Messy, slimy, gross tales from the Bible!
The Bible is filled with some messy stories – stories, nonetheless, that point us to an amazing, loving God. In this series, kids will not only learn some messy, gross stories, but they will experience them firsthand through messy games, crafts, and other activities.
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Gross Children's Ministry Curriculum Lesson Overview:
Memory Verse:
“Lord, you are great. You are really worthy of praise. No one can completely understand how great you are.” Psalm 145:3 (NIRV)
Lessons:
A Little Too Salty
Scripture: Genesis 19:9-26, Sodom and Gomorrah
God saved Lot and his family when he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. But Lot’s wife did not obey God’s instructions; she looked back at the city while it was being destroyed and was turned into a pillar of salt.
Objective: Kids will learn that choosing our own way over God’s way, means we’re not choosing God’s best for our life.
Fish Food
Scripture: Jonah 1-2:1, and 2:10
God asked Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh and tell the people to repent of their evil ways and turn to God. Jonah didn’t want to so he hopped on a boat going the opposite direction from Nineveh. God used a big storm and a stinky fish’s belly to give Jonah a second chance to make a right choice.
Objective: Kids will learn that no matter how many times we’ve disobeyed God, God will give us a chance to turn things around.
The Hungry Worm
Scripture: Jonah 4, Jonah’s anger over Nineveh and the Shade Tree
God spared the city of Nineveh after they repented of their sins. This made Jonah angry. Even though God had just forgiven Jonah for his sin of running away from God, Jonah did not want God to forgive the people of Nineveh! God used a shade tree and very hungry worm to show Jonah that he had no right not to forgive others. Objective: Kids will learn that we can love and forgive others, because God loves and forgives us.
Spot the Difference
Scripture: 2 Kings 5, Naaman
Naaman sought out Elisha to heal him of his leprosy – a disease that left his skin spotted and gross. When Naaman followed Elisha’s instruction, he was healed. But when Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, acted selfishly, he was stricken with the same leprosy that Naaman was healed from.
Objective: Kids will learn that humility is better than selfishness.
Straight From the Fish’s Mouth
Scripture: Matthew 17:24-27, The Temple Tax
When Jesus was accused of not paying the temple tax, he found a clever – and gross – way to silence his accusers: producing money inside a fish’s mouth. Jesus provides for us each day in many different ways.
Objective: Kids will learn that Jesus supplies all of our needs.
Piggy Plunge
Scripture: Mark 5:1-20, Jesus Heals A Demon-Possessed Man
When Jesus encountered a man possessed by demons, he had compassion and drove the demons out into a herd of pigs, who all scrambled to their deaths. No matter what struggle we face, when we come to Jesus humbly, there’s nothing He can’t heal and redeem.
Objective: Kids will learn Jesus is full of love, compassion and power