No matter what you’ve done or who you are, there is a choice to be made. Do you choose Jesus? Do you choose a friend that will never leave you, that will walk through the good and the bad with you, and will always love you (even when you feel unlovable)? You can make this choice at any time. And while choosing to follow Jesus doesn’t mean you’ll have an easy life it does mean you’ll always have Him with you no matter what happens. Jesus started with twelve men but those twelve introduced the world to Jesus and showed us that everyone, and I mean everyone, can be friends with Jesus.
Here is a snapshot of what we will show the kids this week:
Bible Story Focus: Everyone can be friends with Jesus. (The Twelve • The Gospels)
Memory Verse: “‘Come and follow me,’ Jesus said.” Matthew 4:19, NIrV
Key Question: Who can be friends with Jesus?
Bottom Line: Everyone can be friends with Jesus.
Bible Story and Worship
Watch the Bible Story Video with your kids so you can recap and discuss it with them in the “Bring Jesus To Their Level” section. Then join your kids in worship as we sing and dance for God.
Bible Story Video – The Twelve (link)
Worship – Wherever He Goes (link)
Worship – Hosanna Rock (link)
Activities
Next, use the Memory Verse video to practice our monthly verse. This is our last week to practice the memory verse. Be sure to think of a fun reward like a sticker or special snack you can give them next week when they are able to say it all by themselves. The activity sheet and coloring page are fun resources to help reinforce story and/or big idea.
Memory Verse with Hand Motions (link)
Bible Story Activity (link)
Coloring Page (link)
Bring Jesus To Their Level
Follow the following script to recap the story, practice the memory verse and demonstrate to your young children how to pray. (You’ll make a list with your family to pray over so have a pen a paper ready.)
Say: “Our Bible story, today, was about twelve of Jesus’ special friends, the disciples. The disciples went everywhere with Jesus. They heard Jesus teach and watched Him do things that only He can do. When some people saw the disciples, they wondered why Jesus chose fishermen and tax collectors who had done wrong things to be His friends. Other people were happy Jesus chose them to be His friends because it meant [Bottom Line] everyone can be friends with Jesus!
“I’m SO happy [Bottom Line] everyone can be friends with Jesus, because that means we can be friend with Jesus, too! Who can be friends with Jesus? (Together.) [Bottom Line] Everyone can be friends with Jesus!”
“That’s right! And the Bible verse we’re learning will help us remember that Jesus wants us to be His friend and follow Him. It says . . . ‘“Come (motion towards self) and follow me,” (march) Jesus said,’ (hands around mouth) Matthew 4:19. (Open hands like a book.) (Practice this verse several times with your kids.)
“Great job! (Give two thumbs-up.) Before Peter was friends with Jesus, his job was catching fish. Before Matthew was friends with Jesus, his job was collecting money. It didn’t matter what kind of jobs Peter and Matthew had, because [Bottom Line] everyone can be friends with Jesus. Let’s make a list of other jobs. It can be a builder or a doctor or a teacher—it can be any job! (Have each family member list a job. Don’t forget to pick one yourself.)
“Wow! These are some cool jobs! We can use our list when we pray. Would anyone like to pray before I pray?” (Give each family member who wants to pray the opportunity to do so.)
Prayer: “Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to be friends with everyone. Thank You that fishermen can be friends with Jesus and tax collectors can be friends with Jesus and (read the list your family made) can all be friends with Jesus. [Bottom Line] Everyone can be friends with Jesus! And we are so, so happy about that, because it means we can be friends with Jesus, too. We love You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
As we wrap up, I would like to leave you with one of the kids’ favorite ‘good-bye’ songs:
Let Me See Your Alligator
Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you in the discipleship of your kid(s). My prayers are with you.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
3 John 1:4
