Sheep and goats
Children's Activity
Object:
Teachers or Parents: Our society is very much divided into
all kinds of groupings, and there seem to be more and more of
them every day. We are separated into political groups, racial
groups, gender groups, religious groups, interest groups, and so
on. The list is endless! When Jesus returns, there will be only
two groups, sheep and goats. Our children need to learn early and
understand fully that the only two groups that matter in the long
run are these two, sheep and goats, believers and unbelievers. We
want to be very sure that we are found among the sheep.
*Read the Matthew 25 Gospel message to the children and then
ask them to name those things that the sheep did in the passage
and those things that the goats failed to do. List these things
on a board or easel so everyone can see them clearly. Now, ask
the children to name other good works that those who are called
sheep might do. Suggest things like going to church, helping the
poor, and so forth. List all these things also on the board or
easel. When you have finished, ask them which of these things
made the people sheep, and let them answer. When they seem to be
done, erase all the good works from the board and tell them that
none of those good works made them sheep. God makes sheep when He
gives us faith and we believe in Jesus. All of these good works
are just the visible evidence of the faith that saves us. Be sure
they understand that this final division of all humankind is
based on only one thing -- belief or the lack of it. Believers are
sheep and unbelievers are goats!
Sunday school assembly opening:
*Role-play the Gospel account with somebody playing Jesus
and speaking his words and several others playing sheep and goats
giving those answers.
all kinds of groupings, and there seem to be more and more of
them every day. We are separated into political groups, racial
groups, gender groups, religious groups, interest groups, and so
on. The list is endless! When Jesus returns, there will be only
two groups, sheep and goats. Our children need to learn early and
understand fully that the only two groups that matter in the long
run are these two, sheep and goats, believers and unbelievers. We
want to be very sure that we are found among the sheep.
*Read the Matthew 25 Gospel message to the children and then
ask them to name those things that the sheep did in the passage
and those things that the goats failed to do. List these things
on a board or easel so everyone can see them clearly. Now, ask
the children to name other good works that those who are called
sheep might do. Suggest things like going to church, helping the
poor, and so forth. List all these things also on the board or
easel. When you have finished, ask them which of these things
made the people sheep, and let them answer. When they seem to be
done, erase all the good works from the board and tell them that
none of those good works made them sheep. God makes sheep when He
gives us faith and we believe in Jesus. All of these good works
are just the visible evidence of the faith that saves us. Be sure
they understand that this final division of all humankind is
based on only one thing -- belief or the lack of it. Believers are
sheep and unbelievers are goats!
Sunday school assembly opening:
*Role-play the Gospel account with somebody playing Jesus
and speaking his words and several others playing sheep and goats
giving those answers.
