Lesson 5: Hidden treasure and pearl.
Passage: Matthew 13:44-46 - Jesus told a parable about the kingdom of heaven being like treasure hidden in a field. A man found it, hid it again, and went and sold everything he owned in order to buy the field. Likewise, Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is like a valuable pearl which a merchant found. He then went away, sold everything he had, and bought it.
Big Idea: A valuable kingdom.
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: Fall Treasure Hunt — Activity Leader
The kinds will find all the hidden pictures in the room and mark them off of their bingo cards.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we're going to be learning about one more of Jesus' stories that he shared with his friends to teach them important lessons. Today's story is all about hidden treasure.
Can you think of something that is very very special and important to you? What is it?
Can you think of anything that you would be okay with giving up your special thing for? Would you give it up for candy? For a brand new toy?
Let's watch our video to find out about Jesus' story...
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What happened in the story that Nana Alex shared from when she was a child?
Have you ever gone on a really fun trip? What do you think would be the best trip ever?
What kind of things did Nana Alex do so that she could go on the trip? Why do you think she worked so hard for it?
In Jesus' story, what did he say the kingdom of heaven was like? What do you think he means by that?
Why do you think Jesus taught that being part of God's kingdom is so special? What's so good about it?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
"Dear God, thank you for the story of Jesus we learned about today and how it teaches us that there is nothing more important in the world than the kingdom of heaven. It is like hidden treasure or an expensive pearl. It's even worth giving up everything for because it means living in a world that's full of your goodness and love. Thank you that we can be part of your kingdom by making the world a more beautiful place. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Activity: Paper Mosaic — Activity Leader
Kids will glue different colored paper pieces onto their cardboard to create a beautiful mosaic.
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 in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Fall Treasure Hunt — Activity Leader
The kinds will find all the hidden pictures in the room and mark them off of their bingo cards.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we're going to be learning about one more of Jesus' stories that he shared with his friends to teach them important lessons. Today's story is all about hidden treasure.
Can you think of something that is very very special and important to you? What is it?
Can you think of anything that you would be okay with giving up your special thing for? Would you give it up for candy? For a brand new toy?
Let's watch our video to find out about Jesus' story...
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What happened in the story that Nana Alex shared from when she was a child?
Have you ever gone on a really fun trip? What do you think would be the best trip ever?
What kind of things did Nana Alex do so that she could go on the trip? Why do you think she worked so hard for it?
In Jesus' story, what did he say the kingdom of heaven was like? What do you think he means by that?
Why do you think Jesus taught that being part of God's kingdom is so special? What's so good about it?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
"Dear God, thank you for the story of Jesus we learned about today and how it teaches us that there is nothing more important in the world than the kingdom of heaven. It is like hidden treasure or an expensive pearl. It's even worth giving up everything for because it means living in a world that's full of your goodness and love. Thank you that we can be part of your kingdom by making the world a more beautiful place. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Activity: Carboard Mosaics — Activity Leader
Kids will glue gems onto their cardboard backdrop to create a beautiful mosaic.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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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: Towel Flip — Activity Leader
Divide the classroom into 3-4 teams. Each team will stand on a towel, leaving about a quarter of the blanket space. The teams will then have to flip over the towel without stepping off of it. They will have to work together to end up standing on the other side of the towel.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we're continuing our series on Jesus' parables, which were stories that he told to his followers to teach them important lessons about God and life.
Today's parable is about a man finding hidden treasure. Let's watch our to find out more...
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What happened in Nana Alex's story from her childhood?
Can you think of something that would be so valuable to you that you would give up anything for it?
In Jesus' story, what did he compare the kingdom of heaven to?
Why do you think the kingdom of heaven is so valuable and precious? How would you define the kingdom of heaven?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
"Dear God, thank you for the story of Jesus we learned today about the hidden treasure and the pearl, and how it teaches us that your kingdom is like valuable treasure that is worth giving up anything for. Thank you that we can be part of your kingdom simply by living our Jesus' ways and spreading God's goodness in the world through our every day actions. Please help us to live like citizens of your amazing kingdom by embodying its values of peace, love, joy and hope. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Activity: Cardboard Mosaics — Activity Leader
Kids will glue gems onto their cardboard backdrop to create a beautiful mosaic.
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?
What was Nana Alex was so excited about in her story?
What were some things she did so that she could go on that trip with her friend?
In Jesus' story, what was it that a man found? And what did he do when he found it?
What do you think Jesus meant when he said that the kingdom of heaven is like hidden treasure or an expensive pearl? What's so special about it?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What was Nana Alex was so excited about in her story?
What were some things she did so that she could go on that trip with her friend?
In Jesus' story, what did he compare the kingdom of heaven to? What do you think he means by that?
How would you describe the kingdom of heaven?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What was it that Nana Alex was so excited about? What did she do so that she could go on that trip with her friend?
Can you think of something that you would be willing to work really hard for or even give up some of your things for?
What did Jesus compare the kingdom of heaven to in his parables? What do you think that means?
Why do you think the kingdom of heaven is so valuable that it's worth giving up everything for? What does the kingdom of heaven mean to you?
