Search our site:

Bible Lesson: Small is Big!

This Bible lesson will help kids understand that although they are small, God can use them for amazingly BIG things!  Whether it is their small hand reaching to help someone or a smile that brightens someone else's day.  They are not too small to make a difference in the world around them.  God can use even the smallest of our actions or words when we do or say them for His glory.

Bible Lesson Summary:  We may feel small and like we don’t have a lot to offer, but small in God’s hands is BIG!

Time/Audience:  This lesson took about 30-40 minutes with a group of 12 third and fourth graders.  It is easily adaptable to be used with both younger children and youth. 

Bible Lesson Preparation: 

  • You will need paper and pencils or black pens.  Make a craft sample of the Zentangle beforehand.

Scripture:  Matthew 10:40-42, John 6:1-15, Matthew 10:29-31

Key Takeaway:  Small is BIG in the hands of God!

Introductory Activity:  Name 5 

Give each student paper and pencil.  Have them make four columns with numbers 1-5 so they can list items for different categories.  Tell them you will give them 30 seconds to write down five items for each category.  (Categories may vary in number and kind; I chose four because I was teaching virtually.). Example categories:  countries, body parts, things you see out your window, etc.  Make sure one is Bible characters.

They will probably think of big things to write like well-known countries such as the United States, Canada, Spain, etc. or body parts they can see like arms, legs, head.

  • More than likely you thought of big things.  Today we’re looking at how small is big in God’s hands. Life can seem overwhelming sometimes and causes us to feel like we aren’t enough and can’t make a difference. We can’t see how we can help or share the love of Jesus.


Locating The Gospels

I always like to let my students know it is okay to use the Table of Contents in their Bibles if they are not sure where a Book of the Bible is.

Have them name the four Gospels while also reminding them they are at the beginning of the New Testament.  Today we will start in Matthew, but also read a story form the Gospel of John.



Core Bible Lesson:  Small is Big



Have students turn in their Bibles to Matthew 10:40-42.  You may have volunteers to read or you may read.  Make note of “small” and “cup of cold water”.  I like to read it in different translations or paraphrases to help children (and myself) understand what the Scripture is saying.  For my lesson, I read from the New King James Version and also The Message paraphrase.  

  • What we see as small, God can use for big! Everyday there are small things we can do that with God’s help can impact the world around us for His glory!  Let’s look at a well-known Bible lesson story of where Jesus makes something small into an amazing BIG!


Matthew 10:40-42 The Message:


“We are intimately linked in this harvest work. Anyone who accepts what you do, accepts me, the One who sent you. Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father, who sent me. Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God’s messenger. Accepting someone’s help is as good as giving someone help. This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won’t lose out on a thing.” 


Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Turn to John 6:1-15, the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000.  Have students close their eyes while they listen to the story fresh with new eyes and imagining actually being there.  Talk about the boy probably being small and young like they are.  What he had to offer was small.  God is able to use even small things to make a difference!  

Thoughts:

  •  Would you say five loaves and two fish is small or big?  What about the more than 5,000 people – small or big?  Jesus used something small given by someone small to create something really big!  The disciples thought this impossible, but nothing is impossible with God!  
  • The Bible says Andrew saw the young boy or lad.  He may have been about your age.  He was small and what he had was small – five loaves and two fish.  Yet his “small” was used by God to feed so many until they were full AND had leftovers!  Wow…small is BIG!  
  • What do you have to offer even as small as you are?  You wrote a list a few minutes ago…you can write!  God could use you and your ability to write to encourage someone with a note or write Bible verses as you memorize and hide God’s Word in your heart.  You have two small ears that can listen and make someone know they are heard and matter; God can use that as BIG!  You have a smile that God can use to help others know they are seen.  God can use our kindness in words and actions to do something BIG in our world for His kingdom and His glory!  Make a list of 5 things you have or can do that God could use.



Small Matters to God

Go back to Matthew 10 and read verses 29-31. 

  • Small matters to God.  People matter to God.  When we start to think we don’t matter or aren’t worth anything, we need to remember that to Jesus, every single person was worth His blood for forgiveness. He loves each and every person and died for each of us because we matter to him!  Quote John 3:16.  Small is big when we are in the hands of God!

Matthew 10:29-31 NKJV:

"Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."


Bible Lesson Points to Remember

Make these connections as you sum up the Bible lesson:

  • Jesus said even the smallest act of kindness like offering a cup of cold water is important.
  • When we offer God our "small" for His glory, He can turn them into big for His kingdom.
  • Every person is valuable to God.  Jesus died and paid the price of our sin - for each and everyone of us.

Bible Craft - Prayer Time

zentangle

A Zentangle is an easy craft that can help students think and pray about small ways God can use them in big ways to make a difference for His glory.

Take an 8 ½ X 11 sheet of paper and cut it into a square. Fold into four sections or any small square sheets of paper may be used.  

1. Put a dot in each corner of the square.

2. Draw a line from each dot to the next; this does not have to be straight.

3. Draw lines or loops across the square from side to side so that it is divided into four or more sections.

4. Doodle or draw designs in each section.  This may be done in pencil, but tracing with a black pen makes a nice contrast.  This may or may not be colored.


Small is Big Bible Lesson Demo Video:


Memory Verse

1 Corinthians 10:31 is an excellent memory verse to go with this lesson.  Have students write it on the back of their Zentangle and practice it during the week.


"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV


© Copyright 2020, Susan Smart Permission granted for personal use or small group only.


Extra Video for Bible Lesson

This video of "Kid President" is such fun and has an excellent message of being a hero by showing compassion and kindness to others.  I let my students watch it while working on the Zentangle.


Special note: We do preview the websites to which we link, but are unable to peruse them completely. We try to check others' faith statements and make sure they do profess Jesus Christ as God's Son and salvation is found only in Him. It must, however, be your responsibility to personally dig into God's Word and allow the Holy Spirit to be your first and final teacher on all subjects.

"Our website may contain affiliate marketing links, which means we may get paid commission on sales of those products or services we write about. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers or affiliate partnerships. This disclosure is provided in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR § 255.5: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Creative Bible-Bits Newsletter:

Let us help you keep up with what's new at Creative Bible Study with free Bible study lessons and ideas straight to your email!  Your information will be kept confidential and not be used for solicitation.

Free Ebooks: