DLTK's Sunday School Lessons
Sermon on the Mount (The Beatitudes)
by
Sunday School Teacher's Guide - this is just one possible lesson plan. Visit the Sermon on the Mount Bible lesson plan for further ideas to supplement this.
Introduction:
This next lesson is the first part of the Sermon on the Mount known as the Beatitudes (declarations of blessedness). The Beatitudes is the highest standard of living God wants us to aspire to. They're not an easy list to follow but require a complete change in attitude in our heart and lifestyle. As difficult as they may be to accomplish, God just wants us to look to Him for help and do all that we can to try. If our children learn them now, it might become more of a lifestyle for them and they won't have to make such a change after they've made more worldly habits as they get older.
The message:
Preschool thru Grade 1: God will bless me if I focus
more on Him then myself.
Grades 2 and 3: If I live a life for God He will give me the blessings that
I need.
I've split this message into two separate ones depending on the age level. For the younger children, the message is simple: God will bless me if I focus more on Him then myself. For the older children, we expand on this message and say: If I live a life for God He will give me the blessings that I need.
Make sure you repeat the message many times during the lesson. Send the Sermon on the Mount Take Home Sheethome with the children to encourage parents to reiterate the message during the week. It includes a poster at the bottom that the children can color and hang on their wall or refrigerator.
Preview of the lesson:
Some people like to do craft time first and story time second and some like to switch it around. I like the first option, myself.
Always consider offering Beatitudes Coloring Page for children who aren't interested in participating in the group activity (or if you get done the group activities very quickly and need something to fill in the spare time). Everyone has a need for "alone time" once in awhile. Also, sending home the coloring pages with the Take Home sheet provides parents with much needed help in reinforcing the lessons. You can make a nice little booklet each week with the Take Home Sheet on top -- I promise that most parents will appreciate the effort!
Description |
Time Allotted |
Supplies |
| Welcome! Receive name tags. Have the children use crayons, markers, yarn, feathers and whatever other materials (such as sparkle glue) that you have available to personalize their name tag. Sing the Learning our Names song |
10 to 15 minutes | Dove name tags, scissors (or adults can precut), crayons, markers, yarn, safety pins or tape. |
Craft time! Preschool thru Grade 1: Make the Bible bookmarks so we can learn about God more by reading the Bible. This will help us use the beatitudes more. Or make the Heaven's Gate collage craft. The beatitudes say that we will get blessed with the kingdom of heaven more than once. Make a copy of the Beatitudes to put behind the gate. Grade 2 and 3: Make the Treasure Chest Craft. Although the Beatitudes are hard work God promises us blessings and a great reward in Heaven for those of us that pursue them. Make a copy of the Beatitudes to put inside the treasure chest. |
15 to 30 minutes depending on your adult/child ratio |
Preschool thru Grade 1: Heaven's Gate collage craft template. printer, paper, scissors, glue, something to color with.
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Bible Story Time: Preschool thru Grade 1: Read the Sermon on the Mount (or read from your own store bought children's bible). Grades 2 and 3: It's tough to know when it's the right time to start readings from the Bible, but if the children have been read a children's version of the story in the past, I believe this is a good age to introduce the King James (or your preferred) bible reading. |
10 minutes | The Coloring Pages can be distributed to the children so they are able to color at home, or during the story. |
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Closing: Preschool thru Grade 1: depending on the time remaining ask the children what blessings they have received (help them understand that blessings aren't things like toys but a great family, a home, health, etc.) Ask the group how they can focus on God and not so much on themselves (helping/caring for others, etc.) Grade 2 and 3: depending on the time remaining ask the children to name some blessings they have received (great family, a home, health). Ask if it's always easy to follow God? Why is it difficult at times? Encourage the group to keep living a life God asks us to live because the blessings will come and an even bigger reward in Heaven someday!
Standard ending song: "We Love to Learn Together" |
5 to 15 minutes | Brainstorm Board (chalkboard, whiteboard, poster board,...)
Words to: Standard ending song: "We Love to Learn Together"
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