Children's Teacher: 3rd Quarter 2014

By Jo Ann Grant

Children’s Teacher is a teacher’s quarterly. In addition to the exposition of the printed text, each of the thirteen lessons includes the purpose of the lesson, extensive teaching plans, lesson introduction, background of the lesson, meaningful insights, and related activities.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
• Release date: Apr 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781589428393

Book preview

WE MUST WORK TOGETHER

EPHESIANS 4:7, 11-13, 15-16

Main Thought: But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.

(Ephesians 4:15, NRSV)

UNIFYING PRINCIPLE

Personal, moral, and physical purity are beneficial to the community. How does the behavior of one person affect the whole community? Paul said that because Christians are all one within the body of Christ, what harms one will harm other members, and what benefits one will benefit all.

TARGET EMPHASES

PRESCHOOLERS: Preschoolers can learn that Christ wants them to accept those who are different from them.

YOUNGER CHILDREN: Younger children can learn that the gifts and talents that they have are God-given abilities that should be used for the sake of the Body of Christ.

OLDER CHILDREN: Older children can experience growth in their faith as they learn to work with others.

BIBLICAL EMPHASES:

•  Christ’s grace is a gift to all who believe.

•  Callings and gifts within the Body of Christ are given for the benefit for all.

•  As Christians work together in Christ, their faith in God grows.

•  Believers grow through Christ toward a mature faith.

LESSON OVERVIEW

Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus while he was in prison. Before writing the letter, Paul had visited Ephesus to spread the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. From Ephesus, the Gospel spread throughout almost the whole of Asia (Acts 19:26, NRSV). Although Jesus’ message was quickly growing in many countries, His message of unity and love was not. Paul learned that the Christian church in Ephesus, which was made up of both converted Jews and Gentiles, was experiencing divisions within the church. In chapter four, Paul encouraged the Ephesians to unite and stay focused on Jesus’ message of love, unity, and the work of the ministry. In Ephesians 4:7, Paul talks about how God grants grace to each person and provides each with a special gift.

We are all born with special gifts that God has appointed for each of us before we were born. God already has a plan for us to use our special gifts. Jeremiah 29:11 says, For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope (NRSV). Paul wrote that God’s grace accompanies our gifts.

The gifts we have been given are for glorifying God and edifying His Kingdom. Every gift is to be used as a service to the Body of Christ. In Ephesians 4:11, Paul listed gifts, such as apostles, prophets, evange-lists, pastors, and teachers as a few of the services used to strengthen the Christian community. Younger children can learn that the gifts God has given them should not be used for self-gain and popularity but to bring people closer to Christ.

Paul went on to write that our purpose would not be fulfilled until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ (v. 13, NRSV). This verse reminds us that we are called by God to a special purpose, and we should work together to accomplish the will of God. We have to imitate Christ and complete our purposes while on earth and not get sidetracked by people who want to cause division or lead us astray from God’s will. Paul wanted the Jews and the Gentiles, who were now a part of the same community, to be united in the body of Christ under one Spirit, one Lord, [and] one God (Eph. 4:4,5, NRSV).

Paul concluded this passage with the unifying principle that joins us all together: love. We, as believers, should not only work together, but we should also build up one another in love and help those who are seeking to learn more about Christ.

Children are learning how to work together. For the most part, they are taught to share at a young age and work in groups. In a church, children can learn that they each play an important role in sharing their gifts and talents within the community. A church works best when all the members remember their goal of using their gifts to bring people into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Children will understand that when they are working in groups, it’s easier than when they are divided and disagree and fight. They are able to get more accomplished in unity for the glory of God and His Kingdom. When we serve each other in unity and in love, we are living out the life Christ wants us to live.

RESOURCES NEEDED

•   New National Baptist Hymnal, 21st Century Edition #242 (NNBH #454)

•   God’s Promises Bible

•   Boyd’s Commentary for the Sunday School

SUGGESTED TEACHING PLAN FOR GROWING WITH JESUS

1. GETTING STARTED: Before class, place the musical instruments on a table, along with art supplies. Greet the students as they enter the classroom. Select one student to open the class with a song and another to say the opening prayer.

2. A GREAT BEGINNING: Introduce the lesson topic for today and ask the students if they have any special talents. Ask volunteers to talk about their talents in the class. Share with the students that special talents are something they do really well. For example, some of them may be great singers, dancers, and artists. Explain to them that those special talents are gifts from God, but God has also given us spiritual gifts for helping others and building God’s Kingdom.

3. AN IMPORTANT LESSON: Read the lesson story or retell it in your own words. Paul informed the people of Ephesus that they needed to be unified in their faith and should use their God-given gifts to edify the Body of Christ. Ask the students if they know people who have special gifts in the church and to name them (pastor, teacher, usher, deacon, helper, and so on). Pass out the musical instruments to the students. If there are not enough instruments, ask the students to share or take turns so that every child has a chance to play. Lead the students in a song to sing as they play. Share with them that they can all believe and worship God together in