Lesson 4: Following Jesus’ footsteps.
Passage: Mark 10:35-45 - James and John approached Jesus to ask him a favor. They wanted him to give them the most honored seats in the kingdom, on Jesus’ right and left sides. Jesus asked them if they were able to go through the same sufferings that he would have to go through, and they answered “Yes.” Jesus then said that even though they really would have to suffer just like him, he still wasn’t able to promise them the most honored seats. The other disciples were angry at James and John for asking for this, and Jesus reminded them that those who want to be the greatest among them need to learn how to be humble and a servant to all, just as Jesus came not to be served but to serve.
Big Idea: Challenges are part of the journey.
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: Hot Potato — Activity Leader
Children will sit in a circle and pass the ball or beanbag around while music plays in the background.
If you drop the ball, you’re out. When the music stops, the person holding the “hot potato” is out. The last person left is the winner.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is our last day talking about the Kingdom of God.
What are some things that you learned about God’s kingdom? Where is it found? Who is the king? What is he like? How is everyone treated in the kingdom?
Today we’ll find out about how even though God’s kingdom is a really awesome place, there are still some hard parts about following Jesus.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can you remember what James and John were asking Jesus to do for them in the kingdom?
When Jesus asked them if they were able to go through the same problems and troubles that Jesus would have to go through… what did they say? And what did Jesus say after that?
Do you ever have any problems and hard times? What are some of them? Who can help you when you’re having a hard time?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for what we learned today about how everyone goes through hard times, and when we follow Jesus we will still sometimes have problems to face. Thank you that you are always with us even when we are having problems, and we also have others that we can talk to and who can help us too. Please teach us to help each other whenever we see others having a hard time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Craft: Kindness Box — Activity Leader
Little craft boxes will be available for kids to expand and decorate. They can pick quotes/pictures of different acts of kindness to it in their box to give to others or to remind them to do for others.
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: Hot Potato — Activity Leader
Children will sit in a circle and pass the ball or beanbag around while music plays in the background.
If you drop the ball, you’re out. When the music stops, the person holding the “hot potato” is out. The last person left is the winner.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is the last day for our series on the Kingdom of God.
What are some things you’ve learned about the kingdom of God so far?
Today we’re gonna find out that even though God’s kingdom is a really awesome place and Jesus is a great king… it still might not always be sunshine and rainbows when we follow Jesus.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What was the favor that John and James asked from Jesus? What did Jesus ask them in response? What was their answer?
What do you think about the idea that following Jesus also means going through struggles and hardships just like Jesus did? What were some hardships Jesus faced?
What do you think are some hard parts about being a Christian and following Jesus? Do you think it’s worth it to have those struggles and challenges? Why / why not?
Who can we turn to when things get hard?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for all the things we’ve learned about your kingdom and what it is like. Thank you that Jesus is such a great king who loves and cares for us, showing us the way of peace and humility and serving one another. Even though following Jesus might not always be an easy road, we know that you are there for us every step of the way. We also have each other to lean on, and I pray that you will teach us how to be a good friend when we see others struggling. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Craft: Kindness Box — Activity Leader
Little craft boxes will be available for kids to expand and decorate. They can pick quotes/pictures of different acts of kindness to it in their box to give to others or to remind them to do for others.
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 : Bob the Weasel — Activity Leader
Kids will stand in a circle with one kid in the middle. The group will be given an object (Bob the Weasel) to pass around behind their backs, trying not to let it be spotted by the kid in the middle. That kid has three chances to find out who has the weasel.
The kids will chant “Bob the weasel, keep it going, keep it going” as they pass along the object.
See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8dYHs8R5S0
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is the last day of or kingdom series.
What are some things you’ve learned about the Kingdom of God so far? What were some new or surprising thing to you? What do you think is the best thing about it?
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What was the favor that James and John asked Jesus to do for them in the kingdom? What did Jesus ask them in response? What was their answer?
What do you think about the fact that Jesus asked them if they were willing to suffer like him, only to say that even though they really will suffer like him, he still can’t give them the best seats? (Suggestion: maybe getting the best seats and being honored for how much you struggled shouldn’t be the point in the first place)
What were some of the things that Jesus suffered in his lifetime? What were some things the disciples faced?
Do you think that following Jesus is always easy or should always be easy? What are some things that might be difficult about following Jesus’ way?
What can we do when we find following Jesus to be too hard, or when we go through lots of hardships in life?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for all the things we’ve learned about your kingdom and what it is like. Thank you that we have a great king likeJesus, who loves and cares for us, and who was willing to even give up his own life for our sakes. We know that following him won’t always be an easy road, but we know that you are there for us every step of the way and that you fill our lives with others who can be there for us too. Please teach us to be that friend to others when we see them going through their own struggles. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Craft: Kindness Box — Activity Leader
Little craft boxes will be available for kids to expand and decorate. They can pick quotes/pictures of different acts of kindness to it in their box to give to others or to remind them to do for others.
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?
Why do you think James and John wanted to have the best seats in the kingdom next to Jesus? What did Jesus say when they asked him for this?
Why do you think that Jesus said that they would have to go through lots of hard times just like him?
What are some hard things you’ve gone through? Have you seen others have hard times too?
What can you do when you’re having problems? How can we be a good friend to others?
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What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
What was it that James and John asked Jesus to do for them? Why do you think they really wanted the best seats in the kingdom? What was Jesus’ response?
What do you think about the fact that Jesus told his disciples that they would have to go through lots of hardships just like him?
What are some things about following Jesus that are difficult or challenging?
What are some things that can help us face those challenges? How can we help others when we see them going through difficult times?
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What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
What was James and John’s request to Jesus? What was Jesus’ response to them?
What do you think of Jesus telling them that they would have to go through hardships just like him, but he still couldn’t promise them the best seats?
Do you think that it’s easy following Jesus? What are some challenges that we might face as we try our best to follow his way in the world?
Do you think that following Jesus is still worth it even if the road might be hard sometimes? What are some things that can help us through those difficult times?
