Scripture Reading
Last Sunday we learned a new
word. Who can tell me what that new word
was? (humble) That’s right? What does it mean to be humble? (Help others,
put others before yourself). Those are
great answers! Today we are going read a
story from the bible to learn more from Jesus about how important it is to be
humble!
Say: Read Luke 14:1-14 from The Message
Luke 14:1-14
14 1-3 One time when Jesus went for a Sabbath meal with one of the top
leaders of the Pharisees, all the guests had their eyes on him, watching his
every move. Right before him there was a man hugely swollen in his joints. So
Jesus asked the religion scholars and Pharisees present, “Is it permitted to
heal on the Sabbath? Yes or no?”
4-6 They were silent. So he took the man,
healed him, and sent him on his way. Then he said, “Is there anyone here who,
if a child or animal fell down a well, wouldn’t rush to pull him out immediately,
not asking whether or not it was the Sabbath?” They were stumped. There was
nothing they could say to that.
Invite the Misfits
7-9 He went on to tell a story to the guests around the table.
Noticing how each had tried to elbow into the place of honor, he said, “When
someone invites you to dinner, don’t take the place of honor. Somebody more
important than you might have been invited by the host. Then he’ll come and
call out in front of everybody, ‘You’re in the wrong place. The place of honor
belongs to this man.’ Red-faced, you’ll have to make your way to the very last
table, the only place left.
10-11 “When you’re invited to dinner, go and sit
at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, ‘Friend, come
up to the front.’ That will give the dinner guests something to talk about!
What I’m saying is, If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going
to end up flat on your face. But if you’re content to be simply yourself, you
will become more than yourself.”
12-14 Then he turned to the host. “The next time
you put on a dinner, don’t just invite your friends and family and rich
neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who
never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You’ll
be—and experience—a blessing. They won’t be able to return the favor, but the
favor will be returned—oh, how it will be returned!—at the resurrection of
God’s people.”
Lesson
Who did Jesus visit in
the story? (A Pharisee) Why did Jesus say you shouldn't sit in the seat of
honor? (asked to move to a seat that is not as good/humiliated) What may happen
if you sit in the worst seat? (asked to move to a better seat) Do you think it
is a good idea to act like you? are better than others? Why or why not? (take responses) Why do you think Jesus told
this parable? (take responses; to teach us to be humble)
Jesus wanted the people
to learn that everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and those who humble
themselves will be exalted. Jesus also
taught the people to invite all kinds of people when having a feast. Even
though they cannot repay you, you will receive your reward in heaven.
Jesus cares about the
people around and Jesus wants us to help them.
Memory Verse
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble - Proverbs 3:34
Prayer- Ask for Joys and Requests
Say a prayer thanking
God for his love, and for sending his son, Jesus, so that we can live forever
with Jesus. Ask God to help us be
humble.
