At Good Shepherd, children attending the church with their parents on Sunday mornings join in for the opening services in the sanctuary. At the end of the opening sections, the Pastor gathers the children at the front of the sanctuary for a short discussion and explains in simpler terms the Gospel lesson of the day. The children are then dismissed to go attend Sunday school classes.
The curriculum is based on a program called “The One Room School” and includes music, games and lessons connected with the Old and New Testaments. The same lesson is taught to all the children in one class. After the lesson, there are different, age appropriate activities and worksheets for the children that support the selected bible lesson.
There is a rotation of volunteer teachers who each teach two Sundays in a row. At Christmas time, the children participate in a simple presentation telling the story of the birth of Christ.
In June the children are presented with a certificate. There are no lessons taught during July and August.
All are welcome!
Sunday School activity to do at home:
Lesson 1: Love
Matthew 22:34-46
Lectionary 30
Please read the following a Lesson about Love to your child(ren)
Before we get started, there are a few actions you need to know. When I say ‘LOVE’ I need you to cross your arms over your chest like you’re giving yourself a great big hug. When I say ‘HEART’ I need you to make a heart shape with your hands. When I say ‘SOUL’ I need you to point both thumbs at your chest. When I say ‘MIND’ I need you to put your hands on your head. And when I say ‘NEIGHBOUR’ I need you to point at anyone else in the room. Now let’s get started.
The Bible has a lot to say about LOVE. It tells you God LOVES you. It tells you that God wants you to LOVE him. It tells you to LOVE your NEIGHBOR.
There is so much in the Bible about LOVE that some people call it a LOVE letter.
A long time ago when Jesus was on earth, people thought the Bible was just about rules. Do this. Don’t do that. Say this. Wear that. Go here. Worship there.
Rule after rule after rule.
There was a little bit about LOVE, but there were so many rules that was all people cared about.
But LOVE was all Jesus cared about. He came here to show each one of us just how much He LOVES us. He LOVES us so much that even died for our sins so we can live with Him forever and always.
There were a whole bunch of people who really liked Jesus’ message of LOVE, but there were also a bunch of people who really liked the rules. They thought following the rules was all that mattered, but they forgot that everyone makes mistakes sometimes and disobeys those rules. And then what?!? Is that it? One broken rule and it’s all over?
No way! Jesus came so that even when we make mistakes, He can save us. It’s such an amazing way to show just how much He LOVES us.
One day the rule followers wanted to know what Jesus thought was the most important one of all. If we could only ever follow one single rule, which one would it be? They expected Jesus to say one of the 10 Commandments; like obeying your parents, or keeping the Sabbath a day only for God. But Jesus had an even better one. The best rule of all, and it’s all bout LOVE.
Jesus said, “LOVE the Lord your God with all your HEART and with all your SOUL and with all your MIND. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: LOVE your NEIGHBOR as yourself.All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:37-40 NIV
Jesus turned all of those rules into just two simple ones. LOVE God. And LOVE others.
When you keep the Sabbath as a day for Jesus, that’s a way of loving Him. And when you obey your parents, that’s a way of loving them. Every single rule can fit into one of those two. It was so simple.
Now what do you think it means to LOVE God with all your HEART, SOUL, and MIND? It really just means that you LOVE Him completely. So you can’t just say you LOVE God, or just put money in the offering, or just listen to the sermon; you need to LOVE God all the time and in every way.
And thankfully, Jesus LOVES us so much that forgives us when we forget to LOVE Him and our NEIGHBOURS like we should. Which is great news, because everyone could use a little more LOVE.
***children can think of ways that they show love. Some might include…..help wash dishes to show love to my family, I played with someone at school because they had no one to play with, I spend time with my Grandma when she is feeling lonely.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTzlPkwWbiY
Song: Love your neighbour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCJS3-DinI0
Children’s Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for your laws
Help us to remember that love is the most important one!
Help us to share your love with those around us
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
*** some information taken from Ministry to Children