Introduction for Grown-Ups: This guide prepared by TWTW based on the above video is designed to help a parent, teacher, or group leader to help kids talk about the big ideas from the video and quiz. The goal is to go beyond the right answers and talk about what these things mean in our everyday lives.

Water, Rocks, and God's Love

Theme: Understanding how God's persistent love can soften our hearts and make us more beautiful, using the analogy of the Grand Canyon.

Target Audience: Children (Ages 5-10)

Objective: To help children understand the concepts of being "hard-hearted," the persistent nature of God's love, and how that love can change us for the better.

Part 1: The Hook (Start the Conversation)

Goal: To introduce the central question in a fun and simple way.

Instructions: Gather the children together. If possible, have a smooth river stone and a cup of water handy to make it a sensory experience.

Ask the Opening Question: "I have a super interesting question for you today. If you had to guess, which one do you think is stronger: a big, tough rock or soft, splashy water?"

• Let them share their initial thoughts. Most will likely say "rock" because it's harder.
• Acknowledge their answers: "That's a great thought! Rocks are definitely super hard, right?"

Part 2: Unpacking the Story (The Grand Canyon Analogy)

Goal: To explain the core analogy from the text.

Instructions: Read the source text aloud, or retell it in your own words. Show a picture of the Grand Canyon on a tablet or in a book to make it more impactful.

Key Talking Points:

1. Introduce the Grand Canyon: "Look at this amazing place! This is the Grand Canyon. It's HUGE and made of super-duper strong rock. But do you see that little river at the bottom? That's the Colorado River."
2. Explain the Winner: "Guess what? The soft water actually won the contest! Over a very, very, very long time, that little river kept flowing and flowing, and it slowly carved out that whole giant canyon. The water was persistent—it never gave up!"
3. Connect to Us (The Rock): "The story says that sometimes, we can be like rocks.
   • We can be 'hard-headed' when we don't want to listen or when we think we know everything.
   • We can be 'hard-hearted' when we act selfish, are unkind, or don't want to share our love with others."
4. Connect to God's Love (The Water): "The story also says God's love is like that river.
   • It's gentle and soft, but it's also super persistent! God never stops loving us, even when we are being 'rock-like'.
   • His love wants to flow over us and slowly wash away the hard, selfish, or mean parts."

Part 3: Let's Talk About It! (Discussion Questions)

Goal: To help children apply the analogy to their own lives.

1. Can you think of a time you were being a little "hard-headed"? What happened?
2. What does being "hard-hearted" look like? (e.g., Not sharing a toy, saying something mean).
3. How is God's love like water? Is it loud and splashy, or quiet and steady?
4. The story says God's love wants to "empty us out" of selfish things. What is something you'd like God's love to help you with? (e.g., "Help me not get so angry when I lose a game.")
5. What do you think it means to be "more loving and beautiful, like God"? What does that look like at school or at home?

Part 4: The Takeaway (Closing Activity & Prayer)

Goal: To end with a simple, memorable action and prayer.

Simple Activity: Give each child a small rock to hold. Have them close their eyes and imagine God's love flowing over it like water, making it smooth and beautiful.

Closing Prayer: "Dear God, Thank you for your love that is like a river. When our hearts and heads feel hard like rocks, Please help your love to flow over us, Washing away the grumpy parts, And making us more loving and beautiful, just like You. Amen."

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