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Bible Story: Parable of the Whiny Workers (Matthew 20:1-16) Get Connected
Today your child heard a story Jesus told to teach about gratitude. Each year at harvesttime vineyard owners hired helpers to get the crop in. Men who wanted to work would gather in the marketplace, arriving early and waiting until someone hired them. Imagine the surprise of the workers who were hired last when they received a whole days wages for working just a short time. Or think of the hope of an unexpected bonus that was quickly destroyed when the workers who were hired first received the same amount. When they complained against their boss for his unfairness, he reminded them of the agreement they had when he hired them. He rebuked them for their jealousy and told them he did them no wrong. Jesus told this parable to help His audience understand this: God is generous and anyone who accepts Gods offer of salvation may have it, no matter when a person accepts it. And it reminds us to not begrudge His blessings to seemingly undeserving others.

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Gratitude
With your child, sing this fun song to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell and do the motions too! We thank You, God, for food (pretend to eat) And for our families too. (point to each other) We pray (fold hands as if praying) and sing (wave arms as if directing a choir) And jump (jump) and shout (cup hands around mouth) To show our gratitude. (take a bow)

Bible Memory Fun Psalm 25:4, 5

Find these verses in a family Bible. Together, practice saying the Bible words. Hide cutout grapes around the room. Whenever a grape is found, shout the Bible Memory together.

Talking with God

Use these thoughts at mealtime, bedtime, or another time when you pray with your child today. God, thank You for what You give me. Help me, God, to say thank you to others and mean it. Every good gift comes from You, God.

PreSchool Teaching Resources, Inside Out & Upside Down on Main StreetTM Permission is granted to reproduce this page for ministry purposes onlynot for resale.

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