Lesson: Matthew 23:15 (Ages 3-5)

📖 Matthew 23:15 – Ages 3-5

Explanation

This Bible verse is like a warning from Jesus to some people who were pretending to be good but were not truly following God in their hearts. Imagine if you had a toy that looked shiny and fun on the outside, but when you opened it up, it was actually broken and not what it seemed. That's what Jesus was saying about these people – they looked nice on the outside, but inside, they were not truly following God.

Jesus was warning them that they were not being honest and were leading others away from God too. It's like if someone offered you a shiny but fake piece of candy – it may look good, but it's not good for you. Jesus wanted people to know that it's important to be honest and true in our hearts, not just on the outside.

So, this verse reminds us to be genuine and true in our love for God and others, just like how Jesus teaches us to be. It's not about pretending to be good, but truly being good from the inside out.

Kid's Story

Once upon a time, there was a little squirrel named Sammy who loved to gather nuts in the forest. One day, he met a cunning fox who promised to share his secret nut stash if Sammy followed him. Excited, Sammy followed the fox, who led him to a hidden tree full of nuts. But instead of sharing, the fox tricked Sammy and took all the nuts for himself.

Feeling sad and deceived, Sammy remembered a verse he heard from his wise old owl friend, "Woe to those who pretend to be kind but are really selfish." He realized just like the scribes and Pharisees in the Bible verse, the fox was a hypocrite. Sammy learned that true friends are honest and kind, not like the fox who only cared about himself. So, he went back to his forest friends and shared his nuts with them, spreading joy and kindness all around.

Prayer Prompt

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us and teaching us to be kind and honest like Jesus. Help us to show love and truth to others so that they may know you too. Amen.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus was unhappy with the scribes and Pharisees in this verse?
2. What does it mean to be a hypocrite, like the scribes and Pharisees Jesus talked about?
3. How do you think we can show love and kindness to others instead of leading them the wrong way?
4. Can you think of a time when you saw someone being unkind or not telling the truth, like the scribes and Pharisees?
5. How can we follow Jesus' example of love and honesty in our own lives?

Life Application

This Bible verse from Matthew 23:15 teaches us the importance of being sincere and truthful in our words and actions. For a young child, this verse can be applied by always being honest and genuine in how they treat others.

At home, children can show love and kindness to their family members by being truthful, helpful, and respectful. They can avoid pretending to be someone they are not and instead be themselves.

In school, children can apply this lesson by being a good friend to others. They can include everyone in their games, speak up against any unkind behavior, and always tell the truth even if it is difficult.

With friends, children can remember to be genuine and kind. They can choose friends who bring out the best in them and avoid pretending to be someone they are not just to fit in.

By following the message of this Bible verse, young children can learn the importance of being honest, sincere, and loving in all their interactions with others.

Craft or Activity

Let's create a simple craft to help children understand the message of Matthew 23:15. You can make a "Choose Your Path" craft where children decorate two different paths on a piece of paper. One path can be wide and colorful, representing the right path where we follow God's teachings. The other path can be narrow and dark, symbolizing the wrong path of hypocrisy.

As you guide children through this craft, you can explain how the scribes and Pharisees in the Bible chose the wrong path by being hypocrites and leading others astray. Encourage children to choose the wide, colorful path of honesty, kindness, and following God's ways. This hands-on activity will visually represent the importance of making good choices and following God's teachings.

Memory Verse or Rhyme

In the Bible, Jesus said with care,
To scribes and Pharisees, beware!
They traveled far to make one believe,
But led them astray, oh what a deceive!
Twice the harm they would cause, you see,
So be true and follow Jesus faithfully!

Songs or Videos

One Christian song that relates to the message of Matthew 23:15 is "Be Careful Little Eyes" by Seeds Family Worship. This song reminds us to be careful what we see, hear, and do, as our actions can influence others.

Another great song is "This Little Light of Mine." This song encourages kids to let their light shine and be a positive influence on those around them, rather than leading others astray like the scribes and Pharisees in the verse from Matthew.

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