Taking Sin Seriously

Opening Scripture

Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes. And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.

— Matthew 18:7-9

Question 1: What does Jesus say is better than sinning?

Time estimate: 3 minutes

Ask: Jesus uses very strong words in these verses. He says it's better to lose a hand or a foot or an eye than to keep sinning. Why do you think Jesus talks this way? What is He trying to help us understand?

Expected answers: - Sin is really, really bad - Jesus wants us to know sin is serious - It's better to give up things we like than to keep doing wrong things - Heaven is way more important than anything else

Leader note: Jesus is using exaggeration (called hyperbole) to make a point. He's not actually telling us to hurt ourselves. He's showing us that sin is SO serious we should do whatever it takes to avoid it — even hard things. The sermon explained that sin doesn't actually come from our hands or eyes; it comes from our hearts. But Jesus wants us to take extreme measures to stay away from sin.

If answers go off-topic: That's an interesting thought! Let's come back to what Jesus is teaching here. He's showing us that avoiding sin is the most important thing — even more important than things we really like or want.

Question 2: Where does sin really come from?

Time estimate: 3 minutes

Ask: The sermon told us that even if we cut off our hand or plucked out our eye, we would still have a sin problem. Why? Where does sin actually start?

Expected answers: - From our hearts - From inside us - From our thoughts and feelings - We're born with sin inside

Leader note: This connects to James 1:14-15, which the sermon referenced. Sin comes from our own desires inside our hearts. The pastor explained that we are our own greatest enemy sometimes. This is why we need Jesus to change our hearts — we can't fix the sin problem by ourselves. Only God can transform us from the inside.

If answers go off-topic: I hear you, but let's think about what the Bible teaches. The sermon reminded us that sin doesn't come from outside things — it comes from our own hearts. That's why we need God's help!

Question 3: What are some 'extreme measures' we can take to avoid sin?

Time estimate: 4 minutes

Ask: The pastor gave some examples of extreme things people might do to avoid sin — like not driving past the pizza buffet if you eat too much, or even getting rid of your phone if it's causing you to sin. Can you think of something you might need to avoid or give up to help you not sin?

Expected answers: - Stop watching a certain show - Stay away from a friend who gets me in trouble - Don't play a video game that makes me angry - Ask my parents to help me with screen time - Pray when I'm tempted

Leader note: Help kids think practically but age-appropriately. For 7-8 year-olds, this might mean choosing different games at recess, asking a parent to monitor their tablet time, or avoiding situations where they're tempted to lie or disobey. Emphasize that it's okay to ask for help — from parents, from other Christians, and especially from God. The sermon stressed that the Christian life is one of dependence on God and interdependence with each other.

If answers go off-topic: Those are good thoughts, but let's focus on things that help us obey God and avoid sin. What's something that tempts YOU to do wrong?

Activity: Draw It Out

Time estimate: 5 minutes

Instructions: Give each child paper and crayons. Ask them to draw a picture showing one way they can take sin seriously this week. It could be: - Asking God for help when they're tempted - Staying away from something that causes them to sin - Asking a parent or friend to help them - Praying for God to change their heart

As they draw, remind them: Jesus uses strong words because sin is serious — but the good news is that God helps us! Philippians 2:12 says God is at work in us. We don't fight sin alone.

Closing thought for leaders: Close by praying with the kids, asking God to help them take sin seriously and to change their hearts from the inside. Remind them that Jesus died because sin is so serious — and He rose again to give us power over sin. We need His help every single day.