Labourers in the Vineyard - Matthew 20:1-16

Idea 1

Play a game that isn’t fair and let the kids complain.

• offer to pay one kid in the group to do something like pick up garbage for $1, then when they are almost finished, offer to pay another kid to help.

• At the end pay both kids $1.

• Ask “is that fair?”

Idea 2

Look at John 3:16

• Talk about the verse promises us life.

• When we believe in Jesus we are promised eternal life.

• Ask questions like, Are you promised eternal life if you start believing in Jesus when you are 6? How about when you are 8? How about when you are 22? What about 89?

Idea 3

Play the video for the kids and ask them if they can figure out the meaning of the parable.

• Let kids get into small groups and talk through the story together and let them see what they come up with.

• Ask them things like, who do all the characters represent? Who is God in the story? Who do the people who are hired represent? How about the people who complain?

Idea 4

Bring the kids a snack (something good) and ask them to line up in front of you to get their treat.

• Once everyone has lined up, starting giving out the snacks to the people at the back of the line first and working up to the front of the line.

• Talk about what it means when Jesus said “the last shall be first and the first shall be last”