Dear Parents,

Thanks for joining us again as we do Children’s Worship from home!  

Note: Please let us know about how your family is enjoying Children’s Worship! Take some pictures of your family participating in Children’s Worship or share a story. You can post to the Gold Avenue Church Facebook page or send by email at goldavechurch@gmail.com

Listen Up!

Based on: Matthew 21:33-45

 

EQUIP:  

(It’s not an activity, but just a little background on the story for you, the parent, to read.) 

When I think about Jesus’ parables, I like to remember the story of the prodigal son or the good Samaritan. I don’t think I would ever have selected the parable of the tenants—the Bible story for this lesson—as a favorite! After all, this story includes beatings, stonings and killings! To be honest, in most of my readings of the story, I’ve skipped over its true significance.

 

But I’ve discovered new meaning to this parable that includes the description of Jesus  as the capstone! I recently observed several kids trying to position large blocks into a beautiful arch held in place by a perfectly positioned block (the capstone). The arch fell to the ground time after time, until the block that was the capstone was put in just the right spot. Now when I read this parable, I see with fresh eyes how Jesus was put into our world at just the right time to fulfill God’s plan to make salvation possible for me and for you.

 

Jesus told the parable of the tenants to vividly summarize God’s patience in dealing with His rebellious people. Prophet after prophet was sent by God to deliver the message of hope and redemption. The ultimate messenger was Jesus,  God’s own Son—sent to both Jews and Gentiles. Jesus is the capstone of our faith. The whole Bible tells that salvation depends on Him.

 

Sheryl Haystead   Senior Managing Editor

 

Activity One:  Read the intro. Watch the video.

Activity Two: Discuss the story using provided questions as prompts. Prayer.

Worship: Singing 

Activity Three:  Respond to the story by doing the activity. 

Activity Four:  Bless your children 

 

Activity 1:  STORY

 

Introduction:To read the children:

 

It was the final week of Jesus’ life on Earth, and He was in Jerusalem, teaching and healing people. Many of the people LOVED Jesus; but the Pharisees, the religious leaders, HATED Him! Why do you think the leaders didn’t like Jesus? Jesus’ popularity was making these leaders VERY nervous! 

 

While the religious leaders grumbled about Jesus among themselves, Jesus said, “Listen to this parable.” This is the story He told.

 

Watch the video:

 

 

Activity 2:  DISCUSSION

 

What do you think the leaders did after hearing Jesus’ story? They were not sad. They didn’t say Jesus was right. No, they wanted to arrest Jesus right then! Jesus had told them the truth—but it only made them MORE angry!

• What did you learn about Jesus from this story? (He is God’s Son. God sent Him.)

• Why do you think the religious leaders didn’t accept Jesus? (They wanted people to follow them and not Jesus.)

• Why do you think Jesus told this story? (So that people would know that God sent Jesus and would not reject Him.)

• How do people today show that they reject Jesus? (They don’t pray to Him. They don’t learn about Him.)

Parents: On a piece of paper, draw a line to make a timeline. Draw a circle to represent the creation of the world at the left end of the timeline, and draw a cross in the middle of the timeline to represent the time when Jesus lived on Earth. 

 

Who told God’s messages before Jesus? Write names of prophets (Elijah, Daniel, Jeremiah, etc.) on the timeline between the circle and the cross. Draw a stick figure near the right end of the timeline to represent people alive today. 

 

Today we can choose whether or not we will accept Jesus and believe that He is the only way to be saved.

• Who has helped you learn what is true about Jesus? (Parents, Teachers, Pastor.)

• What are some things you do to show that you believe Jesus is the only way to be saved? (Try to learn more about Him. Pray to Him. Ask His help to obey.)

• When you think of God’s plan for salvation through Jesus, what can you thank Him for?

Encourage children to pray for these things with their own words. Then, transition into a time of prayer for personal requests.

 

Worship Songs:

 

Activity 3: RESPONSE ACTIVITY #1 

 

Our art projects can help us and others think about Jesus. We can remember that believing in Him is the only way to be saved.

 

Supplies

• Pencils

• 12×18-inch (30.5×45.5-cm) construction paper

• 12-inch (30.5-cm) lengths of crepe-paper streamers in a variety of colors or even ribbon or cording might work

• Scissors

• Glue

• Markers

Students use a pencil to lightly print “JESUS” on their papers, making large letters. Then  students choose crepe-paper streamers, twist the streamers and glue twisted streamers to cover the letters. (Some letters may need more than one streamer.) Children may draw decorations on their papers with markers.

Response Activity #2  Print and Color

Activity 4: CLOSING BLESSING

 

This week, let’s see if we can remember to thank God every day for sending Jesus!

 

(______________),  May you always remember that God sent His Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins. Jesus is the only way to get to heaven.