LEADERS HUB
Year 1, Term 2, Week 1: Ideas for Junior Group
Week 1: Serving God - Saved by Faith!
Lesson Objective:
We are saved through faith by the grace of God because Jesus died on the cross- not because we have done anything to earn it.
Bible Passage:
Matthew 19:16-26
Memory Verse:
Ephesians 2:8-9- You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own.
Story Idea: Act it Out!
Have two leaders act out the story of the rich young man, use costumes from the cupboard:
- Jesus ( white robe, shepherds hat etc.)
- Rich man (coloured robe, jewels/beads, fancy hat etc.)
Tell the kids that one day Jesus' disciples were with him when a rich man came to ask him an important question! Jesus should stand to one side while the rich man comes to talk to him:
Rich man: Teacher, what do I need to do to live in Heaven forever?
Jesus: If you want to live forever in Heaven, you must obey God's commandments!
Rich man: Which ones?
Jesus: Don't steal, don't tell lies, obey your parents, don't hurt people, and love others as much as you love yourself!
Rich man: But I think I have done all of these things Jesus!
Jesus: If you want to be perfect, then you should sell all you have and give it to the poor - that would be the really loving thing to do!
Rich man: (Looks very sad) But... But... I have so much, I don't want to just give it all away... (Walks away sadly)
Jesus: (To group) Jesus turned to his disciples and said.... It is very hard for someone who is rich to follow all of God's commandments... It's harder than fitting a huge (hold arms out) camel through a tiny (hold fingers close together) end of a needle! Jesus' disciples were AMAZED ... 'It seems like it's impossible for a person to get to Heaven they said' ... 'How can anyone obey God's rules ALL THE TIME?' .... Well, that's just the thing, it's NOT possible for anyone to get to Heaven on their own because nobody can be perfect all the time!... I, Jesus, I'm the one that makes it possible for everyone to get to Heaven!
Quiz Questions:
1. What did Jesus say the rich man had to do to get to Heaven? Obey ALL of God's commandments
2. Did the rich man think he had done this? Yes
3. The rich man had a LOT of money and didn't want to share it with poor people, so do you think He was really loving everyone like he loved himself? No
4. Can anyone obey God's commands ALL the time? No
5. So if we can't get into Heaven by ourselves, who helps us? Jesus
6. What did Jesus do to pay for our sins so we could be with Him in Heaven? Died on the cross
Game Idea: Corn hole game!
Before the lesson:
- Cut a hole in an old sheet, towel or piece of cardboard, large enough for a tennis ball to fit through but not a basketball
- Gather some small balls, one large ball (basket or soccer ball) and markers (cupboard)
For the game:
- Leaders hold up the sheet and place markers back from it
- Kids take turns throwing the little balls to try and get them through the hole
- If they are having difficulty, move the kids closer or tilt the sheet more horizontally so that the ball can roll across more easily and fall into the hole
- Ask for one volunteer to try something harder - then see if they can get the big ball through the hole
Remind the kids that Jesus said it was harder for a rich person to get into Heaven than it is for a huge camel to get through a small hole - just like you can't get the basketball through the hole in the sheet! We can't get to Heaven by ourself but Jesus made it possible by dying on the cross for us!
Craft Idea: Camel Threading!
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Before the lesson:
- Download and print the camel threading template and cut around the oval
- Punch holes around the border
- Cut lengths of wool (50-60 cm should be enough) and wrap some sticky tape around one end to aid threading
- Tape the other end of the wool to the back of the project
Have the kids:
- Thread their wool around the edge of the oval, then stick the other end of the wool to the back
- Colour in their picture
Remind the kids that God made it possible for us to be part of His Kingdom by sending Jesus to die for us!
Activity Idea: Sing 'Follow Me'
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Play the following youtube video and have the kids sing along and do the actions as below:
Jesus said 'Come follow Me!' Mark 1 Verse 17
Point to sky Pull arm towards you (come motion) Open hands like reading book
With my heart, and what I say I will follow Jesus everyday!
Use hands to make heart shape Pull palms away from mouth March on spot
Over here.... Over there.... I will follow Jesus everywhere!
Walk left Walk right March on spot
Remind the kids that Jesus made it possible for us to be part of God's kingdom, so we should follow Him!
