Lesson 1: Jesus the Messiah.
Passage: Matthew 16:13-20 - One day, Jesus asked his disciples to tell him who people say that he is. They answered that some say he is John the Baptist, others say that he is Elijah, and still others say that he is Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Jesus then asks who they think he is, and Peter responds that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God. Jesus blesses Peter for this answer, because he learned it from God and not from people, and then gives him the “keys” to the kingdom of heaven.
Big Idea: A different kind of king.
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 and introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Scribble Drawing— Activity Leader
Everyone begins with a piece of paper and marker. Draw a scribble on the paper (not too crazy, just a wacky line) then trade with the person beside you who will turn the scribble into a picture.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re starting something brand new! We’re going to be learning all about the Kingdom of heaven, and why it’s different from other kingdoms in the world.
Using your imagination, what do you think the kingdom of God is like?
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
In the video, who did they say is the king of the kingdom of God?
Do you think Jesus is a different kind of king than other kings in the world? How so?
What other things do you think are different or special about Jesus’ kingdom?
Where is this kingdom? Is it up in the clouds or down here on earth or maybe in our hearts?
Who do you think is invited to be in the kingdom of God?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we learned today about Jesus’ kingdom and how it is so special because Jesus is the king, and he is a good king who loves and cares for his people. Thank you for Jesus’ example of being peaceful and gentle. Please help us to follow him every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Craft: Kingdom House Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will be making their own house in God’s kingdom, based on the idea that the Father’s house has many rooms.
Pre-folded and cut paper houses will be available or this age group.
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit near the TV. Welcome them to class. Introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Scribble Drawing — Activity Leader
Everyone begins with a piece of paper and marker. Draw a scribble on the paper (not too crazy, just a wacky line) then trade with the person beside you who will turn the scribble into a picture.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we are starting a brand new series all about the kingdom of God and what makes it different from all other kingdoms in the world.
When you hear the words “kingdom of God” or “kingdom of heaven” - What comes to your mind? How would you imagine it?
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
There are many different ways that the Bible describes the kingdom of God. For example, Jesus says that it is like a house with many rooms. What do you think he means by that?
There’s also a part of the Bible where a man named John had a vision of the kingdom and it was like a great city with golden streets and walls made of crystal. What do you think this teaches us about what the kingdom is like?
In the video we watched, the kingdom of God kind of looks like the earth or a beautiful park because the Bible also describes it as a new earth or a new creation. What do you think of that idea of the kingdom of God?
What would you say makes the kingdom of God so special and different from other kingdoms in the world? What kind of king is Jesus like?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today about the kingdom of God, a place where Jesus is the king who is so different from other kings in the world because he really loves and cares for all his people, even sacrificing his own life for them. Thank you that this is the kind of king that we worship. Please help us to follow Jesus’ example of peace and love in our lives every day as we help to create the kingdom of God on the earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Craft: Kingdom House Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will be making their own house in God’s kingdom, based on the idea that the Father’s house has many rooms.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Welcome the kids to class, introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Group Doodle — Activity Leader
Kids will sit in groups of three or four around the tables.
Each group will have a marker with 3-4 strings attached and they have to work together to draw a picture, each person holding a string to keep the marker upright.
The leader should start with easy prompts such as a smiley face, house, etc.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we are starting a brand new series all about the kingdom of God and what makes it different from all other kingdoms in the world.
When you hear the words “kingdom of God” or “kingdom of heaven” - What comes to your mind? How would you imagine it?
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
In the Bible, there are a lot of different illustrations of the kingdom of God and what it’s like. For example, Jesus says that it is like a house with many rooms. What do you think he means by that?
In the book of Revelation, John has a vision of a great city coming down from heaven, with streets of gold and walls of crystal. What do you think that image tells us about what the kingdom is like?
In the video we watched, the kingdom of God looks a little bit more like the earth, or like a national park. That’s because the Bible also describes the kingdom of a new earth or new creation. What are your thoughts on that illustration of the kingdom?
What would you say makes God’s kingdom different from all the other kingdoms on the earth and what makes Jesus so different as a king?
If the kingdom of God is described as being here on earth and within our own hearts, what are some ways that we can start living within that kingdom now, or how can we be a part of God’s work in creating that kingdom on earth?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for all the things we learned and discussed today about the kingdom of God and what it is like. May the vision of this great kingdom inspire us in our everyday lives to live as citizens of this kingdom, this heavenly city, this new creation. Thank you that Jesus, the King we worship, is so different from all earthly kings because of his sacrificial love for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Craft: Kingdom House Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will be making their own house in God’s kingdom, based on the idea that the Father’s house has many rooms.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
What do you think the kingdom of God is like?
What kind of king do you think Jesus is like? Why is he different from other kings?
What do you think it would be like to live in Jesus’ kingdom?
How can we help make the world more like God’s great kingdom?Description text goes here
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What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
What are some different ways the Bible describes the kingdom of God?
What is your favourite way to think about the kingdom? Why?
What do you think makes God’s kingdom special and how is Jesus different from other kings?
What are some ways that we can start living like the kingdom of God is here on earth now?
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What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
What are some different Biblical illustrations of the kingdom of God?
Which illustration do you resonate with the most and why?
What do you think sets God’s kingdom apart from all other earthly kingdoms? What makes Jesus a different kind of king?
What are some ways we can be a part of God’s work in creating the kingdom of God on earth?
