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 Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Stand Up/Sit Down — Activity Leader
Have all the kids sit 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. Occasionally ask different kids more about what they did in relation to the question.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Last Sunday we started learning about Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.
Can anyone remember what a sermon is? (A special message about God.)
Why was Jesus’ sermon called the Sermon on the Mount? (Because Jesus shared it while sitting on a mountain!)
Last week, we learned that Jesus said we are like salt and light. We can spread God’s goodness like sprinkling salt on food, and share God’s love like shining a light in the dark.
Today, we’re learning something else Jesus said about telling the truth instead of making big promises that we can’t keep.
Let’s watch today’s video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Questions — Bible Story Leader
Why do you think Jesus said we don’t need to make big promises?
What did Jesus say we should do instead?
Have you ever made a promise but you couldn’t keep it?
Has someone ever promised something to you, but didn’t do it? How did that make you feel?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the story we heard today from Jesus. 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.
Activity: Paper Plate Birds — Activity Leader
Kids can fold a paper plate in half (or glue the halves together if they want) and colour the outside in the way they want their bird to look. Cut and tear s crap paper to make the beak, wings, and tail feathers. Glue on googly eyes or draw on eyes.
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 near the TV. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: True or Silly 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 — Bible Story Leader
Today is our second week learning from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
Who remembers what a sermon is? (It’s when someone teaches others about God.)
Why do you think it’s called the Sermon on the Mount? (Because Jesus gave it while sitting on a mountain!)
Last week, we learned that Jesus said we are like salt and light when we spread God’s goodness and shine God’s love in the world.
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 — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Questions — Bible Story Leader
Why do you think Jesus told us not to make big promises or say “I swear”?
What did Jesus say we should do instead?
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: Paper Plate Birds — Activity Leader
Kids can fold a paper plate in half (or glue the halves together if they want) and colour the outside in the way they want their bird to look. Cut and tear s crap paper to make the beak, wings, and tail feathers. Glue on googly eyes or draw on eyes.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Welcome the kids to class, ask how their week was.
Warm Up Activity: Two Truths and a Lie — Activity Leader
Each kid takes turns saying two true and one false thing about themselves. Everyone else has to guess which one is the lie.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is our second week learning from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
Who remembers what a sermon is?
Why do you think it’s called the Sermon on the Mount?
Last week, we learned that Jesus said we are like salt and light when we spread God’s goodness and shine God’s love in the world.
This week, we’re learning about something else Jesus taught. This time, it’s about making promises and oaths.
Read: Matthew 5:33-37Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
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?
Has there ever been a time when someone made a promise or swore to do something, but didn’t do it? How did that make you feel?
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: Paper Plate Birds — Activity Leader
Kids can fold a paper plate in half (or glue the halves together if they want) and colour the outside in the way they want their bird to look. Cut and tear s crap paper to make the beak, wings, and tail feathers. Glue on googly eyes or draw on eyes.
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?
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?
