Given another chance

Today's selected readings: - Luke 13: 1-9

Kids Address

• Have you ever been hurt by someone? What happened? (Discuss)
• Sometimes people hurt us by saying nasty things, or hitting us or doing things to get back at us.
• If you have a friend who is nasty to you, does this mean you will not like them anymore or refuse to mix with them? (Discuss)
• If your fiend for example is sorry, then shouldn't you give them another chance to prove they still want to be your friend? (Comment)
• In today's story, Jesus tells his listeners about a man who grows grapes.
• He says sometimes it takes awhile to grow grapes, and so instead of pulling out the vine because it grew no fruit, we should give it another year and see if it improves.
• Jesus was using the story to talk about us. When someone has done something wrong against us, we should at least give them a chance to change their ways.
• There are times when we are not nice to Jesus - Don't say our prayers, don't say grace at our meals, refuse to come to church etc
• When we do that, Jesus is very sad.
• However, because He loves us, He says "I will give you another chance to show you love me"
• Tonight I hope you remember to say your prayers and say grace (Explain) before your evening meal.
• Jesus them knows we still want to be His friend.

Kids Church Activity:
To make a jail with the basic inside (cf Dolls house approach)

What you need to get ready:
: Card to make 3 sides and base for the jail (A shoe box cut in half would give you two structures), Popsicle sticks, craft glue, masking tape, basic jail furniture (bed, toilet, table, chair) – These could be made from play dough, figure to represent the child in the jail, slogan hanging on rear way saying “God always gives us another chance”