Lesson: Matthew 23:32 (Ages 6-8)

📖 Matthew 23:32 – Ages 6-8

Explanation

In this Bible verse, Jesus is talking to some people who were not following God's ways. He tells them to continue doing what their family members before them did, which was not good.

Imagine if you have a friend who always makes a mess in the classroom. If you start making a mess too because your friend does it, that's like filling up the measure of your friend's mess-making. Jesus is saying that these people were following in the wrong footsteps of their family members who also didn't do what God wanted.

But we can learn from this verse to always choose to do what is right, even if others around us are not. We can make good choices and follow God's ways, even when it's hard. Jesus wants us to be kind and loving to others and to always do what is right in God's eyes.

Kid's Story

Once upon a time, there was a mischievous squirrel named Sammy who loved playing pranks on his friends. One day, Sammy's grandpa told him about a special tree where the nuts were the sweetest. Excited, Sammy ran to the tree and found it covered in nuts. But instead of sharing with his friends, he decided to keep them all for himself.

As Sammy gathered more and more nuts, he felt a little guilty but ignored the feeling. One day, the other animals confronted Sammy about his selfishness. They reminded him of the times he had taken more than his share and not shared with others.

Sammy realized he had been following in the footsteps of his ancestors by being selfish. He felt sorry and decided to apologize to his friends and share the nuts with everyone. Sammy learned that it's important to be kind and generous, not repeat the mistakes of the past.

Prayer Prompt

Dear God, thank you for loving us and always being with us. Help us to learn from the mistakes of those who came before us and choose to follow you with love and kindness in our hearts. Amen.

Discussion Questions

1. What do you think Jesus meant when He said, "fill up the measure of your ancestors' sins"?
2. How do you think we can learn from the mistakes of our ancestors and choose to follow God instead?
3. Why do you think it's important to make good choices and not repeat the same wrong actions as our ancestors?
4. How can we show that we love and obey God instead of following the wrong ways of the past?
5. What do you think Jesus wants us to remember when He talks about our ancestors' sins in this verse?

Life Application

This verse from Matthew 23:32 can teach children the importance of taking responsibility for their own actions. Children can apply this message in their real life by understanding that they have the power to make their own choices and should not simply follow the mistakes of others before them.

At home, children can remember to think before they act and consider if their actions are kind, respectful, and loving towards their family members. They can also apologize when they make mistakes and strive to do better next time.

In school, children can apply this verse by treating their classmates and teachers with kindness and respect, even if others around them are not behaving in the same way. They can choose to do their best in their schoolwork and not be influenced by negative behaviors.

With friends, children can remember to be a positive influence and stand up for what is right, even if it means going against the crowd. They can choose to be a good friend by being loyal, honest, and caring towards others.

Overall, children can apply the message of Matthew 23:32 by choosing to be responsible for their own actions and making choices that reflect love, kindness, and respect towards others.

Craft or Activity

Let's create a "Sin Jar" activity to help children understand the message of Matthew 23:32.

You will need:
- A clear jar or container
- Small pebbles or beans
- Paper and markers

Explain to the children that each time we choose to do something wrong, it's like adding a pebble or a bean to our sin jar. Encourage them to think of specific actions that could be considered sins, such as lying, being unkind, or not sharing.

As they think of these actions, have them write each one on a piece of paper and place it in the jar. This visually represents how our sins can add up over time.

Once the jar is full, discuss how our sins can pile up just like the sins of our ancestors. Then, explain that Jesus came to forgive us for our sins and help us start fresh.

Finish by emptying the jar and discussing how through Jesus, we can be forgiven and start anew without the weight of our sins holding us down.

Memory Verse or Rhyme

In Matthew 23:32, we learn a lesson so dear,
About filling up the sins of our ancestors, so clear.
Let's choose kindness and love, in all that we do,
And create a better future, faithful and true!

Songs or Videos

A good Christian song for kids that relates to the message of Matthew 23:32 is "God's Not Dead" by the Newsboys. This song reminds us that God is alive and working in our lives, breaking the chains of sin and setting us free from the mistakes of the past.

Another great song is "My Lighthouse" by Rend Collective. This song talks about how God guides us through difficult times, shining His light to show us the way and leading us away from the sins of our ancestors.

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