Aim

To help children understand the Christian belief that God loves everyone the same. To become familiar with the parables of the Workers in the Vineyard. To reflect on the issues of fairness.

Preparation

Before the lesson read the parable (Matthew 20:1-16).

Lesson

Begin lesson by discussing with children who and what is not fair in the context of their lives.

• What about you - Do they consider you to be fair?
• What about God - do they consider Him to be fair or unfair?

Inform the children that Jesus told a story about the fairness of God. Christians call this story The Workers in the Vineyard. Share the parable (Matthew 20:1-16) with the children.

Do the children think the boss was fair or unfair? Discuss.

Christians believe that God is like the boss. He is more than fair. He treats everybody exactly the same.

Christians try to do likewise. What about the children? Are they only kind to their friends and unkind to everyone else?

Activity

Ask the children to do some writing underneath the title, 'It's not Fair'.

Conclusion

Conclude lesson by inviting volunteers to share their writing with the rest of the class.