This Sunday school lesson will explain the difference between God’s jealousy and human jealousy. The children will understand why jealousy is one of God’s attributes and one of humanity’s defects.
by Leah Pittsigner
TOPICS
Contentment, Godliness, Jealousy, Knowing God
AS KIDS ARRIVE (10 minutes)
What is Jealousy? (Activity) Click here
OPENING PRAYER AND PRAISE (5 minutes)
Further info? Click here
MEMORY WORK (12 minutes)
"Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." Exodus 34:14 NIV
Before class, print a set of Exodus cards for each student: NIV - Click here KJV - Click here
Ask the children to cut out each box and practice putting the verse’s words in the correct order. Then have them work with a partner to remove the cards one-by-one until they can successfully quote the verse from memory. Remind the children that memorizing scripture puts God’s words in our hearts and helps us when we are tempted, so they can practice memorizing verses this same way at home.
SCRIPTURE READING AND DISCUSSION (15 minutes)
If you gave the optional assignment "God Is Good" for homework last week, review it now.
Ask each child to share which verse he or she found the most interesting and why.
Ask volunteers to share how the assignment helped them learn more about God's goodness.
Introduction:
Ask the children to explain the word, “Jealousy,” in their own words. Add input if necessary and give an example from your own life of a time when you were jealous. Additionally, describe how God drew you into repentance and forgiveness from your jealousy. Tell the children that jealousy is typically seen as a bad trait, but that’s because human jealousy is a result of sin. God’s jealousy, however, is good because it is motivated by His holiness, love, and the desire to keep us secure in our relationship with Him. His attribute of jealousy is right because He is the only one worthy of all our affections.
Read Deuteronomy 10:14-16
Discussion question:
Why is God jealous? (Because we give more love and attention to other things.)
After giving the children time to respond, emphasize that God is jealous for our affections because He created everything and everyone! Also, He specifically chose us to be His children, so God has every right to expect our complete allegiance. It is a privilege to be a believer in Jesus Christ, so God is jealous when other things (idols) are more important to us.
Read Exodus 34:14
Discussion question:
What are “other gods”? (Anything we worship in place of God.)
Clarify that anything that gets more of our affection than God is a “god,” or idol. When we focus on possessions, celebrities, or abilities more than we focus on God, then we are essentially worshipping something other than Him. Take a few moments and allow the children to comment on “gods” or idols that can be present in one’s life. Be sure to include remedies for worshipping idols (such as prayer, repentance, obedience through service, etc).
Read James 4:4b-5
Discussion question:
What makes God jealous? (Our choosing sin in place of obedience.)
Ask the children to think of a time when they were jealous and the feelings they felt in that situation. Explain that God is jealous for us when we make decisions according to our own (worldly) desires because those decisions keep us from having the best possible relationship with him. Supportively tell the children that God’s jealousy should motivate us to center our lives around Him.
CLASS EXERCISE (10 minutes)
Hidden Jealousy (Activity) Click here
ALTERNATE CLASS EXERCISE (10 minutes)
Puzzled Over Jealousy (Puzzle) Click here
APPLICATION (2 minutes)
God has the right to be jealous because He is our perfect Creator. He is a gentle loving Creator that wants your sole affection. When He doesn’t receieve your affection, He becomes disappointed.
NEXT WEEK
Be sure to come back next week to find out how you can fear God without being afraid!
CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)
Further info? Click here
TAKE HOME PAGE
Give one copy to each child at the end of the class to take home. Click here for NIV or KJV [PDF]