Wise & Foolish Builder

Sundae Food Devotion for Children's Ministry

This food devotion is a brief review of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount Bible lessons for kids. It was used as an end-of-the-year treat following the study.

What you need: bowls, spoons, ice cream, and toppings: chocolate covered pretzels, brightly colored candy sprinkles, small candies such as M&M's or Skittles, whipped cream, and optional: syrups, crunchy toppings such as Praline Crunch, crushed graham crackers, cherries, etc. (Make sure no one has food allergies).

Place ice cream toppings on the table for children to build their sundaes as you explain the following:

As we've been discussing this past semester, Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount so his children would know how to live in his kingdom. He likened those who obey his teachings to wise builders, because they are building their lives on a sure foundation, which is Jesus. And those who do not follow his teachings are like foolish builders who build their lives on sand, those earthly treasures that are temporary or can be taken away such as money, good health, and possessions. Jesus wants his children to store up heavenly treasures that are eternal.

Today, we're going to build ice cream sundaes to remember to build our lives on Jesus, the solid Rock.

To begin, what do we need as our foundation to make an ice cream sundae? What is the most important ingredient? Yes, we need ice cream! Likewise, as we grow and build our lives, we must begin with Jesus—we need him to guide us everyday! 

(Scoop ice cream into children's bowls)

Jesus said his children are like salt; we preserve the world by keeping God's ways known, and treating other people as we want to be treated. To represent the salt we will add salty chocolate pretzels to our sundaes.

(Add salty pretzels)

Jesus is the Light of the World—he overcame the darkness of sin. We are to be like Jesus and shine his light to everyone, so let's add bright colorful sprinkles to our sundae to represent light. 

(Add brightly colored sprinkles)

Jesus spoke of keeping God's laws inwardly. Sin begins in the heart. We need a Savior who can cleanse our sin, forgive us, and help us to obey God's laws. To represent God's Ten Commandments, let's add 10 candies (M&Ms, Skittles, etc.).

(Add 10 pieces of candy)

We're just about finished building our ice cream sundaes. Let's top them off now with a narrow strip of whipped cream. This is to remind us that it is a Narrow Way to the Father in Heaven. There's no other way to get there, except through Jesus. (You might add syrup, cherries, crunchy toppings on the whipped cream to build a narrow road.)

(Add a narrow strip of whipped cream)

And finally, before we eat our ice cream sundaes, let's pray the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray: 

"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen" Matthew 6:9-13.

How sweet it is to follow Jesus! Eat and enjoy!

Copyright 2016 - S.A. Keith
SundaySchoolNetwork.com


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