Lesson Learned: Jesus often taught by telling parables (or stories).
Materials Needed: Several pieces of regular-sized paper (8.5 x 11 in) folded in half, stapler, crayons
Bible Verse:
Matthew 13:10-17
10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see;
though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’
16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
Talking Points: Jesus often used stories, called parables, to teach His friends and His disciples important lessons. Sometimes His friends did not understand these stories and they wondered why Jesus taught them in stories. Jesus did so because He knew that people that only really listened carefully to the parables would be able to understand them. He knew that only those people who loved God would be able to understand these important stories and lessons God shared with us.
Questions: What is a parable? Who taught in parables? What is your favorite story? What is it about?
Activity: Staple the paper in the middle of the folded sheets along the crease, like a book. Make up a story with the child with a lesson about sharing with a friend or loving their brother or sister. You can write a few key sentences for them in their book and they can decorate the pages.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we long to learn from Your stories. Help us to remember these important parables and be able to understand them. Amen!