Sports Network, Week 4 (Mar. 3, 2024)
Making Big Sacrifices
Bible Passage: Matthew 16:21-26
Big Idea: Jesus’ Sacrifice and Ours
Preschool-Kindergarten
Welcome — Activity Leader — 2 minutes
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class and introduce yourselves.
Warm-Up Activity: Storytime — Activity Leader — 3 minutes
Read: What Is God Like?
Intro & Bible Story— Bible Story Leader — 5 minutes
Today is the last week of our Sports Network videos!
Does anyone remember some of the coaches we’ve had in our videos?
Our coaches have been sharing some important messages with us, like what to do when we feel left out or rejected; how to watch out for wrong ideas and teachings; and about how it’s what’s on the inside that really counts.
Today our coach will be talking about making sacrifices… That’s a pretty big word. Making sacrifices means giving up something so you can get something else!
There are always some times when we have to give up something because something else is much more important. Let’s watch our video to learn more about making sacrifices…
Video Lesson — 5 minutes
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader — 5 minutes
Have you ever had to give up something before? Maybe you had to give up one of your toys so that you could share it with someone else. Or maybe you had to give up some of your playtime so that you could take a nap and feel nice and rested again.
Do you think it’s a little bit hard to have to give up or let go of something that’s special to you, like your favourite toy or extra playtime?
In the video we learned that Jesus gave up a lot so that he could show us how much God loves us. How does it feel to know that Jesus loved you so much that he would give up everything for you?
Do you have any ideas for ways you can show someone you care about them this week?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader — 1 minute
“Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today about sometimes we have to do hard things, like giving up something special in order to get something else that’s even more important. Like giving up our favourite toy so we can share it with someone else and show them we care about them. Thank you that Jesus showed us how much God loves us by giving up everything he had for us. Please help us to see the different ways we can show others God’s love too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Craft: Open Hands Craft — Activity Leader — 7 minutes
A piece of paper with a printed verse will be provided. kids can trace their hands over it, cut them out, and decorate them.
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Free Play — Both — 7 minutes
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver
Grades 1-3
Welcome —Both— 3 minutes
Have the children sit near the TV. Welcome them to class. Introduce yourselves .
Warm Up Activity: Storytime — Activity Leader — 3 minutes
Read: What Is God Like?
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader —5 minutes
Today is the last week of our Sports Network series, where we’ve had motivational coaches coming on the show to share some important and encouraging messages with us.
Does anyone remember any of the coaches we’ve seen so far? What were some of the messages they shared?
Facing rejection with confidence
Dodging wrong ideas and teachings
It’s what’s on the inside that counts
Today we’ll be hearing a message about making big sacrifices. Does anyone know what a sacrifice is? It’s having to give up something to get something else that’s more important.
Let’s watch our video to find out more about this idea…
Video Lesson — 5 minutes
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader — 5 minutes
In the video we learned about making sacrifices… what are some sacrifices that you have to make if you’re someone who plays sports?
Can you think of a time when you had to give something up to get something else? (Maybe in order to be a good friend, you had to give up some of your time to listen to your friend when they’re upset… or to be nice to your parents you had to give up some of your free time to help out with chores…)
What was the big sacrifice that Jesus had to make in the Bible story? Why do you think he did it?
What are some sacrifices that we might have to make when we follow Jesus?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader — 1 minute
“Dear God, thank you for the message we heard today about making sacrifices. There will always be times in our lives when we have to give something up for the sake of something more important. Thank you that we have Jesus as our example, and that Jesus was willing to give up everything, even his own life, to show us God’s love for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Craft: Open Hands Craft — Activity Leader — 10 mins
Kids will fold a brown piece of paper in half and trace their hands on one half. They will then cut it out so that when they unfold it, it is two connecting hands.
They’ll also make a heart this way, and glue one of the printed verses onto it.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver
Grades 4-6
Welcome and Warm-Up — Activity Leader— 5 minutes
Welcome the kids to class, introduce yourselves.
Game: Scattergories
Quickly fill out a category list with answers that begin with the same letter. You score points if no other player matches your answer.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader —5 minutes
Today is the last week of our Sports Network series! In this series we’ve had some motivational coaches coming on the show to share important messages with us.
Can anyone remember some of the messages we’ve heard so far?
Facing rejection with confidence
Dodging wrong ideas and teachings
It’s what’s on the inside that counts
Today’s topic is going to be all about making sacrifices. Can anyone tell me what it means to make a sacrifice?
Let’s watch our video to find out more about this topic…
Video Lesson — 4 minutes
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader — 5 minutes
Based on the video we just watched, what are some sacrifices that athletes often have to make? Why do you think they’re willing to make those sacrifices?
What are some things that you’ve had to give up for the sake of something else that’s more important?
What was the big sacrifice that Jesus made in the Bible? Why do you think he was willing to do that?
What are some sacrifices that we might have to make as we follow Jesus?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader — 1 minute
“Dear God, thank you for the message we heard today about making sacrifices, and how sometimes it’s necessary in life to give up something for the sake of something more valuable. Thank you that we have Jesus as our example, who was willing to sacrifice everything, even his own life, for our sake, to show us just how much God loves us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Craft: Open Hands Craft — Activity Leader — 10 minutes
Kids will fold a brown piece of paper in half and trace their hands on one half. They will then cut it out so that when they unfold it, it is two connecting hands.
They’ll also make a heart this way, and glue one of the printed verses onto it.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver
