Sonoma Valley Church of the Nazarene
Find God, Find Hope, Find Rest for Your Soul
Matthew 7-The Foolish Builders & The Narrow Gate
We know exactly where a train is going because the train must follow the track. In our lives, it can be a lot harder to “stay on track” and know which way to go. But if we follow Jesus and build our lives on Him, we can have confidence that we are headed in the right direction.
Memory Verse
Craft
Pretend you are a builder. Draw or build a house using what you have at home that could withstand a storm like the one described in the first video.
After going public last week- teaching in the synagogue and meeting the physical needs of those around him by healing the sick, this week Jesus leads his disciples and about 5000 followers to the location of the Sermon on the Mount. He will then begin to elaborate on the good news of the Kingdom of God to those who feel disenfranchised in the current religious climate.
READ LUKE 19:1-10
MAIN POINT:
For Zacchaeus, life was a joyless ride. He had a lot of money that he had stolen from others. He had few friends, except maybe a few who liked him for his money. He was looked down upon by almost everyone, figuratively and literally.
Zacchaeus wanted more, and he believed he could find more in Jesus. That’s why he climbed the sycamore tree to get a better look at the man from Nazareth. Imagine his surprise when Jesus singled him out, and imagine the surprise of everyone around him! Jesus showed Zacchaeus he was loved. He truly cared for Zacchaeus, and that changed his life. Zacchaeus found joy in knowing Jesus, and that joy was life changing.
Jesus loves every one of us, no matter what we’ve done. If we embrace the love of Jesus, we can have true joy in our own life journeys, just like Zacchaeus!
Craft
Have the kids draw and cut out a “money bag” like Zacchaeus might have used to carry money. But instead of a dollar sign, write the word JOY on the outside.
Memory Verse
After Jesus completes his time of trial in the wilderness he discovers that his cousin John has been arrested and now it is time for him to go public with his ministry. In the second half of chapter 4 Jesus returns to Galilee and calls the first of his disciples.
Memory Verse
Learning Outcome
Craft
Draw your own picture of Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler
Immediately after Jesus identity affirming and mission commissioning moment at his baptism in the Jordan he is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested.
In chapter 3 Matthew records an identity affirming and ministry commissioning moment in the life of Christ. What we learn in this passage is that our identity in Christ is also essential to our understanding that our life has a purpose and is bound together with Jesus in the mission of God.
Memory Verse
Activity
Have the kids create tickets using craft or construction paper. They can get creative with what the tickets say but the gist of it should be that this is a ticket allowing them to follow Jesus!
Traditionally Matthews gospel chapter 2 focuses in on the rightful worship of the three wise men from the East at Christmas, but there is much more to the story. Reading Matthews gospel in August allows us to look at what else Matthew wants us to see. This week we contrast the Biblical theme of Kingdom of God with that of Empire. Join us live on the lawn at 10 or online.
