May 24th - Fruit of the Spirit - Kindness
Lesson
Luke 19:1-9 - Jesus shows kindness to Zacchaeus
Today's story is about a man many people didn't like. They called him a sinner, which is funny because aren't we all sinners? Don't we all make mistakes and do things we shouldn't?
The story starts with Jesus entering a place called Jericho. These days Jesus had been going around telling parables and performing many miracles.
The word was spreading about this man named Jesus and the amazing things he was doing and saying. So, it was common when Jesus came to a place people would rush to see him.
Just imagine if a famous person came walking into your town or down your street. People would be telling their friends and very quickly there would be a large crowd around them. This is how it was for Jesus.
In this town that Jesus was entering lived a man named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in this place and had lots of money.
If you've heard the word taxes before it’s probably not because people like them. Everyone that works pays taxes to the government or the people that run the city and country you live in. In some countries taxes help pay for doctor visits or to make or fix roads, pay for parks, or help those who can't work.
Taxes for the most part help us live better so they really are a good thing, the problem is that sometimes (and that includes the times in the Bible) people who got the tax money didn't always spend it properly or they took some of the money for themselves (which is stealing).
So, the people from Jericho didn't like Zacchaeus very much, especially because he had lots of money and a big house. They figured he had taken some of the tax money for himself.
Back to the story. Zacchaeus had heard a commotion and soon realized that Jesus was in Jericho, so he rushed like everyone else to see Him. When he got to the crowd, he couldn't see anything. He figured Jesus was in the middle of it somewhere but standing on his tiptoes he still couldn't even see Jesus.
You probably know what it’s like to be shorter than all the adults around. Well, Zacchaeus wasn't very tall for a grown-up and couldn't ask someone to pick him up to see better, that would've been silly and they probably wouldn’t have done it anyway!
So, Zacchaeus saw a sycamore tree up ahead and decided to climb it so he could see Jesus as he passed by.
I just wonder if Zacchaeus thought it might be strange for a grown man to climb a tree? Especially since he was an important person in government. Whatever he thought he did it anyway and didn't seem to care.
When Jesus reached the spot where Zacchaeus was he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So, he came down right away and welcomed him gladly.
This is so cool! First, Jesus knew Zacchaeus' name without asking him. Second, Jesus didn't care that other people didn't like Zacchaeus, he wanted to visit with him at his house anyway. Third, Jesus said that he MUST stay at his house today. This means that Jesus knew that God wanted him to go there and Jesus obeyed.
Jesus asked to go to Zacchaeus' house in front of everyone and as soon as they heard this, they all started talking among themselves. They were shaking their heads and saying, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'"
I'm sure they both knew what people were saying but Zacchaeus jumped out of the tree and said to the lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my money to the poor, and if I have cheated or stole anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
The important part about this is that Zacchaeus had a change of heart. I don't know if he was already thinking about repaying people back or he just knew what he should do when he saw and talked to Jesus.
He also said that he would pay back people four times the amount. So, if he owed someone one dollar, he would pay them back four extra dollars! Zacchaeus didn't have to do this, but he wanted to make things more than right.
When Jesus heard this he said, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Jesus meant that he had forgiven his sins and that even though people didn't think Zacchaeus was good, God loved him too and knew that his heart was good.
Then the very last part Jesus said that he came to seek and to save the lost. This was the whole point as to why God sent His son Jesus to come to earth. To find those who didn't know God and were lost and to show them who God is so they could live forever in Heaven with Him.
What we say and do and how we treat other people is important. Remember God looks at the inside of a person, not what we see on the outside. How we treat others can make a big difference. We are told to treat others as we wish to be treated.
Imagine if Jesus had not shown kindness to Zacchaeus. What Jesus said and how he treated Zacchaeus changed his life.
Memory Verse
MV #17
EXPLORERS & ADVENTURERS
God who saves us showed how kind and good he is. Titus 3:4 & 5 (WE)
INVESTIGATORS
God who saves us showed how kind and good he is. We were not saved by any good things we did ourselves, but he saved us because he is so kind. Titus 3:4 & 5 (WE)
Activity
OPTION #1 - RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS PRESENTS
Asking kids to be randomly kind is like asking them to clean their rooms “when they get a chance.” Not going to happen. Sitting down to make a fun craft specifically for someone for no particular reason, however, gives kindness a subtle direction, and makes the giver feel great.
Two great projects for random acts of kindness presents are pet rocks and paperweights and bookmarks.
YOU WILL NEED:
rocks
acrylic paint
paper
scissors
pencils
crayons or markers
googly eyes
stick-on gems
DIRECTIONS (rocks and paperweights):
Find nice smooth rocks. This can involve a fun trip to the beach, the park, or your local building supply store
Paint the rock. This will involve some drying time, but you can also leave the rocks in their natural state and write on them with a marker if you are short on time
Attach googly eyes if making a pet rock. If you are making a paperweight, decorate the rock with stick-on gems and write messages: ‘I love you,’ ‘You are beautiful,’ ‘You make me smile,’ ‘I love your laughter,’ ‘You are fun!’
Give the rock to a neighbour or friend. Or, treat them as kindness rocks that you hide around neighbourhoods, stores, schools, and other places for people to find! There’s no greater feeling that knowing you have added some positivity in the life of a complete stranger
DIRECTIONS (bookmarks):
Cut paper into strips. 2” x 8” is a great size for bookmarks
Decorate the bookmarks with pictures or messages as shown
While you are making the present, talk about the person you’re going to give it to. A grandmother who reads a lot, maybe, or a favourite neighbour
OPTION #2 - RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS BINGO
Kids understand the concept of being kind, but sometimes they have difficulty knowing how to put the concept into action. Play this ongoing game around the house so they have easy options at hand all the time.
YOU WILL NEED:
paper
pencils
crayons or markers
bingo stampers or highlighters
DIRECTIONS:
Make a grid on a piece of paper. Make as many squares as you wish but sixteen or twenty-five work well. For very small children, nine squares help to achieve a “Bingo” a little more quickly
The kids can decorate the Bingo sheet with images that come to mind when they think about kindness (hearts, rainbows, helping hands)
In each Bingo square, write an act of kindness. Get your kids involved and encourage them to think up ways to be kind: say hi to a neighbour down the street, help younger sibling pour the milk, set the table without being asked, etc. Leave a square or two blanks for spontaneous acts of kindness that aren’t specified on the Bingo sheet
Make, decorate and cut out small hearts. Then, stick the hearts to the bingo board when the kids complete the acts of kindness. You could also stamp the square with a Bingo stamper or highlight it if you prefer
When the Bingo square is complete have some way to celebrate: a special dessert, or a half-hour later bedtime, for example
OPTION #3 - PAPER CHAIN OF KINDNESS
This craft is fabulous for encouraging kids to reflect on the kind things people have done for them and to make them think of the kind things they can do for others. It’s a lovely way to encourage kids to think about paying it forward.
YOU WILL NEED:
construction paper
pencils
crayons or markers
scissors
glue or tape
DIRECTIONS:
Cut colourful construction paper into strips. Have a pile of strips ready and waiting
Encourage your kids to think about times when someone has been kind to them: when a sibling shared a toy, when grandma made them something special
Have the kids write (or help the younger ones write) the act of kindness on a strip of paper, and then bend it into a circle and tape or glue. Take the second one and loop it through the first and tape or glue, eventually making a long chain
Subtly (or not so!) remind your kids that the kind acts they perform can be added to the chain
Make it a challenge to see how long the chain can be
OPTION #4 - A LONG DISTANCE HUG
If someone you know is going through a hard time, whether they’ve lost a family member or a pet, or are dealing with an illness, sending a long distance hug is a great way to talk to your kids about what the person is dealing with and emphasise how kindness can make others feel better. This is a great way to encourage thoughts of kindness toward friends and family far away, or even someone in the same city who might need a hug.
YOU WILL NEED:
construction paper
crayons or markers
yarn or string
glue
scissors
envelopes and stamps
DIRECTIONS:
Have the kids trace their hands and cut out the shapes
Cut a length of string or yarn and glue one end to each hand cut-out
Write a message on each hand or decorate the hands. A add a small card telling the recipient that they are receiving a long-distance hug
Mail the hug
OPTION #5 - KINDNESS IN THE MAIL
With email, text, Skype, and FaceTime, it is rare that people receive anything other than flyers and bills in the mail. This is a great craft to encourage kids to connect to loved ones who live far away, to send them kind thoughts, and to foster positive good feelings towards others.
YOU WILL NEED:
card stock or thick paper or blank postcards
pencils
crayons or markers
envelopes and stamps
DIRECTIONS:
Cut thick paper or cardstock into rectangles. The standard size for postcards is A6 size, 148 x 105 mm, or 5.8 x 4.1 inches (However, a 4×6” card is not going to be rejected)
Decorate one side of the postcard with a picture or words or collage
Draw a line down the middle of the back of the paper, write the address of the recipient on the right side, and add a message on the left side. Messages can be: thinking of you! Or Can’t wait to see you soon! Or Remember when we caught that fish last summer… Emphasize messages of kindness and good feelings
Mail the postcards to cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents and long-distance friends