“God gives us friends at church. Jesus brings us into His big family.”

“Thank You, Jesus, for my church friends and for being with us.”

Acts 2:42–47 (simple idea: God’s people together).

Children repeat after you:

“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Pick 2–3 songs, repeat them often through the year.

Song 1 – “The B-I-B-L-E”
Motions:

• Hold hands like a book on “The B-I-B-L-E”.
• Hug the “book” on “Yes, that’s the book for me”.
• Step forward and stomp gently on “I stand alone on the Word of God”.

Song 2 – “Jesus Loves Me”
Motions: 

• point to self on “me,” 
• hug on “loves,” 
• hands like a book on “Bible tells me so.”

Song 3 – ““I’m So Glad I’m Here at Church”
(Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
“I’m so glad I’m here at church, yes I am (clap clap)
I’m so glad I’m here at church, yes I am (clap clap)
Here I learn about God’s Son,
Jesus loves me, everyone,
I’m so glad I’m here at church, yes I am (clap clap).”

Add a verse about friends: “I’m so glad God gave me friends…”

Sit kids in a circle. If possible, have a simple picture of a church building and a picture of children together.

a) Church and friends pictures
Hold up the church picture.

• “This is a picture of a church. A church is not just a building. A church is God’s people who come together to sing, listen to the Bible, pray, and love each other.”

Hold up a picture of children together.

• “At church we have friends. Friends play with us, share with us, and help us. God gives us friends so we are not alone.”

b) Short lesson paragraphs
Explain simply (you can draw from Acts 2:42–47 in preschool language):

• “The Bible tells us that the first church met together to learn about God. They prayed together. They shared their food and their things. They praised God together. They were a big family of friends.”
• “God gives us friends at church too. We come here to sing, to hear stories from the Bible, and to love one another. Your friends at church are a special gift from God.”

d) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:

• “God gave me friends and church. Jesus is with us.”

Motions:

• Point up on “God.”
• Point to self on “me.”
• Spread arms around the circle on “friends.”
• Make a roof shape with hands for “church.”
• Point up then to the group on “Jesus is with us.”

Say it several times: loud, whisper, while looking around at friends.

e) Optional short video (4–8 minutes)
If you have a simple kids’ video about church/friends or “God’s family,” show it.

Afterwards, ask:
“Who gives us friends?” (God!)
“Where do we go to learn about Jesus together?” (Church!)
“Who is with us at church?” (Jesus!)

Repeat: “God gave me friends and church. Jesus is with us.”

c) Jesus connection
Point to the children in the picture, then to your group.

“The Bible tells us that Jesus is the one who brings God’s family together. When we follow Jesus, we become part of His big family, the church. Jesus loves your friends, He loves our church, and He is with us when we meet together.”

Goal: 

• Children create a simple picture showing them with friends at church, with a Jesus sentence.
  

Steps

• Give each child a paper. You can draw a simple church building outline at the top (triangle roof and rectangle).
• Ask: “Who are your friends at church?” Let them draw 2–4 people standing together (they can be themselves plus others).
• Adults or helpers can ask, “Who is this?” and write names or “friend” under each figure.
• Add the phrase at the bottom or top:
  • “God gave me friends and church. Jesus is with us.”
• Children can add hearts, crosses, or musical notes (to show singing)
  
  

Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)

• “This is a picture of you and your friends at church. God put you together here so you can learn about Him and love each other. Jesus is with us when we come to church. Jesus loves your friends and loves you.”

When they finish, have them hold up their picture and say:

• “God gave me friends and church. Jesus is with us.”