INTRODUCTION

NEWS ABOUT JESUS SPREADS

Bible Point:

Follow Jesus.

Key Verse:

Come to me and rest (adapted from Matthew 11:28).

Big Picture:

Children will come to Jesus when they are worried, afraid, or just need someone to talk with.

News About Jesus Spreads

Matthew 4:12-25

Five- and six-year-olds have a wonderful enthusiasm for what life brings, yet at times they can feel discouraged. Some kids might feel discouraged when they’re told they have to be a certain height to go on the “good” rides at an amusement park or when they’re told they’re not old enough to cross the street alone. These types of situations make 5- and 6-year-olds feel as if they’ll never measure up. Encourage your children by telling them that Jesus doesn’t have height measurements or age standards that must be met. God loves us so much that He sent Jesus, and everyone can follow Him.

PLANTING THE SEED

BIBLE TIME!

This week’s Scripture (Matthew 4:23-25) tells us that everyone can follow Jesus. Jesus went throughout Galilee teaching about God’s love, preaching the good news of God’s kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness. People were so excited about Jesus that news spread quickly throughout the region. People came to hear Jesus teach and to be healed. Your child learned that Jesus wants us to follow Him, too.

KEY VERSE

Come to me and rest (adapted from Matthew 11:28).

BIBLE POINT

Follow Jesus.

PLAY AND PRAY

News about Jesus spread quickly 2,000 years ago even without the advanced technology that we have nowadays. Spread the news of Jesus today by helping your child create a family newsletter that tells what God has done for your family over the past year. Help your child pick out favorite photos from the past year, or have your child draw pictures of the amazing ways God has blessed your family. Have your child attach the photos or drawings to blank pages. Encourage your child to say things he or she has noticed as answered prayers or blessings. Write the words down for your child, and let him or her copy the words onto the pages.

ASK

• How has Jesus helped you during the past year?

• Who are people you’d like to tell about Jesus?

Make copies of the newsletter for your friends and family.

FAITHFUL FLAVORS

Help your child make apple cinnamon bread with this easy recipe. Have your child wash his or her hands. Then mix 2 1⁄4 cups of flour and 1 1⁄4 sticks of softened butter in a large bowl until the mixture is pale yellow. Add in 3 tablespoons sugar and 1⁄4 teaspoon salt. Pour in 1⁄4 cup cold water, and mix until the dough forms a large lump. Help your child knead the dough for five minutes on a floured surface.

Shape the dough into a ball, and divide it into four parts. Let your child roll each piece flat with a rolling pin. Then shape each piece into a flat heart, and place the hearts on a cookie sheet. Let your child place apple slices covered with cinnamon and sugar on top of the hearts. Tell your child that we can follow Jesus and come to him when our hearts feel sad, and Jesus will let us rest; Jesus will warm our hearts and heal our hearts. Then tell your child you are going to warm the dough hearts in the oven. Bake the hearts for about 15 minutes at 400 degrees. Remove them from the oven when the edges are brown.

ASK

• What did you like about making your warm heart treats? 

AGE-LEVEL INSIGHT

Five- and six-year-olds have a wonderful enthusiasm for what life brings, yet at times they can feel discouraged. Some kids might feel discouraged when they’re told that they have to be a certain height to go on the “good” rides at an amusement park, or when they’re told that they’re not old enough to cross the street alone. These types of situations make 5- and 6-year-olds feel as if they’ll never measure up. Encourage your child by telling him or her that Jesus doesn’t have height measurements or age standards that must be met. God loves us so much that he sent Jesus, and everyone can come to him.

READY, SET, GROW!

This week, your child learned that he or she can follow Jesus. Your child committed to one of the following challenges to follow Jesus in good times and bad. Help your child weave faith into life this week and follow through on the challenge!

• Get in your most comfy pajamas and snuggle with your mom or dad and pray together.

• Use chenille wire to make a shape that reminds you of Jesus. Hang it in your window to help you remember that you can FOLLOW JESUS and that he is always with you.

• Pray with your family, and ask your family to pray about their worries and fears. Remind your family that they can FOLLOW JESUS.