Preteen Sunday School Lesson: Labor Day

Use this 15-minute preteen Labor Day lesson to help kids discover the importance of work and rest. 

Preteen Sunday School Lesson: Labor Day

1. What’s My Career?

You’ll need:

• adhesive name tags
• markers

As each child enters the room, place a tag on their back with a career written on it, such as “reporter,” “painter,” “engineer,” or “teacher.” Make one of the tags read “pastor.” Have kids ask each other “yes” or “no” questions to learn guess the job that’s written on their tag. When a child guesses correctly, they can move the tag to their front – near a shoulder.

2. Resting in God’s Love

Form two groups. Have one group do jumping jacks, and have the second group jog in place. As the children perform their “duties,” talk about their careers from the opener, sharing what they think would be the hardest part of their job.

When kids seem to be tired, ask:

• Are you ready to rest?

Have everyone sit on the floor. Then have the “pastor” read aloud Matthew 11:28.

Say: Labor Day is a holiday to honor workers by giving them a day of rest. Jesus tells us that we can come to him anytime we’re tired, and he will give us rest.

Ask:

• How can Jesus help us rest?

3. Quiet-Time Journal

You’ll need:

• small notebooks (1 per kid)
• fabric or tissue paper scraps
• stickers
• markers

Give each child a notebook. Let children decorate the covers with fabric or tissue paper scraps and stickers. Have them title their notebooks “My Time With God.” Then talk about how to use a journal. Kids can write their prayer concerns, what they read in the Bible, or a note to God. Encourage children to take time daily to rest in and reflect on God’s love.

4. Snack

You’ll need:

• frozen bread dough (thawed)
• honey
• butter

Have each child take a handful of dough, form a strip, and twist it. Tell kids that challah is the traditional bread for the Jewish Sabbath. This twisted bread is similar to challah. After the work of baking is over, rest together and talk about any traditional meals or food kids have on the Sabbath.

5. Keep Up the Good Work

You’ll need:

• personalized “Quiet-Time Journals” from earlier
• pens

Say: God gives us the opportunity to rest so we can continue to serve him. We all serve in the different roles we have. Some of yours could be student, son or daughter, and friend.

Ask:

• How can you serve Jesus in the roles you have? 

Have kids write their answers in the first page of their notebook. Close in prayer, thanking God for the privilege of work and rest.

Looking for more preteen lessons? Check out Group’s BE BOLD Sunday school curriculum, created to help preteens feel confident in their faith. You can find even more ideas here!