Lesson 4: Doing good in secret.
Passage: Matthew 6:1-4 - Jesus taught his followers to be careful not to do their good deeds publicly, in order to be seen and praised by others. When giving to the needy, they shouldn’t do so like hypocrites who just want recognition, or else they will get no reward from God and their only reward will be the admiration of others. Instead of showing off their good deeds, they should do them secretly, without any fanfare. If they do so, then God, who sees what’s done in secret, will reward them.
Big Idea: Doing good out of a pure heart.
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: Run Baby Run — Activity Leader
Kids sing and following along to an action song ("Run Baby Run")
Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFnYq2pMDbs
Lyrics: https://www.songfacts.com/facts/caspar-babypants/run-baby-run
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is our fourth Sunday talking about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which is all about the lessons that Jesus taught to his followers from the side of a mountain.
So far, we've learned about how Jesus said that we should spread God’s goodness in the world like sprinkling salt on food or shining light in the dark; about how we shouldn’t make promises we can’t keep, but instead we should always try to speak the truth; and about how we should be kind even to people who aren’t kind to us.
Those are a lot of big lessons to learn!
Today we’re going to learn about what Jesus said about doing good things and giving to those who need help. Let’s watch the video to find out more about that…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Questions — Bible Story Leader
Do you remember what Jesus said about doing good things for others?
When we do good things, should we show off to everyone and say “Look at me, I’m such a good person”? What should we do instead?
Why do you think Jesus said we should do good things for others quietly instead of doing it for everyone to see?
Do you think Jesus cares more about how many good things we do or about what’s in our hearts?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today from Jesus, about how when we do good things for others or give to those who are in need, we shouldn’t do it just to show off how good we are. Instead, we should do it with a pure heart - because we want to help people and do what’s right. Please fill us with your love and help us to show your goodness to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Paper Pinwheels — Activity Leader
Pre-cut paper will be provided for the kids to decorate and put together into a pinwheel with the help of the classroom leaders.
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.
Warm Up Activity: Would You Rather — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in the middle of the room. Ask them "would you rather" questions, and point to the side of the room that the kids have to run to depending on which they prefer.
Ideas: Be strong or smart / Visit the doctor or dentist / Clean your room or bathroom / Wear a clown nose or a cowboy hat / Be able to fly or be invisible / Be a good dancer or singer / Feed an elephant or alligator / Always summer or winter / Do art or play outside / Be a pirate or ninja / Listen to music or read a book / Eat broccoli or carrots / Explore the oceans or outer space / Have a picnic or go to a restaurant / Talk to animals or control the weather
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is our fourth Sunday talking about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount - which is all about the lessons that Jesus taught to his followers from the side of a mountain.
Does anyone remember some of the things we learned so far about what Jesus taught in his sermon?
First we learned about spreading God’s goodness in the world like sprinkling salt on food or shining light in the dark
Next, we learned about how we shouldn’t make promises we can’t keep, but instead we should be truthful and say exactly what we mean
Lastly, we learned about how we should be kind even to people who aren’t kind to us.
Today we’re going to learn about what Jesus said about doing good and giving to those who need help. Let’s watch the video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Questions — Bible Story Leader
Does anyone remember what Jesus said about how we should do good things for others?
Should we do it really loudly so everyone else can see and hear what we’re doing? What should we do instead?
Why do you think Jesus wants us to do good things quietly and in secret, instead of loudly and for everyone to see?
Do you think Jesus cares more about how many good things we do or about what’s in our hearts?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount about how when we do good things for others or give to those who are in need, we shouldn’t do it just to show off how good we are. Instead we should do it with a pure heart - because we want to help people and do what’s right without anyone having to see it. Please fill us with your love and help us to show your goodness to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Paper Pinwheels — Activity Leader
Pre-cut squares of paper will be provided for the kids to decorate and assemble into pinwheels. Classroom leaders may need to help with assembling.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Welcome the kids to class, ask how their week was.
Warm Up Activity: Would You Rather — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in the middle of the room. Ask them "would you rather" questions, and point to the side of the room that the kids have to run to depending on which they prefer.
Ideas: Be strong or smart / Visit the doctor or dentist / Clean your room or bathroom / Wear a clown nose or a cowboy hat / Be able to fly or be invisible / Be a good dancer or singer / Feed an elephant or alligator / Always summer or winter / Do art or play outside / Be a pirate or ninja / Listen to music or read a book / Eat broccoli or carrots / Explore the oceans or outer space / Have a picnic or go to a restaurant / Talk to animals or control the weather
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is week four of our series on the Sermon on the Mount, where we’ve been talking about some of the teachings of Jesus from the famous sermon he preached from the side of a mountain.
Can anyone remember any of the lessons we've learned so far from Jesus' sermon?
First, we learned about how Jesus said we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, meaning that we should spread God’s goodness in the world like sprinkling salt on food or shining a light in a dark room
Next, we learned about swearing oaths, and how we shouldn’t swear oaths at all, but should simply say yes or no and mean what we say
Finally, we learned about turning the other cheek and how when others try to hurt us, we shouldn’t react by trying to hurt them back, but by showing them God’s way of peace
Today we’re going to be learning about what Jesus said about doing good deeds and helping the needy. Let’s watch today’s video to find out more about that…
Video Lesson —Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Questions — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone say in their own words Jesus’ teaching on doing good and giving to the needy?
Why do you think he taught us to do good deeds privately instead of publicly?
If someone did something good for someone else, and then started telling everyone they could what a good thing they did, what would you think about their motives for doing that good thing?
What if you had a friend who did nice things for you, but then always expected you to do something for them in return? Would you think that they did it because they really care about you or because they want something from you
At the end of the day, do you think Jesus cares more about how many good things we do, or about what's in our hearts? Why do you think that is?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
"Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount about how when we do good deeds we should do them privately and not for show. Please help us to have pure hearts that really love and care for people and do good things with the right intentions, not to be praised for it but out of love for others and for you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Paper Pinwheels — Activity Leader
Squares of paper will be provided for the kids to decorate and assemble into pinwheels.
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?
Do you think that some people only do good things to show off how good they are? What did Jesus say about that?
Why do you think Jesus taught us to do good things quietly or secretly?
What are some good reasons why we should do nice things for others?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Do you think sometimes people can do good things for the wrong reasons?
Do you think trying to show off is a good or bad reason for doing good deeds for others? Why?
What do you think are some better reasons for doing good and helping others?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Do you think our motives for doing good deeds matters? Why or why not?
What do you think are some good and not so good reasons for helping others?
What did Jesus say about those who only do good deeds in order to show off?
Why do you think Jesus cares so much about the motives in our hearts?
