2025-06-08 Zealous

Introduction

AsImagine for a moment a soldier on a mission—prepared, focused, and ready. The soldier doesn't go into battle lazily or halfheartedly. He's all in with no thought of turning back until he reaches his goal. Zeal drives him forward with purpose and determination.

"Zeal" isn't a word we prepareuse often in everyday conversation. When it is used, it's sometimes in a negative sense. People can be put off by someone who seems too passionate or intense. We might even be alarmed by zealots who pursue destructive purposes with fanatical devotion.

But when applied to teachGod and His perfect purposes, how wonderful that He is zealous! To see God's zeal in action, look at Jesus' passionate pursuit of sinners. His zeal to save us took Him down a path of selfless humility through unimaginable pain and suffering. Yet He never wavered. Jesus pursued His goal with His whole heart until it was accomplished!

In this lesson, let’s pause and reflect on the incredible mercy of God. Even though we sin against Him daily, God extends kindness and compassion to undeserving sinners like us. His mercy isn't just a feeling—it's active love reaching out to restore broken relationships.

Today’s lesson shows children that God doesn't give us what we deserve for our sin. Instead, He offers forgiveness and welcomes us back with open arms. We'we'll use Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son to illustrate how a father's merciful love mirrors God's heart toward us when we stray.

Our goal is to help children understand that God's mercy isn't earned—it's a gift. We want them to grasp that even when they disobey and make poor choices, God is stillzealous—He waitingacts with armsHis widewhole open, readyheart to forgiveaccomplish whenHis theypurposes. turnWe'll backexplore how Jesus demonstrated this zealous love by choosing the difficult path that led to Himour withsalvation sincererather hearts.

than

As you teach, pray that each child will recognize their need for God's mercy. May they see themselves intaking the storyeasy ofway the prodigal son and understand that God is a loving Father who runs to meet His wayward children with compassion and forgiveness.out.

Before Service

Ensure parents take their child to the restroom before bringing them to the children's area and use the QR code to sign in their child before the service.

Praise and Worship (15 mins)

Parents: The parent and child scheduled for this week will lead us in singing on Sunday. Please take time to practice the songs together at home, helping your child feel confident and joyful as they prepare to lead.

Prayer and Offering (5 mins)

Parents: Please encourage your children to bring an offering to church. You may help your child prepare by setting aside a coin for them to bring on Sunday. This is a great opportunity to teach them about giving to God with a thankful heart and trusting Him to provide.

What is Offering?

Offering is when we give something to God to show our love and thankfulness. In church, we often give money as an offering, but we can also give our time, talents, and kindness to God and others.

Why Do We Make an Offering?

1️⃣ To Thank God – Everything we have comes from God! Giving back is a way to say, “Thank You, God!”
2️⃣ To Trust God – When we give, we show that we trust God to take care of us.
3️⃣ To Help Others – Offerings help the church teach about Jesus, help people in need, and share God’s love.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:7,
"God loves a cheerful giver!" That means God is happy when we give with a joyful heart!

Prayer for Offering

Dear God, thank You for giving us everything we need. We want to give back to You with joyful hearts. Please use our offering to help others and share Your love. Help us to always trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Review Verse from Last Week

2Psalm Peter 3:9145:8 (NIV) —'"The LordLORD is notgracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.'love."

• “The Lord is not slow”LORD”

  (Point upward to represent "the Lord" and shake head "no" for "not slow")upward)

• “inis keepinggracious hisand promise”compassionate”

  (CrossOpen hands overlike heartgiving toa represent "keeping promise")gift)

• “asslow someto understand slowness”anger”

  (TapShake head for "understand" and move hands slowly for "slowness")slowly)

• “Instead he is patient with you”

  (Fold hands together calmly to show "patience" and pointrich toin others for "with you")

• “not wanting anyone to perish”

  (Shake head "no" and look sad for "not wanting" and "perish")

• “but everyone to come to repentance.love.”

  (OpenCross arms wideover for "everyone" and make turning motion with hands for "repentance")chest)

Supplies Needed

• Bible - Open to Isaiah 42:13 and Luke 15:11-2019:30, 35-38
• BagBlessing of moneyBox (play money or a small pouch with coins)
• Picture of pigs (printed or drawn)
• Visual aids - Three simple picture cards showing:containing:
  • SonA 1:piece Sonof asking for inheritancecandy
  • SonA 2:wash Sonpail inand povertyscrub with pigsbrush
  • SonReward 3:visual Father(picture welcomingshowing sonvacation, homenew bike, money, etc.)
• LetterVisual Maids:
  • Z-Zealous visual - Large letter "M"Z" for "Merciful"Zealous"
  • Ten Plagues visual (from previous lessons)
  • Palm Leaf visual (or real palm leaves)
  • Triumphal Entry visual
  • Crown visual (or inexpensive costume crown)
  • Sin visual
• Props:
  • Large chair covered with cloth (to represent a throne)
  • Jewelry box (placed on a small table or stand)
  • Pail with crumpled paper/trash (to represent sin)
  • Cloths to cover the throne, jewelry box, and garbage
• Memory Verse - PsalmIsaiah 145:842:13 written on a slide or posterboard
• Craft supplies - "M"Z" worksheets, crayons, markers
• Game materials - PrintedBible picturesevent ofcards theand prodigalmatching sonpicture story sequence, tapecards

Additional Scripture References

• PsalmIsaiah 145:8-942:13 (NIV) - "The LORD isgoes graciousout andlike compassionate,a slowmighty toman, angerlike anda richman inof love. The LORD is good to all;war he hasstirs compassionup onhis allzeal; he hascries made.out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes."
• TitusLuke 3:5a19:30, 35-38a (NIV) - Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem
• Hebrews 12:2b (NIV) - "HeFor savedthe us,joy notset becausebefore him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of righteousthe things we had done, but becausethrone of his mercy."
• 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) - "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
• Romans 2:4 (NIV) - "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?God."

Bible Story (10 min): God is MercifulZealous

Introduction (1 min)

(HoldTake upout a small bagpiece of coins or play moneycandy and speaka scrub brush with enthusiasm.a pail from the Blessing Box.)

Boys and girls, look what I have here—a bagquestion offor money!you. ImagineIf if your dad or momI gave you alla choice between these two things—eating this money.piece Whatof candy OR scrubbing the floor with this brush—which would you do with it? Would you save it? Buy something nice? Share with others?choose?

(Let themchildren answervote briefly.by raising hands. Most will likely choose candy.)

TodayNow, we'rewhat goingif I told you that if you choose to hearscrub athe storyfloor, Jesusyou toldwould about a son who asked his father for money. But instead of using it wisely, he made some very bad choices. And yet, something amazing happened when he returned home! This story will teach us aboutget a special wordreward: thata describesvacation whattrip Godanywhere you want to go, a new bike, five new games, $100, AND all the candy you want! Now which would you choose?

(Take a vote again. Show the Reward visual.)

Sometimes people choose to do a harder thing because in the end, it gives a better and greater reward! And if the reward is like:something MERCIFUL.we really want, we'll work very hard to get it—with great eagerness and energy. We'll do it "wholeheartedly"!

Story Telling (5 min) - TheGod's ProdigalZeal Sonin Action

What about God? When He decides to do something, do you think He goes about it with great eagerness and energy? Does He do things wholeheartedly?

For example, when the people of Israel were slaves in Egypt, did God want them to be free? Did He decide to act and free them? Did He do it in a "ho-hum" lazy kind of way? No!

(UseShow propsthe ifTen possible:Plagues visual.)

God acted wholeheartedly with great eagerness and energy to free His people. God acted wholeheartedly to defeat the Egyptian armies and Pharaoh.

There's a bagspecial word the Bible uses to mean that God acts wholeheartedly with great eagerness and energy to bring about His plans. It's a word that begins with the letter "Z".

(Have the children turn to Isaiah 42:13 in their Bibles. Read it aloud.)

"The LORD goes out like a mighty man, like a man of playwar money,he stirs up his zeal; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes."

What word begins with the letter Z in this verse? That's right—zeal! God acts like a picturemighty soldier going out to battle. He acts with ZEAL—with His whole heart, never in a "ho-hum" or lazy way.

(Show the Z-Zealous visual.)

God is zealous. He acts with His whole heart.

As much as God was zealous to free the people of pigs,Israel andfrom considerEgypt, havingthere threeis simplesomething pictureHe cardsis representingeven more zealous about. Let me tell you about a time when Jesus showed His zeal.

(Begin telling the three stagesstory of theJesus son'sentering journey.Jerusalem.)

Jesus toldhad spent three years telling people about who God is and what He is like. During that time, Jesus worked many miracles: healing the sick and blind, feeding 5,000 hungry people, and even making dead people come to life again! Now, Jesus had an important mission, and to do it, He had to enter the city of Jerusalem.

Before entering Jerusalem, Jesus gave two of His disciples a storyspecial about a father who had two sons. One day, the younger son camejob to hisdo. fatherHe withtold a very disrespectful request.them:

(Hold up your Bible and readRead from Luke 15:11-12.19:30, 35-36.)

"JesusGo continued:into 'Therethe wasvillage in front of you, where on entering you will find a mancolt whotied, hadon twowhich sons. The youngerno one saidhas ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here... And they brought it to hisJesus, father,and "Father,throwing givetheir mecloaks my share ofon the estate."colt, Sothey set Jesus on it. And as he dividedrode hisalong, propertythey betweenspread them.'their cloaks on the road."

(Show the bagPalm ofLeaf money.visual and Triumphal Entry visual.)

OhOther my!people Thein sonthe wascrowd notcut beingpalm niceleaves atand all!laid Hethem wason saying,the "Dad,road Itoo. wantAs myJesus moneycame rightnear, now,all IHis don'tfollowers wantbegan to wait!"rejoice Butand guesspraise what?God Thewith fatherloud stillvoices gavefor himall the money,mighty evenworks thoughthey thehad sonseen, was not being a good son.

Soon after, the son packed up all his things and went far, far away from home.saying:

(ReadHave fromthe Lukechildren 15:13-14.say Ifthis possible,part have a small garbage can or wastebasket handy.together:)

"NotBlessed long after that,is the youngerKing sonwho gotcomes togetherin allthe hename had,of setthe offLord!"

for

a

(Uncover distantthe countrythrone chair and therecrown squanderedvisual.)

his

wealth

The inpeople wildbelieved living.that AfterJesus hewas hadthe spentpromised everything,King of Israel. In Jerusalem, there was a severepalace, faminea throne, and a crown. They thought Jesus had come to Jerusalem to sit on the throne, wear a crown, and be the king they had been expecting.

But Jesus was on a different kind of mission.

(Uncover the garbage pail/trash and jewelry box.)

This jewelry box reminds us that God is glorious—He shows His greatness and worth. Is there anything or anyone greater or more valuable than God? No! But do we always act like we treasure and love God most of all? No, we don't.

That's why this pile of dirty, stinky garbage is here—to remind us of what sin is like. And God feels anger toward sin. He is right to punish sin.

(Place the Sin visual on the pile of trash.)

When Jesus entered Jerusalem that day, it was a little like the people in thatthe wholecrowd country,were holding out a piece of candy for Him—"Jesus, come and hesit beganon this nice throne and wear this beautiful crown."

But just like how many of you changed your mind about wanting the easy-to-get candy when you knew there was a better reward for doing the hard work of scrubbing, Jesus knew something similar. While it would have been easier and more fun for Jesus to bego in need."

The son spent all his father's moneysit on sillya things!throne, Hewear boughta toyscrown, and treatsbe treated like a king, there was a reward that didn'twas lastmuch, long.much Itmore important to Him—the greatest reward of all.

(Point to the jewelry box.)

Jesus was likegoing takingto hisshow father'sthe moneyglory andof justGod throwingby saving His sinful people. That is the greatest reward of all! So, do you think Jesus would go about doing it in thea trash!

(Place money near"ho-hum" or inbored thekind garbageof can as a visual)

And then, there was no food to eat where he lived. The son got very, very hungry. He made bad choices, and now he was very sad.way?

(Show the pictureZ-Zealous ofvisual pigs and read Luke 15:15-16.again.)

"SoNo! heJesus wentis God, and hiredHe himselfis outzealous. He is zealous to ashow citizenthe glory of thatGod country,by whosaving sentsinners himlike you and me. But to hisdo fields to feed pigs.it, He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything."

Can you imagine being so hungry that you want to eat the same food that pigs eat? Eww! The son made some really bad choices, and now he had to takedo carethe hardest, most painful job of stinky pigs andall—He had no food to eat.

(Read Luke 15:17-19.)

"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.'"

The son started thinking: "My dad's workers have food to eat, but I'm so hungry! I need to go home and telldie my dad I'm sorry. I wason a badcross. son.And MaybeHe he'llwould letdo me be his worker."

(Read Luke 15:20it with excitement and emotion.)

"So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filledzeal—acting with compassionHis forwhole him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."

What did the father do? Did he yell at his son? Did he punish him? No! The father RAN to his son, HUGGED him, and KISSED him! The father was so happy to see his son, even though the son had done terrible things!heart.

Wrap-up & Discussion (4 min)

(Sit with the children in a circle or relaxed posture.)

InWhat thisspecial story, the sonword did awe lotlearn ofabout badGod things,today? didn'tThat's he?right—God is zealous. He wasacts notwith niceHis whole heart.

Just like a good soldier who goes into battle with great energy and determination, God does everything with His whole heart. He never gives up. He never gets lazy or bored.

When God decided to hissave dad,His hepeople wastedfrom all the money, and he made many bad choices.Egypt, He shoulddid haveit beenwith inzeal! bigWhen trouble!Jesus But instead of punishing him, the father showed him something special: MERCY.

Mercy means being kindcame to someonesave us from our sins, He did it with zeal! Even when it was hard—even when they'veit beenmeant bad.dying Theon fathera showedcross—Jesus mercywas zealous to hisdo sonwhat bywould givingbring himglory ato big hugGod and welcomingsave himpeople home,from eventheir though the son did wrong things.sins.

This story helps us understand that God is merciful.zealous We all do wrongfor things sometimes that makematter Godmost—His sad.glory Theand BibleHis calls these wrong things "sin." When we do wrong things, we should get in trouble. But God is merciful—He is kind to us even when we do bad things.

The most important thing to remember is that God's mercy is a gift. We can't earn God's mercy by being extra good or doing lots of good things. The son couldn't earn his father's love back—the father just gave it freely because he loved his son so much. God gives us mercy becausepeople. He loves us,you notwith becauseHis we'vewhole beenheart goodand enough.acts with great energy and determination to take care of you.

Ask a few gentle, reflective questions:

1. HowIf a soldier isn't zealous about winning a battle, what might happen? (He might lose, give up easily, or not try his hardest)
2. Why do you think theit's son felt when his father welcomed him home with a hug instead of a punishment?
3. Can you think of a time when you did something wrong but someone showed you mercy (they were kind to you instead of punishing you)?
4. How does it make you feel to knowgood that God is mercifulzealous andinstead lovesof lazy or half-hearted?
5. What does it tell you about Jesus that He was zealous to save people, even when it meant dying on a cross?
6. What are some things you makefeel mistakes?zealous about—things you pursue with your whole heart?

(Bring it together with this summary.)

God's mercy is like the best present ever! He gives us kindness and says "I forgive you" even whenWhen we mess up. The most amazing way God shows His mercy is by sending Jesus to take our punishment so we can be in God's family. Just like the father in our story ran to give his son a big hug, God wants to give us a big hug when we say we're sorry for the wrong things we do.

Did you know that God shows mercy to everyone every day, even people who don't know Him? The Bible says in Psalm 145:9, "The LORD is goodzealous, to all; he has compassion on all he has made."

How does God show mercy to everyone? Let's think about some ways:

• Heit gives us sunshinegreat tocomfort. playIt in
• He sends rain to make flowers grow
• He gives us yummy food to eat
• He gives us families and friends who love us
• He makes pretty things for us to see

All these good things are gifts frommeans God becausewill never give up on His plans or His people. He ispursues merciful and kind!what He loves takingwith careHis whole heart!

The most amazing thing is that God is zealous for YOU. Just like a soldier charges into battle with determination and energy, God is zealous to bring you close to Him and make you part of usHis becausefamily. He loveswants usyou soto much.know Him and love Him.

Remember, God always acts with His whole heart. He never does anything halfway or with a bored attitude. And nothing can stop God from accomplishing what He has planned!

Memorizing Verse: PsalmIsaiah 145:842:13

PsalmIsaiah 145:842:13 (NIV)
"The LORD isgoes graciousout andlike compassionate,a slowmighty toman, angerlike anda richman inof love.war he stirs up his zeal; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes."

"Now let's learn a special Bible verse that tells us whatabout GodGod's is like.zeal. Listen carefully as I say it."

(Read slowly and clearly, pointing to the words if displayed):

💡 Break It Down & Explain

Let's say it together—repeat after me!

(Say in short phrases and have kids echo):

• "The LORD"LORD goes out" (pointmarch in place)
• "like a mighty man," (flex muscles)
• "like a man of war" (stand at attention like a soldier)
• "he stirs up his zeal;" (make stirring motion)
• "he cries out," (cup hands around mouth)
• "he shouts aloud," (raise hands up)
• "ishe graciousshows andhimself compassionate"mighty" (openflex handsmuscles like giving a gift)again)
• "slowagainst tohis anger" (shake head slowly)
• "and rich in love.foes." (crossmake armsa overpushing chest)away motion)

(Say it again a little faster as a group.)

Now let's talk about what this means.

• "Gracious"The meansLORD goes out like a mighty man" - God givesis usstrong goodand thingspowerful, aslike presents.a warrior!
• "Compassionate"He meansstirs up his zeal" - God feelsgets sad when we're sadexcited and wantsdetermined toabout helpwhat us.He's doing.
• "SlowHe tocries anger"out, meanshe shouts aloud" - God doesn't getact madquietly quicklyor when we make mistakes.half-heartedly.
• "RichHe inshows love"himself meansmighty against his foes" - God haswill soalways muchwin loveagainst forHis us - it never runs out!enemies!

Craft & Game (10 mins)

Craft (5 min)

Download and print the letter "Z" worksheet here for children.

(Hold up a large printed letter "M"Z" and say cheerfully):

Now we're going to do a fun craft to help us remember that God is mercifulzealous. 'M'Z' stands for MercifulZealous!

(Hand out a copy of the large 'M'Z' on paper to each child, along with crayons, markers, or stickers.)

I want you to drawdecorate ayour pictureletter inside"Z" orto aroundremind the 'M'you that remindsGod youacts ofwith today'sHis story.whole heart. You could draw thea fathersoldier, hugginga his son,crown, or anythingJesus elseriding thatinto helps you remember God's mercy.Jerusalem!

(While kids draw, walk around and chat with them individually, prompting reflection)

• What was your favorite part of today's story?
• How does it feel to knowmean that God lovesis zealous?
• Why do you eventhink whenGod youis makelike mistakes?a soldier going into battle?
• WhoWhat couldwas youJesus bezealous kind to this week, even if they aren't nice to you?
• Have you ever done something wrong and had to say sorry?about?
• Can you think of a time when someone was nice to you evenwere zealous about something—when you weren'treally, beingreally good?wanted something?
• How diddoes thatit make you feel?feel to know that God acts with His whole heart to take care of you?

(After 4–5 minutes, invite kids to share their art aloud if time allows.)

These are beautiful! Each 'M'Z' reminds us that God givesis mercyzealous—He toacts peoplewith whoHis don'twhole deserve it.heart!

Game (5 min)

Setup (before class):

• PrintPrepare out12 orBible drawevent simplecards picturesthat showingdescribe times when God acted with zeal
• Prepare 12 matching picture cards that illustrate each event
• Tape the prodigalBible son'sevent journey:cards 1)on Askingthe for money, 2) Wasting money, 3) With pigs, 4) Coming home, 5) Father hugging sonwall
• Mix upPlace the pictures
picture
• Bringcards tapein ora stickygift tackbag

(Gather the group and explain):

Let's play a game called The Son'God's BigZealous JourneyActions! IOn havethe pictureswall fromare ourcards storythat alltell mixedabout up. When I say GO, your job is to work together and put themtimes in the rightBible orderwhen -God likeacted makingwith zeal—with His whole heart. In this bag are pictures that match each event.

When it's your turn, you'll pick a storypicture train!

from

Afterthe webag getand themtry to match it with the right Bible event on the wall. We'll talk about how God showed His zeal in order,each we'll find the part where someone shows kindness!event!

(Let children arrangetake turns matching the pictures into sequence.the Bible events.)

Great job! Now,All pointthese tostories theshow picture where you see someone being kind even when they didn't have to be. That's right—when the father gives his son a big hug, that's showing mercy!how God is like that father - He's always ready to welcome usacts with openHis armswhole whenheart. weHe comeis backzealous toabout Him.everything He does!

Response Song

Optional Activity: Memory Verse Sun-CatcherGame

Materials needed (if time allows):

• PrintedChoose copiesa ofMemory PsalmVerse 145:8Review onGame translucentfrom oryour tracingcurriculum paper (one per child)
• Colored markers
• String (optional for hanging)resources

If we have some extra time, we're going to makeplay a specialfun sun-catchergame withto help us remember our memoryverse verse! When you hang it in a window at home, the sunlight will shine through it likeabout God's love shines on us every day.

I'll give each of you a special paper with our Bible verse. You can color it with bright, happy colors. Then you can take it home and hang it in a window to remember that God is kind and merciful!zeal!

Closing Prayer & Snack Time (10 mins)

Dear God,

Thank You for being so merciful to us.zealous.
Thank You for lovingacting uswith evenYour whenwhole we don't deserve it.heart.
Thank You for allnot thegiving waysup Youwhen showthings usget mercy every day—
The food we eat, the sun that shines, the air we breathe.hard.
Thank You for sendingJesus, Jesuswho was zealous to showsave us,
even when it meant dying on the cross.
Help us whatto be zealous for the things that matter to You.
Help us to love You with our whole hearts,
just as You love us with Your mercywhole looks like.heart.
Thank You that we don'tcan have to earn Your love—it's a gift!
Help us to show mercy to others just liketrust You showbecause mercyYou tonever us.
Helpdo usanything to remember that we need Your mercy every day.halfway.

Now, let us thank You for the snack we’re about to enjoy.
We fold our hands.
We bow our heads.
We thank You, God,
for this daily bread.
Amen.

Free Time & Children Pickup (15 mins)