Preschool track
Overview of 1 & 2 Corinthians
First Corinthians was a letter that the apostle Paul wrote to the believers there were arguing about the right ways to live, and had asked Paul to help them. Paul wrote them back, teaching them that loving God and each other is the most important thing.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
Bible Readings
Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1-11) Reading
Paul wrote a letter to the followers of Jesus in the town of Corinth, It said, "Dear brothers and sisters, I'd like to teach you about spiritual gifts. The Holy Spirit is in each of us. This spirit unites us. We each have different abilities, but we have the same Spirit. Our different abilities and gifts help our whole community. Some people are gifted with wisdom, and some are gifted with faith. Some people are gifted with the ability to heal, and some are gifted with the ability to perform miracles. Some people are prophets, and some can speak in heavenly languages. But all of these gifts come from the same Holy Spirit."
*Taken from Celebrate Wonder Bible Storybook
*Taken from Celebrate Wonder Bible Storybook
We are One Body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) Reading
The believers in Corinth had many questions for Paul. The believers wanted to know how they each fit into the church.
"I am really food at playing music. Can my gift and talent be used by the church?" asked a believer.
"I am really good at praying for others," said another believer.
"I am really good at speaking in front of large crowds," said another believer.
"I am really good at listening," said another believer.
They wrote a letter to Paul for help.
"All of these gifts are very important. Each of you has been given a special gift from God. Nobody's gift is better than anyone else's. When we use our gifts together, we are like a body. We couldn't do all of the important things we need to do without our body parts, just like we can't do all the things Jesus wants us to do if we don't work together," wrote Paul.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
"I am really food at playing music. Can my gift and talent be used by the church?" asked a believer.
"I am really good at praying for others," said another believer.
"I am really good at speaking in front of large crowds," said another believer.
"I am really good at listening," said another believer.
They wrote a letter to Paul for help.
"All of these gifts are very important. Each of you has been given a special gift from God. Nobody's gift is better than anyone else's. When we use our gifts together, we are like a body. We couldn't do all of the important things we need to do without our body parts, just like we can't do all the things Jesus wants us to do if we don't work together," wrote Paul.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
Love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13) Reading
Paul continued teaching the people in Corinth through his letter.
He wrote, "If I don't have love, I'm like a clanging gong or a clashing cymbal."
"If I know everything but I don't have love, I'm nothing."
"If I give away everything that I have but I don't have love, it doesn't make any difference."
"Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn't jealous. Love doesn't brag. Love isn't rude. Love isn't grumpy. Love is happy with the truth. Love never fails."
"Now faith, hope, and love remain - these three things. The greatest of these is love."
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
He wrote, "If I don't have love, I'm like a clanging gong or a clashing cymbal."
"If I know everything but I don't have love, I'm nothing."
"If I give away everything that I have but I don't have love, it doesn't make any difference."
"Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn't jealous. Love doesn't brag. Love isn't rude. Love isn't grumpy. Love is happy with the truth. Love never fails."
"Now faith, hope, and love remain - these three things. The greatest of these is love."
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
I Wonder....
- where is Corinth?
- why only three gifts?
- how do we love others?
- how do we know where everyone's place is at in the body of Christ?
- what is your special gift and ability?
Discussion Questions
- What special things can you do?
- Why do you think love is the greatest thing?
- What is one way you could show love this week?
Videos
Saddleback Kids
This video is 1:18 minutes long
Crossroad Kids' Club
This video is 3:57 minutes long
Songs
Every Move I Make by Shout Praises Kids
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Kindness is a Muscle by Universal Kids
|
This song is 3:05 minutes long
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This song is 2:54 minutes long
|
We're One Body by Maynard's Groovy Bible Tune
This song is 1:48 minutes long
|
Motions (Love) by Saddleback Kids
This song is 3:14 minutes long
|
Early Childhood Worship (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) by Saddleback Kids
This song is 2:29 minutes long
|
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work! by Jack Hartmann featuring Blackberry Jam
This song is 2:51 minutes long
|
Tips for Adults
Paul started a church in Corinth and stayed with that community of believers for a year-and-a-half. After Paul left, the Christians began to fight. They argued about ho was the most important. They argued about the right way to worship God. Paul wrote this letter to correct his friends. He taught them how people can grow spiritually, learning to love and help each other.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
Elementary Track
Overview of 1 Corinthians
First Corinthians was a letter that the apostle Paul wrote to the believers there were arguing about the right ways to live, and had asked Paul to help them. Paul wrote them back, teaching them that loving God and each other is the most important thing.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
God's Story: Books of the Bible: 1 Corinthians by Crossroad Kids' Club
This video is 4:2o minutes long
Overview of 2 Corinthians
Overview: 2 Corinthians by Bible Project
This video is 8:37 minutes long
Bible Readings
Who is the Best? (1 Corinthians 12:1-11) Reading
Paul heaved a huge sigh. The Christians in Corinth were fighting again.
Paul gripped his stylus tightly. He started another letter to the Corinthians.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I hear you can't stop arguing! You should be working TOGETHER. All this arguing is keeping you APART.
Some of you say, "Apollos baptized me. MY baptism is BETTER." Others say, "Cephas baptized ME! MY baptism is better!"
Stop that!
You are ALL part of Jesus' family. When you were baptized, you become a child of God. You are ALL children of God. When you argue, you are arguing with God's family. YOUR family!
Paul paced around his room. He scratched his head. He squeeed his eyes closed. Writing was hard work! Then God gave hun an idea.
Paul sand and scribbled:
When you want to argue, think about the cross. The cross SEEMS sand and scary. But God's children know the cross shows LOVE. The cross reminds us that Jesus died and was raised to life again! God did this. God brings the dead to life because God LOVES us!
It doesn't matter WHO baptized you. Being baptized into Jesus' family is what matters!
There's no time for arguing.
You have GOD's work to CELEBRATE: baptism, being part of God's family, the cross!
*Taken from Whirl Story Bible: Lectionary Edition
Paul gripped his stylus tightly. He started another letter to the Corinthians.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I hear you can't stop arguing! You should be working TOGETHER. All this arguing is keeping you APART.
Some of you say, "Apollos baptized me. MY baptism is BETTER." Others say, "Cephas baptized ME! MY baptism is better!"
Stop that!
You are ALL part of Jesus' family. When you were baptized, you become a child of God. You are ALL children of God. When you argue, you are arguing with God's family. YOUR family!
Paul paced around his room. He scratched his head. He squeeed his eyes closed. Writing was hard work! Then God gave hun an idea.
Paul sand and scribbled:
When you want to argue, think about the cross. The cross SEEMS sand and scary. But God's children know the cross shows LOVE. The cross reminds us that Jesus died and was raised to life again! God did this. God brings the dead to life because God LOVES us!
It doesn't matter WHO baptized you. Being baptized into Jesus' family is what matters!
There's no time for arguing.
You have GOD's work to CELEBRATE: baptism, being part of God's family, the cross!
*Taken from Whirl Story Bible: Lectionary Edition
Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1-11) Reading
Paul wrote a letter to the followers of Jesus in the town of Corinth, It said, "Dear brothers and sisters, I'd like to teach you about spiritual gifts. The Holy Spirit is in each of us. This spirit unites us. We each have different abilities, but we have the same Spirit. Our different abilities and gifts help our whole community. Some people are gifted with wisdom, and some are gifted with faith. Some people are gifted with the ability to heal, and some are gifted with the ability to perform miracles. Some people are prophets, and some can speak in heavenly languages. But all of these gifts come from the same Holy Spirit."
*Taken from Celebrate Wonder Bible Storybook
*Taken from Celebrate Wonder Bible Storybook
One Church (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) Reading
Today, people get text messages from friends. People used to write letters. Many years ago, a church community received a letter from the apostle Paul.
After Pentecost, the church began to spread beyond Jerusalem. Some followers of Jesus started a church in the city of Corinth. This church was like one big family, but sometimes they quarreled. One day, they began to argue about who was the best follower of Jesus. The argument went on and on. Some people sent a message to their friend Paul asking for help.
Paul couldn't come to them so he wrote a letter. When the letter arrived, the people gathered together to hear what Paul had to say.
"Dear Friends,
Our church is like a body. A body is made up of different parts: head, legs, arms, feet. Each part has a different job to do.
Imagine if the whole body were a giant mouth, how would it see? If they body were just an eyeball, how would it move around?
The ear cannot say to the mouth, 'I don't need you.' The head won't say to the nose, 'Go away, I don't want you.' How silly that would be.
Each person in the church is like a part of the body, Each one of us is important. We each have a job to do. Bit we can work together. We can help one another because we are each part of God's church.
Your friend, Paul."
The people thought about Paul's words.
The people realized it was silly to argue about who was the best follower of Jesus. They were each important! They each had a job to do, and they needed one another.
They knew that if they worked together they would be able to so wonderful things for God. And that's what they did!
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
After Pentecost, the church began to spread beyond Jerusalem. Some followers of Jesus started a church in the city of Corinth. This church was like one big family, but sometimes they quarreled. One day, they began to argue about who was the best follower of Jesus. The argument went on and on. Some people sent a message to their friend Paul asking for help.
Paul couldn't come to them so he wrote a letter. When the letter arrived, the people gathered together to hear what Paul had to say.
"Dear Friends,
Our church is like a body. A body is made up of different parts: head, legs, arms, feet. Each part has a different job to do.
Imagine if the whole body were a giant mouth, how would it see? If they body were just an eyeball, how would it move around?
The ear cannot say to the mouth, 'I don't need you.' The head won't say to the nose, 'Go away, I don't want you.' How silly that would be.
Each person in the church is like a part of the body, Each one of us is important. We each have a job to do. Bit we can work together. We can help one another because we are each part of God's church.
Your friend, Paul."
The people thought about Paul's words.
The people realized it was silly to argue about who was the best follower of Jesus. They were each important! They each had a job to do, and they needed one another.
They knew that if they worked together they would be able to so wonderful things for God. And that's what they did!
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
God's Gift of Love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13) Reading
When the church was just beginning, a man named Paul traveled to many different places to start new churches. He told people about Jesus. He would stay in each city for a while and hen move on.
Sometimes the people in these churches didn't get along. Everyone had different ideas about how to follow Jesus. Sometimes they quarreled and argued.
Paul heard that the people in the city of Corinth were arguing with one another. He wanted to teach them how to live together in peace. He was far away from Corinth. so he sent a letter to remind them about God's love.
"Dear Friends in Corinth,
Let me tell you again about God's gift of love.
I may speak with a voice as beautiful as an angel's. But if I do not lave love, I sound like clanging gong to God.
I may be able to answer the hardest questions. But if i do not have love, all my knowledge means nothing to God.
I may even give my whole life to God. But if I do not have love, then nothing I do matters to God.
Love is patient and kind. Love does not boast or brag. Love is not rude and doesn't always want its own way. Love doesn't stay angry for a long time.
Love grows in the truth.
Many things come and go, but God's love never ends.
God gives us three gifts. They are faith, hope, and love. The greatest of these is love.
Let us show this kind of love to others every day.
Your friend, Paul
The people in Corinth saved this letter and shared it with others. After many years, it became part of our Bible. We can also learn from it about living as the church.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
Sometimes the people in these churches didn't get along. Everyone had different ideas about how to follow Jesus. Sometimes they quarreled and argued.
Paul heard that the people in the city of Corinth were arguing with one another. He wanted to teach them how to live together in peace. He was far away from Corinth. so he sent a letter to remind them about God's love.
"Dear Friends in Corinth,
Let me tell you again about God's gift of love.
I may speak with a voice as beautiful as an angel's. But if I do not lave love, I sound like clanging gong to God.
I may be able to answer the hardest questions. But if i do not have love, all my knowledge means nothing to God.
I may even give my whole life to God. But if I do not have love, then nothing I do matters to God.
Love is patient and kind. Love does not boast or brag. Love is not rude and doesn't always want its own way. Love doesn't stay angry for a long time.
Love grows in the truth.
Many things come and go, but God's love never ends.
God gives us three gifts. They are faith, hope, and love. The greatest of these is love.
Let us show this kind of love to others every day.
Your friend, Paul
The people in Corinth saved this letter and shared it with others. After many years, it became part of our Bible. We can also learn from it about living as the church.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
I Wonder....
- where is Corinth?
- why only three gifts?
- how do we love others?
- why not everyone wants to work together?
- how do we know where everyone's place is at in the body of Christ?
Discussion Questions
- What did you learn about living as the church from this story?
- What pictures did you imagine in your head as you read Paul's letter?
- What special gifts and talents do you have? How can you use these gifts in the church?
- How does Paul want the Corinthians to live?
- What does love look like to you?
- How did Jesus show the kind of love Paul wrote about? What is one way you could show love this week?
Video
Saddleback Kid's
This video is 1:18 minutes long
Crossroad Kids' Club
This video is 3:57 minutes long
Songs
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work! by Jack Hartmann featuring Blackberry Jam
This song is 2:51 minutes long
|
Early Childhood Worship (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) by Saddleback Kids
This song is 1:56 minutes long
|
We're One Body by Maynard's Groovy Bible Tunes
This song is 1:48 minutes long
|
Motion (Love) by Saddleback Kids
This song is 3:14 minutes long
|
Content for Adults
Paul started a church in Corinth and stayed with that community of believers for a year-and-a-half. After Paul left, the Christians began to fight. They argued about ho was the most important. They argued about the right way to worship God. Paul wrote this letter to correct his friends. He taught them how people can grow spiritually, learning to love and help each other.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
This video is 40:53 minutes long