Lesson: Matthew 14:2 (Ages 6-8)

📖 Matthew 14:2 – Ages 6-8

Explanation

In this Bible verse from Matthew 14:2, some people were talking about Jesus, saying that He was really John the Baptist who had come back to life. They believed that's why Jesus could do amazing things, like miracles.

Imagine if you have a toy that suddenly stops working, but then magically starts working again. You might think it's like the toy coming back to life! In the same way, some people thought Jesus was John the Baptist coming back to life because He did powerful things that showed God's love and power.

But we know that Jesus is not John the Baptist coming back to life. Jesus is the Son of God who came to show us how much God loves us and to teach us how to live in a way that honors Him. Jesus did miracles because He is God's Son, and He has the power to do amazing things to help and bless others.

Kid's Story

Once upon a time, Little Lily the bunny found a mysterious old book in the forest. Curious, she hopped back to her burrow and opened it carefully. Inside, she saw a verse that said, "This is John the Baptizer. He has been raised from the dead, and that is why these powers are at work in him."

Confused, Lily asked her wise friend Owl about it. Owl explained, "The verse means that even when someone is gone, their spirit can still do amazing things because of God's power. Just like how John's teachings still help people even though he's not here."

Lily nodded, understanding that love and wisdom can live on forever, even if someone is no longer with us. She felt happy knowing that God's power is always at work, making miracles happen.

Prayer Prompt

Dear God, thank you for the amazing story of John the Baptizer and how you raised him from the dead. Help us to remember that with you, anything is possible. Amen.

Discussion Questions

1. Who do you think John the Baptizer is in this Bible verse?
2. Why do you think people thought John the Baptizer had been raised from the dead?
3. How do you think John the Baptizer's life and teachings influenced others?
4. What do you think it means that "these powers are at work in him"?
5. How can we learn from John the Baptizer's example to follow Jesus more closely in our own lives?

Life Application

In this verse, King Herod mistakenly believed that Jesus was actually John the Baptist raised from the dead. Children can learn from this story that sometimes people may have wrong ideas or misunderstandings, just like King Herod did.

Children can apply this message in their real lives by remembering to not jump to conclusions or make assumptions about others without having all the facts. They can practice being patient and understanding, and ask questions or seek more information before forming opinions about someone or a situation. This can help them to be more kind and loving towards others, even when they may not fully understand them.

Craft or Activity

One fun activity to help children understand and remember the message of Matthew 14:2 is to create a "Rising John the Baptist" craft. You can have the children draw or color a picture of John the Baptist and then cut out his figure. Next, attach the figure to a craft stick or a piece of cardboard using tape or glue.

Then, create a simple mechanism (like a lever or string) that will make John the Baptist "rise" when pulled. As the children make John rise, you can explain the verse and discuss the miracle of Jesus raising John the Baptist from the dead.

This hands-on activity will engage the children in a fun and interactive way while reinforcing the message of the Bible verse.

Memory Verse or Rhyme

In Matthew 14, Jesus' power did shine,
He raised John the Baptizer, so divine!
His miracles showed God's love so strong,
In Him, we trust, all our lives long!
So remember this verse, clear as a bell,
God's power in Jesus, He does all things well!

Songs or Videos

One Christian song that relates to the message of Matthew 14:2 is "God's Not Dead" by the Newsboys. This song affirms the power of God and the belief in His resurrection, which is a central theme in the verse. Another song that kids may enjoy is "My God is So Big" which emphasizes the greatness and power of God, reinforcing the idea of miracles and God's ability to do the impossible, just as seen in the verse about John the Baptizer being raised from the dead.

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