Looking for an engaging back-to-school devotion? Use this activity to show kids the importance of faith and the Fruits of the Spirit. (Some assembly required. Banana not included.)
Bible Verses: Jeremiah 33:3 and Galatians 5:22-23
You’ll need:
- a child’s backpack containing the following items:
- a banana with the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23 written on it with a permanent marker,
- a hand weight,
- a cell phone,
- a gold construction paper heart,
- a box of Band-Aids, and
- funny glasses.
Interactive Back to School Devotion: Fruit of the Spirit
Say: School is starting soon. How many of you have been preparing for school already? What have you done to get ready? I hope you haven’t forgotten to pack the most important things. Just in case you did forget, I packed these things for you. Pull out each item and explain it.
Banana
Say: When you’re on the playground or in the classroom, you’ll need to have the Fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, and self-control.
Hand weight
Say: Exercising your faith and trust God will make your faith muscles stronger.
Cell phone
Read aloud Jeremiah 33:3. Say: Don’t forget to call on God with prayer anytime you need help or just want to talk to him.
Gold heart
Say: You’ll be tempted to act in ways that aren’t pleasing to God, but keep your heart pure like a shiny gold heart.
Band-Aids
Say: School can be a tough place and kids aren’t always kind. Be like Jesus and be kind to everyone at school-even the bullies!
Funny glasses
Say: As you learn new things, you need God’s eyes to know the things that are true and the things that aren’t true.
If you have all these things in your backpack, I know you’ll have a great new school year. Close with a prayer of blessing for the children in the new school year.
For more great articles like this in every issue, subscribe today to Children’s Ministry Magazine!
