1 Thessalonians 1:1-3; Acts 17:1-4
1. Opening Prayer & Fun Starter
Prayer:
“Dear God, thank You for making Your church and for letting us be part of it. Help us understand how You started the church in Thessalonica and how You want us to follow You today. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Icebreaker (Choose One):
Baby Story:
Ask: “Have you ever seen a picture of yourself as a baby? What’s something funny or cute that you use to do when you were little?”
First Day Story:
Ask: “Do you remember your first day at school or church? How did you feel?”
Explain:
“Just like babies are born and first days happen, churches have a ‘birth’ too. Today we’ll learn about how God started a new church in a city called Thessalonica.”
2. Bible Time
Read (or retell in simple words):
Acts 17:1–4 – Paul goes to a city called Thessalonica, goes into the synagogue (like a church for Jewish people), and explains from the Bible that Jesus had to suffer, die, and rise again. Some people believe and join him.
1 Thessalonians 1:1–3 – Paul writes a letter to this new church and thanks God for:
their work produced by faith
their labor prompted by love
their endurance inspired by hope
You can summarize:
“Paul told them about Jesus from the Bible. People believed in Jesus, and a new church was born!”
3. Main Ideas
God makes the church.
The church isn’t just a building. It’s people who believe in Jesus. God is the One who starts churches.
The Bible is the center.
Paul used the Scriptures (the Bible) to tell people about Jesus. We don’t just share our ideas—we share God’s Word.
The church keeps going even when it’s hard.
The new church was treated badly (persecuted), but God helped them keep going.
God tells us what the church should be like.
Not just what we like, but what God says in the Bible.
Three big words for God’s church:
Faith – trusting Jesus and doing good things because we believe Him.
Love – caring for others, even when it’s hard.
Hope – knowing Jesus will come again and keeping going when life is tough.
4. Discussion Questions
Use simple follow-up questions and let kids answer in their own words.
A. God Creates the Church
How did the church in Thessalonica begin?
(Paul told people about Jesus. They believed. A church family started.)
Who really makes churches—people or God?
Why do you think that?
If the church is people, not a building, who is the church here?
(Help them see: “We are!”)
B. The Bible and the Gospel
What did Paul use to tell people about Jesus?
(The Scriptures—the Bible.)
Why should we use the Bible when we tell people about Jesus?
(Because it’s God’s truth, not just our ideas.)
Who is someone you know who doesn’t know Jesus yet?
(Friend at school, neighbor, cousin, etc.)
“How could you show them Jesus’ love this week?”
C. God Helps the Church Keep Going
The Thessalonian church had a hard time. People were mean to them.
How do you think they felt?
Who helped them keep going and not give up?
(God did.)
What is something hard in your life right now (school, friends, family)?
“How can God help you keep going in that hard thing?”
D. What Is the Church Like?
Read again (Parents can paraphrase) 1 Thessalonians 1:3.
Paul thanked God for:
“Work produced by faith”
Ask: “What is something a Christian might do because they trust Jesus?”
(Be kind, tell the truth, help others, share the gospel.)
“Labor prompted by love” (labor = hard work)
Ask: “What is a loving thing that is also hard work?”
(Helping clean up, being nice to a mean person, sharing toys.)
“Endurance inspired by hope” (endurance = not quitting)
Ask: “Have you ever wanted to quit something but didn’t?”
“How does knowing Jesus loves you and will come back someday help you not give up?”
Which one do you think you are best at right now:
Faith (trusting and obeying),
Love (caring for others),
or Hope (not giving up)?
“Which one would you like God to help you grow in?”
5. Simple Takeaways for Kids
You can say them together:
“God made the church. It’s His idea.”
“The church is people who believe in Jesus.”
“The Bible tells us the true story of Jesus.”
“We should have faith, love, and hope.”
“God helps us keep going, even when life is hard.”
6. This Week’s Challenges
Encourage kids to choose 1–2:
Faith Challenge – Good Work:
Do one kind thing because you love Jesus (help someone at home, be kind at school, etc.).
Love Challenge – Hard Kindness:
Do something loving that is hard for you (share a favorite toy, say “sorry,” include someone who is left out).
Hope Challenge – Don’t Give Up:
When you want to give up on something good (homework, chores, being kind), stop and pray:
“Jesus, help me not quit. Help me have hope.”
Gospel Challenge – Tell One Person:
Tell one person this week something true about Jesus.
Example: “Jesus loves you,” or “Jesus died and rose again.”
7. Closing Reflection
Ask a few to answer:
“What is one new thing you learned about the church today?”
“What is one thing you want to do differently this week for Jesus?”
8. Closing Prayer
“Dear God, thank You for making Your church and letting us be part of it. Thank You for Jesus, who died and rose again for us. Please help us to have faith that obeys You, love that works hard to help others, and hope that doesn’t give up. Help us to show Your love to someone this week. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
(Optional) Activity Idea
Draw the Church:
Have kids draw a picture of a church, but instead of a building, they draw people—friends, family, believers—showing that people are the church.
Scripture Memory
Romans 5:8
1. Opening Prayer & Fun Starter
Prayer:
“Dear God, thank You for making Your church and for letting us be part of it. Help us understand how You started the church in Thessalonica and how You want us to follow You today. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Icebreaker (Choose One):
Baby Story:
Ask: “Have you ever seen a picture of yourself as a baby? What’s something funny or cute that you use to do when you were little?”
First Day Story:
Ask: “Do you remember your first day at school or church? How did you feel?”
Explain:
“Just like babies are born and first days happen, churches have a ‘birth’ too. Today we’ll learn about how God started a new church in a city called Thessalonica.”
2. Bible Time
Read (or retell in simple words):
Acts 17:1–4 – Paul goes to a city called Thessalonica, goes into the synagogue (like a church for Jewish people), and explains from the Bible that Jesus had to suffer, die, and rise again. Some people believe and join him.
1 Thessalonians 1:1–3 – Paul writes a letter to this new church and thanks God for:
their work produced by faith
their labor prompted by love
their endurance inspired by hope
You can summarize:
“Paul told them about Jesus from the Bible. People believed in Jesus, and a new church was born!”
3. Main Ideas
God makes the church.
The church isn’t just a building. It’s people who believe in Jesus. God is the One who starts churches.
The Bible is the center.
Paul used the Scriptures (the Bible) to tell people about Jesus. We don’t just share our ideas—we share God’s Word.
The church keeps going even when it’s hard.
The new church was treated badly (persecuted), but God helped them keep going.
God tells us what the church should be like.
Not just what we like, but what God says in the Bible.
Three big words for God’s church:
Faith – trusting Jesus and doing good things because we believe Him.
Love – caring for others, even when it’s hard.
Hope – knowing Jesus will come again and keeping going when life is tough.
4. Discussion Questions
Use simple follow-up questions and let kids answer in their own words.
A. God Creates the Church
How did the church in Thessalonica begin?
(Paul told people about Jesus. They believed. A church family started.)
Who really makes churches—people or God?
Why do you think that?
If the church is people, not a building, who is the church here?
(Help them see: “We are!”)
B. The Bible and the Gospel
What did Paul use to tell people about Jesus?
(The Scriptures—the Bible.)
Why should we use the Bible when we tell people about Jesus?
(Because it’s God’s truth, not just our ideas.)
Who is someone you know who doesn’t know Jesus yet?
(Friend at school, neighbor, cousin, etc.)
“How could you show them Jesus’ love this week?”
C. God Helps the Church Keep Going
The Thessalonian church had a hard time. People were mean to them.
How do you think they felt?
Who helped them keep going and not give up?
(God did.)
What is something hard in your life right now (school, friends, family)?
“How can God help you keep going in that hard thing?”
D. What Is the Church Like?
Read again (Parents can paraphrase) 1 Thessalonians 1:3.
Paul thanked God for:
“Work produced by faith”
Ask: “What is something a Christian might do because they trust Jesus?”
(Be kind, tell the truth, help others, share the gospel.)
“Labor prompted by love” (labor = hard work)
Ask: “What is a loving thing that is also hard work?”
(Helping clean up, being nice to a mean person, sharing toys.)
“Endurance inspired by hope” (endurance = not quitting)
Ask: “Have you ever wanted to quit something but didn’t?”
“How does knowing Jesus loves you and will come back someday help you not give up?”
Which one do you think you are best at right now:
Faith (trusting and obeying),
Love (caring for others),
or Hope (not giving up)?
“Which one would you like God to help you grow in?”
5. Simple Takeaways for Kids
You can say them together:
“God made the church. It’s His idea.”
“The church is people who believe in Jesus.”
“The Bible tells us the true story of Jesus.”
“We should have faith, love, and hope.”
“God helps us keep going, even when life is hard.”
6. This Week’s Challenges
Encourage kids to choose 1–2:
Faith Challenge – Good Work:
Do one kind thing because you love Jesus (help someone at home, be kind at school, etc.).
Love Challenge – Hard Kindness:
Do something loving that is hard for you (share a favorite toy, say “sorry,” include someone who is left out).
Hope Challenge – Don’t Give Up:
When you want to give up on something good (homework, chores, being kind), stop and pray:
“Jesus, help me not quit. Help me have hope.”
Gospel Challenge – Tell One Person:
Tell one person this week something true about Jesus.
Example: “Jesus loves you,” or “Jesus died and rose again.”
7. Closing Reflection
Ask a few to answer:
“What is one new thing you learned about the church today?”
“What is one thing you want to do differently this week for Jesus?”
8. Closing Prayer
“Dear God, thank You for making Your church and letting us be part of it. Thank You for Jesus, who died and rose again for us. Please help us to have faith that obeys You, love that works hard to help others, and hope that doesn’t give up. Help us to show Your love to someone this week. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
(Optional) Activity Idea
Draw the Church:
Have kids draw a picture of a church, but instead of a building, they draw people—friends, family, believers—showing that people are the church.
Scripture Memory
Romans 5:8