Lesson 4: Making big sacrifices.
Passage: Matthew 16:21-26 - Jesus explains to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, where he will suffer many things before being killed and on the third day raising back to life again. Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked him, saying that this would never happen to him. Jesus responds by calling Peter a stumbling block to him, and that Peter has in mind human concerns rather than God’s concerns. Jesus goes on to explain to his disciples they too must deny themselves and take up their own crosses in order to follow him, but that in being willing to lose their life for his sake, they will in fact find it.
Big Idea: Jesus’ sacrifice and ours.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
-
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: Storytime — Activity Leader
Read: What Is God Like?
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is the last week of our Sports Network lessons!
Our coaches have been sharing some important messages with us, like what to do when we feel left out; how to watch out for wrong ideas; and about how it’s what’s on the inside that really counts.
Today our coach will be talking about making sacrifices… That’s a pretty big word that means giving up something so you can get something else!
Sometimes we have to give up something because something else is much more important. Let’s watch our video to learn more about making sacrifices…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Have you ever had to give up something before? Maybe you had to give up one of your toys so that you could share it with someone else. Or maybe you had to give up some of your playtime so that you could take a nap and feel nice and rested again.
Do you think it’s a little bit hard to have to give up or let go of something that’s special to you, like your favourite toy or extra playtime?
In the video we learned that Jesus gave up a lot so that he could show us how much God loves us. How does it feel to know that Jesus loved you so much that he would give up everything for you?
Do you have any ideas for ways you can show someone you care about them this week?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today about sometimes we have to do hard things, like giving up something special in order to get something else that’s even more important. Like giving up our favourite toy so we can share it with someone else and show them we care about them. Thank you that Jesus showed us how much God loves us by giving up everything he had for us. Please help us to see the different ways we can show others God’s love too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Open Hands Craft — Activity Leader
A piece of paper with a printed verse will be provided. Kids can trace their hands over it, cut them out, and decorate them.
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.
-
Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit near the TV. Welcome them to class. Introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Storytime — Activity Leader
Read: What Is God Like?
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is the last week of our Sports Network series, where we’ve had motivational coaches coming on the show to share some important and encouraging messages with us.
Does anyone remember any of the coaches we’ve seen so far? What were some of the messages they shared?
Today we’ll be hearing a message about making big sacrifices. That means having to give up something to get something else that’s more important.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
In the video we learned about making sacrifices… what are some sacrifices that you have to make if you’re someone who plays sports?
Can you think of a time when you had to give something up to get something else? Was it worth it to you?
What was the big sacrifice that Jesus had to make in the Bible story? Why do you think he did it?
What are some sacrifices that we might have to make when we follow Jesus?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the message we heard today about making sacrifices. There will be times in our lives when we have to give something up for the sake of something more important. Thank you that we have Jesus as our example, and that Jesus was willing to give up everything, even his own life, to show us God’s love for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Open Hands Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will fold a brown piece of paper in half and trace their hands on one half. They will then cut it out so that when they unfold it, it is two connecting hands.
They will also make a heart this way, and glue one of the printed verses onto it.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
-
Welcome — Activity Leader
Welcome the kids to class, introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Scattergories — Activity Leader
Quickly fill out a category list with answers that begin with the same letter. You score points if no other player matches your answer.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is the last week of our Sports Network series! In this series we’ve had some motivational coaches coming on the show to share some important messages with us.
Can anyone remember some of the messages we’ve heard so far?
Today’s topic is going to be all about making sacrifices. Can anyone tell me what it means to make a sacrifice?
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What are some sacrifices that athletes often have to make? Why do you think they’re willing to make those sacrifices?
What are some things that you’ve had to give up for the sake of something else that’s more important?
What was the big sacrifice that Jesus made in the Bible? Why do you think he was willing to do that?
What are some sacrifices that we might have to make as we follow Jesus?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the message we heard today about making sacrifices, and how sometimes it’s necessary in life to give up something for the sake of something more valuable. Thank you that we have Jesus as our example, who was willing to sacrifice everything, even his own life, for our sake, to show us just how much God loves us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Open Hands Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will fold a brown piece of paper in half and trace their hands on one half. They will then cut it out so that when they unfold it, it is two connecting hands.
They will also make a heart this way, and glue one of the printed verses onto it.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
-
What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
Have you ever had to give up something that was yours to share it with someone else?
How does it feel to do something nice for someone else even if you have to give up something to do it?
Has anyone else ever given up something so that they could share it with you too? How did that feel?
Do you think it would have been hard for Jesus to give up everything, even his own life, for us? Why do you think he did that?
-
What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
Did you learn about the word sacrifice? What does that mean?
Have you ever had to give something up that was special to you? Why did you do it? Did you feel like it was worth it?
Can you think of a time when someone else gave something up for you? Like maybe a friend gave you something of theirs that was special to them?
Do you think it was hard for Jesus to give up everything, even his own life, for our sake? Why do you think he did that?
-
What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
What are some big or small sacrifices that you’ve had to make in your life?
What do you think is something worth sacrificing for?
What was it that Jesus had to sacrifice in the Bible story? Why do you think he was willing to do it?
Do you think it costs something to be a follower of Jesus? What does it cost?
