God is always there for us

Reading: Matthew 11: 25-30
God does not create heavy loads for us

• Lets see how strong you actually are (Have various weights and see who can life them)
• Now you can see that some of you are stronger than others. Why do you think this might be the case? (Discuss)
• Now what about Mum or Dad. Do they make you do adult type jobs or just jobs they know you can handle? (Discuss)
• It just goes to show how clever Mum and Dad really are. They never make you do things they know you can't do
• In today's reading Jesus talks about yokes. Do you know what these are? (Discuss)
• In the days of Jesus, owners of Ox and the like knew they were very valuable and they depended on them to help them make a living. (explain)
• It was important they got the best out of their animals, so the yoke was tailor made for each animal. This prevented the animal from being hurt by the yoke and as a result not giving their full effort because they were in pain from the rubbing of the yoke.
• So the story Jesus told helps to remind us that Jesus never expects from us more than we are capable of.
• He doesn't say for example, we must pray for 10 hours a day or be in church for 5 hours on a Sunday. Jesus knows that we have other important tasks to do as well
• All Jesus asks is that we don't forget him and to always talk with him each day (Prayer). He also wants us to show we love him by coming each sunday to be with other members of the Christian family here.
• Then if we do all this, the "yoke" that Jesus speaks about is very simple and easy.
• In return for our showing our love for Jesus, he loves us back in so many wonderful ways.

Kids Church Activity:
Activity: Create a special wall hanging with the ‘footprints’ prayer in the middle and children’s footmarks around the edge. Children to make a mini poster for themselves with the footprints prayer on it together with their personal foot print. Laminate the final result – Internet version (if you have a connection) http://www.llerrah.com/footprints.htm

What you need to get ready:
Require: Material 6’ x 3’, Poster paints, bucket to wash feet in, towels, texta pen, A4 card with footprints prayer already printed on it, hole punch, laminator and A4 laminate sheets.

pdf file (Approx 300k) 8 page work book for children on today's readings.

Powerpoint of Footprints (836k)