Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn Jesus taught in parables to help the people understand godly principles.
- Students will learn God knew many of His Chosen People would reject Jesus as the Messiah, especially the leaders. Other Jewish people followed Jesus.
- Students will learn God gives us free will to decide whether or not we want to become Christians, but He wants to understand there are negative consequences if we decide not to follow Him.
- Students will participate in an activity to remind them their lives need to be built on the firm foundation God gives. The foundations provided by the world are shaky and will cause all sorts of problems in their lives.
Guiding Question: Why does Jesus say it is important to build our lives on the firm foundation of obeying God?
Materials: multiple sheets of recycled typing paper, pillows, fabric or other unstable foundations
Procedure: Tell students the story of the wise and foolish builders. Explain that the story may be hard for them to understand since they have probably never built a building. Put students in groups of two or three. Put out the stack of recycled paper. Give each group a pillow, heavy sweater or anything soft that will create an unstable foundation. Tell students they are to build the tallest tower they can using only paper on the foundation you have provided.
Give students a set amount of time to build their tower. Explain that you will now be a hurricane and see how strong their towers are. Go to each tower and blow on it, fan it, whatever you need to do to get it to start falling apart. Then have students repeat the experiment using the floor as their foundation. Can they build a stronger tower on this firmer foundation? (Realize your “building materials” are weak too, so go easy on the “wind” for the firmer foundation!).
Talk about what happened. Ask why Jesus wants us to build a firm foundation on God. Discuss what having a firm foundation in God means. What will they do differently than someone whose foundation is not in God? (Note: For younger children, keep it very simple.)
Have students decide on one thing they will do this week to make their spiritual foundations stronger. (Try to remember to ask them how they did in your next class!)