Lesson Title: He will Come Unto Us like Rain
Bible Reference: Hosea 6:1-3
Target Age Group: Preschool to Elementary
Learning Context: Sunday School
Target Time Frame: 45 minutes
Memory Verse: “And he shall come unto us as the rain.” Hosea 6:3
Gospel Connection: Sometimes in life we allow ourselves to drift further apart from God than we should. We are sinners simply because we are human and it is a part of our nature. This passage references the fact that God sometimes punishes us when we sin, but God will forgive us if we repent. He does not leave us forsaken but comes to us and washes our sins away as the rain washes the Earth. This is a reference to the salvation that we can experience through Jesus Christ. Through this lesson Preschoolers will learn that Jesus will forgive them when they do sin. We have to pay for our sins, but we can always rest assured that we will be forgiven and God’s grace will cover us like rain.
Learning Aim:
- God will forgive us.
- God’s grace will cover us like rain.
Basic Supply List:
- Bible
- Construction Paper
- Eye droppers
- Blue paint
- Paint Smocks
- Plastic Bottles
- Tooth picks
- Uncooked rice
- 2 Pairs of Rain boots
Note: In the teaching plan below the words in italics are meant to be read aloud. The regular text is simply directions for the teacher.
> > > > Basic Teaching Plan < < < <
Introduction: Begin the lesson by using a rain stick (directions to make one are below) to make the sound of rain. Ask the class what this sounds like. Explain that this rain stick sounds like rain. Ask the class to tell a few things that they know about rain. Explain that when rain falls to the Earth it covers everything. Say, When rain falls to the earth it covers the whole earth and washes it clean. This is like the salvation that God gives to us. God’s mercy covers us and washes us clean.
Biblical Evidence: Read Hosea 6:1. Say, Have you ever done anything that you knew was wrong? Maybe you have disobeyed your parents or teacher sometime. Allow students to share if they want. Say, After you got in trouble, your parents forgave you. They punish you because they love you and they will always forgive you. It is the same way with God. Sometimes He has to punish His people because they sin, but He will always forgive if you ask for forgiveness. Read Hosea 6:2-3. Say, Verse 2 tells us that in the third day He will rise up again and we will live in His sight. This is talking about Jesus. Many years ago Jesus died on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins. Since Jesus died for us, we can be forgiven of our sins. Sometimes we are punished for our sins, but God will not forget about you. He will come to you and His love will cover you like rain.
Make Rain Sticks: Make rain sticks as a way to remind the children that God’s mercy will cover them like rain. You will need an empty plastic bottle for each child. Fill the plastic bottle with rice and tooth picks, leaving space for the items inside to move. You can have the class decorate the bottles or leave them plain. Tell them to take the rain sticks home and every time they hear the sound of rain remember that God’s love will cover them like rain.
Rain Drop Painting: Warning: this could get messy. Give each child a piece of white paper and an eye dropper. They will use the eye dropper to pick up blue paint and then drop it onto the paper to create rain drop pictures. You may need to water the blue paint down to get it to go into the eye dropper. Write the memory verse on the picture as well.
Rain Boot Relay: Divide the class into two teams. Give each team a pair of adult sized rain boots. The first person in line will put on the rain boots and run as fast as they can to the other end of the play area, then run back to their team, where they will take off the boots and give them to the next person in line. The game continues until everyone has had a turn to wear the boots and run. Whichever team finishes first is the winner.
Conclusion: Close in prayer, asking God to protect the kids from sinning against him and thanking God for always being willing to forgive us, even when we don’t deserve forgiveness.