Join the Club! – Salvation
The following crafts and activities are based on the Bible lesson "Join the Club," which teaches children about salvation. They will learn that becoming a Christian is similar to joining a club. When we become Christians, we gain special knowledge through the Holy Spirit that only those who belong to Christ can truly understand.
This lesson is available on The Resource Room and as an instant digital download.
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“Join God’s Club!” Coloring Sheet
Introduce your students to "God's Club" with this charming coloring sheet. It includes details about the club leader, initiation, rules, password, mission, and Bible memory verse.
Leader - Jesus Christ
Initiation - “. . . count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:11
Rules - The Ten Commandments
Password - Jesus is Lord
Mission - Sign up new members
Memory Verse - "No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began." 1 Corinthians 2:7 NIV
Sample Lesson
Have you ever belonged to a secret club? Secret clubs can be a lot of fun. Secret clubs have secret passwords, rules, and oaths known only to their members. They talk and joke about things that only the members can understand.
Did you know that becoming a Christian is similar to joining a secret club? Paul discussed the hidden knowledge that only those who belong to God’s club can understand. He says in 1 Corinthians 2:7-10, “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so, the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. ”
Paul is saying that only Christians can truly understand the things of God. They have a secret knowledge through the Holy Spirit that is hidden from non-believers.
How do we get this secret wisdom? We join the club!
God’s Club is A lot Like Other Clubs:
Leader – All clubs need a leader. It is usually the person who starts the club. Who do you think is the leader of the Christian club? Jesus! Jesus gave up his life to start this club.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8, KJV
Exclusive – Secret clubs are often very exclusive. That means that they only let certain people join. God’s club is not exclusive. Jesus has invited everyone, including you, to join his club. But if you don’t pass the initiation process or you don’t know the password, you won’t be able to become a member.
Initiation Process – Secret clubs have requirements you must meet to become a member. For example, you may have to do something hard or scary, like swim across a lake or run through the woods at night. God’s club also has an initiation that can be very hard and sometimes scary. If you want to join God’s club, you must give up your old life or die to yourself. You must let Jesus take over your life and be your leader. That is very hard to do because we often want to run our own lives.
“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:11
Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Secret Password – Secret clubs require a password for members to enter the clubhouse. There are some things you must do or say to join the Christian club. You must acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, that you are a sinner, be sorry for your sins, and ask God to forgive you of your sins. When you do this, God will forgive you and make you a member of his club.
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 8:9
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Acts 3:19
Secret Knowledge – When you become a member of this club, God gives you something very special, His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps you understand all his secret knowledge. Without the Spirit, you would not be able to accept the things that come from God; they would seem foolish to you.
“We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:12 – 14
“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5
Clubhouse – Secret Clubs often have a special place where they meet to discuss the club activities and goals. Usually, it is a secret place or a clubhouse that only members know about. God’s club, of course, often meets at a church. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:24-25 that we should meet regularly to encourage one another to do what is right.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
Rules – Club members often make up and vote on the club’s rules. They may have a rule that club members can’t tell anyone about the secret club, or all club members must wear green. Of course, God’s club has rules. The Ten Commandments are rules we follow to live a happy life.
Identity – Secret clubs often have secret things they do, like a secret handshake, so that other members know they belong to the club too. If you belong to God’s Club, people should notice that you are different. Your identity as a member of God’s club won’t be secret for long. When the Holy Spirit comes into your life and reveals God’s purpose for you, people will begin to notice the change in you. They will see that you are different and want to join God’s club too.
Activities
Work on the Secret Codes Activity Sheet
In class, ask your children to try to figure out what each secret code says. They look difficult at first, but once they figure out the technique, they are easy to decipher. In the first code, each word is spelled backwards, in the second, every other letter is used, and in the third, it is a mirror image. The fourth code is a little more difficult, but is explained on the Answers Page.
ABC Steps to Becoming a Christian Bible Verse Key Chain
What you will need:
Card Stock in Different Colors
How to make:
1. Print out the Bible verse patterns onto different colors of card stock. (Available to members on The Resource Room or as an instant digital download.)
2. Cut the cards apart and punch a hole in the top left corner.
3. Attach the card pages to the ring.
4. Cut a piece of string about twelve inches long. Loop the string around the ring or clip. Tie a knot near the clip. String on a heart, the letter A, a bead, the letter B, a bead, the letter C, and then another heart. Lace both ends of the string through the beads at the same time. Tie a knot at the end and cut off the excess string.
Salvation Bookmarks
"Black is the color of
your heart when you are lost in darkness and don't know the way.
Red is the color of the blood Jesus shed for your sins, a price that only he could pay.
Now if you pray, "Forgive me, Father, and come into my heart today.
Jesus will come and walk with you and take your darkness away."
©Carolyn Warvel
What you will need:
Card Stock
Crayons or Markers
Red, Black and White Heart Beads
Ribbon
Clear Contact Paper
What to do:
1. Print out the pattern and cut the bookmarks apart.
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2. In class have the children color the bookmarks and then place contact paper over top of both sides. * On the back you can have the children write salvation bible verses or draw a picture.
3. Punch a hole in the top. Fold an 18" length of ribbon in half. Insert the folded end into the hole and bring the other two ends through the loop and pull them through.
4. String on the three beads tying a knot in between each bead.
Copyright 2000, Digital by Design, Inc. - See Copyright Information
God’s Love is Amazing Activity Sheet
Children make their way around the maze learning about God's love for them through the Bible verse phrases and Bible references they can use to look up the complete verse.
In class, have your children try to find their way to the heart in the center of the maze using a highlighter marker. When they are done, assign each child a verse on the sheet and ask them to look it up in their Bibles and explain how the verse demonstrates God’s amazing love towards us.
Special Handshakes
Handshakes are such a wonderful way to show goodwill, respect, and acceptance! Why not encourage your students to come up with a fun and unique handshake that represents the spirit of their club? This special handshake can be a fantastic symbol of their identity, helping everyone feel a sense of belonging and making a great impression on others. Let their creativity shine and strengthen their connections through this exciting activity!
Talk About Rules
Talk about the rules club members should follow while they are in God’s church or “God’s clubhouse”:
1. Don’t run in church.
2. Make everyone welcome.
3. Be quiet in church and listen to the minister, etc.
Make Up New Codes
If you have time, encourage your students or children to create secret codes. Then, have their classmates use these codes to decipher Bible verses or phrases related to salvation.
