| LESSON OBJECTIVE |
After completing this lesson, the children will understand
that heaven can not be earned. It is a free gift. No amount of good
works or trying to do the right thing will get anyone to heaven.
Bulletin Board Idea: The
Salvation Railroad
(Note: This is the first lesson of a five lesson series, not intended
to be used alone. For information about this series, see: Introduction.
This lesson, attended only by itself, may create some despair or hopelessness
in young children. Therefore everyone should be encouraged to do the
assigned homework and attend all of the next four lessons.)
|
| AS KIDS ARRIVE ( 20 minutes ) |
| Work Folders: Give a simple
double sleeve folder to each child as they arrive. First have them
write their name on the top in easy to read letters. These folders
will be used to keep all work throughout the series.
What Would I Do to Go to Heaven? (Activity)
click
here
Place one copy of this activity inside each folder, along with one
index card with the following:
Name: ________________________
|
Age: ________________________ |
Reason for being here: ___________ |
______________________________ |
______________________________ |
______________________________
|
|
Have each child fill out their index card and drop it into the
Prayer Box click
here at the front of the class. Then have them follow the instructions
for the activity, "What Would
I Do to Go to Heaven?"
|
| OPENING PRAYER AND PRAISES
( 5 minutes ) Further info? Click
Here |
| |
| MEMORY WORK ( 10 minutes ) |
Ephesians 2: 8,9
"For it is by grace you have
been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is
the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast"
NIV
Have several children read these verses. Then explain that "saved"
is similar in meaning to eternal life, or heaven. Read the verse
again, but substituting the words "can go to heaven" for
"have been saved." Ask, what does "not by works"
mean?
|
| SCRIPTURE READING AND DISCUSSION
( 15 minutes ) |
Introduction:
During Jesus' ministry, many people heard Him talk about the Kingdom
of God and eternal life in Heaven. It was clear that life on earth
was different than the life Jesus was talking about. One day, a young
ruler came to Jesus to find out what he had to do to have eternal
life in Heaven. The passage we are going to read is from Matthew chapter
19, but the very same account can also be found in Mark 10 and Luke
18.
Matthew 19: 16-26 (The Rich
Young Man)
Discussion Questions:
1. Did you recognize any of the commandments Jesus gave the young
ruler? (last 5 of the 10 commandments, except Jesus changed
the 10th one from do not covet to love your neighbor)
2. Since the man said he kept all the commands
mentioned by Jesus, why do you think he asked, what do I still lack?
(He was aware of something holding him back)
3. Why did the young man go away sad? (He
had great wealth, but more importantly, he knew he couldn't do what
Jesus suggested.)
4. Does having great wealth make it impossible to go to Heaven?
(No)
5. Then what was really keeping this man from eternal life? (The
man loved his wealth more than Jesus. So his riches prevented him
from placing his faith in Jesus and following Him in obedience.
Without Jesus, no one can receive the gift of eternal life.)
6. Based on verse 26, can a man be good enough to save himself?
(No, with man it is impossible, but with God all things are
possible.)
|
| CLASS EXERCISES (15 minutes) |
The Price is Right (Game) Click
Here
|
| CLOSING EXERCISE ( 10 minutes) |
Verse Worksheet 1 Click
Here [PDF]
Hand out one worksheet to each child, and have them paraphrase
the first two verses. (Ephesians 2: 8,9 and Proverbs 14: 12) The
remainder will be completed at the end of lessons 2 and 3. When
finished, have the kids place the worksheet in their folder for
next week.
|
| APPLICATION ( 5 minutes) |
Today (tonight) we learned that heaven can not be earned. No
matter how much money we have, no matter how good we are, we can
not buy heaven. It is a free gift - yes completely free!
A long time ago, the people of the world got together, and thought
they could build a tower all the way up to heaven. Then all they
would need to do was climb up the tower, and be with God. It was
called the tower of Babel. A picture of what it may have looked
like is shown on your worksheet.
As the people were building this tower, God became quite angry.
For homework this week, I want you to read about the tower of Babel
in Genesis 11: 1-8. Next week, have an answer to the following question:
What was man trying to do that was
so wrong?
|
| CLOSING PRAYER ( 5 minutes)
Further info? Click
Here |
Prayer Box
Have each child take one card out of the box. (If they draw their
own name, have them put it back and try again) Have a few minutes
of silent prayer, so each child can pray for the person on their card.
After praying, have them write their name on the back of the card.
Close the lesson with prayer.
When finished, have each child put the card back into the box for
next week. The cards will be returned to the owner during the fourth
lesson on Salvation.
|
| NEXT WEEK |
| Encourage all the children to return next week. There are more games,
activities and fun things to do, but more importantly, everyone will
learn more about Salvation. |
