Hebrews 13:17 America the Beautiful (If not USA replace with your flag, etc)
HOOK:
Hold up an American flag and tell the children that every country has a flag, just like sports teams have their own color uniform and hat/helmet with a little picture (symbol) on it. The flag of our country has stripes and stars. What color are the stripes? (Red and white) How many stars are in the blue square? (50- for the fifty states of America). Does anyone know the Pledge of Allegiance or a song that talks about our great country?
Let the children share any songs or poems and recite the pledge with anyone who knows it. Hand out the instruments and play the tape with the patriotic songs on it. Have a patriotic marching band, encouraging the children to play softly enough so they can still hear the words in the music.
BOOK: Hebrews 13:17
“Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Hebrews 13:17
“Make requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for everyone- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Tim.2:1-2
We’re told by God’s Holy Word to obey the leaders that God has put over us. We must honor and obey our parents and our teachers. Even adults have to honor and obey people who are over them like bosses and leaders of other groups they may be involved in. No matter how old we get, there will always be someone that we have to listen and obey, and we should show all people respect because that is what the Bible means by considering the other person better than yourself. All of us, as citizens (people that live) in our country, the United States of America, need to obey the laws of the land and the leaders that God put in charge. People that uphold or make the laws that we need to respect and obey are the President and Vice President, judges, policemen, principals and all adults that are in our lives to help us. (* We never have to listen to adults that are trying to hurt us. You need to tell a parent or someone who will help you if an adult tells you to do something wrong or hurtful.)
The main point to communicate is that God tells us to pray for and obey the authorities that are put over us. In America, we have such a wonderful gift of freedom to worship God and make our own choices. But everybody, children as well as adults, will always have to obey and respect the leaders in our lives.
LOOK:
Read the book, __________________ to the children. Explain that the reason that we celebrate the 4th of July is because it’s the birthday of our country. Just like each of us have a birthday that we celebrate every year with our families or friends. We may have a cake or a party and people tell us, “Happy Birthday”!
Our Country is over 200 years old and every year we celebrate that the Pilgrims came to this land to start a new country where they could worship God the way the Bible said, not the way the King of England was telling them to.
So we have fireworks and picnics and parties to remember how special it is that our country was born to give us freedom to worship God.
TOOK:
Go around the circle and have the children share what they are have done or are going to do celebrate our country’s birthday.
Sing “Happy Birthday to America”. Tell the children that every time they see an American flag or a person in the military, they should remember to thank God for this wonderful country we live in.
MEMORY VERSE:
Pray for our leaders. (1 Tim.2:1-2)
CLOSING PRAYER: Thank you, God, for the people many years ago who left their homes and friends to make the great new country of America that we live in today. Please help us to respect and obey the leaders you put in charge of us and help us to remember to pray for them. Give them your wisdom and strength to lead. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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