Lesson: Matthew 10:13 (Ages 9-11)

📖 Matthew 10:13 – Ages 9-11

Explanation

In this Bible verse, Jesus is teaching us about sharing our peace with others. Peace here means a special blessing of happiness and goodness that we can give to people around us.

Imagine you have a shiny, magical stone that brings happiness. When you visit someone's house and they are kind and welcoming, you can share this magical stone with them. This is like giving them your peace, your blessing of happiness and goodness.

But if you visit someone's house and they are not kind or welcoming, you can keep your magical stone to yourself. This means your blessing of happiness and goodness stays with you instead of being shared with someone who doesn't appreciate it.

Jesus wants us to be kind and loving to others, sharing our blessings with those who treat us well. And if someone doesn't appreciate our kindness, it's okay to keep our blessings for ourselves. It's important to share love and goodness with those who appreciate and value it.

So, remember, just like sharing a magical stone of happiness, we can share our peace and blessings with those who deserve it, and keep it for ourselves if others don't appreciate it. Jesus teaches us to be kind and share our love with others who appreciate it.

Kid's Story

Once there was a kind-hearted squirrel named Sammy who loved to share acorns with the animals in the forest. One day, he came across a grumpy old badger who was always mean to everyone. Sammy decided to share his tastiest acorn with the badger, hoping to bring some peace to his heart.

The badger snarled and refused the gift, saying he didn't need Sammy's kindness. Instead of feeling hurt, Sammy remembered the verse from Matthew 10:13 that said to let your peace return to you if not accepted. So, Sammy smiled and wished the badger well before scurrying away.

As Sammy continued to spread kindness in the forest, he understood that not everyone would accept it. But he learned that it was important to keep sharing love and peace, even if others didn't always appreciate it.

Prayer Prompt

Dear God, thank you for your peace that you give us. Help us to share your peace with others around us. May we always remember that your peace is a special gift and to treat it with respect. Amen.

Discussion Questions

What do you think it means to let your peace rest upon a house?
Can you give an example of how you can show peace to others?
Why do you think it's important to share peace with those around us?
How do you feel when someone rejects the peace or kindness you offer them?
How can you continue to show peace and kindness even when it is not accepted by others?

Life Application

In Matthew 10:13, Jesus is teaching his disciples about sharing God's peace with others. For children aged 9-11, this verse can be applied in their daily life by showing kindness and respect to those around them.

At home, they can bring peace by being helpful, obeying their parents, and resolving conflicts peacefully with siblings. They can also pray for their family members and speak words of encouragement and love.

In school, they can share God's peace by being a good friend, helping classmates in need, and standing up against bullying or unkind behavior. They can also pray for their teachers and classmates to experience God's peace and love.

With friends, they can show God's peace by being forgiving, understanding, and supportive. They can pray for their friends and speak words of blessing over them, wishing them well and encouraging them in their journey.

By applying the message of Matthew 10:13 in their interactions with others, children can be a source of God's peace and blessing in their homes, schools, and friendships.

Craft or Activity

One fun activity to help children understand Matthew 10:13 is to create "Peace Rocks." Have the children gather smooth rocks and provide paint or markers. Ask them to decorate the rocks with symbols of peace such as doves, hearts, or the word "peace." As they paint, discuss the verse and explain that just like the peace returns to the speaker if rejected, the peace they create on the rocks can always come back to them. Encourage them to keep the Peace Rocks in their rooms as a reminder to share peace and blessings with others.

Memory Verse or Rhyme

When you visit a home that's kind,
Let your peace within it shine.
But if they don't want your blessing so sweet,
Keep your peace, it's yours to keep!

Songs or Videos

A wonderful Christian song for kids that relates to the message of Matthew 10:13 is "The Blessing" by Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes. This song speaks about speaking blessings of peace and favor over others and trusting God's goodness. Another great song is "My Lighthouse" by Rend Collective, which reminds us that God's peace and presence are our guiding light in all circumstances. Both songs beautifully convey the message of blessing others with peace and trusting in God's faithfulness.

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