Teaching

Let’s all shout it together with our eyes closed on the count of three; 1, 2, 3! All things exist because of God!

Good job! In today’s teaching, I want to take a deeper look at today’s SuperTruth. At first, you may just think that it simply says that God created us. However, there is much more to this truth; and that is very, very good news for us!  

Have you ever made something with building blocks and then set it aside when you were done? Maybe you became bored with it and moved on to something else that seemed more interesting at the time. Stand up if you have ever done that. Children respond. 

Children may sit down. Maybe you came back to that creation a little while later or possibly you forgot about it! 

Wind-up toy illustration.

Wind up the toy and set it down on the table. Let it run until it runs out of energy. Lay it on its side and push it to the side of the table showing you are finished with it.    

This isn’t what God did when He created the world. He actively participates and is continually engaged in it. The SuperTruth says that all things exist because of God. They not only come to being because of Him, they continue to exist IN Him. God never grows tired of His creation. His active participation in it is continuous and never ends. 

Hold up the uninflated balloon. Imagine that this represents us. We are lifeless and helpless on our own. Breathe into the balloon slowly until the stick figure can be seen and then hold it closed to maintain the air inside.  

God breathes life into us. Every breath we take is a gift from our amazing Creator. Paul said in Acts 17:25: 

Our SuperVerse says that in Him we live move and have our being. 

Release the air in the balloon as you hold it. Try to not let it fly away. Allow it to then drop to the ground. 

In Job 34:14–15, Job said: 

Pick up the balloon and blow air back into it. God created Adam from the dust of the earth and breathed life into him. He has continued to breathe life into generations of people and still does today. We are totally dependent on Him; we continue to exist only by God’s grace, love and mercy.   

I am going to hold up four objects one at a time. I would then like you to tell me what purpose they have in common. Hold up the stapler, paper clip, glue, and the roll of tape in any order.    

Raise your hand if you think you know what these items have in common. They hold things together.  

Yes, the four items hold things together. If you removed them, whatever they held together would separate or fall apart. 

Out of view, pick up the two halves of the Earth ball and hold them in one hand. As much as possible, try to make the ball look like it is one piece and not cut in half.  

In Colossians 1:17, Paul said about Jesus: 

Jesus was present with God in heaven from the beginning before He came to Earth. God created all things through Him, by Him, and for Him. Paul said that Jesus holds all of creation together.

Let go of the ball and let it drop to the table in two sections. 

Earth doesn’t exist and thrive on its own. It is held together by our invisible, wonderful God. Without Him, there would be chaos and the universe would fall apart and cease to exist.    

The Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV): 

Although we can’t see God with our physical eyes, we can see evidence of Him in all that He has made. God will continue to watch over His creation because He loves what He has made.  

Psalm 104:31 says: 

It’s now time for the Discipleship Challenge where we are learning about what it means to fear the Lord. 

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application 

Give each child who missed the previous lesson a Planetarium Challenge Card. Display the sample craft and encourage them to assemble their crafts at home and begin the challenge!  

In the previous challenge, you were asked to read and, if possible, memorize Proverbs 1:7. Would anyone like to try to say this verse from memory? 

Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.   

We learned in the previous challenge that to fear God means to hate evil as He does. Would anyone like to share their prayer challenge experience? Children respond.  

The next challenge is found on the moon! Hold up the moon from the craft for children to see. 

The moon, sun, stars, and all of the universe exist because of God. He alone holds all creation together! This is just one reason we fear God as we stand in awe of His amazing works! 

Hold up the moon. What is the verse on the moon? Deuteronomy 13:4. 

Read Deuteronomy 13:4:

If we fear God, does it mean we are afraid of Him? No.

What does the fear of the Lord mean? We respect and honor Him. 

This verse tells us three things we should do as we fear God. What are they? Obey, listen to, and cling to Him. 

The first part of this challenge is to read this verse each day, and if possible, memorize it. 

The second part of the challenge is to show that you honor and respect God by listening to His voice as He speaks to your heart, and to put your energy into serving Him as you hold tight to Him no matter what you encounter or where you are. As people see your faithfulness to the Lord in good times and in bad times, they will be inspired to seek God also. 

As you accept this challenge, remove the moon from Gizmo’s compartment and glue or tape it onto the Planetarium Challenge Card. When we meet next time, you will have a chance to share your challenge experience.