Waiting for Popcorn

Make a bowl of popcorn the old-fashioned way. (If you don’t have kernels to pop, microwave popcorn will also work; even waiting a couple of minutes is a long time for a kid!) Stand by the microwave or stove waiting for it to pop. When it’s done, let it cool a little and eat it together.

IF you are really brave, pop the kernels on the stove but leave the lid off. Hold the corners of a clean bed sheet nearby to catch the kernels as they fly through the air. (Don’t try to catch the kernels in your mouth, as my boys did when we tried this; they are very hot.)

*****This would work with making any food when there is a waiting tim e–making popsicles, making a pot of soup, or baking a cake or loaf of bread.

Ask:
Why is it so hard to wait? (I want to eat it now, I’m hungry, It takes too long, etc)

The fruit of the Spirit for this week is patience. Patience is being able to wait without getting angry or upset. It is very hard to be patient.

How do you get patience? The Bible says trials–hard times–produce patience. No one really likes hard times, but James 1:2-3 says we should be glad to have trials because they can produce patience in us.

When do you need patience? (When you have to wait in line, when you have to keep quiet and just listen in class, when you have to do a hard job, etc.)

Storm-tossed at Sea

Act out a Bible story of a man named Paul, who put his hope in God and developed patience. The story is found in Acts 27. Let your children act the story out as you read the verses aloud.

Characters needed: Paul, centurion (soldier who was in charge of Paul, other sailors, angel of God)

Simple props–sword, pieces of cloth for a headpiece, loaf of bread—can add to the drama.

Make a boat with chairs or designate other pieces of furniture as the boat.  span>

****You may want to videotape the drama and then watch it together.

After you have acted out the story, ask:
How would have felt if you were Paul?

How did Paul have hope in God? (He prayed to God and believed God’s words when the angel came to comfort him.)

How can you put your hope in God during hard times? (Believe that God is with you and will make things work together for good.)

Our Hope in God

As you are driving in the car, give a sentence starter: “I hope.” (It’s like saying, “I wish.”) You can start out by telling what you hope will happen. “I hope dinner is on the table when we get home.” Take turns completing the sentence that starts with “I hope.”

Having hope in God is different from what we mean when we say, “I hope.” When we hope in God, we are saying that we believe in God and His Word. It doesn’t mean bad things will never happen, but it means we believe God is able to work things together for good– EVEN when bad things happen. (Read Romans 8:28.) Sometimes we have to be patient and wait for God to work things out, but He has promised that He will and His Word is true!