Give Up, Get Something Better

1. What Did the Disciples Leave Behind?

Leader Note: Time: about 3 minutes. Expected answers: their fishing boats, their jobs, their houses, time with family. If a child goes off-topic, say: 'That is interesting—let's come back to what Peter and his friends left to follow Jesus.'

Peter asked Jesus a big question. He said, 'See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?'

Then Peter said in reply, 'See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?' Jesus said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.' — Matthew 19:27-30

Ask the kids: What are some things Peter and the other disciples left behind so they could follow Jesus?

2. What Will Jesus Give Back?

Leader Note: Time: about 3 minutes. Expected answers: thrones, special jobs in God's kingdom, eternal life, something way better than what they lost. If a child goes off-topic, say: 'Good thinking—let's look again at what Jesus promised in the story.'

Jesus told them they would get much better things in the new world. He promised them thrones and eternal life.

Ask the kids: Jesus said he would give them thrones and eternal life. Why is that better than a fishing boat or a house?

3. What Can You Give Up for Jesus?

Leader Note: Time: about 3 minutes. Expected answers: sharing a favorite toy, helping mom or dad without complaining, letting a friend go first, giving money to help others. If a child goes off-topic, say: 'That is a neat idea—let's think about one small thing we can do this week to show Jesus is most important.'

The sermon said that when we give something up for Jesus, it is never a loss. God stores up treasures in heaven for us.

Ask the kids: What is one small thing you could share or give up this week to show that you love Jesus?

Activity: Draw a Heaven Trade

Leader Note: Time: about 5 minutes. Give each child paper and crayons. Expected result: one side shows something they love now (toy, pet, game), and the other side shows something from Jesus' promise (a throne, heaven, Jesus' smile, eternal life). If a child draws something unrelated, say: 'I love your picture—can you add one thing from the Bible story, like a throne or a heart for Jesus?''

Have the kids fold a paper in half. On one side, draw something they really like. On the other side, draw something Jesus promises to give in heaven. When they are done, let each child share one thing from their drawing.

Closing Prayer: Ask one child to thank Jesus that giving up something for him is never a loss because he gives us something far better.