st bart’s kids on sundays...march 29, 2020 (wk 9) bible focus matthew 25:31–46 theme focus...

St Bart’s Kids on Sundays Children’s Ministry Package • WEEK 9 of 12

Explanation of Resources This material has been developed to resource the St Bart’s Kids on Sundays program. Included within this package are resources for crèche (children aged 1-2 years old), preschool (children aged 3 years old), and Sunday school (children in Years Kindy to Year 6).

Our Sunday School curriculum focuses upon Biblical literacy and provides opportunities for both multi-age engagement (all-in teaching, games, worship) and small group learning (discussion, prayer, activity).

Both our Crèche and Preschool curriculums are play-based in nature and allow children to learn about the focus Bible passage in a variety of modes - be it role play, discovery, games, art, music, and more.

How to structure a Kids Program Having a clear and consistent structure each week, will help your children get the most out of this curriculum. We have found it necessary to structure in elements such as settling in time (for early years) and small group discussions (Sunday School) to help children build connections with each other and the team.

Games (Sunday School) have been strategically placed before the small group time so that children have an opportunity to run and move before being asked to sit in a circle, listen, and participate in discussions.

Similarly, we use morning tea (Crèche and Preschool only) as a great way to focus the children so they can listen to the story and main message of the day (little people generally love to eat quite frequently so it also helps keep them happy!).

The songs we use for worship are linked directly to the day’s topic, but are different in style to those used in Church. We have found the children love to use their whole body when their worship, so we dance, do actions, and have a wonderful time singing.

Sermon Series The King in Jerusalem • Matthew 21-28

Bible Focus this Week Matthew 25:31-46

ST BART’S KIDS SUNDAY

Early Years (Crèche and Preschool)

Together, in Church: Family Worship (2 songs) (10mins)

Kids Talk (5mins)

In Rooms: Settling in time (5mins)

Free play (10mins)

Wash hands and Grace (5mins)

Morning Tea + Bible Story +Teaching (15mins)

Activities (20mins)

Pack up (10mins)

Check out

Sunday School (Kindy - Year 6)

Together, in Church: Family Worship (2 songs) (10mins)

Kids Talk (5mins)

In Hall: Welcome

All in Teaching (5mins)

Games (10mins)

Small Group Discussion (incl. prayer) (20mins)

Activity (15mins)

Worship (10mins)

Together, in church: Worship (enter during last song) (5mins)

Check out

How to Use We would love to see children and families growing as disciples of Jesus - so please feel free to use any of these resources at your church, school or at home. To use these materials,

• Think about the age ranges of your children, and how you could best arrange groups for discussion and activities.

• Download the year level required. If you are a family or from a smaller children’s ministry setting, we would advise you look through this week’s resources and aim for a year level roughly in the middle of the ages present in your family/church. There is a summary Teaching Table at the end of this document that may help guide your choice.

You will find most of these resources can be adapted to groups of varied sizes, albeit with some creativity!

This is a free, printable resource, available via download. Multiple copies can be made to resource your family or church. We do ask however, that you don’t upload these resources on your own webpage.

For further information Please contact us on [email protected] if you require any more information regarding our Children’s Ministry resources.


St Bart’s Kids Sunday Worship SUNDAY March 29, 2020 • WEEK 9

Bible Focus Matthew 25:31-46

Theme Focus Judgment

All-in Teaching Questions to ponder:

Do I relate more to being a sheep or a goat? When I help people, what sort of heart do I have - a generous, loving heart, or one that is full of pride and selfishness?

Songs 1. Konnect

2. This Little Light of Mine (Lifetree Kids)

3. Give it Away (Lifetree Kids)

4. City on a Hill (Nick and Becky Drake)

Multimedia Sheep and Goats Bible Story by LifeTree Kids https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWSkdx-XwWY

Family Games ‘Jesus Says’ (aka Simon Says …. with a twist)

LINK: As Christians, we should help others with a loving heart.

You will need: * plastic cup * plastic plate * blanket * Bible/Prayer Book * some clothes * a ball

Set this game up in your backyard, spacing out the objects in different corners/areas. Have the children start in the centre of the yard. Yell out some actions related to today’s reading (i.e., give someone a sandwich), and the children run towards that object that represents this action (i.e., plate).

Continue the game as many times as desired. Most children like this type of game if you get faster over time, sometimes calling out the next action before they have even reached the previous one. This creates some added laughter, exhaustion, and fun!

Examples of actions: Pray for someone, play with a child who is lonely at lunchtime, give your friend their water bottle when they are thirsty, grab a blanket for someone who is cold, donate clothes to a charity, etc…


Additional Useful Family Resources:

Cooking:

Why not make these super cute Sheep Cupcakes?!

Use your favourite cupcake recipe and just follow this website for decorating inspiration. You could even drop some off with a nice note to a neighbour or someone who is a bit isolated at the moment. ( Just remember to let them know you’ve left them at the front door so the ants don’t get to enjoy them!) https://www.simplejoy.com/sheep-cupcakes/

Activities:

Get the whole family involved and create your own photo slideshow of the Matthew 25:31-46 reading. Stage different scenarios where you are helping someone who is thirsty and the where you fail to help someone who is thirsty. You could even pop this together as a mini movie and post it to our Facebook group page!


Teaching Table - Summary of Activities

Main Focus Activities Resources Required

Crèche (1-2years)

Jesus is our shepherd. We are his sheep. Jesus loves us. We should show love to others.

1. Bible Reading 2. Sing Old Macdonald 3. Fine Motor Skills -

cotton balls and tongs

4. Craft - cotton wool sheep

5. Sensory Play - shaving cream

• Bible Folder PDF • Printout - Cotton Wool Sheep

(PDF) • Cotton Wool Balls • Glue • Tongs • Bowl • Shaving Cream

Preschool (3 years)

Jesus is our shepherd and we are his sheep. Jesus takes care of us. We should care for others too.

1. Bible Reading 2. Fine Motor Skills -

cotton balls and chopsticks

3. Art - how to draw a sheep

4. Sensory Play - shaving cream

5. Game - Sheep and Goats (outside)

• Bible Folder PDF • Cotton Wool Balls • Chopsticks • Plastic bowls/containers • Internet • Paper • Pencils • Shaving Cream

Kindy/Prep (4-5years)

There are always people in need who I can help. I should help with a loving heart.

Worksheet - match the statements to the pictures (from Matthew 25:31-46)

• Activity_Matching ‘When I Was’ Statements to pictures

• Coloured pencils

Years 1-2

Sheep and Goats are different - can you tell them apart?

Sorting Skittles and Smarties

• Packet of smarties • Packet of skittles • Bowl per family member • 2 additional containers (small) per

family member

Years 3-4

Just like Sheep and Goats may have appeared similar, real and false believers might look the same with their actions, but their motivations (their hearts) remain distinctly different.



family member

Years 5-6

Just like Sheep and Goats may have appeared similar, real and false believers might look the same with their actions, but their motivations (their hearts) remain distinctly different.



family member

Family Activity (All Ages)

Our love for God should prompt us to look for ways to serve and help others in need.

COVID19 Isolated Community Connection - ‘Offers of Help’ Cards to be prepared and delivered to neighbours.

• Printout Activity_Isolated Community Connection Card (PDF)

• Paper • Pens • Envelope and stickers to decorate

(optional) • Walking shoes!


St Bart’s Kids Small Group Session Outline

Main Point: Jesus wants us to be ready for his return, where he will reward the true believers with eternal life. A true believer’s heart and motivation to help others always refl ects the love God has for us.

Discussion Questions Read Matthew 25:31-33 in the NIrV Bible (page 1200)

1. What does Jesus say will happen when the Son of Man returns? (That the Son of Man will come in glory. That all the angels will come with him and he will sit on his throne. Then all the nations will be gathered and he will separate them into two groups).

2. Explain what is meant by ‘sheep’ and ‘goats’ in this passage - who are these two groups of people? (The sheep and goats are a metaphor for the true and false believers, who will face judgment when Jesus returns. The true believers will be ready and be rewarded, whereas the false believers will not be living for Jesus and will be punished for the wrong they have done.)

Read Matthew 25:34-40 in the NIrV Bible (page 1200)

3. What do we learn about the actions of the ‘sheep’ and their motivation (those on the right)? (These people are commended for their selfless behaviour. They live lives where they are outward focused and ever-ready to help others, even when it is costly. They feed the hungry, show hospitality to others, visit the sick or lonely, and clothe those without. These things are acts of kindness shown to people who very likely cannot repay you. They are things done with generosity and often in private. The motivation of a ‘sheep’ person, is love.)

Read Matthew 25:41-46 in the NIrV Bible (page 1200)

Date & Week March 29, 2020 (Wk 9)

Bible Focus Matthew 25:31–46

Theme Focus Judgment

Explanation of the Gospel of Matthew Series In this series leading up to Easter, we’ll be exploring Jesus’ climatic final days before going to the cross. Having finished his ministry in Galilee, Jesus is welcomed into Jerusalem to the shouts of “Hosanna!” (meaning - “save us”!) by some, whilst others oppose, resist, and ultimately seek to kill him. But whilst many plot for his demise, Jesus teaches of coming judgment, the danger of hypocrisy, and that he is the only one in whom salvation is to be found.

ST BART’S KIDS SUNDAY \\ MARCH 29, 2020 1

YEAR 6

4. What do we learn about the actions of the ‘goats’ and their motivation (those on the left)? (These people have a very different motivation. They are slow to help and have little concern for the well-being of others. They are oblivious to the needs of others or selfishly deny others of their needs, when they could very likely help them. You might see ‘goats’ willingly help others or do good things, but they are often motivated by money or recognition, rather than care and concern.)

5. What are we told will happen to the goats? (They will be punished forever. They will miss out on receiving eternal life with Jesus.)

6. Does this passage teach that the believers are saved through good deeds? What would you say to someone who argued that this passage teaches ‘salvation through works’? [Note: This is a great opportunity for discussion on WHY we serve.] (No. The passage isn’t about doing good deeds so that we can have eternal life. See our notes below for further elaboration, if needed.) *

7. What do we learn from this passage about important things we should be doing while awaiting for Jesus’ return? (That we are to continue to do God’s work here on earth while we wait for Jesus to come back. That we should be looking for ways to help point others to Jesus and to share his love with others at every opportunity, with our words, thoughts, actions, and prayers.)

8. How are these things different from the worldly perspective of what is important? (This might seem quite counter-cultural to a world who says that you should look after yourself first. Caring for others and having a generous and sacrificial heart is not something the world promotes as important. This gives us a great opportunity to be different - and to really model what being a disciple of Christ can look like.)

Group Activity Smarties vs Skittles Link: Just like these two groups of lollies appear similar, real and false believers might look the same on the outside with their actions, but their motivations (their hearts) remain distinct.

1. Pour these into a large bowl and give them a good mix. Then divide these evenly into small bowls, giving each member in the family a bowl.

2. Each person should also have 2 cups/tumblers.

3. Set a timer/stopwatch and on the word ‘go’, everyone is to sort through the lollies, placing all of the smarties in one of their cups and all of the skittles in the other.

**(We recommend you play this game at the start of the small group session - then you can all enjoy your lollies as you chat through the questions and answers!)

Prayer Dear God, thank you that you sent Jesus to be our shepherd. Thank you that we have the ultimate example of love and sacrifice, in Jesus. Help us to serve you and others with a loving and generous heart. Help us to look for opportunities this week to help our family and those around us in need. Amen.

* Notes on Question 6: Going to church does not guarantee one’s salvation. Neither does praying, reading the Bible, tithing, or even serving in ministry. A real believer will have a zeal for the gospel, and a heart to serve others. They will do ‘good deeds’ BECAUSE of the love God showed us, through Jesus.


Family Activity Link: Our love for God should prompt us to look for ways to serve and help others in need.

Covid 19 Isolated Community Connection ‘How can we help?’ Cards

1. Print the ‘How can we help?’ Community Connection Cards (attached).

2. Talk about what ‘offers of help’ your family could manage at the moment. Consider the following: - your individual and collective talents as a family - the resources you have access to - the available time you currently have - the health and safety of your family

3. Once you have agreed on a selection of ‘offers of help’, handwrite your selection in the blank spaces (we have made space for 4 options). Ideas could include: mowing their lawn, doing a grocery delivery, going to pharmacy, a friendly phone call, dropping off a meal.

4. Then complete the rest of the information on the card (Adult or older child to write neatly).

5. Optional: place the cards in envelopes and decorate. Otherwise get a younger member to draw a picture of your family on the back of the card and label it accordingly (e.g., The Smith Family, by Thomas aged 4.)

6. Go for a walk as a family and deliver these to houses nearby, by placing them in the letterboxes. You may wish to just restrict this to the neighbours either side, or deliver to the whole street!


Isolated? How can we help?Our names ………………………………………………….……………………………….………………

We live at ………………………………………………….……………………………….………………

Call us on ………………………………………………….……………………………….………………

Text or call us, and let us know if we can help you with:


We live at ………………………………………………….……………………………….………………

Call us on ………………………………………………….……………………………….………………



We live at ………………………………………………….……………………………….………………

Call us on ………………………………………………….……………………………….………………



We live at ………………………………………………….……………………………….………………

Call us on ………………………………………………….……………………………….………………


st bart’s kids on sundays...march 29, 2020 (wk 9) bible focus matthew 25:31–46 theme focus...

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