The Companion: How He Leads
Grades 1-6
Nursery - Kindergarten
The Wicked Tenants
LESSON DATE & SCRIPTURE:
JULY 12 | Matthew 21:33–45
New city catechism question of the week:
Question #28:
What happens after death to those not united to Christ by faith?
Answer:
They will be cast out from the presence of God, into hell, to be justly punished, forever.
Memory 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.
Talk about it together
Jesus was teaching in the temple when he told the religious leaders a story. A man planted a vineyard and asked workers to care for it while he was away. When it was time to collect the grapes, the owner sent his servants to the vineyard. But the workers were cruel to the servants and hurt them. The owner sent more servants, but the workers treated them badly too.
Finally, the owner sent his son, thinking the workers would respect him. Instead, they rejected him and killed him, hoping to keep the vineyard for themselves.
After telling the story, Jesus asked the religious leaders what should happen to those workers. They answered that the workers should be punished and that the owner should choose new workers who would care for the vineyard and respect him.
Jesus told this story to help the leaders understand an important truth. The servants represented the prophets God had sent to his people. Then God sent his own Son, Jesus. But instead of welcoming him, many of the religious leaders rejected him and wanted to kill him.
God sent Jesus because he loves us. Jesus willingly died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. He rose again so that everyone who trusts in him can be forgiven and receive eternal life. Jesus is God's Son, our Savior, and our King. He deserves our love, our trust, and our obedience. When we turn from our sin and follow Jesus, we become part of God's family and will live with him forever.
Family discussion
What did the man plant?
Who hurt the owner's servants?
What did the religious leaders say should happen to the workers?
Who did God send to his people?
Family prayer
Dear God, thank you for sending your Son to save us. Forgive us when we choose our own way instead of following and obeying Jesus. Amen.