| Do you take time to rest? When? Where do you like to rest the best? In the Bible, God commands us to take time off of school and work to rest. This is called Sabbath. In the Christian tradition, the Sabbath day is Sunday-- which is why we go to church on Sundays! |  We go to church on the Sabbath! What else do you like to do be rested and restored? |
It is good to take time for rest and for faith. We need that time to be restored each week. However, sometimes we get so focused on the rules that we forget the reason behind them! The reason behind the rules is called the spirit of the law. What the rules say is called the letter of the law.
Activity: Spirit vs Letter
See if you can match the rules (letter of the law) with the reasoning behind them (spirit of the law). (Answers: a4, b2, c1, d3).
Rules:
a. You must wear a seatbelt.
b. You must not hit your brother/sister.
c. You must go to bed on time.
d. You must pick your toys when you're done playing.
Reasons:
1. You need enough sleep to be healthy and happy.
2. It isn't kind to hurt people.
3. Everyone is safer when the floor is clean!
4. It's important to be safe while riding in the car.
In our Bible story today, Jesus "broke" the rules because he was focused on the reasons. He and his disciples picked grain on the Sabbath because they were hungry and needed food, even though it was technically working instead of resting. Then, Jesus healed a man's withered hand on the Sabbath. Both actions fit with the spirit of the law-- being rested and restored-- but not the letter of the law-- don't work on the Sabbath.
Do you think Jesus did the right thing? Jesus shows us that sometimes you have to focus on helping people, even if it means breaking the rules.
See if you can match the rules (letter of the law) with the reasoning behind them (spirit of the law). (Answers: a4, b2, c1, d3).
Rules:
a. You must wear a seatbelt.
b. You must not hit your brother/sister.
c. You must go to bed on time.
d. You must pick your toys when you're done playing.
Reasons:
1. You need enough sleep to be healthy and happy.
2. It isn't kind to hurt people.
3. Everyone is safer when the floor is clean!
4. It's important to be safe while riding in the car.
In our Bible story today, Jesus "broke" the rules because he was focused on the reasons. He and his disciples picked grain on the Sabbath because they were hungry and needed food, even though it was technically working instead of resting. Then, Jesus healed a man's withered hand on the Sabbath. Both actions fit with the spirit of the law-- being rested and restored-- but not the letter of the law-- don't work on the Sabbath.
Do you think Jesus did the right thing? Jesus shows us that sometimes you have to focus on helping people, even if it means breaking the rules.
Story
Read the story in Luke 6:1-16 (no SPARK version) and discuss using these questions:
Pray together:
Dear Jesus, thank you for giving us rules to help us be safe, healthy, and happy. Help us to remember the reasons behind the rules and to care for other people in all we do. Help us find time to rest this week. Amen.
- Do you think Jesus was annoyed with the Pharisees?
- How do you think the man with the withered hand felt when he was healed?
- Have you ever tattled on someone doing something wrong like the Pharisees?
- Is it ever okay to break the rules? Can you give examples from your life? From the Bible? From history?
Pray together:
Dear Jesus, thank you for giving us rules to help us be safe, healthy, and happy. Help us to remember the reasons behind the rules and to care for other people in all we do. Help us find time to rest this week. Amen.
Activities
Sabbath/Work (Spirit & Truth Publishing)
This game is a variation of Red Light/Green Light. A leader stands at one end with their back turned, looking away from everyone else. When the leader says "Work" everyone moves forward (or if playing in a small room, dances or waves). When the leader says "Sabbath," everyone must freeze before the leader turns around and catches them! If you get caught, you're out. Last one left gets to be the new leader!
Using our Hands (Be the Story Curriculum)
Brainstorm all the ways you use your hands on a daily basis. Think especially: what are ways we use our hands that are helpful and loving? Then, trace your hands on a piece of paper and decorate them. Write below, "My hands are small, but they can_______." Insert one of the good things you listed above. Remember to use the gifts God has given you for good! We can all follow Jesus to care for others.
This game is a variation of Red Light/Green Light. A leader stands at one end with their back turned, looking away from everyone else. When the leader says "Work" everyone moves forward (or if playing in a small room, dances or waves). When the leader says "Sabbath," everyone must freeze before the leader turns around and catches them! If you get caught, you're out. Last one left gets to be the new leader!
Using our Hands (Be the Story Curriculum)
Brainstorm all the ways you use your hands on a daily basis. Think especially: what are ways we use our hands that are helpful and loving? Then, trace your hands on a piece of paper and decorate them. Write below, "My hands are small, but they can_______." Insert one of the good things you listed above. Remember to use the gifts God has given you for good! We can all follow Jesus to care for others.
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