Big Idea:  We become a part of God's Kingdom because of God's goodness to us- not the things we have or the things we do.

Bible Passage: Matthew 16:19 – 20:19

Parent Prep: This week is all about assurance. This week Mr John shared a fantastic analogy. He asked kids to imagine what it would be like if they had to work hard enough every day to remain beloved members of their own families. As ridiculous as it sounds, this is what many children understand God's love is like. This week, as we look at Jesus' answer to the rich young ruler, and the story Jesus tells His followers, we will explore God's grace to us and how it brings us an everlasting assurance of His love.

Read the Bible story together from your children's Bible, or online here; or watch the story of the Rich Young Ruler here.

Talk

Say to children, In verse 25 of chapter 19, it says the disciples were amazed and surprised that Jesus said it was very difficult for the rich man to enter heaven. He said it would be harder than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle! The disciples were surprised because they thought that rich people were God's favourite people. They thought having lots of money was a sign of God's favouritism and blessing. But Jesus used the parable in the next chapter to teach his disciples that God doesn't just choose the people that the world says are "best" to be in his family. God isn't impressed by lots of money or good behaviour – he loves us whether we are rich or poor, good or bad. He chooses to give His grace to whoever He pleases, not because we have earned it, but because he is full of love for us.

Ask older children if you were a king and you could choose who would be in your kingdom, who would you choose? Why would you choose those people? Would you choose to invite cheaters, liars, or mean people who hurt others? Why do you think God invites people who do those things to be a part of his Kingdom? Have you ever broken any of God's commandments? [Read the 10 Commandments together in Exodus 20]. Do you feel like you deserve to be in God's kingdom? Why or Why not? Assure children that because of Jesus' sacrifice for us, our sins are paid for, and so we can praise God that He invites us to be in His family and kingdom. We are not called in because we are good or impressive, but because He is a good God and in His love chooses to show us GRACE. This means that because we didn't earn it, we can't ever mess up so bad that we will get kicked out. God's love for us is completely free and never-ending!

Ask younger children Do you think that there is anywhere you could hide that God's love couldn't get to you? Ask children to come up with their best hiding spots – maybe even play hide and seek as you explain this to them. Each time you find your children say, "there is no where you can go that God's love can't find you!" Ask Do you ever think you could be so naughty that your mummy and daddy won't love you? Of course not! Just like there was no where to hide that God's love couldn't find you, our love for you goes on forever and ever and ever no matter what you do! It is the same with God's love. You can never make it go away or do anything to make Him love you any more because He already loves you always and forever! This means we can always, always tell God when we make a mistake and choose to sin because He will always, always forgive us and love us! When God chooses to love us, it is called His GRACE.

Do

Jesus said it would be "easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for someone with lots of riches to enter the kingdom of heaven,". Find a needle if you have one and show children how small the size of a needle eye is compared to a camel. Explain to children that it is easy to rely on the things we have, and to let how 'good' we think we are to trick us into believing that we don't need God's grace. Set up a challenge course in your home with tiny 'hoops' (as the 'eye' of the needle) and large items to throw (as the 'camels'). Have children try to aim their large throwing-toys through a small space. Whether they are successful or unsuccessful, discuss, just as it is difficult to get the toy through the hoop, it is hard to keep our eyes on Jesus when we think we are 'good enough' to earn His love on our own. Every time a child throws a toy, call out "Thank God for His grace to us!" 

Pray together. Charles Spurgeon says, "His grace is given as freely as the light of the sun." Each morning this week, when you see the sunlight together, explain to children, that just as the sun freely gives light to the whole earth,  God's grace is freely given to us. Use the sunlight (or sunrise if you have early risers!) as your reminder of God's grace. Sit together in the warm sunlight and thank God for His grace – as sure, certain and freely given to us as the light of the sun.

Have a great week – see you online this Sunday!