Use this Children’s Sermon message and Sunday School lesson to teach kids how “gentleness” is a Fruit of the Spirit. We have just shared some new Bible crafts on Gentleness to accompany this lesson pan. You may also enjoy our comprehensive 9-Week Curriculum on the Fruit of the Spirit for Kids.
Handle with Care – The Fruit of the Spirit Part 8: Gentleness Children’s Sermon Lesson
Main Objective: “Be gentle!” Children grow up hearing this admonition when dealing with fragile objects or babies, but we want them to understand what gentleness means in terms of how we treat other people. This message describes gentleness and how it relates to our speech, actions, and relationships. Gentleness involves a sense of soft care with others, but we can be strong as well as tender. To emphasize this, the story of Elijah on Mt. Horeb reminds us that God is strong and mighty, but shows us gentle love.
Law/Gospel Theme: We want to be gentle in our behavior towards others, but it’s also comforting to remember that God is gentle with us. His grace and love are far greater than His justice and wrath, and He softly whispers to us even while He has power over thunder and earthquakes. We also see gentleness lived out by Jesus, who was strong while also being caring and gentle.
Note: This is the eighth in a series of lessons on the fruit of the spirit. The focus this week is on gentleness, with a look at the meeting between God and Elijah on Mt. Horeb.
Optional Materials: Fragile items that would require gentle handling (optional addition: toilet paper).
Bible Passage: Proverbs 15:1-4; 1 Kings 19:9-18; Matthew 11:28-29; 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Samuel 22:36
Message: Note: As with most messages, the details of how you choose to communicate this are adaptable and should cater to timing as well as to your audience and student needs.
Greet children, and present several fragile items for them to assess.
Hello, children of God!
I have a few items here, and I want you to see if you can figure out what these things have in common. How are they all alike? Hold up several fragile items. Consider things like raw eggs, breakable glass, bottery, etc. It might not be obvious right away, but all of these things do have something similar. They are all fragile, meaning they can break easily. If you’re around things like this, you need to handle them carefully and gently. You’ve probably heard an adult say “be gentle!” when you’re around these types of things. You might also hear “be gentle” if you’re near a small baby or animal.
But what does that mean? How do we act when we treat things with gentleness? Gentleness is another aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit, evidence of God’s presence in our lives. Usually, being gentle involves being soft and careful around objects, handling them tenderly. How might this apply to the way that we treat other people? When we consider gentleness in our relationships, we want to contemplate how the things we say and do will make them feel. We want to think before we speak or act. This can have a powerful impact! The book of Proverbs tells us that “a gentle answer turns away wrath.” Being gentle can lessen anger and change the way people think about things.
Gentleness doesn’t have to mean weakness. In fact, we can and should be gentle but still firm in following what God says. (optional note: hold toilet paper for this section) This reminds me of toilet paper. There’s a kind of toilet paper I like that’s called “Soft and Strong.” It needs to be soft enough to deal with our bodies, but strong enough to handle tough messes. As gentle Christians, we want to be soft when dealing with peoples’ feelings, but strong in living according to the Bible.
It helps to remember that God is gentle towards us. Yes, He is firm and just and powerful and almighty. But He also loves us and cares about us, and He treats us with gentleness. There’s a great passage in 1 Kings that comes to mind with this truth. It describes an encounter the prophet Elijah had with God. Elijah went up onto a mountain to meet the Lord. There was a huge rushing wind, but God was not in the wind. Then there was a big earthquake, but that’s also not where God came. A fire came through, but God was not in the fire. Then a small whisper gently spoke, and God talked with Elijah. See, God is powerful and mighty and can do anything. He controls everything on Earth, but He wants our hearts, and He speaks to us in loving and tender ways. He is gentle with us. We can listen for His voice, trust in Him, and lean on His strong but gentle arms. And because we know He is gentle with us, we can be gentle with others! We remember that all people are created in God’s image and loved by Him, and that we should love and care for them with gentleness.
Let’s say a prayer now, thanking God for His gentleness and asking for His help in treating others gently.
Prayer:
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for being gentle and loving with us.
Please help us to be gentle with those around us
And to think before we speak or act.
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Bible Verses/story to Reference:
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. -Proverbs 15:1-4
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. -1 Peter 3:15
You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your gentleness made me great.
-2 Samuel 22:36
There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” -1 Kings 19:9-18
Be Careful! Sunday School Lesson on Gentleness
Lesson focus: This lesson focuses on gentleness, a term kids might hear a lot but not necessarily understand. Gentleness is more than just treating things softly and carefully. We want to be gentle with our words and actions towards other people, loving them as God does and thinking about their feelings. We can do this because God is gentle with us!
This lesson is the eighth in a nine-week series on the Fruit of the Spirit. It examines gentleness and considers how we can be gentle. The story of Elijah on Mt. Horeb is the Biblical emphasis, demonstrating how God is powerful, but also gentle with us.
Passages: Proverbs 15:1-4; 1 Kings 19:9-18; Matthew 11:28-29; 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Samuel 22:36
Target Audience: Kindergarten-6th grade
Optional Materials Needed: Water balloons, eggs, spoons, hair dryer, candle, straws.
Lesson Opening: This lesson focuses on gentleness, with a Biblical example of God’s gentleness with us, seen in His encounter with Elijah on Mt. Horeb. Open with an activity on gentleness or related to the story specifics. Here are some activities to get kids thinking (select the best ones for your audience and age group):
- Gentleness toss: Have students pair up for a water balloon toss (best outside, with warmer weather). Remind them of the importance of tossing and catching the balloon gently to avoid popping it.
- Egg and spoon relay: Split students into teams and have them carefully walk back and forth, with one student per team going at a time. While walking, students will carry a raw egg on a spoon, and do their best to carefully transfer it between teammates without breaking it.
- Without words: Have students arrange themselves in order in a line, based on categories like height, age, name, birth month, etc. The catch is that they cannot talk while they’re arranging. Remind them that gentleness involves doing things in a loving way, without using words!
- Air Hockey: Use “wind power” in a friendly competition, to celebrate the rushing wind Elijah experienced. Have students line up on either side of a table, and try to knock a ball, pom pom, or piece of paper across the table to land on the opponent’s side. To move the item, they can only blow through a straw.
- Interactive storytelling (use during the Bible reading): Make the story come to life by using props to bring a “4D element” to things. Consider lighting a candle during the fire, using a hair dryer for the rushing wind, or shaking a table for the earthquake. Of course, pictures work too, but aren’t quite as fun.
Explain that gentleness involves caring for others and using care in how we act around them. It’s also part of the fruit of the Spirit, showing that we can demonstrate God’s love because He is gentle with us.
Bible Lesson: Begin the lesson with a few verses on gentleness, and then describe the account of Elijah and the Lord. For that story, consider interactive elements (see above) or allowing students to act out what’s happening.
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. -Proverbs 15:1-4
This passage reminds us of the power of gentleness. Using soft words can change the attitudes and tendencies of other people, calming anger and opening hearts.
Ask: What are some ways we can make sure to use “soft words”? Have you ever experienced something positive based on gentle words?
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. -1 Peter 3:15
This verse is important in the way that we tell others about Jesus. We certainly do want to share the good news of the Gospel and explain the hope that we have in Jesus. But we don’t want to do so in a way that is aggressive or harsh. We should treat all people with gentleness and respect.
You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your gentleness made me great.
-2 Samuel 22:36
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30
These verses remind us that God is gentle. Jesus invites us to come to Him because He is gentle and takes the load off of ourselves. He doesn’t want to give us more burdens, but lets us lean on Him.
A Strong but Gentle Whisper
Go through the story of Elijah, explaining the powerful gentleness that God demonstrated to Him.
Explain the background of the story and how Elijah was on the run from the wicked king and queen. They wanted him dead because he stood for God, and they knew their fake gods and idols were nothing compared to the one true Lord. Elijah had been discouraged, but God helped revive his strength. He ran for forty days and nights until he came to a mountain.
There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” -1 Kings 19:9-11
Elijah was upset because so many other people had turned against God. He felt alone, like he was the only one left who still worshipped the Lord or stood up for Him. God told him to stand on the mountain.
Ask: Have you ever felt lonely? Or felt like life was not fair? What did you do?
And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. -1 Kings 19:11-13
God is mighty and strong, but He doesn’t always do what we expect Him to do. You might think God would be in one of those powerful elements like the earthquake or fire, but that wasn’t how He met Elijah. He spoke in a gentle whisper. God is capable of amazing things, but He loves us, and treats us with care and gentleness.
Ask: What would you say if you heard God’s voice out loud?
And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” -1 Kings 19:13-18
God wanted Elijah to know that he was not alone. Not only were there others who would be set up to help him, but God was with Him. He had assignments for Elijah, jobs that would help him and allow him to continue telling others of God. There was more work to be done, but God was (and is) close by!
Ask: Can you think of other Bible figures or narratives where God was gentle and helpful? How did Jesus demonstrate this?
Review questions about the lesson:
- How can we be gentle with friends or family members?
- Why do you think God came to Elijah in a whisper?
- When has someone been gentle to you? How did it make you feel?
Close with prayer, thanking God for His gentleness, and asking for His help to trust Him and demonstrate gentleness to others.
