Leader Guide
Craft
- Mercy Cup Pattern or small paper cups, one per child plus extras
- Table
- Water pitcher or plastic jug
- Water
- Towel
- Optional: children’s scissors
Fill pitcher or jug to the top with water.
Optional: make copies of the Mercy Cup Pattern, one per child plus extras, and make a sample to display in class. These cups will hold a small amount of water.
Let’s say our SuperVerse, Jonah 4:2b, together:
“I knew that You are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.”
Optional craft activity: give each child scissors and a Mercy Cup Pattern. Show the sample you made and have the children follow the assembly directions on the pattern.
If you are not using the craft, give each child a small paper cup for the discussion and have one on the table.
Have children sit on the floor so you can easily walk among them. As you speak, point to the item you are referencing.
Let’s say that this cup on the table represents Jonah. This pitcher represents God, and the water represents His mercy toward all people. Notice that it is filled to the top because God is full of mercy. You might say He is mercy-FULL! Jonah needed God’s mercy, didn’t he?
God responded when He heard Jonah’s prayer in the belly of the big fish and gave Jonah a second chance.
Pick up the pitcher and purposefully tip it a bit so some water spills out.Do you see how easily the water flowed out of the pitcher? God is ready and waiting to respond to all people with mercy. He doesn’t hold back—He isn’t stingy with it. God poured His mercy into Jonah though he didn’t deserve it. Fill up Jonah’s cup with water. Jonah wanted it to end there. He was satisfied to receive God’s mercy, but he wasn’t eager to share it with the Ninevites! What does God want us to do with His mercy that flows to us?
Yes, He wants us to share it with others.
Walk around the room and pour a little bit of water into the children’s cups as you talk. He wants us to share it at school. Take a few steps and pour out a bit more. He wants us to share it wherever we go, with all people! Take a few steps and pour out a bit more. God pours His mercy into us, but He doesn’t want us to keep His mercy just for ourselves!
Now, you can all drink from your cup!
When we receive mercy from God and then turn around and pour out that same mercy to others, we will always have God’s goodness and mercy in our lives.
Read Psalm 23:5b–6a (nkjv):
“My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."
In another verse in the Bible we find out that God blesses us with mercy when we show mercy!
Read Matthew 5:7:
“God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”