Curriculum

Peace of Mind and Heart

Peace of Mind and Heart Go to Curriculum multi-week pack

Bible Background

What Kids Will Learn

Jesus loved everyone. When He was about to die for our sins and rise from the dead, He gave us peace and promised a constant companion, the Holy Spirit.

Scripture Summary

John was a disciple of Jesus and was chosen by Jesus to be an apostle— sharing the news and ministry of Jesus with others after Jesus’ death and resurrection. John wrote the Gospel of John as a firsthand account of the life of Jesus.

Jesus and His disciples had just shared the Last Supper, and Jesus was teaching about the Holy Spirit. Jesus knew that He was headed to His death, and He had important words to share with His disciples.

The disciples, and many Jewish people, still thought Jesus’ ministry was all about overthrowing the oppressive government and establishing His kingdom here on Earth. They couldn’t understand why Jesus wouldn’t reveal His identity and plans to everyone.

Since Jesus knew His time on Earth was nearing an end, He promised the disciples His Holy Spirit to be with them, guide them, and remind them of Jesus’ teachings. The Holy Spirit would also bring the disciples incredible peace. They would still face hardships, but this peace—or confident hope— would be a welcome companion for the disciples.

God offers all mankind the same Holy Spirit to be present with us, to guide us, and to give us confident hope.

Why Is This Important

We’re not alone in our journey with God. Jesus gave us peace and the Holy Spirit to guide us and remind us of what Jesus said.

Teacher Devotion

Scripture

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

Everyone has a peace-shaped hole in their hearts. We all desire that comfort, that hope, that ability to take a deep breath of assurance.

The world offers many imposters promising the peace we so desire— success, money, admiration, self-help, pleasure in the moment, and quick fixes. While some of these offerings may be tempting, we’re often able to discern between right and wrong. And God’s way is for us to choose what is right.

But what about choosing between good and better?

That’s more complicated, for sure. I can find myself seeking after the peace that I can only receive from Jesus from sources other than Jesus. Sure, I can provide plenty of excuses because these sources are inherently good.

  • I love serving dependably in the nursery. But I find my peace in being the sought-after volunteer and am offended when others are invited to serve more often than I am.
  • I work hard to keep myself and my family on track. But I find my peace when every to-do (on everyone’s list) is crossed off rather than focusing on the rough day my daughter just experienced.
  • I join a gym to help me make healthier choices. But I find peace when crossing the word “workout” off of my to-do list rather than from God Himself.

Serving at church, taking care of responsibilities with my family, and working out are all good things. But taking the time for the Holy Spirit to do His transforming work in me is what brings peace—true, lasting peace.

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being the source of true peace. Please help me choose Your peace—rather than what “peace” the world offers. 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: Bible (NLT translation), Wrapped gift box

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again.” (John 14:27-28, NLT)

Lead kids in these steps to learn today’s Bible memory verse:

  • Open your Bible to John 14:27-28.
  • Read the Bible memory verse several times, inviting kids to repeat phrases after you.
  • Invite kids to sit in a large circle.
  • Give one child the wrapped gift and have him or her repeat a phrase of the verse after you.
  • Invite the child to pass the gift to the left, where the next child will repeat the next phrase after you.
  • Play several rounds, extending the length of each phrase and offering kids the chance to recite the verse on their own when holding the gift box.

SAY: Great job learning today’s Bible verse! Jesus had to leave His disciples so that we could have eternal life. But He didn’t leave them alone. Just like He gave to the disciples, Jesus gives us peace of mind and heart so we never have to fear.

Interactive Bible Experience

You’ll Need: Bible, 20 to 30 gift bows, 2 flashlights

  • Open your Bible to John 14:23-29.
  • Read aloud the passage.
  • Form two groups, and give each group a flashlight.
  • Turn out the lights and spread the gift bows around the room.
  • Invite groups to link arms and work together as a team to gather as many gift bows as possible in one minute.
  • Play several rounds as time allows.

ASK:

  • What is the gift that Jesus gives us?
  • Why is the gift of peace of mind and heart so special?

SAY: Jesus said, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.” Jesus offers us a gift like no other. Let’s learn more about that now.

Snack

Peace Poppers

You’ll Need: Paper plates, Napkins, Grapes, Baby carrots

Get Ready: Before the snack, have kids clean their hands

Follow these steps for the “Peace Poppers” snacks:

  • Give each child a plate, a napkin, a handful of grapes, and four to six baby carrots.
  • Invite kids to use their grapes and carrots to make the shape of peace signs or hearts.
  • Remind kids that in today’s Bible passage, Jesus explains the gift of peace of mind and heart.
  • Enjoy!

ASK:

  • What does it mean to have peace of mind and heart?
  • Why does Jesus promise this peace?

Game

Gift Exchange

You’ll Need: Gift bows, 2 chairs

To play the “Gift Exchange” game, have kids follow these steps:

  • Form two groups and have each group line up at one end of the room.
  • Place two chairs at the other end of the room, one for each team.
  • Once teams are lined up, give the first player on each team a gift bow.
  • Explain that when you say go, the first person in line will place the gift bow on their head and walk to the other end of the room, around the chair, and back to their team to hand off the bow to the next person.
  • If the bow falls off of a player’s head at any point, that person has to run back to their team and start over.
  • The first team to cycle through all of its members wins.

ASK:

  • Was it easy or hard to keep the bow on your head?
  • Is it easy or hard to have peace of mind and heart?

SAY: When Jesus told His disciples He was going to return to His Father, they were afraid. But Jesus comforted them by saying, “I am going away, but I will come back to you again.” With Jesus, we can have peace of mind and heart because the Holy Spirit is with us always.

Craft

Peace of Mind Comfort Box

You’ll Need: Shoeboxes or small boxes, Construction paper, Glue, Tape, Markers, Stickers, Decorative craft items

Have kids follow these steps to make the “Peace of Mind Comfort Box” craft:

  • Give each child a box.
  • Invite kids to decorate their boxes using construction paper, stickers, and other craft items.
  • Help kids write “No fear when Jesus is near” on their boxes.
  • Invite kids to take their boxes home and fill them with things that bring them comfort, like flowers or photos of family members. Remind them that Jesus gives us peace of mind and heart so we never have to fear.

SAY: When Jesus returned to His Father in heaven, He asked the Father to send the Holy Spirit to comfort His disciples until the day when He returned. That includes you and me! What a wonderful gift Jesus has given us—peace of mind and heart. We no longer have anything to fear.

Prayer

Peace and Comfort Prayers

You’ll Need: “Peace of Mind Comfort Box” craft, Sticky notes, Pen

Follow these steps to lead kids in prayer.

  • Have kids sit in a circle with their “Peace of Mind Comfort Box” crafts.
  • Give each child a sticky note and a pen.
  • Invite kids to write things they no longer have to fear because Jesus gives them peace of mind and heart.
  • Have them put the sticky note in their box and thank God silently for His gift of peace.
  • Close in prayer.

PRAY: Dear Jesus, we thank You for giving us the gift of peace of mind and heart. Help us to not worry about anything but to take comfort in Your peace, which is always with us. In Jesus’ name, amen.