This lesson emphasizes where true power comes from. We might try to be confident in our own abilities, and often fall flat. We need God for anything and everything that we do. Sometimes we face challenges and feel weak, and that’s okay! The message here is that God is always present and wants to help us when we encounter difficulties. His power gives us strength, and that shines through brightest when we are struggling. We lean on God and know we can do great things through Him. His grace is all we need!
The first link below is the complete lesson plan and includes the crafts, children’s sermon, and coloring pages listed afterward. Read these scripture verses about strength for more teaching inspiration.
Children’s Sermon: Power in Weakness
Children might not have traumatic struggles and challenges to face in their lives (hopefully!), but they can certainly relate to the concept of weakness. There are a lot of things that are difficult or impossible for kids to do on their own, and they recognize that they need help from others to accomplish daily tasks. In the same way, we know we rely on God for all that we do in our lives. This message reminds students that we need God’s help, and that our weaknesses only make His power more apparent.
Sunday School Crafts: God Gives Us Strength
We recognize that life is full of challenges, and that we are not always capable of doing what we would like to do. The blessed message of this passage is that God’s strength shines through when we are weak! Highlighting 2 Corinthians 12, wherein Paul describes his struggle with an unrelieved challenge, these crafts remind children that our weaknesses can help us rely on God all the more. A cross wrapped in soft yarn or fabric illustrates how simple or soft things can be made firm and strong in Christ. A barbell-shaped craft considers how God holds us up and strenghtens us, even when we struggle.
2 Corinthians 12:2-10 ESV
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[a] a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.