Kids' Corner 3-6 Grade Children's Church / Sunday School Lesson

Title: Set Your Hearts on Things Above

Verse: Colossians 3:1-2 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Objective: Kids will understand that "Earthly Things" (like entertainment or getting our way) are temporary, while "Things Above" (like love and kindness) are eternal. They will learn how to spot distractions and "reset" their focus on what makes Jesus happy rather than just what pleases them in the moment.

Spark  

“Listen and Do"

Directions:

• The teacher shouts: “ATTENTION!” (Make it fun and silly, like a soldier)
• Tell the kids: "To hear God, we have to have our ears open and our focus ready! Let's practice listening."
• Split the class into pairs. One partner is "The Speaker" and the other is "The Listener." They stand on opposite sides of the room.
• Play loud Bible songs and have the kids talk loudly. Give "The Speaker" a card (or scrap of paper) with a silly instruction (e.g., "Touch your left elbow to your right knee, then spin twice").
• The Speaker has to yell the instructions across the room. The Listener has to hear it, figure it out, and do it – without getting distracted by the noise.

Alternative Option: Instead of pairs of kids going at the same time; choose 2 kids (1 Speaker & 1 Listener) to complete the instructions across the room while the remaining group of students makes loud noises / shouts to distract. Repeat until all the kids had a chance to either be a Speaker or Listener.

Transition: Say: "That was loud, right? It was hard to focus! Real life is just like that—there is constant noise (screens, friends, busyness) trying to keep you from hearing God."

Scripture  

Open your Bible to Colossians 3:1-2.

Read: Ask a volunteer to read the verses loud and clear.

Explain:

• Earthly Things: Ask the class, "What are things that seem important right now but won't matter in 100 years?" (Video games, cool sneakers, winning a soccer match, dessert).
  • "Earthly things aren't always bad, but they are temporary. They break, get boring, or disappear."
  • Things Above: "What are things that last forever?" (God's love, our character, how we treat people, truth).
    • "Setting your mind on 'Things Above' means choosing what matters to God."

Activity: "Stand Tall or Go Low"

• • Directions: Read a scenario. If it’s a Temporary Thing (Earthly), they sit on the floor (Go Low). If it’s an Eternal Thing (Above), stand up tall (Stand Tall).

• Scenarios:

• • "Leveling up your character in Roblox." (Sit)
  • "Tell the truth even though it means you might get in trouble." (Stand)
  • "Buying the coolest new water bottle." (Sit)
  • "Forgiving your friend for being unkind." (Stand)

Learn 

• Read Colossians 3:2 one more time clearly.
• Directions: Ask the kids to help you create hand motions to help remember the verse.
• Suggestions:
  • Set your minds: Point to head.
  • On things above: Point both fingers high to the sky.
  • Not on earthly things: Shake finger "no" and point down at the ground.
• Practice it together 3 times, getting faster each time!

Craft:  The "Heart Box"

Explain: When we think about what is important to us - another way to say it is “it’s what is in our hearts”.

• Give each child a small white box (or a white paper cup).
• Have them decorate the outside with crayons and stickers.
• Glue a paper heart on top (or on the side).

• Set their heart by filling the box with ‘things from above’ (write on pieces of paper).
  • Possible ideas: take time to help my friend, ask my mom to help with a chore instead of playing video games / watching tv, etc.

To see additional Bible-based Kids’ Craft Ideas go to Kids’ Corner Pinterest 

Live 

Ask: "What is one “Thing Above” that you want to focus on this week?" 

• Possible answers: Saying a kind word to my friend, telling the truth even if I’ll get in trouble,etc.

Say: “This week let’s choose what matters to God.”

Prayer Focus: Thank the Lord that He is the Eternal God and for salvation in His son, Jesus. He is Lord and deserves our focus. Ask for help to focus on what matters to Him. Thank God because He is faithful to His children.  

Materials / Supplies Needed:

• Audio Device (to play music)
• Small white cardboard craft boxes / plain white cups
• Scraps of paper (for the listening game & children to write down “Things Above” examples
• Stickers 
• Crayons / markers 

For more Kids’ Crafts, Puzzles, and Activities ideas go to Kids’ Corner at United Faith Church