Heart Motivation 

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Heart Motivation / Genesis 4:2-10

Bible Truth: Good motivations please God, bad motivations displease God

“Are you ready for the Joy of Discovery? Unlock the Bible Truth: It’s an adventure in the Game, a revelation in the Bible, and it will transform your Life. Let’s take one step closer to becoming a Champion for Eternity!”

In the Game: “100% Obedience was the Standard” 
In the Bible: “Cain’s Wrong Motivation Did Not Meet God’s Standard of Worship” 
In Your Life: “Wrong Motivations Will Not Meet God’s Standard of Worship”

1 GAME EXPERIENCE: Gator Gorge

“Boys & girls, let’s play a game and have fun!“
(Coaches, the line can be a line drawn in the sand, two small rocks that represent the line to jump over from the starting line). 

  1. Form two teams of Players behind the starting line.
  2. Set up the finish line (the line children must jump over) just half a meter ahead of the starting line.
  3. Clearly explain to the Players that the narrow space between these two lines (starting line and finish line) is called “Gator Gorge.” To successfully cross, Players must fully jump over the finish line. If any Player doesn’t make the complete jump and falls short, they are considered out and need to sit down off to the side, well behind the starting line.
  4. After each successful jump, ask the Players to return to the starting line. Gradually move the finish line 25 centimeters farther away each time, making “Gator Gorge” wider. Repeat this process until the game concludes.
  5. The team that still has the last 3 team members successfully making the jump wins.
  6. (Note to Leaders: While not revealing the lesson, emphasize that only Players who fully cross the line should continue playing. Touching the line is equivalent to not making the jump at all, reinforcing the principle of 100% obedience rather than partial obedience.)

2 BIBLE DISCOVERIES: Gospel & Truth - Genesis 4:2-10

“Boys & girls, listen carefully. Can you uncover today’s powerful Bible Discovery? Ready?”

THE CIRCUMSTANCE (Genesis 4:2-10)
In a peaceful valley known for its lush fields and gentle streams, where the sun’s warmth touched the earth, two brothers, Cain and Abel, lived side by side. Their father was Adam, the first man, and their mother, Eve, the woman formed from Adam’s side. They were a family bound by love and history.

THE CHOICE (Genesis 4:2-5)
(Children when I say heart, pat your heart once. Keep count of how many times I say heart I will ask for it at the end of our story.)
Amidst the golden fields, Cain and Abel each brought an offering to the Lord. Abel chose the finest of his flock, while Cain brought the fruit of the ground. The Lord looked upon Abel’s offering with favor, for it was brought with faith, obedience, and humility. But Cain’s offering did not come from a heart full of love and obedience to God, it lacked the devotion and obedience Able had. The flame of jealousy flickered in Cain’s heart. When his offering was not accepted, his face showed anger. As the sun set and shadows lengthened, God’s voice reached out to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted?” These questions tried to make Cain search deep within his heart. Why did he choose this type of sacrifice? Was his heart in the right place? Was his heart yielded to God and wanting to obey Him. The fire of bitterness was already smoldering within his heart, and the choice before Cain loomed large. In the coolness of the evening, under the silent gaze of the stars, Cain found himself with Abel in the field. His heart full of bitterness, jealousy, and anger had been turned into a deadly storm. His choice was made. In a moment of anger, Cain made his decision. Cain’s hands struck out against his brother and killed his brother Abel. (Children how many times did I say heart? SEVEN that is right)

THE CONSEQUENCE (Genesis 4:9-15)
The consequences of Cain’s choice rang throughout the valley. God, the Creator and Sustainer of life, who had witnessed every moment, confronted Cain with a voice full of both justice and mercy. “Where is Abel your brother?” God’s inquiry was not born of ignorance, but of the desire for Cain to understand the evil of his actions. Response, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” betrayed not only the loss of a brother but of his soul as it was drifting away from God’s grace. Yet, God’s voice did not waver in its pursuit of love and justice. “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.” And so, the consequence of choice was swift. The ground, which had once yielded bounty, would no longer yield this hard work. He would be a wanderer, marked by his actions. But even in the face of his sin, God looked with mercy on Cain. A mark was placed upon Cain, not to seal his doom, but to protect him from those who might seek vengeance.

“Boys & girls, what did we discover about God in this Bible History? (Coaches: answers will vary.) Let’s become great discoverers by asking some fun & challenging questions. Ready?”

 

3 LIFE CONNECTIONS: Connecting Jesus to Every Child

(1) The Bible Truth Planted in MY HEART, Growing MY ATTITUDE

POWER WORDS:  “The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.”  Prov. 21:27  Extra “Peter said, we must obey God rather than men” Acts 5:29b

(2) The Bible Truth Rooted in MY MIND, Leading MY CHOICES

POWER QUESTIONS:

Game Questions:

    • How was the game played?
    • What parts of the game were easy for you? What parts were challenging?
    • What part of the game made you think about our bible story?
      Boys & girls, that sounds a lot like what we just discovered in the Bible!”

    Bible Questions:

    • Where did the history take place, and who was there? 
    • Choice: What important decision did [name] have to make?
      Was it a good choice or a bad choice, and why do you think [name] made that choice?
    • Consequence: What happened because of [name]’s choice?

    Life Questions:

    • Circumstance: When have you (today or in the future) been in a similar situation as [name] in the Bible history?
    • We all face choices about worshiping God, such as going to church, GameLife, or playing extra with friends. Which do think would please God and help us to live for Jesus?
    • Choice: What would you do if you were in [name]’s situation? Have you ever faced a similar decision? What did you choose?
      “Boys & girls, we should always make the right choice that will please God, let us tell God what is in our hearts right now.

     

    (3) The Bible Truth Today Committed in MY SOUL, Inspiring MY ACTIONS

    POWER PRAYER: Repeat After Me “God help me to listen to you through your Holy Word, and help me to please you God, and show me how I can please you. God isthere any place in my life I am doing something with a bad motivation?
    “***Boys & girls, let’s be still and quiet, open your heart to hear God’s whisper.***”
    (Coach, wait at least 14 seconds, allowing God to connect to every child)
    Jesus help me always do the right things with the right motivation. 

    Ask the children what is their favorite worship song and then sing several worship songs with Strong & Powerful Worship Motions
    (Click here for worship songs
    “GameLife Strong & Powerful Worship Motions”)

    Now, remember to share this truth,
    practice this truth, and bring a friend back with you! Boys and girls, let’s go out as the
    “Champions for Eternity” that God expects us to become!

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