The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12)
The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most enduring and most loved teachings of Jesus' ministry. This radical teaching went against the popular rhetoric that said our 'good deeds' were enough for God. However, this series of nine truths point to a God who cares about our internal transformation and personal relationship with our Creator, more than the acts we can do for Him.
Input for leadersSermon on the Mount Leaders Training (The Gospel Project)
One of the more important questions we can help our kids answer is this one: What does a follower of Jesus—one of His disciples—look like? This question should naturally flow from our sharing of the gospel. We start with who God is and what He has done for us in Christ, but we cannot stop there. We need to get to the preceding question. We have to help kids know what practical differences Jesus should make in our lives. Continue here... |
Benediction: Blessed are they who have little faith
Nadia Bolz-Weber shared a striking blessing, based on the Beatitudes, where she says, "Maybe the Sermon on the Mount is all about Jesus’ lavish blessing of the people around him on that hillside who his world—like ours—didn’t seem to have much time for: people in pain, people who work for peace instead of profit, people who exercise mercy instead of vengeance...This Jesus whom we follow cried at the tomb of his friend and turned the other cheek and forgave those who hung him on a cross. Because he was God’s Beatitude—God’s blessing to the weak in a world that admires only the strong" You can download the words of the blessing below here
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Intergenerational Worship
Beatitudes series
Beatitudes Series (Ministry to Children) - find a free nine-session series on the Beatitudes here.
Kids TalksThe Beatitudes (Missio Dei Communities) - full lesson plan.
Matthew 5:1-12 The Beatitudes (Gary Neal Hansen) - focuses on Blessed are the Merciful and Blessed are the Peacemakers. The Upside Down Kingdom of the Beatitudes (Gary Neal Hansen) - based on Luke 6:17-26 but could also be used here. Beatitudes Cards (not a talk, but a way to explain the beatitudes in child friendly language), plus ideas for props and a prayer activity. (Flame Creative) The Bee-attitudes (Sermons 4 Kids) - simple talk on how true happiness comes from what happens inside us not around us. Hamburger Object Lesson (Future Flying Saucers) - great object lesson about being in the world but of the world. Good for older kids. 
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Questions to think about
Preschool PlayBig words and concepts for little people!
Tell the story
One day Jesus went up a hill with His friends. He sat down and told them something very special — how to be happy in God’s family. Jesus said things like: • “Happy are those who are gentle.” • “Happy are those who are kind.” • “Happy are those who trust God.” • “Happy are those who make peace.” Jesus teaches us how to live with God in our hearts, and how God will help us to love others with happy, gentle, kind hearts. Build God’s Happy World - put out building supplies (e.g. blocks, duplo, junk construction), toy people, small animals, scarves or fabric. Invite kids to build a “happy world” or “God’s kingdom” using the blocks and materials. Talk about, I wonder where people will live? I wonder where kindness happens in your world? I wonder where people help each other? I wonder where peace lives? Roleplay - Soft toys, dolls, play blankets, pretend food, little baskets. Children can gently care for toys and dolls — wrap them, feed them, tuck them in. Talk about how Jesus said happy are the gentle and kind — that means we care for others. I wonder how you can be gentle like Jesus? Happy Hearts Art - Paper hearts, crayons, stickers, collage bits. Invite children to decorate big paper hearts however they like. Talk about how Jesus talked about happy hearts — hearts that love God and love people. I wonder what makes your heart happy? I wonder how you can show God's love to someone today? Pray it!Lovely prayer activity at the end of this page (Flame Creative) - involving kids choosing a 'beatitude prayer' and hanging on a tree (or noticeboard or whatever works in your context).
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Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16)
This gospel reading is given as part of the Sermon on the Mount, and challenges us to live in a way that encourages change in the lives of others.
Input for LeadersGospel Conversations 2023 (Diocese of Dunedin) Year A Ordinary 5
We start off the Year of Matthew by plunging right into Matthew and a joyful exploration of what it could mean to be Salt and Light to the world. |
Visio Lectio
A beautiful free downloadable image by Sarah Lea West. All Rights Reserved, shared and distributed with permission. Terms of use Download 
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Intergenerational Worship
Kids TalksSalt and Light (Missio Dei Communities) - full lesson plan.
Matthew 5:13-16 (Gary Neal Hansen) - Paraphrased retelling of 'You are the light of the world'. Salt and Light for Kids (Kids Bible Lessons) - Full lesson plan. Let your light shine (Bible Lessons 4 Kids) - short and simple talk for younger kids) Questions
Pray it!Salt Tray Prayers (Flame Creative).
Sit in a circle and pass the tray from person to person so each person can have a go. This is a great activity for kids who are too shy to pray aloud. |
Activities
Preschool PlayTell the story
Light Sensory Box - You will need a plastic container with a clear smooth opaque lid (clear lids don't work as well), and with fairy lights inside. Pour some play sand (or a large quantity of SALT) on the top, and encourage kids to write messages and draw pictures. You can add some extra WOW factor by adding this rainbow coloured glow art tray to your Light Sensory Tray (The Imagination Tree).
Talk about - how/why the light shines through, how different patterns let the light shine in different ways. What does Jesus light look like when it shines through us? Taste test - Have a selection of different foods. Get kids to taste each one and decide if it is sweet, salty, or something else? [Safety Note: be aware of allergies and whether kids are eating solids].
Talk about - do some taste better than others? Why? Light of the World Playdough Mat (Flame Creative Kids) |
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Family Matters (Matthew 5:21-37)
This tricky passage from Matthew can be a difficult one to preach on! With teaching on anger, adultery, divorce, and the vows we make. With sensitivity for those in your church or group, you may wish to summarise this passage to teaching about how God cares about our relationships, and how we treat our family.
Input for leadersGospel Conversations 2023 (Diocese of Dunedin) Year A Ordinary 6
This is one of those very uncomfortable Gospel readings which leaves us all realising how far we fall short of Jesus' teaching, and how very much in need of grace we are. |
Visio Lectio
A beautiful free downloadable image by Sarah Lea West. All Rights Reserved, shared and distributed with permission. Terms of use PNG Download Download w/ background 
It begins in our hearts
We start this passage, remembering that the beatitudes came first. Jesus was clear that His kingdom started not with our own goodness, righteousness or power. But rather knowing that in our brokenness… we need Him... It might be easy to think that we can meet a righteous goal like not murdering our brother or sister when we are angry with them. But Jesus exposes our hearts. We may not act out terribly in our anger but we still get angry. When we are tempted to have pride in our own righteousness, all we have to do is look back a few hours and there is someone that we have gotten angry with, a relationship broken because of our desires. We want something that we don't have and we are willing to fight for it. God's kingdom is different.... Pray that the kids understand that Jesus’s kingdom is a kingdom of love that starts in our hearts... not in our actions, and only Jesus can change our hearts. [Missio Dei Kids] |
Intergenerational Worship
ActivitiesFilled-Heart Sandwiches (childrensministry.com)
Make a snack together, changing the shape of the bread and filling it with good things You'll need: bread, a selection of fillings, heart shaped cutters, a plate and 2 slices of bread for each kid.
Let everyone begin eating as you continue.
Angry Ping-Pong (Childrensministry.com) You'll need ping-pong balls, fine-tipped markers, slingshots, cardboard building blocks Put kids in groups and give them a few minutes to build towers with their blocks. Then give each group some ping-pong balls. Have each person write at least one thing on each ball that makes him or her angry. Say: Let’s play a game. Your team’s goal is to knock down any other team’s towers. Use the slingshots and the ping-pong balls to do this, but stand at least 4 metres from any tower you’re aiming at. Talk about the things you wrote on your ping pong balls. What things has that anger “knocked over” in your life or in others’ lives? Can anger be good as well as bad? Why? How? How does God want us to approach our anger? God looks at the heart (Flame Creative) 
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TalksIt begins in the heart (Missio Dei Communities) - full lesson plan.
Matthew 5:21-37 (Gary Neal Hansen) - Paraphrased retelling of Matthew 5:21-22 (anger) Forgiving and forgiven (Sermons 4 Kids) Jesus teaches his disciples what not to do (RFour) Let your yes be yes (Ministry to Children) Is it okay to be angry? (Sermon Writer) Preschool PlayThis is a pretty tough one to do with preschoolers who will have limited understanding of some of these concepts, or very little developmental ability to practice self-control in the face of extreme emotions!
Some alternatives:
Pray it!Guided Prayer Exercise: Bringing Our Hearts to God [Teri Johnson-Frow]
Say - “Jesus teaches us that God cares not just about what we do, but about what is going on inside our hearts — our feelings, our words, and how we treat others. Today we’re going to pray using drawing and writing. There are no right or wrong answers. God listens kindly.”
Pray to close: “God, you see our hearts. You know when things are hard. Thank you that you are loving and kind. Please help us with the things we’re struggling with. Help us choose words and actions that bring peace. Amen.” Say - “You can keep these somewhere safe this week. When you look at them, remember that God cares about your heart and wants to help you.” |
Love your enemies (Matthew 5:38-48)
An eye for an eye! Love your neighbour as yourself! The gospel reading today is another part of the Sermon on the Mount, and gives us a great opportunity to talk about abundant generosity, both in what we have and how we love well.
Gospel ConversationsAnother great Gospel Conversations from the Diocese of Dunedin. We continue on through the difficult, challenging, yet grace-filled words of Jesus in his "sermon on the mount". This week we are dealing with Jesus' teaching on our response to injustice, the directive to love our enemies, and the impossible statement that we are to be perfect. Peg, Damon and Anne join Mike in discovering how we might best interpret these teachings in the light of Jesus' love and grace.
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Visio LectioAn print from Rev. Sarah West from the Diocese of Auckland, shared with permission
Visio Lectio website PNG Download Download w/ background Terms of Use 
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