Family Trust

David C Cook COVID-19 Response

Upper Elementary

Lesson 9
Summer 2021
By: RLD Editorial Team
August 01, 2021

Lesson Focus:

Trust Jesus to help your family.

Bible Basis:

John 4:43-45

Materials Needed:

Step 1:

None

Step 4:

Whiteboard and marker (or screenshared document)
Cardstock or construction paper
Markers/pens/pencils
Optional: Scissors

Summary & Links:

Students watch a talk about the royal family and think about their own family problems as they explore trusting Jesus when their family needs help.

Memory Verse:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
—Matthew 11:28

Students watch a talk about the royal family and think about their own family problems as they explore trusting Jesus when their family needs help.

Materials Needed:

None

Have you ever noticed that when you’re out in public, like here at church, everyone seems to have it together? Everyone is dressed up and on time and nothing seems to be out of place. Of course, that’s not how things really are. Every family has trouble at times trying to get out of the house in the morning or just getting along from day to day.

Do you think your family is more dysfunctional or less dysfunctional than average? Why? (Allow students to share stories about their families, but insist that the conversation stays light. Be prepared to jump in as moderator if students overshare.)

In the last year especially, you may have seen or heard media about a royal family feud in England.

Have any of you heard about this family feud? If so, what have you heard? (Allow students to share what they’ve heard.)

Prince Harry, the younger of the two princes, split from the royal family to live in the west with his American actress wife Meghan Markle. They made claims about incredible drama and dysfunction happening in the royal family behind closed doors. Moving seemed like a good way to have more boundaries and a simpler life.

This is example is over the top, of course, but it’s true that each family has a set of challenges they need to deal with.

Some of the problems this family faces are because their family is so famous. But other problems are universal—sibling rivalry, differences between generations of a family, and trying to balance between honoring your family and finding your own purpose in life. Which of these “universal” problems feel similar to problems your family faces? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
What other problems do families typically face? (Answers will vary, but might include sharing, obeying, kindness, truthfulness, how to handle anger, etc.)

While many challenges or problems that families face can be dealt with fairly easily, some situations just seem too burdensome to handle—we need help! Let’s see what God’s Word says about that.

Story Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/prince-harry-williams-feud-how-24415064

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

You can find Steps 2 and 3 in your teacher’s guide. To purchase a teacher’s guide, please visit: Bible-in-Life or Echoes.

Materials Needed:

Whiteboard and marker (or screenshared document)
Cardstock or construction paper
Markers/pens/pencils
Optional: Scissors

If your class is meeting online, invite your students to bring supplies with them to class.

The royal official in our story today believed that Jesus would heal his son. He knew that the situation was outside of his own ability to control or handle, so he turned to the only One who could make things right.

Have you ever made a situation worse by trying to solve it yourself when you should have asked for help? (Be prepared to share an example of your own.)

Sometimes we hesitate to take things to God. We might think it is too small a matter for God to help with, or we might be embarrassed and try to do everything ourselves. But, no matter what, God can help!

Hand out cardstock or construction paper along with writing implements. If your class is meeting online, invite students to have those items ready. To help us remember to trust Jesus to help our families, we’re going to put together a family tree! Using the whiteboard (or screenshared document), create a sample family tree of your own. Don’t use a traditional “family tree” format that traces heritage back through previous generations; rather, have students randomly place the names of their immediate family members and other members such as grandparents and aunts/uncles/cousins that they interact with. Tell your students to be sure to leave room around each name for notes.

As you add each person to your family tree, ask yourself if there is any way you can pray for that member, whether it’s your own relationship with them or something else they are facing.

When the students have finished working, explain the purpose of the project. I’d like you to place your family tree in a place where you’ll see it during the week. Whenever you walk past, think about one of the members of your family and let it remind you to pray for them right then.

Close in prayer thanking God for the family He has placed you in and asking that each of you will learn to trust Jesus with family problems.

About

David C Cook is a nonprofit organization dedicated to publishing and distributing leadership and discipleship resources to help Christians all over the world grow in their faith and pass it on to the next generation. We call this “DiscipleShaping”.

Connect With Us

Search Lessons

Disclaimer of Third Party Content

In some lessons, we may provide you with suggestions of third party content or provide links to third party websites that may align with the lesson topic. At the time a lesson is written, our editors carefully review the cited third party content and websites. However, we do not own or control the third party content or websites and they may change over time including, for example, the addition of advertisements, suggested content, pop-ups, etc on a website page that may not be appropriate for children or classroom use. We take no responsibility for such third party content or websites or for your use of them, including your use of them in a lesson. Please review each cited content or website carefully before utilizing in a lesson.

| Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Cookie Policy

David C Cook COVID-19 Response

Upper Elementary

Family Trust

Lesson Focus:

Bible Basis:

Materials Needed:

Step 1:

Step 4:

Summary & Links:

Memory Verse:

Step 1:

Materials Needed:

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

Step 4:

Materials Needed:

Spread the word

About

Connect With Us

Search Lessons

Disclaimer of Third Party Content