Our Focus Today Helping children understand that every choice has a consequence, but through Jesus we can always receive forgiveness and begin again.
Key Truth Every choice has a consequence, but through Jesus we can always receive forgiveness and begin again.
Bible Passage Galatians 5:16
Memory Verse “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 (NIV)
At A Glance
Approximate Lesson Time: 45–60 minutes Welcome, Snack & Lesson Activity • 10–15 minutes Gather Around God’s Word • 10–15 minutes Read the Story • 10–15 minutes Truth in Action • 5–10 minutes Open Your Bible • 10–15 minutes Closing Prayer & Clean-Up • 2–3 minutes
Leader Encouragement
Every child in your group has already made countless choices today, and tomorrow they’ll make countless more. What a privilege it is to remind them that God lovingly guides our choices and, when we fall short, offers forgiveness through Jesus. Trust that God is using His Word to shape hearts one less and one conversation at a time.
The story God is writing in a child’s heart is always bigger than the lesson on the page.
Leader Preparation
Lesson Supplies Study books Pens Highlighters Socks Cardboard inserts Fabric markers Printed God’s attribute half-sheets (if needed for multiple small groups)
Teaching Supplies Bible Two clear pitchers Water Food coloring Bleach Spoon Paper towels
Prep Ahead Highlight today’s Bible passage in your Bible. Fill one pitcher with clear water before children arrive. Gather the supplies for today’s Truth in Action. Set out the lesson activity supplies for each group. A completed sample of today’s lesson activity (or wear a pair)!
Volunteer Roles
Lead Teacher Welcome the group and guide each part of the lesson. Read the Bible passage and story aloud. Lead the Truth in Action, discussion, and closing prayer.
Small Group Leaders Welcome children and encourage conversation. Support children throughout the lesson. Answer questions, encourage participation, and offer extra help as needed.
Floater Welcome families and direct children to their groups. Help with transitions and assist wherever needed throughout the lesson.
Leading the Lesson
Welcome, Snack & Lesson Activity
Time: 10–15 minutes Welcome children, help them get settled, and enjoy the time together as they complete today’s lesson activity.
Instructions Welcome children as they arrive. Invite them to begin today’s lesson activity. Encourage conversation while everyone enjoys a snack. As children finish, encourage them to continue chatting with their group until it’s time to begin.
Conversation Starters What is one good choice you made this week? Have you ever had to make a really hard choice? What do you remember from last week’s story?
Gather Around God’s Word
Time: 10–15 minutes
Transition Give children a two-minute warning before beginning. Invite everyone to simply set aside today’s lesson activity and grab only their study book, Bible, and pen. There is no need to clean everything up. Children can return to the activity later if time allows or take home any remaining supplies to finish.
Opening Prayer Begin with a simple prayer, inviting God to prepare hearts and minds to learn from His Word.
Bible Reading
Read Galatians 5:16 directly from your Bible.
Connect today’s Bible passage to the story by explaining that every day we choose whether to follow God’s way or our own. God lovingly gives us His Word to help us make wise choices.
Read the Story
Today’s Stair-Step Reading
Lesson 2 Re-read Lesson 1, then continue directly into Lesson 2.
Read the story aloud while children follow along.
Engage Children By… -Announcing page turns for younger readers. -Reading speech bubbles together. -Asking observation questions. -Pointing out humorous moments. -Inviting predictions as the story unfolds.
Truth In Action
Time: 5–10 minutes
Supplies Two clear pitchers Water Food coloring Bleach Spoon Paper towels
Let’s Begin Hold up the pitcher of clear water. “Last lesson we learned the difference between knowing what’s right and choosing what’s right. Today we’re going to discover why our choices matter.”
Point to the clear water. “This water represents our life. God created us with the freedom to choose.”
“Where has God given us instructions for making wise choices?“ *Guide the conversation toward: the Bible, prayer, the Holy Spirit, parents and trusted adults.
Invite a volunteer to add the first food coloring. “This color represents the goodness that comes from following God’s plan.”
Ask another volunteer to add the second color. “This color represents sin.”
Let everyone observe. “When we choose our own way instead of God’s way, sin changes what God intended and every choice has a consequence.”
Point to the, now, murky water Does this look like the life God lovingly planned for us?
“The good news is that God knew we wouldn’t always make perfect choices. Because He loves us, He made a way to forgive us.”
Slowly pour the bleach into the pitcher. Allow everyone to watch and talk about what they see.
“When we repent and trust Him, He forgives our sin. and gives us a fresh start…every single time.”
Wrap Up “Every choice has a consequence, but God’s grace is greater than our mistakes. Through Jesus we can always receive forgiveness and begin again.”
Open Your Bible
Time: 10–15 minutes
Activity 1 Complete Activity 1.
Invite children to discuss their answers with their small groups before sharing with the whole group.
Activity 2 Invite children to look up today’s Bible verses and highlight them in their Bibles. Depending on the age of your group, you may choose to look up the verses together or assign one verse to each small group before inviting them to share what they discovered.
Ask What did today’s verses teach us about making choices? Why does God give us His Word? Why is forgiveness such good news?
Closing Prayer
Pray the prayer at the end of Lesson 2.
Clean-Up
Invite children to: -Organize their supplies. -Throw away trash. -Help tidy their small group area. -Continue working on today’s lesson activity if time remains or take home any remaining supplies to finish later.
Sometimes, you need to pause before you speak or reply to someone. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words to say. -Dr. Andy Osakwe
