Lesson: Matthew 26:49 (Ages 6-8)

📖 Matthew 26:49 – Ages 6-8

Explanation

In this Bible verse, a man named Judas went up to Jesus and pretended to greet Him kindly by calling Him "Rabbi" and giving Him a kiss. But, sadly, Judas was not being kind. He was actually tricking Jesus and betraying Him to the people who wanted to hurt Him.

Imagine if you had a friend who said they were being nice to you but then did something mean behind your back. That's what Judas did to Jesus. Even though Judas acted friendly on the outside, his heart was not showing love and loyalty to Jesus.

This verse teaches us that it's important not just to act nice on the outside, but to have a kind and loving heart on the inside too. Jesus wants us to be genuine in our love and actions towards others, just like He always showed true love and goodness to everyone.

Kid's Story

Once there was a little squirrel named Sammy who loved to play in the forest. One day, he saw his friend, the wise owl, teaching other animals about kindness. Sammy listened carefully and learned that showing love and respect to others is important.

Later that day, Sammy saw a rabbit who was feeling sad. Remembering the owl's lesson, Sammy went straight to the rabbit and said, "Greetings, friend!" and gave him a big hug. The rabbit's face lit up with joy, and they became fast friends.

Just like Sammy, we can show love and kindness to others, just like Jesus did. When we greet others with love and respect, we spread happiness and make the world a better place.

Prayer Prompt

Dear God, thank you for always being with us, just like Jesus was with His friends. Help us show love and kindness to others, like how Judas greeted Jesus with a kiss. Amen.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think Judas greeted Jesus with a kiss?
2. How do you think Jesus felt when Judas kissed Him?
3. Can you think of a different way Judas could have shown his feelings instead of betraying Jesus with a kiss?
4. What do you think Jesus teaches us about forgiveness and love in this verse?
5. How can we show our love and respect for Jesus in our everyday lives?

Life Application

This verse teaches us about showing respect and love to others, just like Judas greeted Jesus with a kiss. Children can apply this by greeting their family members and friends kindly, using words like "hello" or "good morning." They can also show love by giving hugs or sharing kind words with others. By greeting others with respect and love, children can show kindness and make others feel loved and valued, just as Judas greeted Jesus with love and respect.

Craft or Activity

One fun activity to help children understand and remember the message of Matthew 26:49 is to create "Friendship Rocks." Provide each child with a small rock and art supplies like paint, markers, and stickers. Encourage them to decorate their rock with symbols of friendship, such as hearts or the word "Friend."

While they are decorating, discuss the importance of friendship and how Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, pretending to be a friend. Emphasize the lesson that true friends are honest and loyal, just like Jesus is to us.

Once the rocks are decorated, children can keep them as a reminder to choose their friends wisely and always strive to be a good friend, just like Jesus is to us.

Memory Verse or Rhyme

When Judas came near,
He greeted Jesus with cheer,
But his kiss was not sincere,
Remember, friends, Jesus is always near!

Songs or Videos

One Christian song that relates to the message of Matthew 26:49 is "Jesus Loves Me." This song reminds us of Jesus' love for us, just like Judas kissed Jesus before betraying Him. Another great song is "Jesus Loves the Little Children," which teaches us about Jesus' love for all, including those who may not always show love in return. Both songs can help children understand the importance of showing love and kindness, even in difficult situations.

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