Lesson 1: The two sons.
Passage: Matthew 21:28-32 - Jesus told this story to the chief priests and elders who were questioning him on his authority. He said to them, there was a man who had two sons, each of whom he asked to go and work in the vineyard. The first son said no, but ended up changing his mind and going. The second son said yes, but he didn’t go. Jesus asked the chief priests and enders which son did what the father wanted, to which they answered, the first son. Jesus then reveals the meaning of the parable: that those considered “sinners” were actually entering the kingdom of God ahead of the religious folk, because when they heard Jesus’ message they repented and believed.
Big Idea: Actions speak louder than words.
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.
Use this time to get to know the children’s names in your classroom.
Leader: “Good morning friends! It’s so nice to see you! We are glad you are here today. We are going to read a story book to get started today.
Warm Up Activity:
Story book 'I am God’s Dream’ By Matthew Paul Turner
Leader tip: take breaks during the story to look at the pictures and ask kids what they think is happening on the page.
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 participate by singing and doing the actions (not mandatory)
After the song finishes head to the craft tables for the activity.
Activity: Wikki Stix Crafting
Kids will make creations using Wikki Stix (wax yarn) of people flowers, pets etc.
Children can take their Wikki Stix creations home with them.
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. Check that the code from the parents matches the code on the iPad roster.
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Welcome — All leaders
Have one leader greet the children with the iPad roster and Check-in the children as they arrive.
Have another leader invite the children in to have a seat. Introduce yourselves, and use this time to get to know the names of the kids in your classroom.
Warm Up Activity: Emoji Bingo — Activity Leader
Each kid gets a bingo card. The leader draws emojis from a jar and calls them out.
Kids will cross off the ones they have until they get a line.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Leaders will have a basket of fidgets for kids to use during the bible story discussion and videos.
Today we’re going to be starting a brand new series all about the stories that Jesus told his followers to teach them something about God. These stories are called Parables. They are short little stories, kind of like fairytales.
Can you think of a fairytale? What's a lesson that you've learned from a fairytale (ie. Little Red Riding Hood)?
Jesus also told stories that are meant to teach us something, but they’re not really like fairytales because there’s no talking wolves or fairy godmothers… Jesus’ stories are based on normal, everyday life. Like today’s story, which is all about a father and his two sons.
Let’s watch our video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Play video: ‘The Parable of the two sons’
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Does anyone remember what the father in Jesus’ story asked his two sons to do?
What did the first son say? And what did he actually do in the end? What about the second son?
Do you think that sometimes people can say they believe in God but don’t really follow Jesus’ ways? Which son do you think they’re like in Jesus’ story?
What do you think we can learn from the story about what it means to be a true follower of Jesus?
Activity: Wikki Stix creations
Kids will use Wikki stix (yarn covered in wax to create a person, a flower, an animal etc.
Children will be able to take home their craft with them.
Dismissal: Dismiss children manually with Roster iPad and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver. Check parents pick up stickers to see that they match with the code listed on the iPad.
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Welcome the kids to class, ask how their week was.
Using the roster iPad manually check-in the kids who are in the classroom.
Use this time to get to know the names of the kids in your classroom.
A basket of fidget toys will be available if needed, pass around fidgets to help kids focus during the lesson.
Warm Up Activity: Treasure Hunt
The leader will give their kids their first clue towards finding the treasure.
The leader will be given a quick run through of where the clues are prior to starting in case help is needed.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re starting a new series for the fall which is gonna be five weeks on the Parables (or stories) of Jesus.
We did a series on the Parables last Fall too, but this time we’re going to be learning about some stories that we didn’t talk about last year.
Does everyone remember what the definition of a parable is?
In a way, parables are kind of like fairytales which sometimes have a lesson or moral of the story. Can anyone think of a fairytale that’s meant to teach us something?
A good example is the story of Little Red Riding Hood. Does anyone know what happens in it? What do you think the moral of that that story?
The difference between a fairytale and a parable is that fairytales usually have some kind of magical aspect to them, like talking wolves or fairy godmothers… But Jesus’ parables are based on ordinary, everyday life that would be relatable to the people listening.
The story we’re going to be hearing about today is about a father and his two sons, and he asks each of them to do something, and we see how each of them responds.
Let’s watch our video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Play ‘The parable of the two sons’ from the lesson playlist.
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember what it was that the father in Jesus’ parables asked his two sons to do? What were their responses?
How would you summarize the main lesson is that Jesus is trying to teach through this story?
Activity: Wikki Stix craft/activity pages
Kids will be able to craft something using Wikki Stix (wax yarn) to take home with them.
Additional activity pages will be provided in the classroom.
Dismissal: Dismiss children manually with Roster iPad and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver. Check that the code from the parents matches the code on the iPad roster.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What was it that the father asked his two sons to do? Did they listen to him?
What do you think matters more - saying that you believe in God or actually following Jesus’ ways?
Do you think the story also teaches us about judging others? Why do you think we should never judge someone by how they seem on the outside?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What was it that the father asked his two sons to do? How did they respond?
What do you think is the lesson or moral of the story? What or who was Jesus comparing the two sons to?
Have you heard the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover?” What do you think it means? Why do you think we should never judge people by how they seem on the outside?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What or who do you think the two sons represented?
What do you think is the lesson or moral of the story?
Have you heard the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover”? What does that mean to you? Why do you think shouldn’t judge others by their appearances?
