Lesson 4: Doing good in secret.
Passage: Matthew 6:1-4 - Jesus taught his followers not to do good deeds just to be noticed by others. When giving to those in need, they shouldn’t act like show-offs who only want attention and praise. If they give just to impress people, that will be their only reward. Instead, Jesus taught them to give quietly and privately. God sees what is done is secret and will reward it.
Big Idea: Doing good out of a pure heart.
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 we are learning more about the important lessons Jesus taught his followers.
So far, we’ve learned about:
Spreading God’s goodness and love in the world.
Using our words in good ways by telling the truth and not making promises we can’t keep.
Being kind to others who aren’t kind to us.
Those are a lot of big lessons to learn! Today we’re going to learn about what Jesus said about doing good and helping others.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Questions — Bible Story Leader
When we do good things for others, should we show off how good we are? What should we do instead?
Why do you think Jesus said we should do good things quietly instead of showing off?
Do you think Jesus cares more about how many good things we do or about what’s in our hearts?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today about doing good and helping others from our hearts, not to show off how good we are. Please fill us with your love and show us ways that we can share your love with others. 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.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit near the TV. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we are continuing our series about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount - which is all about the teachings he gave his followers from the side of a mountain.
Can anyone remember any of the lessons we’ve learned so far? (being salt and light, saying what we mean instead of making promises, and turning the other cheek)
Today we’re going to learn about what Jesus said about doing good and giving to those who need help.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Questions — Bible Story Leader
Does anyone remember what Jesus said about how we should do good deeds for others? Should we do it loudly for everyone to see? Or quietly for only God to see?
What do you think is the point of Jesus’ teaching about doing good deeds quietly and without showing off?
Do you think Jesus cares more about how many good things we do or about what’s in our hearts?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today about doing good quietly and in secret, instead of for others to see. Please give us hearts that are full of your love and goodness, so that we can good out of a pure heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: — Activity Leader
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: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we are continuing our series on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which is all about the teachings Jesus gave his followers from the side of a mountain.
Can anyone remember any of the lessons we've learned so far from Jesus' sermon? (being salt and light, speaking truthfully instead of making big promises, and turning the other cheek)
Today we’re going to be learning about what Jesus said about doing good deeds and helping those in need.
Read: Matthew 6:1-4
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson —Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Questions — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone say in their own words Jesus’ teaching on doing good and giving to those in need?
Why do you think he taught us to do good deeds privately instead of publicly?
If someone did something good, and then started telling everyone about it, what would you think their motives are for doing good?
Do you think Jesus cares more about how many good things we do, or about what's in our hearts? Why do you think that is?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount about how when we do good deeds we should do them privately and not for show. Please help us to have pure hearts that really love and care for people and do good with the right intentions, not to be praised for it but out of love for others and for you. 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?
Do you think that sometimes people do good things for others to show off? What did Jesus say about that?
Why do you think Jesus taught us to do good things quietly instead?
What are some good reasons to do nice things for others?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Do you think people can sometimes do good things for the wrong reasons?
What do you think might be some of those reasons?
Do you think God cares more about how many good deeds we do or about what’s in our hearts? Why?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Do you think our motives for doing good deeds matters? Why or why not?
What do you think are some good and not so good reasons for doing good and helping others?
What did Jesus teach about the way we should do good deeds?
What do you think this shows us about what God really cares about?
