Spring Object Lesson for All Ages: God Cares for You

In this spring object lesson, kids discover that just as God cares for flowers, he cares for them, too.

You’ll need:

• Bible
• individually packed flowering bedding plants
• foam cups
• potting soil
• buckets or containers (1 per group)
• scoops (1 per group)
• spray bottles filled with water
• markers
• newspapers

Tips:

• If you’re short on time, have soil or dirt already in the cups. You can also put each group’s items on a tray ahead of time; however, remember that part of this experience is to have kids help one another, so emphasize that aspect of the project.
• Depending on the season you do this object lesson, consider having flower bulbs or seeds for kids to plant rather than the actual flower. Still provide full-grown flowers for the kids to look at, smell, and touch.

Flower Fun

Have kids form groups of five.

Say: Planting flowers is something a lot of people enjoy. They’re beautiful, fun to care for, and rewarding to watch grow. I once… (briefly share an appropriate experience regarding planting flowers or gardening and why you enjoyed it).

Spread out the newspapers so each group is sitting on them and has a workspace.

Say: I have flowers to share with you today. Let’s pass around these flowers so you have a chance to touch and smell them.

Pass around the individually packed flowers, sharing the names and different characteristics of the flowers if you can. Encourage kids to gently touch the flowers and smell their blooms.

Ask:

• What kinds of things do you notice about the flowers?
• Explain what you like about flowers. Why do you think they make people happy?

Care for Each Other

Say: Today we are going to plant flowers with our groups. Have willing kids from each group gather 10 scoops of dirt in a container, the scoop, plus one cup for each person in their group. Distribute two markers to each group. Then let kids each choose an individually packed flower to plant. Have all kids sit in their groups again.

Say: Each of you will write your name on the front of a cup so you know which is yours. Encourage older kids to help younger kids as needed.

Say: You’ll need to take turns to plant your flower. Your job is to care for each other today by helping and sharing within your group. When it’s your turn, put two scoops of dirt into your cup so it’s about two-thirds full. Then pass the scoop to the person next to you. Allow time.

Now that you’ve filled your cups with dirt, take a finger and poke a hole in the middle of the dirt. Gently remove your flower from the container. Place your flower in the hole; then pack the dirt around the roots. If you’d like, you can spray your flower and dirt with the water.

Allow time, and then ask:

• Explain what you think a flower needs to grow.
• How do you think something as fragile as a flower can live and grow in our world?
• In what ways are we like or unlike these fragile flowers?

God Cares for You

Say: God provides everything a flower needs, such as water and sunlight.

Open your Bible and read aloud Luke 12:27-28a.

Ask:

• What do you think this verse says about how God cares for us?
• Why do you think God takes such good care of everything he created?
• What are ways God takes care of you?

Say: God created flowers to be beautiful and smell, good, but also for many other important purposes. God also made sure the flowers would be cared for. If God ensures these flowers are taken care of, how much more will he make sure you’re taken care of? God cares for you.

You can take your flowers home today. Every time you look at or smell your flower, remember that God takes care of you.

This spring object lesson comes from Kids’ Travel Guide to the Beatitudes. In this book, you’ll find 13 Sunday school lessons that lead kids through hands-on, Bible-based activities as they dive deeper into the Beatitudes. For even more object lessons, check out these posts!