GROWING CHILDREN IN FOLLOWING JESUS
Welcome!
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Today’s story is from Matthew 9 on how Jesus was ready to be friends with people others didn’t accept.
Do you want to make a Kids Church Creed Video? Check out our instructions here. You can get the backing track here. Or you can make your own!
Lesson
Bible Reading
Matthew 9:9-13 (ICB)
When Jesus was leaving, he saw a man named Matthew. Matthew was sitting in the tax office. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And Matthew stood up and followed Jesus.
Jesus had dinner at Matthew’s house. Many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with Jesus and his followers. The Pharisees saw this and asked Jesus’ followers, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
Jesus heard the Pharisees ask this. So he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor. Only the sick need a doctor. Go and learn what this means: ‘I want faithful love more than I want animal sacrifices.’ I did not come to invite good people. I came to invite sinners.”
Discussion
After you have watched the lesson video and completed the bible reading, discuss these questions:
Who are the people today who are rejected like Matthew?
Think about the people in your neighbourhood, church or school who don’t have smiley faces because they don’t feel like they belong or are important.
What does Jesus mean by ““Healthy people don’t need a doctor. Only the sick need a doctor.”
Do healthy people need a doctor? When do people know they need Jesus to help them?
What is something we can obey?
We learn things about God to help us live God’s way.
Who can we share what we have learned with?
Don’t keep God’s great news secret! Share this amazing life we have in Jesus with others.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank you that you love each one of us, whatever we have done (just like Matthew) and will forgive us and give us a new start. Help us to be like you and accept others, particularly people who are not popular.
More Resources
Colouring Pages
Download here
Activity Pages
Download an worksheet activity here
Access an online bible game here
Challenge
How can we help people around know us they are welcomed, matter, or cared for?
What can you do this week with your neighbours or friends to show them they matter?
Memory Verse
John 3:17 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Special Treats
Kids Talk
Last week we heard Sandy talk to us about Easter Sunday.
Fun Video
Our fun video from Colin Buchanan