Reference: Matthew 7:24-27
Story Summary:
At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told a story about wise and foolish builders. The wise man built his house upon rock, while the fool built his on sand. When the storm came, the fool's house fell down, but the wise man's house was still standing.
Jesus said that one who hears his words and does them is a wise man. Someone who hears the words of Jesus and doesn't do them is a fool.
In Jesus' story, the storm reminds us of God's judgment. When our life is over, we'll have to stand before God and be judged for what we've done. The wise man, who hears the words of Jesus, repents of his sin, and believes in Jesus to save him will remain standing on this day of judgment, just like the wise man's house in the story.
But the fool, who heard Jesus' words but didn't believe in him, will fall on the day of judgment. He will be like the fool in Jesus' story, whose house fell with a great crash.
Big Idea and Motions: A wise person believes in Jesus and follows his commands.
Wise - tap your brain
Believes - pretend to grasp a rope in front of you with both hands
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
Follows - march in place
Commands - pretend to open and read a Bible
Verse / Motions: John 3:16, ESV - For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
God - point up
Loved - put your hands over your heart
World - trace a large circle in the air with your hands
Gave - pretend to hold a box and give it away
Son - pretend to cradle a baby
Whoever - gesture your arms to both sides of you
Believes - pretend to grasp a rope in front of you with both hands
Him - point up
Perish - fold your arms over your chest in an X and bow your head
Eternal life - trace a ∞ symbol with your finger
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
What did the foolish man build his house upon? // The sand
What happened to the foolish man’s house when the storm came? // It fell with a great crash
What does a foolish person do when he hears Jesus’ words? // Nothing
What did the wise man build his house upon? // The rock
What happened to the wise man’s house when the storm came? // It kept standing
What does a wise person do when he hears Jesus’ words? // Obeys them, believes him, does what he says
What did the storm stand for? // God’s judgment after we die
How do we keep from perishing when we’re judged by God? // Trusting in Jesus to save us
What is today’s big idea? // A wise man believes in Jesus and follows his commands.
What is today’s Bible verse? // John 3:16, ESV - For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - http://goo.gl/4qd04B
Resources - http://goo.gl/0PSOjD
October 27, 2013
October 20, 2013
NT 26 Jesus, Mary, and Martha
Reference: Luke 10:38-42
Story Summary:
Jesus and his disciples went on their way. Jesus came to a village where a woman named Martha lived. She welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary.
Mary sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was busy with all the things that had to be done. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, my sister has left me to do the work by myself. Don’t you care? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered. “You are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better. And it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42, NIrV)
Big Idea and Motions: Nothing in the world is more important than Jesus
Nothing - wag your finger “no”
World - trace a large circle in the world with your index fingers
Important - cross your arms and nod your head
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
Verse / Motions: Exodus 20:3, ESV - You shall have no other gods before me.
You - point to another person
No other - wave your hands “no” back and forth
“gods” - point up with your pinky finger (so we know we’re not talking about the real God
Before - with both index fingers, point to a spot on the floor a few feet in front of you
Me - point up using both your index fingers
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
What were the two girls’ names in today’s story? // Mary and Martha
Who came to visit them? // Jesus
Which sister invited Jesus to their home? // Martha
What did Mary do while Jesus was there? // Sat at his feet and listened to him
What did Martha do while Jesus was there? // She was busy with all the things that had to be done
Does the Bible tell us exactly what Jesus said to Mary // No
What did Martha ask Jesus to do? // Tell Mary to help her
What did Jesus say to Martha? // Mary has chosen the better thing
Why was it better to spend time with Jesus than spend time cooking and cleaning? // Jesus never told Martha she had to do all those things, Jesus is God’s Son who died and rose again to save us
What is today’s big idea? // Nothing in the world is more important than Jesus.
What is today’s Bible verse? // Exodus 20:3, ESV - You shall have no other gods before me.
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - http://goo.gl/7xuz0j
Resources - http://goo.gl/sVquN5
Story Summary:
Jesus and his disciples went on their way. Jesus came to a village where a woman named Martha lived. She welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary.
Mary sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was busy with all the things that had to be done. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, my sister has left me to do the work by myself. Don’t you care? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered. “You are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better. And it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42, NIrV)
Big Idea and Motions: Nothing in the world is more important than Jesus
Nothing - wag your finger “no”
World - trace a large circle in the world with your index fingers
Important - cross your arms and nod your head
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
Verse / Motions: Exodus 20:3, ESV - You shall have no other gods before me.
You - point to another person
No other - wave your hands “no” back and forth
“gods” - point up with your pinky finger (so we know we’re not talking about the real God
Before - with both index fingers, point to a spot on the floor a few feet in front of you
Me - point up using both your index fingers
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
What were the two girls’ names in today’s story? // Mary and Martha
Who came to visit them? // Jesus
Which sister invited Jesus to their home? // Martha
What did Mary do while Jesus was there? // Sat at his feet and listened to him
What did Martha do while Jesus was there? // She was busy with all the things that had to be done
Does the Bible tell us exactly what Jesus said to Mary // No
What did Martha ask Jesus to do? // Tell Mary to help her
What did Jesus say to Martha? // Mary has chosen the better thing
Why was it better to spend time with Jesus than spend time cooking and cleaning? // Jesus never told Martha she had to do all those things, Jesus is God’s Son who died and rose again to save us
What is today’s big idea? // Nothing in the world is more important than Jesus.
What is today’s Bible verse? // Exodus 20:3, ESV - You shall have no other gods before me.
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - http://goo.gl/7xuz0j
Resources - http://goo.gl/sVquN5
October 13, 2013
NT 25 The Lord's Prayer
Reference: Matthew 6:9-13
Story Summary:
Jesus gave his disciples a special prayer to pray. Many people call this prayer “The Lord’s Prayer.” It’s made up of seven parts: an opening and seven requests.
Jesus taught us to begin our prayers by calling God “our Father in heaven.” This reminds us that God loves and wants to take care of us.
Then Jesus gave us six things to ask for: that God’s name would be hallowed, or treated with special honor and respect; that God’s kingdom would come and the good news about Jesus would be believed; that God would be obeyed on earth as the angels obey him in heaven; that God would give us what our bodies need; that God would forgive our sins and help us forgive others; and that God would keep us from sinning and protect us from evil.
Verse and Motions: Matthew 6:9-13, ESV - Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Father in heaven - hug yourself, then point up
Hallowed be your name - Place your palms together, then close your eyes and bow your head
Your kingdom come -Pretend to place a crown on your head
Will be done - pretend to open a Bible (where we find God’s will)
Earth - pat the floor with your hands
Heaven- reach up high with both hands
Daily bread - Pretend to take a bite from a sandwich
Forgive us - hold one hand palm up; pretend to brush something off it with the fingertips of your other hand
Forgiven our debtors - gesture to others
Temptation - Pretend to take a cooke from a plate, then swat that hand with your other hand
But deliver us from evil - Pretend to reach down and help someone up (“deliver”), then two thumbs down
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
Why is it called the Lord’s Prayer? (Because the Lord Jesus gave it to us to pray.)
What should we remember when we pray, “Our Father in heaven...”? (God is our Father and loves us.)
How many times do we ask God for things in the Lord’s prayer? (Six.)
What does “hallowed be your name” mean? (Father, help us and others treat your name with special honor.)
What does “your kingdom come” mean? (Father, help us and others believe the good news about Jesus and come into your kingdom.)
What does “your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” mean? (Father, help us obey you like the angels obey in heaven.)
What does “give us this day our daily bread” mean? (God, give us what we need for our bodies.)
What does “forgive our debts as we have also forgiven our debtors” mean? (God, forgive our sins and help those who have sinned against us.)
What does “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” mean? (God, help us obey you and help us when we’re tempted to sin.
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - http://goo.gl/kLg0SJ
Resources - http://goo.gl/KJSEvz
Story Summary:
Jesus gave his disciples a special prayer to pray. Many people call this prayer “The Lord’s Prayer.” It’s made up of seven parts: an opening and seven requests.
Jesus taught us to begin our prayers by calling God “our Father in heaven.” This reminds us that God loves and wants to take care of us.
Then Jesus gave us six things to ask for: that God’s name would be hallowed, or treated with special honor and respect; that God’s kingdom would come and the good news about Jesus would be believed; that God would be obeyed on earth as the angels obey him in heaven; that God would give us what our bodies need; that God would forgive our sins and help us forgive others; and that God would keep us from sinning and protect us from evil.
Verse and Motions: Matthew 6:9-13, ESV - Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Father in heaven - hug yourself, then point up
Hallowed be your name - Place your palms together, then close your eyes and bow your head
Your kingdom come -Pretend to place a crown on your head
Will be done - pretend to open a Bible (where we find God’s will)
Earth - pat the floor with your hands
Heaven- reach up high with both hands
Daily bread - Pretend to take a bite from a sandwich
Forgive us - hold one hand palm up; pretend to brush something off it with the fingertips of your other hand
Forgiven our debtors - gesture to others
Temptation - Pretend to take a cooke from a plate, then swat that hand with your other hand
But deliver us from evil - Pretend to reach down and help someone up (“deliver”), then two thumbs down
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
Why is it called the Lord’s Prayer? (Because the Lord Jesus gave it to us to pray.)
What should we remember when we pray, “Our Father in heaven...”? (God is our Father and loves us.)
How many times do we ask God for things in the Lord’s prayer? (Six.)
What does “hallowed be your name” mean? (Father, help us and others treat your name with special honor.)
What does “your kingdom come” mean? (Father, help us and others believe the good news about Jesus and come into your kingdom.)
What does “your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” mean? (Father, help us obey you like the angels obey in heaven.)
What does “give us this day our daily bread” mean? (God, give us what we need for our bodies.)
What does “forgive our debts as we have also forgiven our debtors” mean? (God, forgive our sins and help those who have sinned against us.)
What does “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” mean? (God, help us obey you and help us when we’re tempted to sin.
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - http://goo.gl/kLg0SJ
Resources - http://goo.gl/KJSEvz
October 6, 2013
NT 24 Jesus Teaches About Praying
Reference: Matthew 6:5-8
Story Summary:
One day, Jesus taught his disciples about prayer, which is talking with God. He told them about something things they should do when they pray, as well as some things they should definitely not be doing.
First, he told them not to pray to be seen by others. Some people, like the Pharisees, loved to pray where others could see how holy and special they were. That's the kind of reward those people were looking for. Instead, Jesus told his disciples to go off and pray in secret because God the Father can hear what is said in secret.
Second, Jesus told them to not go babbling on and on when they pray. Some people thought God would only listen to them if they went on and on and on when they prayed. But Jesus taught that God isn’t impressed when we use lots and lots of words when we pray. In fact, he knows what we need even before we ask him.
Big Idea and Motions: Prayer is talking with God.
Prayer - bow your head and fold your hands
Talking - make your hand talk like a puppet
God - point up
Verse and Motions: James 5:13, ESV - Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
Anyone - point away from you with both index fingers
Suffering - hold out two fists
Pray - place your hands palms together
Anyone - point away from you with both index fingers
Cheerful - point to your cheeks and smile
Sing praise - place one hand over your heart and the other in the sky and sing these words
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
What is prayer? (Talking with God.)
Why did some people love to pray in synagogue and street corners? (For others to see them.)
Instead of praying to be seen by others, what did Jesus say to do? (Go into your room and pray to God.)
Does God hear us when we’re praying alone? Why? (Yes, because God is everywhere and all-powerful.)
Why do some people use lots and lots of words when they pray? (They think God will hear them if they use many words.)
When does God know what we need? (Before we even ask.)
When should we pray? (At all times.)
Where can we pray? (Everywhere.)
What is today’s big idea? (Prayer is talking with God.)
What is today’s Bible verse? (James 5:13, ESV - Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.)
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - http://goo.gl/bJjRZK
Resources - http://goo.gl/VCBcgk
Story Summary:
One day, Jesus taught his disciples about prayer, which is talking with God. He told them about something things they should do when they pray, as well as some things they should definitely not be doing.
First, he told them not to pray to be seen by others. Some people, like the Pharisees, loved to pray where others could see how holy and special they were. That's the kind of reward those people were looking for. Instead, Jesus told his disciples to go off and pray in secret because God the Father can hear what is said in secret.
Second, Jesus told them to not go babbling on and on when they pray. Some people thought God would only listen to them if they went on and on and on when they prayed. But Jesus taught that God isn’t impressed when we use lots and lots of words when we pray. In fact, he knows what we need even before we ask him.
Big Idea and Motions: Prayer is talking with God.
Prayer - bow your head and fold your hands
Talking - make your hand talk like a puppet
God - point up
Verse and Motions: James 5:13, ESV - Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
Anyone - point away from you with both index fingers
Suffering - hold out two fists
Pray - place your hands palms together
Anyone - point away from you with both index fingers
Cheerful - point to your cheeks and smile
Sing praise - place one hand over your heart and the other in the sky and sing these words
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
What is prayer? (Talking with God.)
Why did some people love to pray in synagogue and street corners? (For others to see them.)
Instead of praying to be seen by others, what did Jesus say to do? (Go into your room and pray to God.)
Does God hear us when we’re praying alone? Why? (Yes, because God is everywhere and all-powerful.)
Why do some people use lots and lots of words when they pray? (They think God will hear them if they use many words.)
When does God know what we need? (Before we even ask.)
When should we pray? (At all times.)
Where can we pray? (Everywhere.)
What is today’s big idea? (Prayer is talking with God.)
What is today’s Bible verse? (James 5:13, ESV - Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.)
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - http://goo.gl/bJjRZK
Resources - http://goo.gl/VCBcgk
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