Bible Passage
Third Sunday in Lent (Luke 13:1-9)
Today is the third Sunday in Lent. There are 5 Sundays in Lent and it ends on Easter Sunday when we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. The color for Lent is purple. During Lent, learn about Jesus and his disciples and prepare ourselves to celebrate Easter.
Today, we learn about a parable Jesus told about a fig tree.
Watch the video to learn more:
A parable is a teaching story – a story told in order to teach someone something. Jesus often used parables to teach his disciples and others.
Jesus told a story about someone who had a fig tree. This person was excited to get some figs from their fig tree. But the first year, the fig tree didn’t produce any figs. Again, the next year, no figs. Even the next year, no figs. The person who had the fig tree said to the gardener, “Cut down that fig tree. It’s just taking up space. Let’s plant a new fig tree that will give us figs.”
The gardener said, “Let’s give it one more year. I will water it, dig around it, give it some fertilizer. Let’s give it another chance and I’ll help it produce figs.”
Jesus told this parable in order to teach something. What Jesus was teaching is that God is like the gardener. God always gives us another chance. God helps us to do better and gives us a second chance or a third chance or as many chances as we need in order to do what God has called us to do and fully be the children of God that we are.
It’s an awesome thing that God loves us so much that God never gives us on us!
Discuss
- What is your favorite kind of fruit?
- When have you needed a second chance?
- When have you given someone else a second chance?
Song
You Forgive Me. LifeTree Kids. (Go ahead and do the motions!)
Activity
The video will teach you more about figs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7xYqVYD4LU
Activity
This video is the story The Monster Who Lost His Mean by Tiffany Strelitz Haber, illustrated by Kirstie Edwards. In this story, a monster loses his mean. He changes from one thing to another. After you have watched the story, consider how this is like what happens when we ask God’s forgiveness and ask God to help us change (repent).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt8cNgQOkNc
Closing Prayer
God, thank you for loving us so much that you never give up on us. Help us to do what you call us to do. We thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Pastor Dan Fugate, Assistant to the Bishop for Discipleship in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA, put this lesson together for Sunday School @ Home. Contact him at [email protected].