Children's lesson: Work it Out (Matthew 18:15-20)

Scripture Reading

Say: Have you ever done something that was not so nice? 

It's hard to admit, but I bet we can all think of times that we haven't been as kind as we could have been. And I bet you can also think of times that others have been unkind to you. 

So here's a question: What should we do about it? 

That's a pretty easy question when we're the ones who are wrong, isn't it? What's the right thing to do when we've been unkind in some way? (Apologize - and change our behaviors.) But what about when others are unkind to us? 

What's the best way to solve that problem? (Solicit children's answers)  Sounds like you have some very good problem solving skills!

Jesus says that when others have sinned against us - and done something unkind - that the first thing to do is have a talk with them. Most of the time when you have a problem talking it over can get things fixed, can't it?

If that doesn't work, maybe we need to some help? Sometimes asking a friend or two can really make things better.

And when none of that works, sometimes we just need to take a break - don't we? 
Sounds like your ideas are a lot like Jesus' when it comes to solving problems. Keep those good ideas in mind this week, ok?

In tonight's Gospel Jesus teaches a lesson about problem solving in our relationships with others - and what he suggests sounds similar to some of your ideas.   Let’s see what Jesus has to say

Read Matthew 18:15-20  from The Message

¹⁵ "If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him - work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you've made a friend. ¹⁶ If he won't listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. ¹⁷ If he still won't listen, tell the church. If he won't listen to the church, you'll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God's forgiving love. ¹⁸ "Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this.  ¹⁹ When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. ²⁰ And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."

Lesson

Today our Gospel story Jesus tells us how to work things out with other people.

Jesus says that when others have sinned against us - and done something unkind - that the first thing to do is have a talk with them. Most of the time when you have a problem talking it over can get things fixed, can't it?

If that doesn't work, maybe we need to some help? Sometimes asking a friend or two can really make things better.

And when none of that works, sometimes we just need to take a break - don't we? 
Sounds like your ideas are a lot like Jesus' when it comes to solving problems. Keep those good ideas in mind this week, ok?

Jesus asks us to work things out and to remember that the other person is a loved child of God just like we are--and Jesus promises to be with us even when we are angry or in a fight with someone else. You can take anytime in your life and Jesus promises to be there with you and with the other person. 

Memory Verse

¹⁵ "If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him - work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you've made a friend. – Matthew 18:15

Big Idea

Jesus asks us to work things out and to remember that the other person is a loved child of God just like we are.

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 forgive others. 

Craft

Forgiving Heart Craft: Download free PDF: http://www.truthforkids.com/forgiving-others/#.UnpgVfnktqU

Jesus at a Pharisees House

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.  

Children's Church Lesson: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Story

Today, we worship Jesus as our Teacher. Through His parables, Jesus teaches us about God’s kingdom. In the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, we will learn God is pleased with humble hearts. Humble means treating other people as more important than we are. When we confess our sins to Him and focus on who He is and what He has done instead of focusing on our own importance, that's worship!

Say: Read “The Pharisee and the Tax Collector” in any children's story bible 

Lesson

Jesus told this parable to people who were looking down on others. That means they

thought of themselves as better than others. What was the difference between the Pharisee’s prayer and the tax collectors’ prayer? (The Pharisee bragged and looked down on others. The tax collector humbly asked for mercy.)

In his prayer, the Pharisee bragged about the good things he had done and looked down on the tax collector. What good things did the Pharisee brag about doing? (Fasting twice a week, giving a tenth of his money.) God is pleased with good deeds when we do them for the right reason. The Pharisee’s good deeds did not please God because the Pharisee was bragging and looking down on others. His heart was not humble. How do you think God feels about our bragging? (Children respond.) How do you think He feels when we look down on others? (Children respond.)

The tax collector humbly asked for mercy – that means he asked for God to forgive him. God forgave the tax collector. He wants us to have humble hearts as the tax collector did. He is not pleased if we look down on others for what they do, what they look like, or for any reason at all! He is not pleased when we brag and praise ourselves as the Pharisee did. He is pleased with a humble heart. Those with humble hearts do not judge others. They treat others as more important than themselves. To be humble we must put away all our pride.

Memory Verse

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. - Luke 18:14

Big Idea

God wants us to be humble.  Being humble means putting God first and seeing others as more important than ourselves.

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.  

Children's Church Lesson: Light of the World (Jesus and Nicodemus)

Story

Today’s story is about a man named Nicodemus who came to Jesus to ask him some questions.  What questions would you ask Jesus? (Let the children respond)  Those are great questions.  Let’s see what questions Nicodemus asked, and what Jesus said about it.

Read “The Light of the World (Jesus and Nicodemus) ” in any children's story bible.

Lesson

Say: Why did Jesus visit Jesus at night? (He had many questions about God and didn’t want to wait; he didn’t want anyone to see him with Jesus)  What was the one thing that Jesus said Nicodemus needed to know?  (God loves everyone)  What did God do because He loves us all? (He sent Jesus). 

Nicodemus had lots of questions for Jesus.  Many of them were about God.  What questions do you have about God? (Let the children answer – don’t feel like you have to answer the questions).  Those are some great questions!  Who do you think can help you find answers to those questions? (Parents, Pastor, Teachers, Bible, etc.) 

God loves us and wants us to go to Heaven one day. How do we get to Heaven? We have to believe that Jesus died and came back to life. We must know that Jesus died for the wrongs we have done. We must tell Jesus we are sorry for our sins and ask Him to forgive us. Then, we must ask Jesus to come into our heart and help us live for God in all we do. Jesus promises to stay with us forever and take us to Heaven one day. If you want to know more about Jesus, talk to us anytime about it.

Memory Verse

God loved the world so much that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him will live forever– John 3:16

Big Idea

Jesus says that what we do is more important that what we say.  We need to follow God with our actions. 

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 tell others this good news. 

Children's Church Lesson: The Two Sons

Story

Say: Has your mother or your father ever asked you to help out around the house by doing some chores? I'm sure that has probably happened to you.  What are some things your parents ask you to do? (Take time for different answers) Today we are going to read about a story Jesus told about to sons who were given a chore from their father. 

Read “The Two Sons” in any children's bible (You will need to explain what a vineyard is)

Lesson

Say: Who did Jesus tell the story to? (The Jewish leaders) What did the father ask the two sons to do? (Work in his vineyard)  Which son obeyed? (The one who said he wouldn’t work)

In our Bible lesson today, Jesus told a similar story to show how different people obey what God has called them to do. In Jesus' parable of the two sons, the father asked both sons to go and work in his vineyard. Just as the two boys in my story, one son answered, "No," but went and worked. The other son answered "yes" did not go. In telling the story, Jesus wanted us to realize that what we do is more important than what we say we will do. Jesus wants us to answer, "Yes," when he tells us to "Love one another," but what he really wants is for us to love one another! Jesus wants us to answer, "Yes," when he says, “Follow me," but what he really wants is for us to follow him! That's the kind of child I want to be. Isn't it the kind of child you want to be?  What are some things that God wants us to do? (Go to church, obey our parents, read the bible, ask him into our heart, etc. – give time for responses).

Memory Verse

Do not just read the bible.  Do what it says! – James 1:22

Big Idea

Jesus says that what we do is more important that what we say.  We need to follow God with our actions. 

Prayer- Ask for Joys and Requests

Father, sometimes we say, "Yes," but our actions say, "No." Help us to be faithful to do what you have called us to do. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

Craft- Family shield

Directions: Draw a shield and divide it into 4 sections Give each child a copy of the shield and ask them to complete the sections as follows: 

1st Section: write their family name 

2nd Section: draw a picture of their family

3rd & 4th Sections: draw pictures or write how they can helpother members of their family.

Template: http://www.matsuk12.us/cms/lib/AK01000953/Centricity/Domain/919/Coat%20of%20Arms%20Templates/coat-of-arms-template-3.pdf

Game Options:

Simon Says or Follow the leader

youth group discussion: Spiritual Gifts

Bible Verse 1: 1 Corinthians 12:4-12

         

Video: Claymation of 1 Corinthians 12 (www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRzNKgIaX6M‎)

Bible Verse 2: Matt. 25:14-28(www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUtXrQ_ZAOk‎)

Video: Lego Parable of the Talents 

Five Questions:

1. You know you are better at some things than others, you have skills or abilities that make you unique.  Did you know that you have gifts from God?  How do you feel about that?
2. What kind of Spiritual Gift do you think you have?  Do you think your gift makes you unique?
3. Now that you know you have a Spiritual Gift, how should you use it?
4. What would it look like to trust God to show you where and how to use your gift?
5. Last week we talked about listening to God.  Have you tried to listen to Him this week?  Try to listen to him this week and trust that he will show you what part of the body of Christ you are.

Close in prayer and ask for prayer requests.

Many Members, One Body

Story

Say: What is the church? (take all answers)  Those are all great answers!  In today’s story we are going to hear what the Apostle Paul said the church is like. 

Read “Many Members, One Body” (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) in any children's bible.  

Lesson

Say: What was Paul busy doing? (Telling people about Jesus and his love for them)  What did Paul say the church is like? (The human body, one body has many parts)  How is the church like a human body? (Everybody in the church is different and has a special job to do, just like the parts of the body) 

All of us are different and good at different things, just like the parts of the body.  If we all were good at the same things than the church would only be good at one thing.  It is important that everyone is different and it is important that everyone decide to use the things that they are good at to serve God!  

Memory Verse

All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.  – 1 Corinthians 12: 27

Big Idea

It is important that everyone is different and it is important that everyone decide to use the things that they are good at to serve God! 

Prayer

Say a short prayer thanking God for letting us be a part of His family and asking Him to help us to do our part as members of His body.  

Craft

Children will cut out the different pictures of children (clip art) and use glue sticks to make the “body” of Christ out of the cut outs.   

Game:Talent Show

Give every child a chance to show off something they are good at.