To help the young children understand that our God made air for us; and that we can trust in a God that we can’t see or touch just like we can believe that the air (which we can’t see) is real.
Begin to sing “Shall We Go For a Walk Today” (Little Voices Praise Him, #82), and take a walk outside. Have the children breathe deeply, holding their arms out wide, lifting them high when breathing in, lowering their arms when exhaling. Discuss the many ways they know that the air is there (i.e., they can see the movement of the trees, they can feel the air, etc). Make the connection that although we can’t see or touch God we know He is there. Discuss the many ways we know He’s there and that we know He’s real. Express gratefulness for the light and air that God has given to us.
Prepare 4-8 smelling jars; have two jars of every scent; be sure to have good smells and not-so-good smells such as essential oils, food flavorings and outdoor items like fresh, broken pine needles and fresh, cut grass, water… During the lesson, allow the children to sniff the smelling jars in order to decide if the smells are good or not-so-good. Wonder with the children about what the air must have smelled like when God made it: Good or bad? Smelly? No smell? If there was only water and air… Take some time to smell water! (After this activity, the smelling jars can be placed in a learning center for further exploration, smell matching, smiley face/frown face charting, etc.)
I put my feet together, And kneel nicely in my spot, Fold my hands and bow my head, And close my eyes for God (Begin lesson with prayer)
Show the children a feather; explain that it is a bird’s feather. Sometimes birds will lose a feather and grow a new one. I am going to throw the feather up in the air. See the feather floating in the air? Who made the feather? Who made the air for the feather to float on? God did! God made everything. God made the air and God made the feather. Sing “And God Said” (Little Voices Praise Him, #66).
Read the story of how God calmed the wind and the storm in Mark 4:38-41. Have the children model how
the wind must have been blowing. Ask them comprehension questions about the properties of the wind (how it feels, sounds, etc). Ask them questions about why the disciples didn’t trust God. Ask questions about Jesus’ response. Ask questions about how we know that Jesus cares for us even when we can’t see Him.
To provide young children with Christ-centered, developmentally-appropriate experiences in safe, nurturing environments that are aligned with the beliefs and values of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.