Weeds in our garden
Children's Activity
Object:
Teachers or Parents: Heaven may seem somewhat esoteric and
remote for the children (and for us as well), but heaven is our
hope that will not disappoint us (see first lesson).
*If your church (or home) has a flower bed, have a class project of weeding it as a service to the church. Read again the parable Jesus told (where the weeds were not removed). Share how removing the weeds helps the flowers grow better.
*If your church does not have a small flower bed, start one! Plant some flowers and talk about how the bed must be tended: weeded, watered, and perhaps fertilized. (Incidentally, this activity would tie in nicely with next Sunday's object lesson about the mustard seed.)
*Talk about how weeds interfere with the growth of the plants (they rob the plants of moisture, nutrients, and sunshine, and they spoil our view of the flowers). In the same way temptations can spoil our view of God and keep us from growing in our faith.
*Ask how sin interferes with our growth as Christians like weeds to flowers.
*Weeds keep re-occurring. Sin keeps re-occurring. Temptation keeps re-occurring. Grace is ongoing.
*Summer attendance may be down. Use this fact as an indication that "weeds" may be growing this summer. In other words, temptations and distractions continue to afflict us.
*The parable speaks of judgment and how the weeds will be destroyed by fire, whereas the wheat will be preserved. God's grace destroys our sin and preserves our good works.
*Children's sermons are intended to explain and make clear. Sometimes that does not happen. In the same way Jesus' parable often prompted questions from the disciples: "Explain to us the parable ..." (Matthew 13:36). Ask the children if there are any questions about the children's sermon today. (Or the pastor's sermon, Sunday church school, and so forth.) Develop in your class or home an openness to questions and explanations. A good rule of thumb: THERE ARE NO "DUMB" QUESTIONS.
*If your church (or home) has a flower bed, have a class project of weeding it as a service to the church. Read again the parable Jesus told (where the weeds were not removed). Share how removing the weeds helps the flowers grow better.
*If your church does not have a small flower bed, start one! Plant some flowers and talk about how the bed must be tended: weeded, watered, and perhaps fertilized. (Incidentally, this activity would tie in nicely with next Sunday's object lesson about the mustard seed.)
*Talk about how weeds interfere with the growth of the plants (they rob the plants of moisture, nutrients, and sunshine, and they spoil our view of the flowers). In the same way temptations can spoil our view of God and keep us from growing in our faith.
*Ask how sin interferes with our growth as Christians like weeds to flowers.
*Weeds keep re-occurring. Sin keeps re-occurring. Temptation keeps re-occurring. Grace is ongoing.
*Summer attendance may be down. Use this fact as an indication that "weeds" may be growing this summer. In other words, temptations and distractions continue to afflict us.
*The parable speaks of judgment and how the weeds will be destroyed by fire, whereas the wheat will be preserved. God's grace destroys our sin and preserves our good works.
*Children's sermons are intended to explain and make clear. Sometimes that does not happen. In the same way Jesus' parable often prompted questions from the disciples: "Explain to us the parable ..." (Matthew 13:36). Ask the children if there are any questions about the children's sermon today. (Or the pastor's sermon, Sunday church school, and so forth.) Develop in your class or home an openness to questions and explanations. A good rule of thumb: THERE ARE NO "DUMB" QUESTIONS.
