Curriculum

We Serve Like Jesus

We Serve Like Jesus Go to Curriculum multi-week pack

Bible Background

What Kids Will Learn

Jesus often preached about life in an upside-down kind of way. As His disciples asked to have the best spots in His kingdom, Jesus said the way to get there is by serving others.

Scripture Summary

Mark records that James and John approached Jesus to request places of honor in His kingdom. In Matthew, their mother was also involved in the request. All three were in agreement in this request.

The disciples and many Jews thought Jesus would establish a kingdom on earth by freeing Israel from the Romans. But Jesus’ kingdom is a heavenly kingdom not bound by time or location. Jesus’ kingdom is right here, right now, in the hearts of His followers forever.

James and John both said that they were willing to suffer on behalf of Jesus, and both ended up with great suffering. James died a martyr (Acts 12:2), and John was exiled (Revelation 1:9). A life with Jesus is not free from challenges or suffering. In fact, Jesus promised that “in this world, you will have trouble.” (John 16:33)

Jesus listened to their request and didn’t shame them for asking. We can always come to God with our requests, but He makes the best decisions for us—including saying no.

James and John’s request was all about being the greatest in Jesus’ kingdom. They wanted impressive positions. But once again, Jesus turns the world upside down with His message. The first will be last. Anyone who wants to become great must serve.

Why Is This Important

We often get it wrong when we attempt life and purpose in our own strength. Rather than being focused on ourselves and high position, Jesus wants us to serve others first.

Teacher Devotion

Scripture

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ ” (Matthew 25:40)

When I think of service, I typically picture huge projects. Organizing a school-wide mentoring program. Planning a fundraising event. Community park cleanup. Mission trips. And large groups of people— both those serving and those being served.

And I’m not sure if it’s my stage of life, but I can back away from and avoid these big projects. While they’re benefiting worthy and important causes, they can take significant time, snag too much of my capacity, or involve too many people. Just. Too. Much. It’s overwhelming.

I forget that service can also be small, even mundane, tasks. Holding the door for someone. Paying for the person’s order behind you in line. Setting an extra place at the dinner table. Picking up garbage. Spending an hour visiting. Intentionally including others in conversation. Giving an extra tip after a meal—just because.

Sure, there have been and will be times of big service in my life. But God also calls us to a life of service—not just the big events that come around once every year or two. Throughout your day, be intentional to open your eyes and see small needs along the way.

Whether a small act of service or a large service project, Jesus says our service to others is as if we’re serving Him directly. That’s motivation enough to keep our eyes open to see opportunities to share His love in service.

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for the opportunities to serve. Please help me keep my eyes open to see the needs right in front of me. And prompt me to serve others even in small ways. 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, Paper cups, Markers, Serving trays

Get Ready: Write a word or phrase of the Bible memory verse on each cup. Make a set for each team of 4 to 5 kids.

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” (Mark 10:43-44)

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

  • Invite kids to open their Bibles to Mark 10:43-44.
  • Ask volunteers to read the verse aloud multiple times so it becomes familiar to the kids.
  • Forms teams of four or five members each. Place the teams and trays on one side of the room, and place each team’s set of cups on the other side of the room.
  • The first player from each team will quickly walk down to his or her team’s cups with the tray balanced on one flat palm (like a restaurant server).
  • Once he or she gets to the cups, the child will pick up one of the team’s cups, place it on the tray, and walk quickly back to the line. (If the cup falls off the tray, the child has to go back to the cups and begin again.)
  • Once all players have brought their cups back to their team’s line, invite teams to put the cups in the correct order of the Bible verse.
  • Read aloud Mark 10:43-44 once more as a class.

SAY: What great servers you were! Today we’re going to hear about a time Jesus talked to His disciples about being servants. Jesus wants us to serve others so we can become more like Him.

Interactive Bible Experience

You’ll Need: Bibles

  • Invite kids to open their Bibles to Mark 10:35-45.
  • Assign kids the following parts to act out as you read the passage aloud.
    • James
    • John
    • Jesus
    • Other 10
  • Read aloud the passage slowly so the kids can practice acting their roles as you read.
  • Once kids are prepared, read through the passage again, inviting them to act out the parts.
  • Allow children to switch roles and repeat as time permits.

ASK:

  • Would you want what James and John wanted from Jesus? Why or why not?
  • What surprised you about Jesus’ reply to His disciples?

SAY: The disciples were worried about the wrong thing. Jesus wanted them to know that in order to be great, you must serve others. If you want to be a leader, you must first be a servant.

Snack

Left-Right Snack

You’ll Need: Brown paper lunch sacks, Two different types of snacks

Get Ready: Pack one of each snack in a brown paper sack. Put one snack on the left side of the room and one on the right side. Have kids clean their hands before eating.

Follow these steps for the “Left-Right Snack”:

  • Explain to the kids that they get to select their snack today.
  • Invite them to grab a bag on either the right side of the room or the left side, but instruct them not to open it yet.
  • Once everyone has a snack, instruct kids to open their bags.
  • Enjoy!

SAY: In today’s passage, James and John were questioning Jesus about who got to sit at His right and left. Jesus quickly helped them understand that He was more concerned about them serving others. Jesus doesn’t just tell us to do things; He also sets the perfect example of servanthood.

Game

Left-Right Game

You’ll Need: Masking tape

To play the “Left-Right” game, follow these steps:

  • Place a long piece of masking tape on the floor at the far left and far right sides of the room.
  • Have the adult leader stand in the center and the kids line up behind him or her.
  • When the leader says “RIGHT,” the kids will all race to the masking tape line to the right. If the leader says “LEFT,” the kids will all race to the masking tape line to the left.
  • Repeat several rounds as time allows.

ASK:

  • Did you ever get to sit next to a friend or family member at their birthday party? How did that make you feel?
  • Why do you think the disciples wanted to sit next to Jesus?

SAY: It can make us feel very special to be seated to the left or right of someone we care about, and that’s not a bad thing. But James and John wanted to have the honor of sitting next to Jesus to share in His glory, which Jesus said is the wrong desire. Instead of desiring to be in the powerful seat by Jesus, He said we should desire to put others before ourselves. That’s how good servants live.

Craft

Serve Coupons

You’ll Need: “Serve Coupons” handouts, Pens, Markers, Scissors

Have kids follow these steps to make the “Serve Coupons” craft:

  • Give each child a handout and a pen.
  • Invite kids to think creatively about who they can serve and how they can serve those people.
  • Instruct kids to fill out each coupon with the name of a person they thought of and an act of service.
  • Invite kids to decorate the coupons with markers.
  • After they‘ve finished, have kids cut out the coupons and take them home to hand out and serve others.
     

ASK:

  • What is one special way you want to serve somebody this week?

Prayer

More Like Jesus Prayers

You’ll Need: Card stock, Markers

  • Give each child a sheet of card stock, and invite kids to fold it in half.
  • On the front, have kids write “MORE LIKE JESUS.”
  • Pass the cards around the room to have each person sign his or her name to each other’s cards. Also, have kids draw a happy face beside their name.
  • Challenge kids to set up their cards on their dressers at home as a daily reminder to pray for each other to be MORE LIKE JESUS!

PRAY: Dear God, we want to be more like Jesus. We know that means living a life of service to others. Help us see ways we can serve others—not for our glory, but to point others to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.