If your class is meeting online, invite students to bring paper and pens/pencils with them to class.

God went to great lengths to be with us! In the Old Testament, God’s presence dwelt with the people in the tabernacle. When Jesus came to earth to die on the Cross and rise again, He made it possible for us to have God’s Holy Spirit living inside us! 

Ephesians 3:17 tells us that when we have faith in Jesus to save us, He comes inside of us and dwells in our hearts. This isn’t talking about the heart that pumps blood through our bodies. He comes into the part of us that thinks and feels, and He fills us with His love and peace. Invite any students who have never made the decision to follow Jesus and put their faith in Him for salvation to come talk with you after class. Help in sharing the Gospel with this age group is found in your teacher’s guide.

Just like all the things we talked about earlier that we can’t see but are there anyway, we can’t see the Holy Spirit. But the Bible promises that He is with us, beginning the moment we believe. And He is doing more in our hearts and minds than we can imagine. 

Hand each child a sheet of paper and a pen/pencil (or invite students to have supplies ready at home). Have children draw a line down the middle of the paper creating two columns (or they may fold their papers lengthwise). Encourage students to write “INSIDE” at the top of the left hand column and “OUTSIDE” on the top of the right-hand column. Have them draw a stick figure of themselves on both sides of the line. Remind children that the “OUTSIDE” represents their physical bodies and the “INSIDE” is their minds, attitudes, and emotions.

God wants to live in us. As He dwells in our hearts, we become more like Jesus. What evidence can you see in your outside/body and inside/soul that God lives in you? Next to their stick figures, have them write down one or two ways they might see evidence of Christ dwelling in them. Provide these examples:

Outside: I use my mouth to worship God, I use my arms and hands to show kindness rather than hurt others, I use my mouth to speak good words instead of negative ones.

Inside: I concentrate my mind on Scripture, I allow God to take control of my thoughts, I say a silent prayer when I need help or am afraid.

Optional: As students think and write, you might want to play this music video [4:30]:
Tim Hughes – Everything

When your preteens are done, challenge them to hang this paper in their room this week as a reminder of how Jesus is making a difference in their lives. As you trust in Him, He will change you in amazing ways from the inside out.  

If time permits invite (but do not require) volunteers to share a few things they wrote down.

Close in prayer.