Lesson 2: Making promises.
Passage: Matthew 5:33-37 - Jesus taught that while the Law told people not to break their promises and to keep their oaths, he gave an even deeper teaching: don’t make oaths at all. Don’t swear by heaven, by earth, by Jerusalem, or even by your own head. Instead, Jesus says we should be people of honesty. If you say “yes,” mean yes. If you say “no,” mean no. We don’t need to make big promises—we just need to speak the truth.
Big Idea: Being truthful in what we say.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome Activity: — 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. Introduce yourselves.
Leader: “Good morning friends! It’s so nice to see you! We are glad you are here today. We are going to play a little game to get started today.
Warm Up Activity: Stand Up/Sit Down
Have all the kids start sitting down. Go through the list of summer fun questions and have the kids stand up if their answer is YES.
Have them all sit down again between questions.
Leader: Today we’re going to learn about something very special that Jesus said a long time ago. Does anyone know what it’s called when someone stands up to talk to people about God and the Bible? It’s called a sermon! Can you say that with me? (Sermon!)
This summer, we’re going to hear about a sermon that Jesus gave to his friends and followers. And guess what? We can still learn from it today!
We are going to watch a video about today’s story. Can you find a seat where you can see the TV? Can you give a thumbs up when you are ready?”
Play Video: ‘The summer on the mount: Making Promises’ from the lesson plan playlist.
Follow Up Discussion:
Leader: Good Listening friends! Would anyone like to share what happened in the video? Has that ever happened to you?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the story we heard today. Thank you for teaching us that we don’t have to make big promises. Instead, we can just tell the truth. Help us use our words in a good way and help us to be honest and kind in everything we say. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Leader: Alright friends I think we should get up and move around a bit before our craft can everybody stand up?
Body Break Activity: — Sing & Dance
Play ‘Toddler Worship Thank-you’ from Worship Playlist.
Encourage Children to sing and do the actions
After the song finishes head to the craft tables for the activity.
Activity: Wooden Bird ornament — Activity Leader
Kids will use markers and water colour paints and brushes to decorate their birds.
If a child is not interested 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 — All Leaders
Welcome the children to the front of the classroom.
Manually Check-in each child using the iPad Roster. Introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: 2 Truths and a Lie Game— Activity Leader
Kids take turns saying two things that are true about themselves and one thing that they make up.
The rest of the kids have the guess what the made up one is.
Use simple statements about their daily lives (ie. I have a dog named Max, my favourite food is pizza, etc.).
Preliminary Discussion -
This week, we’re learning about something else Jesus taught. This time, it’s about making promises.
Have you ever heard anyone say, “I promise” or “I swear”?
That’s kind of like making an “oath.” Let’s watch our video to hear what Jesus had to say about that…
Video Lesson: Play ‘Summer on the Mount: Making Promises’ from Lesson Playlist.
Follow Up Questions — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone tell me, in your own words, what Jesus taught us in today’s video?
Today is our second week learning from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This week, we’re learning about something else Jesus taught. This time, it’s about making promises.
Have you ever heard anyone say, “I promise” or “I swear”?
That’s kind of like making an “oath.” Let’s watch our video to hear what Jesus had to say about that…
Follow Up Questions — Bible Story Leader
Has there ever been a time when you made a promises but couldn’t keep it? Or when someone else broke a promise to you? How did that feel?
If someone says “I swear,” does that make them trustworthy? What really helps you trust someone?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for what we learned today from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. You teach us that we don’t need to swear or make big promises. Instead, you want us to be honest and tell the truth. Help us use our words in the right way, and help us to always say what we mean and speak with love and truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Wooden Bird or Flower Ornament
Kids will use markers (first) and then watercolour paint/brushes to decorate their ornaments.
De-coder Activity sheets will also be available.
Dismissal: Use the iPad Roster to dismiss children making sure each child leaves with their care-givers.
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Welcome — All leaders
Welcome the kids to class, ask how their week was. Use iPad roster to check kids in.
Warm Up Activity: Bible Think Fast Game
Kids will will be split into teams (or pairs) depending on how many kids are present and given a worksheet.
They will try to answer all 14 questions before the timer runs out.
The leader will then go over the questions and ask the kids what they wrote down. The team with the most correct answers wins.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is our second week learning from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This week, we’re learning about something else Jesus taught. This time, it’s about making promises and oaths. Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Play video ‘Summer on the Mount: Making Promises’
Follow Up Questions — Bible Story Leader
Have you or someone you know ever said something like, “I swear to God” or “I swear on my life”?
Why do you think people say that? What are they trying to prove?
Why do you think Jesus said that we shouldn’t swear or make oaths at all? What should we do instead?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. You teach us that we don’t need to swear or make big promises. Instead, you want us to be honest and truthful in everything we say. Help us to use our words wisely, and to spread truth instead of making false promises. Please guide us to be people others can trust. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Wooden Bird/Flower Ornaments
Kids will use paint markers and water colour paint to decorate their ornaments.
Dismissal: Using the iPad roster manually dismiss each child making sure they leave with their care-giver.
For Parents:
Follow up questions.
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Have you ever heard someone say, “I promise” or “I swear” before doing something? What do you think that means?
Has someone ever made a promise to you and didn’t keep it? How did that feel?
What did Jesus say we should do instead of making big promises?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What do you think it means when someone says, “I promise” or “I swear”? Do you trust them more when they say that?
Why do you think Jesus said we shouldn’t have to say, “I promise” or “I swear” all the time? What should we do instead?
What do you think is big message from Jesus’ teaching?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
How would you explain what an oath is? Can you think of any examples?
Why do you think Jesus had a problem with people making oaths?
Do you think an oath has power or can it be easily broken? What should we do instead?
What do you think is the main message of Jesus’ teaching?
