Serving Others Like Jesus

Welcome! Today we are learning what Jesus says about being great. In Matthew 20, Jesus' friends wanted to be the most important. But Jesus surprised them!

Matthew 20:26-27 — 'Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.'

Jesus told them that in God's family, being great means helping others, not being the boss.

## Question 1: What makes someone important in God's eyes? Leader Note: Ask the kids. Give them 30 seconds to think. Time: 1-2 minutes. - Expected Answers: Helping others, being kind, serving friends, sharing, listening to someone. - Redirect: If a child says money or being strong, say — 'Those things can seem important, but Jesus told us something different. Let's hear what He said about helping people.'

## Question 2: Who is the greatest person ever, and how did He show it? Leader Note: Help them connect Jesus to service. Time: 1-2 minutes. - Expected Answers: Jesus. He washed feet. He helped sick people. He was kind. He died for us. - Redirect: If a child names a superhero or athlete, say — 'Those people do neat things, but Jesus is the true greatest King. He showed greatness by serving, like washing His friends' dirty feet in John 13.'

## Question 3: Name one way you can serve someone this week. Leader Note: Keep it practical. Time: 2-3 minutes. - Expected Answers: Help mom set the table, play with a lonely kid at recess, pick up toys for a teacher, share a snack, help a brother or sister. - Redirect: If a child says something vague like 'be good,' ask — 'That is a great start! What is one small job or kind thing you could do for a real person at home or school?'

## Activity: Act It Out! Leader Note: 4-5 minutes. Have the kids stand in a circle. Call out everyday service jobs. The kids act them out without words. - Washing stinky feet (like Jesus in John 13) - Carrying heavy groceries for someone - Helping a friend who fell down - Setting the dinner table - Giving a cup of water to someone who is thirsty

After each one, say: 'In God's Kingdom, that is what greatness looks like!'

Wrap-Up: Remind the kids that Jesus is the King, but He came to serve. When we help others, we are being great the way Jesus taught.