Lesson 2: Jesus visits the temple.
Passage: Matthew 21:12-17 - Jesus and his followers go to the temple in Jerusalem where he turns over the tables of the moneychangers and sellers, incensed that they were turning God’s “house of prayer” into a “den of robbers.” He then heals all the blind and lame who come to him, and the children start shouting praises. When the religious leaders get indignant by this, he reminds them the Scriptures which says that from the lips of children and infants, God has called forth praise.
Big Idea: Jesus calls us to come near to God.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome Activity: (5 minutes) - All leaders
Have one leader greet the children with the iPad roster outside the classroom door. Check-in the children in your classroom as they arrive.
Have another leader invite the children in to sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Once everyone has arrived ask the children today’s circle time question:
What is their favourite thing to do outside when it’s warm out? Let everyone have a chance to share.
Transition to Bible Lesson
Leader: Those are great things to do when it’s warm out, for today’s lesson I’m going to read us a story about a special garden. Can everyone find a seat so you can see the pictures? Can you let me know you are ready to listen by giving a thumbs up?
Read ‘Sparrow’s Easter Garden’ by Roger Hutchinson
Leader: What did you think of the story? Can you think of a way this story reminds of Jesus?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for new life and the hope that spring brings. Thank you for Jesus and for Easter. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”
Transition to Play
Leader: Good listening friends, I think we should get some wiggles out before we do our craft could everybody stand up?
Body Break Activity: — (3 minutes) Animal Freeze Dance
Select Animal Freeze Dance or from Activity Playlist from Youtube
Following freeze dance move to the tables for craft time.
Activity: (10 minutes) Garden colouring sheet. Use ink stamps and markers to make an Easter garden.
If a child is uninterested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Dismiss children manually with Roster Ipad and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome Activity— All leaders
Welcome the children to the classroom and check them in using the Ipad roster.
Invite them to find a seat where they can see the picture book.
Preliminary Discussion
Leader: Do you know what season we are in? Spring, Lent, Easter.
This is the season where we remember the stories of Easter, we are going to learn about one today where Jesus visits the temple. But first let’s read our story book about some of the stories we talked about last week.
Read ‘Look and Find Easter Stories’ by Megan Higgins (First 3 stories)
Breathe prayer activity
Video Lesson — Play video Breaking News: Jesus visits the temple
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Does anyone know what a temple is?
Why do you think Jesus was so angry when he saw people selling things at the temple?
What do you think this shows us about what kind of king Jesus is?
Activity: Spring Garden craft
Children will use q-tips and washable paint to create a spring garden on white paper.
Dismissal: Dismiss children using Ipad Roster, make sure each child leaves with their care-giver.
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Welcome — All Leaders
Introduce yourself, welcome the kids to class. Ask kids about their weeks, and one interesting thing that happened this week.
Warm Up Activity: — Easter Trivia game - Choose Easter Trivia video from Activity Playlist on Youtube.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be continuing our new series about the Good News of Jesus and what happen in his last days on earth.
Can anyone remember what happened in the story from last week when Jesus first arrived in Jerusalem?
Today we’ll be hearing another story from when Jesus was in Jerusalem and visited the temple.
Let’s watch our video for today to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Why do you think Jesus was so angry when he saw people selling in the temple?
What do you think that says about the values of the kingdom of God versus the values of the religious leaders in the temple? (They seemed more interested in making money off of people, whereas Jesus was more interested in inclusivity and welcoming everyone to come to God)
And what do you think it says about what kind of king Jesus is?
What are some ways that we can exemplify this kind of attitude in our own lives?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we learned today about when Jesus came to the temple, and sent away the people who were turning it into a marketplace. Thank you that you are a God who is accessible to everyone, no matter who were are, where we come from, or how much we have. Please help us to learn to be more like Jesus, by including others and bringing them closer to God, not pushing them away. Thank you that even our age is no barrier to you, and that no matter how old or young we are, you call each of us to come to near to you in prayer and praise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Spring Garden craft
Using q-tips and washable paint the children will create a spring garden painting.
Dismissal: Dismiss children using Roster Ipad and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Why was Jesus so mad that people were selling in the temple?
Do you think God cares more about how much money we can give or about what’s in our hearts?
What kind of hearts do you think God wants us to have?
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Did you learn something about Jesus in class today? What was the story all about?
Why was Jesus so mad that they were selling in the temple?
What do you think it shows us about what Jesus cares about?
What kind of people do you think Jesus wants to be able to come to God in prayer or praise?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Why do you think people selling in the temple was so insulting to Jesus?
What were the religious leaders insulted by?
What do you think that says about the difference between Jesus and the other religious leaders and their priorities?
