Title: "Branches of Kindness: Sharing Love Like Jesus"
Objective: To help children understand the importance of kindness and love in the way Jesus taught us, using trees as a wonderful symbol of how our actions can spread like branches.
Introduction:
Gather the children together and start with a simple question: "What do you think of when you hear the word ‘tree’?" Allow them to share their thoughts. You might hear words like "leaves," "branches," "fruit," and "shade." Explain that today we will be talking about how trees can remind us to be kind and loving, just like Jesus.
Story Time:
Share a short story about Jesus feeding the 5,000 (John 6:1-14). Explain that when the people were hungry, Jesus showed kindness by sharing what He had, even when it seemed like there wasn’t enough. This act of love fed many people and showed how kindness can grow and multiply, just like a tree spreading its branches.
Lesson:
Tree as a Symbol of Kindness:
- Explain that a tree has strong roots, a sturdy trunk, and many branches. The roots are like the love we have for Jesus – they keep us strong and grounded.
- The trunk is like our faith, holding us up and allowing us to grow.
- The branches represent the kindness we can share with others. Just as branches reach out, we can reach out in kindness to our friends, family, and even strangers.
Different Ways to Show Kindness:
- Ask the children to think of ways they can be kind. Some examples might include sharing toys, helping a friend who is sad, saying nice things, or helping their parents.
- Discuss how each act of kindness is like a branch on a tree. The more branches we have, the more love we can share.
God’s Love is Like Rays of Sunlight:
- Talk about how trees need sunlight to grow. Explain that God’s love is like sunlight – it helps us grow and be strong.
- Encourage the children to remember that when they show kindness, they are sharing that love with others, just like how the sun shines on everyone.
Activity:
Create a "Kindness Tree" on a large piece of paper. Draw a big tree trunk and branches. Give each child cut-out leaves made from colored paper. Ask them to write or draw one act of kindness they can do on each leaf. Then, they can stick their leaves onto the branches of the tree. This will serve as a reminder for them to share kindness every day.
Closing Prayer:
Gather everyone to join hands and close with a simple prayer. Thank God for His love and kindness. Ask Him to help each child be a branch of kindness, spreading love to everyone they meet.
Reminder to Take Home:
Encourage the children to look for opportunities to be kind at home and school. Remind them that just like trees, their acts of kindness can grow and make the world a better place!
End of Lesson.