Lesson: James 4:16 (Ages 3-5)

📖 James 4:16 – Ages 3-5

Explanation

In this Bible verse, James is teaching us about being humble and not bragging about ourselves. Imagine if you built a really tall tower out of blocks, and instead of saying, "Look what I made!" you said, "I'm so great at building towers!" That would be like boasting, and James says boasting like that is not good.

God wants us to be humble, which means being happy about what we do without showing off. It's like when you draw a beautiful picture and say, "I'm proud of my drawing," but you don't say, "I'm the best artist in the world!" That's being humble and pleasing to God.

So, let's remember to be happy about our talents and the things we do, but always remember to thank God for helping us and not brag about ourselves.

Kid's Story

Once there was a little rabbit named Rosie who loved to hop around the forest telling everyone how fast she could run. She would boast about her speed to all her animal friends, making them feel sad and left out.

One day, a wise old owl named Oliver overheard Rosie bragging. He gently told Rosie that boasting about herself made others feel sad and that it wasn't kind to brag. Rosie felt bad and realized that she had been boasting in her arrogant schemes.

From that day on, Rosie learned to be humble and kind. Instead of boasting, she invited her friends to hop races and cheered them on, even when she didn't win. Rosie's friends were happy to play with her again, and she felt much better about herself too. Rosie learned that boasting is not good, just like the Bible verse says.

Prayer Prompt

Dear God, thank you for all you give us. Help us not to brag about our plans, but to be humble and kind. Amen.

Discussion Questions

1. Can you tell me what it means to boast or brag about something?
2. Why do you think it's important to be humble and not brag about ourselves?
3. How can we show kindness and love to others instead of boasting about ourselves?
4. What do you think God wants us to do when we feel like showing off or being arrogant?
5. How can we remember to be humble and kind like Jesus instead of boasting about ourselves?

Life Application

This Bible verse from James reminds us that boasting about our own plans or accomplishments in a proud or arrogant way is not pleasing to God. Children can apply this message by learning to be humble and give credit to others instead of bragging about themselves. They can practice being thankful for the help they receive from others, like saying "thank you" when someone helps them or acknowledging their friends' good ideas. Encouraging children to be humble and kind in their words and actions can help them live out the message of this verse in their daily lives.

Craft or Activity

Let's create a craft that helps children understand the message of James 4:16! You can have the children make a "Boast or Bless" jar. Have them decorate a jar with stickers or drawings. Each day, encourage them to write or draw something they are thankful for (a blessing) on a slip of paper and put it in the jar. This will remind them to focus on being grateful for what they have instead of boasting about themselves or their plans. This hands-on activity will help reinforce the message of humility and gratitude from the verse.

Memory Verse or Rhyme

When you brag, it's not okay,
God wants you to be humble every day.
Boasting is something we should not do,
Let's be kind and give God the glory, too!

Songs or Videos

One great Christian song for kids that relates to the message of James 4:16 is "Humble Yourselves" by Seeds Family Worship. This song emphasizes the importance of humility and not boasting about our own plans. Another good one is "Do Nothing Out of Selfish Ambition" by Philippians Four13 Kids, which teaches kids about the dangers of pride and arrogance. Both songs help reinforce the message of James 4:16 in a fun and engaging way for children.

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