The Wise and Foolish Builders

Lesson: Jesus is our Firm Foundation 

1. Story:

• Tell the story of "The Wise and Foolish Builders" based on Luke 6:47-49.
• Jesus liked to use a lot of stories when He taught the people. These stories are called “parables”.
• One day, Jesus was on a hill teaching the people about God.
• He told them that:
• no matter how good man was, he could never be good enough for God’s standards, based on his own works and efforts
• God loves His enemies and is kind to those who were evil
• If we know that only God can make us good enough, we will live right and treat others right.
• After teaching these things to the people, Jesus told them a parable about two men.
• These two men were building a house.
• One built his house on the rock — he dug deep to make sure he had a solid foundation.
• The other decided to build his house on the sand.
• Both houses looked nice when completed.
• But one day, a heavy rain came. The wind blew, the flood rose.
• The house on the rock got wet, but it stood firm.
• However, the house on the sand fell flat and was destroyed.

2.    Lesson: Good News for today!

• How many of you saw the news and pictures of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan? <show some pix to the kids> This reminds us that in such storms, many things are easily destroyed. Our hope and faith cannot be on them.
• When we build our house on sand, we’re building on our own abilities, our intelligence, our achievements, our money ... we think that we are good enough for God. But when the storms come, we realise that whatever we have built cannot stand.
• But when we build our house on the rock, we are building on the sure foundation — Jesus. Jesus calls us to “come to Him and hear His words and put them into practice.”
• Only He is good enough for God. Only He can make us good enough for God.
• And when we believe and trust in Him, we can stand firm till the end.
• Do we want to build our life on ourselves or on Jesus?
• Pray: Thank you Jesus that You are our sure foundation. You have done a perfect work on the cross, and all we can do is to trust in You and not be shaken. Thank you for keeping us safe in the storm. In Your name we pray, Amen.

3. Activity Suggestions:

• Song: The wise man built his house upon the rock or This Wise Man (sung to "This Old Man" tune)
• Illustration: Houses on Rock & Sand
• Worksheets: Dot to Dot
• Wordsearch: easier, harder
• Crossword puzzle: 

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YOUTH BIBLE STUDY

LEADER'S GUIDE

1.    Read Luke 6:27-45. Jesus was teaching people on a hill. He told them a lot of things. What were some of them? 

      Love your enemies, don’t judge others, what’s in the heart determines what comes out of the mouth

2.    What do you think His intentions were in teaching these things?

       Whatever good man thought he could do on his own works and efforts, Jesus raised the standards higher, e.g. Love others à Love your enemies.Vs. 35: God loves His enemies and is kind to those who were evilVs: 43-45: If we know that only God can make us good enough, we will live right and treat others right.

3.    In the parable Jesus told, what were the differences between the ways both men built their houses? What were the results that when the storm came?

        One man built his house on the rock — he dug deep to make sure he had a solid foundation. When the flood came, the house stood firm because it was well built.The other decided to build his house on the sand, without foundation. When the storm came, the house collapsed and was destroyed.

4.    Jesus said that the man who hears His words and puts them into practice is like the one who built his house on the rock. What do you think that means?

        We need to build on the right foundation. We cannot build on our own abilities, intelligence, achievements, money etc and think that we can be good enough for God. Because when the storm of God’s judgment comes, what we built cannot stand.Instead, we have to build our house on the sure foundation — Jesus. Only He is good enough for God. Only He can make us good enough for God. And when we believe and trust in Him, we can stand firm till the end.

5.    What foundation are you building your life on?

        Jesus

·       Pray: Thank you Jesus that You are our sure foundation. You have done a perfect work on the cross, and all we can do is to trust in You and not be shaken. Thank you for keeping us safe in the storm. In Your name we pray, Amen.