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A few weeks ago, Squeaks memorized the seven “I Am” statements made by Jesus in the book of John for her Awana class. She was so proud of the work she put into it, and it was really great to see how these verses encouraged her. The Bible tells us to be imitators of Christ, but we can’t imitate someone we don’t know very well. I love that Jesus clearly tells us who he is and how he is so uniquely connected to us in these verses.
These statements use simple metaphors, such as bread, light, or a shepherd, to help us understand who Jesus is and how he cares for us and guides us. So after watching Squeaks learn these for her class, I was inspired to create a study set to share with my boys, and of course, to share with you as well!
What are the seven “I Am” Statements?
Below are the seven statements Jesus made about himself in the book of John:
- “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35)
- “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12)
- “I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:7-9)
- “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11-14)
- “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25)
- “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)
- “I am the vine” (John 15:1-5)
What can we gain from studying these statements?
A deeper understanding of Jesus’ identity:
The “I Am” statements reveal different aspects of Jesus’ identity, helping children grasp who Jesus is and his role in their lives.
A stronger foundation of faith:
Teaching children about the “I Am” statements lays a strong foundation for their faith, providing essential knowledge about Jesus and his teachings.
Encourage personal connection with Christ:
As children learn and reflect on the “I Am” statements, they can develop a personal connection with Jesus and understand how he relates to them in their everyday lives.
Encourage spiritual growth:
Understanding the “I Am” statements can be a stepping stone for children’s spiritual growth, guiding them to seek a closer relationship with Jesus and grow in their faith.
Foster meaningful conversations:
These seven statements provide a basis for discussions about faith, helping children ask questions and explore their beliefs while deepening their understanding of Jesus’ teachings.
Let’s take a look at the “I Am” Statements activity set:
I really enjoyed drawing the illustrations for this set. Jesus paints such a beautiful picture with these metaphors. The set includes:
- A mini poster for displaying in your classroom or homeschool
- Matching activity to encourage memorization
- Study page with verse references in ESV and simple explanations of each metaphor
- A tracing activity for each of the seven statements
- Coloring page so even the littlest learners can participate!
I laminated the matching activity and accompanying icons, then used 5/8″ velcro dots to place each icon on its corresponding leaf on the vine. I ended up laminating the mini poster as well, just for durability. You could also laminate the verse tracing pages, or placed in a plastic page protector or pouch. Then you can use a dry-erase marker to trace the verses as many times as you like! Print out the coloring page and keep little hands busy during the Bible lesson too!
Get your “I Am” Activity Set here!
I really love this study and I think this activity set is a fun and simple way to encourage verse memorization, and understand these powerful statements and how they apply to each one of us.
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