Curriculum
Let the Children Come
Memory Verse:
”Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10:14
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
God loves families. He created the family to be a long-lasting commitment of love. And Jesus loves children, considering them important and worthy of blessing.
Scripture Summary
The Pharisees, or religious leaders, were attempting to trap Jesus again. They were threatened by Jesus, His followers, and His way of teaching. The Pharisees continued to pepper Jesus with questions, attempting to trap Him in a misguided teaching.
Divorce was a sensitive subject, and the Pharisees saw it as a legal issue. Jesus, however, saw divorce as a spiritual issue and took the opportunity to remind the Pharisees, and all of those listening, of God’s intent for marriage. God’s original design of marriage was for two people to be willfully joined together permanently. While there is biblical cause for divorce, God desires for the loving marriage commitment to last.
Jesus did things differently in His ministry. He wasn’t concerned about His own reputation, but He was focused on relationships. He spent time with the “wrong” people—sinners, children, tax collectors. At this time, children were not seen as important. They were silent and kept in the background of day-to-day life. But Jesus’ way was different.
Much to the disciples’ and Pharisees’ dismay, Jesus called out to children and invited them to come sit with him. Children are often more trusting than adults. Jesus knew that children can be more receptive to Him and His ways. Jesus pointed out to others that we all can learn from children as they embrace Jesus.
Why Is This Important
Jesus focused on those who needed Him the most. He gladly welcomed children to Himself, blessed them, and wanted others to do the same.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
Where Children Walk
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4)
I’ve been noticing how children walk. Yes, I realize that’s an odd thing to occupy my thoughts. Toddlers have an unsure gait that can lack direction. It can be challenging for kindergartners to walk in a straight and orderly line within school hallways. Teenagers can develop a sway or a strut as they seek out their own identity. Regardless of age, many children seek out rain puddles for a big splash, even if it takes them off their path.
Walking in truth takes more than the physical mode of movement required for walking. How do grade schoolers stay on the path of truth with all the temptations and pressures around them? What guides a teenager
to successfully navigate each day of demands and relationships?
It’s Truth. Jesus said He was the only way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). When children are walking in truth—in Jesus—there is great rejoicing.
Ponder your own story. Consider the times in your life that you were walking in truth, and thank God for those times. Remember the seasons where you were not walking in truth and reflect on how God sought you out.
Remember that Jesus welcomes children with open arms. He’s ready to hold you and me as His children—as well as the children in our lives.
There might be a child in your life (a neighborhood child, your child, a child at church, or a grandchild) who is not walking in truth. Take the time to pray specifically for that child throughout this week.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for seeking me out, welcoming me, and letting me walk in Your truth. I think of [child’s name]. I pray for You to also seek him or her out and reveal Your truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
You’ll Need: Colored copy paper, “Foot Outline” handout, Markers, Scissors, Bibles - one per child
Get Ready: Print several copies of the foot outline onto col- ored paper. Cut out the feet and write a word or phrase from today’s memory verse on each foot. Make a set for each team of 4 to 6 kids. Place each set so the words are facing the floor, and mix them up.
“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.’” Mark 10:14
Lead kids in these steps to learn today’s Bible Memory Verse:
- Invite kids to open their Bibles to Mark 10:14.
- Invite several kids to read the verse aloud a few times.
- Form teams.
- Explain that on the word “go,” each team has to put their feet in the right order of the Bible verse.
- The first team to line their feet up correctly wins.
- Repeat, if time allows.
SAY: Great job putting those feet in order! Today we’re going to learn about the feet of Jesus, where children are always welcome, as well as His open arms, where He’s waiting to embrace each of you.
Interactive Bible Experience
You’ll Need: Bibles - one per child
- Invite kids to open their Bibles to Mark 10:13-16.
- Assign kids different roles to play:
- Jesus
- Children
- Disciples
- Parents
- Once every child has a part, read the passage aloud and invite kids to dramatically act out the Scripture passage.
- If time allows, switch all the roles up, and read the passage aloud again.
ASK:
- Was there ever a time you felt you weren’t welcome to do something because you are a child? Tell us about it.
- What did you learn about how Jesus treats children?
- How does knowing that Jesus welcomes kids just like you encourage you?
SAY: Jesus loves children and always makes time to be with them. He loves you too and wants to talk to you through prayer. Jesus wants an amazing relationship with you through His gift of forgiveness on the cross.
Snack
Jesus Loves the Children Snack
You’ll Need: Paper plates - one per child, Napkins - one per child, People cookie cutter, Ham, Cheese, Bread, Large pretzel sticks
Before class, cut out bread, cheese, and ham in the shape of people using the cookie cutter.
Follow these steps for the “Jesus Loves the Children Snack”:
- Give each child a paper plate, a napkin, and two large pretzel sticks.
- Instruct kids to make a cross out of their pretzel sticks in the center of the plate.
- Next, invite kids to select several different people cutouts made from bread, ham, and cheese. Encourage the kids to arrange them around the cross on their plates.
- Enjoy!
SAY: Jesus loves all the children of the world. We know that because when Jesus walked the earth, He made time for kids. Even though we don’t see Jesus walking the earth now, we can still know that He loves and welcomes children today.
Game
Children at the Feet of Jesus Game
You’ll Need: “Paper People Cutout” handout - one per four kids, White copy paper, Scissors - several pairs, Butcher paper, Markers, Tape, A blindfold
Get Ready: Print out enough “Paper People Cutout” handouts (4 people cutouts per page) so that each child has one person. Cut the handout into quarters so there is one person on each slip. On butcher paper, draw a pair of large feet, representing Jesus’ feet. Tape it at the children’s eye level on the wall.
To play the “Children at the Feet of Jesus” game, have kids follow these steps:
- Give each child a slip of paper. Ask children to cut out their pa- per-person and write their name on it with a marker.
- Give each child a piece of tape to put on the back of the person.
- One at a time, ask for volunteers to be blindfolded, spun around three times, and try their best to tape their “person” at the feet of Jesus.
- Celebrate each child no matter how close he or she gets to the feet on the wall.
ASK:
- What is one way you can come closer to Jesus today?
- What would you say to Jesus if you could go up to Him right now?
SAY: That was a fun game. Some of you may have gotten closer to the feet of Jesus than others, but when it comes to the real Jesus, all children are welcome. Jesus loves you all so much!
Craft
Bag Puppet Children
You’ll Need: Paper lunch bags, Glue, Scissors, Buttons, Yarn, Googly eyes, Scrap pieces of fabric, Markers
Have kids follow these steps to make the “Bag Puppet Children” craft:
- Let the children color and decorate a paper lunch bag in a way they think represents themselves and what is special about them.
- The mouth is where the bag folds when the child puts a hand inside the lunch bag.
- Invite kids to glue pieces of yarn to the top of the bag for hair.
- Have children color the bag like the color of their shirt and glue buttons to the shirt.
- Next, instruct kids to add googly eyes, and any other decora- tions they’d like.
- Allow the glue to dry before using the puppets.
ASK:
- What is one way God made you special?
- What would ask Jesus about if you could sit at his feet?
SAY: Your bag puppets are amazing and so unique. Even though each of you is different and special in your own way, Jesus loves you all. We learned in our lesson today that all children are welcome at the feet of Jesus.
Prayer
Clothesline Prayer
You’ll Need: Rope, Clothespins - one per child, Thin markers - one per child
Get ready: Hang a rope horizontally at the children’s eye level.
- Give each child a clothespin and a marker.
- Invite each kid to write the name of another child who needs to know Jesus’ love on a clothespin. It could be anyone they know. If children would like to keep the name private, they can simply write “special” in place of a name.
- Next, instruct them to clip their clothespins on the rope.
- Give kids time to silently walk around and pray for the children whose names are on the clothespins.
PRAY: Dear God, thank You for Your mighty love. We know You love us because You sent Jesus to rescue us. Jesus adores children and always makes time to show them His love. May the kids represented on this clothesline know how much You love them today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
