THE BUTTERFLY
READ IT: Memory Verse: “For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
HEAR IT: Butterfly Beauty
Do puppies grow up to be cats? Do goldfish dream of becoming whales? It would be silly for your sister to think she could slither away with the salamanders when she turns sixteen. God has plans for each of his creations. Some of His creatures undergo an amazing metamorphosis. The butterfly starts out as a measly, munching caterpillar. After being trapped in a chrysalis, it is transformed into a brilliant butterfly. God changes you just like the butterfly. No, you don’t get colorful wings or antenna sprouting from your head, but he has amazing things planned for you just the same. That makes you feel pretty good, right? The maker of the sun, moon, and stars, has drawn up a plan for your life. Now, he doesn’t let you see everything ahead of time. Teachers always warn you not to read the end of the book before reading the whole story, right? That messes up the surprises. God certainly doesn’t want you to miss out on any blessings or surprises along the way. He loves you and wants to see you accomplish great things. So, the next time you’re feeling sad and blue, think of the butterfly. If God can do such miraculous things with a bug, there must be something fantastic in store for you.
PRAY IT: (Pray with your group)
STUDY IT: Watching and Waiting
Abram spent some time waiting for his life to change. A lot of time! He was given a promise from God. He would be the father of a great nation. A nation so large, it would be more numerous than the stars in the sky. There was just one problem. Abram and his wife Sarai didn’t even have one child and they were already very old. Really old! How would they have a family so large? It seemed impossible. Well, it was impossible for Abram, but with God all things are possible. Abram had to trust God and wait. Waiting is not always fun, is it? We have to wait in the lunch line, wait for a party to start, and even wait for the bathroom. Waiting is just part of life. Sometimes waiting is good for us. It helps us to appreciate others. It allows us to see God’s power. It gives time for us to change into what God has planned, just like the butterfly. Abram had a special change in store for him after his wait. He did become a father of a large nation and he even got a new name-Abraham. God’s got some surprises in store for you too. And those surprises are totally worth the wait!
Want to know more? Read the entire story in Genesis 12.
TRY IT: Twirling Butterfly
Items needed:
Page design (see picture at the bottom of this page), scissors, and one paperclip
Directions:
1. Cut out the butterfly design. Cut on the solid lines and fold on the dotted lines.
2. Fold the wings toward opposite sides. Add a paperclip to the end for additional weight.
3. Throw the butterfly high into the air. The paperclip side should fly into the air first.
4. Watch the paper butterfly spin.
Discussion Question:
Experiment with different types of butterflies. (Longer wings, shorter wings, smaller tails, longer tails, or heavier paperclips). Once you throw the butterfly up into the air, do you have control of it? Who has control of your life?
LIVE IT: Let God Build It
I could build a house if I had to. I could gather some wood, a few nails, and start hammering away. Sure, it might not be straight. There would be some cracks in the walls. The rain might leak through during storms, but it would be a house. Now an architect and construction engineer could plan and build the house. They would make sure it was safe. The leaks would disappear. It would certainly be safer and most likely prettier. Well, Chickadee, which house would you want- my slanted shack or the professional designed house on the hill? I’m pretty certain you would skip over my design and go for the more pleasant option. Well, sweet daughter, why do we keep trying to fix our own problems and plan out our own lives, when God is the best architect and engineer around. Remember this verse and know that God has AWESOME plans for you. Hand over your hammer and let God work in your life!
SHARE IT: Flying with Care
Pack a “care kit”. Take a large baggie and fill it with packaged snacks, bottled water, mints, lip balm, socks, toothpaste, toothbrush, lotion, deodorant, small Bible, and just about anything else you can think of. Place the verse for the week, Jeremiah 29:11, in the bag as well. Keep the “care kit” in the car until you find the person God places on your heart. With a parent, hand out the gift and pray for God’s plans and blessings for their life.
READ IT: Memory Verse: “For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
HEAR IT: Butterfly Beauty
Do puppies grow up to be cats? Do goldfish dream of becoming whales? It would be silly for your sister to think she could slither away with the salamanders when she turns sixteen. God has plans for each of his creations. Some of His creatures undergo an amazing metamorphosis. The butterfly starts out as a measly, munching caterpillar. After being trapped in a chrysalis, it is transformed into a brilliant butterfly. God changes you just like the butterfly. No, you don’t get colorful wings or antenna sprouting from your head, but he has amazing things planned for you just the same. That makes you feel pretty good, right? The maker of the sun, moon, and stars, has drawn up a plan for your life. Now, he doesn’t let you see everything ahead of time. Teachers always warn you not to read the end of the book before reading the whole story, right? That messes up the surprises. God certainly doesn’t want you to miss out on any blessings or surprises along the way. He loves you and wants to see you accomplish great things. So, the next time you’re feeling sad and blue, think of the butterfly. If God can do such miraculous things with a bug, there must be something fantastic in store for you.
PRAY IT: (Pray with your group)
STUDY IT: Watching and Waiting
Abram spent some time waiting for his life to change. A lot of time! He was given a promise from God. He would be the father of a great nation. A nation so large, it would be more numerous than the stars in the sky. There was just one problem. Abram and his wife Sarai didn’t even have one child and they were already very old. Really old! How would they have a family so large? It seemed impossible. Well, it was impossible for Abram, but with God all things are possible. Abram had to trust God and wait. Waiting is not always fun, is it? We have to wait in the lunch line, wait for a party to start, and even wait for the bathroom. Waiting is just part of life. Sometimes waiting is good for us. It helps us to appreciate others. It allows us to see God’s power. It gives time for us to change into what God has planned, just like the butterfly. Abram had a special change in store for him after his wait. He did become a father of a large nation and he even got a new name-Abraham. God’s got some surprises in store for you too. And those surprises are totally worth the wait!
Want to know more? Read the entire story in Genesis 12.
TRY IT: Twirling Butterfly
Items needed:
Page design (see picture at the bottom of this page), scissors, and one paperclip
Directions:
1. Cut out the butterfly design. Cut on the solid lines and fold on the dotted lines.
2. Fold the wings toward opposite sides. Add a paperclip to the end for additional weight.
3. Throw the butterfly high into the air. The paperclip side should fly into the air first.
4. Watch the paper butterfly spin.
Discussion Question:
Experiment with different types of butterflies. (Longer wings, shorter wings, smaller tails, longer tails, or heavier paperclips). Once you throw the butterfly up into the air, do you have control of it? Who has control of your life?
LIVE IT: Let God Build It
I could build a house if I had to. I could gather some wood, a few nails, and start hammering away. Sure, it might not be straight. There would be some cracks in the walls. The rain might leak through during storms, but it would be a house. Now an architect and construction engineer could plan and build the house. They would make sure it was safe. The leaks would disappear. It would certainly be safer and most likely prettier. Well, Chickadee, which house would you want- my slanted shack or the professional designed house on the hill? I’m pretty certain you would skip over my design and go for the more pleasant option. Well, sweet daughter, why do we keep trying to fix our own problems and plan out our own lives, when God is the best architect and engineer around. Remember this verse and know that God has AWESOME plans for you. Hand over your hammer and let God work in your life!
SHARE IT: Flying with Care
Pack a “care kit”. Take a large baggie and fill it with packaged snacks, bottled water, mints, lip balm, socks, toothpaste, toothbrush, lotion, deodorant, small Bible, and just about anything else you can think of. Place the verse for the week, Jeremiah 29:11, in the bag as well. Keep the “care kit” in the car until you find the person God places on your heart. With a parent, hand out the gift and pray for God’s plans and blessings for their life.