Trust Box

To provide the children with an ongoing opportunity to express their trust in God's providential care for them and for all people

The children will be able to trust God's ability to bring good results out of bad choices.

• Large wrapped box (shoebox size or slightly larger) with a two-to-three-inch opening in the top of the box
• Construction paper
• Small strips of paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Pens and markers

• Before the session prepare the Trust Box by wrapping a large shoebox with decorative wrapping paper. Cut a two-to-three-inch opening in the top of the box.
• After your explanation of God's providential care for us (emphasizing that trusting God can bring about good results from bad choices or situations), explain to the children that each time they come together, they will have an opportunity to express their trust in God by adding to the group's Trust Box.
• Present the wrapped box to the group and invite them to finish decorating the box by adding a symbol of something that represents each of them to the outside of the box.
• Pass out construction paper, scissors, and markers. Give the children a few minutes to complete their symbols. As they finish, invite them to glue their symbols on any side of the box.
• When everyone has completed his or her symbol and added it to the box, ask them to think of one situation or person in their lives that they would like to trust to God's loving help.
• Give them small slips of paper and ask the children to write a single word or name to indicate the situation or person that they would like to trust to God's help.
• As part of your closing prayer, invite the children to put their slips of paper into the Trust Box while they tell God silently or out loud that they trust in his love. They can do this by praying (in these or other words): God, I trust you and your love for me.
• Explain that when they come to each of their sessions, there will be paper available for them to write down any other situation or person that they want to place in the Trust Box.
• Place the Trust Box in your prayer center. Remind the children occasionally of its purpose and include these intentions in your group prayer times.

Art/Space Smart, Self Smart

While the children are drawing their symbols, be sure that their choices are something appropriate for a prayer box.

If there are children in your group with special needs (physical, visual, hearing, language, or behavioral disabilities), adapt the activity accordingly.