Jesus and the Children

Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16

The children loved to spend time with Jesus.

But the disciples didn’t understand.  They said, “Stop.  Do not bother Jesus.  He is just too busy.”

Jesus told the disciples, “Let the children come to me.  Do not keep them away.  You must become like these little children if you want to enter God’s kingdom.”

Then Jesus blessed the children.  

Discussion Questions

• Did the disciples want the children to bother Jesus? No, they said he was too busy

• What did Jesus tell the disciples? “Let the children come to me”

• Did he tell them they must become like little children if they wanted to enter God’s kingdom?  Yes

• Does God love everyone?  Yes

• Did Jesus bless the children?  Yes

Prayer

Dear God,  thank you for this story.  Thank you for loving us and we pray that we can show your love to others.  Amen

Memory Verses

“‘Be kind and loving to each other.”  Ephesians 4:32

Song:  Jesus Loves the Little Children

Jesus loves the little children

All the children of the world

Red, brown, yellow

Black and white

They are precious in His sight.

Jesus loves the little children

Of the world.

Jesus died for all the children

All the children of the world

Red, brown, yellow

Black and white

They are precious in His sight.

Jesus died for all the children

Of the world.

Jesus rose for all the children

All the children of the world

Red, brown, yellow

Black and white

They are precious in His sight.

Jesus rose for all the children

Of the world.

Craft:  Jesus Loves the Little Children Collage

Supplies: Pages from magazines that have pictures of babies and children, 9 x 12 inch construction paper, Glue, and Scissors.

Directions:  Have children cut out pictures of babies and children and glue on construction paper.  

Remind them that God loves children.

A Captain's Faith

Matthew 8:5-13

Jesus came down the mountain to a nearby city.

Crowds of people gathered to see him.

An army captain said, “Lord Jesus, my servant is very sick.  Please, will you help him?”  Jesus said, “I will go to your house and heal him.”

The captain replied, “You do not need to go to my house.  Just say the word and my servant will be healed.”

Jesus was amazed. “I have not found anyone whose faith is so strong,” he said.  Then Jesus said to the captain, “Go! Your servant is healed.”

The captain ran home.  He was happy to see his servant well again!

Discussion Questions

• Jesus came down from the mountain and was met by who? An army captain

• What did the army captain need? His servant was very sick and need healed.

• What did Jesus say?  I will go to your house and heal him

• Did the army captain need Jesus to go to his house?  No, he told Jesus just say the word and he will be healed.

• The army captain had faith in Jesus?  Yes

Prayer

Dear God, I believe in You. I know that You made me. I want to learn more about You each day. Help me to grow stronger in my faith so that I can share by beliefs with others. Amen 

Memory Verses

“‘Be kind and loving to each other.”  Ephesians 4:32

Craft:  Faith Necklaces

Materials: Wooden crosses, 24” Yarn pieces, Straw pieces (cut up)

Directions: Give each child a yarn piece and a cross. String the yarn through the cross. String on the straw pieces like beads. When finished, tie the yarn to keep all the pieces from falling off. 

Tell the children how a cross can remind them of Jesus. When we wear a cross we let others know that we believe in Jesus and love Him.