Note to parent or teacher: Here’s a 20- to 30-minute class plan on patience; it focuses on learning to wait, and what to do when things take time.

Watch “God Takes His Time.”

Discuss the importance of waiting for things to happen—whether waiting for God to work or waiting for others. Think about what would happen if no one waited for anything. (For example, if a farmer didn’t wait for his crops to grow, then we wouldn’t have food to eat; a little boy needs to wait for his mother to finish cooking dinner before dinner can be enjoyed, etc.)

Memorize Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (NIV)

Talk about what the “harvest” can be compared to in their lives.

Watch “Kid’s Character Builder: Patience.”

Read “Anna and the Flower Garden.” (This story highlights practicing patience when learning new things.)

Read “Bright Pebbles: With Jesus’ Help.” (This article highlights asking Jesus for help when faced with a task that may seem difficult.)

Count how many good things happen in your day as a result of you being willing to wait. Praise Jesus for them.

Optional activity: make a “patience” collage board (or use a large, sturdy piece of white paper). In the center of the board write out Galatians 6:9, and surrounding the verse, reference some of the good things you previously counted that happened because someone was willing to wait—using illustrations, magazine cut-outs, or other symbolic odds and ends that can represent each patience concept you are referencing (e.g., corn husks or popcorn, to represent the patience needed for farmers to wait till corn is ready to harvest, etc.).

Ask Jesus for help to be patient with others and ourselves.