Scripture: Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn Jesus cares about people and their problems.
- Students will learn the Gospel is for everyone.
- Students will learn God expects our faith and belief in Him.
- Students will learn how to respect God and those in various jobs.
Guiding Question: Why does God value respect?
Materials: No materials needed.
Procedure: Review the story of the Centurion from the scriptures above. Remind the students that God cares about every single person on this earth and that we should work to share the Gospel with everyone we meet – even people who may be different than us. Ask the students how they can show God to others with their words and through their actions. Tell the students that since they know about Jesus and believe in Him, that God expects them to have faith in Him and obey Him. Explain that God values obedience and respect, just like He valued the Centurion’s obedience and respect.
Have various members from the congregation come in and share with the students what it looks like to them to have someone respect them in their “job” function. These members could be a police officer, firefighter, elder, teacher, parent, etc. They can answer the students’ questions and explain why it is important for people to respect their “job” function. They should also share what they think it means to respect God. They can end with a review of things students will do to be more respectful of others and especially of God.
Additional Questions: How does practicing respect build more respect?
Supplemental Activity: Have the students share ways they can work on showing respect at home and to God. Have the students create an action plan for how to show more respect during the upcoming week at home, to their friends, and most importantly to God. Students can share their plans when they are finished. The following class, have the students share their successes and challenges with their plans.