My Wonder Studio
Level 1 Lesson Plan: Manifest God’s Love through Service
Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Note to the parent or teacher: This lesson plan is designed to be taught in two classes of approximately 30 minutes each. It covers the objectives: “Recognize how practicing service is manifested in both large and small ways: in one’s personal life, neighborhood, and community” (Character Building: Personal Responsibility: Service-2f); and “Learn that a disciple’s job is to manifest the love of God to others and to help others come to know God in a personal way; understand that a Christian’s life should stand as a testimony to the love God has for the world, and to the truth and power of His Word” (Christian Life and Faith: Biblical and Christian Foundation: Discipleship-1c).

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PART ONE

ReadLessons from Jesus: You Are the Light of the World.”

Talk about how when we offer our service to others (e.g., through helpful acts, kind deeds, volunteer work, etc.), we are an example of God’s love, and therefore, we’re being a light in this world.

Discuss with the children services and/or ministries they might know of in their local community, and those who are involved. (E.g., helping an elderly or disabled neighbor, teaching Bible and other instructional classes in person or online, encouraging the sick and those who are hospitalized, running a food bank to provide nutritious food for those who need financial assistance, cleaning up the community, etc.)

Explain to the children, that even if they are not involved in bigger ministries or services like the ones listed above, there are everyday ways to be of service to others. For example, working with adults on the service projects they are involved in, such as visiting people who are sick or hospitalized; talking with elderly people, asking about how they are, asking about their families, telling them about a fun activity; picking up trash (with supervision for safety); singing songs or performing for others; drawing pictures and making cards to encourage people; making cookies and giving them as gifts; helping a neighbor with a cleaning project; helping other parents by playing with their babies or little children; etc.

ReadActing God.”

Memorize or review the Bible verses: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. So let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14 and 16, paraphrased). (See “Crazily Cool Cards Set: Sharing God’s Love” for a memory card for this verse which can be printed, cut out, and colored.)

Read “Lessons from Jesus: Serve One Another” where Jesus is challenging His disciples to be of service to each other.

Explain that an important part of serving others includes being of service to those we live with or go to school with, and it’s not always demonstrated in big or showy acts, but it is just as important to serve others through everyday acts of kindness, community, and care.

ReadTake the Caring Initiative.”

Explore with the children what they do to serve those they live with or go to school with. Have them discuss ways they can be of further service to their family and classmates.

Listen toTwelve Men.”

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PART TWO

ReadLessons from Jesus: Who Is the Greatest” where Jesus teaches that to be great in God’s eyes means to be a servant to each other.

Encourage the children by telling them how proud you and Jesus are of them for the ways they are of service to each other, through their daily helpfulness to others or bigger contributions to ministries or outreaches in their community, school, or church. You can underscore examples from a point in Part One of things they do for their family and classmates.

Listen toSomething Special” and “Just a Little Thing.” Talk about how we each are presented with opportunities, big or small, to be a help to others. Point out the small acts of service in “Something Special.” Dorcas sewed and mended clothes for others (see Acts 9:36–41 for more about Dorcas); Rahab hid the Israelite spies and helped them escape from Jericho. Later Rahab protected her family by hanging a red rope out her window as she had been instructed to do. (See Joshua 2 for the full story.)

ReadLove Memory Joggers, Part 1” and “Love Memory Joggers, Part 2.” If the children like, they can print, color, cut out, and post these around in various places in the home as reminders of how to serve each other in love. Another idea is to color and use them for bookmarks. If teaching a group of children, they could take one or two each.

ReadLife Cycle of a Smile: A Message from Jesus.”

ReadChange Your Part of the World.” Conclude the class with this story, pointing out how this man did something small in his service, but that it was a great thing in helping future generations. It’s a good illustration of how little deeds of kindness and service are worthwhile and do make a difference. We might not be able to see the outcome, but God sees it and He will reward us. “He who sows righteousness will have a sure reward” (Proverbs 11:18 NKJV).

Additional reading and activities:

Compiled by My Wonder Studio Staff.
Published by My Wonder Studio. Copyright © 2022 by The Family International
Tagged: level 1 lesson plan, service, love