CrossKids Devo | 2 Builders
Activity – How RU Doing
Draw a line on a sheet of paper. Place a 1 on the left end of the line, a 10 on the right, and a 5 in the middle. As kids arrive, ask them to pencil in their initials on the line.
Say: If your day was so awful you wish you'd slept through it, place your initials by the 1. If it was a great day and you wish you could repeat, put your initials by the 10. Place your initials anywhere on the line that shows how you feel today. Cool Game Ask children to remove their shoes and socks. Place cushions on the floor. Say: You're about to do something difficult: stand on these cushions. Trust me--it's harder than it looks.
Form children into two teams and then have a child from Team One stand on the cushions--opposite a child on Team Two who is standing on the floor. Ask both children to do the following:
Stand on both feet, arms outstretched to the side, eyes open.
The same as step one, but on one foot only.
The same as step two, but with eyes closed.
The same as step three, but with arms at the child's sides.
Children on the cushions will start wobbling at step three, so stand close so you can spot them. After kids have finished, then discuss:
How tempted were you to open your eyes? Did you open your eyes?
Why couldn't you stand firm?
How would it have changed things if you'd been able to open your eyes?
Say: Your brain didn't have the info you needed to keep your balance. That's why you wanted to open your eyes.
When you don't have a steady, solid foundation, it's easy to fall over. When you don't have the information you need to stay steady, it's easy to tip in the wrong direction. That's true about your life too. Today we'll dive into a story Jesus told about two builders who chose to place houses on two very different foundations! Bible Time – 2 Builders – Matthew 7:24-27 For much of his ministry, Jesus was the biggest show in town. Thousands of people would come to hear him teach. They hoped to see him heal a man with leprosy or feed an entire crowd with just a few fish sandwiches. It's one thing to hear Jesus teach. It's another to take his teaching to heart-- and obey him. That's the heart of the story you'll share with children today--that when we obey Jesus, we build our lives on something solid and unmovable, something steady, something that won't shift or fall apart. Ever. Help your kids discover that truth today: it's wise to obey Jesus!
Gather children and give them number them off one, two.
Say: Congratulations! Each of you has just won a new beach house-- one that you can have built any way you want! Turn to a partner and tell that person what you want to be a part of your new home. For instance, I want a full-size basketball court just off my bedroom (substitute any great big dream or wish).
Allow several moments to share. Then ask kids to report back how they'd create their new houses. Applaud their ideas.
Say: Here's the thing: you number one builders will have your house built on a hill overlooking the beach. It has a nice view and is just a five-minute walk down to the water. The hill is solid rock, so it's a sturdy foundation.
The number two builders will have your house built right on the beach. If you were any closer to the water, you could fish right off your porch. Your beach house is built on soft sand. So when the wind and waves are high, the sand under your house moves around. Let's see how that turns out for you as we consider a story Jesus told about two builders. One builder put a new house on rock--that's you number one builders. The other builder put his house on sand--that's you number two builders. As I read, I'd like you all to make sound effects. Ready?
Read: Matthew 7:24-27 Encourage kids to add sound effects at these points:
verse 25: rain
verse 25: floodwaters rushing in
verse 25: winds howling
verse 27: rain
verse 27: floodwaters rising
verse 27: winds howling
Say: Number one builders, how did your house do? Pause for answers. You're rock solid because you're built on rock--a firm foundation. Number two builders, how did your house do? Encourage these kids to fall over onto the floor, like their house fell over.
Ask: kids to form pairs and discuss:
What made one builder foolish and the other wise?
How can you tell if your life is built on rock or sand?
What's a storm--a tough thing--that's happened to you? Did knowing Jesus help you stay strong? If so, how?
Say: When we listen to Jesus and follow his teaching, he helps us make good decisions. We build our lives on a solid foundation. It's wise to obey Jesus!
Pray