Term 3 – Week 2
Big Idea – Anyone who listens to the words of Jesus and does what he says is wise/sensible.
Matthew 7:24-28
Lesson Background
This unit of work looks at God Big Kingdom. What does life look like in the Kingdom of God now and in the new creation? How do we become part of this Kingdom of God? How do we live as members of Gods kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ and what does it mean for eternity?
Matthew 7:13-27 is Jesus’ conclusion to his teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. It’s four illustrations that underline the importance of making a response to what has been heard and warn of the consequences of failing to respond his teaching. Each illustration draws out the contrast between a right and wrong response, between the true and the false, or the saved and the lost with the aim of motivating His hearers to take appropriate action.1
The Four Illustrations
- The Narrow & Wide Gates (7:13-14) – This simple contrast is between the saved and the lost.
- False Prophets: Good & Bad Fruit (7:15-20) – This illustration focuses on the danger posed by false prophets who are by implication contrasted with true prophets who may be trusted. It’s about outsiders who pretend to be insiders.
- Insiders & Outsiders: Things may not be as they seem (7:21-23) – The contrast is between those who think they are insiders but are not and those who are.
- Wise & Foolish Builders: Hearing & Doing (7:24-27) – The contrast is between those who hear Jesus’ and do respond and those who hear Jesus’ words and do not respond.
The Wise & Foolish Builders illustration (7:24-27) leaves Jesus’ hearers with a simple but demanding choice: to hear and ignore, or to hear and put into practice. The one who hears the words of Jesus and puts them into practice is like a wise man who builds his house on the rock. It’s about building one’s life on Jesus and living for him each day, so that on the last day of final judgment when Jesus returns, the house will remain standing. This is the life of faith. Faith is not just hearing the words of the Lord, but it’s doing the words of the Lord.
Outcomes
The children will be encouraged to listen to God’s word and read the bible at home with their mum’s and dad’s.
The children will understand what faith is, and be encouraged to put their faith in Jesus and keep following Him.
Songs
Jesus Rocks the World. (Colin Buchanan – Jesus Rocks the World CD)
Memory Verse
If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10v9
Leaders PDF
this has been put together using purchased external material and therefore this resource may only be used by Dundonald Church. For more information please contact natasha.small@dundonald.org
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