INTRODUCTION

Jesus Blesses the Children

Bible Point:

We’re important to Jesus.

Key Verse:

“Let the little children come to me” (Mark 10:14).

Big Picture:

Children will remember that they are important to Jesus.

Jesus Blesses the Children

Mark 10:13-16

Children have wonderful imaginations! They love to tell stories, even when they’re simply retelling a favorite bedtime story. They especially love to be the star or hero of their own stories. In this lesson, you can emphasize how important each child is to Jesus by substituting your children’s names for the word “children” in the Scripture passage. Your children will love hearing that Jesus wants them, specifically, to come to Him.

BIBLE TIME!

Mark 10:13-16 tells us that one day, as Jesus was teaching the people, the disciples became impatient with the many people who were bringing children to be blessed by Jesus. When Jesus heard that the disciples were trying to keep the children away from him, he told them to stop. He told the disciples to let the children come to him because they were important and he loved them, too. Have fun this week pointing out ways in which your child is important to you and to your entire family. As you do this, you’ll be helping your child make the connection between Jesus’ great love for him or her and his or her value to you.

KEY VERSE

“Let the little children come to me” (Mark 10:14).

BIBLE POINT

We’re important to Jesus.

PLAY AND PRAY

This week’s Scripture emphasizes the fact that Jesus stopped and spent time with each child. He gave the children a physical touch of love and blessed them, which must have made them happy. Each day this week, create opportunities to bless your child. Give hugs, high fives, and pats on the back. Say “I love you.” Bless your child with words of encouragement, take even small amounts of time to play a game, go for an ice-cream cone or to the park together, and tell your child why he or she is special to you. Then say that they are especially loved by Jesus, too.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Enjoy a little family time outside in the evening if the weather is good. Spread a blanket on the ground, and place a chair at the edge of the blanket. Allow each family member to have a turn being the “important person” who sits in the chair and shares something with the rest of the family. Connect sitting in this place of honor to the idea that each person in the family is special—an important member of the family—and that you value what your child has to say. Remind your child that he or she is important to the family and important to Jesus.

READY, SET, GROW! 

Your child learned that we’re important to Jesus. Your child committed to one of the following challenges to remember that he or she is important to Jesus. Help your child weave faith into life this week and follow through on the challenge!

• When someone says something mean to you or makes you feel sad, talk to Jesus. Remember that you’re important to Jesus.

• Give each person in your family a hug. When you hug your family members, remind them that they’re important to you and to Jesus.

• Tell your parent or grown-up all kinds of wonderful things about them. Then your parent or grown-up can tell you all kinds of wonderful things about you. Jesus thinks both of you are very important.