Summary
Kids see that many New Testament letters talk about family life and how parents (including dads) are called to love, teach, and encourage their children in the Lord. They thank God for dads (and father-figures) and think of wise, loving ways to respond at home as part of living out these letters.
Verse
Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers, do not make your children angry; instead, bring them up to know the Lord.”
Action idea:
Action idea:
- “Fathers” – tap shoulders like putting arms around a child.
- “Don’t make your children angry” – crossed arms, “no” shake of head.
- “Bring them up to know the Lord” – raise one hand upward like helping someone stand, then point up.
Movement: “Family Choices Corners”
Label four corners:
Call out everyday home situations:
Kids move to the corner that shows a wise response (obey, encourage, help, pray).
Briefly connect: the letters tell families to love, obey, and encourage one another in the Lord (for example, Ephesians 6, Colossians 3).
- “Obey”
- “Encourage”
- “Help”
- “Pray”
Call out everyday home situations:
- “Dad asks you to help with something.”
- “You made a big mess.”
- “Dad looks really tired.”
- “You and your dad just argued.”
Kids move to the corner that shows a wise response (obey, encourage, help, pray).
Briefly connect: the letters tell families to love, obey, and encourage one another in the Lord (for example, Ephesians 6, Colossians 3).
Lesson: “Letters for Families and Fathers” (Large group)
Quick recap of letters:
Highlight a couple of ideas from letters:
Connect to Father’s Day:
- “Last time we learned that some Bible books are letters God used to teach churches.”
- “Some of those letters also talk about how families should love each other.”
Highlight a couple of ideas from letters:
- Children: “Obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”
- Fathers/parents: “Bring your children up to know and follow the Lord, not to discourage them.”
- Explain in kid language: dads and parents are meant to show what God’s love is like—patient, kind, and guiding.
Connect to Father’s Day:
- “Today we remember that God is our perfect Father, and we thank Him for the dads and father-figures He’s given us—at home and at church.”
- Emphasize that even when human dads aren’t perfect, God the Father always is, and His letters remind families how to live in His love.
Small Groups: “Thank-You Letter for Dad”
Give each child:
Thank you for…
I can show God’s wisdom at home by…”
Steps:
These become take-home encouragement letters.
For kids without an involved dad, invite them to write to another father-figure (grandfather, uncle, spiritual dad, or “Dear Church Family”).
- A half or full sheet designed like a simple letter:
Thank you for…
I can show God’s wisdom at home by…”
Steps:
- Leaders help kids brainstorm one thing they appreciate (provision, playtime, reading stories, praying, teaching them about Jesus).
- They write/dictate one way they can respond wisely this week (listening, obeying quickly, helping, speaking kindly).
- Optionally add a short verse line at the bottom, such as:
These become take-home encouragement letters.
For kids without an involved dad, invite them to write to another father-figure (grandfather, uncle, spiritual dad, or “Dear Church Family”).
Closer Game: “Build-Up or Break-Down?”
Objective:
Make two signs:
Read or act out brief home scenarios:
After each, briefly tie back:
- Show that our words and actions at home can build up or discourage, and the letters call us to build up.
Make two signs:
- “Build-Up”
- “Break-Down”
Read or act out brief home scenarios:
- “You roll your eyes and say, ‘Whatever, I’ll do it later.’”
- “You say, ‘Sure Dad, I’ll help now.’”
- “You shout back when Dad corrects you.”
- “You say, ‘I’m sorry,’ and ask to start over.”
- Kids move to “Build-Up” or “Break-Down.”
After each, briefly tie back:
- “The letters tell families: encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”