Galatians 6:1-6, 9a, New International Reader's Version

Do Good to Everyone

6 Brothers and sisters, what if someone is caught in a sin? Then you who live by the Spirit should correct that person. Do it in a gentle way. But be careful. You could be tempted too. 2 Carry one another’s heavy loads. If you do, you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are somebody when they are nobody, they are fooling themselves. 4 Each person should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves. They won’t be comparing themselves to someone else. 5 Each person should carry their own load. 6 But those who are taught the word should share all good things with their teacher.

9 Let us not become tired of doing good.

Message:

I wonder what happens when you stop doing good things. Let’s play a game of good and bad. I will tell you about some of the moments in my life during the past few days, and I want you to tell me if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

I came home very tired last night because I had been playing outside in the dirt and got dirty. I was so tired that I didn’t take a shower. I went to bed filthy and dirty. Do you think not getting clean after a long, dirty day is good or bad? (Allow children to respond.) That’s right; it is important to wash yourself with soap and water to get clean.

When I woke up this morning, I threw dirty clothes on the floor of my room. In fact, my room is so full of piles of clothes and other things that I must be careful not to trip or fall. I have been told to clean my room, but I don’t think it’s that bad. I will wait until someone falls. Do you think keeping my room that messy is a good thing or a bad thing? (Allow children to answer.)

Sometimes, when I wake up in the morning, my mouth feels dry and tastes bad. I don’t really want to spend time brushing my teeth, and when I look in the mirror, my teeth don’t look dirty, so I think it’s fine not to brush my teeth. Do you think that never brushing your teeth is a good thing or a bad thing? (Allow children to answer.)

I have noticed that when I do something for someone else, the way Jesus wants me to (like when I treat someone with kindness or treat them fairly), it changes my day and my life. When I treat others how I want to be treated, am I doing a good or bad thing? (Allow children to answer.)

Suppose I mistreated people all week, but treated them better while in church. Or suppose I have made life even harder for the poor this week. I kept every dollar that I had and spent it all on myself. I didn’t think of anyone else. Suppose I ignored the people who needed my help and protection the most. I didn’t look after them. I just made every moment all about me. Do you think those are good things or bad things? (Allow children to respond.)

Can someone give me an example of a good thing you have recently done? (Allow children to answer.)

Do you think God wants us to do good? (Allow children to answer.) Why do you think God wants us to do good? (Allow children to answer.) God wants us to do good because doing good helps others. Doing good allows us to take care of one another. When we do good, we look after one another. God loves us and wants us to take care of one another. God is good, and that is a good thing.

God wants us to do good things to show others how much God cares for them. God loves each of us just as God loves all of us!

Today’s Bible passage is from a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Galatians. In this letter, Paul knew that God wants us to do good things to show others God’s love. That is the reason Paul never stopped telling people about God’s goodness and all about Jesus. Paul knew that God was good, and he wanted everyone else to know of God’s goodness, too! Paul reminds us in this Bible passage to never get tired of doing good. Sharing the love of Jesus with everyone is good work.

I wonder what you can do this week to show others the goodness of God. I want to share with you a new way to close our time together. I will say, “God is good.” And then you say, “All the time.” Then I will say, “All the time.” And you respond with “God is good.” Let’s try it.

Prayer:

“God is good.”

“All the time.”

“God is good.” Amen.

Between the Sundays: Family Conversation Starters

We have added conversation starters to each children’s message series to help spark conversations within families during the week. We encourage families to use these questions to guide them through conversations and subject matter discussed during the worship service, including the children’s messages on Sundays. These conversations will reinforce learning and nurture faith formation for the entire family.

What do you think God wants us to know about goodness?

What does the word goodness mean to you?

How is God good?

How does the goodness of God make your life different? How has that affected you this week? Give an example of seeing the goodness of God this week.

Discuss Paul’s reminder of not becoming tired of doing good. How might other family members support you if you do find yourself becoming tired of doing good? This could be called accountability. Accountability is taking responsibility for your actions and choices. Accountability is being honest and realizing that those actions could be both good things and bad things, but learning from both. As a family, devise a plan to help hold one another accountable for your actions.

Listen to the song, “The Goodness of God” by CeCe Winans. Which lyrics speak to you? Are there different lyrics that speak to each family member? As a family, discuss moments this week, where you did “sing of the goodness of God.” Was it an action or a conversation that you had to tell someone of the goodness of God?

As a family, discuss the statement, “God loves each of us as God loves all of us.” How does this statement make you feel? What can you do (or have done) this week to show this love to others?