Lesson 2: Jesus visits the temple.
Passage: Matthew 21:12-17 - Jesus and his followers go to the temple in Jerusalem where he turns over the tables of the moneychangers and sellers, incensed that they were turning God’s “house of prayer” into a “den of robbers.” He then heals all the blind and lame who come to him, and the children start shouting praises. When the religious leaders get indignant by this, he reminds them the Scriptures which says that from the lips of children and infants, God has called forth praise.
Big Idea: Jesus calls us to come near to God.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Last Sunday we talked about how Jesus first arrived in the city of Jerusalem.
Does anyone remember that story? What was Jesus was riding on?
What did the people do when Jesus arrived?
Why do you think the people were praising Jesus?
Today we’ll be learning about another story from when Jesus was in Jerusalem, and the story goes like this…
One day Jesus went with his followers to the temple in Jerusalem and he saw that the people had set up tables and were buying and selling in there. Jesus was not happy when he saw this, and he starting pushing over the tables and benches. He said, “This is supposed to be a place of prayer, but instead you’re just taking people’s money.” Then, some people who were blind or paralyzed came to Jesus and he healed all of them. Even the little children that were there starting shouting praises to him, saying, “Praise to the Son of King David!” But the religious leaders were angry and demanded that Jesus make the children stop. Jesus replied, “Don’t you know that in the Bible it says that God has called even the children to bring praise.” Then he left to another place.
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Does anyone know what a temple is?
Why do you think Jesus was so angry when he saw people selling things at the temple?
What do you think this shows us about what kind of king Jesus is?
Why do you think prayer is so important?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we heard today about how Jesus came to the temple and made the people who were taking people’s money go away so that more people could come close to God and pray. Thank you that Jesus in the kind of king who loves and cares about us, and wants us to be able to be closer to God. Please help us remember that we are never too little to praise God, because even the little children were praising Jesus in the temple. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Hidden Image Craft — Activity Leader
Children will draw a hidden picture using white crayons and watercolor paint; they are welcome to make more than one if they’d like.
If a child is uninterested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
-
Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Last Sunday we talked about how Jesus first arrived in the city of Jerusalem.
Does anyone remember that story? What was Jesus was riding on?
What did the people do when Jesus arrived?
Why do you think the people were praising Jesus?
Today we’ll be learning about another story from when Jesus was in Jerusalem, and the story goes like this…
One day Jesus went with his followers to the temple in Jerusalem and he saw that the people had set up tables and were buying and selling in there. Jesus was not happy when he saw this, and he starting pushing over the tables and benches. He said, “This is supposed to be a place of prayer, but instead you’re just taking people’s money.” Then, some people who were blind or paralyzed came to Jesus and he healed all of them. Even the little children that were there starting shouting praises to him, saying, “Praise to the Son of King David!” But the religious leaders were angry and demanded that Jesus make the children stop. Jesus replied, “Don’t you know that in the Bible it says that God has called even the children to bring praise.” Then he left to another place.
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Does anyone know what a temple is?
Why do you think Jesus was so angry when he saw people selling things at the temple?
What do you think this shows us about what kind of king Jesus is?
Why do you think prayer is so important?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we heard today about how Jesus came to the temple and made the people who were taking people’s money go away so that more people could come close to God and pray. Thank you that Jesus in the kind of king who loves and cares about us, and wants us to be able to be closer to God. Please help us remember that we are never too little to praise God, because even the little children were praising Jesus in the temple. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Hidden Image Craft — Activity Leader
Children will draw a hidden picture using white crayons and watercolor paint; they are welcome to make more than one if they’d like.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Introduce yourself, welcome the kids to class. Ask kids about their weeks, and one interesting thing that happened this week.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be continuing our new series about the Good News of Jesus and what happen in his last days on earth.
Can anyone remember what happened in the story from last week when Jesus first arrived in Jerusalem?
Today we’ll be hearing another story from when Jesus was in Jerusalem and visited the temple.
Let’s watch our video for today to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Why do you think Jesus was so angry when he saw people selling in the temple?
What do you think that says about the values of the kingdom of God versus the values of the religious leaders in the temple? (They seemed more interested in making money off of people, whereas Jesus was more interested in inclusivity and welcoming everyone to come to God)
And what do you think it says about what kind of king Jesus is?
What are some ways that we can exemplify this kind of attitude in our own lives?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we learned today about when Jesus came to the temple, and sent away the people who were turning it into a marketplace. Thank you that you are a God who is accessible to everyone, no matter who were are, where we come from, or how much we have. Please help us to learn to be more like Jesus, by including others and bringing them closer to God, not pushing them away. Thank you that even our age is no barrier to you, and that no matter how old or young we are, you call each of us to come to near to you in prayer and praise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Hidden Image/Message Craft — Activity Leader
Children will draw a hidden picture or message using white crayons and watercolor paint; they are welcome to make more than one if they’d like.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Why was Jesus so mad that people were selling in the temple?
Do you think God cares more about how much money we can give or about what’s in our hearts?
What kind of hearts do you think God wants us to have?
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Did you learn something about Jesus in class today? What was the story all about?
Why was Jesus so mad that they were selling in the temple?
What do you think it shows us about what Jesus cares about?
What kind of people do you think Jesus wants to be able to come to God in prayer or praise?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Why do you think people selling in the temple was so insulting to Jesus?
What were the religious leaders insulted by?
What do you think that says about the difference between Jesus and the other religious leaders and their priorities?
