Lesson: Matthew 26:16 (Ages 6-8)

📖 Matthew 26:16 – Ages 6-8

Explanation

This Bible verse talks about a man named Judas who was not a good friend to Jesus. Judas wanted to do something very mean – he wanted to help the people who didn't like Jesus, even though Jesus was kind to him.

Imagine if you had a friend who was always nice to you, sharing toys and playing games together. But then, one day, that friend decided to tell your secrets to someone who wanted to hurt you. That's what Judas did to Jesus.

This verse reminds us that it's important to be a good friend, just like Jesus was to Judas, even when it's hard. Jesus forgave Judas, and He teaches us to forgive others, too, even when they make mistakes.

So, let's always try to be good friends, kind and loving like Jesus, and never let mean thoughts like Judas' enter our hearts.

Kid's Story

Once upon a time, there was a mischievous squirrel named Sammy. Sammy lived in the forest and loved playing tricks on his friends. One day, Sammy overheard his friend, Benny the bunny, planning a surprise party for their friend, Lily the bird. Instead of keeping it a secret, Sammy couldn't resist the temptation to tell Lily about the party.

When Benny found out, he was very upset. He reminded Sammy of the verse from the Bible that says, "And from that moment he looked for an opportunity to betray Him." Sammy realized he had betrayed Benny's trust just like Judas betrayed Jesus. Sammy felt very sorry and apologized to Benny and learned an important lesson about being honest and keeping promises.

From that day on, Sammy became known as the most trustworthy squirrel in the forest, always keeping his friends' secrets safe.

Prayer Prompt

Heavenly Father, thank You for always being with us and for teaching us how to love and forgive. Help us to remember that we should never betray others like Judas did to Jesus. Guide us to always choose kindness and loyalty in our words and actions. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think Judas wanted to betray Jesus?
2. How do you think Jesus felt when He knew Judas was going to betray Him?
3. Have you ever felt like betraying a friend? What could you do instead?
4. How can we show love and loyalty to our friends, like Jesus did to His disciples?
5. What do you think we can learn from Judas's actions in this Bible verse?

Life Application

This verse from Matthew 26:16 teaches us about the importance of being loyal and trustworthy in our relationships. Children can apply this message in their lives by always being honest and dependable with their family, friends, and classmates. They can show loyalty by keeping promises, standing up for what is right, and being a good friend who can be trusted. It is important for children to remember that betraying someone's trust can hurt feelings and damage relationships, so they should strive to always be loyal and true to those around them.

Craft or Activity

Let's create a craft to help understand this Bible verse. You can make a "Friendship Bracelet." Each color of the bracelet can represent a different feeling or action. For example, yellow can represent friendship, green can represent jealousy, and red can represent betrayal. As you make the bracelet, you can talk about how Judas betrayed Jesus even though they were friends. This activity can help children understand the importance of being true friends and not betraying others.

Memory Verse or Rhyme

Remember this verse, oh so great,
Judas looked to seal his fate.
He sought a chance to do Him wrong,
But Jesus' love still stood strong.

So let's be true, like a friend so dear,
And to Jesus' love, always draw near.
In every moment, let's do what's right,
And keep our hearts pure and bright.

Songs or Videos

One Christian song for kids that relates to the message of Matthew 26:16 is "Jesus Loves Me" by Listener Kids. This song reminds children of Jesus' love for them, even when others may betray Him, just like how Judas betrayed Jesus in the Bible.

Another song that kids might enjoy is "My Lighthouse" by Rend Collective. This song talks about how God is a light in the darkness and will guide us through difficult times, just as Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him but still trusted in God's plan.

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