LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Luke 12:13-31, Jesus teaches an important lesson about priorities and possessions. A man approaches Jesus asking Him to settle a dispute about inheritance with his brother. Jesus responds by warning against greed and tells the parable of a rich farmer who had abundant crops. This farmer decided to tear down his barns and build bigger ones to store all his grain and goods. He planned to take life easy, eat, drink, and be merry. However, God called him a fool because that very night his life would be required of him. The man spent his entire life accumulating wealth but was not rich toward God.
Jesus continues by instructing His followers not to worry about their lives, what they will eat, or their bodies, what they will wear. He reminds them that life consists of more than food and the body more than clothing. God feeds the ravens and clothes the lilies beautifully, so how much more will He care for His children? Jesus teaches that we should seek God’s kingdom first, and all these necessary things will be provided. Our treasure should be in heaven, not stored up on earth, because where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.
OPENING ACTIVITY 10:15-10:30 | Treasure Box Sensory Bin
Items Needed:
- Kinetic Sand
- Coins and toy jewels
Hide plastic coins and toy jewels throughout the kinetic sand. Let children dig through the sensory bin to discover the “treasures.” As they play, talk about how God gives us everything we need and how the best treasures are not “things” they are love, family, and knowing Jesus.
BIBLE VERSE GAME 10:30-10:40 | Barn Surprise Memory Game
Items Needed
- Memory Verse Barn (Print on Cardstock)
Print the memory verse barn and place the 4 memory verse cards inside of it. Have four kids pull out random parts of the memory verse and stick them onto the corresponding animal hay bail. Continue until all strips are pulled out. Practice saying the verse together by putting the strips in order. Repeat several times, adding hand motions for “guard” (hands shielding eyes), “greed” (grabbing motion), and “possessions” (arms spread wide).
“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” – Luke 12:15
SONG 10:40-10:50
BIBLE STORY 10:50-11:00 a.m.
Question 1: Where is this found in the Bible? Luke
Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? New Testament
OBJECT LESSON: Bring two boxes—one large and fancy filled with toys, another small and plain with a picture of Jesus or a heart inside. Ask children which box they want to open first. After exploring both, explain that the fancy box with lots of stuff might seem exciting, but the small box with Jesus is what matters most.
THE STORY: One day, Jesus was teaching a big group of people. A man came up to Jesus and said, “Teacher, tell my brother to share our family’s money with me!”
Jesus looked at the man and said something very important. He said, “Be careful! Don’t spend your life wanting more and more things. Your life is not about how much stuff you have.”
Then Jesus told everyone a story to help them understand. There was a rich farmer who had fields full of crops. One year, his fields grew SO much food that he didn’t have room to store it all!
The farmer thought and thought. Then he said to himself, “I know what I’ll do! I’ll tear down my barns and build BIGGER barns! Then I’ll have room for all my grain and all my things. After that, I can relax, eat good food, and have fun!”
But that night, God spoke to the farmer. God said, “You foolish man! Tonight you will die. Then who will get all the things you stored up?”
Jesus explained that this is what happens when people spend their whole lives collecting more and more things but forget about God.
Then Jesus told His friends something wonderful. He said, “Don’t worry about your life. Don’t worry about what you’ll eat or what you’ll wear. Life is about more than food and clothes!”
Jesus said, “Look at the birds! They don’t plant seeds or store food in barns, but God feeds them every single day. You are much more important to God than birds!”
Jesus also said, “Look at the flowers! They don’t work or make clothes, but God dresses them in beautiful colors. If God takes care of flowers, He will take care of you!”
Jesus wants us to know that God loves us SO much. He will give us everything we need. We don’t need to worry about having more and more things. What matters most is loving God and loving others.
THEOLOGICAL QUESTIONS:
- Who takes care of the birds and gives them food every day? (God does!)
- What did Jesus say is more important than having lots of things? (Loving God and loving others)
LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
- When you see a bird eating, what can you remember? (God takes care of me just like He takes care of the birds!)
- How can you thank God for taking care of you? (Pray and say thank you; share with others; be happy with what we have)
PRAYER:
“Dear God, thank You for taking care of us just like You take care of the birds and the flowers. Help us remember that loving You is more important than having lots of toys and things. Amen.”
BIBLE CRAFT 11:00-11:15 a.m. | Egg Carton Treasure Box
Items Needed:
- Empty cardboard egg carton (cut in half – 6 egg slots)
- Brown Paint
- Gold or Silver Paint Markers
- Paper hearts
Let children paint an egg carton (or pre-paint it brown and let them decorate it with gold paint pens). Provide paper hearts to put inside. Explain that the hearts represent love for God, family, and friends—the real treasures! They can take it home and add more hearts when they think of things they’re thankful for that don’t cost money.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Luke 12:13-31 (KJV)
13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
COLORING PAGE
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway: God Provides Everything
What I learned today: Jesus taught us that life is about more than having lots of things. God takes care of the birds and the flowers, and He takes care of us even more! We should love God and thank Him instead of always wanting more toys and stuff.
Questions to ask me:
THEOLOGICAL:
- Who takes care of all the birds? (God does!)
- What did Jesus say life is about? (Loving God, not having lots of stuff)
- Who made the flowers so beautiful? (God did!)
- Does God know what we need? (Yes, He knows everything we need!)
- What should we do instead of worrying? (Trust God and thank Him)
LIFE APPLICATION:
- What is something God gives you every day? (Food, family, home, love – various answers)
- How can you thank God for taking care of you? (Pray, say thank you, share with others)
- Is it better to have lots of toys or to love God and others? (Love God and others)
- When you see a bird, what can you remember? (God feeds the birds and He takes care of me too!)
- What can you share with someone this week? (Toys, food, kindness – various answers)