Jesus Is My Treasure Pre-K-2 Lesson

Kids' Corner Pre-K-2 Grade Children's Church / Sunday School Lesson

Title: Jesus is My Treasure!

Verse: Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Objective: Kids will understand that whatever we value shows what our hearts are set on. The Lord says to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Our treasure is Jesus and the things of His kingdom.

Spark

Penny Hunt

“Listen closely, everyone! I have a very special mission for you today. I have hidden many pennies all over our room! They are under chairs, near books, and in secret corners.”

Explain the Rules:

“Your job is to find as many as you can and put them inside the paper envelopes. See? Everyone has an envelope with their name on it!”
“You can put your pennies in your own envelope, OR you can be a secret helper and put them in a friend’s envelope. It is your choice! You get to decide whose envelope to fill up.”
“We have two very important rules:
1. We only add pennies. We never take a penny out once it’s in a bag.
2. We use our own eyes to find them. We don't ask friends to give us theirs.”

Say: “Ready? Let's see how many pennies we can find together. Go!” (Let the kids search for pennies and add to their envelopes. Pay attention to any kid that adds to a friend’s envelope.)

When time is up, say: “Great job, Mission Team! Now, everyone go find the envelope with your name on it. Let’s pour them out and count them together. [Wait for them to count]. Okay, tell me—how many did you find in your bag?” “Wow, that’s a lot of pennies!

Now, I have a tricky question for you... Who won the game?” (The kids will likely point to the child with the biggest pile.)

Explain: “You think [Name] won because they have the most? That’s interesting! But wait... did I ever say this was a race? Did I ever say the person with the most pennies was the winner? No! I didn't mention a winner at all. Why do we think that having the most stuff means you won? In this room, maybe the winner is the person who gave the most away! What do you think about that?”

Transition: “That is exactly what we are going to learn about in today’s lesson– does having the most make you a winner?” (Have the children put their envelopes of pennies under their seats.)

Scripture

Open your bible to Matthew 6:19-21. Read the passage aloud.

Explain:

What is treasure? (Write definition on the whiteboard. Treasure = what you value.)
What is treasure that people store on earth? Have teacher or kids write on board (gift money, toys, video games, clothes, jewelry)
What is treasure that is stored in heaven? (Write on board and they can add to it: perfect bodies, no pain or tears, rejoicing, family, mansions, robes, jewels, riches).
How do we store up these treasures in heaven? (Go over examples of loving God and others, of sharing, compassion, sharing the good news to others, spending time and our effort on Him, etc.).

Object lesson: Will it Last?

Say: “Let’s see what happens to treasure on earth vs treasure in heaven.”

Ask:

What do you think will happen when we drop the treasure of earth (alka seltzer) in water? (Let the kids share their hypothesis.)
What about when we drop the treasure of heaven in water (button)? (Kids share.)
Which one do you think will last?

Explain: Whatever we value shows what our hearts are set on. The Lord says to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Our treasure is Jesus and the things of His kingdom. He is the eternal One. He is forever – those that love Him spend what’s important to them (our time, our attention and focus) on what will last forever – the things of His Kingdom. Toys, gift money, clothes are ok and there’s nothing wrong with those things – we know that they don’t last forever and give our focus to what does – storing up treasure in Heaven!

Activity

For Kids’ Craft Ideas go to Kids’ Corner Pinterest

Live

Say: Jesus and His kingdom will last forever.

Prayer Focus: Thank the Lord that He is Everlasting – that His Kingdom is one that will last forever. Tell Him that you will give Him your attention and store up treasures of Heaven.

Materials / Supplies Needed: