Jesus, the Lord of the Temple

Read the passage from today's sermon:

And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, 'It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers.' And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' they were indignant, and they said to him, 'Do you hear what these are saying?' And Jesus said to them, 'Yes; have you never read, Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise?' And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.

— Matthew 21:12-17

Question 1: Jesus Cleans Up His House

Jesus flipped over tables and drove out the people buying and selling. He said God's house should be a house of prayer, but they had made it a den of robbers. Why do you think Jesus cared so much about what was happening in the temple? What does it show you about who Jesus is?

Question 2: Who Is Worship About?

The people in the temple were more focused on making money than on God. Sometimes we can come to church thinking about what we want, like seeing friends, getting a snack, or how long the service will be. What are some ways you can make your time at church be about God and not mostly about yourself?

Question 3: Welcome for the Hurting

In Jesus' day, many people thought the blind and the lame were not good enough to come near God. But they came to Jesus in the temple, and He healed them. Is there someone at your school, on your team, or in your neighborhood who gets left out? How could you show them the same welcome Jesus showed?

Question 4: Kids Praising Jesus

The religious leaders got upset when children shouted 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' But Jesus said God had prepared praise from the mouths of children. What does that tell you about whether God wants to hear YOUR praise, even though you're a kid? What is one thing about Jesus you could praise Him for this week?

Question 5: Praise for God Alone

Read what God says in Isaiah:

I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.

— Isaiah 42:8

The children praised Jesus, and Jesus accepted it, because He is God and the temple was His house. God says His praise belongs only to Him. What are some things kids your age might be tempted to love or cheer for more than God, like games, sports stars, or being popular? How can you make sure God gets your biggest praise?