How Stuff Works

In this 4 week series, we’re going to learn how stuff works. Stuff like: feelings, friendship, greed, and forgiveness.

How Feelings Work

Posted: July 28, 2014

Watch the video above and talk about it with your family. Learn more.

God created our emotions because he doesn't want us to be robots!

Key Points:

  • Feelings are good because God invented them!
  • Even the “bad” feelings can still be good for us. Anger can encourage us to stand up against wrongdoings. Fear can help us to avoid dangerous situations.
  • Feelings can hurt us if we’re not careful. We have to keep them in check. Try the STOPLIGHT method: make sure to always STOP, THINK, then ACT.

Memory Verse:

Proverbs 29:11 Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.

Talk About It
  1. What’s your favorite part of the video? What’s one thing you learned from it?
  2. What makes you really happy? How do you act when you’re happy? What makes you angry? How do you typically act when you’re angry?
  3. Why do you think God gave us feelings?
  4. How can feelings hurt you or someone else?
  5. Think about the Stoplight 1-2-3. How can each of those steps help you the next time you have strong feelings toward someone or something?
  6. Read Psalm 141:3-4. How can God help us to control what we say? What things do we need to avoid?
  7. How will you apply this lesson to your life this week?

Downloads:

How Friendship Works

Posted: August 4, 2014

Watch the video above and talk about it with your family. Learn more.

Be careful who you put on your friend list because they will rub off on you.

Key Points:

  • Our friends rub off on us. The more you hang out with someone, the more you start acting alike! 
  • We should pick our friends carefully. If we hang out with kids who are mean or dishonest, we might become that way, too.

Memory Verse:

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV) Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Talk About It
  1. What’s your favorite part of the video? What’s one thing you learned from it?
  2. Make a list of what a good friend looks like. Make a list of what a bad friend looks like.
  3. How have your friends rubbed off on you in a good way? How about in not so good ways?
  4. What are some qualities you should look for in a friend?
  5. Read Ephesians 4:31-32. What bad things should we get rid of in our lives? How should we act instead?
  6. How will you apply this lesson to your life this week?

Downloads:

When You Have a Case of the “Gimmies”

Posted: November 12, 2015

Watch the video above and talk about it with your family. Learn more.

If you're sick with the "gimmies," then you want stuff you don't need. But, there is a cure!

Key Points:

  • The “gimmies” are when you always want stuff you don’t really need.
  • The gimmies never satisfy. There is always something: better, newer, faster or prettier out there.
  • The cure for the gimmies is being happy with what God has given you. Stuff isn’t the answer to being happy. We need to trust that God will give us the stuff we really need.

Memory Verse:

Philippians 4:19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Talk About It
  1. What’s your favorite part of the video? What’s one thing you learned from it?
  2. Make a list of things kids really want, like cool gaming systems, clothes, phones, etc. Why do kids want those things?
  3. Why can’t our stuff make us happy?
  4. What are some things God has given you? How can you show your parents (and God) how thankful you are for those things?
  5. Read Ecclesiastes 5:10-11. Why can’t money make us happy? What’s a better way to view money?
  6. How will you apply this lesson to your life this week?

Downloads:

How Forgiveness Works

Posted: August 18, 2014

Watch the video above and talk about it with your family. Learn more.

Forgiveness is letting someone off the hook for hurting you. It's not always easy, but the Bible tells us to do it.

Key Points:

  • Forgiveness means you decide not to pay someone back when they hurt you. 
  • Forgiveness is a gift. Christians are supposed to be known for their forgiving attitudes. We’re not supposed to run around holding grudges and making people pay for their mistakes.
  • We’re supposed to forgive others because Jesus forgave us. If that’s how Jesus treats us, then that’s how we should treat others.

Memory Verse:

Colossians 3:13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 

Talk About It
  1. What’s your favorite part of the video? What’s one thing you learned from it?
  2. Share a time when a friend hurt your feelings. How did you respond?
  3. Why is forgiveness a gift?
  4. Why is Jesus a good model for forgiveness?
  5. Read 1 Peter 3:9.  What shouldn’t we do when people hurt us? What do you think it means to pay them back with a blessing?
  6. How will you apply this lesson to your life this week?

Downloads: