Do the Will of God

OBJECTIVE

How can we decipher God's voice as a child, as a brother/sister and be sure that I am following God's plan?

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 5 Minutes

Using a puppet start the following conversation:

  • S - How are you today?
  • P - Not good, I'm in trouble, I am not sure if what I did was right or not?
  • S - What was it?
  • P - I told my parents I didn't watch TV at the time I was not supposed to watch, but I did, and I think they found it about it
  • S - Do you feel bad because they found out about it, or because you felt it was wrong?
  • P - Does it make a difference?
  • S - Yes, a lot of difference. Today we will talk about choices and how to do the right one and know if we are following God's plan.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 10 Minutes

Ask the children if they know any verses about the will of God?

Memory Verse

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

References:

Exodus 3 (Moses and the burning bush)

Acts 16:6-10 (St. Paul was prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching in Asia)

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 10 Minutes

Have the children close their eyes and think about the many gifts God gives us and how God always takes care of us.

  • God gave us all free will. This free will is for us and came at a price; His only Son (Jesus) died for us all. After our Lord Jesus Christ died for our sake, He sent to us the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us do His will and follow God's plan.
  • The ability to love God is up to us. We are not forced to do anything. On the contrary, we are given freedom (however, remember the cost that was paid for this freedom).
  • But how do we find the will of God and His plan? Let's get some examples from the Bible. Remember Moses, he tried to do God's plan but in his own way. While he was living in the pharaoh's palace, he killed an Egyptian when he tried to defend a Hebrew person and fled to the desert after people found out. God used him after he waited 40 years in the desert and got old and without power or strength. God asked him to go and rescue His people in Egypt. Moses heard and saw God in the burning bush and that started his mission. This example is from the Old Testament
  • Another example from the New Testament is about St. Paul, and his ministry preaching to different people and different countries. He wanted to go to new cities in Asia, but the Holy Spirit prevented him. The Bible doesn't say specifically how he heard the message. This happened twice and then the Lord sent him a vision to go to a certain place.
  • So, you can see these voices were clear for them and were guiding them through their lives.
  • How about us... will God talk to us? Yes, He does every day and many times during the day. Before you do something especially if you are not sure, you hear a little voice inside you that tells you don't do it. This little voice is the Holy Spirit that is guiding you and trying to help you. But it is up to you to listen to the voice or not. The more you listen to the voice and pray to God about making the Holy Spirit clear inside and loud, He will be a stronger and clear voice inside.

ACTIVITY - 5 Minutes

Address the question the children would "ask God" indirectly. Be sure that the children understand that God is our Father and friend and we can always ask Him for anything especially ask for His guidance.

Take sheets of paper and cut it according to the number of students in the class. Have every student write down a question to God about something each one of them would do. If you are giving the lesson virtually, you can send them in the private chat a task (it can be a good one or a bad one). Then ask each one to read this task or choice out-loud and discuss if this is a good task/choice and why.

My duty now is to hear His voice and to listen to Him and to live faithfully.

LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes

The Holy Spirit would guide you through your inner voice that will grow inside as you pray more, repent, confess, and take communion. You will find yourselves doing the right things as you can hear the voice louder every day.

RESOURCES

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

Make sure you check with your child about their task/choice and if it was a good one or not. This is part of the understanding and recognizing the voice of the Holy Spirit inside them to make correct decisions.