The Bible tells us over and over again about God’s great love for children! He loves and knows each one of you! 

In Matthew 19:14, Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 

Do you know that God feels this love for ALL children worldwide? Think about how giant our planet is and how many children exist! And even with all those children, God knows and loves you and every other child, and he created each one of you to be special. 

Looking around, it is easy to see that God wanted us all to be DIFFERENT—and that’s part of what makes us special! Our skin colors, hair, eyes, and bodies are unique! Children in Rwanda might not look exactly like you, and we may dress differently or eat different foods than families in Rwanda do. But God holds the same tremendous love for you, for each Rwandan child, and for every other child around the world! 

Next time, we will discuss how God also created us to be the SAME! How we all need similar things to grow, learn, and play! 

Can you think of ways that God created us differently? Why do you think God wanted us to look different from each other, eat different foods, and live in different ways? 

Can you think of any ways that God created all children to be the same? 

Teachers: If you have extra time, play the song “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” – here is a link https://youtu.be/g7dNG7UDAAA

Yesterday, we talked about how God loves all children the same, even though He created them to look different! You can look around this world and see that our skin, hair, eyes, and bodies are unique! 

But today, let’s talk about how God made children similar! 

God created all children to love the things that will help them learn and grow. Children in Rwanda like to laugh and play with friends, just like you. God knows playing with others helps His children learn how to be kind, helps their bodies grow strong, and teaches kids how to share and be a good friend. 

Do you know there is one super important thing all children need, to have the energy to learn and play? What do you think it is?

Food! 

Kids need food to play, learn, and grow, and God created food to give children the energy to do these activities. Have you ever felt hungry? Did it make you feel tired? Did feeling hungry make it hard to pay attention or listen in school because all you could think about was how you wished it was time for lunch or a snack? 

The children in Rwanda need food just the same way you do. They love playing soccer, jumping rope, and playing hide and seek. But many of them need more food. Their families want to give them meals, but sometimes, their parents don’t have enough money to get food for their kids or themselves.

But we can help! Helping each other is part of being a Christian. Jesus was always helping people when he lived on earth, and he did that to show us how important helping others is to God. 

Proverbs 19:17 says, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”

This week we will be helping save up to pay for healthy, filling lunches for children in Rwanda! How many school lunches would you like to help provide? What are some ways you can earn money this week? Who can you ask to donate their money to help you meet your goal?

Teachers: Help the kids get creative in how to earn money to share towards the VBS lunch goal!

Yesterday, we learned that all kids love learning and playing. In Rwanda, kids play soccer, run, play, and laugh, just like you! We also talked about how following Jesus means helping others, and one way we can care for others is by providing food for children who may not have it. 

This week, you will be helping to provide lunches to students in Rwanda, which will give them the energy to walk to and from school, play, learn, and grow! 

But what else can we do? 

Another powerful way to help those in need is to pray. We know that God cares about our needs, and the Bible tells us that God loves us and wants to provide for us. The Bible also says that we can ask God for what we need!

We read in 1 John 15:14-15 that “We are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him. And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know He will give us what we ask for.” 

Praying to God is like having a conversation with Him. Sometimes God can feel very far away, but do you know you can talk to God whenever you want? He is always with you and waiting to hear from you. You can pray about things that make you happy. You can pray when you are sad. If you are feeling worried, what can you do? You guessed it, you can pray!

Thinking about people struggling with not having enough food can make us sad, and you can always share your feelings with God. Ask Him to be with the children in our world who may not have enough to eat. Tell God what you are doing to help solve the problem by raising money for kids in Rwanda to have lunches. 

God loves when we mix prayer and action to solve problems, just like Jesus did! 

Activity: [Turn out the lights. If you cannot do that, ask children to shut and cover their eyes tightly.] 

Sit quietly for a moment in the darkness. 

[After the darkness has settled in, turn on the light!] 

When the light came on, did any darkness remain? NO! Do you know why light drives out the darkness?

Do you know that Jesus is called the “Light of the World?” Can you think of any reasons why? Maybe this Bible verse will help you. Isaiah 58:10 tells us to “Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.” 

Do you want an example of how God drives out the darkness for people? He is using YOU this week. You have been praying for people you do not even know in Rwanda and taking action to provide meals for them! You didn’t even realize God has been behind all that was accomplished this week! Imagine all the Christians he is using worldwide to help others! See—God is so powerful!

As Christ’s followers, we are called to live like Jesus and to learn to be like Him. That means when we follow Him, we get to shine His light! 

The Bible tells us many times (many more than we’ve talked about here!) to feed people who are hungry and care for people in need. Jesus even says that whatever we do for those in need is what we do for Him. We’ve learned that children in Rwanda are hungry and need help to make sure they can eat every day. When we help feed them, we shine the light of Jesus! 

Can you think of a time when God used you as a light? Name some situations where you can drive darkness out of someone’s life. For example, sitting with someone who is sitting alone on the bus or helping a friend when they get hurt? What are some other ideas? There are countless ways!

Today is the last day of our VBS! Did you meet your goal of raising money for lunches in Rwanda? No matter how much you raised, you have impacted the lives of children just like you in Rwanda! Did you know that your offering will be added to the offerings of other kids across our country to provide thousands of meals for Rwandans?! 

Together, we make a difference! Just like Ecclesiastes 4:9 tells us, “Two are better off than one because together they can work more effectively.” 

Yesterday, we learned that Jesus is the light of the world and that, as Christians, we can find ways to be a light for others!

This week we have learned that as Christians, we can and should do many things to help others. 

I don’t know about you, but sometimes all the things around me that need prayer and help can feel overwhelming. And sometimes I can feel a lot of worry.

Please know that God does not want us to feel overwhelmed by all the needs in the world. In fact, God wants us to feel peace. And here’s how:

God asks us to act when there are needs around us—and a perfect example is what you have done this week to raise money to help feed hungry children in Rwanda. He wants us to pray for others like we have prayed for children and families in Rwanda. And after we do those things, God wants us to find comfort in knowing He is more powerful than we could ever be. 

This is so comforting! It means we can pray for the hungry and do things like raise money for lunches for children in Rwanda, and after we do our very best, we can rest and feel peace knowing that God is in charge of the rest. 

In Psalm 46:10, God says, “Be still and know that I am God.” This is the comfort He wants us to experience; His power and love will provide what we need. 

Thank you for everything you did this week to learn about kids in Rwanda, help raise money for their lunches, and learn how to be a light and lean on God. Matthew 10:42 tells us, “And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” God loves the work you did this week!

Continue to act, pray and be a light in this world to drive out the darkness! 

Even though our mission project this week will end, the story can continue! Who will you tell about Rwanda this week? How will you act as a light in God’s world?