Choices and Strong Foundations

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-35

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will learn it is important to build their spiritual foundation on solid ground.
  • Students will learn what it takes to build a strong spiritual foundation.
  • Students will participate in a service project to help birds and residents at assisted living facilities.
  • Students will learn how good choices lead to strong foundations in God.

Guiding Question: How can students apply the knowledge of differences between good and bad choices?

Materials: Pillows, building blocks/materials

Procedure: Review the story of the Wise and Foolish Builders. Ask the students what they think is the difference between and wise builder and a foolish builder. After students share, elaborate on their answers by explaining what makes a person wise or foolish. Tell the students that foundations are meant to keep something upheld and sturdy/strong. We also have a foundation when it comes to our faith and relationship with God. Explain that there are things we can do to keep our foundation in God strong such as praying, reading the BIble, worship, being in community with other believers, etc. Explain how these actions help maintain a solid foundation.

Divide the class into teams. Give each team materials to build a house on a shaky foundation like a pillow and one on a solid foundation like the floor. On each piece of wood or building material they use for each house, they must write a choice someone who does or doesn’t build their life on God makes that makes them wise or foolish. First team to come up with enough reasons to complete both houses wins. The teacher must judge the appropriateness of the answers the teams wrote before a winner is declared.

Additional Questions: How can students show the effects of good and bad choices on their relationship with God?

Supplemental Activity: Have students act out different situations that they create which show the effects of good and bad choices.

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