Curriculum

He Has Chosen Us!

He Has Chosen Us! Go to Curriculum multi-week pack

Bible Background

What Kids Will Learn

Out of His great love for each of us, God chose us—even before we were born—to be with Him and join His family.

Scripture Summary

The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to encourage the church of Ephesus. He wanted to define the church’s purpose and help it move forward in its calling. Thankfully, this letter was included in the Bible for believers everywhere as the book of Ephesians.

God gives us spiritual blessings in Christ. We have access to God, salvation, forgiveness for ourselves and others, a deeper understanding of life and the spiritual realm, grace, hope for the future, and the powerful gifts the Spirit offers.

Being chosen or predestined reminds us that the work of salvation is God’s responsibility. He desires for all of His children to be saved and enjoy a growing relationship with Him. We cannot achieve salvation on our own; it is only through Jesus Christ and the work of God Himself.

God has a plan for the entire world. When Paul mentions “the mystery of His will…,” Paul is referring to Jesus’ return being the fulfillment of God’s plan. It’s not that God wants to keep his plan a mystery or a secret. When Jesus returns, everyone will understand and every knee shall bow to the one true God.

The third member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, is God’s gift to us until Christ’s return. God has been, is, and always will be faithful to do what He has promised.

Why Is This Important

God chose you, me, and each child in your class to be His children. He wants none of us left behind, and He desires a deep, rich relationship with each of us.

Teacher Devotion

Scripture

“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.’” (Romans 8:15)

In the movie “Mommie Dearest,” little Christina Crawford says, “Adopted children are luckiest because they were chosen.”

And the familiar story of “Annie” showcases an orphan who is later adopted. Here’s a brief snippet of the conversation:

Miss Hannigan: “Just let me make sure I heard you right, Miss Personal Secretary to The Oliver Warbucks. My Annie is going to be adopted by your millionaire?”

Miss Grace Farrell: “Actually, he’s a billionaire.”

Families come in all sorts of sizes and kinds. There are blended families, loud families, traditional families (whatever that is nowadays), families with no children, single parents, biological children, quiet families, biracial families, adopted children, broken families, large families, and families with one child.

Regardless of your upbringing, being adopted into God’s family is the best kind of “chosen.” It’s kind of like the story of Annie. We’re overjoyed to be adopted—and by a family with means, no less. Then, we find out that God the Father is even greater than a billionaire. His riches are never-ending.

Take some time to think of your answers to these questions:

  • How is your family of origin like or unlike God’s family?
  • Whether you had a troubled or a healthy upbringing, how did that change your perspective of being adopted into God’s family?
  • How is God like a billionaire? What would your day look like if you lived like an heir to a fortune?

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for adopting me into Your family. I know there’s nothing I can do to earn or lose my adoption. Help me live today remembering that I’m an heir to Your riches. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Get the full Sunday school lesson plan

  • Bible Memory Verse
  • Interactive Bible Experience
  • Animated video with companion questions

Bible Memory Verse

You’ll Need: Bibles, “God’s Creation Puzzle” handouts, Scissors, Marker

Get Ready: Print the “God’s Creation Puzzle” handout on card stock, one for each small group. Write the Bible memory verse on the back of each puzzle sheet in large letters so that it fills the entire page.

“For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.” (Ephesians 1:4-5)

Lead kids in these steps:

  • Divide the kids into groups of three or four.
  • Ask each group to cut apart its puzzle and mix up the pieces in a pile, picture-side down.
  • Invite kids to open their Bibles to Ephesians 1:4-5.
  • Ask for several volunteers to read the verse aloud.
  • Explain that each small group needs to put its puzzle together with the word-side up.
  • After groups have completed their puzzles, take away a couple of pieces at a time from each group’s puzzle and see if the kids can still say the Bible memory verse.

SAY: Today we’re learning some exciting news: God knew who would choose to be part of His family before He created the world. He wants everyone to be part of His family, and He’s chosen all who say yes to Him. That’s great news!

Interactive Bible Experience

You’ll Need: Bibles, 4 large pieces of butcher paper, Crayons or markers

Get Ready: Write one of each of the following on the top of each sheet of butcher paper:

  • He has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)
  • God chose us in Him before the creation
    of the world. (Ephesians 1:4)
  • We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness
    of sins. (Ephesians 1:7)
  • You also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of
    your salvation. (Ephesians 1:13)

 

  • Invite the children to open their Bibles to Ephesians 1:3-14.
  • Place kids in four small groups. Give each small group a piece of butcher paper, and set out markers to share.
  • Ask the children if they have any questions about what their verse means or what certain words mean. Explain and define accordingly.
  • In their groups, have kids illustrate the verse on their piece of paper.
  • Have the groups explain to the class what they drew.
  • Instruct groups to form a circle in the order of the verses.
  • Read the passage, and pause for groups to hold up their illustrations when their verses are read.

SAY: What great news that God knew who would be in His family from the beginning of the world. This is only possible through what Jesus has done for us on the cross. God loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the punishment for our sins. By accepting Him as Lord and Savior, we are adopted into God’s family.

ASK:

  • How do you feel knowing that the God of the universe loves and chooses you?
  • How might His love for you make you want to choose Him back?

Snack

Family Cookies Snack

You’ll Need: Paper plates, Napkins, Plastic knives, Unfrosted sugar cookies, Icing, Cookie decorating, supplies

Get Ready: Have kids clean their hands.

Follow these steps for the “Family Cookies”:

  • Give each child a paper plate, a napkin, a plastic knife, and two sugar cookies.
  • Explain that kids will decorate their cookies to look like a person using the decorating supplies provided. Challenge them to be creative.
  • Enjoy!

ASK:

  • What are some of the similarities and differences between all the cookies?
  • How do you imagine our cookies are like God’s family?

SAY: Wow, we have some diversity in our family cookies. I can only imagine that is how unique each person in the family of God is. We learned today that God has chosen us if we believe in Jesus. That makes us part of His family. He doesn’t just love and choose people who look like us; God’s family is amazingly diverse, just like our cookies.

Game

Choices Game

Follow these steps to play the “Choices” game:

  • Instruct kids to line up across the center of the room.
  • Explain that you will give them two choices, and then you’ll assign a side of the room that corresponds with each choice. Kids will walk to the side of the room associated with the answer they choose.
  • Bring children back to a line in the center of the room before giving them the next set of choices and repeating the process.
  • Ask the following questions:
    • If you had to eat one thing for lunch for the rest of your life, would you choose hamburgers or hot dogs?
    • Where would you rather live: on the beach or in the mountains?
    • Which season would you choose it to be forever: summer or winter?
    • If you had the choice between no homework or no tests at school, which would you pick?
    • If you could keep your name or change it, what would you choose to do?
    • If you could choose to sleep in or go to church, which would you choose?
    • If you could choose between reading a book or playing outside, which would you choose?

ASK:

  • Were these choices easy or hard to make?
  • Explain what made certain choices more difficult to make than others.
  • What helps you make good choices at home? at school?

SAY: Some choices are easy, and some are hard. God gives us a choice to accept Jesus. And when we do choose Jesus, we are adopted into His family forever! Choosing to place our faith in Jesus is the most important choice we will ever make.

Craft

Handprint Painting Craft

You’ll Need: Small canvas or thick paper, Finger paint, Wet wipes, Markers

Follow these steps to make the “Handprint Painting” craft:

  • Instruct kids to use the fingers of one hand to paint colorful strokes on the palm of the other hand.
  • Help kids paint their hands in rainbow stripes/patterns if they need assistance.
  • Instruct kids to place their hand on the canvas or paper to make an imprint.
  • Have kids clean their hands with wet wipes.
  • Invite kids to write HE HAS CHOSEN US across the top of the paper.

SAY: Did you know God created you and that He knows every line on your hand? Even before you were created, He knew whether you would choose to follow Him. Take this beautiful handprint home as a reminder that the God who made you calls you to follow Him.

Prayer

Family Prayers

You’ll Need: Large craft sticks, Markers, Mason jar

  • Give each child a craft stick.
  • Invite kids to use markers to decorate one side of the craft stick to look like a family member. Instruct them to write a prayer request for that family member on the other side.
  • Put the craft sticks in a jar. Pass the jar, and invite each child to pull out a stick and pray for the person it represents.

PRAY: Dear God, You know all. Before creation, You knew who would be adopted into Your family. Help us pray for our families and share the good news of Jesus with them