Back to School Object Lesson about Being Kind

Back to school season is upon us, and that means a lot of adjustment for both our students and for teachers. So how can we as Children’s Church leaders and Sunday School Teachers help our students with the transition? This Back to School Object Lesson will equip students will the tools that they need in order to start this year the way Jesus would– by being kind to others.

This object lesson is simple, fun, and it will help your students with back to school scenarios that will come up this year.

You’ll also talk about the story of the Good Samaritan so that students can see an example of someone being kind– even if it isn’t cool.

PS You can get printable directions, recording sheets, sorting cards, coloring sheets and more in the printables that go along with this lesson in my shop. You’ll have everything you need, just print and go.

Click here to purchase.

Back to School Object Lesson

Bible passage: The Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-37

Memory verse: Luke 6:31 “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.”

Materials:

Smarties (other small candies work too!)
Ice cubes
Cards with different back to school scenarios on them

Directions:

• Give each student a Smartie (other small candies work, but Smarties help with the back to school theme)

• Ask students what it tastes like (sweet)

• Give students an ice cube. Have them hold it on their tongue as long as they can (you can make it a competition!).

• When they can’t stand the ice anymore, they can stop. Then have them eat another Smartie (immediately!). Ask what it tastes like now. (It will feel dull, because your tongue will be a bit numb.)

• Talk with the students about how when you are numb, you aren’t able to feel as well. In the real world, if you aren’t paying attention to the needs of other people, you become numb in your heart. When you are paying attention to what other people need, then you are sweet.

• After you’ve talked for a little while, have the kids try another one. It should taste just as sweet as the first one, because their tongues aren’t numb anymore.

• Tell the students that the good news is that you can stop being numb, and you can always focus on the other people!

• Read the story of The Good Samaritan (Luke 6:25-37). Ask the students which people were sweet and which were numb.

• Tell students that you should always do like the Samaritan and pay attention to the needs of others. Read the memory verse Luke 6:31 “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” Using this will help students to know what to do.

• Have students use the sorting cards to sort different back to school situations into “sweet” and “numb”. For example, sitting with someone who is lonely at lunch is sweet, making fun of the substitute would be numb. (You can make these yourself if you don’t want to purchase)

• Then have students come up with ways they can be sweet at school!