Looking for a way to teach children about the intangible gifts of God, like peace, love, gentleness and kindness? This Christmas object lesson—the stocking stuffer makes it easy. Remind kids how precious and important the fruits of the Spirit, that they should want these gifts more than anything they get in their stocking or under the tree!
Wrap up nine small gifts, each one will represent a fruit of the spirit, according to Galatians 5:22-23. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Each gift should be small enough to stuff inside a decorative Christmas stocking. You can find inexpensive small gifts at any dollar store. After your wrap each gift, place a tag on each gift and write the name of one of the fruits on it. Place the stocking on a table so everyone can see it.
Say, “Who knows what this is?” Allow kids to answer. “That’s right! It’s a Christmas stocking and this one looks like it is full of goodies. How many of you get a loaded Christmas stocking each year?” Wait for answers. “You know God has given us wonderful gifts, gifts you can’t see but you can enjoy them. Do you know what they are?” Allow kids to give more answers.
Pull one of the small gifts out of the Christmas stocking, one at a time. Read the gift tag and talk about why it is important to our lives. Here are some teaching tips for presenting each gift-fruit:
- Love: God’s love is precious and is for everyone.
- Joy: God gives us joy—that’s happiness at all time, even when life gets tough.
- Peace: God’s peace lets us know that no matter what, He is with us.
- Forbearance: Forbearance is forgiveness, God enables us to forgive others when they do us harm.
- Kindness: This Spirit gift enables us to be kind to others. When we are kind, it is proof that God is working through us.
- Goodness: When the Spirit of God resides in us, we look for the good things in others, we appreciate all the good things God gives us more.
- Faithfulness: The Spirit fruit of faithfulness is important to have if we want to please God. We also need faith to see miracles happen.
- Gentleness: Don’t you love it when your Mom brushes your hair gently? Gentleness is like that, it’s not harmful, it’s helpful. God’s gentleness allows us to be gentle with others.
- Self-control: This spirit/fruit gives us the power we need to have self-control. When Mom or Dad tells you not to eat the last cookie, you can do it because you have self-control.
This Christmas object lesson will be the perfect opener for talking to your class or children’s church about the special gifts of God.
Read more from Mimi by visiting her blog at Tools for Kids Church.
Don’t miss our Christmas Sunday School lessons:
- Fruit of the Spirit Song & Video for Children
- “Fruit of the Spirit” Resources for Children’s Ministry
- Christmas Decor Ideas for Kids Church
- Christmas Devotional: How to Keep Christmas Focused on Jesus
- Object Lesson: The Fruit of Lies