Lesson 3: Matthias joins the team.
Passage: Acts 1:15-26 - The followers of Jesus gather together after his return to heaven. Peter stands up among them and explains that they need to choose someone to take the place of Judas as one of the twelve apostles. The new apostle should be someone who was with them the whole time Jesus was teaching and who saw him after he came back to life. They pray and ask God to show them who to choose. Then, by casting lots, they select a man named Matthias to join the apostles.
Big Idea: Jesus builds his kingdom through us.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Charades — Activity Leader
Prompts will be provided in a bowl, including visuals. Instructors may still have to help with the prompt. Kids will act out the word without speaking and the rest of the group will guess what it is.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Last week we learned about how Jesus left the Earth by floating up into the clouds like a superhero! But Jesus didn’t leave his friends all alone, because he promised to send them the Holy Spirit to live in their hearts. Today, we’re going to learn about what his friends did next.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember how many disciples Jesus wanted on his team?
What did his friends do when they needed help choosing someone new to join them?
What kind of things does Jesus’ team need to use to build his kingdom? (ie. love, kindness, goodness, etc)
Can you think of one way you can show that you are part of Jesus’ team?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the story we learned today, about how you are building your good kingdom on earth through us, your friends. Thank you that we are part of your team, just like the disciples in the story were, and you give us the power to help build your kingdom through showing love and kindness to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Apostles Poster — Activity Leader
Colouring sheets of the 12 apostles will be provided. Kids can colour and decorate it as they wish. They can also draw superhero capes to match the video theme.
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Charades — Activity Leader
Prompts will be provided in a bowl, including visuals. Instructors may still have to help with the prompt. Kids will act out the word without speaking and the rest of the group will guess what it is.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Last week we learned about how Jesus left the Earth by floating up into the clouds like a superhero! But Jesus didn’t leave his followers all alone, because he promised to send them the Holy Spirit to live in their hearts. Today, we’re going to learn about what the disciples did next.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Why did the disciples need to choose someone to replace Judas? Why did there need to be 12 of them? (it was an important number that represented the people of God in the Old Testament - the Kingdom of Israel - and Jesus was building God’s kingdom through the 12 of them)
How did they ask God for help in making their decision?
What makes God’s kingdom different from regular kingdoms in the world?
What are some ways we can help build God’s kingdom each day?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the story we learned today, about how you are building your good kingdom on earth through us, your followers. Thank you that we are part of your team, just like the disciples in the story were, and you give us the power to help build your kingdom through acts of love and kindness, and sharing Jesus with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Apostles Poster — Activity Leader
Colouring sheets of the 12 apostles will be provided. Kids can colour and decorate it as they wish. They can also draw superhero capes to match the video theme.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
-
Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Whiteboard Pictionary — Activity Leader
Prompts will be provided in a bowl. Kids will take turns drawing the word on their prompt ans the others will guess what it is.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we are continuing our series about the early followers of Jesus. First we learned that before Jesus left the earth, he gave them an important mission, to spread the good news of God’s love and forgiveness with the world. He also promised to give them the Holy Spirit to help them. Then we learned about how Jesus ascended into heaven, by floating up into the clouds. But he promised to still be with his disciples through the Spirit and to one day return.
Today we’re going to find out what the disciples did next after Jesus left.
Read: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 (we’re skipping verses 18-19 since it is graphic)
Now let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Why do you think it was important for there to be 12 disciples again after Judas left the group? What’s the importance of the number 12? (it represented the people of God in the Old Testament, the Kingdom of Israel - so Jesus was showing that he was re-building God’s kingdom through the 12 disciples)
What does it tell us about the disciples that they prayed and let God choose Matthias, instead of having a vote and choosing themselves?
What does it mean for us to be part of God’s kingdom as Jesus’ followers today?
In what ways can you live our the values of God’s kingdom — like peace, justice, and love?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today about how you are building your kingdom on earth through your followers — first through the 12 disciples, and now through us. Please help us to live as citizens of your kingdom each day by living lives of peace, love, and justice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Apostles Poster — Activity Leader
Colouring sheets of the 12 apostles will be provided. Kids can colour and decorate it as they wish. They can also draw superhero capes to match the video theme.
Dismissal: Collect tags 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?
Who was the new friend that joined Jesus’ team?
How do you think Matthias felt when he was chosen to be part of the team that would build God’s kingdom on earth?
What do you think God’s kingdom is like? How can we help build God’s kingdom in our lives?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What do you think it means to be on God’s team?
Why do you think Jesus sent his followers to build his kingdom?
What are some ways that we can build God’s kingdom each day in our lives and world?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
How did the disciples make their decision to choose a new member of the team?
How do you usually make decisions? What can you learn from the disciples way of doing it?
How does it feel to know that you’re invited into the same mission as the disciples?
What are some simple ways that we can live like we are part of God’s kingdom today?
