KIDS Small Group Lesson
Week FIVE: Sermon on the Mount
Character to Cultivate: Courage to be Set Apart
SHARE IT
Today we are going to read a passage in the Bible where Jesus is preaching and teaching us about the values He cares about. Read the Sermon on the Mount (the Beatitudes) found in Luke 6:17-26 or Matthew 5: 1-12:
5Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,2and he began to teach them. He said:
3Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called children of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11Blessed are you when people insult you,persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.12Rejoice and be glad,because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
**To keep younger kids interested, you could have an older kid act out the verse as you read it.
Discussion:
Why did Jesus give us the Beatitudes? to guide us, to point us in the right direction, to teach us the values that Jesus cares about, etc.
What does the world (television, magazines, people who don’t know Jesus, etc) think is important? lots of money, big house, beautiful clothes, eating the best food, having lots of friends, being the best, being first, etc.
Why does Jesus teach us that the COMPLETE OPPOSITE is true? Jesus is not focused on the things of this world which are temporary but on eternal life.
Why is it so hard sometimes to keep the Beatitudes (to be meek, to be merciful, to be persecuted because of righteousness, etc.)? answers will vary
SAY IT
The Beatitudes may be hard to follow but Jesus tells us we will be blessed if we follow His lead. In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord is trying to lift our thoughts above worldly ideas to a spiritual level. Taking the people up on a mountain represents this. Jesus teaches us how to live a righteous life. To live this righteous life set apart from the world, takes courage!
Memory Verse: Matthew 5:6, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
FEEL IT
Jesus teaches us the opposite of what the world teaches us. This is the GREAT Reversal of our mindset. Jesus tells us that being persecuted or having people say bad things about you because of Jesus is a good thing. He tells us that we are blessed when we mourn or cry. The world does not teach us this. Have kids try to do tasks backwards or upside down.
Tasks:
1. Figure out how to say each kids name backwards.
2. Walk backwards.
3. Crawl backwards.
4. Hop backwards.
5. Challenge the kids to say their ABC’s…..backwards!
6. Have the kids try to read something upside down.
7. Jump rope backwards.
8. Write your name with left hand.
9. Have 2 kids try to play catch with their backs to each other.
MAKE IT
Each child can pick out a favorite verse from the Beatitudes and then draw a picture depicting that verse. You could have each child pick a different verse then put your “Beatitudes” book together.
**younger kids can color a coloring page.
EAT IT
Make a “Bee” snack for our “Beatitudes. You will need Keebler Chocolate Fudge Grahams, Yellow icing, and White Fudge Dipped Pretzels for the wings. Pipe yellow stripes on the Fudge Grahams and allow the icing to set for a few minutes. Then attach the pretzel wings.
As you eat these snacks, discuss with the kids that we will “be” blessed when we follow God’s lead. We need to remember to “be” set apart from the world.
To simplify this snack: have Post honeycomb cereal as your snack.
PRAY IT
Thank Jesus for being a great example of righteousness and love.
Acknowledge when and why you have lacked the courage to be righteous or set apart in the past.
Ask Jesus to give you the wisdom and courage to remain strong when people make fun of you because you love Him and follow Him.
PLAY IT
Challenge the kids to a game opposite of Musical Chairs. As Christians we do things different than the world. We think opposite. Play a game of "Silent Chairs," where the kids walk around in silence and dash for a chair when the music comes on.
APPLY IT
Ask kids if there is a time where they felt really hungry or thirsty and complained to their mom or dad. Tell them next time they feel hungry or thirsty, they should use that as a reminder that we should be “hungering and thirsting for righteousness.” When we remain righteous and follow God’s lead, we are blessed!!!!