Every Stone Speaks

Sunday school lesson 4 of 7

The kingdom Jesus taught about

Jesus is the King, but His kingdom is not made of walls and soldiers. It is God’s rule in the hearts of people who trust Him.

Ages
5 to 12
Time
About 40 minutes
You need
A Bible, the chapter page on a screen or printed, and: Small cups, soil and a bean seed for each child.

Memory verse

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

John 10:11 (BSB)

It is also on the memory verse cards, ready to print and send home.

The lesson

  1. Welcome 5 minutes

    Ask: if you were king or queen for a day, what would you do? Then ask: what kind of king is Jesus?

  2. Read 5 minutes

    Read the chapter’s opening verse (Mark 1:15) from the chapter page or your Bible. Jesus’ first message was good news: God’s kingdom is near. It is not a kingdom of walls and soldiers. It is God’s rule in the hearts of people who turn to Him and trust Him.

  3. Picture walk 15 minutes

    Show each picture. Let the children find things in it first, then read the verse and ask the question.

    1. A castle with towers, flags and a drawbridge.

      The castle

      Read: John 18:36, Revelation 19:16

      Ask: What makes Jesus different from every other king?

    2. A stone cottage with a thatched roof, the kind of home a shepherd might have.

      The shepherd’s cottage

      Read: John 10:11

      Ask: How does a shepherd care for sheep? How does Jesus care for you?

    3. A farmhouse with a vegetable garden, a shed and chickens.

      The farm

      Read: Mark 4:20

      Ask: How can your heart be good soil?

  4. Seed and soil 10 minutes

    Each child plants a bean seed in a cup. As they plant, talk about the farm picture: what makes a heart good soil for God’s word? They take the cup home and water it this week.

  5. Close 5 minutes

    Say the memory verse together two or three times. Then pray:

    Jesus, You are the good shepherd and the King of kings. Make our hearts good soil for Your word. Amen.

Make it fit your class

Younger children

Play “the shepherd calls”: one child is the shepherd and calls the sheep by name, and the sheep come only to their shepherd’s voice.

Older children

List the things Jesus compared His kingdom to in this chapter: a seed, bread, a gate, a feast. Which one helps you most, and why?

Take-home note

For parents · Lesson 4 of 7

Today in Sunday school: The kingdom Jesus taught about

Jesus is the King, but His kingdom is not made of walls and soldiers. It is God’s rule in the hearts of people who trust Him.

Our memory verse:

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

John 10:11 (BSB)

Ask your child: What makes Jesus different from every other king?

Look at the pictures together: everystonespeaks.com/kingdom/

Copy it into your class email or newsletter, or print this page and cut the note off for each child.