Bible Passage: Matthew 26:6-13; John 12:1—8
Scripture Verse: Psalm 145: 2-3 (ICB)
“I will praise you every day. I will praise you forever and ever. The Lord is great. He is worthy of our praise”
Three decades had passed since Jesus arrived on earth as a helpless baby. He grew up and began His ministry. People wondered, could this be the Messiah? From the time sin entered the world through Adam, God was working out His rescue plan. Finally, at just the right time, God sent His Son into the world.
People began talking about the possible Messiah. If He really was the “Anointed One” — the promised Deliver — when would He rise up the Roman government? As Jesus’ ministry came to a close, He made His way to Jerusalem. But Jesus wasn’t about to overthrow a government; He was about to die.
Jesus was eating supper at Simon’s house in Bethany when Mary (sister of Lazarus) poured oil over Jesus. Her act angered the disciples, who thought the oil should have been sold and the money used to help the poor. But Jesus affirmed Mary for her actions. Mary did not waste the oil; she used it to worship Jesus. Jesus allowed Mary to anoint Him because He deserved to be anointed. Jesus is more valuable than anything.
Jesus said that Mary had prepared Him for burial (Matthew 26:12). Days later, Jesus died on the cross to rescue people from sin. On the third day, He rose from the dead. Jesus is alive!
Jesus is our Saviour. God calls us to treasure Him more than anything or anyone else. We can show our love for him trough the ways we worship. He is worthy of all our praise.
Discussion Video Follow up Questions
________________________
What are things worth?
Option 1: Gather several items around your house of increasing value(ie. can of beans, toy, tool, cell phone, wedding ring, toilet paper :)) Have children guess and arrange the items by price (less to most expensive or vice verse). Have them then re-order items in order that they find less important to most important (or vice versa) Was there a difference between the order when arranging by price? Why?
Option 2: Have children and yourself bring one or two items you really treasure and value (i.e. a a favourite toy, a stuffy, a picture). Take turns sharing why each of you value your item(s).
Lesson Connection:In today’s bible story Mary showed Jesus is more valuable than anything. Let us see how Mary worshiped Jesus and showed He is most important.
Sense of Smell: Gather several foods and spices that have a strong aroma. (ie. lemon slice, onion slice, coffee grounds, vanilla, curry powder, garlic powder, cinnamon). Have children close their eyes (or you can use a blind fold) and smell the contents. Have then then try and guess what is the food/spice.
Lesson Connection: The oil Mary anointed Jesus with smelled good, like perfume and filled the whole room. Mary worshiped Jesus. Jesus is the most important and He deserves to be worship
One way we can show Jesus how much we love him is through our voices. Here are some links to some songs that you can sing with the whole family.
________________________
Here are some fun activity ideas that you can do throughout the week with the fmaily that tie in with our story of Jesus being Anointed.
Create a treasure hunt for your kids. Once the hunt is completed ask who is our greatest treasure? And how like Mary can we show that Jesus is our greatest treasure?
https://childhood101.com/science-for-kids-oil-water-detergent-experiment/
https://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/04/science-for-kids-experiments.html
While you explore the fun of science through water and oil ask:
Mix some perfume or vanilla extract ( or any other baking extract you have - almond, lemon etc…) in some washable paint. Paint a thin layer of paint on your child's feet. Make foot prints on pieces of paper.
Lesson Connection: Mary anointed Jesus with oil on his head and feet. The oil smelled good, like perfume and filled the whole room. Mary worshiped Jesus. Jesus is the most important and He deserves to be worship
*If you don’t want such mess factor — just have children paint with “perfumed” paint. Remind children that the oil that Mary used filled the whole room.
Material and Activites are from the Gosple Life Project - Kids (Life Way), childhood101.com, growingajeweledrose.com