Scripture: Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn God is most concerned about what is on our hearts and minds.
- Students will learn God cares more about why we are giving and our attitudes toward giving than the actual amount given.
- Students will learn God does not like it when people give to show off to others.
- Students will learn how to count and compare money.
Guiding Question: Why does God care about our giving attitude? How can money be counted and compared?
Materials: Fake coins and bills, baskets
Procedure: Review the story of Widow’s Mite. Ask the students why they think God cares more about our heart than what it is we give to Him or to others? Explain that God wants us to have a caring attitude and humble mindset when we give. Our giving should never come from a place of wanting to put attention on ourselves. It should come from a heart that wants to serve God by giving to Him and serving others.
Explain to students that contributions that are given at church have to be counted and totaled up each Sunday. Have the students get into pairs and give each pair fake money – “contributions” from a contribution box. Have them count their money and then add donated money (you will give them this money when they are done counting their “contribution money”). When all students are finished, have them compare their results.
Additional Questions: How can students create a plan to support ministries in the church?
Supplemental Activity: Explain to the students that money given to the church goes to support different ministries and works that the church involves itself in. Give groups of students different budgets to work with a have them work to create a budget that will support different ministries in your church.