12 Foundation Stones Class 12A for younger children – Going God’s Way-What are the StandardsDownload
Category: English
The Parable of the Fishing Net
Parable of the Fishing Net
Jesus said, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away.”
This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous. (Matthew 13:47-49)
Then God will act as judge to end arguments between people in many places. He will decide what is right for great nations far and near. … Everyone will live in peace and prosperity, enjoying their own grapevines and fig trees, for there will be nothing to fear.
(Micah 4:3-4)
The Stories Jesus Told – The Obedient Servant
The Parable of the Obedient Servant
In the Gospel of Luke, we find a number of parables which begin with a question to which the answer is obvious. The parable of the obedient servant starts out with not just one question, but three—two of which call for a negative answer and one which would receive a positive reply.
“Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? (Luke 17:7-9)
The response to the opening question would have been that no one listening to Jesus would ever consider having their servant or slave who was a plowman or a sheep herder come in from work and lie down at a banquet table and eat. The traditional roles of master and servant were well defined in those days, and to allow such a thing would have implied that the servant had the status of an honored guest or was equal to the master. Starting His parable with this opener would have piqued the curiosity of those listening.
While to us it sounds quite harsh to make a man or woman who has done a day’s labor come in from the field and be expected to prepare and cook a meal, change into clothes which are proper for serving food, serve the master, and only after all of this is taken care of properly, be allowed to eat, in the ancient world this was considered normal. To the second question, everyone would have answered that of course the servant would come in from the field and proceed to feed the master before eating.
In the context of the time, no one listening to this parable would expect that a servant would be given special treatment for fulfilling his duties. The servant was simply doing what was expected of him as a servant. The master wasn’t indebted to the servant for keeping the sheep or plowing the field. Nothing out of the ordinary had occurred, and no one would expect that the servant would be given privileges for simply doing his job. The servant had put the master’s needs before his own. He acknowledged and accepted that his first duty was to serve the master. When those listening heard the third question, Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? they would again respond with “Of course not.”
The Greek word translated as “thank” is charis, which is usually translated in the New Testament as “grace.” However, in the Gospel of Luke, it is also used to convey the meaning of credit or favor, so that it comes close to implying receiving a reward. So the question is: Does the master give credit or reward to the servant for doing what he was told to do? Kenneth Bailey explains:
The master may well express appreciation to a servant at the end of a day’s work with a friendly word of thanks. The issue is much more serious than this. Is the master indebted to his servant when orders are carried out? This is the question that expects a resoundingly negative answer in the parable.
At this point, Jesus addressed the listeners, who in the context of Luke’s Gospel are His disciples, saying:
“So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” (Luke 17:10)
Here the phrase “unworthy servants”—or as it is rendered in other translations, “unprofitable servants” —can also be translated as “without need.” In other words, it’s stating that the servants or disciples who do what they are commanded to do are “without need,” meaning that they aren’t owed anything by their master. The master is in no way indebted to the servant for doing what is expected of him.
The message, as applied to the disciples, was that those who serve God do not put God in their debt. God isn’t beholden to those who serve Him.
This doesn’t mean that God doesn’t reward those who love and serve Him, but rather that those who serve God have no right to claim reward. Our relationship with God is not one where we earn, deserve, or bargain for reward. A disciple is a servant who serves the Lord out of love, duty, and loyalty to Him.
Our salvation is a gift bestowed upon us by God; we don’t work for it or earn it. Our service to Him is done out of gratitude and love, as well as out of duty to the one who has redeemed us. When we have done what He has commanded us, we aren’t putting Him in a position where He “owes” us anything. We shouldn’t be keeping a mental ledger of all the things we’ve done for the Lord, with the expectation that because we’re doing them, God is indebted to us.
This doesn’t mean that there is no reward for those who serve God. Jesus spoke of rewards numerous times.
When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:3-4)
Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. (Luke 6:35)
Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. (Luke 6:22-23)
We are promised a reward, but our relationship with God is not a matter of deserving, bargaining for, or working to attain or earn it. As servants of the Lord, we work for Him in order to fulfill our duty to Him. What we receive from God is a gift from His hand, not a payment for services rendered. No matter how hard we work, how much we do, and how long we serve the Lord, under no circumstances do we put God in our debt. We serve Him because He saved us. We serve Him because we are grateful. We serve Him because we love Him. And it’s because our service to Him is motivated by love and gratitude, not reward, that He rewards us.
Life of Jesus Cards, Part 6
Devotional activity for children, with one card/story a day.
What’s Your Source?
Have you ever put a stalk of celery in colored water? What happens is that the celery starts to change color as the water is soaked up through the stem. It takes a couple of days to see the change, but soon the celery stalk will take on the color of the water it’s in. Celery also very quickly absorbs any poisons and pesticides in the air or in the soil.
Our spirits work in this way, too. The source of our nourishment or input, and whatever we expose ourselves to, will influence us, for better or worse. We’re constantly flooded with input—through the Internet, movies, music, books, and of course, through people we interact with. However, how those things influence us isn’t always as obvious as the effect of water on celery.
Some things seem harmless, or even good, but they can end up having a negative effect. Other things may be perfectly enjoyable and be harmless—they may even feed our mind and increase our skill and knowledge. But they may still not feed our spirit the sustenance that it needs in order to thrive.
That’s why Jesus tells us to abide in Him, to make Him our source. He offers us the water of life—the only water that will never leave our spirit thirsty. Psalm 1:3 says that those who delight in God’s way and His Word “are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”
Let’s plant our roots firmly by the rivers of living water!
Text courtesy of Activated magazine. Image 1 designed by brgfx via Freepik. Image 2 designed by Matt Cole/Vecteezy. Image of Jesus © TFI.
12 Foundation Stones Class 11B for Younger Children – Overcoming Problems: Spiritual Growth
Steps you can take to grow in your relationship with your heavenly Father.
Life of Jesus Cards, Part 5
How Prayer Benefits You
There are so many benefits to spending time with God. He can help you solve every problem, answer your every question, heal all your heartaches, comfort you when you’re sorrowful, give you joy, and bring you closer to heaven. The list is endless.
Prayer changes things. It’s one means by which God gives His children what they need or want, as long as it’s good for them and others. “Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”1
Time spent in quiet reflection builds inner strength that will carry you through life’s toughest times. “In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.”2
You will find rest and renewal when your spirit is sagging and your mind is troubled. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”3
Once you have committed a matter to God in prayer, you can have the assurance that He will take care of it as He knows best. “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God.”4
You will find comfort in times of sadness and grief, reassurance when you’re down, and courage to go on when you think you can’t. Jesus will help you see your troubles in proper perspective, as He sees them, and give you peace of mind. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”5 “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.”6
As you receive and apply the things the Lord shows you, you will become wiser. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”7
Jesus will guide you through the maze of life. He will help you know what to do when you face problems and tough decisions. He has promised to instruct you, establish your thoughts, and guide your steps. “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”8
He will inspire you with good ideas. “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”9
Jesus will prevent some problems from happening by warning you in advance, and give you solutions to others. “Whoever listens to Me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”10
You can be healed physically. “The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.”11
You can be forgiven for wrongdoing. “I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.”12
You will gain insight into the natural world as well as the spiritual realm. “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”13
Prayer draws on the power of God, so you will be able to accomplish more, and do so more easily. “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. … Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”14
You will have greater peace of mind. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”15
You can claim God’s supply of your material needs. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”16
Jesus will open to you the treasures of His Word if you will pray, as King David did, “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.”17
You can get the Lord’s help even when you don’t know what to ask for. “We do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us.”18
1. Matthew 21:22
2. Psalm 138:3
3. Matthew 11:28–30
4. Romans 8:28
5. Psalm 147:3
6. Psalm 94:19
7. James 1:5
8. Proverbs 3:6
9. Jeremiah 33:3
10. Proverbs 1:33
11. James 5:15
12. Psalm 32:5
13. 1 Corinthians 2:9–10
14. Isaiah 40:29,31
15. Philippians 4:6–7
16. Matthew 7:7–8
17. Psalm 119:18
18. Romans 8:26
King Solomon: Story and Coloring Page
King Solomon
King Solomon was one of the richest men in the world at his time in history. He had access to pretty much anything he wanted – palaces and gardens, the best food and wine, and every form of entertainment available. He tried just about everything his wealth could provide, but at the end of his search for meaning and happiness, he concludes, “The most important thing a person can do is to respect God and obey his commands.” (Ecclesiastes 1-12)
The Stories Jesus Told – The Unforgiving Servant
In the course of the eighteenth chapter of the book of Matthew, the apostle Peter brought up the topic of forgiveness, asking:
“Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21-22)
Some Bible versions translate this as “seventy times seven,” which is also a legitimate way to translate the original Greek. Jesus either said His disciples should forgive someone 77 times or 490 times. In any case, Jesus’ point was that His followers are always meant to forgive others. This conversation is followed by theparable of the unforgiving servant.
The parable starts with:
The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. (Matthew 18:23-24)
This is a fantastical opening because ten thousand talents represented an astronomical amount of money. A talent was a measure of weight used in those days, probably about thirty kilograms (about 66 pounds). When referring to monetary value, it was more specifically a weight of either silver or gold.
If Jesus was referring to talents of silver, one talent would have had the value of about six thousand denarii (a silver coin of the time). One denarius was considered a day’s wage for a laborer. So one talent of silver (six thousand silver coins) was worth about 20 years of work. Ten thousand talents, or sixty million denarii, was clearly an absurdly huge debt.
And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. (Matthew 18:25)
The servant’s inability to repay such an immense loan meant that he and his family were to be sold into slavery until the debt was paid. In 2 Kings we read of an example in biblical times of children being sold until a debt was paid:
The wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” (2 Kings 4:1)
So the servant fell on his knees, imploring [the king], ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. (Matthew 18:26-27)
The servant was asking for an extension of time so that he could pay the debt, but the king went well beyond the request and completely freed him from having to repay it at all. What an act of magnanimity! He forgave a debt of three hundred thousand kilos of silver. Imagine the shock, relief, and gratitude of the indebted servant.
Jesus continued the story:
But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. (Matthew 18:28-30)
The servant who had been forgiven his own debt—which amounted to sixty million denarii—was owed one hundred denarii by another servant, the equivalent of four months’ wages for a common worker. The ratio between what the servant had owed the king and what the fellow servant owed his coworker was 600,000 to 1.11
The man who had been forgiven the astronomical amount responded not with the compassion which had been showed to him, but with violence and judgment. The indebted servant acted in the same manner as the forgiven servant had, by prostrating himself before the one he was indebted to and begging for patience, while promising to repay the debt. However, the response was the opposite. Instead of giving his fellow servant more time to pay or compassionately cancelling the debt, the unforgiving servant sent the man to jail.
When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. (Matthew 18:31)
While it might have been legitimate at the time to send someone to prison for nonpayment of debts, this act showed a serious lack of compassion under the circumstances. The other servants, appalled at the unforgiving servant’s heartlessness and harshness, informed the master of this injustice.
Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. (Matthew 18:32-34)
The king was rightfully furious, calling the servant wicked. He referred to the huge amount of debt that he had forgiven because the servant had beseeched him for mercy; yet he, who had been forgiven so much, was unwilling to forgive another. Having been shown such abundant mercy, the servant should have done the same for others. But he didn’t, and he was going to be judged for it. This unforgiving servant was condemned until all his debt would be repaid—which, due to the massive amount, meant he would die in prison suffering.
After telling this parable, Jesus addressed the listeners with a deeply unsettling statement:
So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart. (Matthew 18:35)
This parable dramatically portrays how serious it is to not forgive others, and it aligns with Jesus’ teachings about forgiveness elsewhere in the Gospels. When teaching His disciples to pray, He included the phrase:
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (Matthew 6:12)
He also taught:
If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)
This parable puts these teachings into story form in order to help us recognize how important it is to forgive others. It illustrates the necessity of human forgiveness as a condition for divine mercy.
When God passed before Moses on Mount Sinai, He described Himself by saying: “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” (Exodus 34:6-7) One of God’s attributes is forgiveness, and as Jesus illustrated through this parable, as God’s children we are meant to imitate Him by forgiving others—just as He has forgiven us.
Text adapted from the series “The Stories Jesus Told”