This Independence Day, use this Sunday school lesson to help preteens learn about independence. Find more great Sunday school lessons to help kids grow in their faith.
Introduce the Preteen Independence Day Lesson: Paper Attack
You’ll need:
- scrap paper
- masking tape
What you’ll do:
Form teams. Then have each team choose a person to be a king or queen. Designate a dividing line down the center of your room using masking tape. Have teams each stand on a different side of the line with their king or queen standing behind them. Give each person two paper wads to throw at the opposing team’s royalty. Tell teams to defend their royalty by blocking shots. No one may cross or reach over the center line. Play until a king or queen is hit.
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Afterward, ask:
- Which was more important to you, to hit the opposing royalty or to protect your royalty? Explain.
- What did it feel like as a king or queen to have others defending you?
- What did loyalty have to do with this game?
Read a Bible Story: Leader Loyalty!
You’ll need:
- Bible (try this kid-friendly version!)
What you’ll do:
Say: When citizens of a country defend it and its leaders, it’s called loyalty. Let’s read about a country who was loyal to their king.
Read aloud 2 Samuel 18:1-7.
Ask: Would you have this kind of loyalty to our country’s leader? Why or why not? What helps you be loyal to our country? What hinders your loyalty?
Talk About What the Bible Says
You’ll need:
- Bible (try this kid-friendly version!)
- paper
- envelope
- ink pen
What you’ll do:
Form groups of three or fewer. Have groups each read Romans 13:1-7. Then have them discuss these questions:
- Why does God want us to be loyal to our country’s leaders?
- Does God want us to obey our leaders even if they’re doing wrong things? Why or why not?
After groups discuss these questions, ask for reports. Then give each group paper, an envelope, and an ink pen. Have groups each write a letter to the leader of your country, expressing their loyalty to the leader. Send the letters later.
