Curriculum
A Fool and His Money
Memory Verse:
“Then He said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’” (Luke 12:15)
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
Jesus told another captivating story to His followers of a rich man who became even richer—and he didn’t share with others. Instead, he stored his crops for himself. The rich man died, and his crops went to waste.
Scripture Summary
Throughout His ministry, Jesus spent time visiting with and healing His followers. He also preached to great crowds along His journey. Jesus told stories, called parables, that helped His followers understand eternal concepts.
During this time, rabbis and religious leaders often received and settled disputes among the people in their community. In this instance, a man brought his dilemma to Jesus, asking Jesus to tell his brother to share his inheritance.
While Jesus didn’t directly address the man’s request, He didn’t avoid it either. Jesus introduced a bigger truth of how we are to relate to money. Greed is a selfish desire for something we don’t have, and Jesus warned His followers against greed. In fact, a life is not meaningful if it’s based on the amount of one’s possessions.
The rich man in Jesus’ parable died before he could enjoy his riches. This man was already wealthy, and his fields produced a good crop. He had too much for himself and his household, so he ended up building bigger barns in order to store his crops. When he died, the bounty went to waste. While it is wise to be good stewards of God’s resources and plan for retirement, we should be aware of not using our excess wealth for selfish purposes.
Why Is This Important
God is the good provider. He provides for our needs and many of our wants. More importantly, He calls us to avoid selfishness and share what we have with others.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
“The LORD makes some poor and others rich; He brings some down and lifts others up. He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, placing them in seats of honor. For all the earth is the LORD’s, and He has set the world in order.” (1 Samuel 2:7-8)
Our family is in the process of purchasing a new-to-us car. Although our current family car is 19 years old (and has 280K miles on it), I’ve actually caught myself wondering if we’re making the right decision. Is it really necessary to replace our 19-year-old car with a 9-year-old car?
And I know I shouldn’t compare—but there are several families in our neighborhood who have recently purchased brand-new, state-of-the- art all-electric cars.
Some have more disposable income, and some have less. We all have different ways of managing the resources God has entrusted to us. So, the comparison game is really a trap; every time I think someone has more than me, I realize I don’t have the full picture.
There will always be someone who is healthier than me—and someone who is in poorer health.
There will always be someone with a newer car—and someone with an older, less-reliable vehicle.
There will always be someone who has a deeper relationship with his children than I do with mine—and someone who has estranged children.
There will always be someone with more degrees than I have—and someone who has navigated with less education.
There will always be someone who has visited more countries than I have—and somone who has never left their home state.
“For all the earth is the LORD’s, and He has set the world in order.” When my thankful eyes are set on Him and His provision, my entire perspective changes.
Instead of comparing yourself (and what you have and don’t have) with others, take time to be thankful for the people, things, and experiences that God has provided for you.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for everything You’ve given me. Sometimes I compare what I have with others. Please help me keep my eyes on You and give thanks. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
You’ll Need: Bible
“Then He said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’” (Luke 12:15)
Lead kids in these steps to learn today’s Bible memory verse:
- Open your Bible to Luke 12:15.
- Lead kids in the following hand motions to memorize the verse:
- “Then He said to them, (Make a megaphone around your mouth.)
- ‘Watch out! (Make binoculars or glasses around your eyes.)
- ‘Be on your guard against (Make an “X” with your arms in front of your body.)
- ‘All kinds of greed; (Move your arms in toward your body over and over as if you’re collecting things in front of you.)
- ‘Life does not consist (Wave your index finger in a “no” movement.)
- ‘In an abundance of possessions.’” (Use your hands to display “possessions” in front of you.)
- Repeat several times, inviting kids to repeat after you or even lead the class in the hand motions.
SAY: Great job learning today’s Bible memory verse! Today we’re learning that Jesus wants us to have good things. But He also warns against selfishness and greed.
Interactive Bible Experience
You’ll Need: Bible, 3 brown paper bags, Treasure box prizes, Pennies, New pencils, M&M’s candies
Get Ready: Before the activity, place the small prizes in one bag, the pennies in one bag, and the pencils in one bag. Set the M&M’s candies aside.
Follow these steps for the Bible Interactive Experience.
- Open your Bible to Luke 12:13-21, and read aloud the passage.
- Form two groups.
- Explain that you have three brown paper bags, each with something special inside.
- Each group will have the opportunity to choose one brown paper bag and keep whatever is inside. But before kids can choose, let them know there is one more offer on the table.
- Explain that you will give each member of the group 10 M&M’s candies to sit down and not select any of the bags. Or they can pass up the candies and select the bag of their group’s choice.
- Give groups time to deliberate and come up with their decision. The entire group has to agree to either take the M&M’s candies or one of the grab bags.
- Allow both groups to play the game, then distribute candies or prizes as determined by their choices.
- Once both groups have received their prizes or candy, reveal what was in the other bags.
ASK:
- How did you feel when I offered you M&M’s instead of the surprise bag?
- Did your group come to a decision easily?
- Were you expecting the prizes that you couldn’t see to be better than the M&M’s candies?
SAY: In our Bible passage today, Jesus warns against greed. In this game, you faced a challenge of greed and selfishness. Maybe you wanted to choose something that the rest of your group didn’t. Maybe you placed more hope in the prizes you couldn’t see than in the candies you could see. Jesus wants us to remember that it is better to be focused on God’s goodness rather than to store up things of this earth.
ASK:
- Do you struggle with greed in your everyday life? How?
- What is one way you can overcome greedy feelings and instead be grateful for what God has provided you?
Snack
Multiplying Snacks
You’ll Need: Paper plates, Napkins, Graham crackers, Marshmallow creme, Plastic knife (for the teacher)
Get Ready: Before the snack, have kids clean their hands.
Follow these steps for the “Multiplying Snacks”:
- Give each child a paper plate, a napkin, and a full graham cracker.
- Invite kids to break their graham crackers in half.
ASK:
- What happened when we broke the graham cracker in half?
- Invite kids to break their graham crackers in half again.
ASK:
- Each time we break the graham cracker in half, do we have more, less, or the same amount of graham cracker?
- Would you rather have one graham cracker or four pieces of the same graham cracker?
- Give kids each a scoop of marshmallow creme to dip their graham crackers in.
- Enjoy!
SAY: Sometimes we get so caught up in how badly we want something that we become greedy and foolish. We know that the graham cracker is the same size whether it’s in one piece or broken up, but it can be easy to worry that we’re getting less or that we don’t have enough. God always provides what we need.
Game
Domino Race
You’ll Need: Large playing area, Small buckets, Dominoes
To play the “Domino Race” game, have kids follow these steps:
- Form two teams, and have teams gather on opposite sides of the room.
- Give each group a small bucket.
- Spread dominoes across the floor between the two teams (the more dominoes, the better).
- Explain that when you say “go,” teams will collect as many dominoes as they can in their buckets. The team with the most dominoes wins.
- Allow enough time for all of the dominoes to be collected.
- When all of the dominoes have been picked up, have each team go back to its side of the room with its bucket of dominoes.
- Announce that teams will now switch buckets, and the team with the most dominoes wins.
- Count the dominoes for each team.
Explain that although one team may have more dominoes, both teams are winners because they unselfishly shared their dominoes.
ASK:
- How did you feel when you had to give away your bucket of dominoes?
- Did it make you feel better to have the most dominoes or to give your dominoes away?
SAY: People often think that having more of something—more dominoes or more money—will leave them feeling happier. But in the end, they’re often left just wanting more. Jesus teaches us that giving away what He graciously gives us is not only honoring to Him, but it also feels much better than having more things!
Craft
Selfless Acts Coupon Book
You’ll Need: “Selfless Acts” handouts, Scissors, Markers, Stapler
Get Ready: Before the activity, print the “Selfless Acts” handout, one per child.
Have kids follow these steps to make the “Selfless Acts Coupon Book” craft:
- Give each child a “Selfless Acts” handout, and set out markers to share.
- Help kids read each of the selfless acts and draw a picture for each one. There’s a space for kids to add a selfless act of their choosing and draw a picture.
- Invite kids to cut the handout on the dotted lines, then stack and fold the strips to create a coupon book.
- Staple the folded edge to complete the book.
SAY: Great job creating your “Selfless Acts Coupon Book”! Take it home as a reminder that Jesus warns against selfishness and greed. When those feelings creep in, turn to your coupon book and do something for someone else!
Prayer
Praying for Others
Follow these steps to lead kids in prayer.
- Invite kids to pair up and pray with each other.
- Remind kids that in today’s Bible passage, Jesus warns against selfish- ness and greed. Encourage them to pray against those things that are in their own hearts.
- Close in prayer.
PRAY: Dear Jesus, thank You for giving us all we could ever need. Help us to seek You and turn away from selfish desires and greed. In Jesus’ name, amen.
