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 possible, invite the children’s parents and older family members to join you for the final 10 minutes of class. They will have an opportunity to speak blessings their children.
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.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
Mark 10:13–14, 16
In a culture where children were not highly valued, Jesus did the opposite of what others expected Him to do. He took the little children in His arms and blessed them. As a teacher, you can respond to the children you teach like Jesus did.
What do you know about each of your children’s daily lives? Are there adults who make them feel unimportant or unnoticed? For many, the answer is probably yes. Your role in their lives is very significant! Every week you can speak truth against the lie that children are not important. You show children they are important every time you teach them God’s Word, ask about their lives, and listen to their stories. This week, remember that you are doing work that is close to God’s heart. If you are feeling tired or worn out, pray for God to refresh your body, mind, and heart. May Jesus’ love for children flow freely from you!
Tell families that this week their children will learn about Jesus’ love and care for children. Many in your community might not consider children to be important. Encourage family members to take turns saying something they appreciate or admire about each person in their family. Also consider inviting family members to join you for the final 10 minutes of this week’s class to bless their children.
Teacher Tip: If possible, email or text the Family Connection Card to the families of your students.
Greet the children warmly by name, if possible, as they come into class. Divide the children into pairs. Have them talk about these questions with their partners:
Who are some important people you have heard about?
Choose one of the people you and your partner named. What would you say if you met that person? How do you think that person might speak to or treat you?
Have the pairs create simple skits to show what might happen if they met the important people they chose. One child will play the important person and the other will play herself. The skits should only be about 2 minutes long.
After about 2 minutes, ask 2–3 pairs to perform their skits for the class. (If you have time, have all the pairs perform. Each pair will tell the class who their important person is before they begin.
Many of the important people in your skits probably would not spend time with us if we asked them. If we were to ask for an appointment with these important people, they would probably say they are too busy to meet with us. If you saw them on the street, they might greet you, but they would probably not take the time to get to know you.
Optional: If possible, share the image from The Action Bible.
Most of you have heard the story before, but listen to hear what new thing God may speak to you or remind you of this time. Before I tell you the story of how Jesus treated children, I will teach you some motions to use during the story.
Demonstrate each gesture and have the children copy you.
As I tell the story, when I make a motion, you make it too.
People knew that Jesus was an important person because He was teaching and healing people. Some parents brought their children to see Him. They came to Jesus and His disciples and asked (asking motion) if Jesus would bless their children (blessing motion). A blessing is speaking God’s favour over someone.
The disciples thought Jesus was too busy and too important to spend His time with children. So they said no (refusing motion). They told the parents and children not to bother Jesus.
Jesus heard what the disciples said. He told the disciples that they were wrong. Jesus welcomed (welcoming motion) the children. He said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not stop them.” Then Jesus took the children in His arms and blessed (blessing motion) them.
This shows us how Jesus feels about spending time with children. Jesus is the most important person who ever lived. He was a great teacher and healer. But He also is the King and Son of God! And He wants to spend time with each person, including you!
This story is told 3 times in the Bible. That means it is very important. God wants us to know that children are important to Him.
Review the story with the children, using the motions as you ask these questions.
Optional, if you have time:
Tell this true story about a 4-year-old orphaned boy. It is a great example of a child realizing that Jesus cares about him and has time for him:
This is a true story. When Jasper was only 4, his parents were killed in a car accident, and he was sent to an orphanage. He was very angry with everyone. If a worker tried to hug him, he would pound on her back with his fists. He would not participate in anything. Then one day, a teacher told the same Bible story I told you today.
Before class, she had taped a picture of Jesus to half of a mirror. Each child took turns looking into the mirror and seeing himself with Jesus. When it was Jasper’s turn, he looked in the mirror and started to cry. He would not give the mirror back to the teacher. Instead he ran away holding it. That day he realized that Jesus had time for him. Jesus loved him.
The teacher let Jasper keep the mirror with the picture of Jesus on it. He slept with it. Almost a year later, he brought it back to the teacher. He told her, “Jesus wants someone else to use this now to know that Jesus loves him too.”
End of Option
Have children sit in a circle. Read Psalm 127:3 from your Bible or from this guide.
Show the Memory Verse poster if you are using it.
Children are a gift from the Lord. They are a reward from him.
Psalm 127:3, NIrV
According to this verse, how does God feel about children, including you?
Children are a gift, something to be welcomed. They are a reward.
Optional: If you are using Student Pages, have children fill out the certificates and take them home as a reminder of how God feels about them.
God cares about every child. He cares about you! You are a gift from Him to every person in your life, even if you do not feel important or special. In today’s story, Jesus blessed the children who came to Him. To bless someone is to speak God’s favour to that person. A blessing is also declaring God’s goodness to someone. Throughout the Bible, blessings are important. When we speak God’s truth and goodness over someone else, we agree with God’s love and will for that person.
Bring out the small stone.
We will show each other how important we are to Jesus by blessing one another as Jesus blessed the children in the story. We will pray the following words based on Psalm 127:3.
Give the stone to a child and say, “(Name), you are a gift from the Lord. Jesus always has time and love for you.”
The first child will give the stone to another child and bless her using the same words. The children will continue blessing each other until every child has received a blessing. The last child will bless you.
Optional, if the families were invited:
Let the families bless their own children instead of having the children bless each other. Tell the family members they can speak a blessing based on Psalm 127:3. If appropriate, they can gently set a hand on their child’s shoulder. In the Bible, spoken blessings were often accompanied by physical touch.
Blessing: “(Name), You are a gift from the Lord. Jesus always has time and love for you.”
Be sure to individually bless any child whose family is not in class. Your words are very important!
End of Option
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.
