Lesson 8: Choosing the narrow path.
Passage: Matthew 7:13-14 - Jesus taught that there are two paths in life: a wide road that is easy to travel but leads to destruction, and a narrow road that is harder to follow but leads to life. The narrow path is walking in Jesus’ ways and teachings, which may be challenging but leads to true and lasting life.
Big Idea: Taking the road less traveled.
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: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is the last day learning about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This summer, we've been learning all about the important lessons that Jesus taught his followers. Some of the things we've learned about are:
Spreading God’s love and goodness in the world
Telling the truth and not making promises we can’t keep
Not trying to get someone back for hurting us
Searching for heavenly treasures
Not worrying, but trusting God to take care of us
Not thinking badly about others
Today we are going to be talking about two different paths Jesus said we can take…
Has anyone ever gone hiking or walking in the woods before? What was the path like? Was it very bumpy and hard to climb?
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember what Jesus said about the two paths in life? What are they like?
What do you think the hard path is? (following Jesus)
Do you think it’s worth it to follow Jesus and his teachings even though it can be hard?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today about the narrow and wide roads, and how following you is sometimes like walking on a very hard path. It’s not always easy, but we know that it’s worth it because your way is the best way. Please help us to do the right thing even when it’s hard. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: — Activity Leader
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.
-
Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is the last day learning about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This summer, we've been learning all about the important lessons that Jesus taught his followers. Some of the things we've learned about are:
Spreading God’s love and goodness in the world like salt and like
Telling the truth and not making promises we can’t keep
Being kind to others even when they are not kind to us
Searching for heavenly treasures instead of earthly ones
Not worrying, but trusting God to take care of us
Not judging others for their mistakes
Today we are going to be talking about two different paths Jesus said we can take…
Has anyone ever gone hiking or walking in the woods before? What was the path like? Was it very bumpy and hard to climb?
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember what Jesus said about the two paths in life? What are they like?
What do you think the hard path is? (following Jesus)
What are some of Jesus’ teachings that can be hard to follow?
Do you think it’s worth it to follow Jesus and his teachings even though it can be hard?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today about the narrow and wide roads, and how following you is sometimes like walking on a very hard path. It’s not always easy, but we know that it’s worth it because your way is the best way. Please help us to do the right thing even when it’s hard. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: — Activity Leader
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: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is the last day of our series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, which was all about the important lessons Jesus taught his followers from the side of a mountain.
Can anyone remember some of the lessons that we've learned so far?
Do you think Jesus’ teachings are easy or hard to follow?
Today we are going to be talking about two different paths or roads that Jesus taught his followers about…
Read: Matthew 7:13-14Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Has anyone ever gone hiking or walking in the woods? What are hiking paths usually like? Are they narrow and bumpy and steep? Are they hard and tiring to climb?
Why do you think people like hiking? What’s the reward they get from it in the end?
In what ways do you think following Jesus is kind of like hiking on a difficult and narrow path?
What do you think is the hardest part about following Jesus?
Even though following Jesus’ ways can be tough, do you think it’s worth it in the end? Why or why not?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for all the lessons we’ve been learning from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Thank you for showing us the way that brings us life to the fullest. Jesus’ way is not always easy and his teachings are sometimes hard to follow, but we know that it’s worth it and that you help us along the way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: — Activity Leader
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?
What do you think Jesus’ lesson about the narrow and wide paths is all about?
Do you think that it’s always easy to follow what Jesus teaches and to do the right things? Why or why not?
Even if it’s sometimes hard to do the right things, do you think it’s still a good idea? Why or why not?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What did Jesus teach about two different paths in life?
In what ways can following Jesus’ teachings be like walking on a difficult path?
What do you think are some of the rewards of following Jesus even though it can be hard?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What do you think about Jesus’ lesson about the two paths? What do you think these paths represent?
Do you find it easy or hard to follow Jesus’ teachings? What do you find to be the hardest part about it?
What do you think are some benefits of following Jesus even though it can be hard sometimes?
What are some things that can help us when we are struggling to follow Jesus?
