love them, you won’t care that they’ve made a mistake and their life might be falling apart. You’ll give up on them or worse yet, be happy that they’re making so many mistakes.
If you really love someone, you’ll help them make things right when they’ve made a mistake. You’ll ask God to help them get their life back together. True love wants others to be their very best.
Trail of Goodness (God’s Kindness Leads Us to Repentance)
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? Romans 2:4 NIV
Props: small pieces of wrapped candy
As today’s power point says, God has been kind to us. Let’s be kind to others. God is the One who teaches us what it really means to be kind. In fact, the Bible says that God’s kindness leads us toward repentance. In other words, God is so kind to us that it causes us to want to change our ways and turn toward Him, following Him.
Let’s say that when my (son/daughter/husband/wife) comes home at the end of the day, I have something very special for him. But I need him to go to a certain room to get his surprise. So I think of a plan: I place his favorite candy on the floor, leading to the room. (Begin placing candies on the floor in a trail). When he comes home, he automatically follows the trail of candy, leading to his special surprise. (Have a helper come in and follow the candy, picking them up as he goes and eventually leading to where you are).
I’m not trying to tell you that God is going to leave you a big trail of candy, leading straight to Heaven, but He leaves a trail of blessings leading you to Him. He blessed you by creating you and bringing you into the world. He blessed you by sending His only Son to take your punishment and die for your sins so that you wouldn’t have to die forever. He blesses you by hearing and answering your prayers. He blesses you by giving you the Bible, His Word, to help guide you through this life and into eternal life with Him forever. He blessed you by preparing a place for you in Heaven, where you can live with Him for all eternity.
God has been kind to us. If there’s anyone here who has never accepted God’s kindness and love, we want to pray with you today.
Pray for Them
“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” Matthew 5:44
Props: unsweetened powdered drink and sugar jar labeled “prayer”
Did you know that you can pray to God to change your enemies? We don’t have any power to change anyone, but we serve a God who does have that power.
(Call forward a volunteer and have her to sample the unsweetened drink. Ask her how it tastes.) Our enemies can seem pretty sour sometimes. Usually that’s because they have someone very important missing in their lives—God. When you pray, God can come in and change them. He brings in His love—and sweetness—to their lives. (Add sugar). That makes them seem a whole lot nicer to you. (Have volunteer sample drink again.)
Prayer does make a difference. So instead of just hoping your enemies will go away or get better, pray for them. Pray that God’s love will fill their lives.
Permanent Marker Mistakes
July 19, 2010 by Marla
Filed under Forgiveness, Love
…[love] keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:5
Props: paper, pencil, eraser and permanent marker
How many of you like to do schoolwork? (Allow for response). How many like to take tests? (Allow for response). The one good thing about tests and schoolwork is that you get to do all of your work in pencil. Pencils are great because they all have erasers. And erasers are there to take care of all your mistakes by making them disappear. Your teachers all know that you are human (at least most of the time you act human) and you make mistakes. That’s why they let you use a pencil—so you can erase your mistakes. Sometimes they might make you use a pencil, knowing that it will save you lots of trouble in the end if you can erase your mistakes and not have to start all over.
Can you imagine what school would be like if the only thing you could ever use to do your work was a permanent marker? None of you would ever make it past kindergarten. Using a permanent marker would mean that you couldn’t ever correct any of your mistakes. So the whole time you were trying to learn to write the alphabet, you’d just have to keep starting all over again!
All of us are human and sometimes have to use erasers to make our mistakes go away. And we make more mistakes than just writing. Sometimes you say or do things to hurt your friends’ feelings. And they do the same things to you. (In pencil, write offenses on the paper such as lying, cheating, fighting, etc.) They might lie about you, cheat when playing a game, or fight with you. Some of you remember the mistakes of others forever, and you never want to forgive them. (Go over one or two of the words in permanent marker). The Bible tells us that love keeps no record of wrongs. In other words, it erases the wrongs that people do. (Erase the other word or words). Love forgives and forgets because true love is quick to forgive. You can make a choice today to forgive others and show true love to them, even as God has shown His love for you.
Never Let You Down
Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:8
Props: spool of thread and sturdy rope
Imagine for a moment that you are about to go rock climbing. Your climb will take you up the side of a tall, steep cliff. You know that sometimes it will be hard to hold on and you might lose your grip. That’s okay when you’re only a few feet up the cliff. But when you get 20, 30 or 40 feet up the side it really starts to get dangerous! Before starting, you get to tie a rope around your waist that will be anchored to the top of the cliff. This is the rope that will be your only hope of safety if you fall. (Hold up the thread and the rope). You get a choice of these two. Which one would you choose to tie around your waist and hold you up if you fall? (Allow for response). Of course you would choose the sturdy rope because it’s stronger and more secure. It would hold you up and keep you safe.
People’s idea of love is like a piece of thread. It won’t hold you up. It will fail you sometimes. People can get angry and impatient. People can be rude and mean and nasty. They are sometimes selfish. But God’s love is like a strong rope. It will hold you up in times of uncertainty. Depend on God’s love and allow His love to flow through you to others. God’s love never fails; it will never let you down.