Week 974 · about 45 minutes
Matthew 13
Matthew 13 · Memory verse Matthew 13:51
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Queues the lesson plan, this story’s coloring page (Matthew 13), the matching word search and answer key (Matthew 13 word search), the memory-verse tracer, and a parent slip.
Five-minute object lesson
Prop: a smooth stone
Hold a smooth stone. Read Matthew 13 in about four minutes, stopping at Matthew 13:51: “Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They answered him, “Yes, Lord.”” Ask, “What does this prop have to do with Matthew 13?” Let two children answer, then say the memory verse together.
Story script
Matthew 13 is a real chapter from the New Testament. It starts, “On that day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the seaside.” That is not a motto invented for a poster. It is the first sentence a family hears when this page is opened at night.
Keep going a little further. The chapter also says, “Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First, gather up the darnel weeds, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”” Matthew 13 opens with these words: “On that day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the seaside.” The line to keep is Matthew 13:51: “Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They answered him, “Yes, Lord.”” Carry the word “jesus” from that verse into the rest of the day.
The line worth learning out loud is Matthew 13:51: “Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They answered him, “Yes, Lord.”” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.
What happens first in Matthew 13? Then try this: Read “Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They answered him, “Yes, Lord.”” once more. What does it show you about God? You do not have to finish every verse. You can close the book after the memory verse and still have read the Bible together.
Group game
Walk the room as if you are moving through Matthew 13. Every time you freeze, a child says one word from Matthew 13:51. The last child says the whole verse.
Craft
On a US Letter sheet, draw one picture from Matthew 13 and write Matthew 13:51 under it. Send it home as tonight’s reminder, not as a decoration contest.
Memory verse
Matthew 13:51
“Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They answered him, “Yes, Lord.””
Take-home prayer
Father, thank you for Matthew 13. Help us remember Matthew 13:51 when we wake up, and teach us to notice you in an ordinary night. Amen.