The most recent Sunday School Pack is below, earlier packs can be found here: Sunday School Packs
Sunday School – 7 March
Jesus has his feet anointed.
Hello and welcome to Sunday School. I hope you are all happy and well.
Today we are going to look at the story of when Jesus had his feet anointed by Mary. This story looks at how Mary, Lazarus’s sister, poured very expensive oil on Jesus’s feet. The Disciples were very upset as they thought Mary had wasted the oil. But Mary was actually showing that by using the oil, Jesus deserves to be honoured and worshiped and was special to her. Just like when we do something kind for our friends or family, we are showing them that they are very special to us. If I were to ask you to name your most prized possession, what would it be? To some of you, it might be a special toy that you have had from being a baby or it might be a special doll or souvenir. If a friend or family member came to visit you in your home, would you give your special toy or possession to that friend to show your love? That is what Mary did in our Bible story today.
The story is below along with some YouTube stories about Jesus having his feet anointed for you to watch afterwards. There are also some fun activities attached for you to try at home. I hope you have fun today learning all about Jesus and being kind to our friends and family.
The Story of Jesus having his feet anointed.
Jesus Was Anointed – Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8
The time was coming to celebrate the Passover. Every year, the Jewish people gathered together to remember a special event that happened long ago. When God’s people were slaves in Egypt, God did great things to rescue His people. God showed the pharaoh that He is in charge, and the pharaoh let God’s people go. God had used Moses to lead His people out of Egypt and to the promised land, God did not want the people to forget that time, so every year, the Jews had a feast. Many Jews travelled to Jerusalem to get ready for the special time.
Six days before the Passover feast began, Jesus went to the town of Bethany. Bethany was near Jerusalem and Jesus’ friend Lazarus lived there with his sisters, Mary and Martha. Lazarus was the man Jesus had raised from the dead.
Jesus went to his friend Simon’s house for a meal. Jesus was reclining at the table when Mary, Lazarus’ sister, came to Him. She had a jar of very expensive oil. The oil smelled good, like a perfume. Mary broke open the jar and poured the oil on Jesus’ feet.
Jesus’s disciples were very upset! They thought Mary had wasted the expensive oil. The oil was worth 300 denarii – about a year’s pay. One of the disciples, Judas Iscariot, said, “She could have sold the oil for a lot of money, and then she could have given the money to the poor!” Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor, he said it because he loved money.
They told Mary that she had done the wrong thing, but Jesus spoke up. “Leave her alone”, He said “She has done a very good thing for me.”
Then Jesus explained, “You will always have people around you who are poor, but you will not always have me.”
Jesus said this because he knew that it was only a few days before he would be crucified and buried. I don’t know if Mary knew or not, but I do think that Mary wanted to give Jesus the very best that she had to show her love for him. That perfume was the very best thing that Mary had to offer.
Jesus has given us the most wonderful gift imaginable- the gift of everlasting life.
Jesus said that wherever the gospel was told in the whole world, people would also hear about Mary and what she had done.
Christ Connection: Pouring the very expensive oil on Jesus was not a waste, it was worship. By allowing Mary to anoint Him, Jesus showed that He is more valuable than anything. Jesus knew He would soon die for sinners, be buried, and rise from the dead on the third day.
YouTube videos
For younger children:
For older children:
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Jesus gave his life to show his love for us. May we also give our lives in service to him as an expression of our love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
A prayer for My Friend
God, thank you for my friend. You tell us that it is not good to be alone, God, and bless us with family and friends all around us. Thank you for giving us people to talk to and laugh with. I pray for my friend today, that they have a good day and a blessed life. They are a blessing to me, God, when I need them the most. Just like Jesus is to me. Help me to be kind like Jesus. To be a good friend to others and spread his love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Activities:
Songs:
Mary anointed Jesus’s feet – Sing God’s Word (weebly.com)
15 Kids Worship Songs (with Video) | Ministry-To-Children (ministry-to-children.com)
**********
Private Facebook Sunday School Group!
This group is a platform for families to interact with our Sunday School teachers! This group will have content shared from our teachers and things shared that they enjoyed and want to share with our families and children! But, do not fear, if you do not have Facebook all our original content will be shared on our website, along side any videos and songs we want to share with you!
All the content on this group, will be found on this page, just scroll to the bottom!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/stmaryssundayschool/
Response to Covid-19
We don’t know why this terrible virus has spread and infected and sadly killed so many people. What we do know is that we can still trust in God whose character is powerful and loving. God is love. He loves us so much He sent His son to die for us. God’s love is greater than our fear. He cares when bad thigs happen. Jesus cried when his friend Lazarus died and right now, He is besides you and all those in need of Him.
Bearing this in mind, we know that a lot of families and children will be isolating and this is indefinite. So, below you will find links to different kinds of resources, which are both faith related and non-faith related activities to keep the little ones occupied.
We know that lack of ideas and resources can make this period of isolation difficult, so please do not hesitate to get in contact with us if you are struggling through this difficult time.
Worship Songs:
Keep your little ones dancing and worshipping at home. Try listening to a few of these child friendly songs on YouTube. Below are a few links to a few songs and playlists that are upbeat that will get your children dancing, bringing a bit of Sunday school and Tea and Toast home to you all.
Keeping Active at Home:
We know that little legs have got to run and keep bouncing around, with this in mind Joe Wicks and other fitness instructors have done child friendly programs for those that are staying at home and staying safe! Find below a link to the first Joe Wicks live school workout that is daily at 9am.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz0go1pTda8
Keep learning…
As most children, apart from those whose parents are key workers, they will be at home. Most schools will have sent home many resources to keep their education going, but this can be a great task and can feel stressful for parents. There are many useful websites and book available, however I would recommend the BBC Bitesize website (link attached below) as a source of educational resources, games and quizzes for many ages.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
If anyone is struggling to find resources or need new ideas, please do not hesitate to get into contact. Contact details for our family and children’s worker is above.
Bringing Sunday School home…
We know how important Sunday school is for the little ones in our community, with this in mind there are so many resources that are available for you and your children. Find below some links to a website called Flame Creative – there are many activities that can be done at home with things you find at home! How easy is that?! Find attached activities to do with hope, healing and trust. Something that in these next few weeks we will all need to be thinking about.
http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/search/label/hope
http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/search/label/healing
http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/search/label/trust
Colouring and other activity recources…
Find below links to printable colouring in pages that are faith based for reflective times and for those children that might be anxious. Colouring will help them centre their minds and relax whilst being at home. If you struggle or are unable to print any of these off, please contact us and will be more than happy to help families out with resources.
http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html
We will be updating the website regularly to keep things new and fresh with new activities, songs, videos and games! So you and your family can get the most of the isolation.
Blessings to you all from us all at St Mary’s!