Free Gospel-Centered Sunday School Curriculum
for Elementary Kids

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Jesus Calls a Tax Collector to Follow Him
(Matthew 9:9-13)

One day, Jesus was walking along the road near a tax booth. A man named Matthew was sitting there collecting taxes. Many people did not like tax collectors because they often took more money than they should have. Some even took money from their own neighbors and friends.

But Jesus saw something special in Matthew. Jesus walked up to the tax booth and said two simple words: "Follow me." That was all it took. Matthew stood up immediately, left his money and his job, and followed Jesus.

Later, Matthew wanted to celebrate. He invited Jesus and many other disciples to his house for a big dinner. But Matthew also invited his friends - other tax collectors and people who were known as sinners. They all sat around the table eating with Jesus.

Some religious leaders called Pharisees saw this. They were upset. They asked Jesus' disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" The Pharisees thought good people should stay away from bad people.

Jesus heard them and gave a surprising answer. He said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." Jesus explained that he came to help people who know they have done wrong things - like patients who know they are sick. He did not come to show off for people who already thought they were perfect.

Then Jesus told them to go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' God is not just interested in people following rules and giving gifts at the temple. God wants people to show love, kindness, and forgiveness to others. Jesus said, "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." He came to invite everyone who knows they need help to come to him.

A Curious Question

Why do you think Jesus chose a tax collector - someone most people disliked - to be one of his closest followers?

Old Testament Connection

Hundreds of years before Jesus came, the prophet Hosea spoke God's words: "I desire mercy, not sacrifice" (Hosea 6:6). God was telling his people that he cared more about their hearts showing love than about them just following religious rules. Jesus quoted this same verse when the Pharisees questioned him about eating with sinners. This shows that Jesus was not starting a new religion - he was fulfilling what God had already said through the Old Testament prophets. God's plan has always been to show mercy to people who know they need him.

Discussion Questions

  • Matthew left his tax booth immediately when Jesus said "Follow me." What do you think made him willing to leave everything so quickly?
  • Jesus ate dinner with people others called "sinners." How does that show us what God's love is like?
  • The Pharisees thought good people should stay away from bad people. Why did Jesus say the opposite - that he came to be with people who know they need help?

So What? What Can I Do?

  • Is there someone at school or in your neighborhood that other people avoid? How could you show them mercy this week?
  • Have you ever acted like a Pharisee, thinking you were better than someone else? What can you do to change that attitude?
  • Jesus invites everyone to follow him, no matter what they have done wrong. If you have never said "yes" to following Jesus, what is stopping you?

Memorize God's Word

Matthew 9:13 - "I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

• I desire mercy put your hand over your heart and then open both hands outward as if giving a gift.

• not sacrifice shake your head "no" and then pretend to place an offering on an altar with both hands.

• For I have not come point up to heaven with both index fingers, then point to yourself.

• to call the righteous wave your hand toward proud, standing people, then turn away.

• but sinners kneel down and reach your hands out like you are helping someone up.

Praying with Kids

Dear Father, thank you for sending Jesus to invite all of us to follow him, even when we make mistakes. Help us to show mercy to others the way you show mercy to us. Give us courage to love people that others ignore. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Craft or Activity

Follow Me Footprint Path

Materials Checklist:

How to Make the Follow Me Footprint Path:

  1. Trace each child's shoe on construction paper and cut out the footprint shapes (make 6-8 per child).
  2. On each footprint, write or draw one way to follow Jesus this week (examples: be kind, share, pray, forgive, help someone).
  3. Lay the long strip of paper on the floor or a table.
  4. Arrange the footprints in a path from one end to the other, leaving small spaces between them.
  5. Glue each footprint down in order.
  6. Decorate the path with markers, adding arrows, grass, or stones along the way.
  7. Take turns walking your fingers along the path while saying, "Jesus said 'Follow me,' and I will follow today."

Effective Teaching Techniques

  • For the memory verse: Practice the hand motions slowly at first. Then speed up. Then have children close their eyes and say the verse while doing motions from memory.
  • For the craft: Pre-cut several footprints for younger children who struggle with scissors. Use washable markers for easy cleanup.
  • Discussion extension: Bring a doctor's kit or a bandage to class. Ask, "If you were sick, would you want a doctor to stay away from you or come close to help you?" Connect this to Jesus being our "soul doctor."