One of God's Gifts to Us

To familiarize the children with the term free will

The children will be able to define free will.

• Eight pieces of 81/2" x 11" paper, each with a letter of the word FREE WILL written on it

• Tell the children they are going to be learning a new term today and that you need eight volunteers to help you present the term.
• Once you have chosen the eight children, pass out one piece of paper to each of them. Have the letters mixed up so they cannot tell what the letters spell. Invite these children to come to the front of the class and line up holding their letters so the rest of the class can see them. Again, make sure the children are lined up so the letters do not spell FREE WILL.
• Tell the children they are going to try to spell two words that represent a special gift from God. This is a gift we all have. Call on one child in the class. Ask that child, "What do you think is the first letter?" If he or she guesses correctly, move the child holding the "F" to the left front as the class is looking at him or her. If the child guesses incorrectly, call on someone else. Do this in turn until the group guesses the word or has rearranged the children holding the letters to spell FREE WILL.
• Once FREE WILL is spelled, ask the children what they think it means. In the discussion, mention that God wants us to make good choices, and we are usually happier when we make good choices. God gave us the Ten Commandments to help us make good choices, and Jesus teaches us how to love one another.
• Remind the children that we are free to choose to do good because God has made us like him.

Art/Space Smart

Of the children who volunteer, try to choose ones who have not participated lately.