Let the children come to me Mark 10:13-16

Purpose: To teach the message that children are important to Jesus.

You can use the Flip Chart in many ways! Tell the Bible story showing the pictures and making it real, exciting and joyful. To help children better understand Jesus, as you tell the story, emphasize that:

• Jesus knows everything; when something wrong happens to children He does not like it and does not want them to suffer injustice;
• Sometimes those who should treat children the best, are the ones who disappoint the most, just like Jesus’ friends on that occasion; not even Jesus’ friends understood how Jesus feels about children; they all have the right to go to Him;
• Jesus values and always defends children, and one way or another, He will get the attention of those who do not treat children well; Jesus really loves children and wants to bless them and not reject them; He wants to have a relationship with them.

After you have told the Bible story, you can do activities that will reinforce the message of the story. For example:

Repeating the Bible story

Ask the children if they would like to tell the Bible story, using the Flip Chart.

Explaining the story

As you show the pictures again, one by one, ask some children like this, “Mary, can you tell me what is happening here?”

Focusing on one character

Ask the children to show you the character they liked best. Encourage them to talk about the reasons for their choice. You can also ask if they would like to act out what that character did.

Dramatizing the story

Organize the children into groups. The groups can take turns to act out the scenes shown in the pictures.

Deepening the message

Ask questions like: How would you feel if someone stopped you from getting close to Jesus? Why would it be important for you to go with Jesus too? What would you do if you knew that Jesus wanted you to get close to him?

Reflecting on the story

Ask the children to choose one of the four pictures and comment on what they felt when they heard this part of the story, or what they would do if they were one of the characters in the story.

Choosing and coloring

Ask the children to choose the picture they liked best and ask what led them to make that choice. Offer them the chosen picture for colouring. Interact with the children as they colour.

Whatever activity you choose, always remember to reinforce the story’s message that children are important to Jesus.

Download the pictures for printing or the JPGs for coloring on your computer or cell phone. For example, you can use programs like Paint or image editing applications.