My Wonder Studio

Note to the parent or teacher: Here is a 30- to 45-minute lesson plan to fill out the post “The Parables of Jesus: The Rich Fool.” It goes with the lesson objectives, “Study more of the parables that Jesus taught and their meaning” (Christian Life and Faith: Biblical and Christian Foundation: Jesus, God’s Son-2b); and “Gain a deeper understanding of what it means to give” (Character Building: Personal Responsibility: Generosity-2a).

Read “The Parables of Jesus: The Rich Fool.” (You can also read this parable in Luke 12:13–21.) 

Watch “Video: The Parables of Jesus: The Rich Fool.”

Read “The Things that Really Count.”

Remind the children that there are also people with riches who use their means to help others. Talk about someone you know of who does this.

Read “The Rich Fool.”

Reflect with your children how your family applies this through giving and helping others with what you have. Remind the children of the old adage, “Charity starts at home.” Have each child consider how well they are doing with sharing with each other, and then move on from that to sharing with others outside of your family.

Read “A Palace Unlike Any Other.” 

Test yourself with this “Quick Quiz: Bible, Who, What, Why, and Where on Giving.” 

Review “Crazily Cool Cards Set: Giving.”

Listen to “He Fed His Body But Starved His Soul.”

Additional material:

• “The Rich Fool” (an additional version and class)
• “Level 2 Lesson Plan: You Never Lose by Giving”

Note to the parent or teacher: Here is a 30- to 45-minute lesson plan to fill out the post “The Parables of Jesus: A Tale of Two Houses.” It goes with the lesson objectives, “Study more of the parables that Jesus taught and their meaning” (Christian Life and Faith: Biblical and Christian Foundation: Jesus, God’s Son-2b); and “Learn how one may not see the immediate effect of some of the choices one makes, but all choices eventually add up to determine the course of one’s life, which is why one must learn to choose rightly; learn that one has a choice in the way one behaves toward others, and in the daily decisions that one makes. One is able to evaluate the consequences of one’s actions and choose rightly” (Character Building: Personal Responsibility: Choice and Decision-making-2d).

Note to parents/teachers: The “consider and reflect” points interspersed throughout this lesson plan provide a reflection to help in applying the parable lesson personally. A Bible scripture is included for each one. Feel free to encourage your children to think of Bible stories or other verses when applicable.

Read “The Parables of Jesus: The Sower: A Tale of Two Houses.” (You can also read this parable in Matthew 7:24–27 and in Luke 6:46–49.)

Explain to the children how we can use the guidance of God’s Word to make the right choices in our lives. When we follow God’s instructions to us, we are building our lives on a strong foundation (the Rock).

Listen to “Building on the Rock.”

• Consider and reflect on how to build on the Rock when making a decision. Think of examples of building the process of decision-making on the rock versus the sand. Proverbs 3:5–6.
• Consider and reflect on how to build on the Rock when deciding how to treat another. Think of examples of building interactions with others on the rock versus the sand. Matthew 7:12.

Watch “Building on the Rock!”

• Consider and reflect on how to build on the Rock when someone wrongs you. Think of examples of building a response to being wronged on the rock versus the sand. Matthew 6:14–15 and Luke 6: 36–37.
• Consider and reflect on how to build on the Rock when there’s a need to be filled or someone needs help. Think of examples of building a reaction to seeing a need on the rock versus the sand. Hebrews 13:16.

Watch “The Parables of Jesus: The Two Builders.” (If you have difficulty viewing it here, you can also view it on WorshipHouseKids.)

• Consider and reflect on how to build on the Rock when you need help from Jesus. Think of examples of building a response to your need on the rock versus the sand. Hebrews 4:15–16.
• Consider and reflect on how to build on the Rock when you have wronged someone else. Think of examples of building a follow-up from you on the rock versus the sand. Matthew 5:23–24.

Read “A Thought for the Day: On Solid Rock.”

• Consider and reflect on how to build on the Rock when choosing between doing something appropriate or inappropriate. Think of examples of building the choice on the rock versus the sand. Ephesians 4:25–32.
• Consider and reflect on how to build on the Rock when in a proud and boastful mood. Think of examples of building a mood on the rock versus the sand. Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 27:2, and James 4:16.

Sing along with “Come Let Us Sing.”

Additional material:

• “The Wise Man Built His House”
• “Bible Space Trek: Two Builders” (Answer key.)
• “Level 1 Lesson Plan: God’s Word—The Rock”
• “0–5 Lesson Plan: Building a Strong Foundation”

Note to the parent or teacher: Here is a 30- to 45-minute lesson plan to fill out the post “The Parables of Jesus: The Sower.” It goes with the lesson objective, “Study more of the parables that Jesus taught and their meaning.” (Christian Life and Faith: Biblical and Christian Foundation: Jesus, God’s Son-2b).

Read “The Parables of Jesus: The Sower.” (You can also read it here.)

Read Matthew 13:18–23 or Mark 4:13–20 for what Jesus explains about this parable. 

Watch “Video: The Parables of Jesus: The Parable of the Sower,” which applies the parable to telling others about Jesus.

Ask your children to apply the parable in their personal life and to consider what steps can be taken to ensure the seed of Jesus’ teachings is falling on good ground. At this point, let them explore this subject further in discussion if they like.

Apply each point that Jesus makes when He explains what the parable means. Follow along with Matthew 13:18–23 or Mark 4:13–20.

• Matthew 13:19 / Mark 4:15 (wayside):

An example of Jesus’ teachings falling by the wayside in our lives could be when we are preoccupied with other things and don’t want to give time to learning about Jesus’ ways and how to put His ways into action in our own lives.

• Matthew 13:20–21 /Mark 4:16–17 (stony ground):

An example of Jesus’ teachings falling on stony ground in our lives could be when we learn about certain of Jesus’ ways, understand how to apply them in our own lives, but for selfish or greedy reasons decide we’d rather not.

Another example of stony ground in one’s own life could be when we hold on to a resentment we have against another rather than forgiving them. In such a case, resentment makes our hearts hard and blocks the ability to show compassion as Jesus has taught us to do.

• Matthew 13:22 / Mark 4:18–19 (thorns):

An example of Jesus’ teachings falling among thorns could be when we like what Jesus shows and teaches us to do, but we’re so involved in other pursuits that we fail to make an effort to live in Jesus’ ways.

Read “A Bible Adventure: Salvation for a Swindler.”

• Matthew 13:23 / Mark 4:20 (good ground):

Examples of Jesus’ teachings falling on good ground would be the people we know who are humbly living lives of lovingly caring for, lifting up, and helping others. When looking at their lives, we can see the ripple effect of their caring deeds bearing more fruit.

Reflect on the above points, giving your child the opportunity to apply them in her or his life. A helpful exercise could be to write out each type of ground in a notebook, followed by a thought the child has of how to apply this in her or his life (e.g., wayside, stony ground, thorns, and good ground).

Read “‘Me First’ Values or Heavenly Values? Part 1” and “‘Me First’ Values or Heavenly Values? Part 2”

Review the verses in “Crazily Cool Card Set: God’s Word,” and “Crazily Cool Card Set: God’s Word, 2.”

Additional material:

• “Level 1 Lesson Plan: Treasure God’s Word—The Parable of the Sower”

Note to the parent or teacher: Here is a 20- to 30-minute lesson plan to fill out the post “Cities of the Bible: The Town of Nazareth.” It goes with the lesson objective “Learn about Jesus’ birth (as celebrated at Christmas), early life, and years before His ministry began.” (Christian Life and Faith: Biblical and Christian Foundation: Jesus, God’s Son-1b).

Read “Cities of the Bible: The Town of Nazareth.”

Read John 1:45–46.

Explain how the people of Israel in the time of Jesus were praying for the Messiah to come. They thought the Messiah would take the lead to help them overcome the foreign occupation of Rome.

To help the children relate to how unexpected it was for Jesus, who came from Nazareth, to be the one the prophets had written about, take a look at some of the world’s leaders today, such as the head of your country. Look at what educational and financial background your country’s current leader comes from.

Read John 1:46–51.

Ask the children what Philip told Nathanael to do. (Answer: Philip told Nathanael to go and see Jesus for himself.) Further discuss with your children about how in this story we see a very effective means of winning people to Jesus—encouraging them to personally talk to Jesus to learn for themselves how wonderful He is.

Read Luke 1:26–35 and Matthew 1:18–25.

Read Matthew 2:13–23. Here we understand why Jesus was living in Nazareth.

Discuss how God uses little places, little things, and little people to accomplish His purposes.

• Nazareth wasn’t too small and insignificant for Jesus, the Son of God, to be raised in.
• Mary wasn’t too insignificant to be the mother of Jesus.
• Joseph wasn’t too insignificant as a carpenter in a small town to care for Mary and Jesus.
• Several of the apostles came from insignificant backgrounds (such as fishermen, tradesmen, and a tax collector), but they weren’t too small to be used by God.
• Talk about how this relates to your and the children’s ability to be used by God.

Additional material:

• The series, “A Man Named Jesus”
• “The Intriguing Story of the First Christmas”