Proverbs 19:6

Many seek the favor of the generous, and everyone is a

friend to a giver of gifts.

Begin: Guide reads the background, scripture & prays for the class

Unwrap-Opening Activity 10:00-10:10

Set the Altar 10:10-10:15

Investigate: Tell & Wonder about the Story 10:15-10:30

Learn By Doing & Snack 10:30-10:45

Dismiss: Review the Cornerstone & Closing Prayer

Explore how children can be gift givers, wondering how they might give gifts from the heart as a way to respond to God’s love for them.

Heavenly Father, we know that you have given us

many wonderful gifts. Please guide our hearts and

hands so that we may be generous to others. Amen.

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Our recognition and appreciation of the infinite generosity of God fills us with the desire to be generous in response. “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17)

Young children may excitedly anticipate receiving gifts, but may not see themselves as gift givers. This lesson encourages them to wonder about the gifts that they can give. They can give a cookie to a classmate, a smile to a teacher and a drawing to a grandparent. By thinking about all of the gifts that they have received (such as loving parents, a warm bed, food when they are hungry), they can think about giving as a way to praise and thank God.

Generosity is not about giving because we have more

than we need, or giving out of guilt or social obligation. It isn’t about giving to gain the recognition or approval of those around us, nor is it just about how we use our financial resources, but about how we use all of God’s gifts, including our time and talent.

We are members of a generous community that both

models and encourages generous behavior. When we join

together to share our gifts, we can forge lasting

connections while responding to God’s love.

Each child will have a die-cut “gift

box” to decorate and assemble (we

have these at the church). At end

of the lesson, the children will put

slips of paper inside the box with

pictures of “gifts of generosity”

they can give… to their friends,

family, school, community,

classmates, God, church, etc.

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ASK

What have you all been working on this morning? (the gift boxes). I wonder what they might have to do with today’s lesson?!

If you guessed ‘gifts,’ then you’re right! Who here likes to receive gifts? Let’s name some occasions when people might receive gifts (let the children respond. They might come up with: Christmas, Birthday, Anniversary, Special Occasions maybe flowers for a recital, or a trophy at the end of a sports season).

What about GIVING gifts? I bet you’ve all given a gift to someone before. Raise your hand if you have ever done that? In fact, you probably bring a beautifully wrapped gift to every birthday party you’ve ever attended. Am I right?

It is fun to give and to receive presents, but there are OTHER KINDS of gifts we can give, that do not come wrapped in paper or in colorful gift bags. They cost no money and anyone can give them, no matter how young or old they are. And, you know what else? These gifts God’s favorite! I wonder what these gifts could be?

The gifts that are so important to God are gifts from our heart: things like helping others, sharing nicely, and saying kind words.

ASK

Do you know what God loves the MOST? When we give

these gifts without being asked to give them. It is a gift to

God when we do nice things when no one is watching.

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Did you ever imagine that being helpful or kind, or doing an extra chore could be seen as a GIFT?! These are the best gifts we can give to God, and a way for us to show God our love. Let’s fill your box from the beginning of class with ideas for gifts like this that you can give to others. Let the class help come up with ideas and then draw or write their favorites on paper squares to put inside the box. IDEAS MIGHT INCLUDE: giving the last cookie to your sister, sitting with a classmate who is alone on the playground, smil-ing at someone who seems sad. Hugging mom or dad for no reason at all. High-fiving to the winning soccer team when your own team lost.

SNACK TIME can be an exercise in generosity for this age group. Perhaps when each child is served, they must give their

portion to someone else in the room. Eventually, everyone will be served (by a classmate), but they should all wait to

eat until everyone has a portion. Alternately, you could put a portion of snack out that is NOT ENOUGH for everyone,

and only give it to part of the class. See how they share. Then reward them all by giving more snack to everyone.

Say: Today we learned how God loves gifts that are given from the heart.

Call: The Lord be with you.

Response: And Also with you.

Let us pray:

Thank you God for giving us good gift and teaching us to give gifts to others. Help us to help others by sharing nicely and saying kind words.