New Year Plans

Happy New Year! Do any of you have a New Year’s resolution? A resolution is something you try to do different than you did before. What? None of you are going to quit eating junk food like the adults? Most people forget to do what they set out to do or don’t make it important enough to finish the plan they started. Or they just get too busy!

I’ve got a calendar here. This one is the one I kept on my desk last year. Let’s take a look at it. (Flip through the calendar and mention how much there is written on each particular month.)

It looks like a lot of stuff was planned last year. Some plans are good but only for a short time, like losing weight. Every time I lose weight, I find it again! But some things are really important, like things we do to be closer with God. Who can tell me some things you would like to do better this year to be closer to God? (Wait for answers.) Read your Bible? Pray? How about memorizing one verse every month? (You can also say week, etc. depending on how often you do children’s sermons in your church.) You can do that! That’s only 12 verses in a year. If the verse is too long, get mom and dad to help you make them shorter. The Bible tells us to hide God’s words in our hearts so that we don’t sin against Him. Who thinks that is important?

Let’s take a look at the new year’s calendar. It’s empty! If I plan now before I get too busy, it can keep my resolution or promise to God. God has plans for us too! Let’s read our verse today. (Read Jeremiah 29:11). If you pre-schoolers need to shorten it, just do the first part “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD.” God wants to prosper us or make our relationship with Him better, and he give us hope in life and a when we trust in Jesus a future in Heaven with Him.

I am so glad God has plans for my future. And he has plans for each one of you. Let’s make a plan to be closer to God so you can be ready when He shows us the plan he has for you!