Lesson: Luke 11:46 (Ages 3-5)

📖 Luke 11:46 – Ages 3-5

Explanation

This Bible verse is like when a big brother tells his little sister not to eat too many cookies, but then he eats a whole bunch himself. Jesus is telling us that some people in the Bible times were like those big brothers. They told others to do things that were hard, but they didn't help them. Jesus wants us to be kind and help each other, not make things harder for one another. He teaches us to show love and care for one another, just like how He loves and cares for us.

Kid's Story

Once upon a time, there was a little squirrel named Sammy who loved to collect acorns. One day, Sammy saw a group of birds struggling to carry heavy branches to build their nests. Sammy wanted to help them, so he offered to carry the branches for them.

As Sammy carried the branches, he realized how heavy they were and how hard it was for the birds to do it all by themselves. Sammy thought about the verse in the Bible that says we should help others with their burdens. He remembered how important it is to be kind and helpful to those who need it.

Sammy learned that just like the birds, we should never make things harder for others and should always be ready to lend a helping hand. And that's how Sammy became known as the kindest squirrel in the forest!

Prayer Prompt

Dear God, thank you for loving us and caring for us. Help us not to give others heavy burdens that we wouldn't want to carry ourselves. Amen.

Discussion Questions

1. What do you think it means to help others instead of making things harder for them?
2. How do you feel when someone helps you with something that is difficult for you?
3. Why is it important to be kind and not make things harder for others?
4. How can we be like Jesus and help others carry their burdens?
5. Can you think of a time when someone helped you with something that was hard for you?

Life Application

This verse teaches us that we should not make things difficult for others while not helping them ourselves. Children can apply this by being kind and helpful to their family, friends, and classmates. They can offer to help with chores at home, share toys with siblings, and be a good friend by listening and comforting others when they are sad. By showing love and support without making things harder for others, they can live out the message of this verse in their daily lives.

Craft or Activity

One fun activity to help young children understand the message of Luke 11:46 is to create a "burden relay race."

For this activity, you can use lightweight objects like soft toys or small pillows to represent burdens. Have the children line up for a relay race where they need to carry the burdens from one end of the room to the other and back. While they are doing this, you can discuss how burdens can be heavy and difficult to carry, just like the ones mentioned in the Bible verse.

After the race, you can gather the children and explain how Jesus was warning the experts in the Law not to make life hard for others by giving them heavy burdens while not helping them carry those burdens themselves. This can help the children understand the importance of being kind and helping others instead of burdening them with difficulties.

Memory Verse or Rhyme

In the Bible, Jesus said with care,
"Woe to those who make others bear
Heavy loads they cannot bear alone,
But won't lift a finger of their own."

Songs or Videos

One great Christian song for kids that relates to the message of Luke 11:46 is "The Motions" by Matthew West. This song talks about being genuine in our faith and not just going through the motions. Another good song is "Do Everything" by Steven Curtis Chapman, which reminds us to do everything for the glory of God and not just for show. Both of these songs connect well with the idea of not burdening others with heavy expectations while not doing the same ourselves.

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