Scripture: 1 Samuel 25
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn God expects us to be kind and hospitable to others.
- Students will learn Abigail was kind and generous even though she lived with someone who wasn’t and we can be kind no matter what anyone else does.
- Students will learn wisdom can often keep us from harm.
- Students will learn how to treat others kindly when others are not nice to them.
Guiding Question: Why is it important to treat others kindly?
Materials: Paper, pencil
Procedure: Review the story of David and Abigail. Emphasize the importance of Abigail being hospitable toward David and making the right choice in leading him toward a better decision. Explain that when we are kind and welcoming toward others, they see God through our attitude and that opens an opportunity for us to share more about Jesus and the gospel. God knows that our attitude can have a great impact on others and He will help us and give us strength to treat others in a godly way if we ask Him for help.
Introduce the activity. Explain that it can be difficult to be kind and godly toward others when they are not being nice to us. Share examples and have students share any examples they may have. Then have the students brainstorm ways to be nice to kids when other kids tease them, ignore them, etc. Have the students create a small list of these ideas and challenge students to do those things during the week. The following week, have students discuss what happened when they tried some of those ideas.
Additional Questions: How can kindness make a difference to others?
Supplemental Activity: Have the students create Random Acts of Kindness challenge. Have students plan different acts of kindness they can do during the week (one or two per day) and have students share in the next class how it went.