Small Group Guide for Families with Young Children
“How Is Your Testimony?”
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
Big Idea
People should be able to see Jesus in the way we love others, live peacefully, and do what is right.
Ice Breaker Question
Ask your children:
“If your teacher, neighbor, friend, or family member described you, what do you think they would say?”
Give examples:
Kind?
Helpful?
Honest?
Grumpy?
Bossy?
Loving?
Hard-working?
Peaceful?
A good friend?
Then say:
Today we are going to learn that the way we live tells people something about Jesus.
What Is a Testimony?
Explain simply:
A testimony is what your life says about Jesus.
People watch:
How we talk
How we treat others
How we act when we are angry
How we obey
How we help
How we love
If we say, “I follow Jesus,” but we are mean, selfish, or always causing trouble, people may get the wrong idea about Jesus.
But when we love others and do what is right, we help people see how good Jesus is.
Part 1: Love One Another
Read or Summarize 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
Paul told the church:
“You have been taught by God to love one another.”
That means God helps His people learn how to love.
Ask:
“Who teaches us how to love?”
Answer:
God does.
God teaches us to love through:
His Word, the Bible
The Holy Spirit
Jesus’ example
Other Christians
Chances to practice love every day
Talk About It
Ask your children:
“What are some ways we can show love?”
Possible answers:
Share with someone
Help clean up
Say kind words
Pray for someone
Forgive someone
Invite someone to play
Comfort someone who is sad
Be patient with a younger sibling
Listen when someone is talking
Say:
Paul said the church was already loving people, but he told them to love more and more.
That means we should keep growing in love.
Part 2: Live Peacefully
Read or Summarize 1 Thessalonians 4:11
Paul said:
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life.”
That does not mean we can never laugh, play, sing, or have fun.
It means we should not always be trying to start fights, drama, arguments, or trouble.
Explain “Quiet Life” for Kids
Living a quiet life means:
Choosing peace instead of fighting
Not trying to be the center of every argument
Not always needing to win
Not causing trouble on purpose
Listening before speaking
Being calm when we are upset
Trusting God
Ask:
“What are some things that can cause trouble?”
Possible answers:
Yelling
Gossiping
Tattling just to get someone in trouble
Arguing
Being mean online or in games
Making fun of people
Not sharing
Always needing your own way
Say:
God wants His children to be peacemakers.
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Ask:
“What is a peacemaker?”
Answer:
Someone who helps bring peace instead of making trouble.
Part 3: Mind Your Own Business
Read or Summarize 1 Thessalonians 4:11
Paul also said:
“Mind your own business.”
Explain:
That means we should take care of what God has given us to do instead of always getting into other people’s problems.
Minding your own business can look like:
Doing your own schoolwork
Not spreading gossip
Not being nosy
Not interrupting other people’s conversations
Not trying to control everyone else
Taking responsibility for your own choices
Letting adults handle adult problems
Not laughing when someone else gets in trouble
Ask:
“Is it ever okay to tell an adult about someone else?”
Yes.
Explain:
If someone is hurt, unsafe, bullied, or doing something dangerous, you should tell a trusted adult.
But “minding your own business” means we should not be nosy, bossy, or trying to cause problems.
Part 4: Work Hard
Read or Summarize 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Paul said to “work with your hands.”
For grown-ups, that may mean working at a job.
For kids, that can mean:
Doing schoolwork
Cleaning your room
Helping at home
Doing chores
Listening to your teacher
Practicing a skill
Finishing what you start
Doing your best
Ask:
“What work has God given kids to do?”
Possible answers:
School
Chores
Helping family
Being kind
Learning
Obeying parents
Taking care of pets
Helping younger siblings
Say:
When we work hard and do our best, people notice.
It shows that we are responsible and that we want to honor God.
Object Lesson: The Flashlight
Supplies
A flashlight
Something to cover the light, like a cloth or paper
Lesson
Turn on the flashlight.
Say:
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” When we follow Jesus, His light shines through us.
Now cover the flashlight.
Ask:
“Can you see the light as well now?”
Explain:
When we are mean, selfish, lazy, or always causing trouble, it can cover up the light. People may not see Jesus clearly in us.
Uncover the flashlight.
Say:
When we love others, live peacefully, and do what is right, people can see the light of Jesus in our lives.
Practical Applications for Kids
Choose one or two for the week.
1. Show Love
Pick one person to encourage this week.
You could:
Make a card
Say something kind
Help them
Pray for them
Invite them to play
2. Choose Peace
When you feel like arguing, stop and pray:
“Jesus, help me choose peace.”
3. Mind Your Own Business
This week, do not spread gossip or try to get involved in drama.
Ask yourself:
“Is this something I should help with, or am I just being nosy?”
4. Work Hard
Choose one job to do with a good attitude.
Examples:
Clean your room
Do homework
Help with dishes
Feed a pet
Pick up toys
Help a sibling
5. Shine for Jesus
Each morning, pray:
“Jesus, help people see Your light in me today.”
Family Challenge
At dinner or bedtime, ask:
How did you show love today?
Did you choose peace today?
What work did you do with a good attitude?
How did your life shine for Jesus?
Memory Verse:
John 8:12
“How Is Your Testimony?”
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
Big Idea
People should be able to see Jesus in the way we love others, live peacefully, and do what is right.
Ice Breaker Question
Ask your children:
“If your teacher, neighbor, friend, or family member described you, what do you think they would say?”
Give examples:
Kind?
Helpful?
Honest?
Grumpy?
Bossy?
Loving?
Hard-working?
Peaceful?
A good friend?
Then say:
Today we are going to learn that the way we live tells people something about Jesus.
What Is a Testimony?
Explain simply:
A testimony is what your life says about Jesus.
People watch:
How we talk
How we treat others
How we act when we are angry
How we obey
How we help
How we love
If we say, “I follow Jesus,” but we are mean, selfish, or always causing trouble, people may get the wrong idea about Jesus.
But when we love others and do what is right, we help people see how good Jesus is.
Part 1: Love One Another
Read or Summarize 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
Paul told the church:
“You have been taught by God to love one another.”
That means God helps His people learn how to love.
Ask:
“Who teaches us how to love?”
Answer:
God does.
God teaches us to love through:
His Word, the Bible
The Holy Spirit
Jesus’ example
Other Christians
Chances to practice love every day
Talk About It
Ask your children:
“What are some ways we can show love?”
Possible answers:
Share with someone
Help clean up
Say kind words
Pray for someone
Forgive someone
Invite someone to play
Comfort someone who is sad
Be patient with a younger sibling
Listen when someone is talking
Say:
Paul said the church was already loving people, but he told them to love more and more.
That means we should keep growing in love.
Part 2: Live Peacefully
Read or Summarize 1 Thessalonians 4:11
Paul said:
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life.”
That does not mean we can never laugh, play, sing, or have fun.
It means we should not always be trying to start fights, drama, arguments, or trouble.
Explain “Quiet Life” for Kids
Living a quiet life means:
Choosing peace instead of fighting
Not trying to be the center of every argument
Not always needing to win
Not causing trouble on purpose
Listening before speaking
Being calm when we are upset
Trusting God
Ask:
“What are some things that can cause trouble?”
Possible answers:
Yelling
Gossiping
Tattling just to get someone in trouble
Arguing
Being mean online or in games
Making fun of people
Not sharing
Always needing your own way
Say:
God wants His children to be peacemakers.
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Ask:
“What is a peacemaker?”
Answer:
Someone who helps bring peace instead of making trouble.
Part 3: Mind Your Own Business
Read or Summarize 1 Thessalonians 4:11
Paul also said:
“Mind your own business.”
Explain:
That means we should take care of what God has given us to do instead of always getting into other people’s problems.
Minding your own business can look like:
Doing your own schoolwork
Not spreading gossip
Not being nosy
Not interrupting other people’s conversations
Not trying to control everyone else
Taking responsibility for your own choices
Letting adults handle adult problems
Not laughing when someone else gets in trouble
Ask:
“Is it ever okay to tell an adult about someone else?”
Yes.
Explain:
If someone is hurt, unsafe, bullied, or doing something dangerous, you should tell a trusted adult.
But “minding your own business” means we should not be nosy, bossy, or trying to cause problems.
Part 4: Work Hard
Read or Summarize 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Paul said to “work with your hands.”
For grown-ups, that may mean working at a job.
For kids, that can mean:
Doing schoolwork
Cleaning your room
Helping at home
Doing chores
Listening to your teacher
Practicing a skill
Finishing what you start
Doing your best
Ask:
“What work has God given kids to do?”
Possible answers:
School
Chores
Helping family
Being kind
Learning
Obeying parents
Taking care of pets
Helping younger siblings
Say:
When we work hard and do our best, people notice.
It shows that we are responsible and that we want to honor God.
Object Lesson: The Flashlight
Supplies
A flashlight
Something to cover the light, like a cloth or paper
Lesson
Turn on the flashlight.
Say:
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” When we follow Jesus, His light shines through us.
Now cover the flashlight.
Ask:
“Can you see the light as well now?”
Explain:
When we are mean, selfish, lazy, or always causing trouble, it can cover up the light. People may not see Jesus clearly in us.
Uncover the flashlight.
Say:
When we love others, live peacefully, and do what is right, people can see the light of Jesus in our lives.
Practical Applications for Kids
Choose one or two for the week.
1. Show Love
Pick one person to encourage this week.
You could:
Make a card
Say something kind
Help them
Pray for them
Invite them to play
2. Choose Peace
When you feel like arguing, stop and pray:
“Jesus, help me choose peace.”
3. Mind Your Own Business
This week, do not spread gossip or try to get involved in drama.
Ask yourself:
“Is this something I should help with, or am I just being nosy?”
4. Work Hard
Choose one job to do with a good attitude.
Examples:
Clean your room
Do homework
Help with dishes
Feed a pet
Pick up toys
Help a sibling
5. Shine for Jesus
Each morning, pray:
“Jesus, help people see Your light in me today.”
Family Challenge
At dinner or bedtime, ask:
How did you show love today?
Did you choose peace today?
What work did you do with a good attitude?
How did your life shine for Jesus?
Memory Verse:
John 8:12