VBC Kids Sunday Online

Bible Story: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)
Bible Verse: "When Jesus ... saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them ... So He began teaching them many things." Mark 6:34

Babies Gospel Gems:

• Jesus told a story about God's mercy.
• The tax collector asked God for mercy.
• God gives mercy to us through His Son, Jesus.
• MAIN POINT: Jesus told stories about God.

Play and Learn Activities:

For Babies

1. MAKE PHOTO ART- Print out a picture of your baby. Cut a heart shape out of construction paper or cardstock to make a picture frame. Glue the frame to the picture and help your baby to stick foam stickers to the frame.   SAY: JESUS TOLD STORIES ABOUT GOD.  Jesus told a story about God's mercy. The tax collector asked God for mercy. God gives mercy to us through His Son, Jesus.
2. SHAKE COINS - Place several coins in empty plastic spice or sprinkle containers and seal them shut with tape. Invite your baby to shake the jars to hear the coins. SAY:  JESUS TOLD STORIES ABOUT GOD. Jesus told a story about God's mercy. The tax collector asked God for mercy. God gives mercy to us through His Son, Jesus.  

For Toddlers

    BIBLE STORY COLORING PAGE (PRINTABLE)

1. SHOW NOT TELL- Use the picture cards you received in the mail ( If you are not on our mailing list and would like to be, please see the link above to add your child.).Take turns with your toddler picking one of the picture cards. Act out the picture to show what is on the card. Show don't tell. (Shhh...no words). You may want to go first to model for your toddler what to do, and it is ok if they need your help. Play until you have acted out all of the cards or until your toddler is done.  SAY:  The story Jesus told shows us that God doesn't just listen to our words, He sees what we feel, what we think, and what we do. When we do wrong things we don't just say we are sorry, we show we are sorry by doing the right thing. We don't just say we love our mom and dad, we show we love them with hugs and kisses. We don't just say that we love Jesus, we show that we love Jesus by what we do.  "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only..." James 1:22a
2. EXPLORE A PARABLE BOX-Find a shoe box or tupperware container and place items in it each week that remind your toddler of the parables he/she is learning. For this week add people figures, a scroll, coins, and a heart cutout. Invite your toddler to hold and explore the items as you review the story.  SAY: JESUS TOLD STORIES ABOUT GOD. Jesus told a story about God's mercy. The tax collector asked God for mercy. God gives mercy to us through His Son, Jesus. 
3. ANSWER "WHO AM I?" (with puppets) - Grown-ups, help your toddler cut out the two men, the tax collector and the pharisee, from the printable or your mailer and tape them to the craft or popsicle sticks.(Again, these supplies can be found in your mailer packet. If you are not on our mailing list and would like to be, please see the link above to add your child.) Read the following statements out loud and have your toddler answer the question by holding up the correct puppet.

• I try to do good things to make God love me more. Who am I? (Pharisee)
• I have done unfair and dishonest things. People usually do not like me. Who am I? (Tax Collector)
• I prayed in the temple. Who am I? (Both)
• I told God about all the good things I had done in my prayer. Who am I? (Pharisee)
• I told God I was sorry for the wrong I had done and asked Him for mercy. Who am I? (Tax Collector)
• God was not happy with my prayer because I thought I was better than others (proud). Who am I? (Pharisee)
• God was happy with my prayer because I knew I needed mercy and forgiveness. Who am I? (Tax Collector)
• I need Jesus to save me from my sin. Who am I? (Everybody!)

SAY: The tax collector was sorry and he knew he was a sinner just like you and me. He, like us, needed God's mercy and forgiveness. Jesus came to take the punishment for the wrong things we do (sin) by dying on the cross, Because of Jesus, God will SHOW us mercy and forgive our sins when we ask Him.

4. COLLECT TAXES - Using play money, give your toddler some and then pretend to be a tax collector and go around collecting taxes. Switch roles and play again letting your toddler be the tax collector. SAY: JESUS TOLD STORIES ABOUT GOD. Jesus told a story about God's mercy. The tax collector took money from people. The tax collector asked God for mercy and forgiveness and God gave it to him!

 

 

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Bible Story: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Bible Passage: Luke 18:9-14

Bible Verse: "When Jesus ... saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them ... So He began teaching them many things." Mark 6:34

Main Point: Jesus taught about being humble.

Big Picture Question: Why did Jesus tell stories? Jesus told stories to teach people about God.

BIBLE STORY VIDEO:

Bible Story Video Questions: (Watch the video and ask your kids these questions)

1. Who were the two men who went to the temple to pray? (a religious leader and a tax
   collector?)

2. Who prayed, thanking God that he was better than others and telling God all the good things
   he did? (the religious leader)

3. Who prayed, asking God to have mercy on him because he was a sinner? (the tax collector)

4. Whose prayer made God happy? The religious leader’s or the tax collector’s? (the tax collector)
   
   SAY • Jesus taught about being humble. The religious leader was wrong to think he was good.
   Everyone sings and needs God’s forgiveness-----the tax collector, the religious leader, and us.
   Jesus came to take the punishment we deserve for our sin by dying on the cross. We can ask God
   for forgiveness and because of Jesus, God will forgive our sin.

Family Activities: (Choose one and do it with your kids)

1. COMPARE & CONTRAST? Gather an assortment of items that are similar but not exactly alike. Place all the items in a large bin. Place all the items in a large bin. Invite your child to choose two items from the bin that are the same. Lead your child in a discussion about the similarities and differences between the items.
   SAY • Some of these items were alike, but they were also different. In today’s Bible story, Jesus told a story about two prayers. The prayers were very different. God was pleased with one prayer and not the other.
   
   
2. LEARN THE BIG PICTURE QUESTION:
   SAY • Can you answer our big picture question? Why did Jesus tell stories? Jesus told stories to teach people about God. The people Jesus met with needed to know that our good works do not make God love us more or make us better than other people. The story Jesus told showed that.
   
   
3. PRACTICE THE BIBLE VERSE: Open your Bible to Mark 6:34. Read the key passage aloud several times. 
   SAY • Jesus taught all kinds of people. In today’s story, He taught people who thought they were better than others. Jesus taught them because He loved them. Jesus wanted them to know that they needed to be saved from sin just like everyone else.
   
   
4. DECIDE BEING BEING PROUD AND BEING HUMBLE: Tell your child that you will call out different situations. If the person in the situation is proud, the child should move to one side or the room. If the person in the situation is humble, the child should move to the other side of the room. Use the situations below or create your own. You may post the Pharisee and tax collector images to identify the proud and humble walls. Define “ proud” for your child as thinking you are better than others. Define “ humble” as thinking of yourself like God thinks about you.

? You and your sister color a picture, and you point out that you stayed in the lines better than her.
? You run faster than your brother so you slow down to run with him.
? You run faster than your brother so you always challenge him to race.
? You win a board game and laugh at the other players.
? You win a board game and thank the others for playing with you.
SAY • Jesus taught about being humble. The tax collector was humble. He did not think he was better than other people. But the religious leader was proud. He thought he was better than other people. Everyone has sinned and needs God’s forgiveness. We can ask God for forgiveness and because of Jesus, God will forgive our sin.

1. TAKE A PRAYER WALK:
   If weather permits, take a prayer walk outside. Explain to your child that you will pray with your eyes open. Pray by saying, “Thank you , God for [child’s suggestion].”
   
   SAY • Jesus taught about being humble. When we look at the amazing things God made, we see that God is very big and very powerful, and we are very small and very weak. God does not need us to do anything for Him. He cannot love us
   more than He already does. We know this because He sent Jesus to take the punishment we deserve by dying on the cross for sin.
   
   
2. WORK FAMILY PUZZLES: Gather a photograph of each child and/or family member in your home. Cover each photo with contact plastic. Cut the photo into four or five pieces to create a puzzle. Store each puzzle in a ziplock bag. Invite your child to work a puzzle to discover one of his siblings/household member.
   SAY • Jesus taught about being humble. None of us are better than the rest of us. All of us have sinned and need God’s forgiveness. Jesus came to take the punishment we deserve for our sin by dying on the cross. We can ask God for
   forgiveness and because of Jesus, God will forgive our sin.
   
   
3. PLAY OUT COLLECTING TAXES: Lead your child to dress up in Bible times clothing. Designate him/her to be a tax collector. Invite siblings or other household members to participate in the play. Distribute play money to the other children or family members. Give the tax collector a basket and invite him/her to play out collecting money from the other children/household member.
   SAY • God is happy when people admit they have sinned and ask Him for forgiveness, but God is not happy when people think they are better than other people and think they are better than other people and think they have done nothing wrong. Jesus is the only One who has never done anything wrong. We can ask God for forgiveness and, because of Jesus, God will forgive our sin.
   
   
4. ANSWER “WHO AM I?” WITH PUPPETS: Print a “Pharisee and Tax Collector” printable for your child. Invite your child to cut out the two images and tape them to craft sticks. Say the following statements and invite the child to answer for the question by holding up the correct puppet.
   ? I try to do good things to make God love me more. Who am I? ( Pharisee )
   ? I have done unfair and dishonest things. People unusually do not like me. Who am I? ( tax collector )
   ? I prayed in the temple. Who am I? ( Pharisee and tax collector )
   ? I told God about all the good things I had done in my prayer. Who am I? ( Pharisee )
   ? I asked God to have mercy on me in my prayer because I was sorry for the wrong I had done. Who am I? ( tax collector )
   ? God was not happy with my prayer because I was proud. Who am I? ( Pharisee )
   ? God was happy with my prayer because I was humble. Who am I? ( tax collector )
   ? I need Jesus to save me from my sin. Who am I? ( Pharisee and a tax collector )
   SAY • The tax collector asked God for forgiveness. Everyone has sinned and needs God’s forgiveness. Jesus came to take the punishment we deserve for our sin by dying on the cross. We can ask God for forgiveness and, because of Jesus, God will forgive our sin.

 

VBC KIDS JR. SONGS:

 

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BIBLE STORY: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
(VBC Kids, get out your yellow envelope!) If you did not receive an yellow envelope in the Summer Night Camp pack or in the mail, but you would like to, enter your email at the bottom of this page to be added to our mailing list!

Bible Story: Luke 18:9-14

Bible Verse: Mark 6:34 "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So He began teaching them many things.'" 

Big Idea: God rejects the proud but gives grace to the humble.

 

VBC KIDS WORSHIP SONGS

BIBLE STORY VIDEO

Bible Story Video Questions: (Watch the video and ask these questions)

1. God rejects the humble, but gives grace to the proud. (false, God rejects the proud but gives grace to the humble; Luke 18:14; Prov. 3:34)
2. Jesus told parables to teach people about God and His kingdom. (true)
   
   Jesus told the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector to show that pride is a real problem that makes us think we are able to earn salvation with good works. Humility comes when we understand that we deserve punishment and need Jesus to save us from our sin. The tax collector received mercy because he knew he was a sinner. The Pharisee did not receive mercy because he was prideful and thought he didn’t need mercy from God.

DISCUSSION STARTER VIDEO:
Can you think of a time pride got you into trouble? Think about that as we watch this quick clip.

1. Why was it was a bad idea for the deluxe cupcake to call attention to himself?
2. Can you think of a situation in your life when you had a prideful attitude about something? What happened?
   
   Pride is the feeling we get when we think we aremore important than the people around us. Having talents and special skills is not bad, but we need to remember that God is the One who made all of us in His image. Humility doesn’t mean you think bad things about yourself. Humility means you understand that everyone needs Jesus, including you. You can tell a lot about how people feel about something by how they react to losing it. We can see that God loves people very much because He sent His own Son to die to rescue us. Jesus taught that heaven celebrates when lost people are found. We should celebrate that too!

Family Activities: (Choose one and do it together!)
(VBC Kids, get out your YELLOW envelope!) If you did not receive a blue envelope in the mail, but you would like to, enter your email at the bottom of this page to be added to our mailing list!

1. BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY SHEET FOR YOUNGER KIDS (PRINTABLE)
   BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY SHEET FOR OLDER KIDS (PRINTABLE)
   

2. DO IT!  Kind of a big deal. (from the activity mailer)
   
   On the back of the post-it, write or draw a picture of something “worthy of praise” or good about yourself. Now, on the front, write or draw a picture of something about Jesus that is worthy of praise and put it up in an important place. (See the "Ask your family" section for ideas)
   
   When we are prideful, it is sort of like we are worshiping ourselves. We focus on the things we have done instead of on the things God has done for us. All we have and all our abilities are from God. God deserves the praise. Jesus deserves worship as God the Son. He came to earth and lived a perfect life and still remained humble. Jesus was so humble, He allowed men to kill Him so that we could be saved and glorify God. 
   
   God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6)

3. DO IT! Play charades with the cards included in the mailer or with a list of your own.
(Place the cards face down on a table. Have one person pick a card.  They’ll act out the picture on the card while others guess. Whoever guesses goes next.)

THINK ABOUT IT: Have you heard that “actions speak louder than words”?
It means that just saying something isn’t as meaningful as showing it by what you do or what you do means more than what you say.

ASK: What kind of actions might show that a person is truly humble?

ASK: What kind of actions might show that a person is prideful?

CHECK IT OUT: Read our Bible story in Luke 18:9-14 to see what Jesus said about it.

 

ASK YOUR FAMILY:

Read this passage and answer the questions: Luke 18:9-14 “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get. But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Think of someone that shows humility. How?
In what ways do you show pride? How?
Pray and ask God to help you show humility.

 

God is worthy of praise. Here are a few attributes to get you thinking about Him.
What’s your favorite? Can you think of more?

A—Awesome (Psalm 47:2)
B—Beautiful (Psalm 27:4)
C—Comforter (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
D—Dependable (Numbers 23:19)
E—Ever-Present (Psalm 46:1)
F—Faithful (Psalm 145:13, Deut. 7:9, 2 Tim. 2:13)
G—Good (Psalm 100:5)
H—Holy (Revelation 4:8)
I—Impartial (Acts 10:34-35, Romans 2:11)
J—Just (Deuteronomy 32:4)
K—Kind (Romans 2:4)
L—Love (Psalm 103:11, 1 John 4:7-8)
M—Merciful (Romans 9:15-16, Micah 7:18-19)
N—Near (Psalm 145:18, Psalm 34:18)
O—Omnipotent (Jeremiah 10:12, Eph. 3:20)
P - Patient. (Psalm 145:8)
Q - Quiet (1 Kings 19:11-13)
R - Refuge (Psalm 9:9-10)
S - Sovereign (Isaiah 455:21-22)
T - Trustworthy (Psalm 22:4-5)
U - Unchanging (Hebrews 1:10-12)
V - Victorius (Psalm 44:3, 6-7)
W - Wonderful (Isaiah 28:19)
X - eXcellent (2 Peter 1:3-4)
Y - Yearning (Revelation 3:20)
Z - Zealous (Isaiah 9:7)

Read Job chapters 38-41 to blow your mind!

Pray and thank God for your favorite,
or sing a song praising Him right now!

 

 

 

 

 

If you have any questions about this, we'd love to talk to you and help you find answers in God's Word! Email us at [email protected] or find us on social media @vbckids.

GOD'S PLAN FOR YOU:

THE BIBLE OVERVIEW:

 

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GRAPPLE GROWN-UPS (adults of kids 10+):

Hi Grown-Ups! Each week we let the kids grapple with questions they have about God, His Word, and the World! They dig deep in the Bible to find answers to life’s tough questions.  Below is the question they’ll get to explore today.  We encourage you to let your kids go through the questions below using a Bible, a sheet of paper, and a device to read the questions on. Feel free to go through them yourself or even with your kids.  Discover what God has to say about the questions your kids wonder about!

7/5 grapple at home guide

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