March 1: Zacchaeus

March 1: Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)

I have a {worksheet} that I use to start the lesson off. Students find ten differences between the two pictures of Jesus talking to Zacchaeus. After they're giving a few minutes to search, I ask them what the picture is about.

Jesus liked to travel to different places to talk to others about Him. One place He went was Jericho.

Now people in Jericho at the time hated to pay taxes. It wasn't because they didn't have any money to pay. It wasn't because they didn't support the government. They hated to pay taxes because of one man: the Tax Collector. His job was to collect the money to give to the government, but he was dishonest. He would tell the people in Jericho that they owed more money than they really did, and they would have to pay or go to jail. The people would pay Zacchaeus the money, and he would keep the extra profit for himself. People knew that he did this, but they couldn't stop him. If they didn't pay what he said, they would go to jail!

When Jesus was passing through Jericho, it was very crowded. Many people wanted to see Jesus, so they pushed and shoved in front of one another to be first. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, too. He was too short to look over the people, and people wouldn't let him through since he was mean to them, so he decided to climb a tree and look down at Jesus as he walked by.

When Jesus came closer, Zacchaeus was excited! He was even more surprised, though, when Jesus stopped and started talking to him.

"Zacchaeus," Jesus said. "I will go to your house to eat this evening."

Zacchaeus didn't know what to say. He was shocked. "Okay," he finally replied.

The people who saw this couldn't believe it. Jesus was going to Zacchaeus' house. He was a sinner. Why would Jesus want to go there? Jesus told them that He came to save the lost, and Zacchaeus' heart was lost.

After Jesus and Zacchaeus talked, Zacchaeus understood that it was wrong for him to cheat people out of their tax money. He was ready to stop sinning and start following Jesus. He told Jesus, "I will give half of my possessions to the poor, and I will pay everyone back four times the amount I cheated from them."

Jesus was happy that Zacchaeus changed. The people were, too. They watched as he started to live his life for God. Jesus told them, "Today salvation has come into this house."

March 2015 Lessons

March 1: Zacchaeus (Luke 10:1-10)
March 8: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14
March 15: The Rich Young Ruler (Luke 18:18-27, Mark 10:17-30)
March 22: Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-6)
March 29: Palm Sunday

February 22, 2015: Snow

Snow-Day! No church. Lucky for me, it was a make-up day anyway. We usually miss at least one service at the beginning of the year due to bad weather.

February 15: Jesus Heals Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11-19)

February 15: Jesus Heals Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11-19)

Supplies:

1 sheet of paper for each child

Colored chalk to share

Pencils

Activity Before Story:

            Hand out a sheet of paper. Tell students to draw a big circle or oval on their paper. Then slowly give them this list, giving them time to finish drawing each item before continuing on: 1. Two eyes far apart from each other, with very small pupils. 2. One enormous-sized nose. 3. A set of lips that look they came from a monkey. 4. Two ears that would flap in the wind. While telling the story, allow students to draw other “unattractive” features on their faces, such as a rash or bruise, or stitches and scars. Allow them to color with colored chalk for effect.

Story (From The Beginner's Bible):

            Ten men were very sad. They were sad, because they were sick. They were so sick they had to live away from their families. They had to live away from their friends.

            One day the ten men found out that Jesus was coming their way. They decided to go meet him. When they saw him, they called, “Jesus, Jesus!” Jesus looked. And He said, “Go to the priest. Let him take a look at you.”

            Now the priest was the one who could tell them if they were well. He could tell them if they could live with their families again. So they started on their way to see the priest.

            While the men were walking, they began to notice something. They were feeling better. They were looking better. In fact, they were all well! They were so excited. They hurried on to see the priest. All but one. One man remembered something. He remembered to go back to Jesus and say thank you.

Summary & Questions:

            If you have good manners, then you say “thank you” when someone does something nice for you. Jesus did something very nice for these men. How many men were sick? They were so sick they were not allowed to be near their families, because then their families would get sick! How do you feel when someone tells you “thank you” for doing something nice? How do you think Jesus feels when we tell him “thank you”? What are some things we should be thankful for? When we pray, we can thank Jesus for everything He does for us.

Activity After Story:

            Ask kids if they would like to have faces that looked like the ones in their pictures. Tell students that Jesus loves us no matter what we look like. Just as He healed the ten lepers who had sores all over their bodies, Jesus wants to help you with the sins and problems in your life. When Jesus helps you, do you tell Him thank-you? We should be very thankful to Jesus for taking care of us.

February 8: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

February 8: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

(From The Beginner's Bible)

            “There was once a man who had two sons,” said Jesus. “The younger son was not happy at home. He dreamed of an exciting life far away. One day, he decided to leave his home. So he went to his dad. ‘I know that part of your land is mine,’ he said. ‘I want you to pay me for my share.’

            The father gave the son what he wanted. The son took it all and went far away. At first he was happy. He did whatever he wanted to do. He went wherever he wanted to go. He bought whatever he wanted to buy.

            Before long he spent all his money. He did not even have the money to buy food. So he got a job feeding pigs. He was sad. He wanted to go home. He was also afraid. Maybe his father would not like him anymore. But he began the long trip home. At least he could be a servant instead of a son.

            His father saw him coming. He ran to meet him. He hugged and kissed him. ‘Let’s have a party,’ he said. ‘My son was lost, but now he is found!’”

            God is like this father. He is full of joy when someone decides to obey Him.

Questions:

-What did the young son do? 

-Why did he want to come home again?

-Why was the older brother jealous?

-Have you ever had to forgive someone? Tell me about it. 

-Tell about a time someone forgave you.

I have a sheet I let the kids paint with watercolors after this activity. In bubble letters "FORGIVE OTHERS" is written. The letters/spaces are big enough to make cute designs and patterns if the kids wish to explore their creative side a little! Always a fun craft.

February 1: Jesus Visits Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42)

February 1: Jesus Visits Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42)

Activity Before Story:

            Hand out play-doh. Allow students to roll it around while the story is being read.

Story (From The Beginners Bible):

Once there were two sisters. One was named Mary. One was named Martha. Jesus was their good friend. He came to see them whenever He was in town.

One time while Jesus was at their house, He had a long talk with Mary. Mary sat by Jesus. She listened and listened. Jesus had so many wonderful things to say. Martha was thinking about other things. She knew there was a lot of work to do. She wanted to get their dinner ready. She wanted to clean the house. She wanted to make a nice bed for Jesus. And while Martha worked, worked, worked, Mary sat and listened.

Finally, Martha got upset. “Jesus,” she said, “Mary is not helping. I am doing all this work by myself. Tell her to come and help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” Jesus said. “You are upset about so many things. Mary is doing something very important. She is listening to me. She chose to do the best thing.”

Summary & Questions:

            While Mary listened to Jesus, what was Martha doing? Why did Martha get upset? Have you ever felt that you were doing the right thing like Martha, and your brother or sister was not? Why did Jesus say that Mary was doing the right thing? Do you think it is more important to fix dinner or talk about God? When we are with our families, we can do both!

Activity After Story:

            Hand out wooden popsicle sticks. Tell students to flatten out the play-doh like a pancake. Tell students to press their palms into the play-doh to create a handprint. Show them how to do it really hard so that fine details will be visible. Ask students what details they notice about their hands. Tell them that our hands make us very different than animal species. We are able to do much with our hands. Ask students if they use their hands to do what God wants them to do. Ask students how they know. “Are we listening and for God?”

            Have the children mush up the play-doh and create and sculpt an ear. Take a minute to talk about how ears are not all alike, just like our talents are not all alike. Talk about the different shapes and sizes of our ears. Have them look at their neighbors’ ears and notice the differences. Pray with the kids and thank God for our hands and ears and for stories in the Bible that teach us so much about the love of God and Jesus. Allow students to play with play-doh for the remainder of the time.

February 2015 Lessons

February 1: Jesus Visits Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42)
February 8: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
February 15: Jesus Heals Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11-19)
February 22: Catch-Up/Make Up as needed for SNOW!