Curriculum

Under His Wing

Under His Wing Go to Curriculum multi-week pack

Bible Background

What Kids Will Learn

Even when the Pharisees and those in Jerusalem rejected Jesus, He loved God’s people and wanted to help them by healing, preaching, and casting out demons.

Scripture Summary

Jesus spent his time traveling from town to town—heading to Jerusalem— preaching and healing. His disciples traveled with him as they continued to learn from Jesus and helped minister to the crowds.

While the Pharisees appeared to be concerned for Jesus, they simply came up with an excuse to urge Jesus away from fulfilling His ministry in Jerusalem. Jerusalem was more than just a large city. The temple was located in Jerusalem, so the city was a centralized religious destination for the region.

Many prophets in history were turned away from Jerusalem—Elijah, Zechariah, Jeremiah, and Uriah (1 Kings 19:10; 2 Chronicles 24:19; Jeremiah 2:30, 26:20-23). And God and Jesus both knew that Jerusalem would also reject Jesus, the Messiah.

But this didn’t stop Jesus. His love for God’s people was unending. Even though those in Jerusalem turned away from Jesus, He longed to love, care for, and protect God’s children. He would not back down; He would continue His ministry.

Jesus continued to cast out demons, heal others from sickness, and teach His followers about God. He wanted people to begin a relationship with God.

Why Is This Important

Jesus persevered through the worst opposition to His message and ministry. He knew God’s way was best for the Jewish people as well as everyone within the region. And He’d do the same for you and me.

Teacher Devotion

Scripture

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” (Psalm 118:22)

I suppose it’s human nature to reject what’s best for us. Each turn of the new year brings out the best intentions from most of us. We can make resolutions to rest more, lose weight, stop smoking, or any attempted intentionality toward better choices.

But they rarely work. Instead…

  • We watch one more episode in the season even though we have an important meeting early in the morning.
  • We can work overtime—for multiple weeks in a row—with the hope of resting at some point.
  • We choose a candy bar over fresh vegetables for a quick snack.
  • We procrastinate in scheduling regular maintenance on our vehicles— and end up with a higher repair bill.
  • A baby will fight sleep even though utterly exhausted.
  • A rebellious teenager defies any authority or limitations.

And why is that? Yes, the sinful nature always draws us away from God’s best for our lives—whether it’s emotionally, spiritually, or physically. I also like to be in control as I decide what I want now, with little regard for how it will affect my future.

We cannot achieve perfection this side of heaven. No one makes good, healthy choices all the time. I wonder, though, if we can intentionally decide to make just a few changes for the better.

Consider your answers to these questions as you ponder what healthy choices you can make.

  • What is one physical change you can make? Everyone’s different. It could be you need to incorporate more rest, more green veggies, or more time outside.
  • How can you approach your spiritual health? This doesn’t look the same for any two people. Does God want you to spend more time with Him, practice giving yourself more grace, or ask a friend to help keep you accountable in a certain area?
  • In what way can you choose differently for your emotional health? When was the last time you played? Do you regularly practice gratitude?

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for knowing what’s best for me. Please help me follow You and Your best—rather than rejecting Your promptings. 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: Bible, Paper

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” (Luke 13:34)

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

  • Open your Bible to Luke 13:34.
  • Read the Bible memory verse several times and invite kids to repeat after you.
  • Give each child a sheet of paper, and have kids spread out around the room.
  • Invite kids to wad up their sheets of paper to look like stones.
  • Lead kids in repeating after you as they follow the movements to learn today’s Bible memory verse:
    • “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, (Invite kids to make a megaphone with their hands at their mouths.)
    • You who kill the prophets and stone those who sent you, (Have kids throw crumpled-up paper stones across the room.)
    • How often have I longed to gather your children together, (Have kids gather together at the center of the room.)
    • As a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, (Wrap your arms around the group of children.)
    • And you were not willing.” (Have kids break away from the group and find a spot along the edge of the classroom.)
  • Repeat the activity as time allows.

SAY: Great job performing today’s Bible memory verse! Jesus longs for us to be close to Him. Today we’re going to learn more about the many ways God loves and protects His children.

Interactive Bible Experience

You’ll Need: Bible, Large sheet or parachute

  • Open your Bible to Luke 13:31-35.
  • Invite kids to sit with you under the bedsheet or parachute so that you’re all covered by the fabric.
  • Read aloud the Bible passage.
  • Turn in your Bible to Psalm 91:4 and read that passage aloud as well.

SAY: Jesus cried out for His children to come to Him. Even when they didn’t, Jesus was not scared away by those who wanted to kill Him. Jesus said He would continue to perform miracles because He loves His children so much. Jesus will stop at nothing to protect them.

ASK:

  • How is Jesus like a mother hen?
  • Tell about a time you felt protected by Jesus.

Snack

Beaks and Feathers Snacks

You’ll Need: Plates, Napkins, String cheese, Cheez-It crackers

Get Ready: Have kids clean their hands.

Follow these steps for the “Beaks and Feathers” snacks:

  • Give each child a plate, a napkin, a piece of string cheese, and a small handful of Cheez-It crackers.
  • Ask kids to peel small strips from their string cheese but leave the peels attached to the base so the cheese starts to look like a feather.
  • Have kids each place a Cheez-It cracker in their mouth at a diagonal to look like a tiny, triangular beak.
  • Invite kids to enjoy their “Beaks and Feathers.”

SAY: Great job making your “Beaks and Feathers” snacks! When we choose to follow Jesus, we can count on Him to be our protector and our provider. He calls out for us to come to Him. Under His wings, we are His children, and we are safe.

ASK:

  • Why do you think Jesus wants us to come to Him?
  • How does it make you feel to know that Jesus protects you?

Game

Hen and Chicks

You’ll Need: Masking tape

Get Ready: Before the activity, tape off two bases on opposite sides of the classroom.

To play the “Hen and Chicks” game, have kids follow these steps:

  • Choose one child to be the “Hen” first. Have that child stand in the center of the room.
  • Have the remaining kids group together at one of the two bases, act- ing as chicks.
  • When the hen calls for her chicks, all the kids will have to move from one base to the other while the hen tries to gather her chicks.
  • If “chicks” are caught, they have to stay in the center of the room and help the hen.
  • The last child caught becomes the hen for the next round.
  • Play several rounds as time allows.

ASK:

  • Why do you think Jesus was sad that Jerusalem rejected Him?
  • Have you ever felt rejected by someone?

SAY: When we choose to follow Jesus, we are His children. Jesus loves us and wants to gather us in His arms to protect us and care for us. Sometimes we stray away like Jerusalem, but Jesus still loves us just the same. That’s the kind of love He has for you and me.

Craft

Protective Wings

You’ll Need: Paper plates, Scissors, Craft feathers, Markers, Glitter glue, Stapler, Sewing elastic

Get Ready: Before class, cut 3-inch strips of elastic, two for each child. Cut paper plates in half.

Have kids follow these steps to make the “Protective Wings” craft:

  • Give each child two paper-plate halves.
  • Invite kids to decorate the paper-plate halves to look like wings using markers, feathers, and glitter glue.
  • Allow time to dry.
  • Staple a 3-inch piece of elastic to the inside of each wing.
  • Invite kids to slip their hands through the elastic and flap their wings as they move around the classroom.

SAY: Like a mother hen gathers her chicks beneath her wings to protect them, Jesus willingly gave Himself to save His children even though they had rejected Him time and time again. Take your “Protective Wings” craft home as a reminder that Jesus wants to gather you in His arms to care for you and protect you.

Prayer

Feather Prayers

You’ll Need: Craft feathers

Follow these steps to lead kids in prayer.

  • Give each child a craft feather, and invite kids to gather around in a circle.

SAY: Like a mother hen, Jesus calls His children to come to Him so that He can shelter and protect them.

  • Invite kids to hold their craft feathers as they pray silently and thank God for His love and protection in their lives.
  • Close in prayer.

PRAY: Father, we thank You that Jesus loves and protects us like a mother hen protects her chicks. Keep us near to Jesus and help us to never stray from Him. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.