Very young children's session

A rich man asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus challenges him to sell his possessions and give the money to the poor. The man feels unable to do this; he is too attached to what he has. This, Jesus says, makes it hard for rich people to enter the kingdom; following him involves sacrifice and letting go. We are reminded that eternal life cannot be bought or achieved through completing a list of tasks but only by being in relationship with God. Loving God is the most important thing we can do, and that must come first.

This week we explore what can get in the way of our relationship with God

Prepare

Very young children's Session

Provide the following play materials for very young children throughout the session: wooden building blocks and barriers.

Gather

Very young childrens Session

Gathering song

Sing to the tune: Hickory dickory dock

We have a friend we can trust,
who shows us that faith is a must.
When things get tough, and life feels rough,
walk even closer to God.

Share the Word

Very young childrens Session

Create a story bag with objects (or pictures) inside: a play figure, toy coins, a sad face, toy camel, and a plastic needle. Tell the story, taking out each one as shown in brackets.

(figure) A man came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do to get to heaven.
(some coins) Jesus answered,
‘Sell your possessions and give the money to the poor.’
(sad face) This made the man sad.
(more coins) He was very rich.
(camel) Jesus said, ‘It is easier for a camel,
(needle) to go through the eye of a needle,
than for a rich man to enter heaven.’

Explore and respond

Very young childrens Session

Sensory basket

Play and think about what we treasure

Create a sensory basket full of ‘treasure’ for the children to explore. Include glittery cloth, tinsel, shiny ribbon, baubles, old CDs, toy coins, giant sequins, toy jewels.

Coin rubbings

Create an impression and think about money

Fix some coins to a table with sticky tac. Show the children how to make a coin rubbing using thick crayons on paper. Remind the children that Jesus asked the rich man to give up his money to follow him.

Very young childrens Session

0-5s song(s)

Song title (new words to the tune of: I'm a little teapot)

I’m a little child, tall and proud,
sometimes cheeky, sometimes loud.
When I’m feeling angry, God feels far,
stop, and breathe, God’s where you are.

Bubble prayer

Give each child a pot of bubbles and encourage them to blow lots of bubbles. As they do so, pray:
Lord, help us to blow away the things that come between us and God. Amen.

Very young childrens Session

Childrens Session

Activity sheet

Go with God

Very young childrens Session

Sing

To the tune: This old man

As we go, we must show
all the ways God helps us grow.
We’ve a toolkit, stop and think, what would Jesus do?
He’ll always be guiding you!

Spiritual styles abbreviations

WWordEEmotionSSymbolAAction

Read our Spiritual Styles articles