YEA Lesson Library
The Narrow Way
About This Lesson
This lesson teaches that Jesus Christ is the only way to Eternal Life. You must accept Him as your Savior. When you sin, you must repent and get back on the narrow way.
Scriptures
Deuteronomy 4:29
Psalm 5:1-8
Proverbs 14:7-12
Isaiah 35:8-10
Matthew 7:13-14
Luke 13:24-30
John 10:9-11
John 14:6
1 Timothy 2:4
James 1:12
2 Peter 3:9
Revelation 3:20-22
Revelation 7:9
Revelation 21:3-4
Words to Know
DESTRUCTION - in this usage, eternal death
REPENTANT - sorry for sinful actions or thoughts, and willing to change to follow God’s way
SACRIFICE - Christ’s death for each of us in payment for our sins
SALVATION - redemption from death, eternally living with God in His Kingdom
The Lesson
Most people enjoy mazes. A maze seems to draw us in. We want to figure them out. Mazes were popular in Europe in the 1700s. Some people even made formal gardens into mazes created out of shrubs and bushes. When those shrubs and bushes got big, it was easy to get lost in the maze. And it’s easy to get lost in this world without Jesus Christ.
You are used to your teachers and parents encouraging you to work on your own. So you become really independent. You can do much on your own. Unfortunately, adults sometimes forget to tell you that you need Jesus Christ. If you don’t live your life with Jesus, it’s like driv- ing a car the wrong way down a highway. You may travel along at a high rate of speed for a while. But sooner or later, an obstacle, such as another car, is going to stop you!
Jesus tells us, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” He wasn’t just talking about this life, and making our way through it. Jesus was also talking about eternal life in the Kingdom of God. In the New Jerusalem, God will dwell with His people. This sounds like a place we all want to be. Most people are tired of living in a world where friends and pets die, where there is so much disease, hurting, and crime. We want a place where there will be no more suffering. So how do we get to this wonderful place? We have to live this life with Jesus Christ.
In John 10:9, Jesus tells us, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” Accepting Jesus Christ, believing that He is the Son of God, and knowing that He died for your sins is the only way to get eternal life. It is a free and wonderful gift from our Heavenly Father. God knew that we were not going to be able to earn eternal life. It’s too easy to get lost in sins. So God sacrificed His own Son for you and for me. Eternal life is a gift from God!
So, why did Christ say, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it”? Christ said that it’s very difficult to find that narrow way because we are too independent. We want to do our own will. We don’t want to follow Jesus. We don’t want to enter into the gate that is Jesus Christ. We’d rather try to go down the street the wrong way!
Yes, salvation is a free gift from God—it is eternal life! But once on that narrow road to eternal life, you have to stay there. At times we find it hard to follow God and keep His commandments. We fail. We sin. Does that mean that we’re lost forever? No, it means that we need to confess our sins to God and get back on the road. He will forgive our sins if we ask with a repentant heart. If we try to keep God’s commandments and follow His way, we are on that narrow road. God will know that we love Him through the things we do. God blesses the person who does the right thing, even when it’s difficult to do. In the end, He will give them eternal life.
The godly road is narrow. The gate is Jesus Christ. There is no other way to make it into God’s Kingdom except through Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father wants all of us to have eternal life. Peter tells us God does not want anyone to die and be separated from Him forever. He wants everyone to repent and have eternal life. The Apostle Paul writes that God, our Savior, “wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).
John gives us hope that God will give eternal life to a huge number of people. He saw in a vision more people than he could count standing before the throne of God. There were people from every nation, speaking many different languages. These people had accepted Jesus as their Savior. Jesus Christ’s death was the payment for their sins. And they were given eternal life.
Jesus is creating a wonderful place for His people. It is where you want to be. So, accept Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for you. Keep God’s commandments as well as you can. Then ask God’s forgiveness when you fail. Go through the gate that is Jesus Christ. Make every effort to stay on the narrow road. Find your way through this maze called life by walking with Jesus Christ.
Student Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. I know He has made it possible for me to live with you. There will be no pain or tears. Help me, Father, to stay on that narrow road. Help me when I make a decision to always choose your way. Thank you for your love for me.
In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Matthew 7:13-14
Monday - Luke 13:24-30
Tuesday - Deuteronomy 4:29
Wednesday - Revelation 3:20-22
Thursday - Isaiah 35:8-10
Friday - Psalm 5:1-8
Saturday - Proverbs 14:7-12
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Explain how to get eternal life and salvation.
2. Tell that eternal life is a free gift from God— there’s no way to earn it.
3. Explain why we need to follow God’s commandments if salvation is a free gift.
4. State that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should be saved.
Topics & Themes
Eternal Life
God’s Gift
God's Kingdom
God’s Law
God’s Will
Jesus, God the Son
Jesus, Savior
Loving God
Obedience
Repentance
Sin
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA Students’ and Teacher’s books, attendance and memory verse charts, stars, songbook, CD, CD player, blindfold, masking tape
Preparation
Find a picture of a formal garden, one laid out like a maze (see picture). The Hever Castle in England has a maze garden. Hever Castle was the home of Anne Boleyn, one of King Henry VIII’s wives. A visual will help students understand a life-size maze.
This lesson talks about the gift of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Preteens may not be ready to make the commitment to accept Jesus as their personal Savior. They are approach- ing the age when they are mature enough to make that decision, but they shouldn’t feel pressured into it. Explain that they should try to live according to God’s will, despite the fact they aren’t baptized yet.
Before the class arrives, lay out a maze on your classroom floor with masking tape. Make as many turns as you have room for. Allow early arrivals to work their way through the maze. This will generate interest when you begin the lesson.
How to Teach This Lesson
After opening with prayer, follow the lesson plan.
Trial and Error - Begin your lesson by talking about mazes and how people figure them out. Discuss the typical methodology of trial and error. Compare this method to how people tend to live their lives. Discuss how God gave us the Bible, containing His commandments, so that we wouldn’t have to live our lives by trial and error. We can make it through this maze called life much more easily if we choose God’s way. Talk about people who want to do things their own way. They probably know someone who will not accept advice or help from anyone else. More than likely, they’ve seen that being too independent isn’t always good. It can make life more difficult.
A Better Plan - Remind students that this life is not all there is. God has something planned that is much better than we know. Ask students to tell what they think it will be like to live with Christ in His Kingdom. Talk about how much better His Kingdom will be than living here on earth now.
The Way to Enter - Entrance into God’s Kingdom is not something you can earn. Make sure they are absolutely clear that keeping God’s commandments does not earn salvation and eternal life. Have someone read John 10:9 aloud. To enter the Kingdom of God, a person must come through the gate—Jesus Christ. Explain that salvation is a gift from God, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Why So Few? - Matthew 7:13-14 says the way to eternal life is a narrow way and only a few find it. The reason for this is, we want to do our own will. We become so independent that we think we don’t need to follow God’s narrow way. Proverbs 16:25 tells us that the ways of man lead to death.
“If You Love Me. . .” - Discuss the reason for keeping God’s commandments. Explain that we do not keep them to earn salvation, but because we love God. God’s commandments teach us what is right and wrong. When we keep them we’re happier and our lives work better. We love what God has done and is doing for us. And we show God we love Him by keeping His commandments (John 14:15). God promises blessings for those who love Him in James 1:12.
For Your Own Good - Explain that keeping the commandments is for our own good. God wants us to keep them so we won’t get hurt. When we break God’s Law there are consequences to be paid. Encourage students to follow God’s way— because it’s the way to make life work.
Review Questions
1. Why is being independent not always a good thing?
2. Can you earn salvation?
3. How does anyone get eternal life?
4. Since salvation is a free gift from God, why do we need to do such things as keeping His commandments?
5. How does God feel about giving salvation to people?
6. Does God want only a few people in His Kingdom? How do we know?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Blindfold one student at a time and stand him at the start of the floor maze. Have him try to walk the maze alone (that is next to impossible). Then have the others call out directions, such as, “three steps forward, turn left, four steps,” etc. Finally have one student lead a blindfolded student through the maze. Ask which way was easier. Explain that God would like to lead each of them through the maze of life, but they must be willing to follow Him.
REACH Activity
Word Study: Stenos
The Greek word “stenos” is translated “narrow” in Matthew 7:13 (NIV): “Enter through the narrow gate.” It is translated “strait” in the King James Version: “Enter ye in at the strait gate.” Stenos means narrow because of obstacles standing too closely. That is, the gate wouldn’t be too narrow if there weren’t things in the way. What kinds of things are in your life that stand in the way of you getting through the gate to Life?
Did You Know?
In John 10:9 Jesus tells us, “I am the gate,” and, like all gates, we have to go to it. The gate doesn’t come to us. Jesus emphasizes this idea in John 10:11-16, where He tells us He is the Good Shepherd. Shepherds at the time of Jesus led their sheep (as opposed to driving them). They did not call sheep randomly, but called only the sheep that belonged to them. The sheep responded to the voice of their own shepherd and followed only him. (Source: NIV Archaeological Study Bible, p. 1740).
Music Notes: Wherever He Lead I’ll Go
This hymn is found on page 197 of the CEM Hymnal. This is one of about 150 hymns (both words and music) written by Baylus Benjamin McKinney (1886-1952). He also composed the music to 115 additional hymns. Among hymns written by McKinney are “The Nail Scarred Hand,” “Breathe on Me,” and “Let Others See Jesus in You.”
The first verse gives the reason why we follow Jesus wherever He leads. What is that reason?
The second verse tells where we learn the will of Jesus. Where do we need to be to find His will?
The third verse tells where we may go as we’re following Him. What are some of the places Jesus may lead us? Why would He lead us through those places?
The fourth verse tells what we give to Jesus and why. What do we give Him? Why do we give Him these things?
How does this hymn relate to the YEA lesson? Make some notes in your Bible journal and plan to share what you’ve found with your family.
Journal Jot
After you have read the Music Notes and the Word Study on the previous page, spend some time thinking about how things can get in the way of following Jesus wherever He goes. Write about it in your journal. Then go back to Lesson 8 and think about how following Jesus relates to Lesson 7 and storing up treasure in heaven. Write about which comes first and why.
Back to the Bible
If you have ever moved or helped someone move, you know that a lot of time and planning must be done ahead of time. One job is to find a new place to live. It must be just the right size and have enough room for everyone. Jesus is preparing a special place for you to spend eternity. Jesus was talking with His disciples after they had shared the Last Supper. Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for them and they knew the way to the place. The disciples named Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered Thomas saying, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:1-7). This conversation took place just before He was betrayed and arrested. Before Jesus left His earthly home He wanted to be sure to explain many things to His disciples. He also wanted to reassure them that He was going to prepare a place for them. That place, of course, is the Kingdom of God. Jesus is the Way and He is the Gate that will lead you into eternal life with Him. Stop and think about how amazing it is that Jesus Christ is right now preparing a place for you! When He was speaking to Thomas, He was also speaking to you; His Word is truth for all of us. Remember to follow Jesus even when the footsteps lead through a narrow way. He wants you to come to Him in this life and in the New Jerusalem.
Just Toolin’ Around
Use your Bible and other Bible tools to discover what the New Jerusalem will look like. Write the information in your journal for future use.
Stretch It Out
Create a paper mosaic* of the New Jerusalem. Choose specific verses for an individual project. If the class is large, divide the verses and when the mosaics are completed piece them together. Present to another Sabbath School class or family.
* A mosaic is a picture created from small tiles. To make a paper mosaic, cut one-half inch squares of many different colors of paper. Piece these paper tiles together to make pictures of buildings, streets, trees, etc. If this is your first mosaic, you will want to lightly sketch your scene on poster or butcher paper before you begin. Glue each piece down on the paper as you put it in place so that a sudden shift doesn’t ruin your work. Remember that close-up, the mosaic may seem very rough; a more distant view is where the mosaic really looks neat.
Questions?
Remember to write any questions that you have in your journal. That way you will remember to ask your parents, teacher, or minister.
Song
“Come and Go With Me” is on page 83 of the Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Lead students in prayer to ask for God’s guidance in their daily lives. Encourage them to actively choose Jesus Christ as their model for life, and to tell God of this intent.
Printable Pages
