Giving Up to Get

Welcome and Big Idea

Welcome the group. Remind them that today\'s sermon was about how following Jesus sometimes means giving things up—but we never lose out in the end. Have a volunteer read the main passage aloud.

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

Question 1: Peter\'s Question

Ask: Peter and the disciples left their jobs and homes to follow Jesus. What did Peter want to know?

Leader Context: Look for understanding that Peter was asking whether their sacrifice mattered. If kids say, \'He wanted to know what he would get,\' affirm that and connect it to the heart behind the question—he wanted to know if following Jesus was worth the cost.

Expected Answer: Peter asked what the disciples would receive since they had left everything to follow Jesus. He wanted to know if sacrificing for Jesus was worth it.

Time: 2–3 minutes

Question 2: Jesus\' Promise

Ask: What did Jesus promise to everyone—not just the disciples—who gives up family, homes, or other good things for His sake?

Leader Context: The sermon emphasized that this promise is for \'everyone\' in verse 29. Guide kids to see both the present blessing (a hundredfold in this life, which includes the family of God) and the future blessing (eternal life). Avoid letting them think this is about getting rich.

Expected Answer: Jesus promised they would receive a hundred times as much and inherit eternal life. No one who sacrifices for Him will end up losing in the end.

Time: 3 minutes

Question 3: God Remembers Our Sacrifice

Ask: The sermon mentioned Hebrews 6:10, which says, \'God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name.\' How does that encourage you when giving something up for Jesus feels hard?

Leader Context: Use this cross-reference to show that God is paying attention to small, unseen choices. If a child says, \'It means we get a reward,\' redirect toward God\'s faithfulness and fatherly care—He does not forget His children.

Expected Answer: It reminds me that God sees and remembers every sacrifice I make for Him, even when no one else notices. I can trust Him to take care of me because He is faithful and just.

Time: 3 minutes

Question 4: The Son of Man\'s Kingdom

Ask: The sermon talked about Daniel 7, where the Son of Man is given a kingdom that will never end. Why does knowing Jesus is the forever King help us when we have to let go of something good now?

Leader Context: The preacher connected Daniel 7:14 to Matthew 19:28 to show the massive scope of Jesus\'s reign. Help kids see the exchange: temporary stuff versus a share in an unending kingdom. Keep it concrete—Jesus\'s kingdom is real, not just a feeling.

Expected Answer: Because Jesus\'s kingdom lasts forever, anything I give up is temporary. Knowing He is the true King means following Him is a better deal than keeping whatever I am holding onto.

Time: 3 minutes

Question 5: Your Give-Up-to-Get

Ask: What is one thing you might need to give up this week—like your time, comfort, or fitting in with friends—to follow Jesus more closely?

Leader Context: Push for specificity. If a child cannot think of anything, offer categories: sharing a possession, obeying a parent when it is hard, including someone who is left out, or spending time reading the Bible when they would rather play. Affirm that these sacrifices are never wasted.

Expected Answer: I might need to give up my free time to help someone in my family, or give up being cool with friends to stand up for what is right. When I give those up for Jesus, I gain more of Him and His kingdom.

Time: 4 minutes

Application: Send It Ahead

Close by having each child complete this sentence: \'This week, I will give up __________ so I can follow Jesus, because I trust Him to give me something better.\' Pray together, asking God to help each child believe that sacrifice for Jesus is never a loss but an eternal gain.

Leader Context: End with gratitude. The sermon closed by pointing to Jesus\'s ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Remind the group that we can give up lesser things because Jesus already gave up everything for us.

Time: 3–4 minutes

Theological Framing for Leaders: The sermon teaches an inaugurated eschatology: the \'age to come\' has broken into the present through Christ. When Jesus speaks of the \'regeneration\' and thrones in Matthew 19:28, He is describing real future restoration and reward, not mere symbolism. For 9–12s, frame this as a concrete exchange: every loss for Christ is swapped for a greater share in His unending kingdom. Guard against a prosperity reading—the \'hundredfold\' includes the fellowship of the church and the age-to-come life, not simply material payback. Keep the motive rooted in gratitude for Christ\'s sacrifice (echoing the closing hymn, \'Jesus Paid It All\'), not merit.

Total Time Estimate: 18–20 minutes