Bible, Glitter and Glue

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Jesus told the parable of two men who went to pray at the temple. 

• The Pharisee (who most people thought was good) 
  This man had too much pride and told God all of the good things he had done and how he was better than other people. 
• A tax collector (who most people thought was bad)
  This man was humble and asked God to have mercy on him because he was a sinner. 

Jesus said that the humble tax collector was right with God.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Luke 18:9-14
• James 4:10

Outline:

1. Jesus noticed the arrogant people (Luke 18:9)
2. Jesus told a parable (Luke 18:9-14)
3. The application of humility (Luke 18:14)

Tips for teaching:

• Invite two adults to your class to act out this parable for the children
• Play this video clip depicting the two men in the parable.  Link to the clip. 
• Talk about bragging.  To emphasise this point, you can blow up a balloon (but do not tie it off).  The teacher can make some bragging statements.  After each statement, blow more hot air into the balloon.  Children can join in with their own examples.  The teacher continues to blow up the balloon more.   Eventually, the balloon will pop.  Examples of bragging might include statements like “my dress is nicer than your dress” or “You don’t know how to play the video game as good as me” or “I read my bible more than you do”.  Check first to make sure children will not be frightened by the popping balloon,  
• Adults: This teaching tip requires a concordance.  An adequate online concordance can be found here: https://biblehub.com/concordance/.  Use the concordance to look up the word “pride, proud, haughty” from the book of Proverbs and write down what these verses say about pride on a white board or whatever is available. Next, look up “humility, humble, lowly” and do the same. Discuss the fruit of pride and the fruit or blessing of humility.  What kind of world would you rather live in – one full of selfish, proud people or humble people?  Why?  Ask the follow-up question and lead the discussion, “Why is having pride of heart bad?” How does it affect our relationship with God, others and the world we live in?  Encourage the class members to consider what pride and humility lead to and produce in these three areas.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Parable of a Pharisee & Tax Collector 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Jesus told a parable about a man with two sons.  The younger son convinced his father to give him his portion of his inheritance early. Upon receiving it, the son left his father and squandered all of the money by living a wild life. When the son came to his senses, he humbly returned to his father and told him he was sorry. His father was thrilled to forgive him and accept him back home.

The older son was jealous of the father’s acceptance because, unlike his younger brother, he had faithfully remained with his father all along. The father loved both sons but celebrated the lost son’s return.

God is happy when we say we are sorry and come back to him.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Luke 15:11-32
• 2 Timothy 2:13

Outline:

1. Parable: At his youngest son’s request, a father divided his property and gave part to him (Luke 15:11-12)
2. The son left, squandered the money and lived a degraded life (Luke 15:13-16)
3. The son comes to his senses and returns home humbled (Luke 15:17-20a)
4. Reunion, acceptance and celebration (Luke 15:20b-24)
5. Older brother’s perspective (Luke 15:25-32)

Tips for teaching:

• Talk to children about what it means to come home to loving parents (forgiveness, acceptance, comfort, love).  Compare this to coming home to our heavenly father.
• You and the children can build an obstacle course and race to “get home”.
• The son in the story looked at the pig's food and thought it looked good to eat.  Collect food scraps during the week and allow children to smell them.  After the children have fun smelling this disgusting “pig food”, discuss how this compares to food at home.  Use this to discuss further the idea of coming back to God.
• For adults:
  • Ask the class to get in groups of four or five to read the parable among themselves.  When have you felt like the younger brother, the older brother? 
  • As a class, brainstorm how your congregation could be more welcoming to visitors or other outsiders.  Think outside the box, too, on this. For example, one idea is to rearrange the furniture of the auditorium (or place of meeting) to make it more welcoming.
  • When someone comes to the Lord or comes back to the Lord, throw them a party!  Tell them we have to celebrate!  Your class can organise this celebration party for the church.  

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Parable of the Lost Son 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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The servant in this parable was happy when his master did not require him to repay a debt of millions of dollars. Incredibly, the servant went straight to another servant and demanded that he pay him a few dollars that he owed him. When the second servant could not pay, the first servant threw him in prison. When the master heard, he was furious.  Now, the first servant was sent to prison.  Jesus said that our Heavenly Father would feel the same towards us if we did not forgive others from the heart.

God has forgiven us of very much. We should forgive people from our hearts.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Matthew 18:21-35
• Ephesians 4:32

Outline:

1. Peter asks Jesus how many times we should forgive a brother (Matthew 18:21-22)
2. The Parable (Matthew 18:23-34)
   1. Merciful master
   2. Unmerciful servant
   3. Judgement
3. The Heavenly Father’s view (Matthew 18:35)

Tips for teaching:

• Children can memorise Ephesians 4:32
• For a craft, decorate a poster with the verse.
• The teacher can use role-play to act out imaginary scenarios in which you ask a child for forgiveness (Please forgive me for…breaking your toy, saying mean things to you, telling a lie, etc)
• To understand the huge disparity between the two debts, bring store ads and real estate ads and look through them.
• This is a difficult one to practice in a class setting.  But you can spend time in prayer.  Ask the class to pray for the courage to genuinely say, “I’m sorry.”.  Pray for strength to forgive the who who has offended or sinned against you. If at the moment you don’t feel like forgiving, pray that you will come to feel like it.  If you don’t want to forgive, pray that you would “want to want” to forgive.  
• Write out on a piece of paper your hurt that someone has caused you; write down how that made you feel; write down the name of the person who hurt you and what you want to say to them, what they did to you.  Write down how they made you feel.  Be honest.  Try to write down words that you would want one day to forgive them.  This may not be easy.  You don’t have to send this to them.  You can keep it.  Sometimes writing can help us process our heart.  And then write down a prayer to God about this.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Parable of an Unforgiving Servant

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Jesus told a parable about a shepherd who had one hundred sheep. When one of the sheep got lost, the shepherd searched and searched until he found it.

God has made everyone on the earth, and each person is important to Him.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Matthew 18:10-14
• Psalm 23
• Psalm 100:3
• 1 Peter 5:1-4

Outline:

1. Jesus warns not to de-value children (Matthew 18:10)
2. Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:12-13)
3. God’s view of children (Matthew 18:14)

Tips for teaching:

• Hide a toy lamb or a picture of a lamb so that children can find it.
• Make a craft involving a sheep.
• For a game, blindfold one child as the “shepherd”.  The other children take turns baa-ing like sheep.  The blindfolded shepherd tries to identify the sheep by their sound.
• Adopt a children’s class in the church (or all the children – depending on the church size) and write them notes of blessing and encouragement.  In addition, plan a get-together with this class of children to eat together and play games together.  Spend time at this event to let the children know you love them and that they matter to you and God.
• Draw up a list of people who have left the congregation over the last 1-2 years (not those that moved away or have gone to another congregation but those who are not part of a Christian fellowship now).  Pray for these people by name.  Discuss ways you could encourage and connect with and reach out to them.  And then do this in a sensitive manner realising everyone’s situation is different.   

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Parable of a Lost Sheep 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Jesus told a parable about ten girls who participated in a wedding feast. The day's custom was for the feast to begin when the bridegroom arrived.  Five bridesmaids were wise and had their lamps ready for his arrival.  They were escorted into the feast.  The five foolish bridesmaids were off buying oil and missed being invited in.  Jesus said the parable meant always being ready because we do not know the day of his return.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Matthew 25:1-13
• 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6

Outline:

1. Ten girls prepare for a wedding (Matthew 25:1-9)
2. The consequences of preparations (Matthew 25:10-12)
3. Meaning of the Parable-Be ready (Matthew 25:13)

Tips for teaching:

• Explain weddings (bride, bridegroom, bridesmaids, etc) to children so that they can better understand the parable.
• Make simple oil lamps from clay.
• Help children understand preparation by describing fire drills to prepare for fires or first aid kits to prepare for potential injuries.
• As a teacher, pose this scenario to the adults in the class to discuss:  
  • If you knew Jesus was coming to your house, but you didn’t know when, how would you prepare for his visit?  What would you say to him?  What would the conversation be like?  What would you say about yourself?  What would he say about you? What would you want to change / should change about your life to prepare for his visit?
  • Follow up with this: Ask the class to write down one thing they would do differently to prepare for Jesus’ visit to their house on a piece of paper.  Ask them to fold up their paper and hand them to you.  Pray for each one asking God to give the person strength and wisdom to do what they wanted to do differently. 

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Parable of Ten Bridesmaids 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Jesus told two parables to explain the value of the kingdom of God. The first parable was about a man who found a treasure in a field.  He put the treasure back into the ground and then sold everything he had to buy the field. The second pearl was about another man that found a precious and valuable pearl.  This man also sold everything he had to buy this one pearl.

The Kingdom of God is more precious than anything considered valuable in this world.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Matthew 13:44-46

Outline:

1. Parable of the Treasure (Matthew 13:44)
2. Parable of the Pearl (Matthew 13:45-46)

Tips for teaching:

• Show valuable items to children.  This could be items like jewellery or even toys that are important to children.  First, discuss their monetary value or importance and then compare this to the kingdom of God.
• Hide “treasure” or coins around the room and let children find them.
• Show real or artificial pearls and compare sizes.
• Draw a line down the centre of a page to form two columns.  Title one column “Everything of value” and the other “Kingdom of God”.  Guide children or adults in listing valuable items in one column and then what is valuable about God’s kingdom in the other.  Compare and contrast.
• Adult discussion questions:
  • What is the most valuable item you have ever found or lost?
  • Consider and share how you first heard about the Gospel.  Is it something you were looking for or stumbled upon? 

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Parables of a Treasure & a Pearl 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Jesus said that the kingdom of God is like a little mustard seed. When this little seed is planted, it grows into a huge plant, many times the size of the little seed.

God grows the smallest beginnings into big things.  Continue to serve him in even the smallest ways humbly.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Mark 4:30-32

Outline:

1. Jesus wants to explain the kingdom of God
2. The parable of the mustard seed

Tips for teaching:

• Bring mustard seeds to class so the children can see how small they really are.
• Eat something with mustard.
• Very young children can better understand the process of growing small to big by using matryoshka dolls (stacking dolls).
• Adults:
  • Memorise Ephesians 3:20-21 
  • Encourage the adults in your class to talk about the small things they see others do.  Ask the class to pray then that God will take the small things and grow them into bigger purposes.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:   Parable of a Mustard Seed  

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Every Jewish  person would have certainly known the command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” When a man asked Jesus what exactly was meant by “neighbour”, it sounds as if he was trying to get out of his responsibility under the Law. By telling the parable of a Samaritan who helped a complete stranger, Jesus made it plain that anyone in need is our neighbour.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Luke 10:25-37

Outline:

1. A teacher tests Jesus (Luke 10:25-29)
2. A parable about a good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35)
3. Jesus tests the teacher (Luke 10:36-37)

Tips for teaching:

• Children can act the parable out. 
• Write “Luke 10:25-37” on a bandaid/plaster and use them as stickers.
• Find Jerusalem and Jericho on Google Maps.
• Adults can examine the Good Samaritan painting by Vincent Van Gogh and discuss why Van Gogh painted it the way he did. 
• How can this parable help you change the way you see people and how you should treat them?  How does this parable enlarge your circle of neighbours?
•  Ask the class to write down two or three things you will do as a class to heal broken relationships or bring down barriers between people or create an environment where diverse people can come together and relate to one another.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Parable of a Good Samaritan 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Jesus told a parable about a farmer who planted seeds in four different types of soil. Only one of the soils produced a good crop. Jesus explained that the soils represented people’s hearts. When the word of God is planted in a good heart, good things will be produced in that person's life.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 

Outline:

1. Jesus tells the parable of the farmer and seeds (Matthew 13:1-9)
2. Jesus explains why he uses parables (Matthew 13:10-17)
3. Jesus explains the meaning of the parable of the farmer and seeds (Matthew 13:18-23)

Tips for teaching:

• Children can make any craft involving seeds.
• Serve a slice of multi-grain bread to children and encourage them to find the grains or seeds in the bread.
• Draw an outline of a heart and glue seeds inside.  Write the scripture reference Matthew 13:23 on the paper.
• Adults or children can plant seeds. Try recreating the types of soil in the parable to fill four different pots.  Plant a seed in each and follow the progress over the next weeks.
• Adults should reflect on how their lives reflect God’s word growing in their lives.  How is God producing a harvest in me?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Parable of a Sower and Seeds 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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In this parable, Jesus says that everyone who hears the word of God is building a house. The one who hears God’s word but does not do what it says is like a foolish builder who builds his house on sand. That house will be crushed in a storm. The one who hears the word of God and obeys it is like a wise man that builds his house on solid rock. That house will stand up to any storm. Wise people build their faith on the foundation of God’s word. This faith stands strong against the storms of life.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Matthew 7:24-29

Outline:

1. A wise man builds on a strong foundation (Matthew 7:24-25)
2. A foolish man builds on a weak foundation (Matthew 7:26-27)
3. The people were amazed (Matthew 7:28-29)

Tips for teaching:

• Bring sand and rock to class so children can examine it and note their unique qualities.
• Show a candy bar to the children.  Read every word on the packet and then set it aside.  Ask the children if they enjoyed the candy bar.  Compare this to reading the bible but never obeying the words.  Of course, then let the children enjoy eating the candy bar.
• Adults can talk about what it means to hear Jesus’ words AND obey them.  Choose a teaching of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and ask students to describe what it would be like to hear the words and then obey them.  How would this apply when a “storm of life” strikes?  For example,
  • Storm: Being made redundant or suddenly becoming unemployed
  • Teaching: Do not worry (Matthew 6:25-34)
  • Built on a Rock: If you had heard and obeyed this teaching, then what would happen when the storm struck?
  • Built on Sand: If you had heard this teaching but did not obey it, then what would happen when the storm struck?
• Choose other teachings from the sermon and discuss the applications. This can be done together or in smaller groups. 

 Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Parable of the Wise & Foolish Builders 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]