YEA Lesson Library
We Must Tell Others!
About This Lesson
This lesson teaches that knowing Jesus Christ is the best treasure anyone can have. It’s our job to share Jesus Christ with others.
Scriptures
Ecclesiastes 5:15
Matthew 6:19-21
Matthew 28:16-20
Matthew 28:19-20
John 1:35-42
John 3:16
John 14:6
Romans 12:1-2
1 Corinthians 1:17-24
Ephesians 3:16-4:1
Colossians 2:1-6
1 Peter 2:12
1 Peter 3:13-17
Words to Know
OPPORTUNITY - a chance to do something
TREASURE - something that is worth a lot
The Lesson
On January 24,1848, gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in California. That started one of the largest movements of people across the country in our history. People were attracted to the idea of finding gold and becoming rich overnight simply by digging. Today we call those early prospectors “forty-niners.” News of the gold strike made its way back east. People traveled west in search of their fortune.
When the gold was gone in California, more gold was discovered in Idaho, Alaska, and later in Cripple Creek, Colorado. So much silver was mined in Nevada that today Nevada’s nickname is “The Silver State.” Much later, “black gold” was found in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and other states. You probably know “black gold” as oil.
The miners hoped to get rich quick through these discoveries. They wanted the money to buy whatever their hearts desired. Even today, many people hope to make enough money (by gambling, lottery, luck, inheritance, and occasionally by hard work) that they won’t have to work anymore.
There is a problem with gold, silver, oil, money, diamonds, or whatever material treasure you desire. The world does not contain enough of these things for everyone to be rich. If everyone could have as much gold as he or she wanted, gold wouldn’t be worth very much anymore. Some people fight over gold and money. Some try to save it, but most spend more of it than they have.
The really crazy thing about money and valuables is they don’t last. Money is only good as long as you have it. When you eventually die, what good are those riches? King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 5:15, “Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand.”
You’ve heard the saying, “You can’t take it with you.” Money does you no good after you’re dead, so what’s the use of chasing after any treasure? Well, there is one treasure that is very much worth looking for! This treasure is not hard to find, but many people don’t recognize it. This treasure can be shared with everyone, but not many know how much it is truly worth. This treasure is something that you already know a lot about. Are you willing to share this treasure with others? It means the difference between life and death for everyone. Do you know what the treasure is?
This incredible treasure means life for those who find it. This treasure is Jesus Christ. Really! Paul says in Colossians 2:3, that in Jesus “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” But more than wisdom and knowledge, Jesus Christ is life for each of us. Jesus told us, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The only way to eternal life is to believe in Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Do you truly believe that this is the greatest treasure? Are you willing to share this treasure with others?
Some of Jesus’ last words are a command to tell others about Himself. We must tell others about Jesus’ life, His death, His resurrection, and His work in us today. Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).
How do you tell others about Jesus Christ? One of the best ways to get people to listen is by living your life as a Christian. If you are loving, kind, generous, and helpful, many people will be attracted by the love of God that shines through you. By allowing God to work in your life to do good deeds to others, you will have opportunities to talk to people about Jesus Christ. “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). In this case, actions speak a lot louder than words!
You have an opportunity to share a treasure that is worth far more than gold and silver. God may give you the opportunity to share Jesus Christ with someone who is ready to listen to the story of Jesus’ life and what Jesus has done for those who believe in Him. If you are willing to be used by God, who knows how many people could be in God’s kingdom?
Student Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Please help me know when to tell others about Jesus Christ. Help me to live my life so that people will want to know about your Son.
In His name we pray.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Matthew 28:16-20
Monday - Colossians 2:1-6
Tuesday - 1 Corinthians 1:17-24
Wednesday - 1 Peter 3:13-17
Thursday - Ephesians 3:16-4:1
Friday - Romans 12:1-2
Saturday - John 1:35-42
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Compare worldly treasure and the treasure of knowing Jesus Christ.
2. Recite Matthew 28:19-20 as the Great Commission.
3. Tell how godly actions can open doors to witnessing.
4. Recognize their responsibility to tell others about Jesus.
Topics & Themes
Baptism
Disciples
God’s Love
Great Commission
Holy Conduct
Holy Spirit
Obedience
Sharing the Gospel
Treasure
Materials Needed
Bible, student and teacher’s books, attendance and memory verse charts, pencils, compasses, scissors, erasers, crayons, yellow construction paper, banner or poster board to display “money”, chalk board and chalk or poster, songbook, CD/cassette tape and music player, awards, paper and markers.
Preparation
Our children have incredible opportunities to tell others about Jesus Christ; we cannot afford to discount their value in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. That’s one of the reasons we try so diligently to teach them accurately about Jesus Christ. Children do not have the cynicism of adults; when they are told a thing is a certain way, they naively accept it. So do their friends. Who knows how many fertile seeds can be sown through a child telling his or her friends about Jesus Christ! One of the easiest ways for a child to spread the gospel is by inviting a friend to come to Sabbath School with them. Encourage your class each week to do this.
Although a child may be naive and trusting, he can spot insincerity and patronization quickly. Adults’ unwillingness to live the life of a Christian, to submit to the guidance, direction, and will of God has a profound effect on the children around them. We certainly cannot ask our children to do more than we ourselves are willing to do. We know that living godly lives can engender criticism, ridicule, and persecution. It is humbling to discover that children can be more willing to endure this than the adults around them. These are serious issues to consider before teaching this lesson to the juniors.
Allow time for each student to recite Psalm 23, their larger memory work for this book. Give those who can do it a small award. Tell them that the award is because they love Jesus so much that they memorized Psalm 23. If any students cannot recite it, tell them that you will expect to hear it next week.
How to Teach This Lesson
GOLD RUSH - Discuss with the students the 1848-49 gold rush and similar mining endeavors. Why do gold and other treasures lure people? What do they hope to gain? Ask the students what they would do if they were given a million dollars. Then ask the students what happens to people who become obsessed with making money. What happens when there is enough of something for everyone to have as much as they want (sand on the seashore)?
WORLDLY POSSESSIONS - Talk about worldly possessions being transitory, or temporary. Talk about Ecclesiastes 5:15. What does the phrase, “You can’t take it with you” mean? Now turn to Matthew 6:19-21. Contrast worldly treasure and godly treasure. What kind of treasure is Matthew 6 talking about?
JESUS CHRIST - Help the students to understand that the belief in Jesus Christ that leads to godly actions is a far greater treasure than anything this world has to offer. Ask them why that would be so. What do we gain from eternal life? 1 Corinthians 2:9 tells us that eye has not seen, nor ear heard what God has prepared for those who love Him. Our children are used to immediate gratification. It’s imperative that they discover that God is preparing something for us that is far greater than the worldly possessions we see. Ask the students what they think they should do with this treasure, the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
THE GREAT COMMISSION - Recite Matthew 28:19-20. Check to see who has the memory verse memorized. Tell the students that this command was given to them too. What does the Great Commission mean to them, personally?
ACTIONS - Talk about how actions determine the people with whom we want to hang out. Discuss how we’d rather listen to someone we admire than someone who is offensive to us. Lead the students to discover how their actions make opportunities to share Jesus Christ with the people around them.
WILLINGNESS TO SHARE - Discuss the criticism, ridicule, and persecution that may result from living a godly life and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
Discuss 1 Peter 2:12.
Review Questions
1. What is the difference between worldly treasures (like gold, money) and the treasure of knowing Jesus Christ?
2. What is the Great Commission?
3. What does the Great Commission mean to you personally?
4. How do actions play a part in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with others?
5. Should you tell others about Jesus Christ? Why or why not?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Have the students share the scriptures they would use if they were talking with someone about Jesus Christ. Write the scripture references on the board. Have the students quote or paraphrase each scripture reference they volunteer. Once you have accumulated enough scripture references for each student to have at least five, tell the students that they are going to use these references for making their own “money.” Using compasses, have the students draw circles (about two inches in diameter) on yellow construction paper. Cut out the circles. Write one scripture reference on each circle. Then tape or paste the “money” under a banner titled “Treasure in Heaven.” Alternative idea: Before class, cut a pot out of poster board and write on it the caption, “Our Gold at the End of the Rainbow.” Tape the “money” in piles around and in the pot. Display the students’ work where the church members can see it.
REACH Activity
Word Study: Didasko (did-as’-ko)
The Greek word for “teaching” in Matthew 28:20 is didasko, which means to teach, specifically to instruct by word of mouth.
Jesus told His disciples to tell others about Him, not to give them a book and tell them to read it. He wanted each of us to tell His story to other people. An important part of this word didasko (of verbally telling people the story of Jesus) is the increase of their understanding about Him and what He can do for them in their lives. It is not enough to let your pastor preach; Jesus wants you to be able to share the Gospel with others too.
Did You Know?
It was because of persecution that Jesus’ Apostles and disciples took the Gospel to all nations. They began with Judea, then spread to Samaria, as far south as Ethiopia, north along the Mediterranean coast into what is today Turkey, and west to Cyprus. Eventually, Paul went to Rome. From Rome, the Gospel of Jesus spread throughout the Roman Empire to provinces as far away as Africa and Europe. (Source: NIV Archaeological Study Bible, p. 1781.)
Music Notes: We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations
“We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” on page 145 of the CEM Hymnal was written in 1896 by Henry Ernest Nichol (1862-1926), and published in The Sunday School Hymnary. Some hymnals show the composer as Colin Sterne, which was Nichols’ pseudonym. (His pseudonym is an anagram of the letters of his name.) Henry Ernest Nichol was originally planning to be an engineer. However, he switched his studies to music, graduating from Oxford University in 1888. Most of his hymn tunes were written for Sunday School anniversaries.
Read the words to the hymn. Then read these Scriptures: Psalm 67:2; Matthew 22:14; Mark 16:15: Luke 24:47; John 12:46; Revelation 15:4. Write in your Bible notebook how each of these Scriptures relates to the hymn. (Source: Amazing Grace, Osbeck, K., p. 36; www.cyberhymnal.org.)
Journal Jot
Why should you tell others about Jesus? Why can’t your minister, your parents, adults share the Gospel for you? Does Matthew 28:19-20 apply to you? Why or why not? Write your thoughts in your Bible notebook. Then, when your parents have time to sit and talk about this topic, share your thoughts with them. Brainstorm together what you can do (both as an individual and as a family) to actively share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Back to the Bible
“Always be prepared to give an answer. . . is from 1 Peter 3:15. You can always be prepared by spending time reading and learning through God’s Holy Word, the Bible. Your parents and other family members, as well as your minister, can help you understand a Scripture that is unclear to you. Just as with any job or task that you undertake, preparation is so important. To tell others the good news, you will need to be a student or disciple of Jesus Christ. That means you will need to study Scripture to “show yourself approved” as one who will “correctly handle the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 NIV). Jesus Christ is your example of how to love others. Be gentle and compassionate as you share the good news so that the light of Jesus Christ shines through you. He will be with you always!
Just Toolin’ Around
Create a “map of nations.” Use a Bible map and draw the area where the Gospel was first taken to all nations. (See Did You Know on previous page.) Write the YEA lesson memory verse on your map. Share the map with family or class.
Stretch It Out
I Love to Tell the Story—He Lives! Give the students an opportunity to share their timelines and/or murals with the family or the class. This experience will give them practice in “telling the story.”
Questions?
Remember to write any questions you have in your notebook. That way you will remember to ask your parents, teacher, or minister.
Culmination activities
1. Create/publish a pamphlet, brochure, newsletter, magazine, or newspaper that explains the “story” of Jesus.
2. Look up the word “legacy” in a dictionary. Begin writing your own legacy: What will future generations read from your legacy about your journey with Jesus Christ?
Song
“Everybody Ought to Know” is on page 11 in Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Lead the students to ask God for His help in sharing the treasure of Jesus Christ with others.
Printable Pages
