Lesson: Matthew 5:20 (Ages 6-8)

📖 Matthew 5:20 – Ages 6-8

Explanation

This Bible verse from Matthew 5:20 tells us that Jesus wants us to be truly good and kind, not just on the outside but also in our hearts. The scribes and Pharisees were religious leaders who followed rules to look good to others, but they didn't always have love and kindness in their hearts.

Imagine you have a beautiful, shiny apple, but when you bite into it, it's rotten inside. That's like someone who looks good on the outside but isn't kind or loving. Jesus wants us to be like a real, juicy, sweet apple - good and kind both on the outside and inside.

So, when Jesus says our righteousness should be more than the scribes and Pharisees, He means He wants us to be genuinely good, loving, and kind. When we are truly good from our hearts, we are on the right path to being part of God's family in heaven.

Kid's Story

Once there was a little squirrel named Sammy who loved to collect nuts. Sammy thought he was the best nut collector in the forest until he met a wise old owl named Oliver. Oliver was known for being the best nut collector around.

One day, Sammy challenged Oliver to a nut-collecting competition. To Sammy’s surprise, Oliver gathered twice as many nuts in half the time! Confused, Sammy asked Oliver how he did it. Oliver smiled and said, “I always share my nuts with those in need. It’s not just about collecting, but about helping others too.”

Sammy realized that being truly great wasn’t just about gathering nuts but also about being kind and generous. Just like in the Bible verse, it’s not enough to just do what is expected; we should also show love and kindness to others to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Prayer Prompt

Dear God, thank you for loving me and teaching me how to be kind and loving like Jesus. Help me to always try my best to do what is right and to show love to others. Amen.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus wants us to be more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees?
2. How can we show righteousness in our everyday actions and words?
3. What do you think it means to enter the kingdom of heaven?
4. Can you think of a time when you showed righteousness like Jesus wants us to?
5. How can we ask Jesus to help us be more like him in our actions and thoughts?

Life Application

In Matthew 5:20, Jesus is teaching us that it's not just about following rules on the outside, like the scribes and Pharisees did. He wants us to have a good heart and do things because we love God and others, not just to look good.

So, a child can apply this by making sure they are being kind and loving to their family and friends, not just following rules to avoid getting in trouble. They can show kindness by sharing toys, helping around the house without being asked, and saying kind words to others.

At school, they can treat their classmates with kindness and respect, even if they are different. They can include others who are left out, help someone who is struggling, and be a good friend.

In all these situations, children can remember that God cares about their hearts and wants them to show love and kindness to others, just like Jesus did.

Craft or Activity

Let's create a "Righteousness Meter" craft! You can make a thermometer-style meter with a scale from "Pharisees" at the bottom to "Jesus" at the top. Each day, the child can reflect on their actions and decide how close they were to being like the Pharisees or like Jesus. This hands-on activity will help them understand the importance of having a righteousness that goes beyond external appearances, just like Jesus taught in Matthew 5:20.

Memory Verse or Rhyme

In God's eyes, we must be true,
Righteousness is more than what we do.
Like the scribes and Pharisees, let's be kind,
With love in our hearts and a gentle mind.
To enter heaven, we must strive,
Living like Jesus, in Him we thrive!

Songs or Videos

A song that relates to the message of Matthew 5:20 is "Better Than the Best" by Go Fish. This song talks about how our righteousness needs to be more than just following rules, like the scribes and Pharisees, but about having a heart that loves and serves God.

Another great song is "Do Everything" by Steven Curtis Chapman. This song encourages us to do everything, even the small things, with love and for the glory of God, which goes beyond just outward appearances like the scribes and Pharisees focused on.

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