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Teaching Abstract Concepts to Concrete-Thinking Kids

Let kids eat the grapes as they discuss temptation.

Ask: Have you ever been told not to eat some candy, but you really wanted to? Have you ever eaten candy even though someone told you not to?

Say: That’s temptation; you were tempted to eat the candy. When you gave in to the temptation, you broke a rule. You disobeyed.

Ask: Have you ever been tempted to break another rule? If so, what? What helped you not give in to temptation? What happened if you gave in to temptation?

QUESTIONS! QUESTIONS! Ask children these types of questions to get them thinking about a Bible story:

Discovery
These are very factual questions, such as, “What did Jesus say to the Pharisees?” or “How many chariots were covered by the Red Sea?”

Understanding
These questions develop higher levels of thinking. These include questions such as, “Why did Peter start sinking as he walked on the water?” or “Why do you think God wanted the Israelites to stop complaining?”

Application
These questions seek specific outcomes, such as, “How can you serve your family this week?” or “Who is someone you need to love? What is one thing you can do this week to love that person?”