In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught new ideas with authority that amazed the crowds.
The Sermon on the Mount topics range from heart attitudes to the believer's responsibility to spread the gospel to loving your enemies to the futility of worry. Teachers will find the lesson more manageable by zeroing in on one particular theme of the passage in Matthew 5-7. Narrowing the focus also simplifies the task of choosing matching arts and crafts for the Sermon on the Mount.
The Beatitudes
The Sermon on the Mount opens with the Beatitudes, a series of Jesus' examples of heart attitudes that result in a blessed life. A bee bookmark can serve as a daily reminder to adopt these thought patterns in your own life. Paint a craft stick in yellow and black stripes. Glue a yellow pom pom at one end, and add wiggly eyes and black pipe cleaner antenna. When the paint is dry, write a paraphrased beatitude on both sides, such as "Bee peaceful" or "Bee merciful."
Light of the World
Jesus admonishes his followers not to hide the light of the gospel in their lives but to let it shine out for all the world to see. Kids can make candle art to remind them to let Jesus shine through their actions. Soak colorful tissue paper in glue and cover a baby food jar with the papier-mâch . Attach a pre-printed caption that reads, "You are the light of the world." Press other cut out shapes and designs onto the wet tissue before the glue dries. Insert a tea light or votive candle in the jar to make a colorful glow.
A simple sun catcher can also remind children to spread their light wherever they go. Shave two or three colors of old crayons onto wax paper. Place a matching sheet on top and cover it with a small towel. Apply heat with an iron for 10 to 20 seconds to melt the crayon and stick the wax paper together. Cut out hearts and stars and punch a hole at the center top. Tie a ribbon or yarn through as a hanger.
Love Your Enemies
Jesus' command to "love your enemies and do good to those who persecute you" can be difficult to put into practice. But a simple craft illustrates that you do not have to do it alone. Give each child two paper hearts. Ask her to write, "Loving my friends is easy" on one and "Jesus, please help me love my enemies" on the other, as recommended by Calvary Chapel Knoxville. Draw a picture of a friend and an enemy on the corresponding heart. Sandwich a craft stick between the two hearts and secure with glue or tape. Share some common situations and have the children hold up the heart face that shows whether it illustrates a friend or an enemy with whom they need Jesus' help.
Lord's Prayer
When Jesus warns against the self-righteous, attention-seeking prayers of the Pharisees, his disciples ask him to teach them to pray rightly. The Lord's Prayer is his example of a humble and righteous prayer but is not meant for endless repetition, which is the very thing Jesus had just warned his followers against. To encourage the children to pray their own honest and humble prayers, make a prayer journal where they can record their prayers and prayer requests. Simply fold over a piece of construction paper for a cover and insert pages. You can staple them or three-hole punch the folded edge and tie off the binding. Alternatively, Lapbook Lessons offers printable shape book covers suitable for a prayer journal.
Don't Worry
Jesus points out the futility of worry to change your circumstances and encourages you to leave your worries in God's hands instead. Practice giving your worries to God by making a "worry can." Cover a clean tin can with cloth or construction paper. Decorate it with markers, buttons, faux jewels, glitter, lace and cut-out shapes. Write "God, I will let you handle all my problems today" on an index card and fasten it around the top rim. Whenever you start worrying about something, write down your worry and stick it in the can with a prayer to help you stop worrying.
Tags: Sermon Mount, construction paper, craft stick, friend enemy, futility worry