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GOD'S LOVE IS...

Week 5 – GOD’S LOVE IS STRONG

This week’s material is based around the theme of Jesus being our ‘Rock,’ as shown through the parable about the wise and foolish builders, found in Matthew chapter 7 verses 24 - 27.

Week 5 Key phrase slide - Downloadable from bottom of this page.

Week 5 Key phrase slide - Downloadable from bottom of this page.

PART 1   

LEAD-IN SESSION

Outline for Leaders

The purpose of this drama is to reflect on strength – later we’ll go on to talk about how God’s love is STRONG so STRONG that we can rely on Him. 

Characters: Bill, Tom and two other guys to bring the lifting bar on.

Props: Talcum powder (for powdered weightlifters’ chalk), sweat bands, weight lifters’ imitation light weight pole and cardboard imitation weights. (Weights can be made of a suitable light weight material sandwiched between two discs of cardboard, or, by sticking a few circular bits of card together. Alternatively the sketch may revolve around a large cardboard box with a big sign on it 'CAUTION HEAVY'.)        

SKETCH - the weightlifters

Weights made of a suitable material sandwiched between discs of cardboard. Light weight piece of pole painted silver to look like metal. ‘Ideas for props’ section No 7 has a few more images.

Weights made of a suitable material sandwiched between discs of cardboard. Light weight piece of pole painted silver to look like metal. ‘Ideas for props’ section No 7 has a few more images.

(Two guys bring the weights bar onto the stage puffing and panting, moaning and struggling as they go because the weight is so heavy.)

Tom comes through the door and stands in front of the weight bar. Tom rubs some chalk on his hands and begins a bit of a weight lifter’s routine making a huffing and puffing noise etc. Tom steps forward and puts his hands on the bar. Tom is just about to attempt the lift when Bill comes through the door.

Bill: OK then what’s going on here? 

Tom: Oh hi Bill, I’m just about to attempt this lift.

Bill: A lift, you’re going to lift that? What a joke, a bit small isn’t it? I used to do a bit of weight lifting myself you know. Ah, I reckon I would have lifted twice that weight.

Tom: Oh I see. Fancy a go then?

Bill: Well it’s a few years back, when I was younger but---err I don’t think that’ll be a problem. Got any chalk?

Tom: (pointing to the chalk bowl) Yeah, help yourself.

(Bill warms up goes through a little routine and holds the bar and then lets go.)

Bill: Right then.

(Bill grips the bar and with a hiss and then a grimaced face tries to lift it but realises, it is very heavy.)

Bill: Oh it’s heavier than I thought.

Tom looks away

(Bill has a couple of goes and finally manages to jerk the bar up to his knees before dropping it to the floor.)

Bill: That’s no good Tom, you’ll need to get something lighter – you’ll never lift that.

(Tom moves forward and goes through his routine again - sound effect, drum role. Then grabbing the bar he jerks it up in stages before his final push above his head.)

(Bill stands there in amazement.)

Bill: Well I never, (looking flabbergasted and reaching out his hand to shake Tom’s) Tom that was amazing. Well done Tom! (Bill appeals to the audience for a round of applause for Tom).

Tom: Thing is Bill, I was doing the lift to introduce today’s theme.

Bill: Yes it’s all about strength isn’t it.

Kids today our theme is ‘God’s love is strong’. We can rely on God’s love because it will never fail. Later we will see how we can build our lives on God’s Son Jesus because He is so trustworthy and solid. 

Part 2

Bible chat

God's love is strong - Jesus the Rock
Matthew 7 vs 24 - 27

"So then, anyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. Matt 7 v 24 (GNB)

"So then, anyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. Matt 7 v 24 (GNB)

Outline for Leaders:
God’s love is very strong, strong to help us in our difficulties, strong to support us through life. Jesus said that when we listen to His words and obey them, it's like a man building His house on the firm foundation of solid rock. 

This week’s Bible lesson is based around the story told by Jesus of the wise and foolish builders and uses the PowerPoint provided. (Download from bottom of this page. You may also use a piece of strong rock for your introduction to this talk.)

Chat for Kids  

Kids this week we’re talking about God’s love is STRONG. I reckon you can think of lots of things that are strong but one thing that's amazingly strong is rock. Here's a piece of very strong rock - it's hard and it's solid. I'm going to tell you a story that Jesus told. Listen carefully, afterwards we'll talk about why this story talks to us about God's love being strong. 

PowerPoint preview. Click on the images below to see the pictures enlarged. (There is also a video for the ‘Tale of Two Builders’ see below PowerPoint preview)

Featured
SLIDE 1 One day Jesus told a story to get across an important truth to the crowds who were listening to Him. There were two men who decided to build themselves a house.

SLIDE 1
One day Jesus told a story to get across an important truth to the crowds who were listening to Him.

There were two men who decided to build themselves a house.

SLIDE 2 The one said I’m going to build my house over there on the sand it has a great sea view. The other guy thought more about it and said that he had decided to build his house on a rock, a little further away.

SLIDE 2
The one said I’m going to build my house over there on the sand it has a great sea view. The other guy thought more about it and said that he had decided to build his house on a rock, a little further away.

SLIDE 3 So they wasted no time and collected all their building materials and got going on the job.

SLIDE 3
So they wasted no time and collected all their building materials and got going on the job.

SLIDE 4 Soon the houses were starting to take shape. It was hard work but well worth it.

SLIDE 4
Soon the houses were starting to take shape. It was hard work but well worth it.

SLIDE 5 The walls were shooting up and the front door ways appearing too. Soon it would be time to put the windows in.

SLIDE 5
The walls were shooting up and the front door ways appearing too. Soon it would be time to put the windows in.

SLIDE 6 Every day they would work hard to get their houses finished. They were both very pleased with the progress they were making.

SLIDE 6
Every day they would work hard to get their houses finished. They were both very pleased with the progress they were making.

SLIDE 7 With all of the brickwork completed it was time to get the roof on. The houses both looked well built.

SLIDE 7
With all of the brickwork completed it was time to get the roof on. The houses both looked well built.

SLIDE 8 With one or two final touches here and there the houses were complete. And how pleased they both were.

SLIDE 8
With one or two final touches here and there the houses were complete. And how pleased they both were.

SLIDE 9 The builders both stood back and admired their handy work. They had been so busy they hadn’t noticed the dark clouds appearing. It looked like there was going to be a storm. Time to move into the safety of their lovely new homes. So in the

SLIDE 9
The builders both stood back and admired their handy work. They had been so busy they hadn’t noticed the dark clouds appearing. It looked like there was going to be a storm. Time to move into the safety of their lovely new homes. So in they went and closed their doors tight.

SLIDE 10 Now cosy and snug inside, the storm came within minutes, that lovely sea view disappeared and thunder rumbled in the sky above them, lightening flashed and rain started to pour down in torrents.

SLIDE 10
Now cosy and snug inside, the storm came within minutes, that lovely sea view disappeared and thunder rumbled in the sky above them, lightening flashed and rain started to pour down in torrents.

SLIDE 11 But both builders watched from their windows as the storm raged.

SLIDE 11
But both builders watched from their windows as the storm raged.

SLIDE 12 The builder who had built his house on the sand started to get a bit worried, the water was creeping closer and closer to his front door!

SLIDE 12
The builder who had built his house on the sand started to get a bit worried, the water was creeping closer and closer to his front door!

SLIDE 13 Suddenly, the house built on the sand started to shake. The builder had to quickly get out and move to safety, meanwhile his house slowly started to sink into the sand. Oh no he thought what is happening!

SLIDE 13
Suddenly, the house built on the sand started to shake. The builder had to quickly get out and move to safety, meanwhile his house slowly started to sink into the sand. Oh no he thought what is happening!

SLIDE 14 The house built on the rock stood firm and solid, but oh dear, the house built on the sand sank deeper and deeper into the ground.

SLIDE 14
The house built on the rock stood firm and solid, but oh dear, the house built on the sand sank deeper and deeper into the ground.

SLIDE 15 Although the storm was really bad it couldn’t move the house on the rock because it had a strong and firm foundation. But oh my, the house on the sand was in real trouble, its foundations had given way.

SLIDE 15
Although the storm was really bad it couldn’t move the house on the rock because it had a strong and firm foundation. But oh my, the house on the sand was in real trouble, its foundations had given way.

SLIDE 16 In no time at all the house built on the sand was in ruins.

SLIDE 16
In no time at all the house built on the sand was in ruins.

SLIDE 17 Looking on from his friend’s house, the man who had built his house on the sand realised that all of his hard work had been wasted.

SLIDE 17
Looking on from his friend’s house, the man who had built his house on the sand realised that all of his hard work had been wasted.

SLIDE 18 There lay his house, now a pile of rubble. It had just not been built on a firm enough foundation to withstand the storm. What a shame.

SLIDE 18
There lay his house, now a pile of rubble. It had just not been built on a firm enough foundation to withstand the storm. What a shame.

SLIDE 19 The rain finally stopped and the two builders looked at the damage the storm had caused. Only the house built on the rock remained solid and untouched because it had a strong foundation.

SLIDE 19
The rain finally stopped and the two builders looked at the damage the storm had caused. Only the house built on the rock remained solid and untouched because it had a strong foundation.

SLIDE 20 Jesus then told the people that anyone who listens to His teachings and lives by them will be just like the builder who built his house on the rock. When the storms of life come their way they will be able to rely on Jesus to help them th

SLIDE 20
Jesus then told the people that anyone who listens to His teachings and lives by them will be just like the builder who built his house on the rock. When the storms of life come their way they will be able to rely on Jesus to help them through. But those who listen to Jesus’ teaching and don’t do what He says, is just like the builder who built his house on the sand. When the storms of life come they don’t know where to get help from. God’s love is STRONG and solid. God wants us to live our lives placing our trust in Him. When we do that, it’s like building our life on a strong foundation that will never fail.

 
 

Part 3

Response Time (in small groups)

1.    Ask the kids to give other words for strong – (powerful, unbreakable, firm, solid, won’t fail... ) You could write these down on a piece of paper. Say that God’s love is all of these things.  

2.    Ask the kids to name things that are strong – (rock, rubber, metal, glue...) You might like to take an item or picture of something that reminds you of strength to show them. They could draw something that helps them to think of strength e.g. earth mover and write underneath – God’s Love is Strong.  

3.    Ask the kids how they think love can be strong (reliable, doesn’t let you down, always there for you).

4.    Do you think you can rely on Jesus’ strength to help you build a good life?

5.    How do you think you go about building your life on Jesus? (talking to Him – prayer, learning about Jesus through Kidz Klub and church, reading about Him in the Bible).

Week 5 DOWNLOADS

Drama Script, Bible Chat and Response Time Leaders’ Notes
PowerPoint Week 5 - Key Phrase Slide
PowerPoint Wise and Foolish Builders

Re: weight lifting bar ‘Ideas for props’ section No 7 has a few more images.