JUNIOR SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS
YEAR 1
LESSONS 21 - 40
Lesson 21The Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37
Aim:God wants us to show His love to everyone.
You will need – Bibles, pens/pencils, worksheet, pictures of children from magazines (e.g. Tear Fund, Blythswood,Compass).
Introduction
Show the pictures to the children and talk about them, giving some information about each – they may already know something about, for example, Dwelling Places or they may have helped fill Blythswood Shoeboxes and be interested in pictures of children receiving them.
Point 1 The question
Ask the children to find Luke 10:25. Explain that a clever lawyer came to Jesus asking Him how to inherit eternal life, and claiming that he had kept the Law. Read verse 27 together. Then he asked an awkward question, “Who is my neighbour?” verse 29. Ask the children the same question, “Who is your neighbour?” Accept their answers without comment at this stage.
Point 2 The Story
Jesus answered the question with a story. Explain that Jesus was a master story-teller and often used stories to explain things. Ask what this kind of story is called.
Tell the story dramatically, allowing children who know the story to help you tell it.
Then ask some questions:
- What happened to the man?
- Who came along first? (A “priest” or “minister” in our situation?). Why do they think he did not help?
- Who came along next? (A “Levite” or perhaps “elder”?) Surely he would help – can the children make any excuses for him?
- And then? The Samaritan was the least likely to help. Explain that Jews and Samaritans did not like each other (you might like to suggest a modern equivalent, e.g. rival football fans, or the children might suggest some others).
Read verses 33-35, and list all the things the Samaritan did for the wounded man.
Point 3The Answer
Jesus then asked the man which of the three was a neighbour to the poor man. What do they think the man replied? (Read verses 36 and 37 to check).
Ask the children again, “Who is your neighbour?” and this time discuss their answers.
Ask what Jesus asked the lawyer to do – verse 37b.
Ask the children to think of ways they could be good neighbours at home, at school, elsewhere. Perhaps they are already involved in projects mentioned at the start of the lesson. If not, you could suggest the class start one.
Pray with the children, thanking God for His love for us and ask His help to show His love to others.
Remember to include the Prayer Spot topics.
Help the children to complete the worksheet.
Lesson 22The Labourers in the Vineyard Matthew 20:1-16
Aim:To show that forgiveness can’t be earned, but is a free gift from God.
You will need – Bibles, pens/pencils, worksheet,three £2 coins (optional).
Introduction
Tell the children the following story (adapt it to suit your class).
John’s mum said that if he would hang out the washing and go to the shop for a long list of shopping, she would give him £2. John agreed and then set to work. When he got back he discovered that his two brothers who had stayed at home watching TV (apart from spending two minutes washing three mugs and putting a small bag of rubbish in the bin) had also been given £2.
Ask the children how they would feel if they were John. Say that was how some workers felt in a story Jesus told.
Point 1 The agreement
Set the scene, explaining the practice of workers gathering in the market-place waiting to be hired.
Read verses 1-7, allowing the children to read if they wish (be ready to help any who struggle). By question and answer establish:
- the first workers agreed their pay (a denarius was a day’s wage);
- the land-owner went out a total of five times, hiring workers each time;
- the last group worked for only an hour.
Point 2 The pay-out
Tell in your own words verses 8-12 and build up the story, showing the possible surprise (and pleasure) of the last workers on receiving their wages, and the anticipation of the first workers expecting to receive more. Discuss their reaction with the children. Ask them what they think about this.
Point 3The generous Master
Read the landowner’s explanation, verses 13-14, reminding the workers of their agreement, and discuss it with the children.
Point 4A loving God
Remind them that this is a story Jesus told to tell us about God’s Kingdom. Explain that no matter how hard we work no-one can earn a place in heaven. This is a gift freely given by a loving God to people who don’t deserve it – men and women, boys and girls, old and young, who have done wrong things, but who have come to Him to ask for His forgiveness – and no-one who comes to Him is ever turned away (John 6:37, 40).
Pray with the children, that they would ask for and receive God’s gift of forgiveness.
Remember to include the Prayer Spot topics.
Help the children to complete the worksheet.
Lesson 23The Parable of the Talents Matthew 25:14-30
Aim:To challenge us to use our gifts and possessions for God.
You will need – Bibles, pens/pencils, worksheet, paper.
Introduction
Ask the children to tell you something they are good at, and make a list. Remind them that God made us all different and we are good at different things: sport, maths, being a good listener, being helpful, etc. Be ready to encourage less confident children. If anyone mentions something that could safely be demonstrated, allow them to show you.
Point 1 Using the talents
Explain that this is another story Jesus told. (Check that the children remember the word ‘parable’).
With Bibles open tell the story of verses 14-18, going over what each servant was given and what he did with it. Explain that a talent was worth several hundred pounds. We are not told how the first two servants were able to double their money. The children might like to think up some ideas.
Read verse 18 together to check again what the third servant did with his money.
Point 2 The Master’s return
Read/tell what happened when the Master came back (verse 19 on) and notice that he had been away for a long time. Point out how pleased he was with the two servants who had doubled their money and that he offered them promotion and a ‘share of his happiness’ – perhaps a share in his business? (You could compare the same passage in ‘the Message’)
Point out that he said exactly the same thing to each of them, making no difference between their rewards and what they had been given at first.
Point 3The consequences of doing nothing
But what of the third servant? Ask what excuse he gave for doing nothing. (He believed his master was a hard man and was afraid to risk doing something wrong, so he did nothing). Point out that he didn’t even keep the talent, or put it in the bank where it would have at least earned some interest – you may have to explain how banks work! – instead he hid it. Tell how angry the master was with the third servant and what happened to him.
Point 4Using what we have
Remind the children that this is a parable Jesus told. Explain that God gives us things so that we can use them for Him; sometimes it is money, but it can also be other things: the kind of people we are, the things we can do, and the way we use our time. Ask the children to think about what they are good at and how they could use it for God. Explain that it does not matter how much or how little we have – it’s how we use it that matters to God, and our attitude to Him.
Pray with the children, thanking God for allthat He has given us, and asking His help to use our gifts wisely.
Remember to include the Prayer Spot topics.
Help the children to complete the worksheet.
(The children might like to think of a project to ‘make money work’, e.g. buy ingredients for tablet or biscuits, or materials for painting flower-pots, etc. to sell at a profit for ‘Dwelling Places’ or Blythswood or the Compass missionary project.)
LESSON 24 IS A REVISION LESSON USING THE NOTES FOR LESSONS 21-23
Lesson 25The Rich Fool Luke 12:16-21
Aim:To show that we should be storing riches in heaven.
You will need – Bibles, pens/pencils, worksheet, catalogues (e.g. Argos, money (coins or notes), mobile phone or similar.
Introduction
Show the children the catalogues, and tell them to imagine they have £20 to spend. Allow them to spend a few minutes choosing and discussing their choices.
Point 1 The Story
With all Bibles open, read dramatically the story of the Rich Fool (verses 16-21), while the children follow in their Bibles. Ask questions about the story, making sure that the children understand the narrative.
Point 2 The Rich Fool
Ask the children to look at the passage heading (in the NIV) or verse 20 (if you are using another version) to see how the man is described (a fool). Ask what he had planned to do, and by question and answer bring out that the man’s only interests were his crops, his money and an easy life, and that he had no thought for anything or anyone else.
Ask what the man had forgotten and help the children to see the futility of spending a lifetime doing nothing but amassing wealth that has to be left behind.
Point 3Riches in heaven
Ask the children if they think it’s wrong to be rich. Try to bring out that riches in themselves are not wrong (think of Abraham, Solomon, Lydia and others), but that it is our attitude to money and possessions that matter. Hold the coin, or mobile phone on the open palm of your hand and explain that this is how God wants us to think of our money and possessions – not like this (close your fist over them) Say that money in itself is not wrong, it’s the love of money that causes problems (1Timothy 6:10). It can be used for good – ask what the rich man could have done with his extra crops.
Ask the children to suggest ways of using money for good.
Remind the children that God gives us all good things to enjoy, but that He wants us to love Him first, and to share with and love other people too (1 Timothy 6:17-18).
Say that Jesus wants us to have ‘treasure in heaven’ (Matthew 6:20). Ask them how we can do this, so that unlike the rich fool we can be ‘rich towards God’.
Pray with the children, thanking God for all that He has given us, and asking Him to give us a right attitude to our possessions.
Remember to include the Prayer Spot topics.
Help the children to complete the worksheet.
Lesson 26The Ten Virgins Matthew 25:1-13
Aim:To show that we need to be ready for Jesus’ Return.
You will need – Bibles, pens/pencils, worksheet, a watch with a second hand, photograph of a wedding (optional)
Introduction
Get the children’s attention (with a cough or similar) then sit completely quiet, ostentatiously looking at your watch. Keep this up for a full minute (if you can!) Ask the children if they have ever had to wait for a long time – e.g. for a delayed flight, in a doctor’s waiting room, for a parade or display to start, etc. Let them tell their stories (briefly!). Say that in today’s parable some bridesmaids had to wait for a long time.
Point 1 A wedding
Show the wedding photo (if you have one). Explain that weddings in Jesus’ time were completely different; the bridegroom and his friends went in the evening to the bride’s house to bring her to her new home. Their guests waited at the roadside for them and they went in torchlight (or lamplight) procession to the new house for the wedding feast.
Point 2 The bridesmaids were not ready
Read Matthew 25:1-13 or ask a confident reader to read. Set the scene, pointing out that the girls did not know exactly when the bridegroom would come, so they had to be ready.
Ask the children about the story (for variety, you could split them into two teams and make it a quiz) making sure you bring out the fact that five of the girls were foolish because they were not ready.
Point 3Being ready
Ask the children what they would have to do to be ready for a football/netball match, or a test - note: ‘be ready’, not ‘get ready’ – (have trained or studied, make sure equipment is in good order and fit for purpose).
Ask why Jesus told this story, and what is the story really about. Say (something like) the Bible tells us that one day Jesus is coming back again – we don’t know when, so we have to be ready. Ask how we can be ready, especially if we don’t know when He is coming. Listen to their answers, making sure they understand that it is not living a ‘good’ life but trusting in Jesus that makes us ready. Be prepared to answer any questions they may have. You may want to give the children a few moments to pray quietly.
Pray with the children, asking God that each one would be ready for that great and terrible day when Jesus returns.
Remember to include the Prayer Spot topics.
Help the children to complete the worksheet.
Lesson 27The Saviour’s conflict with the Devil Luke 4:1-13
Aim:To learn from the example of Jesus how to resist temptation.
You will need – Bibles, pens/pencils, worksheet, a copy of a Bible-reading scheme (e.g. Scripture Union ‘Snapshots’ – optional).
Introduction
Ask the group what they would do in the following situations (change them to suit your class; you might wish to think up some more):
1.You come in hungry after playing outside to find that Mum has made your favourite biscuits. She tells you not to touch them as they’re for visitors, and anyway it’s near teatime. But you’re hungry …………
2.You’re stuck at some hard sums at school. The person beside you has finished and gone to do something else, leaving his jotter open on his desk ……………….
3.You’ve accidentally cracked your mum’s best vase. Later she notices and asks if anyone knows what happened to it ………………………
Ask the children what the problem is each time. If no-one mentions the word ‘tempted’ or ‘temptation’ introduce it yourself.
Ask ‘Is it wrong to be tempted?’
Point 1 The first temptation (test)
Explain that shortly after He was baptised Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert where the devil was waiting to test Him. During this time Jesus ate nothing for 40 days and nights so He was hungry.
Read Luke 4:3, 4 and ask about the first temptation (test) and how Jesus responded to it. Ask why the devil chose that form of temptation. Draw the children’s attention to the words, “It is written ……” and make sure they understand the quotation is from the Bible
Point 2 The second temptation
Read verses 5-7 to find out what the devil tried next. Ask what he ‘promised’ to give to Jesus if He worshipped him, and what our Lord replied. Ask if the devil could have kept his so-called ‘promise’ (read Psalm 24:1, 2). Notice again that Jesus used God’s Word to answer the devil.
Point 3The third temptation
Read verses 9-11 to find out about the third test. Ask what crafty plan the devil used to try to trick Jesus (he quoted from the Bible), and to propose a spectacular stunt in order to gain followers. Note again how Jesus replied.
Point 4Resisting temptation
Ask again if it is wrong to be tempted, and point out that our Lord Himself had to face temptation, and stood firm. Point out that He used the Bible each time to counter the devil. Say that we need to ask God for the strength to resist temptation, and that it is important that we too know our Bibles well. Mention the importance of the memory work they are doing.
If you feel it’s appropriate you may also wish to recommend a Bible reading scheme and notes (e.g. SU ‘Snapshots’, for 7-11 year-olds) to help them understand what they read; (if you have copies available you could show them how to use it.)
Pray with the children, asking God to give us the strength to resist temptation, and thanking Him for the example of Jesus.
Remember to include the Prayer Spot topics. Help the children to complete the worksheet.
LESSON 28 IS A REVISION LESSON USING THE NOTES FOR LESSONS 25-27