Holiday Sunday School Lessons

All Things Have Become New
Concept: New Year, New Self
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new" (CEV)
Application: Just like we leave last year behind, we leave our past behind when we become a Christian and become something new. We no longer have to live with our sins, they are left behind. We go forward as a new person with Christ.

The Beatitudes
Concept: The African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement had a lot of the same attributes as those Jesus discussed in The Beatitudes. They were poor in spirit (paid less, denied jobs), huger and thirsted for righteousness (fought against unjust conditions), many were clean of heart (movement lead by religious leaders like MLK), peacemakers (were encouraged not to fight with violence), and were persecuted for the sake of righteousness (definitely were persecuted when fighting against unjust conditions).
Scripture: Matthew 5:3-12
Application: Jesus taught to look beyond your earthly situation to heaven. When things look bad for us here on earth, we shouldn't forget all the great things Jesus has promised are waiting for us.
Coloring Page: here

Do Not Fear
Concept : Don't be afraid like the groundhog
Scripture : The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? Psalm 27: 1
Application: With God at our side, we should not fear our "shadows". Our shadows can be anything, but they are no match for God's light. We always have it with us and should never be afraid.

Love One Another
Concept: We can't call ourselves Christians unless we love each other.
Scripture: 1 John 4:7-8 "My dear friends, we must love each other. Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows that we have been given new life. We are now God's children, and we know him. God is love, and anyone who doesn't love others has never known him." (CEV)
Application: God both gave us the gift of love, and also the command to do it. It is a requirement of Christians to love. The Bible doesn't say to love unless it is hard, or love everyone except for Suzie because she doesn't wait until it is her turn. We must love, period.
Heart Maze: here

Humility
Concept: Washington and Lincoln were both considered great presidents, but they were humble. Lincoln often attributed the success of the North in the Civil War to God instead of taking credit for it himself. Washington was successful in the Revolutionary War, but instead of becoming someone with rock star status, he went back to his farm to live a quiet life until he was asked to help the nation at the Continental Congress.
Scripture: Proverbs 11:2 - "Too much pride can put you to shame. It's wiser to be humble."
Application: The presidents honored on President's day are honored for their wisdom, and through their wisdom they knew to be humble. We should also be humble. When we work in a group, we should make sure the others get credit instead of saying that you did all the work. We shouldn't go around saying how great we are, but instead we should build others up and tell them the things they do well.

Evangelism
Concept: Legends about St. Patrick talk about him driving snakes out of Ireland. He is also said to have done great evangelism work throughout Ireland.
Scripture: John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Application: Like St Patrick, we should tell others about the love of God and about Jesus. It is important to tell others about God so that they will believe in Him and go to Heaven.

Wisdom
Concept: We don't want to be fools.
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:15 "Since childhood, you have known the Holy Scriptures that are able to make you wise enough to have faith in Christ Jesus and be saved."
Application: Through the Bible we can gain wisdom and not be foolish. By following the Bible, having faith, and following the steps to salvation you will go to Heaven. Wanting to go to Heaven makes you wise instead of wanting things here on earth that are foolish.

Take Care of God's World
Concept: Since the earth is God's and not ours, we should take care of it.
Scripture: Psalm 24:1 "The earth and everything on it belong to the LORD. The world and its people belong to him."
Application: When we use something that isn't ours, we are extra careful with it so we can return it in the condition we received it. We are just borrowing the earth from God, and we should take care of it.

Coloring Page: here

Respect All Those Who Give Their Lives To Service
Concept - Romans teaches we should respect and honor those that deserve it.
Scripture - Romans 13:1-7
Application - This chapter in Romans is clear, we are to respect those in authority for the authorities have been established by God. Governmental authorities dispatch our soldiers. Regardless of the cause they were dispatched to combat, we owe them our respect and honor, especially those that have given their lives in service to our government.

Coloring Page: here