s3.amazonaws.com · web viewbut like the biblical eden, this too had one restriction. “with...

6.2 Large Group Lesson | Elementary

Let’s Face ItDinner with Sinners

Scripture marked “NIV” is taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of Biblica. Scripture marked “NIrV” is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version ™, Copyright ©1995, 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. All scripture references are taken from NIrV unless otherwise stated.

User Agreement:The GO! curriculum by Mooblio is intended for download and print by subscribing entities only. It may not be transferred electronically to or duplicated by other non-subscribing entities. If the GO! curriculum is cost prohibitive for your organization, please contact us about assistance. We are awesomely generous! All use must be in accordance with the Terms of Use agreement as described on the website www.go.mooblio.com.

© 2018 Mooblio. All rights reserved 1

BIG IDEA: Jesus heals us from our sins, so we can follow Him even though we’re sinners.

BIBLE BASIS: Matthew 9:9-13

KEY VERSE: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 (NIV)

15–25 minutes

7–15 minutes

30–40 minutes

7–15 minutes

http://www.go.mooblio.com/


LEADER DEVOTIONALAs a child, I was fully convinced that the toy store was a modern day Eden. It had all that I could

ever hope for—Nerf guns and Legos, coloring books and trading cards, bouncy balls and candy. It was paradise.

But like the biblical Eden, this too had one restriction. “With every toy in the toy store thou may play, but thou art not to stray from my side; for in the day that thou strayeth, thou shalt surely be delivered into the hands of kidnappers.” I’m sure my mom didn’t speak like King James, but that’s how I remember it.

On one particularly memorable trip to the toy store, I decided to rebel. I wandered off from my mom while she tried to stop my two-year-old brother from taking a plastic baseball bat to the Barbie display. After a few minutes, I realized that my little moment of independence had, in fact, resulted in what felt like an irreconcilable separation between me and my mom. I had expected freedom, but I experienced fear. Within a few minutes (though it seemed like hours), I could hear my mom calling my name. She was looking for me. She was seeking the rebellious little girl that had strayed from the safety of her side.

Like a mother searching for her rebellious child, Jesus comes seeking sinners. He doesn’t leave them to wander aimlessly. He does not abandon them. He does not condemn them. Instead, He searches after His precious children and invites them to come back to Him.

As the writer of Hebrews said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion." Instead, come back to the safety of His side.

Casey JordanGO! Contributor



LARGE GROUP SKILL BUILDING

Defeating the Villains of Large Group Interaction

Too much of a talking head can be terribly boring for most kids. That’s why GO! is filled with opportunities for kids to be part of the action. Inviting kids to interact during the Large Group is a great way to foster active learning and it gives them ownership of the lesson, but it’s not without its perils. Even the best of kids can have villainous tendencies that jeopardize a lesson. If you want to become an “Inter-Action Hero,” here are a few alter egos to be on the lookout for, as well as some ways to counteract them:

The Joker: He’s just out for a good laugh! And there’s nothing wrong with that as long as it doesn’t detract from the lesson. Inviting a kid to respond or participate requires trust, though. If the Joker’s antics become disrespectful or distracting, talk to him privately to let him know he’ll only be called on to participate if he can be trusted.

I Forgot Bot: Her hand knows the answer, but it forgot to tell her mouth. If a kid raises her hand, but then suddenly goes silent, give her a short moment to remember, but then let her off the hook by saying something like, “You keep thinking about it and let me know if you remember.” Then go on to the next kid.

Captain Random: He has an answer to the question, it’s just not your question. If a kid begins telling you a random story that has nothing to do with your question or the lesson at hand, politely interrupt him and tell him you’d love to hear his story later. Keep your word, though, and follow up with him afterwards.

The Silent Stare-Masters: They’ll meet your question with a silent stare and then unleash a flurry of crickets on you. Sometimes the best way to get great responses from your kids is to ASK, GIVE, and CALL. ASK your question, GIVE your own answer or example, and then CALL on the kids for theirs. This does two things: it gives them a moment to think and it points them in the right direction.



UNIT DESCRIPTIONWhen people say “let’s face it,” what they mean is “let’s be painfully honest.” During the “Let’s Face It” series, we’re going to be “painfully honest” about how sin affects us, but we’ll also be honest about the power that Jesus has to forgive us and change our lives. And here’s the really fun part—during “Let’s Face It,” we’ll be taking the expression a bit more literally. Kids will get to use their artistic talents to create and wear fun masks for the telling of the Big Bible Story.

SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS During the “Let’s Face It” series, each small group will be responsible for creating a mask with

markers and a paper grocery bag for use during the “Big Bible Story.” Masks for this lesson include: Jesus, Matthew, Sinner (happy person), and Pharisee (angry man).

If you have fewer than 4 small groups, allow some groups to make more than one mask. If you have more than 4 small groups, you can have more than one group create the “Sinner”

mask. During the small group connect time, give each group one of the 4 (or more) paper grocery bags

and a box of markers. Tell each group which of the above masks they’ll be making. Place the following items in the teaching area for use during the “How Long Could You Go”

section of the lesson: a glass or bottle of water and some food that you can taste. Place a $5 bill and a $1 bill in the teaching area along with a roll of scotch tape for use during the

Big Bible Story. Place the following items in the teaching area for use during the “Acute Case of Pudding Face”

section of the lesson: small cup of pudding, hand mirror, towel, and two small pieces of candy. Choose which of the Reflect and Respond Stations you would like to make available. Set out the

appropriate materials for each of those stations.



CG: “Let’s Face It” title graphicSound: Play upbeat music as kids move to large group area

Note: During the small group connect time, kids will work together to create different “masks” on paper grocery bags for the telling of the Big Bible Story. Before you begin the lesson, collect the masks and place them in the teaching area. For more info, see the “Set-up Instructions” above or the small group connect section of the small group lesson.

LET’S FACE IT INTROLarge Group Leader: Hello everybody! Are you ready for another week of “Let’s Face It”? (Kids respond.) Let’s face it—that was a pretty weak response. You can do way better! Let’s try it again. (Say with more energy.) Are you ready for another week of “Let’s Face It”? (Kids respond.) That’s more like it!

Does anyone remember what the expression “let’s face it” means? (Take answer.) You got it! When someone says, “Let’s face it,” what they mean is “let’s be painfully honest.” For example, I might say, “Let’s face it—I’m really bad at (insert something you’re really bad at.)” How about you? How would you finish the expression, “Let’s face it”? (Call on kids to use the expression.) Nice job—that was painfully honest!

CG: “How Long Could You Go?” graphic

HOW LONG COULD YOU GOToday, we’re going to be painfully honest about our sin, but we’ll also be honest about the power that Jesus has to forgive and change lives. Before we get to that, though, I want to ask you some questions.

(Take a drink of water. Make a refreshing “Ahh” sound and look at bottle or glass.) How long do you think you could go without water? (Take answers.) Most people could only go for about 3 days without water.

(Take a bite of food.) Mmm…this is delicious. (Look at food.) How long do you think you could go without eating? (Take answers.) Some people can go for as long as 40 days or more without food, but you wouldn’t want to try it!

(Take a deep breath and hold it for about 3–4 seconds and then let it out.) How long do you think you could go without breathing? (Take answers.) Most people can only hold their breath for about 2 or 3 minutes, but the world record is 22 minutes and 22 seconds. Can you believe that?

One last question—how long do you think you could go without sinning? A day? A week? A month? Forever? (Take answers.)

Today we’re going to hear a story about some people who thought they could go the rest of their lives without messing up or sinning. Do you think that’s possible? (Kids respond.) Let’s see what Jesus had to say about it.

CG: “The Big Bible Story” graphic



Invite 4 kids to the teaching area (or more if you created additional masks). Line them up side by side facing the audience. Place the 4 paper grocery bag “masks” over their heads so the faces are facing away from the audience. Place the masks in this order: Jesus, Matthew, Sinner (happy person), Pharisee (angry man). At the appropriate time, turn the masks around so the audience can see them. For added fun, before turning each mask, count down from 3 and have the kids yell, “Let’s Face It.”

THE BIG BIBLE STORY—DINNER WITH SINNERS(Turn the “Jesus” mask toward audience.) Last week we heard how Jesus forgave a paralyzed man and helped him to walk again. Shortly afterwards, Jesus saw a man named Matthew. (Turn the “Matthew” mask toward audience.) Matthew was a tax collector. Let me hear you all say, “Yuck—a tax collector!” (Kids repeat.) That’s what most Jewish people would have said when they saw a tax collector. Most people didn’t like them because they collected money from them for the Roman government. Worse than that, though, a lot of times the tax collectors would tell people they owed more money than they really did. If someone owed $5, (hold up $5) the tax collector would tell them they owed $6 (hold up an additional dollar) and then they would keep one dollar for themselves (tape the additional dollar to the “Matthew” mask). Does this sound like the kind of person Jesus would want to hang out with? (Take answers.) You might not think so, but when Jesus saw Matthew the tax collector, He said, “Follow me.” (Prompt Jesus to repeat.) And that’s exactly what Matthew did. (Prompt “Matthew” to nod his head and give a thumbs up.)

Later on, Jesus and his disciples were having a huge dinner party at Matthew’s house. (Ask “Jesus” and “Matthew” to give you their best dance moves.) Not only was Matthew there, but a bunch of his tax collecting buddies were there along with all kinds of other sinners. (Turn the “Sinner” mask toward the audience.)

As they were eating (prompt them pretend to eat), a group of Pharisees walked by. (Turn the “Pharisee” mask toward the audience. Have the “Pharisee” walk in place.) Every time I say the word “Pharisees” I want you to shudder like this… (Make a shuddering noise for kids). The Pharisees (shudder with kids) believed they could follow God’s commandments without ever messing up or sinning. The Pharisees (shudder with kids) didn’t just try to follow God’s rules, they made up a bunch of their own rules too. The Pharisees (shudder with kids) thought they were so good that they refused to even be near sinners or sick people. (Lead the “Pharisee” away from the “Sinner” and have him hold his head high.)

When the Pharisees (shudder with kids) saw that Jesus was eating dinner with tax collectors and sinners, they were shocked! (Prompt “Pharisee” to act shocked.) They went to one of the disciples and asked him, (say in disgusted voice) “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Have “Pharisee” repeat.)

Jesus overheard what the Pharisees (shudder with kids) were saying. So He stood up and approached them. (Prompt “Jesus” to step forward and turn towards “Pharisee” and act like he is talking.) Listen to what He said. (Open your Bible to Matthew 9:12-13.) “Those who are healthy don’t need a doctor. Sick people do. Go and learn what this means, ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice.’ I have not come to get those who think they are right with God to follow me. I have come to get sinners to follow me.’” (Matthew 9:12-13) (Thank volunteers and dismiss to the audience.)

CG: “Big Bible Story Questions” graphic



BIG BIBLE STORY QUESTIONSAt the end of the Bible story have the kids turn briefly to their small groups and discuss the following questions: For Younger Kids: What was your favorite part of this story? Why do you think Jesus wanted to be with people who sinned? For Older Kids: What does this story teach you about Jesus? Jesus said, "Those who are healthy don't need a doctor. Sick people do." What do you think he meant by that? After a few minutes, draw attention back to the teaching area.

CG: “Let’s Face It” title graphic

ACUTE CASE OF PUDDING FACEHave you ever woken up in the morning and felt really sick? I want you to imagine something with me and I need some help. (Choose a kid to join you in the teaching area.) Imagine that you woke up one morning and dragged yourself out of bed. Show everyone what you look like when you first get out of bed. (Kid gives tired/disheveled look.) When you stumble your way into the bathroom and look into the mirror, you notice that you have some terrible looking spots on your face. (Open a small cup of pudding. Using your finger, place a few small dollops of pudding on the kid’s face. Hold up a hand mirror so the kid can see their face.) Show everyone what kind of face you would make if this is what you saw in the mirror. (Kid makes face.) You’re clearly sick with some sort of hideous (and somewhat delicious) disease. So, who do you go to for help when you’re sick? (Allow kid to answer.) That’s right—sick people go to the doctor!

When the doctor looks at the spots, she says, “You’ve got an acute case of pudding face!” She gives you some pills that taste suspiciously like candy. (Give kid a couple M&Ms® or other candy to eat) And after you take them, the spots clear right up. (Use a towel to wipe the pudding off of kid’s face.)

Now let’s imagine something a little bit different. Imagine that the spots on your face aren’t from some sort of deliciously hideous disease. Imagine that they’re from sin. (Direct question toward audience.) What kinds of sins might kids like you commit? (Take answers. After each answer, place a small dollop of pudding on the kid’s face.) Sin is kind of like a sickness—it leaves a stain on our life. So, who do we go to for help when we’ve sinned? (Take answer.) That’s right—we go to Jesus. If sin is like a sickness, Jesus is like the doctor who heals us. When we ask Jesus for forgiveness, he wipes our sins away. (Use towel to wipe the pudding off the kid’s face. Thank kid and dismiss them back to audience.)

EVERYONE HAS SINNEDIn our story for today, the Pharisees couldn’t believe that Jesus was hanging out with sinners. They thought they were perfect—better than everyone else. Do you think that was true? (Kids respond.) No way! The Pharisees were just as sinful as anyone else. As hard as they might have tried to follow God’s commandments, they couldn’t be perfect—no one can. In fact, that’s exactly what our Bible verse for today tells us. Let’s take a look at it together. (Encourage kids to open their Bibles to Romans 3:23. Be prepared to give younger kids more time and assistance in finding the verse. When ready, choose a kid to read it aloud or read it aloud yourself while the kids follow along.)

CG: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 (NIV)

(Sit down or kneel close to kids.) Let’s face it—we’re just like the people at the dinner party. As much as we try to follow God and obey His commandments, we all mess up sometimes. Each one of us has a sickness called sin. It’s a sickness that eventually causes a spiritual death—forever separation from God. But here’s the great news: Jesus is like a doctor who heals us from our sins.



If you’ve ever felt like you couldn’t pray to Jesus or be with Him because of your sin—DON’T! There is no sin big enough or ugly enough to scare Jesus away. Even though we’re sinners, Jesus wants to be with us—just like the sinners at Matthew’s party.

Close the Large Group time by praying for the kids in whatever way the Holy Spirit prompts you. Following the prayer, explain to the kids which of the Reflect and Respond Stations will be available. Remind them to move about the stations very quietly. Tell them they are free to respond to God in whatever way the Holy Spirit leads them, but if they need suggestions, some of the stations will give them ideas for how to pray, write, or draw. Give each child one “GO! Home” sheet and instruct them to take it with them to the stations. Place small group leaders at the different stations to quietly help the kids. The stations listed below are just the ones that have prompts that are specific to today’s lesson. For more instructions on how the Reflect and Respond Stations work as well as a full list of possible stations, see the “GO! Guide.”

CG: “Let’s Face It” title graphicMusic: (Optional) Play quiet instrumental music

Prayer Station prompt: Write a prayer to Jesus. Tell Him about your sins and ask Him to forgive you.

Journal Station prompt: Imagine you were at the dinner party with Jesus. Write down what you would do with Him and say to Him.

Bible Station prompt: Read it for yourself: Matthew 9:9-13. Draw a picture of the story or write to God your favorite part of the story. Tell Him why you liked it.

Art Station prompt: Draw a picture for Jesus that shows Him how thankful you are for His incredible forgiveness.


s3.amazonaws.com · web viewbut like the biblical eden, this too had one restriction. “with...

Documents