Leader Guide
Teaching Time
- Large Heart Page
- Small Heart Pages (2)
- One paper grocery bag
- Tape or glue stick
- Scissors
- Bible or Superbook Bible App
Make one copy of the Large Heart Page in color or black and white.
Make one copy each of the two Small Heart Pages in color or black and white.
With the scissors, cut out the ten individual small and large hearts.
Glue or tape the large heart on the front of the grocery bag.
Place the eight small hearts in the grocery bag.
It is recommended to read the verses on the eight hearts so you can be familiar with the stories and expand upon the story to add to the discussion.
Optional: Use the twelve Kindness Cards from the Lesson 2 Opening Game to review ways for children to be kind following the discussion about Jesus’ acts of kindness.
Jesus Was Kind
Text: Luke 5:17–26; Mark 2:1–12
If you showed the video: In the video, what two kind things did Jesus do in the Bible story? Jesus healed the man and forgave his sins.
The Bible is full of kind things that Jesus did and said while He was in this world. The Bible says that Jesus did so many things that if they were all written down, there wouldn’t be enough room in the world to fit them! (John 21:25)
Hold up the grocery bag so the children can see the large heart.
A Bible verse (Acts 10:38) tells us that Jesus went around doing good things and healing people because God was with Him and gave Him the power to do them. Let’s talk about some of the kind things Jesus did.
In this bag are small hearts. Each heart has a Bible verse on it that tells us a kind and powerful thing that Jesus did. Raise your hand if you would like a turn to reach into the bag and pull out a heart. Children respond.
Have the first volunteer pull one heart from the bag and give it to you to read. Then, briefly discuss each act of kindness Jesus performed using the Heart Discussion List below.
Note: Match the heart number to the list number. Discuss the hearts in any order.
Heart Discussion List
1. Jesus took the time to stop and talk with a Samaritan woman who was hated by others.
2. Jesus was kind to children and took time to pray for them.
3. Jesus was sad and wept with two women when their brother Lazarus died—then He brought Lazarus back to life!
4. Jesus talked to a man who had no friends. Jesus ate at his house, forgave his sins, and gave him the gift of salvation.
5. Jesus performed a miracle to feed a large, hungry crowd who had no food to eat.
6. Jesus talked with a Pharisee who came to Him late at night to ask some questions.
7. Jesus calmed a storm for His scared disciples in a boat so they could be safe.
8. Jesus, while on the cross, asked God to forgive His enemies who were cruel to Him.
Jesus is tenderhearted. He feels what we feel when we are happy and when we are sad. He is always ready to show us love, kindness, and forgiveness. Because Jesus forgives us, He wants us to show kindness to everyone. Let’s name some things that you can do to show kindness. Smile, listen, donate food or clothes, share toys, help, forgive, hang out with someone new, wave hello, say hi, play with someone, pray for someone, care for a pet, say kind things.
Optional: Hold up each Kindness Card from the Lesson 2 Opening Game. Identify and discuss the acts of kindness.
God gave Jesus the power to do good. And guess what? He gives us that same power, too! Let’s pray every day and ask God to help us be kind, love others, be tenderhearted, and forgive!