The worth of a man’s soul

Read or say verse: For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36,37 NKJV
Ask: How awesome would it be If someone gave you Disney World! Can you imagine owning Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood studios? How cool would that be? But what if the there was a catch, you had to be willing to give up your soul to get it. Would you be willing to give up your soul? That means not spending eternity in heaven.

Heaven is more valuable than anything else in the world

⦁ Life on this earth is temporary. Have you ever had a temporary tattoo? It only last for a short time. Even if you live to be 125 years old, life is short compared to eternity.
⦁ At the end of our life we will stand before the God and give an account for our life.
⦁ In heaven we will receive a new body that will never die. (1 Corinthians 15:54.) There will be no more tears, sickness or evil. Heaven is a place of great joy, peace and beauty.

God wants you to give him all your heart. To love him more than anything else in the world. “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.” 1 John 2:15.

To receive eternal life you must be willing to give up all to follow the Lord?

To give him your desires, your heart and your dreams.
Each week repeat this same theme and plug in a different Bible story.
Scroll down to see three Bible lessons

Bible Lesson week 1
Read or say verse: For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36,37 NKJV

Review: Heaven is more valuable than anything in the world

If time allows have a treasure hunt. Hide fake golden nuggets, coins and necklaces. I bought gold nuggets and coins. I had gold necklaces from Mardi Gras Parades. I bought gold coins with praying hands. Whoever found those coins received a grand prize (paper treasure box fill with candy.) Everyone else got a piece of candy.

NIV Adventure Bible: Read Mark 10:17-22

Ask the children these questions
⦁ What question did the man ask Jesus? (What must I do to inherit eternal life?)
⦁ Jesus said “you know the (commandments”)
⦁ What commandments did Jesus named? (you shall not murder, commit adultery, steal, give false testimony, defraud. Honor your father and mother)
⦁ When the man said that he had kept all the commandments since he was a boy, Jesus (loved him.)
⦁ What was the one thing Jesus said the man lacked? (“Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come to follow me.”)
⦁ What was the man’s response to Jesus’ request? (He went away sad because he had great wealth.)

To receive eternal life you must be willing to give up all to follow the Lord? The rich man treasured his money more than he treasured the Lord.
Jesus isn’t asking you to sell all you have. But he is asking you to give him everything you have. All your heart, desires and dreams. He wants you to love him more than your friends, toys awards.

Bible Lesson week 2
Read or say verse: For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36,37 NKJV
Review: Heaven is more valuable than anything else in the world

NIV Adventure Bible. Read Daniel 3:1-28 or read the story from a Bible story book.

Ask the children these questions
⦁ The king put up a statue that was made out of? (Gold)
⦁ At the sound of the horn, flute and all kinds of music the people where to? (Bow down and worship the statue.)
⦁ What happened if you didn’t bow down and worship? (Thrown into a blazing furnace)
⦁ Did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego bow down and worship the gold statue? (No, they refused to worship the king’s god.)
⦁ Did King Nebuchadnezzar have Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego tied up? (Yes)
⦁ King Nebuchadnezzar ordered the heat to be turned up (7) times hotter.
⦁ The furnace was so hot that flames of the fire (killed) the soldiers who threw Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in.
⦁ Why did king Nebuchadnezzar leap to his feet in amazement? (He saw 4 people walking around unharmed in the fire, and the three they had tied up were unbound)
⦁ When king Nebuchadnezzar called Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego out of the fire he called them servants of the? (Most High God)
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego valued God more than their own life.

Bible Lesson week 3

Read or say verse: For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36,37 NKJV
Review: Heaven is more valuable than anything else in the world

NIV Adventure Bible or from a children’s Bible story book: Read Matthew 13:44 The parable of the Hidden Treasure

Ask the children these questions

⦁ The kingdom of heaven is like (treasure hidden) in a field.
⦁ When the man found the treasure why did he hide it again? (So, he could buy the field. If he had just taken it, it wouldn’t have been rightfully his.)
⦁ The man (joyfully) sold all the he had to and bought the field.
⦁ What if you won a raffle and won Disney World, but you had to sell all you own to pay the taxes? Would you sell all that you have to own Disney World?
⦁ Is Jesus the greatest treasure of your heart?
Jesus isn’t asking you to sell all you have. He is asking you to give Him all you have. Your desires, your will, and your dreams.
He is asking you to serve and follow Him. To put Him first in your life. To love Him above all else, more than your friends, toys, awards.
If heaven is the greatest treasure, how do you get it? You must become born again.
Lead the children in a prayer of salvation