Conflict Kitchen

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April 19th, 2014 .:. Small Group Team Time

Pathways Kids Ages 6 - 12

This Weeks Scope

Bible Story: Let It Go (Esau makes peace with Jacob) Genesis 27:41-45; 31:3; 32:1-21; 33:1-11
Bottom Line: Prove you care about others by letting go of whats fair.
Memory Verse: So let us do all we can to live in peace. And let us work hard to build each other up.
Romans 14:19, NIrV
Life App: Peaceproving you care more about each other than winning an argument.
Basic Truth: I need to make the wise choice.

This week, were discovering:

In Genesis 26:1-6, 12-22, and 26-31, Isaac settles in his fathers land and reopens some wells. When
his new neighbors argue with him, he simply moves to a new place and digs new wells. Isaac had
every right to fight for those wells, but he chose peace instead.
Our Bottom Line is: prove you care about others by walking away from a fight. Sometimes making
peace with someone means walking away even if were not wrong. Often it takes a stronger person to
have the self-control to walk away.
The monthly memory verse is: So let us do all we can to live in peace. And let us work hard to
build each other up. Romans 14:19, NIrV Living in peace can be hard work. But when we fight for
our relationships instead of fighting to be right, we start to reflect the character of God to those around
us.

Welcome Time
What You Need: An offering container
What You Do:
Collect kids offerings as they arrive. Then talk with them about fairness. Ask questions such as: What
are some things you have to do that dont seem fair? Why do you have to do them? What about them
doesnt seem fair? Can you think of things other people have to do that dont seem fair? How about
your parents or teachers?

Activity #1
Covering with Peace (application activity / review the Bible story)
What You Need: Bibles, strips of paper, pens, Covering with Peace Activity Pages
What You Do:
Read the story aloud from the Bible and then give everyone a strip of paper. Ask them each to write a
word or a feeling about how Esau might have felt towards Jacob. (Note: You may need to help younger
kids with writing their word.) Go around and let everyone explain what they wrote, and then put them in
a pile in the center of the group. Once theyve all put their strip of paper into the pile, use the Activity
Pages and cover up the pile, one letter at a time. Discuss how Esau chose peace instead of focusing
on how Jacob treated him and took his blessing. Ask if theyve ever felt any of the feeling words in the
pile. Then, ask them to brainstorm how they can cover them with peace instead. Have the kids either
write their ideas or illustrate them on the peace letters that cover the pile.
What You Say:
You all came up with some great ideas for peace. [Apply] What are your plans for putting them into
action this week? Who will be able to see that you care? (Pause for responses.) [Make It
Personal] (Tell your group about a situation where you need to choose peace instead of
focusing on whats fair. How do you plan to handle it this week? If you dont have a current
situation like this, you can talk about a time in the past.) I know that these great ideas and plans
are exactly what Jesus wants from us. Peace is important to Him because others are important to Him.
You [Impress] prove you care about others by letting go of whats fair and working towards peace
instead!

Prayer Time
What You Need: No supplies needed
What You Do:
Guide the kids to use body language to show how they feel when something seems fair (happy, good),
and then use body language to show how they feel when something seems unfair (sad, angry). Briefly
review the Bible story, guiding the kids to pantomime how Esau and Jacob may have felt at different
times. Close by leading the kids in prayer.
What You Say:
Dear God, when things arent fair, it can really hurt our feelings. When things arent fair, we can feel
sad or angry. Thank You, Lord, that we can pray to you no matter how we feel. Please help us when we
feel hurt or sad or angry. Please help us forgive others when things dont seem fair. Help us let it go and
trust that YOU know whats best for us, no matter what. We love You, Lord. Amen.
Its not always easy to [Impress] prove you care about others by letting go of whats fair. [Apply]
When we need help keeping the peace, we can turn to God and ask Him to help us. Remember
to ask God to help you prove you care about others.
ALTERNATE ACTIVITY FOR OLDER KIDS:
What You Need: Notebook paper, pens, envelopes

What You Do:

Hand everyone a piece of paper, an envelope, and a pen. Tell them to write a letter to God about
something that isnt fair and why they have a hard time with it. They can use this letter to tell Him why it
makes them upset and what they feel. The letter can be a prayer for kids to ask God for help to let go of
whats fair.
What You Say:
Now, fold up your letter, seal it in an envelope, and stick it in your Bible or a special place in your room
when you get home. [Apply] This will be your reminder that God is a constant source of help and
peace and He will always help us show peace and respond in peace as well. Telling God what
youre struggling with is always okay. God always wants to hear from you! You can ask Him to help you
[Impress] prove you care about others by letting go of whats fair.

Activity
Opposites

#2

Fairness Jump
What You Need: No supplies necessary
What You Do:
Tell kids that they should jump up (or raise their right hand) when things seem fair in the scenario you
read and they should stay sitting (or raise their left hand) when things seem unfair in the scenario you
read.
Scenarios (feel free to also create some of your own):
The whole class is punished for one person talking
Your brother breaks a rule but doesnt get in trouble
You eat a candy from your sisters Easter basket so she eats one from yours
Your neighbor yells at you for biking in front of his house, but not at the toddler riding a tricycle
You do well on a test and get a good grade
You take out the trash and get your allowance
You work hard in school but you still miss a ton of answers on a test
Your friends get to play right after school but you have to come home before dinner to do your
homework
What You Say:
Whew! Keeping track of whats fair is exhausting! [Transition] Lets go to Large Group and hear
about someone who decided to just let go of what is fair!