During the lesson, the information for you to know is written in regular type, and what we suggest speaking or reading aloud to children is in bold. All resources for this lesson, including the Teacher Guide, Student Page, Family Connection Card, and other resources can be downloaded in a ZIP file by clicking on the following link:
In some lessons you will find "resource articles." These are articles written by experts from around the world to help equip you for your work with children and adolescents. Share them with parents or guardians if you consider it appropriate.
If you have a marker, before class write “treasured” on each small stone. If the stones are too small for the word, then draw a heart on each one.
And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Matthew 18:5
Jesus is in the business of changing hearts and lives. He has invited you to participate with Him as you teach the children each week. You are welcoming them in His name. In this verse, the word for “welcome” means approving, loving, treating with kindness, and helping in time of need. That is how Jesus wants to use you to welcome the children you teach each week. The time you are with them is to be transformational. You are welcoming these children and their families into a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Jesus welcomes you in the same way that He wants you to welcome the children you teach. He is your Shepherd who forgives you, protects you, and restores you to all He has created you to be. You are also a “little one” who He watches over because He treasures you. Pray for each child to know how much Jesus treasures him or her. And pray that you will also have a deeper understanding of how much He treasures you.
Let the families of your children know that for the next few weeks they will learn how God treasures children and invites them to participate in His big plan.
Teacher Tip: If possible, email or text the Family Connection Card to the families of your students.
Greet the children as they enter your class. Encourage them to share a high point and low point of the week with each other. Have the children stand in a circle. Explain that you will play a game of
keep-away.
Pick 3–5 children to stand in the centre of the circle. Give a child in the outside circle the ball or other small object. That child will toss the ball or object to someone else in the outer circle, keeping it away from those in the middle. The children in the middle will try to catch the object, either by grabbing it before it is caught or grabbing it if it is dropped. If a child in the middle catches the object, he or she can join the outer circle. Play for about 5 minutes or until all the children in the middle have joined the outer circle. When the game is finished, have the children sit down.
Sometimes children hear people say that they need to be kept away. Some people may say that children are not important or that they have nothing to share with others. But God has different thoughts. He treasures each child. He does not want children kept away from being part of His story. Today we will hear a story you have heard before about when the disciples tried to keep children away from Jesus. Listen for what God wants to speak to you through His Word today.
Have children sit with partners. Tell them you will read a verse and they will talk about it with their partners.
Today’s lesson shows us how God treasures children—and that means you! Listen to this verse.
If possible, read the verses below directly from your Bible so the children understand that these are the words of God. If you do not have a Bible, the verses are here for your reference.
If you are using the Memory Verse Poster, show it to the students.
Children are a gift from the Lord. They are a reward from him.
Psalm 127:3, NIrV
Discuss these questions with your partners.
What does this verse say you are?
Give the children 1–2 minutes to discuss this question.
How does it make you feel to hear this Bible truth?
Give the children 1–2 minutes to discuss this question. Then call on 2 children to share their ideas with the class. Follow this pattern for the next 2 Bible verses.
Children’s children are a crown to the aged.
Proverbs 17:6a
What does this verse say you are?
How does it make you feel to hear this Bible truth?
God says children are a gift to their parents. He also says they are like a crown to older people. He treasures you!
Optional: If possible, share the image from The Action Bible.
Now listen to this story you have heard before about when the disciples tried to keep children away from Jesus.
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Mark 10:13–16
What did the disciples do to the people trying to bring their children to Jesus?
The disciples rebuked them.
How did Jesus respond?
Jesus was indignant. He told the disciples to let the children come to Him. He said God’s kingdom belongs to those who receive it like a child.
Jesus said that people must receive the kingdom of God like a child.
What do you think Jesus meant?
Allow the children to offer their ideas before sharing the information below.
Jesus blessed the children. What does that show you about how He feels about children?
What do Jesus’ actions tell you about how He feels about you?
Jesus wanted everyone to understand how important children are. He did not want them or anyone else to hurt a child and cause that child to turn away from Jesus. Listen to what Jesus said another time about anyone who hurts a child.
And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Matthew 18:5–6
Jesus said that welcoming a child is like welcoming Him. This word for “welcoming” means to approve, love, treat with kindness, or help.
In these verses Jesus also says that causing a child who believes in Him to do or think wrong things is very bad.
What are some things a person can do to cause a child to sin?
Your children may mention some of these things: Someone can teach wrong things about Jesus and cause a child not to love Him anymore. Someone can force a child to do things that the child knows are wrong. Someone can live an evil life and cause a child to want to live that way instead of following Jesus.
Why do you think Jesus spoke so strongly against someone who damages a child’s trust in Him?
Jesus said that it would be better for someone to drown with a heavy stone around his neck than to lead a child away from God. That is a very strong warning. God truly treasures children. He truly treasures you!
Jesus loves children. The Bible verses we have read show us that God says children are gifts and are to be treasured.
Set out the decorated box.
This is a treasure box. Inside it are reminders that will help you to remember that God treasures you. When you treasure something you protect it and keep it safe. God feels that way about you.
If you believe what God says about you, come up to receive a reminder from this treasure box. You can keep this reminder with you so that when things are hard or you feel unimportant, you can remember what God says about you. After you get your reminder, go back and sit down.
If you are unsure that you believe that about yourself, you can still get a reminder from the box. As you have questions or thoughts about whether you can believe that God treasures you, hold on to this reminder and share your questions with God. Ask Him to show you the truth of how He treasures you. After you get your reminder, go back and sit down.
Allow a few minutes of quiet for the children to respond. If you can play music or sing a familiar song about Jesus’ love, do that while the children respond. Once the children have completed this activity, conclude the class with the following information.
The next time someone treats you badly or you are in a difficult situation, remember that God loves and treasures you.
Optional: If you are using Student Pages, the children can do a treasure activity on them.
Close class by speaking the blessing from Isaiah 43:4a and Deuteronomy 14:2 over the children.
Blessing: According to God, you are precious and honoured in His sight. You are a gift! When others mistreat you or when you do not feel loved, remember that God loves you. You are His treasured possession!
Lead the children in singing this quarter’s song, if possible.
Life on Life ©2020 David C Cook. Reproducible for home or classroom use only. All other uses require written permission from David C Cook [email protected]. All rights reserved.
