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The Widow's Mite
To Remember: Jesus knows all about us
 

Vocabulary
  • Sacrifice: to give up something valuable or important
  • Mite: the Roman coin that was worth the least
Lesson -

Mark 12:41-44 41 And he sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than all they that are casting into the treasury: 44 for they all did cast in of their superfluity; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Luke 21:1-4 1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men that were casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than they all: 4 for all these did of their superfluity cast in unto the gifts; but she of her want did cast in all the living that she had.

The Jews were instructed to give to the Temple and to the poor as part of their service to God. (So are we). One day Jesus sat at the Temple and watched people putting money into the offering boxes. Some people were rich and gave lots of money. Some gave money, but were unhappy about it. Then an poor woman, a widow, came up to the boxes.

The poor woman put two of the smallest coins there were in the offering box. The disciples with Jesus weren't very impressed, but Jesus said this woman has given more than any other today. How could that be? Jesus said it was because it was all she had.

How did the woman think she would buy dinner that night? She trusted in God to provide for her. She obeyed God's command, knowing that He would fulfill His promise to care for her in return. We must trust God the same way. Matt 6:33 says: "Seek first the kingdom of God and Hid righteousness and all these things (food, clothes, etc) will be added unto you."
 

Object Lesson: Distribute pennies to the class, giving each child between two and ten pennies. Then ask each child to put two of their pennies in a jar for the collection that day. The students who received only two pennies may complain that other students will have pennies to keep, but they won't. Explain that while every student put in two pennies, some put in a greater percentage of their total pennies. Some gave all they had while some had plenty left. (Optional). Give a quarter to those who gave all they had. Explain that God always rewards those who sacrifice for him, while those who are greedy may have to depend on what they can get for themselves.
 

True or False
  1. The widow was given a different command than the rich.           F
  2. Jesus was impressed by large amounts of gold.                  F
  3. Jesus knew the hearts of those that gave.     T
  4. Sometimes we don't know how much of a sacrifice another is making.  T
  5. Jesus rewards those that obey Him.          T
Sing: This is My Father's World
 

On Sunday mornings, we give money to the church. We do this because we want to see God's work (preaching, teaching etc) done. This requires money. But all the money in the world won't please God if we don't love Him and keep His commandments.

What other ways can we help the church do its work?
Bring others to class to hear His word, encourage others by being nice to them, behaving in church so we don't disturb others, studying the Bible to be better Christians, helping others in any way we can.
Memory Work

  • Mark 9:23 "And Jesus said unto him, If you can! All things are possible to him that believeth."
Worksheets

Musical Blessings: name sacrifices we can make
 

Craft: make bags from construction paper, grocery bags, whatever. Let the kids decorate them.
 

Review Questions for gameboard

 linguistic questions
  1. Define sacrifice.
  2. What was a mite? (the coin that was worth the least - like a penny)
  3. What books tell us about the widow? (Mark, Luke)
  activity questions
  1. Act out the Pharisees giving.
  2. Draw a Roman coin.
  3. Sing: I want be a worker for the Lord.
  emotion questions
  1. How did the Pharisees feel about their giving? (proud, self-righteous)
  2. Which giver was Jesus pleased with? (widow)
  3. Who did the widow trust? (God)
application questions
  1. Who will provide for our needs? (God)
  2. Do we need to give to God if we are poor? (yes)
  3. Why wasn't Jesus impressed with the giving of the rich? (it was "extra" money for them, not a sacrifice)
fact questions
  1. Did the rich men give a lot of money? (yes)
  2. Did the rich men trust their needs to God? (no)
  3. How much did the widow put in? (two mites - all she had)
review questions

  1. Name two ways we can work for God. (give our time to help others, give some of our allowance to the collection, teach others about him)
  2. How does God use our money? (to support preachers, to provide the places and things we need to study and worship, to help people in need)
  3. Which giver did the crowd think had given more? (the rich men)

Your Ideas

Below is an idea generously shared by Jim Rasmussen
1. give kids more pennies
2. read and discuss 2 CORINTHIANS 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
3. explain/act out the meaning of reluctantly, under compulsion and cheerfully
4. take a real offering - having the kids decide before hand what they want to give - with out comparing with each other. Encourage them that God is pleased with a cheerful giver and he wants them to experience the joy of giving that is part of his character - God is a cheerful giver.

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