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2. children

Lessons for Children
Lessons for Children
Ages 6–11
Wholeness through Christ:
BALANCE AND CONNECTION
copyright 2011 Community of Christ
Independence, Missouri, USA
Contents
Being whole through Jesus brings balance and connection within
ourselves, in our relationships with one another, and with God.
Blessings of Community. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
This lesson explores the Enduring Principle “blessings of community” through
story and activities to encourage each child to apply that understanding to
their life and say, “I belong!”
Unity in Diversity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
This lesson explores the Enduring Principle “unity in diversity” through story
and activities to encourage each child to apply that understanding to their life
and say “We’re All Different Together!”
Grace and Generosity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
This lesson explores the Enduring Principle “grace and generosity” through
story and activities to encourage each child to apply that understanding to
their life and say, “Because God gives, I can give!”
Worth of All Persons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
This lesson explores the Enduring Principle “worth of all persons” through
story and activities to encourage each child to apply that understanding to
their life and say “I Stand for You!”
All Are Called. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
This lesson explores wholeness and connection through the Enduring Principle
“all are called” through story and activities that encourage each child to apply
that understanding to their life and say “I Am Called!”
Children’s Lessons
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 2
Blessings of
Community
Focus
Materials
We want to stay in balance with and stay connected to
Jesus and to one another. The good news of Jesus brings
us together to build a place of love, joy, hope, and peace
where we can each say with assurance, “I belong!”
• Bible (NRSV) such as the Lectionary Story Bible, Year
A by Ralph Milton
Focus Scriptures:
Acts 2:1–11, 41–47; Pentecost shows how disciples
following Jesus Christ create a blessed community
Doctrine and Covenants 162:6c “Be gentle and gracious with one another.”
• Doctrine and Covenants, including Section 162
• Long rope or ribbon that can be formed into a large
circle for every child to hold onto
• Washable markers or crayons
• Old umbrella or metal clothes hanger to use as a
mobile, one for class and one per child
• Small paper plates (dessert size), one per child
• String or yarn to create a mobile for each child
Objectives
The learner will…
• Fan, paper streamers of red, yellow, orange
(representing tongues of fire)
• Engage in the story of
Pentecost from Acts 2.
• Map of state, region, city where children are from,
map tacks or push pins
• Engage in stories of
communities where people
are welcomed and share
in Jesus’ love, and in which
community members share
what is special about them.
• Black washable paint, and card stock to make
fingerprints of each child’s thumb
Resources
Visit your local library to check out these books before class. The Lectionary
Story Bible is available from Herald House at www.heraldhouse.org or from Wood
Lake Publishing at www.spiritseasons.com.
• Actively participate in teambuilding activities.
• Lectionary Story Bible, Year A by Ralph Milton, illustrated by Margaret Kyle
(Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada: Wood Lake Publishing, 2007. ISBN
9781551455471).
• Begin creating a mobile that
will be added to throughout
this series of lessons.
• Learn a hymn about the
strength and giftedness of
children to share in a worship
setting.
Children’s Lessons
• The Garden of Happiness by Erika Tamar, illustrated by Barbara
Lambase (Harcourt Children’s Books, 1996. ISBN 9780152305826). A
multicultural picture book tells about New York City neighbors who
clear a garbage-filled lot to create a garden growing with vegetables that
remind the tenants of the many countries where they grew up.
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 3
Shape Game
Activates background knowledge,
prepares and motivates for lesson.
Play three games to get children acquainted with
one another and the theme.
Name Game
This is a rhyming chant to sharpen listening skills
and learn the names of fellow students.
1. Begin with:
“Names are short. Names are long.
Say your name, and clap along.”
2. (Example: “Tif-fa-ny, Tif-fa-ny,” 3 claps by the
whole group.) Have each student say their
name—first (given) name only or first and
family name—to a rhythm they create. Have
older children help younger children, if needed.
3. After each one claps out their name, have the
whole class clap out that child’s name. Do each
one.
Discuss: What’s unique or special about your
name? Are you named for someone in your family
or do you have a unique name? What does your
name mean to you?
1. Show pictures of common shapes: circle,
square, triangle, oval, and diamond.
2. Have children form a circle around the rope
and grab on with one hand (smaller kids can
use both hands).
3. Using blindfolds or asking kids to close their
eyes, name a shape and have them form that
shape without talking or looking.
4. On your cue, ask them to open their eyes
(remove blindfold) and see their creation.
5. Follow up with these questions: What shape
did you create? Was it the shape you were
supposed to make? What would make this job
easier? Why do you need to see what you or
the others around you are doing?
6. Allow time to act out more shapes both
blindfolded and with their eyes open.
7. End with a successful shape!
Discuss: Today we’re talking about belonging to
a blessed community. It’s hard to make a blessed
community if we don’t have a good example, or
we can’t see what we’re doing! Today we’ll learn
how Jesus’ teachings helped people to make just
such a community.
Being in Balance
Can you keep your balance? Have everyone stand up and follow your directions. After each
direction, they can return to their normal position:
1. Stick one leg out sideways, parallel to the floor. Try to balance.
2. Spin in a circle three times. Stop. Try to balance.
3. Kneel on your hands and knees. Lift one arm. Try to balance.
4. Lift the opposite leg. Try to balance.
5. Discuss: Is it difficult to stay balanced? Sometimes you can do it, but not for long.
6. Now do the same actions again, only have each child first choose a partner. The two together
will be better able to keep their balance!
Other ways of being balanced are in our actions, such as being happy all the time, or sad all the
time. Have the children show being happy/being sad. Angry/at peace. Listening/speaking. Being
active/being still. We can stay in balance when our communities are in balance, when we’re in
good, healthy relationships with one another. We need to care for each other as Jesus cared for
others. Doing what Jesus did keeps us in balance!
Children’s Lessons
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 4
Invites exploration
and interaction.
Community at Pentecost
With the help of a “special effects crew,” share the story of Pentecost
from Acts 2:1–11, 41–47 from a children’s Bible storybook. If using the
Lectionary Story Bible, Year A by Ralph Milton, the story is on pages 116–
117. Emphasize that Jesus was gone, and his disciples and followers felt
“lost.” The Jews were scattered in many countries, all around Jerusalem.
They were from different cultures; they spoke different languages. Yet
they all came to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover.
While reading about the Holy Spirit coming like a wind and tongues of
flames, have your “crew” turn on a large fan where red, orange and gold
“tongues of flame” paper streamers are tied or taped. The crew can
throw confetti or glitter in front of the fan to blow over the kids.
When the disciples met to celebrate the Jewish festival of Passover, never
in their wildest dreams did they think the Holy Spirit, which Jesus had
promised, would come like it did. It allowed them to hear languages they
didn’t know so everyone could learn about Jesus. Think what an awesome
event this became as people excitedly shared the wonderful news of Jesus!
They were welcomed and they found a community where they belonged!
About 3,000 were baptized that day. The story of Pentecost shows the
power of the Holy Spirit to create a blessed community.
In Community of Christ, we believe that some things will last a long time.
They are called Enduring Principles. One of them is called “blessings of
community,” (write words on poster to display. Add the scripture “Be
gentle and gracious with one another.” —Doctrine and Covenants 162:6c.)
Discuss:
1. What were the blessings of the community at Pentecost?
2. How did the Holy Spirit bring everyone together into one community?
3. The disciples could communicate in ways that everyone could
understand. Show others in your classroom how you could say “God
loves you” without using words.
4. If this was one of Jesus’ first communities of people who were
different from one another (they spoke different languages and were
from different cultures) how did they stay in balance? (The apostles
welcomed them and shared Jesus’ message; they all believed in Jesus’
words; they shared all things in common).
Another Blessed
Community
Read another story about
community: The Garden of
Happiness by Erika Tamar,
illustrated by Barbara
Lambase. Afterward, discuss:
• What were the blessings
of the community in this
book?
• What are the blessings in
YOUR community?
• Has anything like this
happened in your
community? Tell about it.
• Talk about the balance
between the empty lot
and the created garden.
Compare the balance of
the people from different
cultures and the balance
of the garden vegetables.
What did each neighbor
plant in the garden? Why
was it good that not all
people were from New
York? Mexico? Bangladesh?
Alabama? What would be
planted in the garden if
they were? Why did these
neighbors all feel they
belonged? Why was this
neighborhood a blessed
community?
(If possible, consider planting
a garden together).
5. When we get together, how are we like the people at Pentecost? (We
come here from different places. Others help us to feel welcome and
to understand Jesus’ message.)
Children’s Lessons
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 5
Takes the learners from
hearing to doing.
Balance with Jesus Mobile
Where did we—in this class—come from?
Using a map of your region, help children
pinpoint or tag the cities, neighborhoods, or
states where they are from. Attach their name
to the place with a push pin or tack.
What are the communities we belong to? Give
each child a paper plate with four concentric
rings drawn on it in which they’ll draw the
communities they belong to. In the inside
circle, have them write “I Belong.” In the next
ring, have them write or draw sketches of
their family community. In the next circle, their
church community. In the outside ring, have
them draw sketches of other “communities”
they belong to—a sports team, Scouting, 4H,
or other club, sewing group, neighborhood,
school, etc. Invite children to share what
communities they belong to
and what they enjoy about
or what the blessings
are of each.
Give each child a
metal clothes hanger
to become a mobile
(reshape the hanger).
Punch a hole in the
top of their paper
plates and hang with yarn
from a clothes hanger. Tag
each mobile with the child’s name, but keep the
mobiles until the end of all classes. The children
will add a piece to it during each lesson.
Explores how the lesson
might be lived out.
Strong, Gentle Children
Learn the hymn “Strong, Gentle Children” by Daniel
Charles Damon (below). Ask children what they
think of the words and tune. Find an opportunity for
children to share it in a worship service.
Strong, Gentle Children
By Daniel Charles Damon, 1955–
Tune: Twilight
Words © 1993 Hope Publishing Company
Used by permission
1. Strong, gentle children, God made you beautiful, gave you the wisdom and power you need;
speak in the stillness all you are looking for;
live out your calling to love and to lead.
2. Strong, hurting children, angry and terrified, open the secrets your life has concealed;
though you are wounded, know you are not to blame;
cry out your story till truth is revealed.
3. Strong, knowing children, utter your cry aloud,
honor the wisdom God gave you at birth;
speak to your elders till they have heard your voice;
sing out your vision of healing on Earth.
This hymn is available at www.hymnary.org/hymn/
WAR2003/629. The music notation is visible
by clicking on the “View hymnal page scan.”
Downloading and printing this hymn requires a
CCLI or OneLicense license.
For the next class:
Prayer of blessing, praise,
thanksgiving, and hope.
Offer a prayer about belonging to a blessed community—a
blessing because they came together from different places,
but are learning together about Jesus’ love. Ask children if
they would like to offer a prayer.
Children’s Lessons
Before class ends, make a fingerprint of each
child’s thumb or index finger using washable
black paint. Write their name on the back of
each one. After class, display these fingerprints
without the child’s name. If possible, enlarge
these fingerprints on a copier for use in the
next class.
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 6
Unity in
Diversity
Focus
Materials
We all have differences, but God created us so all of
us have a place in our blessed community. We should
celebrate our differences and work together toward
common goals, so we can each say with assurance,
“We’re All Different Together!”
• Bible (NRSV) such as the Lectionary Story Bible, Year
A by Ralph Milton
Focus Scriptures:
• Digital or tape recorder
1 Corinthians 12:4–13 adapted for children.
“All gifts are given by the Holy Spirit. All parts of the
body work together and none is greater than the
other.”
Doctrine and Covenants 164:5, in which Jesus
Christ showed us how to create a new community
of caring for others, working out problems, being
connected even though we’re different, and sharing
love. These communities are signs of living as God
wishes.
• Doctrine and Covenants, including Section 164
• Enlarged copies of children’s fingerprints (from
previous class)
• A body created of tag board or poster board.
Create separate pieces for the hands, arms, torso,
head, legs, and feet that can be attached with brass
fasteners. The torso should have a heart, lungs, and
stomach drawn on it. The head should have ears,
mouth, eyes, and nose drawn on it.
• Brass fasteners and strings or yarn (to connect
body and hang like a mobile)
• 2 in/5 cm wide strips of paper cut into three
lengths: 14 in/35 cm long, 16 in/40 cm long, 18
in/46 cm long
• 3 in/7.5 cm heart for the center
Objectives
• Markers, stapler or tape
The learner will...
• String or yarn to hang mobiles
• Discover likenesses and differences with
members of the class.
Resources
• Engage in the story of Pentecost from Acts 2.
Visit your local library to check out these books before
class. The Lectionary Story Bible is available from Herald
House at www.heraldhouse.org or from Wood Lake
Publishing at www.spiritseasons.com.
• Share reasons why parts of the body are
important and how the body is like a
community where everyone is important.
• Celebrate their own uniqueness through
their thumbprint and voice.
• Lectionary Story Bible, Year A by Ralph Milton,
illustrated by Margaret Kyle (Wood Lake Publishing,
2007. ISBN 9781551455471).
• Create a mobile with God as the focal point.
• See page 10 for more resource possibilities.
Children’s Lessons
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 7
Activates background knowledge,
prepares and motivates for lesson.
Same but Different?
Display the enlarged photos of the students’
fingerprints around the room. Ask them to look
closely at each one. Can they identify their own?
Their friends’? Can they see what is unique about
each one? Are there parts that look similar to others?
Why did God create each one of us to be so unique?
What other things do we have that are the same,
yet different? (For example, all of us have hair, but
different colors, textures, and styles. All of us have
voices, but sound different.)
Discuss what diversity is (our differences).
Discuss what unity means (being brought
together; combining all parts into one). Our
fingerprints show our diversity, how we are
each different. But all of us have fingerprints, and
that they are similar shows how we are unified.
So our theme today is “We’re All Different
Together.” It’s the best way to create community.
Another example is our voices. Record the
students’ voices, each saying the same phrase
“Unity in diversity!” Play the recording, with all
guessing who is speaking the phrase each time.
Discuss: How can you tell who is speaking? What
is unique about his or her voice?
Invites exploration
and interaction.
Unity in Diversity at Pentecost
Review yesterday’s scripture story of Pentecost.
Ask children what happened, what did the disciples
do, what helped them (Holy Spirit), why was it a
blessed community?
Doctrine and Covenants 164:5 in which
Jesus Christ showed us how to create a new
community of caring for others, working out
problems, being connected even though we’re
different, and sharing love. These communities
are signs of living as God wishes.
Today’s story is about a letter the apostle Paul sent
to the Corinthians about how to live God’s way. He
used the example of the body as a community in
balance. If using the Lectionary Story Bible, Year A by
Ralph Milton, the story is on pages 118–119.
Discuss:
How do these two scriptures and today’s story
help us understand how to create a community?
Why do the body parts have to work together?
Read today’s scriptures:
1 Corinthians 12:4–13 adapted “All gifts are given
by the same Spirit, but given individually to each
one. All parts of the body work together and none
are greater than the other.”
Children’s Lessons
How are the different parts of the body like
different people in God’s church? What does each
do? What if you were a hand, head, heart, eyes,
legs, feet, arms, heart, or stomach? What body
part do you most relate to? What is your best
skill? Listening? Talking? Running? Smiling?
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 8
Takes the learners from
hearing to doing.
Heart Mobile
Give students the supplies to make individual
mobiles: a heart cutout, three different colored
strips of paper, and markers or crayons.
1. Write GOD in the center of the heart.
Body of Christ
1. Divide kids into groups and assign them each
group to the body puzzle pieces: 2 legs, 2
arms, 2 hands, 2 feet, 1 torso (with heart,
lungs, and stomach drawn on it,) 1 head with 2
eyes, 1 mouth, 2 ears, 1 nose)
2. On the strip closest to God, write a gift you have
that is unique and special.
3. On the next strip, write a tradition that your
family celebrates (such as, saying nightly prayers,
decorating Christmas cookies, lighting an Advent
candle, hiding Easter eggs).
2. Each group should brainstorm what their given
body part does. Write words or draw pictures
on the body part to show what that body part
does. Think about what God wanted this part
of the body to do.
4. On the strip farthest from the heart, write one thing
you need help to do better. For example, taking
care of your body, treating others with respect,
listening, and praying more.
5. When all three strips are done, bend them into the
shape of a heart and tape or staple at the top and
bottom.
3. When all groups are finished, bring them to
your gathering spot and create your whole
body. Connect the body with brass fasteners.
Hang like a mobile. Discuss what each part
does and how they affect the other parts. Ask:
What did God want this part of the body to
do? Can it do the job on its own? What other
parts are needed for your part to work?
Discuss: How will things change if God is in the
center? Does God help to balance our gifts and our
struggles? Does God show us the blessings that
come from being unique? God knows your name and
every hair on your head; God loves us and created
us to be unique and diverse (different). When those
differences come together in unity, we can create a
strong body, and a blessed community.
Sing “The Body Song”
Body Song
4
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œ . œ œ œ œ . œ œj œ . œ 
Am
Dm
G
C
J
bo - dy
can't
What if the bo - dy
G
Am
each lit - le mem - ber has
&

I
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œ. œ œ
can't
do
Em
œ
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G
with - out you
to
G
Am
make
C
and
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each lit - tle mem - ber has a spe - cial work to do to make
Text: Unknown
Music: Unknown
Children’s Lessons
Œ
C
œ

do
j
œ œ œ
with - out
C
the bo - dy
grow.
.
Oh,
œ
œ
C
œ. œ œ
G7
œ
grow.
Dm
can't
F
œ
eat with its toes. 'Cause
sit in a chair?
the bo - dy

you
Em
G7
Am

& œ œ. œ œ. œ œ. œ œ. œ œ. œ œ œ
F
œ.
j
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a spe - cial work to do
Dm

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walk on its nose, and a bo - dy
can't
were
all hair? And
how can an eye
& œ œ. œ œ. œ œ. œ œ. œ œ. œ œ
F
Am
me.
..
'Cause
2C
.
A Place in the Choir
Sing the song “[All God’s
Creatures Have a] Place
in the Choir” (search
online—available in many
versions on YouTube.
com) or read the book
All God’s Critters Got a
Place in the Choir by Bill
Staines or any of the
other suggested children’s
books.
grow.
9.9.13.5.Refrain.
BODY SONG
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 9
Explores how the lesson
might be lived out.
Balance with Jesus Mobile
Give each child a small paper plate on which
is written this lesson’s theme “We’re All
Different Together.” Invite children to draw a
quick sketch of what their own unique gift or
skill is. Punch a hole in the top and hang with
yarn from a clothes hanger. Keep the mobile
in the classroom until the last class.
Simon Says
Play “Simon Says” with the body parts
discussed in today’s lesson. Give clues about
how God wants us to respond with those
parts, such as: I made a card for a neighbor; I
use scissors and glue. Simon Says to shake the
body part I used. “I heard someone crying at
church,” Simon Says. “What body part would I
use to help?”
Strong, Gentle Children
Practice the hymn “Strong, Gentle Children”
(Worship and Rejoice 629) by Daniel Charles
Damon to share in a worship service.
Prayer of blessing, praise,
thanksgiving, and hope.
Have a child read the following prayer:
Dear Lord, you have given each one of us
eyes to see others in need, ears to hear
laughter, hands to help, feet to move all
around, but most importantly a heart to
love one another. Help us love others as
you have loved us. Amen.
More Resource
Possibilities
Visit your local library to check out these
books before class.
• Owen and Mzee: The True Story of a
Remarkable Friendship by Isabella Hutkoff
with photographs by Peter Greste
(Scholastic, 2006. ISBN 9780439829731).
The true story of an orphaned baby hippo
and an elderly tortoise that adopted each
other and enjoyed swimming, eating, and
napping together.
• Is There Really a Human Race? by Jamie
Lee Curtis, illustrated by Laura Cornell
(HarperCollins Publishers, 2006. ISBN
9780060753467). When a young boy
worries about winning the race, a wise
mother advises that it’s all about relishing
the journey and making the world a better
place by loving others, one step at a time.
• The song “[All God’s Creatures Have a]
Place in the Choir” can be found at:
http://martindardis.com/id125.html
• The Lectionary Story Bible is available from
Herald House at www.heraldhouse.org or
from Wood Lake Publishing at
www.spiritseasons.com.
Invite others to pray for all people who create
us to be one body in Jesus Christ.
Children’s Lessons
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 10
Grace and
Generosity
Focus
Objectives
Materials
God’s grace is always larger,
broader, deeper, and greater
than we can understand. We
can respond to God’s grace
by receiving thankfully and
giving generously. Because
God gives, I can give!
The learner will …
• Bible (NRSV) such as the
Lectionary Story Bible, Year A
by Ralph Milton
Focus Scriptures:
John 4:1–29
Jesus asked a Samaritan
woman at the well to get
him water, going outside
social convention. He
ministered to her, but also
asked her to share with him.
Doctrine and Covenants
163:9 (adapted for
children) “As you grow as
my disciple, you see how
generous God has been if
you share with a full heart.
Don’t give because you
are commanded to. Give
generously what you are
able to give, out of your true
capacity. Joy and peace will
come to you as your heart
grows generously without
expecting anything in return.
How else would you expect
God to be, who gives
forever for all creation?”
Children’s Lessons
• Learn about the Enduring
Principle “grace and generosity”
by comparing God’s grace to our
own generosity.
• Doctrine and Covenants,
including Section 163
• Review the scripture story of
Pentecost to understand that
people in that community shared
all they had with one another.
• Small paper plates (dessert
size), one per child
• Read the scripture story of the
Samaritan woman at the well to
see that Jesus gave to the woman,
but also asked that she share with
him.
• Pony beads of five colors:
enough beads for each child to
have two beads of each color
• Read storybooks about examples
of generous givers.
• Respond to God’s grace by
receiving thankfully and giving
generously.
• Create a bead counter
representing Christ-like traits;
one to keep, one to share.
• String or yarn for each child’s
mobile
• Two strings/yarn/cord/thin
ribbons per child: 24 in/60 cm
• Large sheets of paper or poster
board
• Magazines
• Scissors
• Glue sticks or liquid glue
• One ball for every two children
Resources
Visit your local library to check out these books before class. The Lectionary Story
Bible is available from Herald House at www.heraldhouse.org or from Wood Lake
Publishing at www.spiritseasons.com.
• Lectionary Story Bible, Year A by Ralph Milton, illustrated by Margaret Kyle
(Wood Lake Publishing, 2007. ISBN 9781551455471).
• Possible storybooks about giving:
The Giving Tree written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein (HarperCollins
Publishers, 1964). Various editions are available.
Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White, illustrated by Megan Lloyd (Live Oak
Media, 2004. ISBN 9781591128311).
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 11
Activates background knowledge,
prepares and motivates for lesson.
God’s Grace, Our Generosity
Hang two sheets of paper or poster board
on either side of a wall. Label one: God’s
Grace. Label the other: Our Generosity.
Give magazines and glue sticks to groups of
children and ask them to find things that God
provides for us through God’s grace and the
things that we might generously share with
others. Then compare as a group. Discuss:
The posters probably won’t be balanced
because we can never give as much as God
gives. But we can balance it better by doing
good things for others, such as inviting
others to meals, sharing our toys.
Today we’re learning about the Community of Christ
Enduring Principle “grace and generosity.” The
church believes that God has given us everything we
need. We call that “God’s grace.” We can never give
as much back, but we can give generously when we
give to others as much as we can.
Read together the story of the Samaritan woman
at the well from the Lectionary Story Bible, Year A by
Ralph Milton (pages 84–85) or from John 4:1–29.
Afterward, discuss:
• What did Jesus ask the Samaritan woman to give
him?
• What did Jesus offer to give the Samaritan woman?
• Why is it good to ask others to share their gifts like
Jesus did?
• What did Jesus’ gift “living water” mean?
• What can each of us give to Jesus (others)?
Read Doctrine and Covenants 163:9 (adapted for
children).
Invites exploration
and interaction.
Grace and Generosity in Community
Review the story of Pentecost (Acts 2) told
on Day 1 of class. Then share this part of the
story from Acts 2:44–46: “All who believed
were together and had all things in common;
they would sell their possessions and goods and
distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.
Day by day, as they spent much time together
in the temple, they broke bread at home and
ate their food with glad and generous hearts.”
(NRSV)
Discuss: About 3,000 people were baptized
during this time. Because they had received
the grace and love of God, and had heard the
stories of Jesus, they responded with generosity.
They shared all that they had with one another
other. Even when they were home again, they
“ate their food with glad and generous hearts.”
Children’s Lessons
“As you grow as my disciple, you see how
generous God has been if you share with a full
heart, not because you are commanded to.
Give generously what you can give, out of your
true capacity. Joy and peace will come to you as
your heart grows generously without expecting
anything in return. How else would you expect
God to be, who gives forever for all creation?”
• Does the scripture command us to give a certain
amount? What does it say instead?
• What does it mean to give “according to your
true capacity”? How do you know what your true
capacity is?
• What do we mean by today’s theme, “God Gives;
I Give!”?
Read any of the possible storybooks listed in
resources. Discuss after:
• What did the main character give?
• Did they want anything in return? Why did they
give?
• How did they make others feel?
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 12
Takes the learners from
hearing to doing.
Bead Counter
Using a large sheet of paper or poster board,
brainstorm with students and write five
characteristics of Jesus they name.
Then have students choose a color to represent
each characteristic, that is “loving” could be
a red bead. Give each child five (5) different
colored beads.
Red = loving
Yellow = mutual respect
Green = differences
Purple = receiving and sharing
Blue = faithfulness
Give each child the five beads and a string
approximately 24 in/60 cm long. Guide them
through these directions (see illustration). Older
students may be able to help the younger ones.
A key chain or backpack pull can be added to
the end of the bead counter to make it easy to
take with them as a reminder of how to balance
our life to be more Christ-like.
Give children enough beads and string to create
a second bead counter to give away.
1. Locate the center of your
ribbon and fold in half.
2. Tie an overhand knot about
1 in/2.5 cm below the center
3. Tape the loop to the table.
Bring the two ends toward you.
4. Position the first bead with
the holes sideways.
5. Feed the ribbon ends
through the hole, crossing
the ribbons inside the bead.
6. Pull ends tight.
7. Repeat the process for the next four beads.
8. Leave a space
of about 3–5 in
/7.5–13 cm and
tie another knot
9. To use the bead counter,
slide beads along ribbon one
at a time.
Children’s Lessons
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 13
Planning Notes
Explores how the lesson
might be lived out.
Balance Together
Form children into teams of two. Have each
team sit back to back. Have them link elbows
and place a ball (any type and size) between
their backs. Now have them stand. Can they
do this task alone? What qualities (mutual
respect, faithfulness, love for one another) on
our bead counters will help them do the job
together? Remind children they have been
given these gifts from God and in all things
have the ability to use them!
Balance with Jesus Mobile
Give each child a small paper plate on which
is written this lesson’s theme “God Gives; I
Give!” Invite children to draw a quick sketch
of something they can share with others.
Punch a hole in the top and hang with yarn
from their mobile. Keep the mobile until the
last class.
Strong, Gentle Children
Practice the hymn “Strong, Gentle Children”
(Worship and Rejoice 629) by Daniel Charles
Damon to share in a worship service.
Prayer of blessing, praise,
thanksgiving, and hope.
Gather the children into a circle for
prayer. Offer the following prayer; then
ask children to fill in your blank statement
with one word. “Thank you for giving
us all that we need. We want to share
ourselves generously with others around
us. I want to generously share ________.
Help me to be more like you! Amen.”
Children’s Lessons
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 14
Worth of
All Persons
Focus
Objectives
Materials
We should celebrate our
differences and what makes us
special. We should also celebrate
that in others, and stand up for
those who are not loved as God
loves them. “I Stand for You!”
The learner will…
• Bible (NRSV) such as the
Lectionary Story Bible, Year A by
Ralph Milton
Focus Scriptures:
Acts 10:34, adapted for children:
Peter taught, “God does not have
favorites; anyone who does what
is right is loved by God.”
Doctrine and Covenants
164:6a, adapted for children:
“Jesus is concerned about our
relationships and our behaviors
that hold up the worth and gifts
of everyone and that protect the
most vulnerable. If we follow
Jesus, we will have love, respect,
and fairness in our relationships,
and be responsible for others…”
Resources
• Discover that differences among
members of the class don’t make
anyone unworthy.
• Doctrine and Covenants,
including Section 164
• Discover that God loves all
people equally, and that Jesus
Christ is our example of how to
treat others.
• Small paper plates (dessert size),
one per child
• Explore how to be responsible
for others, having love, respect
and fairness in our relationships.
• Pipe cleaners
• Learn what the rights of every
child are throughout the world
(based on the United Nations
Declaration of Children’s Rights)
and what they can do to stand up
for those who don’t receive their
rights.
• Explore a story about bullies
and discuss what can be done to
stand up to and care for bullies.
• Create a “Class Kid” mobile to
illustrate the differences and
likenesses of members of the class.
• String or yarn to create a mobile
for each child
• Poster board or flip chart
• Cards and envelopes (a few for
each child to create stationery)
• Small piece of heavy cardboard
(one per child)
• Ink pads (different colors)
• Liquid glue, mirror in box,
magnets, dowels
• Two buzzers or two hand-held
flags for child rights game
• Rights of the Child poster
(www.CofChrist.org/child_youth/
rightsofchild.asp)
• Index cards
Visit your local library to check out these books before class. The Lectionary Story Bible
is available from Herald House at www.heraldhouse.org or from Wood Lake Publishing
at www.spiritseasons.com.
• Lectionary Story Bible, Year A by Ralph Milton, illustrated by Margaret Kyle (Wood Lake Publishing, 2007. ISBN
9781551455471).
• I Can be Anything by Jerry Spinelli, illustrated by Jimmy Liao (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2010).
ISBN 9780316162265). This storybook affirms that children cannot only be whatever they can be as a
grown-up, but can make a difference by being anything they want—sharing their gifts—now!
Children’s Lessons
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 15
Activates background knowledge,
prepares and motivates for lesson.
Who We Are
Gather children in a circle. Call out characteristics that all children have in common. Allow each child
to take a turn leading the group with their own idea.
• Stand up if you have a first (given) and last (family) name.
• Laugh if something made you happy today.
• Sit down if you are growing.
• Wiggle your fingers if you_______ (have siblings, live in a house, help your mom, like camping, etc.)
• Stand on one foot if you___________ (have a specific color of hair, are wearing shorts, have a
favorite color of _____, etc.)
Discuss what was discovered about your group. There should be many ways in which your group is
alike. Use words like, “Look how many of us are wearing green today.”
Do the activity again choosing things that will separate the children as unique and different from each
other. Allow each child to take a turn leading the group with their own idea.
• Clap twice if you have green eyes.
• Turn around if you are wearing sandals.
• Touch your knees if you have a birthday in _______.
• Jump up and down if your favorite subject is math.
Discuss: We are all different in some ways from the rest, but does that make us less worthy? Less
important? Why or why not? Why do we decide, sometimes, that someone is not as important, is less
worthy, than we are?
Children Have Rights!
Invites exploration
and interaction.
Do you know that children have rights? What do
you think your rights as children are? As children
call out answers, list these on poster board or a flip chart. Then share with them their rights according to the
United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child (use the downloadable poster at the church website to
read the children their rights). The apostle Peter, whom we’ve read about in the story of Pentecost, (Acts 2),
told the people what Jesus and God were like. Peter taught, “God does not have favorites; anyone who does
what is right is loved by God.” (Acts 10:34 adapted)
In our classes, we’ve studied Enduring Principles of Community of Christ. Today the principle we’re learning
is called “worth of all persons.” We believe that everyone is worthy and loved by God. Read the scripture
from Doctrine and Covenants 164:6a (adapted for children): “Jesus is concerned about behaviors and
relationships that uphold the worth and giftedness of all people and that protect the most vulnerable. If we
follow Jesus, we will have love, respect, and fairness in our relationships, and be responsible for others…”
Children’s Lessons
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 16
Before class print these sentences
on index cards (one per card):
• Two brothers live in a car.
• A girl who is eight never goes to
school.
• A boy doesn’t have lunch money.
• A first grader doesn’t have a
winter coat.
• A girl is sick, but can’t go to the
doctor.
• A child in another country has no
clean water to drink.
• A child in another country has to
work instead of going to school.
Child Rights Game
What can we do to help ensure that children are upheld and protected;
that they receive their rights? Divide class into two teams; each team
sits in a circle around a buzzer or has a small flag to wave. Choose
a team leader for each team. Using the Child Rights cards prepared
before class, read the top card. Each team brainstorms in their team;
when they have an answer for the problem presented on the card,
they hit the buzzer or wave their flag to show they’re ready. Read the
statement again and hear their answer. Discuss their ideas. Change
team leaders and keep playing until each team has answered several
card challenges and everyone has had a chance to be team leader.
For more activities about children’s rights, go to the Rights of the Child
coloring and activity pages at www.CofChrist.org/child_youth/rightsofchild.
asp.
Discuss how all of us can help defend the rights of children by being like
Jesus: being a friend, and standing up to those who try to take our rights
away. Bullies try to take our rights away.
All About Bullies
Do you know some bullies in your school, neighborhood, even church? Bullies think some kids are
less important than them, so they pick on them, and maybe even hurt them. That is like considering
others to be less worthy, less valuable. What can you do about bullies?
How can you show Jesus’ love and caring to both the person being bullied and the bully? Jesus wants
us to stand up to bullies, but also be their friend. Read aloud Doctrine and Covenants 164:6a.
Takes the learners from
hearing to doing.
Our Class Kid Mobile
Create a “Class Kid” mobile. First, invite the children to tell you unique
characteristics, gifts, or skills they have that may be different from one
another. Write these on a flip chart or poster board. Then have them
tell you what characteristics they ALL have in common (they all may
be wearing white socks, are under four feet tall, and own a soccer ball,
for instance). Then have an artist draw one “class kid” who represents
everything that is similar, and as many differences as are possible. For
instance, a difference might be that the “Class Kid’s” hair is made up of
ALL colors: is red, blonde, brown, and black, straight and curly. Their
skin might be freckled AND brown and white. Kids will enjoy watching
the differences and likenesses develop. Then cut apart the picture
(hands, head, hat, feet, etc.) and assemble it as a mobile.
Name Stationery
Take a pipe cleaner and bend it
into the shape of the child’s name.
Put glue on the side that is correct
when you are looking at it, and glue
to cardboard. The image on the
cardboard should be backwards.
Then let dry. This becomes the
stamp that children use with the
inkpads to create their unique
stationery for letters, memories,
and thoughts. Supply cards and
envelopes for writing letters to
friends and family.
Discuss: What’s great about what we have in common? What’s great
about how we are different?
Children’s Lessons
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 17
Explores how the lesson
might be lived out.
Balance with Jesus Mobile
Give each child a small paper plate on which is written
this lesson’s theme “I Stand for You!” Invite children
to draw a quick sketch of someone they will stand up
for, or something they can do to ensure the worth of
persons. Punch a hole in the top and hang with yarn
from their “Balance with Jesus Mobile.” Keep the
mobile in the classroom until the last class.
You are God’s Child!
Using a plain box that can be opened, place
a mirror face up in the box with fancy paper,
ribbon, or fabric surrounding it. Tell children
they are to look at the most wonderful thing
God created and not say anything because
it is a gift just for them and it is different for
every person. When the child opens the
box they should see themselves in the box
without risk of anyone else seeing what is in
the box. Make sure the mirror is secured in
the box with glue. Hold the box in your hands
and announce, “You are all a child of God!”
(adapted from Galatians 3:26).
Children’s Lessons
Strong, Gentle Children
Practice the hymn “Strong,
Gentle Children” (Worship and
Rejoice 629) by Daniel Charles
Damon to share in a worship
service.
Prayer of blessing, praise,
thanksgiving, and hope.
Sing a Song
Sing: “I Am Special” to the tune of “Frère Jacques”
I am special. (point to self)
You are special. (point to someone)
So is he. So is she.
Same and different we can be.
Get along so happily. (smile)
With our friends. With our friends. (shake a hand)
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 18
All Are
Called
Focus
Objectives
Materials
God graciously gives us gifts and
talents and calls us to use them
to work with God to follow Jesus
and create a blessed community.
In these blessed communities of
support, we can truly explore our
gifts and enthusiastically respond
“I Am Called!”
The learner will …
• Bible (NRSV) such as the
Lectionary Story Bible, Year A, by
Ralph Milton
Focus Scriptures:
Ephesians 4:1–3 (adapted for
children): “Lead a life worthy
of Jesus’ calling: be humble and
gentle, patient, and make every
effort to live in the peace of
Jesus.”
“All are called according to
the gifts God gave them, so all
may work together for God.”
(Doctrine and Covenants
119:8b adapted) and “…the gifts
of all are necessary so that God’s
purposes can be accomplished.”
(Doctrine and Covenants
161:4b adapted)
Resources
• Affirm the gifts of their
classmates while taking part
in a game.
• Share the story of Pentecost
in Acts 2 with the class.
• Hear a story of a child who
shared his gifts to bring
balance and connection to his
community and draw a picture
of their own community and
what gifts they can share in it.
• Work as a team to perform
a task (carrying a ball on a
group of strings and untangling
themselves as a group).
• Complete a mobile called
“Balance with Jesus.”
• Affirm each other’s worth
and giftedness by writing an
affirming message for their
mobile.
• Share a beautiful hymn in a
worship service.
• Doctrine and Covenants,
including Section 161
• Small paper plates, one for each
child (dessert size)
• One paper plate for each child
with a drawing of Jesus on it
(see sample)
• Washable markers or crayons
• Yarn or string to hang two items
onto children’s mobiles
• Chimes/bell/music to be used
for gathering
• Tennis ball, canning jar lid (screw
type)
• 3-foot (1 meter) lengths of yarn,
one for each child
• Cone or pop bottle
• Poster paper
Visit your local library to check out these books before class. The Lectionary Story Bible
is available from Herald House at www.heraldhouse.org or from Wood Lake Publishing
at www.spiritseasons.com.
• Lectionary Story Bible, Year A by Ralph Milton, illustrated by Margaret Kyle (Wood Lake Publishing, 2007.
ISBN 9781551455471).
• Eddie’s Kingdom, written and illustrated by D.B. Johnson (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2005. ISBN
9780618562992). The people in Eddie’s apartment building always fight together, until Eddie draws a
picture of them in a way that breaks down the barriers and helps the tenants see themselves in a new way.
Children’s Lessons
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 19
Activates background knowledge,
prepares and motivates for lesson.
Red Rover
Play a game of “Red Rover,” dividing the class into two teams facing each other. One team calls out
“Red Rover, Red Rover, send (name) right over.” Play this way for a while, and then have kids use a
description rather than a name to call kids over. For instance, “Red Rover, Red Rover, send the girl
who’s good at jump rope right over.” Continue this way, challenging children to think of positive
qualities (gifts and skills) the other team members have. Afterward, discuss: What does it mean when
we say you are “called” by Jesus or God to do something? What do you do when your mother or
father calls you? When a friend calls you? When Jesus calls you, he is asking you to share your gifts or
talents with others. Will you tell us about a time when you shared a gift or talent you had?
Invites exploration
and interaction.
Community at Pentecost
Remind children of the story of Pentecost
shared in the first class. Ask children to tell
YOU the story today. They should include
that the people were in Jerusalem with Peter
and the other disciples, they heard the story
of Jesus in their own languages, and they
experienced the Holy Spirit through flames
of fire. Three thousand people were baptized
that day, and they shared all that they had with
each other.
Ask what happened then. Read the story
from the Lectionary Story Bible, Year A on page
117 starting with “The disciples were happy.
They now knew what God wanted them to
do…” The disciples went to share the good
news of Jesus with others. The people who
were changed went back to their homes and
continued to live, as Jesus wanted.
Read Ephesians 4:1–6. “Lead a life worthy of
Jesus’ calling: be humble and gentle, patient,
and make every effort to live in the peace of
Jesus.” This is how Jesus would like us to live.
The best way we can do this is to share what is
special about ourselves with others, and to be
Children’s Lessons
willing to help others as Jesus did. This is the Enduring
Principle of “all are called.” Community of Christ
believes that we are all called to follow Jesus and to
be the best we can be, sharing ourselves, and helping
others. Read Doctrine and Covenants 119:8b and
161:4b (the adapted versions on the previous page).
Ask children to look at the cover of the book, Eddie’s
Kingdom. Discuss: What do they notice about the
cover, and the main character Eddie? Do you know
anyone who lives in an apartment, or do you live in an
apartment? What are apartment buildings like; who
lives in them, where are they found? Families who live
in apartment buildings each have their own space, but
they share common spaces and must work together
to take care of the building. How should they treat
one another? Now read Eddie’s Kingdom by D.B.
Johnson. Discuss: What are Eddie’s gifts?—the ability
to make everyone smile and get along, drawing,
organizing a party, care about each person in the
building, peacefulness. What do you like about this
story? What does it make you want to do?
Where Do You Live?
Give out paper and markers or crayons. Tell
children to do as Eddie did. Draw your home, your
neighborhood or your building. Draw the people
who live there. How do you fit in? Write an idea
or two suggesting what the people can do to help
others who live there.
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 20
Takes the learners from
hearing to doing.
Tennis Ball Lift Team-Building Game
Directions: Before class, tie strings to the
canning jar lid. Tie one string for each child in
class. Knot each string around the edge of the
canning jar lid so it looks like a spider with
many legs.
Gather children in a circle. Place the tennis
ball on the top of the jar lid which is resting
on a cone or pop bottle. (Jar lid should be flat
side up for older children and ridge side up
for younger children.)
Balance with Jesus Mobile
Have each child finish their mobile that combined the
themes of each day’s class and their commitment and
ideas they developed each day: the mobile piece from
blessings of community, unity in diversity, grace and
generosity, worth of all persons, and all are called.
Give each child a picture of Jesus (see illustration) to
color and add as the centerpiece of the mobile. This
mobile represents how children will stay balanced and
connected to Jesus, their communities and each other.
Today they may take their mobile home.
Give each child a string that is connected to
the jar lid.
Discuss how God is our center and we are
connected to God, but God also connects us
to others around us.
On your direction, have children lift the
tennis ball. If the ball drops, they cannot
pick it up with their hands. They should use
teamwork and positive words to encourage
others to complete the task. Ask them to
move around the space with the ball lifted in
the air.
Discuss: What would happen if someone let
go of his or her string? If someone gave it a
tug what would the rest of you feel? How
does this relate to us at school, church, at
home? If God is in our center, what do we do
if we feel a tug, or someone lets go?
Used with permission from Creative Clips: Clip Art and Awards
for the Christian Classroom, art by Jeff Carnehl (Concordia
Publishing House, 1999. ISBN 9780570053835).
Children’s Lessons
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 21
Explores how the lesson
might be lived out.
Balance and Connection
Play a balancing game called “Knots” following
these directions:
1. Everyone should stand in a circle, holding
hands.
2. Drop your hands. Reach in with your right
hand and grasp the right hand of someone
across the circle.
3. Then, grasp the hand of someone’s left hand (a
different person). This will tangle up the group
into a seemingly impossible knot!
4. To get undone, give one another directions to
crawl over, under, around, and through one
another to untangle, without letting go of your
hands!
When children are “unknotted” and back in a
circle, sit down and discuss that even though we
were in a knot, and were often unbalanced, we
stayed connected and could help one another.
This is what living in a blessed community where
everyone is unique and worthy, shares generously,
and responds to their calling is like.
Strong, Gentle Children
Share the hymn “Strong, Gentle Children” (Worship
and Rejoice 629) by Daniel Charles Damon in a
worship service.
Prayer of blessing, praise,
thanksgiving, and hope.
Say a prayer, or ask children to pray,
thanking God for the uniqueness of each
person in the room and for allowing us
to see positive things in others.
Children’s Lessons
All Are Called
Since this is the last lesson, each child should
know his or her classmates. This activity can be
used to bless each person.
Tape a small paper plate to each child’s back, with
the child’s name in the center. Give each child a
marker and the following instructions.
Each of you has a blank paper plate right now.
You have been with these friends and you have
seen them do some wonderful things. Maybe they
made you smile, or helped you with a project.
It is now your calling to bless them by writing a
message to them, or drawing a picture of how
they made you feel. Be positive and caring.
Write one thing on each person’s plate like “I like
your smile; I like your laugh,” “I enjoyed your
story today,” or draw a picture of what you like
about them, on their paper plate.
When the chimes, bell, or music begins, come
back to the gathering spot and you can remove
your plate carefully from your back and read or
look at what others have seen in you. Attach it to
your “Balance with Jesus Mobile” underneath the
picture of Jesus. Also add a quick sketch of what
“all are called” means to them. Punch a hole in the
tops of these and hang with yarn.
Sing a Song: Make New Friends
Make new friends,
But keep the old,
One is silver and the other gold.
A circle is round,
It has no end,
That’s how long I want to be your friend.
Wholeness through Christ: Balance and Connection
page 22