Jesus came to Earth to teach us how to live in a way that pleased God. This is a story Jesus told his followers to help them to understand how we should show love to others. 

Key Concepts:
1. God wants us to show to love to everyone. 
2. Jesus taught us to love our enemies. 
3. When we serve others, we please God. 

Matthew 13:34-35
​34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:
“I will open my mouth in parables,
    I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”

New Testament Books
J-E-S-U-S
Big Big House
You're My Brother
​If You Love Jesus
Love is Something If Give It Away Song

Begin Class with Songs, Games, Table Activity, or Sharing Time

Open Class in Prayer

Introducing the Story Ideas
1. Help children think of ways to help someone in need. This could be a class project. Perhaps collecting food or items for the poor.
​2.  Let one child volunteer be the injured person and show the class how to do simple first aid (plasters, cleaning and bandaging wounds, etc.)

Read Luke 10:25-37 or tell them the story of the Good Samaritan. 

The Good Samaritan by Saddleback Kids

God's Story: The Samaritan 

The Good Samaritan Printable Images

1. What is the greatest commandment? To love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength, and with all your mind.
2. After loving God, what is the second greatest commandment? To love your neighbour as yourself.
3. Why is the Samaritan man in Jesus’ parable called the “Good Samaritan”? He stopped and helped the man who had been robbed and hurt.
4. According to Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan, who is your neighbour? Anyone who needs help.
5. What would it cost you to live like this good Samaritan?
6. Who is your neighbor? Name specific people and how you are going to act like Jesus would to them.
7. What kinds of people in need does the Church tend to overlook?

Connect the story back to God and his character. Explain how this story fits into God's overall story. ​

Good Samaritan Bandage Craft Kit

Good Samaritan Sign

I Can Be A Good Samaritan Craft

Jesus taught the people what pleases God through stories called parables. Jesus wanted the people to understand that how important forgiveness is to God so he told them a story about an unforgiving servant. This story is found in Matthew 18:21-35. 
Key Concepts:
1. God was us to forgive. 
2. Jesus used stories, called parables, to help the people to understand what pleases God.
3. Jesus is our teacher. He showed us how to live a life that pleases God. 

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. -Matthew 13:34

Books of the New Testament
This Little Light of Mine
​A Joyful Heart
Lord, My Desire
Wonderful, Merciful Savior
​Nobody Fills My Heart Like Jesus 
Love is Something if You Give It Away​

Begin Class with Songs, Games, Table Activity, or Sharing Time
 
Open Class in Prayer

Introducing the Story Ideas
1. Whiteboard Wipe Out from Trueway Kids. 
Supplies: Whiteboard, Expo Marker, Eraser
Ask your child if they know what it means to forgive? Explain that to forgive someone is to wipe out the debt they owe or let go of the anger we feel toward them for doing something wrong.
Using a whiteboard or a chalkboard, ask your child to name some bad actions that would need forgiveness. Make lots of marks on the board representing each sin. For example, stealing, disobeying, backtalk, etc. Share how sin marks our lives and we need Jesus to make us clean.
Now, talk about a time that someone wronged your child. Perhaps a sibling took a toy, or a friend was unkind. Using a different color make a small line to represent the sin that someone committed against them. Ask who owes the greater debt.
Wipe the board clean of the lines representing their sin. Explain that this is what God does when we ask Him to forgive our sins. Jesus died so that our debt could be wiped clean...(visit TruewayKids.org to keep reading) 

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2. Soap and Sin
​This experiment works well with a small group of kids. Fill a bowl with water. Tell children that the water is pure like God. Next, sprinkle pepper into the bowl. Tell children to pretend that the pepper is dirty like sin. At first sprinkle only a little pepper, but keep adding more until most of the water’s surface is covered. Put a dab of soap on your finger and talk about how God can clean sin out of people’s lives. Insert your soapy finger in the bowl, and watch how the pepper instantly moves away, leaving a clear ring of water around your finger.


Story: Jesus wanted his followers to understand forgiveness, and how important it is to show mercy to one another. Jesus taught the people through stories called parables (or earthly stories with a heavenly meaning) to help his followers understand how they could please God in their attitude and heart towards wealth and possessions. 
 
READ Matthew 18:21-25 or tell them the story of the unforgiving servant. 
EMPHASIZE that:

• Jesus wanted us to know how to please God. 
• Jesus teaches us to forgive others. 
• Jesus teaches us using parables. 

Video: The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant by Saddleback Kids

Connect the Story back to God and his character. Explain how this story fits into God's overall story. ​

Prodigal Son Sticker Craft from Oriental Trading

Forgiveness Craft from Trueway Kids
Supplies: Template, Colors, Scissors, Glue, Googly Eyes (optional) 

Forgiveness Breaks Chains Craft
Supplies: Paper (cut into strips), Pipe Cleaners, Foil, Stapler, scissors, Markers or Crayons

Jesus taught using everyday examples to help his followers understand spiritual truths. He told special stories called parables. He wanted his followers to understand what is important to God and what is not important to God, and how they could live in a way that pleased God. 
Key Concepts:
1. A parable is a story about an everyday example that teaches a spiritual truth. 
2. Jesus taught us how to live to please God. 
​3. Jesus wants us to use our wealth wisely. 

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. -Matthew 13:34

Books of the New Testament
This Little Light of Mine
​Above All Else
Lord, My Desire
Lord, Reign in Me
​Nobody Fills My Heart Like Jesus 

Begin Class with Songs, Games, Table Activity, or Sharing Time
 
Open Class in Prayer

Introducing the Story Ideas
1. Have a party (The Great Feast)-Have some balloons or party hats and talk about how exciting it is to plan a party. ASK: Who would you want to invite? What would you want to do or play at the party? Then, ASK: Now, imagine if no one came to your party? How would you feel? That remind me of a story (or parable) that Jesus told his followers. 
​
2. Birds and Flowers: (Bring a few flowers to class). Have you ever seen a worried flower? Jesus used flowers to help his followers understand that we should not worry about wealth or possessions. 


Story: Jesus wanted his followers to understand wealth, and how to be wise in their wealth and possessions. During the Sermon on the Mount, he told the people that they should not worry about their possessions. Later, he told them parables (or earthly stories with a heavenly meaning) to help his followers understand how they could please God in their attitude and heart towards wealth and possessions. 
 
READ Matthew 6:19-34, the Parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12:16-21; the Parable of the Great Feast in Luke 14:15-23. 
EMPHASIZE that:

• Jesus wanted us to know how to please God. 
• Jesus teaches us how to use wealth wisely. 
• Jesus teaches us using parables. 

What is a parable? by Maranatha Chapel Kids

Don't Worry by Saddleback Kids

The Parable of the Wealthy Man by Saddleback Kids

The Parable of the Great Banquet by Saddleback Kids

Connect the Story back to God and his character. Explain how this story fits into God's overall story. 

Parable of the Great Feast Placemat by Trueway Kids

Do Not Worry Bird Craft by The Littles and Me
Supplies: Template, Watercolors, Construction Paper, Crayons, Pencil, Scissors and Glue

This is a story about what Jesus taught his followers about not just listening to God, but also doing what he says, during his Sermon on the Mount. This story is based on a summary of Matthew 7:21-29. When we listen and obey God, we are wise and build our life on the rock-Jesus! 
Key Concepts:
1. God wants us to be wise. 
2. God wants us to not only listen to what God says, but also obey. 
3. You can always count on God! 

"Do to others as you would have them do to you." 
Luke 6:31

Books of the New Testament
This Little Light of Mine
​The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock
Be Careful Little Eyes What You See
Every Move I Make
I Used to Drive a Chevrolet
I'm Inright, Upright

Begin Class with Songs, Games, Table Activity, or Sharing Time
 
Open Class in Prayer

Introducing the Story Ideas
1. Sand and Rock: Bring sand and a rock to class and look at each with a magnifying glass. Let children blow on them.  The sand will move around, but the rock will not.  Apply pressure to each by placing various objects on them.   Notice how the sand shifts, but the rock stands firm. (From Mission Bible Class.org) 
​
2. Block or Cup Stacking Races-Put your kids in teams and see who can make the tallest tower in a certain amount of time. Discuss how important it was to start on a hard, flat surface. 

3. Simon Says-Play a simple game of Simon Says. Ask: Can you win Simon Says by hearing the direction? (No.) Can you win by kind of doing what Simon says? (No.) We win Simon Says when we listen and DO exactly what Simon says. Today, we are going to talk about how important it is to not only listen to God, but also DO exactly what he says. 

Story: After Jesus was baptized and chose his disciples, he began his ministry. He began by helping people. He healed people who were sick. He set people who were possessed by demons free. He also started preaching to the people. He wanted them to know that all of God's promises were about to be fulfilled. 

Jesus wanted everyone to know that God's kingdom, the kingdom of heaven was near and it was completely different than the kingdom of the world. He wanted his followers to understand how important it was to follow God. He told them a parable, or a story with a special meaning, to help them understand. 
 
READ  Matthew 7: 21-29 or summarize the teaching about The Wise and Foolish Builders. 

EMPHASIZE that:

• Jesus wanted us to know how to please God. 
• Jesus wants us to do the right thing, not just talk about it!  
• Jesus wants us to know that God will never fail us, no matter what storms may come in the life. 

Video: The Wise and Foolish Builder by Saddleback Kids

Video: Spiritual Practices to Grow Closer to God by Minno

Video: The Sermon on the Mount by God's Story

Two Houses Craft from Trueway Kids
Supplies: Template, Popsicle sticks, Glue, Colors

Wise House Bird House
Allow the kids to color and paint the bird house. Perhaps, let them add Matthew 7:24 to the roof. Then, glue small rocks around the base of the birdhouse. 

Build Your House on the Rock Science Experiment
​Consider performing this experiment for your class. Watch the video and read the directions for more information. 
You will need: 
​1. Two Styrofoam houses
2. Scoop of sand
3. Piece of ceramic tile
4. Two glass cake pans
5. Two glass jars (one filled with water and
one filled with acetone / 18-20 oz. each)
6. Spray bottle with water (rain)

Painted Rocks
Supplies: Flat Rocks (or cut out "rocks" from grey or brown cardstock), Paint Pens or markers
Give each child 8 rocks. One each rocks write one word from a summary of Matthew 7:24 a: "Listen to God and do what he says." Mix them up and challenge them to put them back in order. 

This is the story of what Jesus taught his followers about prayer during the Sermon on the Mount. This story is based on a summary of Matthew 6:5-15. Jesus teaches us how to pray in a way that pleases God. 

"Do to others as you would have them do to you." 
Luke 6:31

Books of the New Testament
This Little Light of Mine
​Jesus Loves Me
Read Your Bible and Pray Every Day
Knock, Knock, Knock
Sanctuary
​We Fall Down

Begin Class with Songs, Games, Table Activity, or Sharing Time
 
Open Class in Prayer

Introducing the Story Ideas
1. Circle Prayer-Have a ball or a small item of some sort. As the children pass the item around the circle, ask them to share one good thing that happened in the past week. When the ball returns to you, say: "God wants each one of us to talk to him. God doesn't only want to talk to important people or only about important things. He wants to talk to all of his children about the things that matter to them too."  
​
2. Head to Toe Prayer- (from MinistrySpark.com) To give kids a tangible way to talk with God, relate topics of prayer to different parts of their bodies. Have them point to their:

• Toes: Pray they would always walk in God’s paths and follow Him. Confess ways they might have strayed from God’s path.
• Knees: Confess when they haven’t knelt in prayer to God but have tried to do things on their own. Honor God with words they might use for a King as you are knelt down before Him.
• Tummy: Thank God for all He provides for us, including our food!
• Hands: Pray for the ways they could serve people, asking God to give them opportunities to serve neighbors and friends.
• Ears: Pray they would hear God’s voice above all others, and that they would listen to the needs of people around them.
• Mouth: Pray they would courageously speak God’s Word to those who need to hear it.
• Eyes: Pray they would seek God, and that God would give them eyes to see other people who may need to know they are known and loved by God.
• Head: Pray they would have the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16) and always consider others, think pure thoughts, and not be anxious or afraid. Children can also confess ways they may have not had the mind of Christ.

3. Heavy Rocks-(Children's Ministry Deals.com)
Need: Box, Large Rocks or Stones-one for each child
Have a box marked "God's" and have rocks to give each child. As they hold the rock, ask them questions like, "Would you want to carry this around all day?" "Could you run and play baseball or basketball while holding this rock?" "Do you think you would want to eventually put it down?" SAY: God doesn't want us to carry our burdens around with us all day either! He knows they slow us down and keep us from being able to do the things we need or want to do. He wants us to give him our burdens. He is big enough to carry them all. Today, we are going to talk about a way to give him our burdens-through prayer. 


Story: After Jesus was baptized and chose his disciples, he began his ministry. He began by helping people. He healed people who were sick. He set people who were possessed by demons free. He also started preaching to the people. He wanted them to know that all of God's promises were about to be fulfilled. 

Jesus wanted everyone to know that God's kingdom, the kingdom of heaven was near and it was completely different than the kingdom of the world. One of the ways God's children are different is in the way that they love one another. Another way God's children are different from the world is in how they pray. Jesus taught the people how to pray in a way that would please God. 
 
READ Matthew 6:5-15 or summarize the teaching about prayer from the Sermon on the Mount.
EMPHASIZE that:

• Jesus wanted us to know how to please God. 
• Jesus teaches us to pray in a way that pleases God. 
• Jesus teaches us that forgiveness is important to God. 

Video: Jesus and Prayer by God's Story

Video: How To Pray The Lord's Prayer for Kids-Minno

Connect the story back to God and his character. Explain how this story fits into God's overall story. ​

The Lord's Prayer Craft Kit from Oriental Trading

Paper Cup Phones by Danielle's Place

The Five Finger Prayer-
​Supplies: Template, Glue, Scissors

This is a story about what Jesus taught his followers about love during his Sermon on the Mount. This story is based on a summary of Matthew 5:13-44. When we love the way God wants us to love, we shine in a dark world. 
Key Concepts:
1. God wants us to love our enemies.
2. God wants us to love the poor and needy. 
3. When we love, we shine our light in a dark world.

"Do to others as you would have them do to you." 
Luke 6:31

Books of the New Testament
This Little Light of Mine
​Jesus Loves Me
The Greatest Commands
​I Love You Lord

Begin Class with Songs, Games, Table Activity, or Sharing Time
 
Open Class in Prayer

Introducing the Story Ideas
1. Heart Smart-Ask the kids some basic questions about their heart such as where is your heart? What does it do? Is your heart important? Then say, "we use a heart to show love. Jesus wants us to love others. We want our heart to be healthy. We can have a healthy heart in the way we show love to others." 
​
2. Pin the Heart on the Man-Put up a picture of a man. Give the kids hear cutouts or stickers. Blindfolded or with their eyes closed, see who can get their heart pinned in the right place. 

Story: After Jesus was baptized and chose his disciples, he began his ministry. He began by helping people. He healed people who were sick. He set people who were possessed by demons free. He also started preaching to the people. He wanted them to know that all of God's promises were about to be fulfilled. 

Jesus wanted everyone to know that God's kingdom, the kingdom of heaven was near and it was completely different than the kingdom of the world. One of the ways God's children are different is in the way that they love one another. 
 
READ Matthew 5:13-6:4 or summarize the teaching about love and forgiveness from the Sermon on the Mount.
EMPHASIZE that:

• Jesus wanted us to know how to please God. 
• Jesus teaches us how to love everyone, even our enemies. 
• Jesus teaches to care for those in need. 

1. Where was Jesus teaching at the beginning of our story? 
2. Why is this lesson called "The Sermon on the Mount?" 
3. Who did Jesus say we should love? 
4. What should we do if someone slaps us on the cheek? What does that mean? 
​5. Why does God want us to love others?

Connect the story back to God and his character. Explain how this story fits into God's overall story. 

1. My Heart Blooms When I Show Love Worksheet
Supplies: Template, Scissors, Markers, Glue, Construction paper
Write in ways to show love (Older) or cut our the hearts and glue them in the middle of the flowers (younger). Then, cut out the entire pot and flowers and glue it to a piece of construction paper or cardstock (optional). 

2. Jesus Loves You This Much Craft from Oriental Trading

3. Egg Carton Treasure Chest
Supplies: Egg Carton, paint, stickers, cards