Jesus teaches his friends
key words
biblical reference
Mark 10:35-45
memory verse
“You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:14, NIV*).
lesson objective
To teach children to recognize the greatness of serving others.
prepare yourself to teach
In the two preceding chapters of Mark (8 and 9), it mentions that Jesus tried to prepare his disciples about the problems that would arise around him. However, they were blinded and concerned about their position, and did not realize the imminent danger that was coming.
James and John were still thinking that the kingdom of Jesus would be earthly. They did not want to lose the opportunity to have positions of power. It is incredible that shortly after the second warning of Jesus concerning the approaching trial (Mark 9:31), they were still trying to get a position of power in the coming kingdom of God.
Jesus denied the request for James and John to sit on his left and his right because they failed to understand the magnitude of this request. In the Beacon Bible commentary, Dr. Ralph Earle describes the request of James and John: “While Jesus was thinking of a cross, they were thinking of crowns. His responsibility was met with their blindness; his sacrifice with their ego.” He desired to give, but they wanted to get. He was motivated to serve, but they wanted personal satisfaction.
Jealousy and unwholesome ambitions can lead people to act immature, foolish and wayward in order to get what they want. Jesus does not describe true greatness in terms of position and authority, but of service. His words were concrete when he said he was the Son of God. He came to serve humanity, even the most insignificant of human beings.
adaptation
Although children are usually more sensitive to the needs of others, they can still have a lot of self-centeredness, which is often seen in younger children. They can be very aware of what bothers them, but when they do what annoys others, it is often unnoticed.
It is still very difficult for them to see the perspective of others. Yet, Jesus says that greatness is based on service to others. This service requires some skill to make us realize the needs of those around us.
This lesson will help your children start to identify with others and seek ways in which they can serve. Following the example of others is a key method for children to learn to do for others.
The first lesson of this unit talked about following Jesus. Serving others is also learned by example or following a servant leader. When newcomers see their Sunday School teacher, their parents, the pastor, and other Christian leaders serving others, they will understand better how they too can serve.
introduce the lesson
Your children may have little ability to serve others. For them, criticism and mockery may be more common than helping each other. In this lesson, you have the opportunity to lay a solid foundation that will help develop Christian character of service in the lives of your children.
Pray that God will help you teach this lesson and make sure the children understand it. We recommend that you help them think of ways that they can serve others, such as helping another child do a task that they do not understand, either in church or school; help their mother around the house picking up toys, putting trash in place, etc.
Emphasize the difference between human and spiritual values. We often value things and people only from the human point of view. We think, “follow what has value.” However, if we consider spiritual values, everything changes. The value of people has to do with service to others.
teach the lesson
Start by asking, “What makes a person important?”(If necessary, briefly express what you are referring to.) Allow time for children to answer.
Continue with the questions: “How many of you would like to be important and why?” (Let the children answer.) Using their responses as a parameter, tell them that today’s lesson is exactly that: How to become someone important in life.
If you can, bring photos of important people (presidents, kings, movie stars, athletes, etc.). Explain that in the eyes of the world, these people (presidents, kings, movie stars, athletes, etc.) are important, but why? (Let them respond.) Tell them that if we ask these people what makes a person important, their answers could be varied.
Then say, “I want to introduce you to the most important person in the history of humankind. Indeed, his birth divided history, so that the years are counted retroactively before his birth, and then progressive after him. Do you know to whom I am referring?” (Give them time to respond.) Answer, “Yes, his name is Jesus.” Place a picture of Jesus’ face above the other photos that you brought. If you did not bring any, you can put titles on some papers, noting the name of Jesus on another and put his above all others. Then ask the children to pay close attention. Tell them that this lesson about Jesus will tell us how to become the most important.
Now narrate the biblical history. Try to be creative. You can change the tone of voice when needed. Try to speak differently when it comes to another person. Do your best to not read (master the passage to avoid mistakes). Move, walk from one place to another and make gestures, as if you were the character who is speaking, so that the children live the lesson.
connect the lesson
Searching for kind people
Distribute Student Activity Sheet #135-A for today’s lesson. The children will also need scissors and metal clasps/brads.
Have them put the searchlight in the center of the activity sheet, and then rotate it to focus on the four different situations on the activity sheet. Allow volunteers to tell the class what they think is happening in the illustrations.
Ask, “Are the people in the illustration important? Why or why not?” Encourage your children to participate and talk about what they see in each situation, and what makes them think that the people are important.
Explain, “When you do not know a person, you might think that person is important if you see that they have a luxury car, a big house, fancy jewelry, expensive clothes, etc. In the Bible story today, Jesus talks about true greatness.”
If you want to be important
Give your children Student Activity Sheet #135-B with two wheels on it, and ask them to cut out the wheels. The wheel that has the figure of Jesus goes on top; the one that has the phrases goes underneath. Also, cut the circles inside the speech bubbles to display the words on the bottom wheel. Then put a clasp/brad in the middle of the wheels so they can turn. Show the children how you can turn the wheel and see different messages in the bubbles. Take time to read the statements. Use this activity to review the points of the lesson.
Service award
Ask the children to cut out the service award on Student Activity Sheet #135-C and paste it on cardboard. Then, ask who did something special for someone else during the week. Ask them to share with the class what they did. (For example: helped their mom wash the dishes, helped his sister pick up their toys, etc.) Pin a badge on the chest of children who helped someone during the week.
practice the memory verse
Write the memory verse on the blackboard (or write the memory verse on sheets of paper, placing one word on each sheet.) After you have written the verse (including the reference), ask your children to say it out loud. Invite a volunteer to come forward, erase or remove one of the words and repeat all the verse including the missing word. Then ask another volunteer to come forward and erase/remove another word. Continue until all the words are erased or removed. If you can, reward the children who have memorized the verse. Remember that children are motivated when there are rewards. If you wish, you can include the verse from the last unit as a form of review.
Emphasize the importance of learning Bible memory verses.
wrap-up
Pray
Remember to say a prayer before leaving the classroom. Have the children share their prayer requests. Doing this is very important because children learn not only to pray, but they see it as an essential part of life.
Encourage
This is a good time to sing a song with motions or review the lesson. Remind your children to take their items home (worksheets, crafts, etc.).
Invite
Thank everyone for attending today’s session. Get the children excited about the next lesson by creating interest and a desire to want to come again.
* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™