Happiness is ... obeying God
key words
biblical reference
Matthew 5:6; Luke 18:9-14.
lesson objective
To discover the joy of having a good relationship with God.
memory verse
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6, NIV*).
prepare yourself to teach
A Christian author wrote a song, which he called, “Social party,” in which he describes the group of young people in a Sunday School as simply a social party. This song does not apply to all our groups of preadolescents and young people, but the unfortunate thing is that it describes some of them very well.
It is important to mention that young people have the necessary maturity to seriously examine their relationship with God. Although they must continue to mature in many areas of their lives, they have the ability to decide whether their commitment to God is real or whether they will only follow a religion. We know that what God wants is a total commitment.
Through this lesson, your students will understand that God wants to help them build their relationship with him, no matter how adverse the circumstances may be. They will also understand what Jesus wants to teach us through the Beatitudes, and what it means to be hungry and thirsty for justice.
biblical commentary
Read Matthew 5:6. Hunger and thirst for righteousness are spiritual needs. God wants us to seek righteousness, and this is an essential element of our life. Often, we do not consider it as such, but in fact it is. When we want to love and honor God, and follow his ways, we are on the right path to hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Read Luke 18:9-14. This passage shows the difference between internal righteousness and external hypocrisy and piety. What looks good on the outside may be hiding the rotten inside. The Pharisee’s prayer was actually a list of his good works, while that of the publican, who begged for mercy, showed his need for God.
The publican was hungry and thirsty for righteousness. Instead, the Pharisee was satisfied with a false righteousness centered on himself.
introduce the lesson
Happiness is...
Ask students to look at Student Activity Sheet #355-A, and work in pairs or small groups. They should list ten different ways through which people seek happiness (for example, success, popularity, cars, money, position, friends, possessions, fame, etc.).
Then, ask some volunteers to read what they wrote. Write down the most common answers on the board. Tell them that in today’s Bible story they will learn what Jesus taught about happiness.
teach the lesson
Prior to the session study Matthew 5:6 and Luke 18:9-14 to be prepared for this lesson.
Ask those students who have Bibles to look up Luke 18:9- 14, and follow along as you read it. Then, explain that during his earthly ministry, Jesus traveled through many places and met the physical and material needs of the people. That is why he dedicated a large part of his time to healing the sick and caring for the needy. Jesus also observed the attitude of the people. For example, some were humble and avoided pride; others trusted in their own righteousness and were proud. For that reason, Jesus related the parable of the publican and the Pharisee.
Encourage a time of reflection on the biblical passage and the way it should be applied to the lives of preadolescents.
connect the lesson
What is righteousness?
Have the students turn to Student Activity Sheet #355-B and read the definitions of righteous and righteousness. Give them time to talk about what they understood, and help them understand the concepts they have doubts about. Have them write Matthew 5:6 in their own words. Then, turn the page to answer the questions.
Who went home happy?
Help the group answer the questions on Student Activity Sheet #355-C.
practice the memory verse
Put the vowels in their place
Prepare enough small papers or cards to write all the vowels from the memory verse. Use one paper/ card for each vowel. Perhaps you can also use a different color of paper/ card for each vowel. Write the memory verse on the blackboard but leave our all the vowels. Instead of vowels you can place a long dash in the space.
Give each student a paper/ card and ask each student to put the letter on an appropriate dash as the group says the memory verse together. When all the letters are attached, repeat the verse together.
For more options on how to help the children memorize this lesson's verse, see the "KidzFirst Memory Verse Activities" sheet.
wrap-up
Pray
Ask the group to tell their prayer needs. Then, intercede for them
Encourage
Have your students sit in a circle and tell them: “Through the Beatitudes, Jesus teaches us that blessed people are those who recognize their true spiritual condition and strive to know God and his righteousness. That is as important as water and food in the desert. We are to be thirsty and hungry for the righteousness of God.” Then, as: “Do you think that having a good relationship with God is as important as eating or drinking?” Give a few minutes to reflect, and ask, “What do you need to change in your life to be hungry and thirsty for righteousness?”
According to the answers, encourage them to seek God with humility and fervor, study the Word of God and continue attending church.
Invite
Say something interesting about the next session to encourage the group to attend and to invite friends.
* 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.™