Bible Story: Day 1 - Jesus and the Children

Resources: Christian Newsletter: February 2022, Story Props: Jesus and the Children

You Will Need:

Introduction:
Before telling the story, ask the children to think about a time when they were excited about going to see someone. They might remember a time they were going out of town to visit grandparents or a time they went to see a performance by someone they admire. Talk with them about how excited they felt. How did they prepare for the visit? Did they choose special clothes to wear? What else did they do? Ask the children to imagine that just as they arrived, someone told them that the person they were going to see was too busy and they would have to go away. How would they feel? Show the Bible and explain that today's story is about a situation very much like that.

Tell the Story:
Before telling the story, read the scripture reference (Mark 10:13-16) to become familiar with the story. Also, review the paraphrase below. Prepare the Jesus and the Children Story Props (see Resources). To do so, fold the page that shows the families coming to Jesus and glue the sides together with the pictures on the outside. Line up the unfolded edge with the right edge of the prop that shows Jesus and the disciples, and tape them together as shown.

Show the assembled Story Prop as you tell the story in your own words. Begin by showing it unfolded.

Everywhere Jesus went, people followed. One day Jesus was teaching near the Jordan River. Some parents heard that Jesus was nearby. They thought it would be wonderful for their children to see Jesus. They gathered the children and hurried to the place where Jesus was. They were hoping Jesus would bless the children. How do you think the children felt? I think they must have been very happy and excited! But as they came close, Jesus's disciples stopped them. They said Jesus was very busy and the families should not bother him. The mothers, fathers, and children must have felt very sad and disappointed.

Jesus saw what was happening, and he was not pleased. He told his disciples, "Let the children come to me! Don't get in their way. Everyone should be more like these little children who listen to me and love me." (Fold flap to show children coming to Jesus.) Jesus welcomed the children. He held them in his arms and blessed them. What a happy day! Do you think the children ever forgot the day when they met Jesus? I think they must have remembered that day even when they were grown up. They probably told their own children and their grandchildren about that wonderful day.

Story Treasure:
Show the story treasure (see Related Activities) and remind children how much Jesus loves them. Place the story treasure in the treasure box.

Newsletter: Send home a Family Newsletter with each child. It includes several ways for families to reinforce this month's lesson. It also includes some songs and the Bible verse the children will be learning.


Related Activities:
Jesus and the Children: Introduction and Lesson Preparation This activity provides an introduction to the Jesus and the Children lesson.