Curriculum
Follow Jesus: Our Perfect Role Model
Memory Verse:
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children.” Ephesians 5:1
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
Jesus lived a life of love and wants us to do the same. Everything Jesus did and said was because He loved us so much. We can make little and big decisions the same way—out of love.
Scripture Summary
Paul wrote a letter to the church at Ephesus in order to strengthen believers and the Church as a whole. He encouraged them, as the body of Christ, to live like Jesus.
Using Jesus as an example, Paul lists a number of behaviors we, as followers of Christ, should imitate. We need to intentionally embrace honesty. Paul warns how lies can destroy relationships. In the same way, making poor choices while angry is also a sure way to fracture friendships and relationships with family.
Now, God does not say we shouldn’t get angry. That’s inevitable. We are human. What Paul warns us about is acting on our anger in a sinful way. Anger can motivate us to stand up for someone who’s hurting or has been mistreated. On the other hand, anger can turn into bitterness when left untreated.
We are to get rid of everything that destroys relationships—bitterness, deceit, rage, and malice. And we are to embrace kindness and compassion for others. Really, we’re to focus on building healthy relationships, and one of the best ways to do that is to extend the same forgiveness God gave us.
Why Is This Important
God loves each of us infinitely, and we can in turn live out that love in a small way by how we treat others. As our example, Jesus loved us so much that He was willing to give Himself up for us. We too, can selflessly love others well.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
“Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.”
(Psalm 139:14)
In Gary Smalley’s book The Treasure Tree, he tells a story of four friends who embark on a treasure hunt together. It’s a fantastic story for children (and adults) depicting how beautiful different personalities can be when they work together. Each animal in the tale has a distinct personality:
- The Lion is a visionary and practical leader.
- The Golden Retriever loves being around people and sharing outgoing compassion.
- The Otter is calm, easy-going, and dependable.
- The Beaver is analytical, self-disciplined, and sacrificing.
Each of us has wonderful giftings from God that make us unique. When we reflect on how we are to be like Jesus, sometimes we can assume that we need to completely change who we are.
That’s not the case.
The Holy Spirit is the One who transforms us into Christlikeness. He does the work when we create space and spend time with Him. And Jesus, the perfect role model, also displayed strengths in all four personality groupings:
- Jesus led the disciples and even the multitudes into a relationship with God.
- Jesus spent so much time with people—walking and eating together.
- Jesus remained calm when the disciples were in the boat in the middle of the storm.
- Jesus was intentional in everything He did, including sacrificing His own life for our sins.
Jesus is the perfect role model. And we can imitate Him as we embrace who He created us to be.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for making me unique. There’s no one quite like me. Please help me let Your Spirit transform me as I want to be more like You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
You’ll Need: Bibles - one per child, White paper - seven to 10 pieces, Markers
Get Ready: Before class, write a phrase from the memory verse on each piece of paper. Spread them out around the floor, relatively in order. They should form a hopscotch-like pattern so that kids can jump from one to another.
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2
Lead kids in these steps:
- Invite kids to open their Bibles to Ephesians 5:1-2.
- Instruct children to take turns hopping from one part of the Bible verse to the next one, in order.
- If the child hops to the wrong part of the verse, then he or she can choose another child to continue the hopping to get the verse in the right order.
- If needed, the teacher can say “hop like me” and demonstrate the pathway at the beginning to show how to hop to the right parts of the verse.
- You can also have kids vary the way they hop, such as on one foot, like a frog, or a kangaroo.
SAY: Great job hopping in the order of today’s Bible verse. You followed my lead so well. Today we’re going to learn that we are called to follow Jesus’ lead.
Interactive Bible Experience
You’ll Need: Label stickers - one to two sheets per child, White paper - three pieces per child, Pens - one per child
Invite kids to open their Bibles to Ephesians 4:25-5:2. Read Ephesians 4:25-29 aloud, and then give each child a sheet of label stickers and a pen. If the number of kids in the class exceeds the number of labels on the sheet, give each child two sheets. Have kids write a kind or en- couraging word about every other kid in class on a separate label. Tell kids to place the sticker labels on the corresponding kids.
Read Ephesians 4:30-31 aloud, and give each child three pieces of paper.
- On the first piece of paper, have them write something that they have been bitter about. Be sure to explain that bitterness means holding onto anger and disappointment. Have kids wad up the paper and throw it across the room.
- On the second piece of paper, have them write something that they have been angry or upset about. Have kids wad up this piece of paper and throw it across the room.
- On the third piece of paper, have each child write something that he or she has said that isn’t true about someone else. Remind them that this will stay private. Have kids wad up this piece of paper and throw it across the room.
Read Ephesians 4:32-5:2 aloud. Have kids close their eyes and quietly think of someone they need to forgive. Invite them to pray and ask God to help them forgive that person. Explain that when we forgive someone, we are not saying that what that person did was right, but we are releasing them from any bitterness or anger we hold against them.
ASK:
- What is one thing from this Bible passage that shows an example of how to follow Jesus?
- What makes it difficult for you to follow Jesus’ example?
Snack
Mimic Me Snack
You’ll Need: Paper plates - one per child, Napkins - one per child, Pretzel sticks, Marshmallows, Gum drops
Get Ready: Before class, create a uniquely-shaped masterpiece out of the editable supplies to show as an example.
Follow these steps for the “Mimic Me Snack”:
- Place all the supplies and the example snack plate in the middle of the table.
- Instruct kids to try to recreate the snack example on their own plates.
- Vote to see whose snack looks most like the example.
- Enjoy.
SAY: You had to look very closely at my masterpiece to mimic it didn’t you? To mimic means to copy my actions. Just like you had to pay close attention to recreate my snack, we have to look carefully at Jesus to follow His example because we are called to be like Him.
Game
Strike a Pose Game
You’ll Need: Large blanket or sheet (dark- colored)
To play “Strike a Pose,” have kids follow these steps:
- Divide the children into two teams, and name one Team A and the other Team B.
- Have each team huddle closely together and face the other team.
- Hold up the sheet or blanket to block the teams from seeing each other.
- Instruct Team A to do a group pose.
- When Team A is ready, drop the sheet or blanket and give Team B 30 seconds to imitate Team A’s group pose.
- Play another round with Team B posing first.
- Play several rounds, as time allows.
ASK:
- What was challenging for you in trying to imitate the other team?
- What is one way that you would like to imitate Jesus today?
SAY: To imitate means to copy. You did a great job copying the other team’s poses. In life, we are called to imitate Jesus. He is perfect and we are not, but He can help us to be more like Him.
Craft
Mirrored Wind Chime
You’ll Need: Mirrored craft squares - six to eight per child, Scissors, Fishing line, Stick - one per child, Craft glue
Follow these steps to make the “Mirrored Wind Chimes”:
- Give each child a stick and 3 to 4 pieces of fishing line.
- Instruct kids to tie their fishing lines to the stick at varying lengths, and in various places on the stick.
- Guide kids in gluing two mirrored tiles back-to-back at the end of each fishing line hanging from the stick.
- Allow to air dry.
- Give kids two additional pieces of fishing line.
- Have them tie one piece of fishing line to both ends of the stick to hang the chime.
SAY: Look at these amazing mirror chimes. These reflect what is seen. As we look to Jesus and grow to be more like Him, we are to imitate Him, or reflect Him to others. Be sure to hang your mirror chimes somewhere in your room or house to remind you to reflect Jesus to the world.
Prayer
Mirror Prayers
You’ll Need: Mirrored craft squares - one per child, Markers - various colors, White paper - one per child
- Give each child a mirror and a marker.
- Invite kids to write a prayer asking for help to imitate Jesus as they look at themselves in the mirror.
- Have kids fold the mirror inside the paper to take home as a reminder that we are to ask Jesus for help to reflect His image.
PRAY: Dear God, thank You for the perfect example of Jesus. Thank You that even though we are imperfect, we can have new life and follow His example of how to live. Help us to reflect Jesus’ ways every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
