🐘🧀The Elephant Who Waited with a Grumbling Belly-Summer Bible Lesson (Grilled Cheese)

🐘🧀 The Elephant Who Waited with a Grumbling Belly

A Preschool Bible Lesson About Patience and Trust
Theme Verse: Psalm 27:14 – “Wait for the Lord. Be strong and don’t lose hope.”

🧩 Snippet Description:

In this silly and sweet Bible lesson, an elephant named Eli really wants a grilled cheese sandwich — but the stand isn’t open yet! As his belly grumbles, he learns to wait patiently and trust that God’s timing is always right. With a fun craft, snack, story, song, and movement activity, this lesson teaches preschoolers that waiting isn’t always easy, but God helps us do it with joy!

📖 BIBLE THEME:

Waiting can be hard, but God helps me be patient.

📖 BIBLE VERSE (Toddler Version):

“Wait for the Lord. Be strong and don’t lose hope.” – Psalm 27:14

📘 MAIN POINT TO REPEAT WITH KIDS:

“I can wait with God’s help!”

🐘 TODDLER STORY:

The Elephant Who Waited with a Grumbling Belly

Eli the elephant LOVED grilled cheese sandwiches.
Every Friday, he walked to the cheese stand and ordered the meltiest, gooey-est sandwich in the forest.

But today… the stand wasn’t open yet!

Eli’s belly went… GRRRRMMMBLL!

He stomped a little.
He looked under the flap.
He even tried to smell the cheese through the cracks.

But the sign said:
“Open at noon.”

That was a whole hour away!

He saw the raccoon rushing.
He saw the fox grumbling.
But then he saw a little bird sitting calmly nearby.

“Why aren’t you mad the cheese isn’t ready?” Eli asked.

The bird smiled. “Because waiting means something good is coming. And I know God will help me wait with joy!”

Eli blinked. Then smiled.
He sat down beside the bird.
They sang a song, counted clouds, and before they knew it…

The stand opened!

Eli got his grilled cheese. It was hot, cheesy, and full of patience.

The End.

🎨 CRAFT: Grilled Cheese Patience Puppets

Supplies:

Yellow and orange felt or construction paper (for cheese)
Brown paper for “bread”
Glue
Craft stick
Googly eyes or drawn smile

Directions:
Create a silly sandwich puppet. Add eyes and a smile. Let kids hold their “Grilled Cheese Buddy” and practice waiting quietly while others finish the craft.

The Elephant Who Waited With A Grumbling Belly Grilled Cheese Sandwich Bible Lesson For Preschool or Toddlers. Grilled Cheese Sandwich stick puppet crafts.

🍽️ SNACK: Mini Grilled Cheese “Hearts”

Supplies:

Bread, cheese, butter
Heart-shaped cookie cutter
Griddle or toaster
Optional: pair with fruit or veggies

Make mini grilled cheese sandwiches and cut them into hearts to remind kids: waiting with love is sweet!

🎵 SONG: (To the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”)

🎶
Waiting is so very hard,
Very hard, very hard.
Waiting is so very hard,
But God will help me do it! 🎶

📝 POEM:

My belly grumbled loud today,
I wanted cheese right now, okay?!
But God said, “Wait — be strong, be still,”
And gave me joy that I could feel.

🎲 ACTIVITY: The Waiting Walk

Have kids walk slowly from one side of the room to the other, carrying a pretend grilled cheese. They must stop and freeze when you say, “WAIT!” and only move again when you say, “TRUST!”

🟡 Teaches: Even when we stop and wait, we’re still listening and trusting God.

🎭 PRETEND PLAY: Grilled Cheese Stand Time!

Set up a pretend stand with felt sandwiches or paper cones. Let kids take turns waiting in line, “ordering,” and being kind while they wait. Encourage phrases like “I can wait with God’s help!”

💬 LET’S TALK ABOUT IT (Teacher/Parent Prompts):

What did Eli do while he waited for his grilled cheese?
Have you ever had to wait for something you wanted?
Was it hard to wait? How did it feel?
Who can help us be patient when it’s hard?

✨ WHY IT MATTERS (Mini Message):

We all have “grumbling belly” moments — times when we really want something now! But the Bible tells us to “wait for the Lord” and trust that His timing is best. God sees us, helps us stay calm, and blesses us while we wait. Just like Eli, we can be strong and not give up!

🙏 CLOSING PRAYER (Repeat After Me):

Dear God,
Sometimes it’s hard to wait.
Please help me be patient.
I want to trust Your timing.
Thank You for loving me always.
Amen.

📬 TAKE-HOME NOTE FOR PARENTS:

This week’s lesson was about patience and trusting God — even when your belly is grumbling! Ask your child what they learned from Eli the elephant and how they can practice waiting with joy.