Filling Up With Goodness (Colossians 3:16) Sunday School Lesson

Lesson Title: Filling Up With Goodness (Colossians 3:16)
Bible Reference: Colossians 3:16
Target Age Group: Elementary
Learning Context: Sunday School
Target Time Frame: 1 hour
Gospel Connection: In Colossians 3 Paul writes to the church and encourages them to live together in peace.  One way to make sure that you are at peace with the people around you is by filling yourself with good things, such as God’s word.  Through this lesson children will learn that in order to live a peaceful life they need to fill themselves up with good things.
Learning Aim:  When I fill my life with God’s promises I will speak those promises to others.
Tell The Story
Before the Activity: You will need two cups, vinegar, and Kool-Aid. Have napkins available just in case you need them.
During the Activity: Sit at a table together and teach the lesson.
Say: Today we are going to learn about Colossians 3:16. Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”  This means that we should fill our lives up with God’s goodness.  If you put good things in your life then you will show goodness to others.
What kind of things does God want you to be full of?  Allow for answers.  Refer back to Colossians 3:16 and tell the class that God wants them to fill up on His word. We do this by reading our Bible, going to church, praising God, and being grateful for what God has done.
Say, Here I have two cups.  In one is something that smells good and is good to drink. In the other is something that smells bad and is bad to drink.   
Hold up cup one filled with sweet Kool-Aid. This is cup one and I put something good into it. Let each child smell it.  There is a smell coming out of the cup.  Is this a good smell or a bad smell? A good smell.
Hold up cup two filled with vinegar.  This is cup two and I put something that isn’t good to drink in it.  Let each child smell it.  Does cup two have a good smell or a bad smell.  A bad smell.
Say, We put something good into cup 1 and got something good out of it.  We put something bad into cup two and got something bad out of it.  It is the same with your life.  Put good things in your life like God’s praises then you will speak God’s praises to others. 
Activity: Bible Races
Before the Activity: Write each word of Colossians 3:16 on an index card.  Create two sets of index cards.  Divide the class into two teams.
During the activity: Give each team a set of index cards, shuffled.  Each team must work together to get the cards in order.  The first team to place the cards in the correct order wins.  Play several times until the verse is committed to memory.
Worship: Cheer for the Lord
Before the Activity: Divide the class into several groups of 3 or 4. Provide paper and pencil for each group.
During the Activity: Remind the class that one way to fill up with God’s goodness is to praise Him.  Challenge each group to write and develop motions for a short cheer or song to God.  Allow 15 minutes to write and practice their cheers.  Perform the cheers/songs for the class.
Life Application
Before the Activity: Write Colossians 3:16 on the board.  “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”  Provide write paper, pens, and ribbons for each child.
During the Activity: At the top of each page write the Bible verse.  Under the Bible verse have each child write a list of 10 things that they can do to bring good things into their lives.  For example, they can start a Bible story or ask a parent to tell them their testimony.  Pull examples out of Colossians 3:16 as well.  Work in groups if necessary.  When they finish their lists, roll the paper up like a scroll and tie a ribbon around it.
Closing Review and Prayer
Before the Activity:  No Prep.
During the Lesson:  Ask the following questions as review.

1. Who can quote today’s Bible verse? (Colossians 3:16)
2. Why is it important for us to memorize scripture? (We are putting something good in our minds that we can use in the future.
3. Why should we fill our minds and hearts with good things? (If you put good things into your life then you will have wisdom and be ready to handle difficult situations.)
4. Who gives wisdom? (Ultimately, God.)
5. Who is honored when our life is full of good things? (God)

Close the lesson in prayer, asking God to fill each child’s life with His presence and all things good for them.