Curriculum

Crown Him King

Crown Him King Go to Curriculum multi-week pack

Bible Background

What Kids Will Learn

Jesus preached the Beatitudes to His disciples and large crowds to tell them that the gospel is for everyone. God’s way isn’t the world’s way, and we can find true happiness in Jesus.

Scripture Summary

Biblical scholars believe that Luke’s account was from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). The sermon was one of the longest accounts of how to live a life for Christ. Jesus began this sermon with the Beatitudes. The word “Beatitude” means “blessing” in Latin. Each one places a kingdom value right against a worldly value.

During this time, riches were seen as God’s favor. And socioeconomic classes were built right around this perceived truth. The poor and those who were hungry were cut off from society. The hunger Jesus speaks of could be physical hunger or a spiritual hunger. Either way, even the hungry have a place in God’s kingdom.

Similarly to the poor and hungry, those in mourning were also isolated. And those who were hated were also excluded and insulted.

While this list may seem like a checklist of right living, Jesus offers the Beatitudes as a declaration that the gospel is for everyone—even the marginalized. It is only through Jesus that we find true happiness.

Jesus went on to explain the other side. While there is no sin in being rich, the love of money is sinful. And Jesus says that the rich already have their reward. However, those who are well fed or laughing will surely find themselves hungry or mourning. There were many false prophets in the Old Testament who were praised by kings and leaders—and people chose popularity over truth.

Why Is This Important

Jesus loved people—all people. He intentionally sought out those who were cast aside, forgotten, and despised. He wants everyone, including us, to find true happiness in Him.

Teacher Devotion

Scripture

“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 1:5)

We had a real estate agent friend who knew almost everyone in town and the surrounding area. Contractors, other real estate agents, community leaders, and people from church all knew Charles. And everyone liked Charles. He was naturally friendly, helpful, insightful, and generous.

When Charles knew we were replacing our roof, he quickly gave us the name of a local roofer. “Be sure you tell him that Charles sent you.” Well, I promptly forgot that last, and most important, part as I contacted the roofer for an estimate. We received the estimate and were quite disappointed at how much the new roof was going to cost.

I finally remembered to mention Charles’ name. And that made all the difference to the roofer. If we knew Charles, the roofer definitely wanted to help us out. We got our new roof installed at a rate that fit our meager budget.

While the name of Jesus will rarely secure a deal on a new roof, we can walk in His confidence today as joint heirs in His kingdom. Jesus Christ is King, and we are royalty in His eternal kingdom.

Ponder your answers to these questions:

  • If you had a staff of royal subjects to help, what would you want to accomplish this week?
  • How would your day be different if you interacted with people and took care of to-dos as one of a royal party?

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for adopting me into Your royal family. Please help me remember who I am—and whose I am—today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Get the full Sunday school lesson plan

  • Bible Memory Verse
  • Interactive Bible Experience
  • Animated video with companion questions

Bible Memory Verse

You’ll Need: Bibles, “Jewels” handouts, Treasure boxes or, gift bags

Get Ready: Before class, print two copies of the “Jewels” handout, one for each team. Cut out the jewels, and put one set in each treasure box or gift bag.

“Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’” (John 18:37)

Lead kids in these steps to learn today’s Bible memory verse:

  • Invite kids to open their Bibles to John 18:37.
  • Call out phrases in the verse and invite kids to echo them back.
  • After the kids become familiar with the verse, form two teams.
  • Have teams line up on one side of the room, and place each team’s treasure box or gift bag with today’s Bible memory verse jewels on the opposite side of the room.
  • Explain that when you say “Go,” the first person in line will run to their treasure box or bag, grab one of the jewels, and bring it back to their team.
  • As each team member retrieves a jewel, the rest of the team will work to put the Bible memory verse in order.
  • The first team to correctly put all of the jewels in order of today’s Bible memory verse wins.
  • Invite the kids to read the verse aloud.
  • Try taking away a couple of jewels at a time and having kids recite the memory verse. See how many jewels you can remove with the children still successfully reciting the verse.

SAY: Great job putting today’s Bible memory verse in order! We are learning today about King Jesus. He was born to be King so we could one day live with Him in His heavenly kingdom.

Interactive Bible Experience

You’ll Need: Bibles, Paper plates, Air-dry modeling clay, Beads, Chenille wires

  • Invite kids to open their Bibles to John 18:33-37.
  • Give each child a plate, clay, several beads, and several chenille wires.
  • Read aloud the Bible passage a couple of times.
  • As you read the passage, invite kids to use the clay, beads, and chenille wires to sculpt something from today’s story, such as Jesus as king or a crown.
  • After they have finished creating, allow kids to share their sculptures and discuss the following questions.

ASK:

  • What stood out to you most in today’s Bible passage?
  • How is Jesus not like the typical king?
  • How will knowing that Jesus is King bring you comfort this week?

Snack

Crown Snacks

You’ll Need: Paper plates, Napkins, Plastic knives, Sliced bread, Small red grapes, Small round cereal, Kraft Singles sliced cheese

Get Ready: Have kids clean their hands.

Follow these steps for the “Crown Snacks”:

  • Give each child a paper plate, a napkin, a plastic knife, a slice of bread, and a slice of cheese.
  • Instruct kids to each cut a crown shape out of the slice of cheese and then lay it flat on the slice of bread.
  • Invite kids to decorate their “Crown Snacks” using the grapes and round cereal to look like jewels.
  • Enjoy.

SAY: Jesus didn’t walk around with a crown on His head, but Christ is the King. Jesus came to testify to the truth: He is the way, the truth, and the life.

Game

Crowns Up

You’ll Need: Crowns

To play the “Crowns Up” game, have kids follow these steps:

  • Choose a few children to be the kings and queens, and give each of them a crown.
  • Have the rest of the class sit with their eyes closed and heads down.
  • Once everyone’s eyes are closed, the kings and queens will make their way around the classroom, each placing their crown on another class- mate’s head, and then returning to the front of the class.
  • Invite kids to open their eyes. The children who have been crowned will have to guess which king or queen chose them.
  • The kids who have the crowns will then become the kings and queens for the next round.
  • Play as time allows.

ASK:

  • What is one thing you learned about Jesus from today’s Bible passage?
  • What does King Jesus mean to you?

SAY: Jesus was no ordinary person. He is the Son of God, and He was born to be King. Jesus came to speak the truth and to rescue us from our sins.

Craft

Paper Plate Crowns

You’ll Need: Large paper plates, Markers, Scissors, White glue, Jewels or beads

Follow these steps to make the “Paper Plate Crowns” craft:

  • Give each child a paper plate and a pair of scissors.
  • Invite kids to decorate their paper plates using only markers. They can write today’s Bible memory verse or draw Jesus as king.
  • Once they’ve colored their paper plates, have kids fold their plates in half.
  • Instruct kids to draw three lines on their folded paper plate: one down the center and one on either side of the center line. (It should look similar to half a pizza.)
  • Help kids cut along the lines, stopping 1 inch from the outer edge of the plate.
  • Open up the plate, and you should see eight even triangles.
  • Place the paper plate bottom side up, and carefully pull back each of the triangles so they stand up like a crown.
  • Invite kids to finish decorating their crowns using jewels or beads.
  • When the crowns are dry, invite children to wear their Paper Plate Crowns on their heads.

SAY: You created some beautiful crowns today! Wear the crowns home and share with your families how Christ is King.

Prayer

Bow to the King Prayers

You’ll Need: Paper plate crowns

  • Invite kids to stand in a circle, then have kids bow and place their crowns on the ground as if they’re meeting royalty.
  • Instruct kids to praise God silently for Jesus, the one true king.

PRAY: Dear God, Thank You for Jesus, the one true King. Thank You for sending Him to the world to speak the truth and rescue us from sin. In Jesus’ name, amen.