Lesson 2: The widow’s offering.
Passage: Luke 20:45-21:4 - Jesus warned his disciples to beware of the teachers of the law who walk around in flowing robes and love being greeted with respect in the marketplace and having the most important seats in the synagogue and at banquets. These people, he said, take advantage of the poor and their religion is all for show. Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting gifts into the temple treasury as well as a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. He said to his disciples that this widow had given more than all the others, since the others gave out of their wealth but she, in her poverty, gave everything she had to live on.
Big Idea: Making sacrifices.
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: Hokey Pokey Song — Activity Leader
Play the hokey pokey song on YouTube and have the kids sing along while doing the actions.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is our second Sunday of our new series on the teachings of Jesus! Last week we learned about the story of the rich man who wanted to get eternal life. Jesus taught him an important lesson about generosity! This week we’re going to be hearing another one of Jesus’ messages.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
In this story we learned that Jesus was with his friends at the temple. Does anyone know what a temple is? (a place where people go to worship God)
But when they were there, Jesus warned his friends about the religious teachers… Can anyone remember what Jesus said those people were doing? (they were showing off and pretending to be good, but really they treated others badly)
Then what happened next in the story? What did Jesus see happening at the temple? (people were giving gifts of money to the temple and a poor woman gave two small coins)
What was the lesson that Jesus wanted his friends to learn from the poor women who gave her two coins?
What are some ways that we can also give our best to God, just like the poor woman in the story?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
"Dear God, thank you for the teaching of Jesus we learned about today about the poor woman who gave her very best to God. Sometimes giving our best is hard, like when we share our toys with others or we give up our playtime to help cleaning up. Please help us to think of ways we can do our best this week. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Activity: Paper Plate Purse — Activity Leader
Pre-stapled paper plates with be provided. Kids can decorate them and add string or pipe cleaners as a strap.
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 in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Four Corners Game — Activity Leader
Kids will run to a corner of the room. The leader will point to a corner with their eyes closed and the group of kids that are there will return to the carpet. Play until all kids return to the carpet.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is week 2 of our new series on Jesus’ teachings.
Can anyone remember the story that we learned about last week about the rich man who came to Jesus with a question?
What was the lesson that we learned from that story?
Today we’ll be hearing another story of Jesus and finding out what the lesson is that we can learn from it. Let's watch our video to find out more...
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
In the story, Jesus was at the temple with his disciples. Does anyone know what a temple is?
Jesus then started warning his disciples about the teachers of the law, the religious leaders. What was it that Jesus said they were doing?
Then Jesus saw a bunch of people coming and giving offerings to the temple, and one of those people was a poor widow. How much money did she give?
What did Jesus tell his disciples they can learn from the poor woman’s offering?
What does it mean to you to give your best to God? What are some ways we can do that?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
"Dear God, thank you for the teaching of Jesus we learned about today about giving our best to God, and that sometimes that means making sacrifices just like the poor woman in the story who offered everything she had. Please show us how we can learn from her example and also give our very best each day to you. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Activity: Felt Pouches — Activity Leader
Felt will be pre-cut into circles with holes added. Kids will string yarn or pipe cleaners through the holes to create their pouch.
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: Excuses Excuses Game — Activity Leader
The teacher of the class will be the leader each time. The kids will take turn either needing to provide an excuse for why they were late or miming out the actions behind the teacher to help their friend.
See video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDguw_qHYoM
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is week 2 of our new series on Jesus’ teachings.
Can anyone remember the story that we learned about last week about the rich man who came to Jesus with a question?
What was the lesson that we learned from that story?
Today we’ll be hearing another story of Jesus and finding out what the lesson is that we can learn from it. Let's watch our video to find out more...
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
In the story, Jesus was at the temple with his disciples. Can anyone tell us what a temple is?
Jesus then started warning his disciples about the teachers of the law, the religious leaders. What was it that Jesus said they were doing?
Then Jesus saw a bunch of people giving offerings to the temple, and one of those people was a poor widow. Can anyone remember how much money she gave?
What did Jesus tell his disciples they can learn from the poor woman’s offering?
What does it mean to you to give your best to God? Does giving your best sometimes mean making sacrifice? What are some examples?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
"Dear God, thank you for the teaching of Jesus we learned about today about giving our best to God, and that sometimes that means making sacrifices just like the poor woman in the story who offered everything she had. Please show us how we can learn from her example and also offer our very best each day. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Activity: Felt Pouches — Activity Leader
Kids will punch holes into felt and string yarn or pipe cleaners through the holes to create their pouch.
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?
Who were the people that Jesus warned his followers about? What was it that they were doing that wasn't right?
Then what did Jesus see people doing in the temple? What did he see a poor woman doing?
What was so amazing about this poor woman’s offering? Do you think she really gave more than anyone else? Why?
What do you think is the big lesson that Jesus was teaching?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Who were the people Jesus was warning his followers about at the beginning of the story? What was it that they were doing?
Then what happened next in the story? What did Jesus see happening in the temple?
Why do you think Jesus said that the poor woman gave more than anyone else even though she only gave two small coins?
What do you think is the big lesson that Jesus was trying to teach?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What was Jesus warning his followers about at the beginning of the story?
What was happening in the temple that Jesus pointed out?
Why do you think Jesus was so impressed by the poor woman’s offering?
What do you think is the message he was trying to teach his followers?
