Before class, connect with some friends, other teachers, and church volunteers explaining that you will be taking your class on a “Bigger or Better” hunt during class time. Ask for their cooperation to trade with your students for some unwanted item that is bigger or better than what your students came with.

Earlier we learned a small gift can make a big difference.  A young boy gave his loaves of bread and fish to Jesus, who made it mean a lot to everyone in the crowd that day as well as the millions who have heard the story since that time. Today we’re going to go on a “Bigger or Better” hunt to see what we can end up with when we start with something small—like this paper clip.

Lead you class on a Bigger or Better hunt. Let your class visit other classes or church areas to trade for something bigger or better. Be quick and considerate so as to keep disruption to a minimum. Example: The class will start out with a paperclip, then you might stop by the church office where they give you any item bigger or better than a paperclip (copy paper maybe?). From there you might meet up with a church usher for something (a roll of mints or a church bulletin perhaps) and then trade that for a donut in the hospitality room; the janitor may be glad to trade a large empty box for that donut! Continue until you have run out of time for the activity—then head back to your classroom. When you get back, talk about your experience and whether they thought their little paperclip would yield something like _____________________ (mention the item you returned to class with).

Hand out paperclips, ribbon and scissors. Have a volunteer read today’s memory verse (2 Corinthians 8:12) out loud.  Then have your students cut off a small piece of ribbon and tie it to the end of their paperclip as a reminder that Jesus can take our small gifts and make them into much more. If you need a visual reference for this reminder craft, a picture can be found here:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/Aany2iJ30xKLfBubfXUETORd5A1VlN71b0MUvi37XCjA–PDBOkln_Q/

When our hearts are willing, Jesus can make our small gifts grow.  Take this paperclip and use it as a bookmark reminder of what you learned today.

Begin praying this week that God will give you a willing heart to follow Him in all you do and that He would use your gifts to glorify Him.  Let the boy in our story be an example to us all.  Small gift, big rewards for God’s kingdom.

Pray to close.