Sermon on the Mount
SERMON ON THE MOUNT
Objectives:
- Students should know that the Sermon on the Mount is full of teachings of Jesus.
- Students should be able to retell the parable of the house on the rock and the sand and explain its meaning.
- Students should memorize the Beatitudes.
Possible Lesson Plan:
- Open with prayer.
- Scripture References: Matthew 5: 1-12 and 7:24-29. All classes are working on the Beatitudes; this class will also focus on the story of the two houses – one built on the rock and one on the sand. There’s a great Arch book about the house on the rock.
- Begin to memorize the Beatitudes. Say or sing it together to begin the memory work to be continued at home. Can each child say it? Go over line by line, reading it to the children:
What is “poor in spirit”? What is the kingdom of heaven like?
When do we mourn? What does God do when we are sad?
Who is meek, or gentle? Does it look like they would inherit the earth?
Do we hunger and thirst after righteousness, really? Are we truly satisfied?
What is mercy? Are we merciful? When? Do we need mercy?
What does “pure in heart” mean?
Who is a peacemaker? What makes them a peacemaker?
What does “persecuted” mean? Have you ever been persecuted for being a Christian?
Has anyone ever told a lie about you? Does it hurt? Did you rejoice?
- Discuss the parable of the two houses. What is the rock? What is the sand?
Which house is easier to build? Picture a storm – what happens to each house? Sing the song:
Don’t build your house on the sandy land.
Don’t build it too near the shore
Well, it might be kinda nice but you’ll have to build it twice.
You’ll have to build your house once more.
You gotta build your house upon the rock.
Make a firm foundation on a solid spot.
Though the storms may come and go.
The peace of God you will know.
- Play a learning game: Bible Bounce. Take a basketball. The leader begins by saying one half of a beatitude, “Blessed are the…” The ball is bounced to a student, who must end the verse, “For…” He then begins a verse and bounces the ball to another student, who must finish the verse.
- Make “Sand Castles”: Before class, make a paste by mixing 2 cup water with 2/3 cup flour and 4 tablespoons sugar. Cook the paste in a saucepan until it turns clear. Cool to room temperature. In class, take a large bowl and add 12 cups sand. Pour in the flour paste and mix with hands until like clay. Let each student make a sand castle. Explain that this is different from the sand in the story in that it will harden. The castles can be painted at home after they dry,
- Too messy? How about a "Beatitudes Teller" instead?
- Close with prayer. Use the Lord’s Prayer, also from the Sermon on the Mount.
Beatitudes Teller
