The Parables of Jesus

Transcription

1 The Parables of Jesus GRADE The sower and the seed 2. The hidden treasure and the pearl 3. The lost sheep 4. The unmerciful servant KickStart Kick Start is designed to keep the kids busy from the moment they arrive in small groups of ideally six. This helps to keep control, keeps kids busy, involved and creates a sense of identity and security with their peers and their leader. Re Fuel Re Fuel involves an ice-breaker/game, telling the Bible story for the day in a way that brings the story to life. Worship and prayer are all a part of this interactive time. It is also important to welcome 1st time visitors, sing happy birthdays and take up the tithes and offerings. It is good to revise the previous week s lessons and the memory verse. X-Celerate X Celerate is the time that the children go back into their same small groups as in Kick Start and do an activity with the leader while being asked questions and discuss what they have just learnt. 7:30 Leaders pray (Team Room) 9:30 7:45 KickStart 9:45 8:05 ReFuel (Worship) 10:05 8:20 ReFuel (Game, Bible Story) 10:20 8:45 X-Celerate (Activity) 10:45 9:25 Walk Down 11:25

2 Grade 0-1 Week 1 The sower and the seed Memory verse: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Bottom line: The condition of your heart determines your fruitfulness Bible Story: The parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23) Objective: Jesus taught in parables thereby making things of God more plain and easy to those willing to be taught, and at the same time more difficult and obscure to those who were willingly ignorant. The seed sown is the word of God. The sower is our Lord Jesus Christ, or ourselves as we minister God s Word. Items required: polystyrene cups, soil, seeds, hearts Activity: Give each child a cup, and a heart. Let the children colour in the heart and then glue this on the outside of the cup. Once this is done allow the children to take some soil and half fill their cup. Lastly sprinkle some seeds in the cup, and add some water. 7Day Challenge (Learning to walk with Jesus 7 days a week). Challenge the children to speak to someone about what they have learnt today in this story (maybe a parent or sibling or friend). Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

3 The condition of your heart Determines your Fruitfulness!

4 Grade 0-1 Week 2 The hidden treasure and the pearl Memory verse: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Bottom line: Jesus is the true treasure Bible Story: Objective: The parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl (Matthew 13:44-46) Jesus Christ is the true Treasure; in him there is an abundance of all that which is rich. The gospel is the field in which this treasure is hidden. Jesus is hidden in the word of the gospel, both the Old Testament and the New Testament gospel. It is a great thing to discover the treasure hidden in this field, and the unspeakable value of it. The reason why so many miss the gospel, is because they look only upon the surface of the field, however those who discern this treasure in the field, and its true value make it their own. They are willing to part with all, that they may make it their own. We must count every thing but loss that we may win Christ, and be found in him. Items required: Split pins, card board, crayons, shiny paper, glue. Activity: Hand out a treasure box drawn on cardboard to each child. Let then decorate the treasure box with the pieces of shiny paper and crayons. When they have done this they can attach the lid to the treasure box using a split pin. When the lid slides off inside the treasure box will be written, Jesus is the true treasure. 7Day Challenge (Learning to walk with Jesus 7 days a week). Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

5 Grade 0-1 Week 3 JESUS IS THE TRUE TREASURE! The lost sheep Memory verse: For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Bottom line: God cares enough to find the lost one Bible Story: The parable of the lost sheep (Matthew 18:12-14) Objective: Items required:

6 Grade 0-1 Week 3 The lost sheep Memory verse: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Bottom line: God cares enough to find the lost one Bible Story: The parable of the lost sheep (Matthew 18:12-14) Objective: God is graciously concerned, not only for his flock in general, but for every lamb, or sheep, that belongs to it. Though they are many, yet out of those many he can easily miss one, for he is a great Shepherd. He would not so easily lose one, for He is a good Shepherd, and takes particular cognizance of his flock than ever any of us did; for he calls his own sheep by name! Items required: white cardboard, glue, cotton wool, hard card cut into strips. Activity: Hand out a sheep mask to each child. Let the colour it in and then glue some cotton wool on. When they are done staple a piece of card at the bottom of the mask, near the mouth of the sheep, for the children to hold. A great game to play with the children is called Who is missing? Choose a child and get them to stand facing away from the rest of the children. Send another child out the room. Once the child is out let the other child turn around and try to guess who is missing. 7Day Challenge (Learning to walk with Jesus 7 days a week). Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

7

8 Grade 0-1 Week 4 The unmerciful servant Memory verse: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Bottom line: Bible Story: Objective: Forgive others as God has forgiven us The parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35) The parable is a comment upon the portion of Lord's Prayer, Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. Only those who have forgiven their brother may expect to be forgiven by God. The parable represents the kingdom of heaven, that is, the church. The church is God's family, it is his court; there he dwells, there he rules. God is our master; and we are his servants. In general, the parable speaks of how much provocation God has from his family on earth, and how untoward his servants are. Three points in this parable: 1. The master's wonderful mercy to his servant who was indebted to him; he forgave him ten thousand talents, out of pure compassion to him, 2. The servant's unreasonable severity toward his fellow-servant, notwithstanding his lord's mercy toward him. 3. The master's just resentment of the cruelty his servant was guilty of. Items required: copy of parables, crayons, Activity: God wants us to forgive others. He doesn t want us to hold anything against anybody. You can say you forgive somebody, but it doesn t count if it doesn t come from your heart. You really have to mean it. God knows our hearts. He knows if we really mean it. Ask the children if they need to forgive someone? Explain how Jesus is our example. He wants us to be like him. We need to learn to be forgiving, too. When we feel hate or dislike in our hearts, we should pray and ask God to forgive us because it is wrong to hate someone. Then we should ask Go to help us to forgive that person. Hand out a copy of all the parables we have done this month and the children can colour it in and take it home.

9 7Day Challenge (Learning to walk with Jesus 7 days a week). Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

10 The Parable of the Sower The Parable of the hidden treasure The Parable of the lost sheep The Parable of the unmerciful servant

11 The Parables of Jesus GRADE The sower and the seed 2. The hidden treasure and the pearl 3. The lost sheep 4. The unmerciful servant KickStart Kick Start is designed to keep the kids busy from the moment they arrive in small groups of ideally eight. This helps to keep control, keeps kids busy involved and creates a sense of identity and security with their peers and their leader. Re Fuel Re Fuel involves an ice-breaker/game, telling the Bible story for the day in a way that brings the story to life. Worship and prayer are all a part of this interactive time. It is also important to welcome 1st time visitors, sing happy birthdays and take up the tithes and offerings. It is good to revise the previous week s lessons and the memory verse. X-Celerate X Celerate is the time that the children go back into their same small groups as in Kick Start and do an activity with the leader while being asked questions and discuss what they have just learnt. 7:30 Leaders pray (Team Room) 9:30 7:45 KickStart 9:45 8:05 ReFuel (Welcome, Game, Tithes, Visitors, Birthdays) 10:05 8:20 ReFuel (Worship) 10:20 8:40 ReFuel (Storytelling) 10:40 8:55 X-Celerate (Activity) 10:55 9:25 Walk Down 11:25

12 Grade 2-5 Week 1 The sower and the seed Memory verse: For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Bottom line: The condition of your heart determines your fruitfulness Bible Story: The parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23) Objective: Jesus taught in parables thereby making things of God more plain and easy to those willing to be taught, and at the same time more difficult and obscure to those who were willingly ignorant. The seed sown is the word of God. The sower is our Lord Jesus Christ, or ourselves as we minister God s Word. Items required: Grade 2-3: cup, soil, grass seed. Grade 4-5: photo copies of soil cards Activity: Grade 2-3 Give each child a cup, and a heart. Let the children colour in the heart and then glue this on the outside of the cup. Once this is done allow the children to take some soil and half fill their cup. Lastly sprinkle some seeds in the cup, and add some water. Grade 4-5 Place the cards with the different soil types in the centre of the table. Let each child find one of the four soils. Each child should have 4 cards. Ask the following questions: (one at a time) 1. This heart thinks Jesus is a myth. (packed) 2. This heart is afraid of what his friends will think. (stony) 3. This heart studies to learn as much as she can. (good) 4. This heart thinks success lies in how much he owns. (thorny) 5. This heart doesn't defend the truth when it is attacked. (stony) 6. This heart wants to please God above anything else. (good)

13 7. This heart wants to please himself above all else. (packed) 8. This heart doesn't always have time for God. (thorny) And have the children place their card on the table of the soil they think matches the descriptions below. Then discuss their answers 7Day Challenge (Learning to walk with Jesus 7 days a week). Challenge the children to speak to someone about what they have learnt today in this story (maybe a parent or sibling or friend). Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

14 1. This heart thinks Jesus is a myth. (packed) 2. This heart is afraid of what his friends will think. (stony) 3. This heart studies to learn as much as she can. (good) 4. This heart thinks success lies in how much he owns. (thorny) 5. This heart doesn't defend the truth when it is attacked. (stony) 6. This heart wants to please God above anything else. (good) 7. This heart wants to please himself above all else. (packed) 8. This heart doesn't always have time for God. (thorny)

15 Grade 2-5 Week 2 The hidden treasure and the pearl Memory verse: For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Bottom line: Jesus is the true treasure Bible Story: Objective: The parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl (Matthew 13:44-46) Jesus Christ is the true Treasure; in him there is an abundance of all that which is rich. The gospel is the field in which this treasure is hidden. Jesus is hidden in the word of the gospel, both the Old Testament and the New Testament gospel. It is a great thing to discover the treasure hidden in this field, and the unspeakable value of it. The reason why so many miss the gospel, is because they look only upon the surface of the field, however those who discern this treasure in the field, and its true value make it their own. They are willing to part with all, that they may make it their own. We must count every thing but loss that we may win Christ, and be found in him. Items required: Split pins, card board, crayons, shiny paper, glue, print out of word search Activity: Grade 2-3 Hand out a treasure box drawn on cardboard to each child. Let then decorate the treasure box with the pieces of shiny paper and crayons. When they have done this they can attach the lid to the treasure box using a split pin. When the lid slides off inside the treasure box will be written, Jesus is the true treasure Grade 4-5 The children today will be doing a word search on Matthew 13: They will be finding hidden treasure. 7Day Challenge (Learning to walk with Jesus 7 days a week). Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

16 PARABLES OF THE TREASURE & THE PEARL (MATTHEW 13:44-46) N A V V I D B L I Y I B O E N R B L O W U Q I E A K Z H Z P G Q Z M A S L R A E P L U F I T U A E B M S V V W X I E J W V B Y V L H Z H F T D Y B P D S Y L Y Z L A I M T N T Y S B G P U O N M G Z B G A Z V B A I B B Y L P Q J T E A J E Z Z K F V T F Y F E L E M R E U Y Q H Y E Z A T S D H H B D D K Z M M J R U B S C R D Q H U O U A S C E J V D Q F A I J U I D G Y Z D K C I Y R I V C H P R P C Y T Y I V S I N Y B M I I E A O K S R Q E K R E K Y B G E Z O Q H I Q U T I B B J U Y W J V S P B U Q U G Y Z J E L U A J H K J O G K K Q R Y V N K R L T S Z Z T P K F O U N D R J Y D Q I D G C R S D U N A R O A F V A F B S F B M A A Y B L D M E R C H A N T R R A P G E C B Y K N B Q Q P K L Q F M T W D K Z B B V O N K C O N R M E Y Z I M K V N B I C T B K A S S Y V S H B T H S E O G U Q G D N L F S Y I N N Q S O N E A F O M Q G T E I M B Y A J D V C O U I F E G Y G Y C W B L B N O L A B F R B M Q D W A T T P W H I I Z J Q D V T B H B T V Y G S N Z E P G G U Q H O Y L K E E S P L Q O F B C A D Q W D N F W F O F H T Q L P U E R L B V B A D F M D H W G M T T Y N B N H D T A H K Q R C R D I P M W U K E O Q G A K M I U U Y C E Z E N I S N K M H B Z Z P N J Y G Z F D A V S M B R O T L S P A A O Y J E A E W O A Y I F E C H H I K W U B A K B I J U T F F Y Z R K U Q I N A J M K D B P E D E B L O C I Z T Y B R V W A U B H L J B E W V J G K A F A B N P M R D Z S A C M E A B E B W Y M B U P C T C A R B M V V C F O H N U E A L S A S V H T K X I B W E H C W A J V C E W B A T P V W J F S Y S V N Q O F J F H N A H V B Z Y K G N Z C B J N B A M K S U U B F O U N V L Z Y R O L G I Z G J J F C E B T C T B B C B R Z N V H R I G Y D L E S G N Y V O A O T G H Y V C T J N I E P U C E N E B Q H S F H V T R E B P J B G Z L C O B Y B D R N S C D B A Y P I P B D B S B A F N L W H J C A B K Z R L U S F C C I BEAUTIFUL PEARLS HIDDEN MERCHANT BUYS HID ONE PEARL FIELD JOY PARABLES FOUND KINGDOM OF HEAVEN SELLS GREAT PRICE MAN TREASURE

17 Grade 2-5 Week 3 The lost sheep Memory verse: For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Bottom line: God cares enough to find the lost one Bible Story: The parable of the lost sheep (Matthew 18:12-14) Objective: God is graciously concerned, not only for his flock in general, but for every lamb, or sheep, that belongs to it. Though they are many, yet out of those many he can easily miss one, for he is a great Shepherd. He would not so easily lose one, for He is a good Shepherd, and takes particular cognizance of his flock than ever any of us did; for he calls his own sheep by name! Items required: Grade 2-3 photo copies of farm, pencils, crayons Grade 4-5 white paper, copy of Simple origami sheep, crayons Activity: Grade 2-3 Hand out to each child a picture of a farm with different animals. Ask them to see how many sheep they can find hiding on the farm. Once they have found all the sheep they can colour in the picture. Grade 4-5 Hand a piece of white paper to each child. Place the instruction for Simple origami sheep on the table. Allow the children to try and make the sheep on their own. Once they are done the children can colour it in. 7Day Challenge (Learning to walk with Jesus 7 days a week). Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

18 Simple Origami Sheep Materials: square piece of white paper (cut a piece of computer paper to make a square OPTIONAL: black marker OPTIONAL: wiggly eyes and glue OPTIONAL: 2 cotton balls and glue TERMINOLOGY -- MOUNTAIN FOLD: fold the paper under -- see how it looks like a mountain? TERMINOLOGY -- VALLEY FOLD: fold the paper to the front Instructions: to make a square piece of paper, valley fold diagonally and cut off the excess

19 valley fold the paper in half diagonally (so you have a triangle) turn the triangle so the point is facing toward you. valley fold the paper in half diagonally again (so you have a smaller triangle). o crease and unfold this gives you a crease in the center of your larger triangle to use as a guide for the next step on each side, valley fold a triangle about 3/4 of the way to the crease to make the ears this is what you end up with mountain fold a small bit of the bottom tip of the triangle mountain fold a small bit of each ear Grade 2-5 Week 4

20 The unmerciful servant Memory verse: For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Bottom line: Bible Story: Objective: Forgive others as God has forgiven us The parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35) The parable is a comment upon the portion of Lord's Prayer, Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. Only those who have forgiven their brother may expect to be forgiven by God. The parable represents the kingdom of heaven, that is, the church. The church is God's family, it is his court; there he dwells, there he rules. God is our master; and we are his servants. In general, the parable speaks of how much provocation God has from his family on earth, and how untoward his servants are. Three points in this parable: 1. The master's wonderful mercy to his servant who was indebted to him; he forgave him ten thousand talents, out of pure compassion to him, 2. The servant's unreasonable severity toward his fellow-servant, notwithstanding his lord's mercy toward him. 3. The master's just resentment of the cruelty his servant was guilty of. Items required: candle, matches. Activity: God wants us to forgive others. He doesn t want us to hold anything against anybody. You can say you forgive somebody, but it doesn t count if it doesn t come from your heart. You really have to mean it. God knows our hearts. He knows if we really mean it. If we forgive someone, it means that we will forget all about it. It will be just like the flame on the candle. (Light the candle). Now it is here. (Blow out the flame) Now it isn t. And that particular flame is gone forever. Now ask the children if they can remember any other scriptures or times in the bible where it speaks about forgiveness.

21 Ask the children if they need to forgive someone? Explain how Jesus is our example. He wants us to be like him. We need to learn to be forgiving, too. When we feel hate or dislike in our hearts, we should pray and ask God to forgive us because it is wrong to hate someone. Then we should ask Go to help us to forgive that person. Take time to pray with the children. Hand out a copy of all the parables we have done this month and the children can colour it in and take it home. 7Day Challenge (Learning to walk with Jesus 7 days a week). Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

22 The Parable of the Sower The Parable of the hidden treasure The Parable of the lost sheep The Parable of the unmerciful servant

23 The Parables of Jesus GRADE The sower and the seed 2. The hidden treasure and the pearl 3. The lost sheep 4. The unmerciful servant KickStart Kick Start is designed to keep the kids busy from the moment they arrive in small groups of ideally eight. This helps to keep control, keeps kids busy involved and creates a sense of identity and security with their peers and their leader. Re Fuel Re Fuel involves an ice-breaker/game, telling the Bible story for the day in a way that brings the story to life. Worship and prayer are all a part of this interactive time. It is also important to welcome 1st time visitors, sing happy birthdays and take up the tithes and offerings. It is good to revise the previous week s lessons and the memory verse. X-Celerate X Celerate is the time that the children go back into their same small groups as in Kick Start and do an activity with the leader while being asked questions and discuss what they have just learnt. 7:30 Leaders pray (Team Room) 9:30 7:45 KickStart 9:45 8:05 ReFuel (Welcome, Game, Tithes, Visitors, Birthdays) 10:05 8:20 ReFuel (Worship) 10:20 8:40 ReFuel (Storytelling) 10:40 8:55 X-Celerate (Activity) 10:55 9:25 Walk Down 11:25

24 Grade 6-7 Week 1 The sower and the seed Memory verse: For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Bottom line: The condition of your heart determines your fruitfulness Bible Story: The parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23) Objective: Jesus taught in parables thereby making things of God more plain and easy to those willing to be taught, and at the same time more difficult and obscure to those who were willingly ignorant. The seed sown is the word of God. The sower is our Lord Jesus Christ, or ourselves as we minister God s Word. Items required: kernels of popcorn, Ziploc bags, permanent marker, soil, water Activity: Place some soil in a Ziploc bag, add some water and a few kernels of popcorn. Seal the bag and place it in a sunny window. You should see some growth within a week. Placing a number of them in different situations and conditions prior to the class could also be a great story illustration. Alternatively have children grow their seeds in different situations and get them to report on it. 7Day Challenge (Learning to walk with Jesus 7 days a week). Challenge the children to speak to someone about what they have learnt today in this story (maybe a parent or sibling or friend). MEMORY CATCH 1. Sit the children in a circle. 2. Toss the ball to one child. 3. When he catches it, he must say the first word of the memory verse. 4. That child then tosses the ball to another child who says the second word, and so on until the entire verse has been recited. 5. Repeat if time permits (record the time to see what the quickest time they can do it challenge the Grade 6&7 Girls who can do it quickest without error).

25 Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

26 Grade 6-7 Week 2 The hidden treasure and the pearl Memory verse: For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Bottom line: Jesus is the true treasure Bible Story: Objective: The parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl (Matthew 13:44-46) Jesus Christ is the true Treasure; in him there is an abundance of all that which is rich. The gospel is the field in which this treasure is hidden. Jesus is hidden in the word of the gospel, both the Old Testament and the New Testament gospel. It is a great thing to discover the treasure hidden in this field, and the unspeakable value of it. The reason why so many miss the gospel, is because they look only upon the surface of the field, however those who discern this treasure in the field, and its true value make it their own. They are willing to part with all, that they may make it their own. We must count every thing but loss that we may win Christ, and be found in him. Items required: 8 envelopes (4xblue and 4xwhite), 2 copies of the 4 pieces of paper with short paragraphs on each (1 for each envelope) Activity: Divide into 2 teams, Hide the eight envelopes in different areas of the hall. Get the 2 teams to find them. Give some clues as to where they re hidden. Those who find the envelopes read them out and get participation in the questions.. 7Day Challenge (Learning to walk with Jesus 7 days a week). MEMORY CATCH 1. Sit the children in a circle. 2. Toss the ball to one child. 3. When he catches it, he must say the first word of the memory verse. 4. That child then tosses the ball to another child who says the second word, and so on until the entire verse has been recited.

27 5. Repeat if time permits (record the time to see what the quickest time they can do it challenge the Grade 6&7 Girls who can do it quickest without error). Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

28 Treasure Hunt Jesus parable of the treasure hunt contains four key. Jesus doesn t invent these elements; instead he uses them to show us a picture of the kingdom. 1. There is treasure out there somewhere. Unimaginable treasure awaits those who want to venture into the kingdom of God. Right now, not too far from any one of us, an incredible adventure leading to treasure awaits those who take Jesus invitation. 2. Treasure is hidden. Treasure requires digging, uncovering, and effort, and it does not always come in obvious form. Treasure hunting often involves stages, treasure maps, and prolonged and difficult expeditions. It requires eyes that can see and faith and stamina. Most of the kingdom treasure is upside-down treasure to which the world assigns little value. 3. Treasure is dangerous. When the man finds the treasure he hides it again because he knows that people will cut his throat to get it. A kingdom treasure hunt will involve an element of danger. You will have to face certain fears. 4. Treasure brings incredible joy that makes you willing to sell all you have and still feel like you re getting a deal. When he discovered that the treasure would require buying the field, the man was not discouraged or depressed at the sacrifice required, rather he was overjoyed with the deal he got. Each of the children who find the four envelopes read it out to the rest of their group. Discuss each point. Each of these elements of the treasure hunt precipitates a question that forces us to apply the treasure hunt to our lives. 1. Do you know about the treasure, or are you just going through the motions of life? 2. Are you on a treasure hunt, or is it all treasure and no hunt? 3. Is there any element of danger in your life, or are you just playing it safe? 4. Is there anything in your life worth selling everything for?

29 Grade 6-7 Week 3 The lost sheep Memory verse: For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Bottom line: God cares enough to find the lost one Bible Story: The parable of the lost sheep (Matthew 18:12-14) Objective: God is graciously concerned, not only for his flock in general, but for every lamb, or sheep, that belongs to it. Though they are many, yet out of those many he can easily miss one, for he is a great Shepherd. He would not so easily lose one, for He is a good Shepherd, and takes particular cognizance of his flock than ever any of us did; for he calls his own sheep by name! Items required: Pencils Activity: Fill in the Lost Sheep Anagram. If completed quickly get the children to divide into two teams and make up their own anagrams relating to the bible story and test their opposing team.

30 Answers: (forgiveness, sheep, ninety nine, coins, repent, celebration, prayer, shepherd, search, pharisees) 7Day Challenge (Learning to walk with Jesus 7 days a week). Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

31 Grade 6-7 Week 4 The unmerciful servant Memory verse: For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Bottom line: Bible Story: Objective: Forgive others as God has forgiven us The parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35) The parable is a comment upon the portion of Lord's Prayer, Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. Only those who have forgiven their brother may expect to be forgiven by God. The parable represents the kingdom of heaven, that is, the church. The church is God's family, it is his court; there he dwells, there he rules. God is our master; and we are his servants. In general, the parable speaks of how much provocation God has from his family on earth, and how untoward his servants are. Three points in this parable: 1. The master's wonderful mercy to his servant who was indebted to him; he forgave him ten thousand talents, out of pure compassion to him, 2. The servant's unreasonable severity toward his fellow-servant, notwithstanding his lord's mercy toward him. 3. The master's just resentment of the cruelty his servant was guilty of. Items required: 30 seconds game, timer, cards, games board Activity: Play 30 seconds using the cards provided with words to describe, use board for progress and egg-timers for 30 seconds. 7Day Challenge (Learning to walk with Jesus 7 days a week). Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.