This is a free Bible lesson for children teaching them about the importance of faith, and not relying on “works” to save us from sin.
Through a study of Galatians 3:10-14, students will identify that works are a part of faith, but they are not, however, a way to get to God. They will learn that God desires us to do good, but if we only focus on the works, then we would be missing a vital aspect of our Christian walk.
Bible Lesson: Faith, the Destroyer of Sin
Scripture: Galatians 3:10-14
Target Age Group: 3rd-6th
Learning Context: Children’s Church/Sunday School
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Lesson Objective: Students will learn:
- The meaning of faith.
- That works do not save us.
- Faith is a gift of God [See Memory Verse]
Memory Verse
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV –”For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (9) not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Activity/Questions
Questions:
- Can someone give me your definition of what a “law” is?
- Raise your hand if you think that laws are good for our country.
- What do you think would happen if we didn’t have any laws?
Activity:
Have the children write out own law. For example: “I think that people should go to jail for throwing gum on the sidewalk,” or “Children should give their parents foot-rubs until they move out of the house.”
After they write out their laws, pick a few of them to share. Maybe the teacher would like to share too.
Then, discuss the importance of having laws, and why it is good to have laws in our country. You can also explain that people make mistakes all the time, and that a nation’s law may not be the best law, but God’s laws are always perfect. God has given us guidelines to live by.
Follow-up Questions
- Did you know that God has given us and can something better than laws? Does anyone know what it is? Answer: Faith
- We are also going to read about curses…does anyone know what a “curse” is? Answer: It is a word that is placed on a person or people that gives them misfortune. Meaning, it is a form of punishment that God uses when we don’t trust Him.
- Does anyone know what faith is? What is faith? Answer: It is the full belief in something. [This answer may be simple, but it may be sufficient for children. If you would like a better understanding, see Hebrews 11]
Galatians 3:10-14
Let us read the following together from Galatians 3:10-14…
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Can someone read verse 10 for us again? [Have one of the children read verse 10; help them out if they are having difficulty pronouncing words.]
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
The “Book of the Law” mentioned here is the laws that God gave the people of Israel from Moses. Does everyone remember the Ten Commandments? The “Book of the Law” is to remember the Ten Commandments. Paul, the writer to the Galatians, knows the importance of laws, but he is saying that there is something more helpful and wonderful than the law. Paul also knows that the laws are meant to show us our sins. We have a better understanding of sin, when we look at the law, because we know that sin is actions or thoughts we have that are against God’s commands.
I’ll read the next two verses again…
11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”
These verses that no one can be right in God’s eyes if they only focus on the laws or rules, because these laws and rules don’t save us. They are good things to do, and we should try to keep them, but God wants something more than that; it says, “the righteous will live by faith.” Remember, faith is belief, it means we have a positive assurance. For example, has anyone ever seen the wind before? No? Then how do you know it exists? You can feel the wind and can see the of it, but you cannot see it, but you know it is there. God is the same way. You cannot see God, but you can see what he does–like creation.
Can someone read verse 13 aloud for us?
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”
Does anyone know what pole Christ was hung on? Jesus was put on a cross, which is what the verse means when it says “poll.” Do you all remember that a curse is a bad thing? Well, Jesus took that curse upon himself and destroyed it on the cross. Jesus took the curse, sin, that was for us, and sacrificed himself that we may have the opportunity to know him and have faith in him. Jesus loved us so much that he gave his life for us.
Lastly, we read…
14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
“Redeemed” means that Christ paid the means to save us. In the Old Testament, the people had to sacrifice an animal for their sins; now, Christ became our sacrifice for our sins. He paid the penalty we deserve. Thankfully we know that Christ was so powerful that he rose from the grave, which shows us that he is God. Jesus wants us to accept him, so that we may have eternal life. We accept him by having faith in who Jesus is and what he has done, and when we do that, we make him the most important part of our lives. We make him our “Lord;” we make him our “King.” Faith is what saves us, not then law, not works. It is good to follow the law, but God wants us to have something better. That which is ‘better’ is Jesus and having faith in him.
Ending Questions
- Does anyone have any questions about what we just talked about?
- Can someone please tell me how a person becomes saved from sin?
- Does anyone remember what sin is?
- Can someone explain to us what faith is?
- Which is more important: faith or the law?
- Does anyone remember the memory verse? What is it? Where is it from? [Go over the memory verse and end]