M&S for Children

"...Serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received."

1 Peter 4:10-11

Take Polaroid photos of the children. What gifts might they give-sometimes money, time, or talents? Put the photos on the offering plate as they offer themselves.

Many people came to worship God in the big and beautiful temple. Inside the temple were big money boxes where people put coins. The money was for the temple and the worship services. One day Jesus sat across from the money boxes. He saw many rich people put in lots of money. Then a poor woman walked up to the boxes. She put in two small copper coins worth less than a penny. Jesus looked at his friends. "She has put in more than the rich people did," he said. His friends thought he was mistaken but Jesus said, "The rich people still have lots of money left. But this woman did not have any more money. She gave all of what she had."

Mark 12:41-43

Use this as a discussion with the M&S story on page 32 of M&S for Kids.

Jesus said that those who are pleasing to God are those who are willing to share with those who were in need. Jesus said they had given food to him when he was hungry, a drink when he was thirsty, and clothing to him when he needed it. They had visited him when he was sick and in prison. The people didn't remember doing these things for Jesus, but he replied that when they did these things for any of God's children, they did it for Jesus.

paraphrase of Matthew 25:31-40

Take an imaginary walk with Jesus in today's world. As you walk hand in hand with Jesus what might he see that needs mending or changing? What might Jesus ask us to do? When we see the world through Jesus' eyes we might make different choices about giving.