Jesus Calls Outcasts. Teacher Enrichment. The Life of Jesus Lesson 3

Transcription

1 K/1 st Grade Jan 21 Jesus Calls Outcasts Bible Verse Some Pharisees asked Jesus' disciples, Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and other sinners? Jesus heard them and answered, Healthy people don t need a doctor, but sick people do. (Matthew 9:11-12) Teacher Enrichment This lesson is the third in the Life of Jesus series which examines how Jesus is our best example for inclusion. Jesus included everyone in his ministry from simple fishermen, to government leaders and kings; from devout followers to those considered sinners; and from old to young. Each week will explore the various ways and people Jesus chose to serve and teach. At the beginning of His ministry Jesus chose disciples to be His helpers in spreading God s message. You may think Jesus would choose popular or well liked people, but Jesus actually made some unexpected choices. With the calling of Matthew, Jesus chose a hated and dishonest tax collector. Jesus knew Matthew was as sinner, He knew Matthew was disliked, He knew Matthew was an outcast, yet He chose him anyway. Jesus did not judge Matthew as others did, but rather He saw Matthew s heart and knew Matthew would follow Him. Jesus didn t let Matthew s reputation or the opinions of others keep Him from including Matthew in His ministry. The good news for us is God does the same today. He includes ALL of us in His love, regardless of our reputation or our popularity. In response to God s acceptance of us, we must follow Jesus example of inclusion. This lesson will teach children that God calls everyone to follow Him, including those who are disliked or left out. Children will explore how they can follow Jesus example and not judge or exclude others.

2 Before Class Begins Place the Sign In sheet and a pen where parents can see it upon arrival. Place the Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards and pens where students can see them upon arrival. Check that you have supplies for this lesson: Arrival Activity, Jesus Calls Matthew coloring sheet 1 per child The Lord Looks at the Heart craft sheets 1 per child Googly eyes 2 per child Heart Foam Stickers 1 per child Optional: Construction paper Place an arrival activity at each place on the table. Welcome SUPPLIES: Sign In sheet, Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards, Attendance chart, stickers, pens, Jesus Calls Matthew coloring sheet, crayons Greet each child individually as they arrive. Introduce yourself by name. Help children find or add their name on the attendance chart. Provide each child with a sticker to place in today s column on the attendance chart. Encourage children to complete a Joy or Concern card if they have a particular joy or concern they would like to express. Collect completed Joy & Concern cards. Encourage children to complete a Time or Talent offering card if they gave their time to God or used their talents to serve God or others during the previous week. Children should keep their own completed Time and Talent cards. If children bring monetary offering, they should keep it with them. Direct children to complete and color the Jesus Calls Matthew coloring sheet. Encourage conversation among the children and with you! Get to know the children in your classroom by asking about their week including school, activities and families. Introduce new children to each other and encourage friendships.

3 Children s Worship SUPPLIES: Sign In sheet, Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards The Children s Worship Leader will direct your class to come to Ruth Hall at 9:20 or 11:05. Bring the Sign In sheet and completed Joy & Concern cards to Ruth Hall. Hand the Joy & Concern cards to the Children s Worship leader as you arrive. Have children bring their completed Time & Talent cards and any monetary offering. If additional children arrive while in Ruth Hall, have parents complete the Sign In sheet and remind parents that pickup is in Room 107. Encourage children to participate in Children s Worship and provide re-direction if necessary. Assist the Children s Worship leader as needed. At the conclusion of Children s Worship, have children line up and return to Room 107. The Lesson SUPPLIES: The Lord Looks at the Heart craft sheets, googly eyes, heart foam stickers, crayons, Optional: construction paper, glue Gather all the children in a circle on the carpet. As you are able, sit on the floor with them or use a chair as part of the circle. ASK: Today we learned about Jesus choosing another disciple. Who did he choose? (Matthew) What was Matthew s job? (Tax collector) Did people like Matthew? (No) Why not? (Because they thought he was mean and dishonest; because he took their money for himself) ASK: People judged Matthew and did not want to be his friend. But Jesus chose Matthew to be His disciple. How did people feel about Jesus choosing Matthew? (They didn t like it; they thought Jesus shouldn t be friends with Matthew) SAY: Jesus saw what was in Matthew s heart. Jesus knew Matthew loved God and would follow Jesus and be a good disciple. Sometimes we judge people without really

4 knowing what s in their hearts. We might think someone is mean or decide we don t want to be someone s friend. We leave them out. But we haven t even gotten to know them! God never does that. God always looks at someone s heart and takes the time to get to know them. Just like Jesus included Matthew (even though everyone hated him!), God doesn t exclude anyone. SAY: God see s what s in our heart. We re not talking about pumping blood or looking at the insides of our chest. The heart we re talking about is the place inside us where we think and feel. To remind you of the place inside you, I m going to show you a heart that you can see. Put your hands/fingers together to create a heart shape. SAY: Everyone make this shape with me. See the heart shape space? Let s pretend that space is where God looks. Let s talk about the things we have inside our hearts that please God. Allow children to share inner qualities that please God, such as being helpful, cheerful, loving, kind, nice, care about people, generous, giving, etc. You may need to give an example or two to get them started. SAY: You all have wonderful qualities in your heart. God sees all of them. We need to follow Jesus example and look at people s hearts. To help you remember that God looks at our hearts we are going to make a craft. Show children the sample craft. Help children read the message (The Lord looks at the heart). Point out that this phrase is from the Bible, 1 Samuel 16:7. Have children move from the carpet to seats at the table. Give each child a craft sheet, two googly eyes and one foam heart sticker. Help children glue their googly eyes for the o s in the word looks and their foam heart sticker to the right of the word the. Direct children to color the letters.

5 If there is extra time, children can cut out their square, glue it onto construction paper and further decorate the construction paper. Closing Lead the children in a closing prayer. You may say your own prayer, ask one of the children to say a prayer or use the one below. God, Thank you for looking at our heart! Help us love everyone like you do. Amen If time remains before parents arrive, encourage children to return to their Jesus Calls Matthew coloring sheet if they did not complete it. Also encourage conversation between children and with you. This is another opportunity to build relationships with the children in your classroom!

6 The Lord Looks at the Heart Craft Sheet

7 The Lord Looks at the Heart Craft Sample