Sharing is Caring….What it means to be part of the body of Christ

Bible Focus: The early church of the New Testament provides an example of Godly living that involves sharing. Sharing is not just a preschool principle, and it is not only about money or things. We can share in all sorts of ways, and when we do so it honors God.
Target Age Group: Pre-K-Sixth Grade (adaptable)
Student application: God wants us to share all things, and doing so builds His kingdom. All that we have is God’s, so sharing it with others is really sharing God’s things, and we want to do so to be partners in God’s work.
Scripture: Acts 4:32-35
Materials: Note cards, paper bags, decorative supplies, puzzles, poster paper, small treats/stickers.
Lesson Opener:  Sharing to get it done… start with a quick team activity…give each student a few pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, and invite them to try putting it together. After a couple minutes of working alone, invite students to share their puzzle pieces and work together to complete the puzzle picture. Was the puzzle easier alone, or sharing?
Plus or minus…Give each student four or five pieces of candy/sticker treats. Instruct them to leave the treats in the wrapper to start. Then pass each child a card with a plus or minus on it (make sure to evenly split the plus/minus cards). If a student has a minus card, have them pass one piece of candy to another student who has a “plus” card. After going around the group, re-collect and shuffle the cards, and pass them out again. Pass and swap candies for a few rounds, and then make sure students have the same number of candies in the end. Explain that we will be discussing some things dealing with sharing.
Lesson and Verses: What are some things that we share? Why do we share? Sure, there’s the old teacher or family admonitions that tell us to share toys or not act selfishly…but what are some other things that we share? Why is it important to share? Take a look at the scripture passage for the day, introducing the message with a bit of background. This passage is from the book of Acts, which provides an awesome history of the Christian church. These verses describe how the very first believers got along and shared to stay strong:
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.³³ With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.  -Acts 4:32-35
 
What are some things we can notice here? For one thing, the apostles are sharing their possessions with one another, which is great. They are getting together and sharing money, materials, and shelter. That is wonderful…but note that they are also “testifying” about Jesus. Emphasize to students that we can share information with others, and most importantly we can share the good news of Christ. We share His love, not only through words and explicitly telling people about Him, but also by merely demonstrating living the way Jesus would.
We can share things like time, love, and talents. Even if we don’t have money or things that seem like they are worth much, we have much to share and contribute.
It’s also significant to note for students that nothing is truly ours to begin with. All that we have, including our very lives, belongs to Him first and will go back to Him in the end, so we want to share and show that we are being stewards of His loans.
As one way of practicing sharing non-material items, have students help to construct a sharing chart…post a large paper/poster, and place each child’s name on the sheet. Invite other students to share positive comments or compliments for their friends. This poster can even remain up multiple weeks, for extra positive sharing.
Craft/Activity: Make it to give away… provide each student with a small paper or plastic bag, and have them decorate it. Also provide several small prizes (candy, stickers, etc.). Invite students to choose some of the items to put in the bag and select a recipient. They can keep a few items, but remind them of the importance of sharing…
Pray for a spirit of sharing and willingness to be good stewards of what we have.