Read Philippians 4.1-9
Choose from these ideas to help the children make connections between the Bible reading and their lives
Reflect on Paul’s words to the Philippians
You will need: a comfortable space to sit, e.g. cushions and pictures (peaceful images, e.g. nature, a dove).
Sit comfortably or lie down. Close your eyes if you want to. You may want to look at one of the pictures. Take some deep breaths in and out. Keep taking deep breaths as you relax. Paul told these things to the Philippians and we want you to hear these too:
Rejoice. Be gentle. Do not worry. Pray. Say thank you.
And remember, the Lord is near.
A reminder not to worry
You will need: lunchbox templates, printed and cut out of thin card, one per child; scissors, coloured felt, material and paper, pens, glue, large sticky notes.
- Talk with the children about how we can know someone is thinking about us when we aren’t with them. Suggest the idea of writing notes to go in a lunchbox, to show someone we are thinking of them.
- Give each child a lunchbox shape and help them to fold it into a box. Invite the children to decorate their lunchbox and maybe even make items of ‘food’.
- Give everyone a large sticky note. Help the children to write ‘The Lord is near’ on their note and fix it inside their lunchbox as a reminder that God is always with them.
Jars of rejoicing
Encourage rejoicing every day
You will need: jars with lids, strips of coloured paper, tape, pens.
- Give every child a jar and ask them to write ‘Rejoice always’ on a piece of paper, decorate this and fix it to the outside of the jar.
- Ask the children to write onto strips of different coloured paper things that they can rejoice about. When they have done this, the children can fold up each piece and place it in their jar.
- Encourage the children to take their jar away and fill it with more things that make them rejoice in the coming weeks..
Take our worries to God
You will need: a large piece of card, a marker pen, squares of bubble wrap.
- Explain to the children that Paul tells the Philippians not to worry but instead to bring everything to God in prayer.
- Make a sign using the card that says, ‘Tell God something that is worrying you. You can tell him aloud or silently. Pop one of the bubbles as a sign that you have brought your worries to God.’ Place it by some squares of bubble wrap. Allow time for the children to use the prayer station.
An opportunity to rejoice
- Ask the children what they think of when they hear the word ‘Rejoice’. Can they think of things that make them want to rejoice?
- Stand together and ask them, in turn, to say something they want to rejoice about. Shout out ‘Rejoice!’ together after each one.