M A R Y & M A R T H A & P I C K L E S | S U N D AY, M AY 3 , 2 0 2 0 BIG PICTURE: Jesus wants us to choose him.
BIG POINT: When we choose Jesus, he changes us.
BIG STORY: Read Luke 10:38–41 BIG WORD: “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (NIV) LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the conclusion of this lesson, children will: • Know that Jesus wants us to choose him. • Understand what it looks like to choose Jesus. • Understand that when we choose Jesus, he changes us and becomes our place of peace.
THE BIG QUESTIONS (to discuss with your kids)
1. In today’s story, was it wrong that Martha was making all the preparations? In and of itself it was not necessarily wrong, but it was causing her to worry, be distracted, and to not choose the best thing. 2. What was the one thing to which Jesus was referring when he told Martha, “few things are needed—or indeed, only one”? Jesus himself. 3. How do we spend time with Jesus or put him first? By regularly praying, soaking in and memorizing his Word, sitting at his feet and listening, being thankful to him, praising him, and telling others about him. 4. What are some things that you choose to do instead of putting Jesus first? 5. Why is it important to spend time with Jesus? So that we can know God, hear his voice, obey him, and find rest in him so he can change us to be like him.
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AT-HOME ACTIVITIES: ELEMENTARY
Mary and Martha “Spot the Difference” Game Supplies needed: “Spot the Difference” game resource on page 4 Directions: Look carefully at the pictures and find the fourteen things that are different between them (answers are available on page 6). Explanation: At first glance, it may seem like we are making good choices—but sometimes we need to look a little closer at the things we’re doing to make sure we’re choosing Jesus. Time with Jesus Door Hanger Supplies needed: Paper or craft foam, scissors, crayons or markers, decorating supplies (such as stickers), and yarn or string (optional) Directions: Make a doorknob hanger or sign that you can hang on the door of your room when you are spending time with Jesus. Cut a hole in it like in the picture so that it can go over your doorknob, or you can punch holes and make a yarn or string hanger. Be creative and decorate your sign with crayons or markers and with your decorating supplies such as little pictures or fun stickers. Explanation: This door hanger can be a reminder to spend time with Jesus. Sometimes it is easy to be distracted like Martha was. Whenever you want to spend some time with Jesus, put the hanger on your doorknob and close the door to help minimize distractions while you spend time reading God’s Word and listening to him.
AT-HOME ACTIVITIES: ALL AGES
Make a Sacred Place Directions: Have kids use blankets, pillows, rugs, a pop-up tent, a canopy, a big box, or anything they can find to make a space where they can snuggle up with Jesus. Have kids place their favorite Bible story books to read along with paper and crayons to draw a picture, write a prayer, or journal to Jesus in the space.
Easy Refrigerated Pickles Supplies needed: Two pint canning jars, lids, and rings, plus ingredients listed below. For more info and details on optional vegetables or spices, visit thekitchn.com and search “How to make dill pickles.” Ingredients:
1.5 pounds of Kirby or Persian cucumbers 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed 2 teaspoons dill seeds 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
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1 cup apple cider vinegar 1 cup water 1.5 tablespoons pickling salt or kosher salt
Directions: 1. Prepare the jars. For refrigerator use, wash the jars, rings, and lids with soapy water (they need to be sterilized for long-term storage). 2. Prepare the veggies. Wash and dry the cucumbers. Prepare as desired—leave them whole, cut them into spears, or slice them into coins. 3. Add the spices to the jars. Divide the garlic, dill seed, and red pepper flakes between the two pint jars—two smashed cloves, 1 teaspoon dill seed, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using) per jar. 4. Pack into the jars. Pack the cucumbers as tightly as you can without smashing them. 5. Prepare the pickling brine. Place the vinegar, water, and salt in a small saucepan over high heat and bring to a rolling boil. Pour the brine over the veggies, filling each jar to within a half inch of the top of the jars. You might not use all of the brine and that’s okay. 6. Remove any air bubbles. Gently tap the jars against the counter a few times to remove all the air bubbles. Top off with more pickling brine if necessary. 7. Tighten the lids. Place the lids over the jars and screw on the rings until tight. Explanation: Just like your cucumbers are changing into pickles as they soak up the vinegar and spices (by just sitting there in the brine), Jesus changes us from the inside-out as we sit in his presence.
AT-HOME ACTIVITIES: EARLY CHILDHOOD
Paper Plate Clock Supplies needed: Paper plate, construction paper, markers, brad fastener, and pictures from page 5 Directions: Make a clock out of the paper plate. Cut clock hands out of construction paper or another paper plate, punch a hole in the hand, and attach them to the center of the plate using a brad fastener. Cut out the pictures of ways to be with Jesus from page 5 and glue them at different times on the clock. Explanation: This clock can remind us of how we can spend time with Jesus.
PRAYER Dear God, we want to be close to you and show you how much we love you. Please do your work in us so we can love you more and be more like you. Amen.
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Spot the Differences in Mary and Martha
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Free to duplicate for church or home use. Visit http://SundaySchoolZone.com.
Compare the picture on the left with the picture on right. Circle the 14 things that are different.
EARLY CHILDHOOD AT-HOME ACTIVITY: PAPER PLATE CLOCK Print out this page and cut out the squares to use in the Paper Plate Clock activity as described on page 3. Note: Multiple sets are provided here but only one set of squares is needed per clock/child. reading the Bible
praying
praising God
sharing
Spot the Differences in Mary and Martha
Copyright Š 2013 SundaySchoolZone.com. All Rights Reserved.
Free to duplicate for church or home use. Visit http://SundaySchoolZone.com.
Compare the picture on the left with the picture on right. Circle the 14 things that are different.