Build Faith Foundations: Smile

(5–10 minutes, easy set-up)
Provide paper and pens.

Learning Goal: Learners will evaluate how faith in Christ has transformed their lives.

Distribute paper and pens to learners. Then invite learners to respond to each of the statements below with a smiling face or a frowning face.

I read my Bible every day. I go to church every Sunday. I go to Bible study every week. I missed my Bible Study this week. I have fulfilled all of my volunteer activities.

I have not volunteered for anything this year. Sometimes I miss church on Sunday. I share the gospel with someone at least twice a week. I have only shared the gospel with one person in my life.

Invite volunteers to examine the faces that they have drawn. Ask: What can a smiley face represent? (Possible answers: Smiles can represent innocent and genuine pleasure derived from accomplishment or involvement in an activity. They could also represent smug and self-righteous feelings springing from the belief that you have earned points with God.) What can a sad face represent? (Sad faces can represent authentic disappointment from missing out on something pleasurable or a dread that God will be angry with you or not love you as much because you failed at something.) Conclude that since our righteousness is through faith in Christ alone, we can have confidence, peace with God, and a smile no matter what we accomplish or fail to accomplish. Invite learners to change all their frowns to smiles at this time.