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Object Lesson: The “Human Step-Stool” Challenge

• Items Needed: A high shelf or sticky note placed high up on a wall (out of the kids’ reach), and a small, sturdy stool or cushion.
• The Lesson:
  1. Ask one child to reach the sticky note high on the wall without jumping or using furniture. (They won’t be able to reach it on their own).
  2. Ask: “How can we help them reach it?” Have a parent or sibling help lift them up or offer a step-stool so they can grab it easily.
  3. Talk About It: Read or summarize the story Simon shared about the two Amys on the Jacob’s ladder course, where one said, “You can stand on my head if you want!”
  4. Key Takeaway: In God’s church family, we don’t compete to see who is highest or most important. We help each other! When someone is tired, sad, or struggling to follow Jesus, we lower ourselves, encourage them, and help them reach higher.

Family Activity: “Spare Seat” Dinner Planning

• Activity: Sit down with the family and draw a picture of your dinner table. Leave one or two chairs empty on the drawing.
• Discussion: Talk about who in church, school, or your neighborhood might feel lonely or like a “background extra.” Pick a Sunday or evening this month to invite another family or individual over to fill those “spare seats” for a meal, games, and prayer!

Family Prayer:

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that we are part of your big church family and that we are never alone. Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with love instead of selfishness. Show us how we can lift others up, share our food, and love the people around us this week. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

CBC Family Discussion Questions: “From Duty to Devotion”

1. Background Extras or God’s Family?

• The Big Idea: Every person around us is loved by God and is part of His big picture—not just “extras” in our movie.
• Ask the Kids: Have you ever felt like you were invisible or left out at school or on the playground? How does it feel knowing that God calls us His sons and daughters, and that every single person sitting around us in church is sacred and loved by Him?
• Parent Reflection: How can we help our kids notice the lonely or quiet children at church and school this week?

2. The Spare Seat Challenge

• The Big Idea: The early church didn’t just meet on Sundays—they ate together and opened their homes.
• Ask the Kids: If we could invite anyone from church or our street over to sit in a “spare seat” at our dinner table, who would you want to invite? What food should we make for them?
• Family Action: Pick a date this month to run a family Spare Seat Sunday!

3. Helping Others Reach Higher

• The Big Idea: In God’s family, we lift each other up rather than competing to be first.
• Ask the Kids: Simon shared a story about two friends where one said, “You can stand on my head if you want,” so her friend could reach the top rung of a high ropes ladder. What is one way you can “lift up” a brother, sister, or friend this week when they are having a hard or tiring day?

4. Asking for the Holy Spirit’s Help

• The Big Idea: We can’t force ourselves to be kind or devoted in our own strength—we need the Holy Spirit to fill us.
• Ask the Kids: Is it easier to follow God’s rules because you have to (duty) or because you love Him and want to (devotion)? Let’s ask the Holy Spirit together to fill our hearts with His love so we want to love and serve others this week.