Small Group Guide for Families with Young Children
1 Thessalonians 4:1–8
Ice Breaker Question
What is one good thing you’ve been learning to do better this year?
(Example: being kind to a sibling, telling the truth, praying, helping at home.)
What helped you get better at it?
Part 1: The Call to Please God (verses 1–2)
The Bible says we should live in a way that *pleases God*.
• What do you think it means to live a life that makes God happy?
• How is that different from just doing a good thing once in a while?
Paul tells the church, “You’re already doing a good job pleasing God—but keep growing!”
• Why do you think we can always keep growing in our faith, even when we’re doing well?
• Can you think of something you used to be bad at, but you got better by practicing?
Where do you think God wants you to grow right now?
• Listening to parents/teachers
• Controlling your anger
• Being kind to kids who are left out
• Praying or reading your Bible
What is one small thing you could do this week to grow in that area?
Part 2: God Wants Us to Be Holy (Sanctification) (verses 3–6)
For this age, focus on “honoring God with our bodies,” “obeying with our eyes, words, and actions,” and “respecting others.” Keep details about sexuality very general.
Sometimes people talk about “God’s will” like:
• What job will I have?
• Who will I marry?
But the Bible says God’s will is that we become more like Jesus every day.
• Why is it important to think about obeying God in the little, everyday things, not just big future things?
Our world often says, “Do whatever you feel like,” especially with our bodies and what we look at.
• How is God’s way different?
• What are some things you see on TV, YouTube, games, or at school that you know don’t make God happy?
The Bible says to avoid wrong uses of our bodies and wrong thoughts. That means staying far away from sin, not seeing how close we can get.
• What’s the difference between:
– “How close can I get to wrong?” and
– “How can I run away from wrong?”
• Can you think of something you need to stay away from because it might lead you to sin? (Certain shows, websites, jokes, videos, or friends’ conversations.)
God wants us to control our bodies and not let our feelings boss us around.
• What does self-control mean in kid life?
– With our eyes (what we look at)
– With our words (what we say)
– With our hands (how we treat others)
• What are some rules or habits that can help us have self-control?
– Asking a parent before watching something
– Leaving a conversation if people are saying wrong things
– Counting to 10 before you react in anger
Verse 6 says we should never wrong or take advantage of other people.
• What does it mean to treat someone with honor and respect?
• How can we show respect for other people’s bodies and feelings?
Part 3: Four Reasons to Walk in Purity (verses 6–8)
The sermon gave four reasons to live God’s way with our bodies and hearts:
1. God punishes sin.
2. God calls us to be holy, not dirty or wrong.
3. Saying “no” to God’s rules is really saying “no” to God.
4. God gives us the Holy Spirit to help us obey.
Key Takeaways
God wants our whole life to please Him.
Not just sometimes, but in everything we do, say, think, and watch.
God is growing us to be more like Jesus.
We won’t be perfect, but we should be getting better at obeying.
Our bodies belong to God.
We honor God by using our eyes, hands, and words in ways that are pure and kind.
Christians should look different from the world.
We don’t just “do what feels good.” We do what makes God happy.
We are not alone.
The Holy Spirit helps us say “no” to sin and “yes” to God.
This Week’s Challenge for Kids
Pick one of these to try this week:
Check what you watch.
With a parent, look at your shows, games, or YouTube channels. Is there anything that shows wrong things or bad jokes about bodies or love? If so, stop watching it or replace it with something better.
Make a boundary rule.
Decide on one new rule with your parents, like:
• “I won’t watch videos alone in my room.”
• “I’ll ask Mom or Dad before starting a new show or game.”
Have a talk with your parent.
Ask your mom or dad to talk about how God made our bodies, and why we should respect our own body and other people’s bodies.
Memory Verse
1 Corinthians 6:19
1 Thessalonians 4:1–8
Ice Breaker Question
What is one good thing you’ve been learning to do better this year?
(Example: being kind to a sibling, telling the truth, praying, helping at home.)
What helped you get better at it?
Part 1: The Call to Please God (verses 1–2)
The Bible says we should live in a way that *pleases God*.
• What do you think it means to live a life that makes God happy?
• How is that different from just doing a good thing once in a while?
Paul tells the church, “You’re already doing a good job pleasing God—but keep growing!”
• Why do you think we can always keep growing in our faith, even when we’re doing well?
• Can you think of something you used to be bad at, but you got better by practicing?
Where do you think God wants you to grow right now?
• Listening to parents/teachers
• Controlling your anger
• Being kind to kids who are left out
• Praying or reading your Bible
What is one small thing you could do this week to grow in that area?
Part 2: God Wants Us to Be Holy (Sanctification) (verses 3–6)
For this age, focus on “honoring God with our bodies,” “obeying with our eyes, words, and actions,” and “respecting others.” Keep details about sexuality very general.
Sometimes people talk about “God’s will” like:
• What job will I have?
• Who will I marry?
But the Bible says God’s will is that we become more like Jesus every day.
• Why is it important to think about obeying God in the little, everyday things, not just big future things?
Our world often says, “Do whatever you feel like,” especially with our bodies and what we look at.
• How is God’s way different?
• What are some things you see on TV, YouTube, games, or at school that you know don’t make God happy?
The Bible says to avoid wrong uses of our bodies and wrong thoughts. That means staying far away from sin, not seeing how close we can get.
• What’s the difference between:
– “How close can I get to wrong?” and
– “How can I run away from wrong?”
• Can you think of something you need to stay away from because it might lead you to sin? (Certain shows, websites, jokes, videos, or friends’ conversations.)
God wants us to control our bodies and not let our feelings boss us around.
• What does self-control mean in kid life?
– With our eyes (what we look at)
– With our words (what we say)
– With our hands (how we treat others)
• What are some rules or habits that can help us have self-control?
– Asking a parent before watching something
– Leaving a conversation if people are saying wrong things
– Counting to 10 before you react in anger
Verse 6 says we should never wrong or take advantage of other people.
• What does it mean to treat someone with honor and respect?
• How can we show respect for other people’s bodies and feelings?
Part 3: Four Reasons to Walk in Purity (verses 6–8)
The sermon gave four reasons to live God’s way with our bodies and hearts:
1. God punishes sin.
2. God calls us to be holy, not dirty or wrong.
3. Saying “no” to God’s rules is really saying “no” to God.
4. God gives us the Holy Spirit to help us obey.
Key Takeaways
God wants our whole life to please Him.
Not just sometimes, but in everything we do, say, think, and watch.
God is growing us to be more like Jesus.
We won’t be perfect, but we should be getting better at obeying.
Our bodies belong to God.
We honor God by using our eyes, hands, and words in ways that are pure and kind.
Christians should look different from the world.
We don’t just “do what feels good.” We do what makes God happy.
We are not alone.
The Holy Spirit helps us say “no” to sin and “yes” to God.
This Week’s Challenge for Kids
Pick one of these to try this week:
Check what you watch.
With a parent, look at your shows, games, or YouTube channels. Is there anything that shows wrong things or bad jokes about bodies or love? If so, stop watching it or replace it with something better.
Make a boundary rule.
Decide on one new rule with your parents, like:
• “I won’t watch videos alone in my room.”
• “I’ll ask Mom or Dad before starting a new show or game.”
Have a talk with your parent.
Ask your mom or dad to talk about how God made our bodies, and why we should respect our own body and other people’s bodies.
Memory Verse
1 Corinthians 6:19