Scripture: I Kings 22:41-50, 2 Chronicles 17-20
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn there are often earthly consequences for not following God.
- Students will learn God expects us to obey Him even if we don’t like what he is telling us to do.
- Students will learn some people will lie to tempt us to disobey God. We must test everything anyone tells us by comparing it to the Bible.
- Students will participate in a service project where they provide encouragement to local missionaries.
Guiding Question: How does encouraging missionaries support them in teaching others about Jesus?
Materials: Paper, pencils, markers, crayons, goodie bags (filled with your choice of candy, goodies, etc.)
Procedure: Review the story of Jehoshaphat and Ahab from the scriptures above. Remind the students that Jehoshaphat sent people out to teach other people in his kingdom about God and what God wanted them to do. God expects us to obey when He calls us to do something even if it seems uncomfortable and/or we do not understand why it should be done. Explain that missionaries often go to places that are unsafe or they feel uncomfortable in because they do not know much about the culture. They obey God and trust that He will support them in sharing His word no matter what.
Introduce the service project. Explain to the students that they are going to write notes and make goodie bags to encourage missionaries in their church/in their community. Tell the students that serving as a missionary can be very difficult at times. By encouraging missionaries, the missionaries will feel supported, more hopeful, and continue to want to spread God even when times are tough. Provide the students with materials to make encouraging cards (encouraging phrases/Bible verses/etc.) and provide students with an assortment of items (your choice of items) to fill the goodie bags with.
Additional Questions: How can missionaries be supported through donations?
Supplemental Activity: Reach out to mission teams/ministries in your church and/or in your community. Ask them what materials they need that would help them better serve other in their mission. Have the students plan and implement a fundraiser for these items.