Humble Hearts Prayer Station

If you’re seeking an engaging way to teach children about the Christian virtue of humility, the Humble Hearts Prayer Station is a great place to start. Inspired by Philippians 2:1-11, this activity is not just a theoretical lesson but a practical application that allows children to express their commitment to humility.

This interactive catechesis activity fits into any Sunday school, youth group, or religious education setting, making it both versatile and accessible. Best of all, it requires minimal setup and materials, letting you focus on the core lesson. This article will guide you through the purpose, materials needed, and steps for setting up the Humble Hearts Prayer Station, an activity aimed at helping children understand and practice humility in a concrete way.

Scripture Tie-in

To tie the activity in with Philippians 2:1-11, start by reading the scripture passage aloud to the group. Focus on key verses that specifically mention humility, such as verse 3 which says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Discuss what humility means in this context, helping the children to understand the message Paul is conveying.

Next, explain how the Humble Hearts Prayer Station will serve as a practical application of the lesson from Philippians. For example, when children write down an action on their heart-shaped template, they are directly applying the scripture’s teachings to their own lives. The action becomes a personal commitment to emulate Christ’s humility, as described in the passage.

Here are some examples of what children might write on their heart-shaped templates, keeping the theme of humility in mind:

• “Listen more, talk less during family dinner.”
• “Let my sister choose the TV show we watch.”
• “Help a classmate who is struggling with homework.”
• “Say ‘thank you’ to the bus driver.”
• “Apologize to a friend for a past mistake.”
• “Offer my seat to someone who needs it more.”
• “Share my toys with my younger sibling.”
• “Compliment a friend on something they’re good at.”
• “Hold the door open for others.”
• “Help Mom and Dad with chores without being asked.”

As a final tie-in, during the group prayer over the collected hearts, you can re-read the scripture or reference specific verses. Reiterate that the humble actions written on the hearts are not just good deeds, but are commitments to living out the teachings found in Philippians. This bookends the activity with the scripture, ensuring that the word of God remains central throughout.

The idea is straightforward. Create a prayer station featuring heart-shaped cutouts. Each child will write down one way they can practice humility in the upcoming week. This makes the abstract concept of humility tangible, offering a practical application in daily life.

Materials

• Heart-shaped templates or paper cutouts
• Markers or colored pencils
• A Bible or printed copies of Philippians 2:1-11
• A box or basket for collecting the hearts

Steps

1. Prepare the heart-shaped templates and writing supplies.
2. Read Philippians 2:1-11 aloud, discussing the key points related to humility.
3. Invite kids to write down their commitment to a humble action on the heart template.
4. Collect the hearts in a box or basket.
5. End the activity with a group prayer, praying over the hearts. Here is an example: “Dear God, we offer these hearts as a symbol of our commitment to humility. Guide us in our actions this week, that we may reflect your love and grace. Amen.”

Notes

• Age-Appropriate Language: Tailor the reading and discussion of Philippians 2:1-11 to the age group you’re working with. For younger kids, you might use a children’s Bible.
• Time Management: If you’re pressed for time, you could prepare the heart templates in advance. Alternatively, consider making the cutting of the hearts a part of the activity for older kids.
• Flexibility: Make it clear that the “humble actions” written on the hearts don’t have to be grand gestures. Even small acts of kindness or moments of self-restraint are meaningful.
• Group Prayer: When praying over the collected hearts, you may choose to have the children read their intentions aloud or keep them private, depending on the comfort level of the group.
• Follow-Up: Consider revisiting the hearts in a future session to discuss how successfully the children were able to carry out their humble actions. This could provide valuable closure and reinforcement.

The Humble Hearts Prayer Station offers a hands-on experience to teach children about humility. It’s practical, easy to execute, and grounded in scripture. By making the commitment to a specific humble action, kids are more likely to remember and apply the lesson in their daily lives.

More Youth Ministry Activities

The Humble Hearts Prayer Station fits seamlessly into our larger collection of catechesis activities aimed at fostering Christian virtues. Whether you’re exploring themes like compassion, service, or faith, this activity offers a hands-on approach to scripture-based learning. It’s designed to be both practical and adaptable, making it easy to incorporate into different educational settings. By focusing on real-world application of Biblical teachings, this activity complements our existing resources, providing a well-rounded religious education experience for children of all ages.

Unleashing Creativity: The Power of Creative Activities in Youth Ministry

Creative activities like the Humble Hearts Prayer Station offer a dynamic approach to religious education. They engage children not just intellectually, but also emotionally and experientially, making abstract concepts like humility more relatable. Such activities promote active participation, which can enhance retention and real-world application of religious teachings. Additionally, they provide a communal space for kids to explore faith in a supportive environment. Creative methods break the monotony of traditional classroom learning, appealing to different learning styles and making religious education more inclusive and effective.

What age group is the Humble Hearts Prayer Station activity best suited for?

This activity is versatile and can be adapted for children of various age groups. For younger kids, you may need to simplify the language or concepts. For teens, you could dive deeper into the scripture and its implications.

Do we have to use heart-shaped templates for the Humble Hearts Prayer Station activity?

While the heart shape adds a visual element, you can use any shape or even simple index cards. The key is to have a physical item that represents the commitment to humility.

What materials are strictly necessary for the Humble Hearts Prayer Station activity?

The essential materials are something to write on (templates or paper), something to write with (pens or markers), and copies of Philippians 2:1-11. A box or basket for collecting the hearts is also useful but not mandatory.

How long does this Humble Hearts Prayer Station activity typically take?

The activity can be completed in about 20-30 minutes, including reading the scripture, discussion, writing on the hearts, and group prayer. Time may vary depending on the size and age of the group.

How can we make this Humble Hearts Prayer Station activity more interactive?

To make it more interactive, consider adding a “sharing circle” where kids can voluntarily share what they wrote on their hearts. Alternatively, you could pair kids up to discuss their commitments before joining back as a larger group for the prayer.

What do we do with the hearts after the Humble Hearts prayer session?

You have a few options. The hearts can be sent home with the children as a reminder of their commitment, displayed in a common area, or saved for a follow-up session to discuss how the commitments were carried out.

Can this Humble Hearts Prayer Station activity be adapted for adult or mixed-age groups?

Absolutely. The core concept of committing to an act of humility based on Philippians 2:1-11 is universal. For adult groups, you might delve deeper into the theological aspects of the scripture during the discussion.

Is there a way to include parents or guardians in this Humble Hearts Prayer Station activity?

Yes, you could make it a family activity by sending the heart templates home with instructions, asking parents to participate with their children. Alternatively, parents can be invited to the group session to observe or even participate alongside their kids.