B-23

Juniors · Lesson B 23

"Follow Me!" — A Call-and-Response Quiz Game

Jesus calls His disciples — and they left everything and followed.

⏱ 20–25 minutes 👥 Best for 8–30 kids 📖 Matthew 8 · 9 · 12 · Mark 2–3 · Luke 5–6 · 9

In this week's passages, Jesus does something remarkable again and again: He looks at ordinary people — fishermen, a despised tax collector, a mixed crowd of outsiders — and says two words: "Follow Me." And they go. No hesitation. No negotiating. They leave their boats, their tax tables, and their old lives behind.

This game puts kids in the middle of that story. They'll race to answer questions about the disciples Jesus called, the conflicts He faced, and the kingdom principles He taught — all from Lesson B 23's passages.

How to Play

Setup

1. No materials needed — this is a verbal call-and-response game.
2. Divide kids into two teams. Teams sit on opposite sides of the room or stand in two lines.
3. The leader reads each question aloud. The first team to raise a hand (or the leader calls on alternating teams) gives the answer.
4. A correct answer = 1 point. An incorrect answer = the other team gets a chance to steal.
5. Play all 12 questions. The team with the most points wins.

Variation for large groups: Give each team a bell or a buzzer sound (clap, stomp, or a noise-maker). First team to buzz in gets to answer. If wrong, the other team steals. Keeps energy high!

Bonus Round Rule

Questions marked "Follow Me Bonus" are worth 2 points. For these, a team must answer and give the Bible reference to earn both points. If they answer correctly but miss the reference, they earn 1 point.

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The Questions

1 What was Matthew (Levi) doing when Jesus called him to be a disciple?

Sitting at the tax collector's booth, collecting taxes.

Matthew 9:9 · Mark 2:14 · Luke 5:27

2 After Matthew followed Jesus, what did he do to celebrate? Who did he invite?

He threw a great banquet at his house and invited tax collectors and other "sinners."

Luke 5:29 · Mark 2:15

3 The Pharisees complained that Jesus ate with sinners. What did Jesus say He came for — sick people or healthy people?

He came for the sick — those who need a physician, not those who think they are well.

Matthew 9:12–13 · Mark 2:17

4 Follow Me Bonus The Pharisees criticized Jesus' disciples for picking grain on the Sabbath. What was the name of the Old Testament king Jesus used as an example in His defense?

King David — who ate the consecrated bread from the tabernacle.

Matthew 12:3–4 · Mark 2:25–26

5 Jesus said something very important about the Sabbath and people. What did He say the Sabbath was made for?

The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath.

Mark 2:27

6 Jesus healed a man with a shriveled hand on the Sabbath. Why were the Pharisees so angry about this?

They believed healing was "work" and violated their Sabbath rules — they were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus.

Matthew 12:10–14 · Mark 3:1–6

7 Follow Me Bonus Jesus used a parable about wineskins to explain why His ministry was something new. What happens if you put new wine into old wineskins?

The old wineskins burst — the wine spills out and the skins are ruined. New wine must go into new wineskins.

Matthew 9:17 · Luke 5:37–38

8 Jesus went up a mountainside before choosing His twelve apostles. What did He do there the night before?

He spent the entire night praying to God.

Luke 6:12

9 Name at least four of the twelve apostles Jesus officially chose.

Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas Iscariot.

Mark 3:16–19 · Luke 6:13–16

10 A man told Jesus, "I will follow You wherever You go." What did Jesus say to him about foxes and birds?

"Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head" — following Jesus means sacrifice.

Matthew 8:19–20 · Luke 9:57–58

11 Follow Me Bonus Another man said he would follow Jesus, but first wanted to go bury his father. What did Jesus reply?

"Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Following Jesus must come first.

Luke 9:59–60 · Matthew 8:21–22

12 What familiar Old Testament prophecy about a gentle servant did Matthew quote to describe the way Jesus treated people — not breaking a bruised reed or snuffing out a smoldering wick?

The prophecy of Isaiah — referring to God's Servant who would bring justice gently to the nations.

Matthew 12:18–21 · Isaiah 42:1–4

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Closing Discussion

1. Matthew left his tax booth the moment Jesus called. What do you think was going through his mind? Would it be easy or hard for you to do the same?
2. Jesus said the Sabbath was made for people, not the other way around. What do you think that means for how we treat the Sabbath today?
3. The people who followed Jesus "immediately" didn't know exactly where they were going. What makes it possible to trust someone enough to follow them like that?

Big Idea

Jesus didn't call the most qualified or the most religious people — He called ordinary people willing to say yes. Tax collectors, fishermen, and outcasts became His closest friends. His call is still the same today: "Follow Me." The question is always whether we will go.

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Main texts: Matthew 8:18–22; 9:9–17; 12:1–21 · Mark 2:13–3:19 · Luke 5:27–6:16; 9:57–62

B-22

Junior Ministry · Bible Activity

Four Corners: He Can Heal That!

A get-up-and-move game for juniors based on Jesus' healings in Capernaum and beyond

5–7 minutes Juniors Active game Matthew 8–9 · Mark 1–2 · Luke 4–5

In this week's passages Jesus heals a man with leprosy, Peter's mother-in-law, a paralyzed man, and many more — and even forgives sins along the way. This activity gets kids on their feet and moving as they answer questions about those stories.

"He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases."

Matthew 8:17 (NIV), quoting Isaiah 53:4

Setup — label your four corners

Post one sign in each corner of the room before kids arrive. Use paper, sticky notes, or a whiteboard — anything visible from across the room.

A

The man with leprosy

Matthew 8:1–4 · Mark 1:40–45

B

Peter's mother-in-law

Matthew 8:14–15 · Mark 1:29–31

C

The paralyzed man

Matthew 9:1–8 · Mark 2:1–12

D

The man with an evil spirit

Mark 1:21–28 · Luke 4:31–37

How to play

1. Kids stand in the middle of the room.
2. The leader reads a clue or question aloud.
3. Kids run to the corner they think matches the answer.
4. The leader reveals the answer — anyone in the wrong corner sits out one round (or just stays and keeps playing for a no-elimination version).
5. After all questions, anyone still standing wins!

Leader tip

For younger or smaller groups, skip elimination entirely — just have everyone return to the middle after each question and keep playing for fun. You can also let kids peek at their Bibles for the trickier questions to turn it into a race to look it up.

Questions

Read each clue aloud. Kids run to the matching corner.

• 1 Jesus told this person, "I am willing — be clean!" and immediately the illness disappeared.
  Corner A The man with leprosy (Matthew 8:3)
• 2 Jesus healed this person by taking them by the hand and helping them up. Right away they got up and started serving food.
  Corner B Peter's mother-in-law (Mark 1:31)
• 3 This person was brought to Jesus by four friends who made a hole in the roof to lower them down because the crowd was too big.
  Corner C The paralyzed man (Mark 2:3–4)
• 4 This healing happened in the synagogue on the Sabbath. The evil spirit shouted out before Jesus commanded it to leave.
  Corner D The man with an evil spirit (Mark 1:23–26)
• 5 When Jesus healed this person, He said something that shocked the religious leaders: "Your sins are forgiven."
  Corner C The paralyzed man (Matthew 9:2)
• 6 Jesus told this person not to tell anyone — but instead they went out and spread the news everywhere.
  Corner A The man with leprosy (Mark 1:44–45)
• 7 Jesus healed this person the same evening that news spread through the whole town — and crowds gathered at the door bringing everyone who was sick.
  Corner B Peter's mother-in-law — the healings that followed (Mark 1:32–34)
• 8 The evil spirit that Jesus commanded called out, "I know who you are — the Holy One of God!" Jesus told it to be quiet.
  Corner D The man with an evil spirit (Luke 4:34–35)
• 9 Jesus sent this person to the priest and told them to offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony.
  Corner A The man with leprosy (Matthew 8:4)
• 10 After this healing, the crowd who watched were filled with awe and praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
  Corner C The paralyzed man (Mark 2:12)

Closing discussion (2 minutes)

1. Which healing surprised you most — and why?
2. Jesus forgave sins and healed bodies. What does that tell us about what He came to do?
3. The friends of the paralyzed man went to a lot of effort to get him to Jesus. Who in your life might need someone to bring them to Jesus?

Big idea

Jesus healed people no one else could help — lepers, the paralyzed, the demon-possessed — and He did it with authority and compassion. His power over sickness and sin shows that He is exactly who He claimed to be. No one is too broken, too sick, or too far gone for Jesus to heal.

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Main texts: Matthew 8:1–4, 14–17; 9:1–8 · Mark 1:21–2:12 · Luke 4:31–5:26
Additional reading: The Desire of Ages, pp. 244–271

B-21 (Jesus Rejected)

Preteen Discussion Game — Simple Supplies

What Would You Do?

Matthew 11:1–24; 13:53–58 • Mark 1:14–15; 6:1–6, 14–20 • Luke 3:19–20; 4:14–30; 7:18–35

In this game, kids hear a situation a biblical character actually faced — but before finding out what the character did, they discuss what they would do. After sharing, the leader reveals what happened and briefly unpacks the connection to the big idea.

Supplies

📋 Printed or written scenario cards (optional) ✏️ Whiteboard or large paper 🖊️ Marker

Leader tip

Write "What Would You Do?" at the top of your whiteboard and jot down kids' answers as they share — it creates energy and shows their ideas are worth capturing. There are no wrong answers in the discussion phase. The goal is honest reflection before the reveal, not getting the "right" answer.

How to play

1. Read the scenario — just the situation, nothing more yet.
2. Ask the discussion question and let kids respond freely. Write key answers on the board.
3. Read the reveal — what the biblical character actually did or said.
4. Ask a quick follow-up: "Does that surprise you? Why or why not?"
5. Move to the next card. Close with the big idea.

Scenario Cards

1 John the Baptist Luke 3:19–20 · Mark 6:17–18

You're a preacher who has spent your whole life calling people to turn back to God. You've always told the truth, no matter who it made uncomfortable. Now the most powerful man in your region — the king — has done something wrong, and everyone knows it. You could stay quiet. Or you could say something and risk everything.

Discuss

Would you speak up to someone powerful if you knew it could get you in serious trouble? What would make you stay quiet — or make you speak anyway?

What John did

John told Herod directly: "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." Herod had him arrested and thrown into prison — and eventually had him executed. John knew the risk and spoke anyway.

2 Herod Mark 6:19–20

You've locked up a preacher because he called you out — but honestly, you know he was right. You're kind of fascinated by him. You keep bringing him out to listen to him, even though what he says disturbs you. Your wife absolutely hates him and wants him dead. You have the power to let him go or to keep him locked up.

Discuss

Have you ever known something was right but felt pressure from someone you cared about to do the opposite? What usually happens?

What Herod did

Herod kept John protected — for a while. He was confused by John but also drawn to him. Eventually, at a party, he made a rash promise to his stepdaughter and had John beheaded to save face in front of his guests.

3 John the Baptist Matthew 11:2–3 · Luke 7:18–20

You're in prison. You've given your whole life to one mission: announcing that the Messiah was coming. You pointed everyone to Jesus. But now you're locked in a cell, and you're hearing about what Jesus is doing — and some of it doesn't match what you expected. You start to wonder: Is He really the one? Did I get it right?

Discuss

Have you ever believed something strongly and then had a moment of real doubt? What did you do with that doubt — push it down, talk about it, or something else?

What John did

John sent his disciples directly to Jesus to ask: "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?" He didn't pretend the doubt wasn't there — he brought it straight to Jesus.

4 Jesus Matthew 11:4–6 · Luke 7:22–23

Someone you respect — someone who literally announced your arrival to the whole world — is now sending you a message that basically says: "Are you actually who I thought you were?" You could be offended. You could explain yourself at length. You could list your credentials. Or you could do something else entirely.

Discuss

When someone doubts you or questions something you've done, what's your first instinct — to defend yourself, prove them wrong, or something else?

What Jesus did

Jesus sent the messengers back with a simple list: the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is reaching the poor. He pointed to the evidence — and then added a quiet warning: "Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me."

5 Jesus Luke 4:16–21

You've just started your public ministry and you return to your hometown — the place where you grew up, where everyone knows your family. You go to the synagogue on the Sabbath, stand up to read, and choose a passage from Isaiah about the Spirit of the Lord anointing someone to bring good news to the poor and freedom to the oppressed. Then you sit down. Everyone is staring at you.

Discuss

If everyone in the room was staring at you waiting for you to explain something huge — something that would either impress them or make them furious — what would you say?

What Jesus said

"Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Just that. He told them the passage was about Him — right there, right now.

6 The crowd in Nazareth Luke 4:22–29 · Mark 6:2–3 · Matthew 13:54–57

You're sitting in the synagogue of a small town. A local man — you know his family, you watched him grow up — just told the whole room that an ancient prophecy is being fulfilled through him. People around you are whispering: "Isn't this Joseph's son?" He starts talking about how God sometimes blesses outsiders when His own people reject what He sends. The room is getting tense.

Discuss

Why do you think it's sometimes harder to accept something from someone you already know well? Have you ever dismissed an idea because of who said it instead of what they said?

What the crowd did

They went from amazed to furious. They drove Jesus out of the town and tried to throw Him off a cliff. Mark notes that Jesus could do very few miracles there "because of their lack of faith" — and He was amazed at their unbelief.

7 The crowd following Jesus Matthew 11:16–19 · Luke 7:31–35

Two messengers have come — one fasted and lived in the wilderness and the crowds said he had a demon. The other ate and drank with ordinary people and the crowds called him a glutton and a drunk. It seems like no matter what these messengers do, people find a reason to reject them.

Discuss

Have you ever noticed that some people seem determined to find fault no matter what? Why do you think that happens — and how should you respond when it happens to you?

What Jesus said about it

Jesus compared the crowd to children in the marketplace who complain no matter what game is played. Then He said: "Wisdom is proved right by her deeds" — meaning that in the end, what's true will be shown by its results, not by whether people approve of it in the moment.

Landing the big idea

After the last card, ask the group: "Looking back at all these people — John, Herod, the crowd in Nazareth — what's the one thing that made the biggest difference in how they responded to Jesus?" Let a few kids share, then offer this:

Big idea

Every person in these passages had enough information to respond to Jesus — and every one of them chose how to use it. John doubted but brought his doubt straight to Jesus. The crowd in Nazareth had seen His works but let familiarity make them blind. Herod was fascinated by the truth but too afraid of what it would cost him to act on it. The question these stories ask each of us is the same: when you encounter Jesus — in the Word, in someone's life, in a moment that makes you uncomfortable — what will you do with it?

Close by reading Matthew 11:28–30 together as a group.

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Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. This activity is free to use and adapt for non-commercial ministry purposes.

B-20 The Sinners Friend

Kids Ministry · Bible Activity

Who Said It?

A 5-minute identification game for junior kids based on John 3:22–5:47

5 minutes John 3:22–5:47 Junior kids No materials needed Small group friendly

This passage is packed with big moments — John the Baptist pointing to Jesus, Jesus and the woman at the well, the healing of the official's son, and the healed man at the pool of Bethesda. This game helps kids lock in who said what and what those words reveal about Jesus.

Kids listen to a statement and call out who said it — Jesus, John the Baptist, or the Samaritan woman. It's quick, no prep needed, and one leader can run the whole thing.

"A time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live."

John 5:25 (NIV)

What you'll need

• Nothing — this is completely verbal
• One leader to read the statements and reveal answers
• Optional: keep a simple tally on a whiteboard to track points

Leader tip

If kids haven't read the passage yet, do a 60-second recap first: John pointed people to Jesus, Jesus talked to a Samaritan woman at a well, he healed an official's son from a distance, and he healed a man who had been sick for 38 years. That context is all they need.

How to play

1. The leader reads a statement aloud.
2. Kids raise their hand and call out who they think said it — Jesus, John the Baptist, or the Samaritan woman.
3. The first correct answer earns a point. (Play individually or in teams.)
4. After the answer, the leader reads the reference so kids can see it in their Bibles if they have them.
5. After all the rounds, share the big idea below.

Statements

Jesus John the Baptist Samaritan Woman

• "He must become greater; I must become less."

  John 3:30

  John the Baptist

• "Will you give me a drink?"

  John 4:7 — Jesus asks the Samaritan woman at the well

  Jesus

• "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?"

  John 4:9

  Samaritan Woman

• "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst."

  John 4:13–14

  Jesus

• "I know that Messiah is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."

  John 4:25

  Samaritan Woman

• "I, the one speaking to you — I am he."

  John 4:26 — Jesus declares he is the Messiah

  Jesus

• "Go, your son will live."

  John 4:50 — Jesus heals the royal official's son from a distance

  Jesus

• "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred."

  John 5:7 — the man who had been ill for 38 years

  The sick man

• "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk."

  John 5:8

  Jesus

• "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working."

  John 5:17

  Jesus

Wrap it up

After the last round, ask the group: "Based on everything we just heard — who do you think Jesus is?" Let a few kids answer, then share this:

Big idea

In this passage, Jesus is introduced as the one John pointed to, the living water the woman at the well needed, the healer who works from a distance, and the one who has the same authority as God the Father. Every story asks the same question — and Jesus gives the same answer: he is the Son of God, and he has come so we can have life.

Close by reading John 5:24 together out loud as a group.

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Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. This activity is free to use and adapt for non-commercial ministry purposes.

B-19 (Cleansing the Church)

Kids Ministry · Bible Activity

True or False Relay

A fast-paced 5-minute game for junior kids based on John 2:13–3:21

5 minutes John 2:13–3:21 Junior kids Small group friendly Minimal prep

This quick activity works great for reinforcing the passage after a lesson, or as a warm-up to kick off discussion. Kids compete in two teams to grab the correct answer sign — and because wrong answers score points for the other team, they have to actually think before they grab!

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16 (NIV)

What you'll need

• 2 paper signs — one labelled TRUE, one labelled FALSE (or use two different coloured pieces of paper)
• Kids split into 2 teams
• One leader to read statements and keep score

Leader tip

No extra helpers needed — one adult can run this easily. If you only have a handful of kids, skip the teams and just play as a whole group where anyone can grab a sign.

How to play

1. One player from each team stands up at a time.
2. The leader reads a statement aloud. The first player to grab the correct sign and hold it up wins a point for their team.
3. If a player grabs the wrong sign, a point goes to the other team.
4. Rotate players each round so everyone gets a turn.
5. After all questions, the leader ties the game back to the big idea below.

Questions

Read these one at a time. The answer badges are for leaders — keep them hidden from kids!

• Jesus turned over the tables in the temple because it was dirty and messy.

  John 2:16 — he said they had turned it into a market

  False

• Nicodemus came to visit Jesus during the day.

  John 3:2 — he came at night

  False

• Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews.

  John 3:1

  True

• Jesus told Nicodemus he needed to be born again.

  John 3:3

  True

• Being born again means being born a second time as a baby.

  John 3:6 — born of the Spirit, not the flesh

  False

• God sent Jesus into the world to judge and condemn it.

  John 3:17 — to save the world, not condemn it

  False

• Anyone who believes in Jesus will have eternal life.

  John 3:16

  True

Landing the big idea

Once the game is done, gather the kids and ask: "Why do you think Nicodemus came to Jesus at night — secretly?" Let a few kids answer, then share this:

Big idea

Nicodemus had the right religion on the outside — he was a leader, he followed the rules, he looked the part. But Jesus told him that wasn't enough. What God offers is a brand new life on the inside, for anyone who believes. That's the gift of John 3:16.

Close by reading John 3:16 together out loud as a group.

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Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. This activity is free to use and adapt for non-commercial ministry purposes.

B-18 (Early Ministry)

 Theme: Jesus early ministry

Supplies:

• Flashlight
• Sandal
• Ten Commandments (simple sketch on index card)
• Lamb (simple sketch or stuffed lamb)
• Number two (written on an index card)
• Stone
• Dried figs
• Empty cup
• Seven water pots (simple sketch on index card)

Directions:

• Have all items in a paper bag
• Allow children to take turns pulling one of the items from the paper bag
• Ask who from our story this week the item is associated with.
• Answers:
• Flashlight (Jesus)
• Sandal (John the Baptist)
• Ten Commandments (Moses)
• Lamb (Jesus)
• Number two (Andrew and John)
• Stone (Peter)
• Dried figs (Nathaniel)
• Empty cup (Mary, mother of Jesus)
• Seven water pots (Servants)
• 
  
• Main point: Jesus called His disciples from ordinary walks of life. They were not chosen from the important schools of the day. Jesus calls you too. You do not have to be important in the world’s eyes. By walking with Jesus, He can make you an effective evangelist for Him.

B-17 (Victory in the Wilderness)

 Theme: Jesus' Temptations

Supplies:

• Rocks of various sizes in a paper bag
• Ladder
• Smartphone or computer to show pictures of beautiful cities. Links here or here.

Directions:

• Request a volunteer to come up and pull a rock from a paper bag.
• Ask:
• What would happen if you tried to eat this rock?
• Answer: You couldn’t chew or digest it.
• Can you turn this rock into bread?
• Answer: No.
• Can God turn a rock into bread?
• Answer: Yes.
• Explain:
• Satan asked Jesus Christ to turn a rock into bread. Why didn’t Jesus do it, even though He had the power?
• Answer: Satan wanted Jesus to prove He was the Son of God. But God had already said that Jesus was His Son. If Jesus had done it just to prove it, He would have been showing a lack of trust in God.
• Stand next to the ladder (do NOT have a child climb it).
• Ask:
• What would happen if I fell from the top of this ladder onto my head?
• Answer: I would be badly hurt or could even die.
• Could God protect me if I fell?
• Answer: Yes.
• Explain:
• Satan told Jesus to jump from the top of the temple (which was much higher than this ladder) to prove God would protect Him. Why didn’t Jesus jump?
• Answer: God never told Jesus to jump. Doing something dangerous just to “test” God would have been disobedience.
• Show pictures of beautiful cities and let the children guess where they are.
• Ask:
• What might happen if people tried to capture all these cities in war?
• Answer: The cities could be destroyed, and many people would be hurt.
• Explain:
• Satan offered to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if He would worship him. Why didn’t Jesus accept?
• Answer: We are to worship only God. If Jesus had worshiped Satan, He would have been breaking God’s commandments and going against God’s plan.
• Main point: Each time Jesus was tempted He chose to trust and obey God—and we can too.