Summary
The Bible has many letters (epistles) written to churches and believers to help them follow Jesus.
Kids learn that these letters are like God’s mail—truth and encouragement sent to His people then and now—and they practice finding the “letters section” of the New Testament.
Kids learn that these letters are like God’s mail—truth and encouragement sent to His people then and now—and they practice finding the “letters section” of the New Testament.
Verse
Romans 1:7b – “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Action idea:
Action idea:
- “Grace” – open arms like giving a gift.
- “Peace” – hands together like praying, then over heart.
- “From God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ” – point up, then trace a small cross.
Movement: “Mail Delivery Run”
Mark three spots around the room:
Give a few children big paper “envelopes” labeled:
Call out a place:
Quick tie-in:
- Rome, Corinth, Galatia (or “Church A/B/C” for younger kids).
Give a few children big paper “envelopes” labeled:
- Romans, 1 Corinthians, Galatians.
Call out a place:
- The “mail carrier” runs to that spot, delivers the “letter,” and says, “God’s message for you!”
- Swap carriers often so lots of kids participate.
Quick tie-in:
- “Paul and others couldn’t always visit, so they wrote letters—God used those letters to teach the churches.”
Lesson: “Letters: God’s Mail to Churches” (Large group)
Where are the letters?
What’s in the letters?
Object picture:
One short sample:
- Show kids the New Testament contents.
- Point out that after Acts come many books with people/place names: Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, etc.
- Explain these are letters written to churches and friends (like Timothy, Titus, Philemon).
What’s in the letters?
- Use simple kid language:
- “Keep trusting Jesus.”
- “Love one another.”
- “Don’t give up doing good.”
- “Remember the good news!”
Object picture:
- Hold up an envelope and a Bible. Say: “These letters were real mail first, and now they are part of God’s Word for us.”
One short sample:
- Read/paraphrase a very short encouragement from a letter (e.g., “Encourage one another and build each other up”).
- Ask: “How could we ‘deliver’ this message in our church today?”
Small Groups: “Find a Letter and Who It’s To”
Goal:
1. Help everyone find Romans (or another simple letter like Philippians).
2. Show them the opening verse or heading: “To all in Rome who are loved by God…” / “To God’s holy people in Philippi…”
3. On a half-sheet, kids draw:
For older kids:
- help kids see that each letter is addressed to someone.
1. Help everyone find Romans (or another simple letter like Philippians).
2. Show them the opening verse or heading: “To all in Rome who are loved by God…” / “To God’s holy people in Philippi…”
3. On a half-sheet, kids draw:
- A little church building or group of stick people.
- A big envelope above it labeled “From God’s Word.”
For older kids:
- Let them quickly flip and see that many books begin with “Grace and peace to you…” and note that the tone is loving and pastoral.
Closer Game: “Letter or Story?”
Reinforce what makes a “letter book.”
Say or show brief descriptions and let kids decide if it sounds like a story book (Gospels/Acts) or a letter book(epistles):
Kids can stand up:
Wrap line:
Say or show brief descriptions and let kids decide if it sounds like a story book (Gospels/Acts) or a letter book(epistles):
- “This book tells the story of Jesus’ miracles.” → Story
- “This book starts with, ‘To the church in…’” → Letter
- “This book tells what the first church did after Jesus went back to heaven.” → Story
- “This book reminds believers how to live and love like Jesus.” → Letter
Kids can stand up:
- For “letter” and sit down for “story,” or move to labeled sides of the room.
Wrap line:
- “Stories show what Jesus did; letters help churches remember how to follow Him.”