Truth Taught: God provides for us abundantly, even more than we ask or expect.
Materials:
- A large cup
- A pitcher of water
- A tray to catch spills (optional, depending on where the lesson is held)
- Bible
Instructions:
- Begin by holding up the empty cup. Ask the children: What do you think would happen if I started pouring water into this cup? Would it fill up? Would it overflow? Let them guess.
- Slowly start pouring the water into the cup until it fills, and then continue to pour until it overflows onto the tray. Say: Sometimes we think we only need a little, or that God will only give us just enough. But when we trust God, he provides more than we can ask for!
- Read Philippians 4:19 (NLT): “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.”
- Explain: Just like this cup overflowed with water, God’s provision for us is abundant. He doesn’t just give us the bare minimum; he gives us more than we can ask for or imagine. He knows exactly what we need and provides for us in the best way.
- Ask the children: Can you think of a time when God provided for you or your family? Maybe when you needed something, and God made sure you had it? Encourage them to share personal examples or stories from the Bible about God’s provision (e.g., manna in the desert, Jesus feeding the 5,000).
- Conclude: God’s love and provision are like the water overflowing from the cup. When we trust him, he will always take care of us and give us what we need—and often even more than we expect.
Aha Moment: Watching the cup overflow with water helps children visually understand that God’s provision isn’t just “enough”—he gives abundantly, illustrating how God provides more than we can ask for.