YEA Lesson Library
Rules, Rules, Rules
About This Lesson
This lesson teaches the importance of living by the Golden Rule.
Scriptures
Matthew 7:12
Luke 6:27-38
1 Corinthians 13:4
Ephesians 4:32
Words to Know
PERMISSION - when the person who owns something says you can use it or have it.
The Lesson
Kamie came to the teacher crying. Mrs. Gray asked what was wrong. Kamie answered, “Kyle hit me.” When Mrs. Gray asked why Kyle hit her, Kamie answered, “Because I ran off with his ball.”
Mrs. Gray told Kamie that wasn’t a very nice thing to do. She explained that Jesus had a special rule about how we should treat other people – its called the Golden Rule. Kamie wasn’t sure she wanted any more rules.
Jesus was teaching his disciples how they could be happy. He said they should love people who didn’t treat them right. They should do good things for them. They should even try to help them. Jesus said that anyone could love people who love you. But, it takes a special kind of love to love someone who is mean to you. It takes God’s love.
The Golden Rule says that you should treat others the way you want them to treat you. Jesus never did anything wrong. He never hit anyone. He didn’t take someone’s ball without his permission. He didn’t lie. He always obeyed His Mommy and Daddy. And He wants you to be like Him.
Mrs. Gray told Kamie that if she didn’t want Kyle to hit her she should be nice to him. If she didn’t want him to take her toys, she shouldn’t take his toys. She should treat him the way she wanted him to treat her.
When Jesus gives us rules they are for our own good. If you follow the rules you will be happy. Following the Golden Rule will help you be more like Jesus.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - 1 Corinthians 13:4
Monday - Ephesians 4:32
Tuesday - Luke 6:37
Wednesday - Luke 6:36
Thursday - Luke 6:27
Friday - Matthew 7:12
Saturday - Luke 6:31
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the children will be able to:
1. Recite the Golden Rule.
2. Explain that you treat others like you want to be treated.
3. Give examples of things they wouldn’t want done to them.
4. Tell how they do want to be treated.
Topics & Themes
Golden Rule
Holy Conduct
Jesus Sets Example
Jesus - Without Sin
Loving Others
Obedience
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA Students’ and Teacher’s books, attendance and memory verse charts, stars, songbook, CD or cassette tape, music player, puppet, poster paint, yarn, pie tins, construction paper, clip-style clothes pins
Preparation
“Kids need us to teach them what’s acceptable behavior, and why” (Raising Good Children). Your teaching extends beyond the words you say. You may not be aware of the many ways that the children in your class will imitate you. You are modeling faith, God’s love, good manners, patience, joy, kindness, and every aspect of Christian character. Keep them ever mindful that you are following Jesus’ example.
Use a puppet to answer the review questions. An inexpensive puppet may be purchased from you local Christian bookstore or toy store, or you can make your own. See lesson 6 in this book for instructions for making a sock puppet.
Cut out enough large red construction paper hearts for each child to have one. Attach clipstyle clothes pins to 12" pieces of yarn. Pour pink and white poster paint into two pie tins.
Review Questions
Use a puppet to answer the following questions. Ask the question and have the children raise their hand if they know the answer. That child may place the puppet on his/her hand and have the puppet answer the question. Pass the puppet around until each child has had a chance to answer a question.
1. Who can recite the memory verse?
2. How does Jesus want us to treat other people?
3. Why shouldn’t you take someone else’s toy?
4. Why shouldn’t you hit someone?
5. What do we call the rule we learned today?
6. If you keep the Golden Rule, will playing with your friends be more fun?
REACH Activity
Letter: R
Words: rules, ran, right
Sentence:
RULES KEEP EVERYONE SAFE. THE GOLDEN RULE IS A REMINDER OF HOW TO TREAT OTHERS RIGHT. FOLLOW THE GOLDEN RULE AND BE MORE LIKE JESUS.
Song
“This Is My Commandment” is on page 4 of the Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Dear God, Thank you that Jesus gave us the Golden Rule. Help me to remember to treat others like I want to be treated. It will make me and my friends happy when I do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Printable Pages
