The kingdom of Heaven
Children's Activity
Object:
Teachers or Parents: Jesus gave many illustrations about the
"kingdom of Heaven" and he always spoke of the kingdom here on
earth. We should be instilling in our children the concepts that
he taught about this kingdom. They should see that the kingdom is
made up of all believers. In the "visible kingdom," the church,
there will always be hypocrites and unbelievers who for reasons
of their own pretend to be members, but in the end God knows the
hearts of all and He will separate the good from the bad. Today's
Gospel reading speaks to that final separation.
*Fill a bowl with metallic and plastic items, preferably
with items that look alike. Explain to the children that these
items represent people who are in the kingdom of God on earth.
Ask them how they would go about separating the real believers
from those who only pretend to believe. When they are unable to
do it, tell them that this is the situation in the church. But
God knows and can separate the true believers from those who only
pretend to believe. Use a magnet to draw out the metal items and
explain that this illustrates how God will separate people on the
last day.
*Another way to illustrate the final separation of believers
from unbelievers would be with a net or a strainer that will
allow only certain sizes to pass through. Use it in the same way
as the magnet above.
Sunday school assembly opening:
*Open with a hymn such as "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord" or
another that speaks to the Kingdom of God.
*Set up a gate or door marked "Kingdom of God" and let
everyone pass through it at the beginning of Sunday school. Talk
about the one thing that entitles us to enter into the Kingdom --
a belief in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
"kingdom of Heaven" and he always spoke of the kingdom here on
earth. We should be instilling in our children the concepts that
he taught about this kingdom. They should see that the kingdom is
made up of all believers. In the "visible kingdom," the church,
there will always be hypocrites and unbelievers who for reasons
of their own pretend to be members, but in the end God knows the
hearts of all and He will separate the good from the bad. Today's
Gospel reading speaks to that final separation.
*Fill a bowl with metallic and plastic items, preferably
with items that look alike. Explain to the children that these
items represent people who are in the kingdom of God on earth.
Ask them how they would go about separating the real believers
from those who only pretend to believe. When they are unable to
do it, tell them that this is the situation in the church. But
God knows and can separate the true believers from those who only
pretend to believe. Use a magnet to draw out the metal items and
explain that this illustrates how God will separate people on the
last day.
*Another way to illustrate the final separation of believers
from unbelievers would be with a net or a strainer that will
allow only certain sizes to pass through. Use it in the same way
as the magnet above.
Sunday school assembly opening:
*Open with a hymn such as "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord" or
another that speaks to the Kingdom of God.
*Set up a gate or door marked "Kingdom of God" and let
everyone pass through it at the beginning of Sunday school. Talk
about the one thing that entitles us to enter into the Kingdom --
a belief in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
