Meeting-Jesus-Lesson-Plans

Meeting Jesus

This series we will be looking at encounters different people had with Jesus, some who met him 1:1 and had a direct conversation, others heard him teach a crowd; the things he said, and the stories they heard challenged them to make a decision about who He was, these encounters changed their lives forever.

As we explore these meetings and study his teaching together we will be challenged by His words, and I pray we will meet Him by faith, and be changed forever.

Overview

Week Meeting Jesus Bible Ref 1 The Insider John 3:1-21 Nicodemus 2 The Outsider John 4:1-26 Woman at the well 3 The Broken Luke 7:1-17 Centurion and widow 4 The Sinner Luke 7:36 – 8:3 Mary anoints his feet 5 The Lost Luke 15:1-10 Lost sheep and coin 6 The Undeserving Luke 15:11-31 Prodigal son 7 The Seeker Luke 19:1-11 Zacchaeus

Week 1

Jesus Meets the Insider

John 3:1-21

Aim

For the children to understand that our achievements count for nothing when we come to Jesus, He has to do what we cannot to save us, we have to be born again.

Where are we going?

Nicodemus was a “good guy”, he is a law keeping insider, a ruling religious leader, he knows God’s law, he strives to keep God’s law, he comes to Jesus to ask his questions, he shows respect, he has an impressive resume. Jesus however is blunt with him, your achievements count for nothing, you need to be born again, there is no big debate, just being told in really simple language, to get into heaven you need a new start, a new birth. This new start is not something you can make happen.

We didn’t do anything to be born the first time; we didn’t plan it, help out or contribute anything to the process. In the same way when we are born again we need Jesus to do it all for us – He died, that we might be born again.

Story in church

You will need: Large T shirt that you stick letter N onto, books, glasses, roll of paper as a tick list of laws, stick on heart, nappy and dummy

What to Say What to do In the gospels we have written down for us the Hold up Bible stories of different people who met Jesus, some talked with him, some heard him teach them in a crowd, all who hear His words are changed forever by their response. The first guy we are going to meet is a man, Volunteer wearing large T shirt His name is Nick Stick large N on shirt This guy was an insider, he should have no problems being in Jesus posse This guy goes to church a LOT! Hand a large bible / theology book He is a religious leader, a member of the ruling Put large glasses on him council, he is wise This guy works hard to do what is right, he knows Un roll a commandments check list God’s law, the commandments and does all he can to keep them A good, upstanding, hardworking member of the Hand Nick a magnifying glass community, and not too proud to ask for advice, he wants to talk to Jesus, this guy who seems to have come from nowhere, with no formal teaching or training and is saying such powerful things. Many of Nick’s mates want nothing to do with this Jesus guy, but Nick wants to find out for himself, he is seeking the truth Nick comes to Jesus; he has thought it through, Nick reads “Rabbi, we know that respectful… you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform the signs you do unless God was with them” But before Nick could get any further Jesus says it straight, right between the eyes to this “good guy”, Hand Nick a nappy and put a no one gets to be part of heaven unless they are born dummy in his mouth, Nick looks again. You’re going to need these… puzzled Jesus told Nick he needed to be born again, and this is what Nick thought he meant – Are you crazy, I can’t Remove nappy and dummy go back inside my mummy’s tummy – NO Jesus meant something else. When you were born you didn’t help out, you didn’t plan it, you didn’t get anything ready it happened to Remove the glasses, the book, the you, and everything was brand new, a new beginning, tick list we need a different kind of new beginning, a new beginning that God starts by His spirit, a new clean start helping you understand all that Jesus has done for you, and that all the achievements you have are not enough And that on your own, you can do nothing to help Remove the N yourself, you need Jesus to give his life, to die that you might Stick on a cross be born again Nick was someone who thought he was good enough, he would have been offended at someone calling HIM a sinner – but that’s just what Jesus did, and that’s what he says to me, and to you, you can do nothing, you need me and I am here! Nick was never the same after meeting Jesus, when we hear his words, we are changed forever by how we respond, and Jesus says to me, to you, you need to be born again. We have to decide whether we will listen to him. SING

Crèche

Teaching Time

Remind the children that Nicodemus met with Jesus, and Jesus told him he needed to be born again, not by becoming a tiny baby again, but by having a clean start that only Jesus can bring, draw a heart shape on a white board, ask the children for ideas of what we do that is wrong, write them on the heart. Explain that Jesus can wipe them clean, because he died on the cross for us – wipe words off with a cloth / wipe

(There are mini wipe boards in the junior church boxes)

Make Time

Stick blue and green tissue paper on a paper plate so it looks something like a globe, stick a big heart on, write Jesus saves on.

Junior Church

Game

Sneaking through the city – play like grandmothers footsteps. A leader on opposite side of the room, kids have to get to them, if leader turns, they freeze, if they are spotted moving they have been found out. Use to illustrate that Nick sneaked through the city and did not want to be noticed

OR put pieces of A4 paper on the floor in a grid, this is the city – children have to pick their route through the city 1 square at a time – you have a plan / map which shows where the people are and kids on populated squares are out.

OR – play misfits – have cut out different people, heads, bodies, legs, they have to make a misfit, use one as Nicodemus, old man’s head, baby body, use to discuss Nick’s confusion about being born again.

Younger Ones

Make a butterfly picture – using paints on one side of a large sheet of paper – fold over to make wings – talk about the picture this gives of new birth. Or make a butterfly using a wooden clothes peg as the body and squares of tissue paper as the wings, stick some buttons on the face of the peg for the body, add googly eyes and pipe cleaner antennae, clip colourful tissue paper inside the peg as wings.

Online craft activity – using a matchbox – stick picture of old man Nick on the outside of the box, and baby body inside the box – show how funny a picture it was to understand.

Older Ones

Science Experiment

Have a small white cereal bowl pour in water, talk about the perfect world that God made, how it was clean and new like this water, but sin spoils our world, grind some pepper over the top of the water.

Nicodemus was a guy who worked hard to clean his life up, to do what is right, get some of the kids to try and get the bits of pepper out, is working hard at this going to sort out the problem?? NO! We need help!

Jesus comes and offers to sort out our sin problem, put a dab of fairy liquid on your finger under the table, he came into our world, and those who put their trust in Him, can have a clean start, put your finger on the water surface, the pepper moves away!

Explain to the kids how to do it, and let them have a go.

Discuss

Print out verses 1-17

What kind of person was Nick?

Did Nick believe that Jesus was sent from God?

Was that enough?

What did Jesus tell him?

What did he think?

What did Jesus mean by born again?

Make

Make a matchbox man – see details online at jesus-without-language.net

Week 2

Jesus Meets the Outsider

John 4:1-26

Aim

For the children to understand that Jesus welcomes sinners, but confronts their sin. Jesus knows our hearts, he knows what we need to satisfy us, to look to anything but Him will end in disappointment.

Where are we going?

We want to show the contrast from last week’s Nicodemus – moral upstanding Jewish leader (insider) to this weeks, immoral, outcast Samaritan woman. They couldn’t be more different, yet Jesus welcomes them both. He reveals they have the same heart problem; both are looking to something else to satisfy them, both need Jesus, both are extended the same grace.

Jesus meets the woman at the well in the middle of the day; she comes at a time when she will not be seen. She is an outsider in every way, a Woman, a Samaritan with a broken reputation. Jesus breaks down every social barrier to speak to her, religion, race, gender, He asks her for help, she is stunned!

Jesus is welcoming and gentle with her, he talks to her about something she understands, “thirsting” and uses a simple illustration to help us all understand that we have another thirst, we want soul satisfaction, and we look in all the wrong places. Jesus confronts her sin – the man you are now with is not your husband, he highlights that she has been looking in the wrong places to find what she needs, she has been looking to relationships, and they have failed her, what she really needs is a saviour.

The question she asks about worship, who is right, them or us, who is worshipping God in the right building, us or the Jews?? Jesus answer must have floored her, buildings are irrelevant, knowing me is what matters; worship comes from a heart, not a building! The picture of thirst and satisfaction is a powerful one; Jesus knew thirst in His humanity, so that he could identify with us as sinners, just as he is with this woman. John the gospel writer tells us when Jesus knew thirst at the cross, he experienced the soul longing of separation from God as He bore our sin, he knew thirst to satisfy God’s righteousness, so that our souls may never thirst again.

Story in Church

You will need – large T shirt with the letters “WW” on (woman well) a letter “O” to stick on later, a Bible, stick on dots (adhesive felt?) stick on hearts (post it notes?), glass of water.

What to say What to do In the gospels we have written down for us the Hold Up Bible stories of different people who met Jesus, some talked with him, some heard him teach them in a crowd, all who hear His words are changed forever by their response. Last week we heard about Nick – Nick the insider, Have volunteer out with N t shirt on who went to church A LOT! Surely he was good enough for Jesus Hand volunteer either kids butterfly But NO! Nick needed to be born again – he needed craft from last week, or a sheet of a new start that only Jesus could give paper with a Cross on and send to sit down This week we are going to meet someone else who Female volunteer comes on with met Jesus and talked with him, this lady was very head down looking embarrassed different from nick, wearing T-shirt with letters “WW” on Well the first thing that is different is this is a Stick a large black dot on woman woman Jesus meets – you might not think that is a big deal, but in those days, Jewish men didn’t really talk to women, and certainly not THIS woman, she is a Samaritan, Stick on another large dot and we don’t like them, they are not like us,

Not only do they not believe the same as us, but Stick on another dot they have their own weird church, and they say they are worshipping God! As if that wasn’t bad enough, this lady has made a Stick on 5 more dots! mess of her relationships, she has had 5 different husbands, and now she’s living with someone she isn’t even married to! Let’s see what Jesus says to her!! Boy is she in for Woman cringes trouble read from Bible – “I am thirsty, will you give me a Woman lifts her head and replies drink” “you would speak to me, and ask me for help!?” Jesus told this woman that if she knew God’s Hold up a glass of water give to the wonderful gift, and who He was, she would ask Him woman to give her living water that satisfies forever You see when we drink ice cool water on a hot day, it’s wonderful, it’s just what we need, but soon we need another drink, it doesn’t satisfy us forever. In the same way we try to fix our need for love, our need for Jesus by looking in the wrong places, we fill ourselves up with the wrong things; we listen to what others say about us, and feel like we are rubbish. Jesus says all of this is like being thirsty, and what Stick a heart on each dot you need is me. I can see your problem, now let me fix it. I see your sin, but I am your saviour, go and sin no Woman lifts her head more! This lady met Jesus, she was amazed that he could Stick letter “O” between the “WW” love and forgive sinful her She met Jesus, SHE was forgiven – WOW! She was changed forever by His forgiveness, she went and told everyone she could about Him, she lived a changed life! SING Create in me a clean heart – Rend Collective

LESSON PLAN

Crèche

Teaching Time

Use a wooden spoon puppet – tie material round with an elastic band, stick some ribbon / wool on for hair, draw a sad face on one side of the spoon and a happy face on the other

Remind the children that Jesus met a lady; this lady did not think Jesus would be interested in her because she had done things wrong. Ask the children if they can remember what Jesus asked the lady to give him? Jesus wanted this lady to understand that just like we need a drink when we are thirsty, and only a drink will help, we need him to help us with the things we do wrong, and only He can help. This lady loved Jesus forever from this day on. Turn spoon round to show happy face. We need Jesus to be our saviour just like we need water when we are thirsty; Jesus said he was like living water.

Play Time During play try and talk about different needs, i.e. this baby is thirsty, what does it need, a drink, this teddy is sad, what does it need, a hug. This car can’t go, it needs petrol, I am hungry, what do I need, a snack. What do we need to fix our sin problem…? Jesus.

Make Time

Make a living water bottle, fill a small empty plastic bottle with water, add some food colouring and glitter, get the children to add some pom poms, little foam shapes, put stickers on the outside. Securely tape some strong tape – gaffer tape around the lid to keep it on, stick on a label that says “We need Jesus / Jesus is living water".

Junior Church

Game – Water Relay

Have a mop standing by – explain to the children that they are in a desert, and you have found a well of very precious water – large tub of water on the other side of the room. This is the only water for miles. In 2 teams they must travel across the stepping stones (mats on the floor) and safely carry back a cup of water for their team to pour into a jug. The team with the most water in their jug at the end wins.

Use to introduce the idea of water being so precious, what you need when thirsty, but Jesus meets and even bigger need we all have.

Younger Ones

Teaching Time

Give the children a number of scenarios and ask them what each person needs – Tom is hungry, he needs… Anna is tired, she needs… etc. Remind the children that Jesus asked the lady at the well for a drink, why was this a shock? Jesus wanted her and all of us to understand that we have a bigger problem we need help with than just wanting water when we are thirsty. We were made by God to belong to Him, hold up a cardboard person with a heart section that you can remove, without knowing and loving him we will always feel like there is something missing, remove heart. We might try and fill that space with something else, try to put other objects into the space. Nothing else will fill us, we need Jesus to be our saviour, to sort out our sin problem, so we can be back to being friends with God again. Put heart back in.

Discover and Do

Make a living water bottle – see crèche Make a well of living water – stick lolly stick around a paper cup, add 2 uprights to make the roof of the well, use a straw and a piece of string to add a lifting bucket. Write Jesus will forgive on the heart bucket that you pull out of the well

Or – Make a living water mobile – stick sparkly shapes onto a cut out raindrop and hang from a strip of card using string to make a water drops mobile. Write Jesus is the living water on the raindrops

Older Ones

Discuss and Act

Look at the passage and complete a table as below that compares the 2 characters we have met, Nick and the woman

Insider Outsider Nick Woman at well Man Woman Jew Samaritan Important church leader Different beliefs Respected Rejected Moral / Good life Immoral / made Came at night mistakes Came in the middle of the day Both met Jesus, both needed his forgiveness

Make a water bottle – ask them to use craft material to design a water bottle label, use this activity to distract them slightly as you chat about what you have learned and try to apply it.

What is it that makes us think we are better than others?

What kind of things do we notice about those who are different?

How did Jesus respond to an outsider that others didn’t like?

How does remembering that we have the same heart problem help us from being proud?

Week 3

Jesus Meets the Broken

Luke 7:1-17

Aim

For the children to understand that to know Jesus is to have life, only he can offer us hope in death, only He can beat death, because only He can beat sin. Where there is death, Jesus brings life.

Where are we going?

We want to paint the picture of Jesus’ great power, and His great heart of compassion. Jesus reaches out to the widow, the least in Society in her brokenness; he helps the Powerful Roman Centurion who comes to him in compassionate concern for his servant (another “least”). The world has no answer to death, no one else can offer any hope here, there is no hope, except in Jesus.

These 2 different very different characters are united in their problem – they are powerless in the face of death, The Centurion with all his influence and authority can do nothing. The widow is a state of utter desperation, she has already buried her husband, now she must bury her son, she is destitute. The centurion sends a message to Jesus, and he responds. The woman is met by Him, they are both broken, they are both given life instead of death.

To the Centurion who understands power – Jesus demonstrates His power, he speaks a word, and his word brings life. To the grieving mother, his heart goes out to her, v12, what a verse!! Nowhere else do you see such power, with such compassion. Jesus gives her comfort, and again His word brings life.

Jesus Demonstrated his Great power and his great love here, we want the children to understand that Jesus raised them there, to prove that he is the hope for all who are broken with grief, to all who face death, he raises us to be with Him. He raised the people then to be where He was, He raises all who die now to be with him where he is now, heaven. Those who meet Jesus by faith now, will meet him in heaven for real one day. We will swap death for life, this is a hope that we can hold onto no matter what, a hope that will never die.

Without Jesus, what hope can you possibly offer at a graveside, what is there to say?? How desperate! With Jesus there is hope, there is power in death, there is the joy of resurrection.

Story in Church

You will need: T – shirts from previous weeks for Nick, and Woman at well, 2 black T-shirts, 2 gravestone cards saying Death, 2 labels saying life What to Say What to do In the gospels we have written down for us the stories of different people who met Jesus, some met Him and talked with him, some heard him teach them in a crowd, All who hear His words are changed forever by the way the respond to Him. We have already met Nick, the good guy, the insider who Have Joash out with green cross t shirt on – went to church a lot, who knew his Bible and came to talk to or pin the shirt on a string washing line Jesus – Jesus told him he has to be born again Last week we met WOW woman, the woman at the well who Have Mia out with WOW t-shirt on had done things wrong, and Jesus told her He was what she needed more than anything, and he forgave her – WOW! This week Jesus meets 2 more very different people who Male volunteer looks tough, flexes muscles share the same problem The first is powerful, strong, in authority, a ruler of soldiers, a MAN, this guy was a Roman soldier, and not just a Soldier a Centurion, he told thick necked, tough guy soldiers what to ?gets some congregation members to do do and they did it!! push ups When he spoke… they listened – SIR YES SIR!! But then one day, something terrible happened, one of the Centurion puts a black t shirt on and bows people who worked for him, who he really cared about got his head. really sick, badly sick, not just a tummy bug or something, but so sick that no one could help, and they were going to die, and it broke his heart. None of his strength, none of his power, none of his words would help his friend. Death was Holds up a cardboard sign shaped like coming, and there was no hope. With all his power, he was gravestone saying death powerless to help. Then there was a lady, this lady had no power, no one Female volunteer walks out with black t listened to her, she wasn’t in charge of anyone, she had no shirt on, and scarf over her head. one to help her anymore, you see this lady was already sad, her husband had died, and she missed him. And now her only son, all she had left in the world had just died, her heart Holds up card saying death was broken by losing her family, she could do nothing, she was broken by death A powerful man, a powerless woman, very different people, sharing the same problem… Who do they both need?? The centurion’s servants go to get Jesus for him, but the man Volunteer reads: ”Jesus, you don’t need to who understands power says this… come to me, you have all power over all things, just speak and my servant will be Jesus loved his faith… well” Rip up death sign and stick LIFE label on the centurion And the powerless, broken hearted woman, what does Jesus do for her – Luke tells us that His heart goes out to her… Hug her This broken woman, crying for her only son, Jesus speaks in power, “GET UP” and the son gets up Rip death sign, and give life sign 2 different people, 1 shared problem, they could do nothing Point at the 2 people about death, they had no hope. Only Jesus could help Only Jesus can take death and bring life Only Jesus raises people to be with him Jesus can help broken people, Point at yourself Only Jesus can give any of us hope in death. How can Jesus do this?? Because death was never part of God’s good plan for His world, it only happened because of Stretch arms out at 2 volunteers like a sin, only Jesus is sinless, only Jesus can beat sin, only Jesus cross can beat death. He took our sin, he took our death that we might know life, that we can have hope that He will raise us to be with Him where He is now, heaven. Point at heaven PRAY

LESSON PLAN

Crèche

Story Time

Remind the children that there were 2 people that met Jesus today, one was a brave tough soldier – hold up an action figure, he was in charge of lots of soldiers, he could tell people what to do, but he was really sad!! Why was he sad?? His friend was very sick, bring on another figure and lie it down There was a lady too, she wasn’t in charge of anyone, nobody thought she mattered much – hold up doll figure, she was sad because her little boy had died bring on another figure and lie it down by woman. Who can help them? Only Jesus can! And Jesus did! Stand figures back up. Jesus helped them so we can understand how he helps us, if we put our trust in him, when we die, lie down on the floor, He can lift us to be with Him where he is now, Stand up, Where is Jesus now? He is in heaven.

Play Time

Encourage play time around Dr’s and nurses, helping each other, use to re enforce chat, Jesus helped sad people, he gives us all good news.

Make Time

Make a wooden spoon puppet / paper plate face – children decorate as the widow, or the centurion, stick on eyes, sad face on one side, happy on the other.

JUNIOR CHURCH

Game

To understand the idea of words having power – Play Centurion says – version of Simon says – what the centurion says they have to do. Use to discuss the Centurion with all his power could not do anything to help his dying friend, he needed Jesus. Even with all our medicines and hospitals, everyone will die one day, so we all need to know Jesus.

Infants

Teaching Time

Pray before you begin with the children.

Use ideas from Crèche teaching time, extend by talking about how Jesus can beat death because he can beat sin, we can know for sure that he can do that because of the cross. Jesus died taking the punishment for sin; Jesus rose again to show He had won. Explain that the best place to be is with Jesus, Jesus raised the Centurions servant, and the widow’s son to be where He was on earth, where is Jesus now?? Heaven. All who have put their trust in Jesus are raised to be with Him where He is now in heaven.

NB. Be sensitive, children in our group have experienced loss of loved ones, parents, siblings & grandparents, it is important to talk about these things openly, and a great comfort to them to discuss this truth, and be reassured that they are with Jesus, and we will be with Him too one day. Remind children who may be flippant that this can be hard to think and talk about, and we need to do it carefully.

Discover and Do

Cut out a heart shape from card, get the children to wrap bandages around this, stick on a label that says, Jesus gives hope

Make a spoon widow / centurion puppet – decorate a wooden spoon with material and elastic bands as either a widow or the centurion, stick on eyes etc., and draw sad face on one side, and a happy face on the other.

Juniors

Teaching Time

Look at the passage together, as you read through complete a group chart comparing the Widow and the Centurion, highlight what was different, highlight what was the same.

Discuss Jesus having both power and compassion, how is this an unusual mix?

How can Jesus’ words make someone come to life? What does this remind you of? … creation

Read 2 Corinthians 5:21 – how does Jesus beat sin and death

Discuss and Act

As you chat, spread a large bandage across the table – cut into long sections if necessary. Using sharpie markers, ask the children to write on how knowing Jesus gives hope to people facing death, sickness, hard times, what answer can we give when people are sad, or when people die?

To know Jesus is to know hope even in the saddest times - using the bandage, wrap it around 2 sticks to hold it in place in the shape of a cross, use to remind them that even in the saddest and hardest moment, when Jesus died on the cross, this was to give us hope of forgiveness, and hope of heaven.

Week 4

Jesus Meets the Sinful

Luke 7:36-8:3

Aim

For the Children to understand that those who know they are forgiven much love much in response. Only when we truly understand the depth of our sin, will we truly understand the depth of Christ’s love towards us, and love Him and worship Him fully in response.

Where are we going?

We want the children to see the contrast between Simon the Pharisee and the sinful woman, both meet Jesus, one thinks he is good enough, one knows she is not. Their responses reveal their hearts, hers full of thankful love and worship, his full of self-righteous pride. As we look at these 2 characters, we should be challenged in our pride, and encouraged in our sense of failure.

Luke tells us what we need to know to set up the contrast, Simon is a Pharisee, the woman is sinful, v36- 37, Simon is the host, The woman is the gate crasher, he doesn’t even tell us her name. This woman, this sinner, approaches Jesus as he eats with a jar of perfume, this would be her most highly prized possession, this incense would be kept and usually used to anoint the body of a loved one when they were buried. This lady comes into the house where Jesus is eating, and pours it all at Jesus feet; she washes them with her tears, and wipes them with her hair. This is extravagant, self-sacrificial love, what others think of her is irrelevant, she is so thankful to Jesus for His forgiveness that she pours all she has at his feet.

This demonstration of loving thankfulness and worship is so powerful, the fragrance would have filled the room, and she uses her tears and hair – humbling herself totally at his feet, what a powerful image to all who looked on; they should be challenged that this is the only right response to Jesus, but instead Simon in his heart criticises her. V39 Simon thinks to himself that if Jesus really were a prophet, if God revealed himself to Jesus, then Jesus wouldn’t let this scumbag sinner touch him. Jesus is greater than a prophet, he does know what this woman has done, and more than that, he knows Simon’s proud and sinful thoughts!! He explains to Simon that those who are forgiven much love much in response.

Jesus isn’t saying that Simon hasn’t sinned much; he is saying that he self-righteously thinks he doesn’t need much forgiveness, which only goes to show how big his problem really is! These 2 characters in contrast challenge us all, we either proudly think we are good enough and don’t need Jesus, or we worry that we are too sinful, either way; we both need Jesus just as much!

Story In Church

What to Say What to Do At Junior church we have been learning more about (probably best to be bare Jesus, the things he said, and the people he met. footed as you tell this) We have written down for us in the Bible, in the gospels what happened when different people met Jesus, and Hold up Bible how meeting Him changed them forever. Jesus has already met Nick, the woman at the well, the Male volunteer comes out strong Centurion and the weak widow; I wonder who He holding plate of grapes is going to meet this week… Female volunteer comes out holding bottle of perfume Stand either side of pulpit 2 more people who met Jesus, this Man is called Simon – Put a star badge / post it note Simon was a Pharisee, he was one of God’s people, he on Simon that says Simon the was a leader in the church, he was important, and clever, star like Nick, he went to church a lot, and knew God’s law really well Simon was a bit of a star And Simon was having a dinner party, (he was quite Simon offers you some food posh) and he had invited Jesus to be there, and Jesus from his plate came. It was a posh kind of dinner party, where you ate lying down at a low table, that sounds fun doesn’t it, lying Simon demonstrates reclining down at the table!! My Mum makes me sit up straight!! and popping grapes into his mouth There was someone else who came to this party, a Point at woman, look woman, now this lady didn’t have an invitation, Simon unimpressed wouldn’t have invited HER!! Everyone knew she was bad, that she had done things wrong, she was naughty… they Stick a black dot on woman would have said to her, “You can’t come to my party” She wasn’t Simon the star, she was scumbag the sinner But this lady had met Jesus before, where other people Stand in the middle in front of had been so mean to her, He had been so kind, and she pulpit, woman comes and pours wanted desperately to say thank you to him, so she came perfume onto your feet into the party, she sneaked in to where Jesus was, and this is what she did… She took her most precious perfume, the most Woman acts out crying and expensive, the most wonderful thing she owned, and she drying with hair poured it onto Jesus feet, she washed his feet with her tears, and dried them with her hair, she just wanted to show Jesus how thankful she was to him The smell of this beautiful perfume would have filled the Simon shakes his head. room – WOW! Everyone noticed, especially Simon, but Simon wasn’t impressed Simon looked at this woman, he thought to himself, Jesus shouldn’t let her touch him, she is sinful, if Jesus really was from God, he would know what she is like. Jesus did know what she was like, and more than that, he knew what Simon was like, he knew what Simon was thinking!! Jesus told Simon, those who understand how much they Help woman up – she goes and are forgiven, love much in response, he told the woman sits down – you have done a very beautiful thing to worship me, your sins are forgiven! This lady left forgiven, she knew she was a sinner, who Stick dot over Simon’s star, needed Jesus’ help. Simon, I don’t know what happened Simon walks away to him, you see he thought he was doing a good job of being good on his own, he didn’t understand yet how much he needed Jesus, but Simon the star, when you looked inside his proud heart, was really Simon the sinner We need to understand that we can never be good TAKE THIS VERY SLOWLY enough on our own, even if we put on a good show, God see’s the pride in our hearts, we can never be good enough for him, BUT we can never be bad enough either!! When we come to him and fall at his feet in worship, he WILL forgive us. 2 people met Jesus, one fell at his feet, and was forgiven, and one walked away, what will you do? LETS SING CREATE IN ME

LESSON PLAN

CRECHE

Story Time

Remind the children that there were 2 people who met Jesus today, get 2 play figures out. Simon thought he was good enough for Jesus, he invited Jesus to his house for tea; put a post it note on Simon figure, draw a tick on. While Jesus was there, a lady came in, she didn’t think she was good enough for Jesus – put post it note on, draw a cross. But Jesus had been so kind to her, so she wanted to do something nice to say thank you, can you remember what she did?? Let children smell some perfume – she poured her expensive perfume on Jesus feet. Jesus told her that her sins are forgiven, take cross note off her, and stick a heart on, but he told Simon that he could see his proud heart, and that he needed to understand that he needed forgiveness too – stick cross on Simon. We all need Jesus to forgive us.

Play Time Make Time

Make a scented perfume bag – fill a little organza gift bag or circle of netting with a scoop of pot-pourri and decorate bag with some heart stickers – the smell can remind them of the woman’s loving gift to Jesus.

JUNIOR CHURCH

Game – Swapping dirty for clean

Have a 2 baskets of socks, one black / dirty, one white / clean (either real, or cut out of paper) in teams the children run, relay style across the room, they have to take a dirty sock over to the other side, and swap it for a clean sock – repeat until they have swapped all their dirty socks.

Use this to introduce the idea that they would have dirty feet from the smelly roads, needed cleaning, and later to link to the fact that we need Jesus to take our sin, and give us his cleanness as a swap.

Infants

Teaching Time

Some people think they are too bad for Jesus to forgive them – is this true?

Some people think they are too good, and don’t need Jesus to forgive them – is this true?

We all need to be forgiven by Jesus, no one is good enough, but no one is too bad either! We all need Jesus to forgive us.

Discover and do

Either – make a perfume bag – as crèche

Or – make a heart hanger – cardboard cut-out heart with hole punched in the top for a ribbon– cover one side with dark material / collage paper – keep one side clean – stick on a label that says “Jesus forgives”. Children could then hang this in their room.

Juniors

Teaching Time

Look at the passage together, focus particularly on the example that Jesus gives Simon to help him understand how people who understand how much they are forgiven, love much in response. Encourage them to work together to compare the 2 characters – perhaps you could act out the story too.

Discuss and Act

Get the group to draw round their own foot on a sheet of coloured paper – ask them to imagine that Jesus knows every wrong thought they have ever thought, every mean word, every lie, every single bad thing they have done that not even anyone else knows about, remind them that Jesus knew what Simon was even thinking!! Even though he knows the worst about us, he can forgive us, because of what he did on the cross. Ask them to work quietly on their own to write in their footprint a thank you prayer to Jesus – This is a way of us worshipping Him for what he has done for us, just like the lady did who washed his feet.

Ask if there are any volunteers who want to share their prayer, if not, share your own.

Week 5

Jesus looks for the lost

Luke 15:1-10

Aim

For the children to understand that Jesus lovingly sets out to find the lost, He seeks, He finds and He delights in those He brings home.

Where are we going?

Unlike the other lessons where we have focused on individuals meeting Jesus, this lesson we are looking at how Jesus speaks to the crowd and addresses the heart issue of all those who listen. V1 tells us that the tax collectors and sinners huddle close to Jesus, you imagine they are hanging on his every word, here is a man who offers them hope, and they are desperate to hear it. V 2 tells us of another group listening in, the muttering, moaners, the highly religious think they are alright Pharisees and law teachers, they hand on every word in the hope to find fault.

The 3 parables Jesus tells strike to the heart of the issue for them all, the lost sheep and coin – the lost are precious, I come to seek them, to do all it takes to find them, I delight in finding, saving and returning the lost to the place they belong. The final parable is this same message amplified – the hurt and wronged one, the loving father offers outrageous grace to the returning sinner, we should delight in this, but many do not, the older brothers judgemental approach shows how little he understands the father’s love. We will study this more next week, but it is helpful to know that this is where we are headed.

The 2 groups of people listening react in different ways to what is taught. The sinners and Tax collectors are punching the air with delight – I am precious, I am looked for, I can belong! The Law teachers are horrified, here he goes again telling scum bags God loves them – who does he think he is! God’s grace will always provoke a reaction – either this is just what I need / I am relying on myself.

Notes to help with understanding the Passage

Sheep – the one they belong to wants to cares enough to go out and seek for the missing, and joyfully returns them home, back to the place of safety and belonging. Their safe return is a cause for celebration

Coin – The coins belong to the woman, the one that is lost is precious and searched for diligently until it is found and returned to it’s rightful place, the return is a reason to rejoice.

We belong to God, we are precious, we are lost, he seeks us out, He does the work, He does the finding, He does the rescuing, He does the rejoicing. The cause of great delight in the throne room of heaven is the sinner’s recognition of their need for rescue and their helpless state; this allows God the opportunity to demonstrate His stunning saving grace. The recognition of our helplessness renders Him the most glory and opportunity to express His amazing character.

Story in Church

You will need – a phone / precious item, a volunteer dressed as a shepherd, a toy sheep, a volunteer as the woman with a bag of coins.

NB There will be visitors there this week, don’t ask the children to come to the front, we will lose control, keep them where they are, just move around more yourself

What to say What to do Hi, I’m sorry, I’ll be with you in a minute, I am having a Hide your phone / precious item bit of a nightmare this morning, sorry this is really bad, under someone’s seat before what a terrible impression, it’s just I can’t find my church begins; Come on in a bit of phone, and it’s got my notes on what I’m supposed to a flap! be saying.! Check pockets, riffle through bag Ask Josh – have you seen my phone? Mum have you seen my phone? Look stressed This is so embarrassing – would you all just mind having a quick look around you, I definitely had it Get congregation to look and before; it’s got a flowery case… phone is produced OH THANK YOU! What a relief, I am so happy, my Hug the phone finder contacts, my messages, my photo’s, such a relief!! Oh Look at the phone and my notes for this morning!! Oh YES! I’m telling you about the people who met Jesus, who heard him teach them, and today we are learning about how brilliant it is to find something that belongs to you that is lost! HAHA, just like my phone! Jesus was talking to a big group of people, a crowd, Walk down the aisle, wave across just like here this morning. In this crowd, just like this the whole room morning there were 2 different kinds of people. There was a group of people who knew they messed up, who knew they were sinners, and you know where they Walk to the front, point to the were… near the front! front few rows You see they had heard that Jesus spent time with people like them, that Jesus didn’t push them out like others did, so they wanted to hear him speak, he Ask front rows to smile at you offered them hope, and they were hanging on his every word – OK so you guys here, let’s see a beaming face! But there was another group of people, who were Walk to the back hanging on every word Jesus said, not with happy faces, but grumpy ones! They were listening to try and Ask them to look grumpy catch him out, and they did not like what he said Why would these people be grumpy with Jesus?? Well they tried hard to be good, they thought they were so much better than those sinners down the front, and Jesus being nice to them did their head in! To this mixture of a crowd Jesus told 3 short stories, Josh in wax jacket, cap comes out we are going to look at the first 2 today, there once was a shepherd – this guy had sheep – the sheep Acts looking for sheep belonged to him, but one went missing, it was lost. This shepherd doesn’t say, oh you idiot – you wander Walks round congregation – off it’s your problem, he goes out, looking for his collects a toy sheep – carries to sheep… he looks, and looks… the front Until he finds it! He puts the sheep on his shoulders and brings it home rejoicing, he calls his friends and Shepherd shouts WOO HOO and celebrates sets off a party popper Why are you so happy to have the sheep back Mr Shepherd answers – because it’s shepherd mine! Because it’s back where it belongs Shepherd stands at front with sheep Jesus then told a story about a woman who had 10 Woman with scarf over head beautiful coins comes out and counts coins out of a treasure box / bag – 1-9 – “AGH, there’s only 9, 1’s gone” Hey it’s OK, we’re good at looking for things here, OK Woman flaps around then shouts people, a silver coin, she gets a torch out, she moves - “I’ve got it!” the furniture, she checks the bin, the outside bin, the washing machine, she looks everywhere!! High and low until… She’s so delighted, she posts a picture on instagram – Woman blows party hooter she rings her mates, she is delighted Why are you so pleased Mrs coin lady? Because MY coin is precious, it got These 2 people lost something precious that belonged lost, and I have found it to them – they searched until it was found, they Point to volunteers – they then sit partied when it was back where it belonged! down Jesus told the crowd that heaven parties when lost people are brought back by Jesus to the place they belong The people in the crowd who know they are lost LOVE this story – I am lost, I can be found, the grumpy people in the crowd hate this story – I am not lost, they think, I am doing a good job sorting myself out. They don’t get to be found, they don’t get to belong, they don’t join the party… which group are you?? Understanding you are lost means you can be found! Let’s sing Create in me

LESSON PLAN

Crèche

Story Time

Have a toy sheep and some coins / play money, have a shepherd figure and a woman figure – ask the children who the coin belonged to, ask them who the sheep belonged to. Remind them that the sheep and the coin were lost, ask the children to close their eyes and place the sheep and coin somewhere. Ask them to open their eyes, ask them to go and look for the items. Remind the children that the shepherd and the lady were so pleased when they found their things; they had a party, because they were back where they belonged. Tell the children that we belong to God, hold up a paper cut out person but the things we do wrong mean we are lost away from Him, put the person on the other side of the room, but Jesus came to save us, and help us, and bring us back to where we belong.

Play Time

Play some treasure hunt games with coins and the sheep

Make Time

Make a sheep – cut out a cloud shape out of card – stick on cotton wool and eyes as the sheep’s body, clip on clothes pegs as the sheep’s legs so it can stand on its own

Make a purse – decorate a mini envelope / bag with stick on jewels, wrap cardboard circles in tin foil as the coins to keep in the purse

JUNIOR CHURCH

Game

Treasure hunt games – hide 20 cardboard coins round the room and 2 sheep – children in 2 teams each have to collect their 10 coins, once they have found their 10 coins they then have to find their sheep – first team wins.

Teaching Time

Remind the children of the 2 groups that were listening. Have the items from the game with you; ask who did the sheep belong to? The shepherd – it was precious to the shepherd because it was His sheep. Who did the coins belong to? The woman – they were precious to the woman because they were her coins. Who do we belong to? God – we are precious to him because we are His creation – He made us to belong to Him. The sheep and the coin got lost, they were away from the place they belonged, the woman went out to look, the shepherd went out to look. How do we end up away from God? Because of sin. How does God go out to look for us? By sending Jesus.

The woman partied, the shepherd partied when their lost one was found, God, and the angels party when sinners are found.

Discover and Do

Make a sheep – stick cotton wool onto a cut out sheep’s body, stick on eyes and add clothes peg legs so it can stand on its own

Make a money bag – decorate a mini bag / envelope with stick on jewels and add tin foil covered cardboard coins inside

Juniors

Teaching Time

Spend some time looking at the passage and thinking about how the different people in the crowd would react to the story Jesus tells – try and help them understand that those in the crowd who think they are not lost cannot be found, those who know they are lost can be helped.

Highlight that the coin belonged to the woman – that is why it is precious to her, the sheep belonged to the shepherd, that is why he looks for it. We belong to God, we are lost in sin, He in Jesus does the seeking, does the finding, does the rejoicing when we are back where we belong

Discuss and Act

Decorate some cakes – shop bought is fine! Cover with icing / chocolate spread, decorate with mini marshmallows as the sheep’s fluff, add a large chocolate button / biscuit as a head and snap a chocolate finger in 2 as legs.

They could also cover a cake with icing and add 10 white chocolate buttons as the woman’s coins.

Week 6

Jesus and the undeserving

Luke 15:11-31

Aim

For the children to grasp something of God’s amazing grace in welcoming repentant sinners and to understand that our reaction to His grace towards others shows how much we understand it for ourselves.

Where are we going?

This lesson links to last weeks, the sinners and Pharisees are in the crowd, the sinners huddle close to hear the good news from the one who has time for them, the Pharisees hang back, annoyed, they have worked hard to do what is right, now he seems to be telling them that it doesn’t matter. This story cuts to the heart of both issues in the characters of the 2 brothers. The younger brother has to recognise his sin, and return in repentance to the father, he knows he deserves nothing, and does not expect anything, and yet he is welcomed with such astounding grace by a loving father.

The older brother has enjoyed the privilege and joy of being with the father all along, instead of sharing in his father’s delight at his brother’s return, he demonstrates the lack of grace in his own heart, “he doesn’t deserve this”, the point is that none of us do, when we see the fathers amazing grace extended to others, it should make us love Him more, and understand better what he has done for us.

The heart issues are different, but they are both resolved in a true experience and understand of the riches of God’s grace. The brothers are different in appearance, but they both have the same heart need - to understand the love of the forgiving father, and enjoy it.

Notes to help with understanding the Passage

Needs to be understood in context of who Jesus is speaking to and pick up on the themes from previous parables. The sheep was sought by the shepherd because it BELONGED to him, the coin was sought by the woman because it was PRECIOUS to her, how much more does a son BELONG to a father, and is PRECIOUS to him. This is the crescendo that hits home to the whole crowd.

The issues Jesus mentions would be quickly understood and utterly shocking to the crowd, a YOUNGER son demanding his inheritance whilst his father was still living, he may as well have just said, “I wish you were already dead Dad”. The depth to which he then falls is extreme, no self-respecting Jew would care for a pig, never mind long to eat the pigs food; he could not be more disgusting / unclean or further from where he belongs. At the point where he could go no lower, he returns to his father with true repentance.

The reaction of the Father demonstrates the wonder of his love and the depth of his grace. The reaction of the older brother niggles at us, we kind of understand where he is coming from, but ultimately this reveals how little our hearts reflect the grace of the father we belong to! When we belong to the father, and are with him, we should know and love him, and when we see His loving grace in action in welcoming our messed up brother home, we should delight in his homecoming, and delight yet more in the grace and love of OUR father.

Story in Church

You will need – 3 volunteers to act as father & brothers, 3 red card hearts on string hanging round their necks. Father’s heart has word “Grace” written on the back, and has 4 heart shapes in a layer stuck together with blue tack so you can pull them off and stick onto the others. (Caleb I have made these!)

What to Say What to do This series we are meeting Jesus, looking at the gospel of Hold up Bible Luke where we have written down for us what happened when Jesus met people, and taught them Jesus was talking to a big group of people, a crowd, like here this morning. In this crowd there were 2 different kinds of people. There was a group of people who knew Point to the front rows they had messed up, who knew they were sinners, and you know where they were… near the front! They were huddled close to Jesus, the one who told them good news, that lost people can be found! But then there were grump people at the back, those who tried really hard to do the right thing, who had things Walk down aisle and point to straight, who did not consider themselves to be a mess, and the back they disapproved of Jesus, what he said and who he hung around with To this group Jesus told this final amazing short story, there Volunteers come out – have once was a Father who had 2 sons. an older figure - ?big Joe Dad, The sons were the fathers joy, he loved them, they little Joe and big bro Adam. BELONGED to Him, they were PRECIOUS to him - hang hearts on bro’s They lived with their Dad, they were loved, they were Hang larger heart on the Dad valued they were where they belonged, their Dad loved them But one day the younger brother decided that he wanted to “I want more – give me my money, leave… shocked, this is what he said… what I will get when you’re dead, I don’t want to wait.” He may as well have just said, “Dad, I wish you were dead”, Snatches Dad’s wallet goes to the and he left the place where he belonged and went far back of church and out the door away. shouting, “later losers!” Off he went, and wasted all the money he had on things that did not last, until in the end he was left with nothing, no money, no home, no family, no food, he ended up living with pigs and eating their food – disgusting!! This was not where he belonged Meanwhile back at home, the older brother was where he Act out digging / kicking a ball belonged, he was with his Dad, they did stuff together to one another and eating a Worked on the farm, they ate together, had fun together, meal but everyday his Dad said… “I wish your brother was here And he would keep looking hoping he would come home enjoying this with us.” Meanwhile in the pig pen, the younger brother came to his senses, he decided to come home, to say sorry and to ask if Brother comes back in the His dad would have him back as a servant in his house, he door with his head down, knew he didn’t deserve to be His son anymore.. he was drops to knees at the end of ready to say sorry the aisle But, and I’ll read this, because it’s so good “while he was Father runs down aisle, hugs still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with son, jumps up and down with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms him around him and kissed him” Son says “Dad, I’m so sorry” The father ordered a party…. “Let’s feast and celebrate, my brother stands with arms folded looking unimpressed son is home!” Music group party – dance But there was 1 guy who did not join in the party – big bro Big bro, “it’s not fair!! He was in a major nark, he said those words we all say doesn’t deserve a party!” sometimes… And the father had some amazing words for his older son, 3 figures stand at front let me read them, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours, we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again, was lost and is found.” We get to see what is in the heart of these 3 guys – the Write sin on younger younger son messed up big time, he went away from where brother’s heart necklace he belonged and rejected His father – we call that sin - But the father’s heart was great, when the son came back Turn father’s heart round to saying I am not good enough, what did he get – a clip round reveal word “grace” the ear?? No he got what he did not deserve, we call that Take front off fathers grace – enough grace to cover his sin necklace and stick over son’s But the older brother – he already knew the father’s grace, “I want more” he was with him, he was where he belonged, he knew how loving his father was, he should have been pleased, but Write sin on big bro’s heart instead, he said, he’s got the same problem – what does he need??? The same grace, and guess what, the father has Take another grace heart enough for him too – question is, does he want it?? from the father – hold it up This amazing loving heavenly father has enough grace for Hold heart out to audience all who come to him knowing they are lost, and need his forgiveness, will you? PRAY

LESSON PLAN

Crèche

Story Time

Recap the story using the Beginner’s Bible

Play Time

Encourage the children to act out the events of the story with play figures and the farm.

Make Time

Decorate a large cut our heart shape with stickers, write the word “Grace” on it, attach a ribbon so the children can wear it like a necklace

JUNIOR CHURCH

Game

Play hide and seek – have to look for those who are hiding, and not give up, use this to link to the Father, he kept looking for his son, until he came home and was found.

Infants

Teaching Time

Recap teaching time, use pictures from the Jesus story book Bible, (NB this does not mention the older brother) ask the children whether the son deserved to be welcomed home, he didn’t, but the father forgave him, when God gives us his love when we deserve His punishment, we call that grace. Discover and Do

Make a heart necklace / medallion like crèche. OR use a long strip of thin card to be arms – get the children to draw around their hands, cut out and stick on either end. Stick a circle as a head and a heart shape in the middle, write – “My grace is sufficient for you” in the heart.

Juniors

Teaching Time

Read the passage together – split them into 2 groups, ask them to discuss and think about how the 2 brothers behaved and felt. Share answers.

Discuss how the father felt and behaved.

Discuss and Act

Discuss what the word grace means and ask them to write an acrostic that explains what it means.

Give them a printed out page with letters GRACE written down the side, plan on wipe boards, then complete with the rainbow sharpie markers and decorate this with the craft materials, stick on gems etc.

Week 7

Jesus Meets the Seeker

Luke 15:1-10

Aim

It is an utter shock to everyone, most of all Zacchaeus that Jesus wants to go his house and eat with him!! Zach knows he is far from good enough for Jesus – this is the only qualification we need to be welcomed by Him. Once he has met Jesus and received his forgiveness, he is totally transformed.

A little man – A Big difference – because of a super saviour!

Where are we going?

We want the children to understand that they are lost, they can do nothing to be good enough for Jesus, but yet he comes to seek them, he came to save the lost. Jesus came to the tree where Zacchaeus was hiding, he comes to where they are and calls them to accept His offer on His terms; I will save you, you cannot save yourself.

Jesus states to the muttering crowd the purpose of his mission, the reason he came to meet with us v10, to seek and save the lost.

The effects of this meeting on Zacchaeus is monumental, his life is turned upside down, his priorities are changed, what captivates his heart is no longer money, but Jesus! We need to recognise our sinful state… but not stay there!

Jesus invites himself to Zach’s house, I am coming to eat with you, to be at home with you, to share life with you, Zach did not stay up the tree because he was a sinner, he came down, he took him home, he gave him beans on toast… or whatever. We need to be delighted at Jesus’ invitation and throw ourselves at him… but we don’t stay there either!

Zacchaeus went on to lead a transformed life as an example to others of how great knowing Jesus really is. He showed his heart was different by his life, he gave his money away, he wanted justice; he now lived pointing to Jesus. We need to let who Jesus is, and what he has done for us change is in a way that others can see, and are drawn to, they see our hearts are difference, they see in us the one who made the difference.

Story in Church

You will need

Party invitation, volunteer as Zacchaeus, chair large shoes, large tree branch

What to say What to do This series we are meeting Jesus, looking at the gospel of Hold up Bible Luke where we have written down for us what happened when Jesus met people, and taught them The guy we are going to learn about who met Jesus today was never the same again; his life was changed forever by meeting Jesus. This man did not get many of these… Hold up birthday party In fact he never got them, people did not want him invitation around because he was a cheat, and a thief, why would you want him in your house! He was not popular, he did not have mates. And that wasn’t the end of his problems, he was also Adult volunteer comes out on small. He would have needed his trousers taking up, you knees with either real shoes, or wouldn’t want him in your basketball team, he really cardboard shoes attached to didn’t have a lot going for him – his name was Zach. their knees Zach was one of the people who had heard about Jesus, the one who had good news for sinners, who told stories about lost sons being forgiven, and lost sheep, and lost coins being found, and he wanted to hear more, this sounded too good to be true, Jesus could be interested in someone like him, and Jesus was coming to his town!! But Zach wasn’t the only one who was keen to hear 4/5 adult volunteers come out Jesus, so were lots of people, some who knew they were and stand in front of Zach lost, and some who thought they were great. linking arms like a wall A whole crowd of people, Zach would have had no chance of seeing anything – but then! He found a tree to climb, perfect, he could see, and he Zach gets chair with tree branch couldn’t be seen, and Jesus came, he came through the taped to the side and climbs up crowd, he knew where he was heading, straight to the so he sees over the people wall bottom of Zach’s tree, and this is what he said. Point down aisle, act walking through crowd to tree “come down Zach, I’m coming to yours” The guy who never got an invitation, got one he never forgot, not will you come to mine, but I am coming to yours, I am coming to be with you! Jesus says Zach I want to be at home with you!! WOW There were 2 reactions – People wall… shaking heads The crowd said… “WHAT, HIM!! HE’S A SINNER” And Zach said… “YES!”… punching the air Some people were shocked that Jesus would want to People in the wall shake heads want to spend time with someone who was a cheat and a walk off to sit down thief, Jesus told them – “I have come to seek and save the lost” Some people thought this was the best news Zach – “I’m lost, save me.” ever! Hug Zach – he goes to sit down Jesus did save Zach – he went to his house, they ate, the talked, they were friends, he was so thankful that Jesus found him, he was so delighted by being forgiven and accepted by Jesus that it totally changed Zach forever Zach was found by Jesus because he knew he was lost – some people won’t admit they need him, they think they are ok on their own, good enough, they miss out on being with Jesus. Zach did not miss out, he met Jesus, and Jesus changed him, Where he had taken money before, he now gave it away, where he had cheated, he was fair, when he would have lied he now told the truth, and everyone knew that it was because he because of Jesus. Meeting Jesus had changed him. Jesus wants to be with us, he invites himself into our lives, into our homes, into our decisions, into our behaviour, our words, our friendships, we have to decide if we will come out of hiding, will admit that we are lost, and that we need him to save us and change us. Let’s sing Create in me

LESSON PLAN

Crèche

Story Time

Remind them of the story using the picture Bible, discuss further with the children how Jesus wants to be with us, we can meet him in the Bible and learn about what he was like. Jesus wants to forgive us, and help us be different and show people that we love and follow Jesus.

Play Time

Play with tea sets, picnic blanket, invite all the teddies and children to join in, we don’t want to leave anyone out, Jesus welcomed everyone who came to him. Jesus had tea with Zacchaeus. Make Time

Have a tree trunk drawn on a piece of paper, ask the children to stick on pre-cut leaves / scrunched up tissue paper and a figure for Zach.

JUNIOR CHURCH

Game

Infants

Teaching Time

Remind the children of the story – have 2 wipe boards, 1 with small stick Zach figure on, 1 with larger crowd. Ask the children what was Zach’s problem – write what they say around the figure. Zach was lost, write LOST on the board, he wanted to be found, but he had been looking in the wrong place, he thought having money was the answer, and he had lots of money, but it hadn’t helped – who found him – JESUS, and Jesus came to be with him, to forgive him to take away his sin, and to change him – he was FOUND! Rub out lost write FOUND.

There were people in the crowd who didn’t think Jesus should be hanging round with Zach, they didn’t cheat or steal like him – do you think they were lost, or found?? Accept responses. None of us are good enough for Jesus, we all get things wrong, we are all LOST – write LOST on the board. Who can save them, who can save us, who can forgive us, who wants to be with us – JESUS!

Discover and Do

Make a Zach story prop – use a cardboard tube as the tree trunk, stick tissue paper, pipe cleaners in as the tree. Decorate a wooden peg as a Zach figure and clip it on to the tree

OR – work together using cardboard boxes, plain wallpaper to make a mega tree and Zach figure to re-enact the story – photograph your construction for our Instagram page.

Juniors

Teaching Time

Read through the Bible passage – Highlight that Jesus goes to Zach’s tree, and then to his house. Jesus did the seeking and the finding. He does the same for us; he left heaven to come to earth, to live perfectly, to die in our place for our sin, so that we could be found! So that He could be with us in our homes and lives changing us to be like him.

Discuss and Act How should we be changed by Jesus – what does a thankful life look like in the following areas…

• At school? • On my phone? • With how I speak about others? • With the Language I use? • With how I talk to my parents and teachers?