Class: 8-10 year olds

BIBLICAL REFERENCE

Proverbs 12.10

LESSON’S OBJECTIVE

Teach the kids that we have to take care of the animals.

VERSE TO MEMORIZE

A righteous man regards the life of his animal... (Proverbs 3.6)

INTRODUCTION

Educator, search on the Internet photos of animals and welfare institutions, people with their animals and animals receiving veterinary care. Start now by asking the question: What is the similarity between these animals? (Wait for their participation.) All these animals are been cared for and in today's story we will learn about the importance of taking good care of our animals.

STORY

LEO LIVED in a big countryside house full of animals. Since childhood, he helped his father care for the animals. Leo played, petted and fed the little animals with care. He knew how to care for them and all looked strong and healthy.

One day, Leo's family moved to a house in the city. There, the child could not have many animals but a cat only. Leo could not understand why the city had so many abandoned and injured animals. His desire was to take the animals home, but there was not enough space for that.

He made many friends at his new school, became friends with Paul, a very funny child, but he had a flaw: he did not like animals. He did many bad things to his dog, and always did something against the animals that he happened to find on the streets near his home.

Until one day, Leo was very sad with the way his friend was treating his dog and then decided to ask Paul to give him his pet so he could care for it, and the boy gave it to him.

Leo, along with his father, looked after the dog caringly. After a few days the animal was healthy and strong. When Paul saw his dog so well looked after, he asked: Leo ... What makes you love animals so much? My pet looks so different now! "What happened? And Leo said, smiling:

I'm just treating this animal with love. My father and me gave him food, played and walk with him, did everything to treat it well, just like the Word of God teaches us. Does the Word of God talk about animals? Asked Paul "Yes, God in the Bible, we learn that good people take good care of their animals, but people      that   have a      bad  heart           are     evil      with     their    pets. And Paul said: I do not want God to be sad with me. Starting today I will no longer be evil with any animal and I will treat them very well, said Paul repented of his bad attitude.

CONCLUSION

Children, God created the world through His Word. He gave life to all living things. God did not forget the animals and placed man (humans) to take care of them. So we should treat animals with kindness and respect, and hate violence against animals as this is displeasing to God.

FUN CHAT

You will need brown tape. Start by choosing the kids that are with a white blouse or a similar tone. Ask the educator assistant you to take them to the back of the class where others cannot see them. The educator assistant should place pieces of tape on the blouse of the children selected and then take them to the front of the class. Educator, ask the class: Look closely at these children. (Point to them). Is there something different about them? Look at their clothes. What do you think? (They will probably notice the tape) Conclude: The difference is that in their clothes there is a bit of tape, Children as this bit of tape caught the attention; God also sees when we're doing the right things and the wrong things. Even the little things, God sees, so the children that have a habit of abusing and mistreating animals end up losing the blessings of God. Who here wants to please God in everything? Then we will pray for Him to forgive us of our bad actions and bless us. Educator, ask the following questions:

1. Do you have a pet? Do you take good care of it? 2. What is your opinion about Paul's behavior? 3. In your opinion, why was Johnny so kind to animals? 4. Have you seen someone mistreating an animal? 5. Have you mistreated an animal? Have you repented? Educator, allow the kids to express themselves and give the opportunity for those who want to talk.

ACTIVITIES

SUNDAY

Learning the verse. 1. Read the verse of the week and write down what you have understood 2. Comment on the verse.

Imitating the animals. Take to the classroom pictures of

animals: dog, cat, horse, frog, kangaroo, bird, chicken,

monkey etc (you can use the

same as in the introduction). Place the illustrations in the

decorated shoe box and start talking about what was taught in the story.

Ask a child to grab a picture and to name the animals. Then

get the class to imitate the animal. Continue until you finish

all the illustrations.

Caring with joy. Educator, for this activity you need birthday balloons (the quantity according to the quantity of groups formed), strips of paper, tape, markers, candy or lollipops in quantity for the whole class. Write on strips of paper the names of animals (cat, dog, rabbit, fish, etc.), then place the papers inside each balloon. Divide the class into groups of four components and each group will choose a balloon. Members must pop the balloons; write on a paper some necessary care of the animal, the ones that were inside the balloon and explain what kind of care does it need. Then ask questions about the importance of caring for animals and loving them.