OBJECTIVE:
This lesson will teach the kids what it means to be pure, how we can be pure, and why we as believers should be pure.
Scripture Passage:
"Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when (Jesus) is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
1 John 3:2-3 (Memory verse, 1 John 3:3, in bold)
1 John 3:2-3 (Memory verse, 1 John 3:3, in bold)
In the Word
Imagine that it's picture day at school, and your parents have dressed you in your nicest, cleanest outfit. They tell you to make sure you keep yourself looking nice for when they take your picture. To do this, you're going to have to avoid going places or doing things that would get your clothes dirty or messed up. Your goal is to stay clean. According to our theme verse this season, this is a goal of the Christian life as well.
The final way 1 Timothy 4:12 tells us to be an example is in purity. Purity means being clean, holy, and free from anything dirty, bad, or harmful. God wants us to be pure, to stay away from anything that would make us unclean. But what Christians are trying to avoid is not dirt or mud, but sin. Sin is anything we think, say, or do that goes against God and His Word, and sin hurts everything and everyone it touches.
1 John 3:2-3 tells us that Jesus is completely pure. He has never and will never sin. As believers, Jesus is making us more and more like Him every day. One way that we become more like Jesus is by, as today's memory verse says, purifying ourselves, or making ourselves pure.
So how do we do that? First, we need to remove from our lives anything or anyone that leads us to sin. That could mean getting rid of bad habits, avoiding places where we are tempted, and even staying away from people who may lead us into sin. But purity isn't just about what we don't do. Reading God's Word, praying going to Church, and praising the Lord are all things we can do that help to make us pure.
Some people say that being pure is boring. They think that sin is really fun, and that following Jesus means that we can't do what we want. But the truth is that sin is bad for us. When we sin, we hurt those around us, and we also hurt ourselves. Jesus doesn't command us to avoid sin so that we won't have any fun. He tells us to be pure because He loves us and wants to protect us from all the pain that sin causes.
Now it's important to remember that the reason we try to be pure is not that we can earn God's love. He already loves us! Instead, we purify ourselves because we know that Jesus is pure, and we want to be more like Him. As we try to do that, we will make mistakes and sin. We won't be perfect in this life. But when we go to Jesus for forgiveness, He promises to cleanse us and make us pure (1 John 1:9). And in Heaven, He will make us completely pure and we will never sin again!
The final way 1 Timothy 4:12 tells us to be an example is in purity. Purity means being clean, holy, and free from anything dirty, bad, or harmful. God wants us to be pure, to stay away from anything that would make us unclean. But what Christians are trying to avoid is not dirt or mud, but sin. Sin is anything we think, say, or do that goes against God and His Word, and sin hurts everything and everyone it touches.
1 John 3:2-3 tells us that Jesus is completely pure. He has never and will never sin. As believers, Jesus is making us more and more like Him every day. One way that we become more like Jesus is by, as today's memory verse says, purifying ourselves, or making ourselves pure.
So how do we do that? First, we need to remove from our lives anything or anyone that leads us to sin. That could mean getting rid of bad habits, avoiding places where we are tempted, and even staying away from people who may lead us into sin. But purity isn't just about what we don't do. Reading God's Word, praying going to Church, and praising the Lord are all things we can do that help to make us pure.
Some people say that being pure is boring. They think that sin is really fun, and that following Jesus means that we can't do what we want. But the truth is that sin is bad for us. When we sin, we hurt those around us, and we also hurt ourselves. Jesus doesn't command us to avoid sin so that we won't have any fun. He tells us to be pure because He loves us and wants to protect us from all the pain that sin causes.
Now it's important to remember that the reason we try to be pure is not that we can earn God's love. He already loves us! Instead, we purify ourselves because we know that Jesus is pure, and we want to be more like Him. As we try to do that, we will make mistakes and sin. We won't be perfect in this life. But when we go to Jesus for forgiveness, He promises to cleanse us and make us pure (1 John 1:9). And in Heaven, He will make us completely pure and we will never sin again!
On the Court
- Don't join in when you see others misbehaving on the basketball court. Be an example of purity.
- Is there an area where you really struggle with sin when you play basketball (e.g. losing your temper or saying unkind things)? Pray and ask the Lord to help you to stay pure in those situations.
Off the Court
- Look for friends who will encourage you in the ways of the Lord and help you to live a pure life.
- Spending time with God in prayer and His Word helps our hearts to be pure.
- Avoid any places, activities, or people who tempt you to sin. Giving those things up may be hard, but doing it to obey Jesus is always worth it.
The Game Plan
- Review last week's memory verse, Hebrews 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Give a ticket to any player who can recite it.
- Learn and memorize 1 John 3:3 with your team. Encourage them to practice the verse over the week.
- As we discuss purity today, be sure to emphasize God's grace when we sin as we try to live more like Him each day.