Main point: Everyone can be friends with Jesus even if they have done something wrong.
Bible story: Matthew (Tax Collector) ● Matthew 9:9-12
As a family, watch this week’s video and then discuss a few questions together.
- Who did Jesus see in today’s Bible story? (Matthew)
- Was Matthew’s job to collect money or milk? (money)
- Did Matthew take more money than he was supposed to? (yes)
- Even though Matthew did something wrong, did Jesus still want to be his friend? (yes)
- Did Jesus ask Matthew to follow Him or give Him money? (follow Him)
- Did Matthew choose to follow Jesus? (yes)
- Can everyone be friends with Jesus, even if they’ve done something wrong? (yes)
Family Activity: Community Helper Shoes
WHAT YOU NEED: activity page, crayons or markers
WHAT YOU DO:
- Before the Activity: Print off the activity page and give it to your child.
- During the Activity: Point out the community helper hats on one side of the page and the shoes on the other. Instruct your child to draw a line from the community helper hats to their matching shoes on the other side.
WHAT YOU SAY:
- During the Activity: (Hold up an Activity Page and point to the left-hand side.) “What do you see on this side of the page? (Pause.) Yes, I see some community helper hats! I see a firefighter’s hat, a farmer’s hat, a police officer’s hat, and a construction worker’s hat. Let’s draw a line to match these community helper hats with the shoes they would wear.”
- After the Activity: “I’m so grateful for these helpers and the shoes they fill! Jesus wants to be friends with everyone, including these helpers. Who can be friends with Jesus?” (Everyone can be friends with Jesus.)
