Joyful Moments in Christ

A Sunday School Lesson: Luke 13:31-35

A Sunday School Lesson: Luke 13:31-35: The Heart of Jesus for His People

The Heart of Jesus for His People

This Sunday School lesson is intended for upper elementary students. All lessons on this website are protected by copyright, but you can use them for free in small groups or Sunday School classes. You may share a link to this page, but please do not copy these pages and put them on other websites.

The Big Idea

Jesus shows us his great courage and deep love as he continues his work and longs to protect his people even when they reject him.

Lesson Objectives

  1. Students will learn that Jesus followed God’s plan with courage even when powerful people threatened his life.
  2. Students will understand the image of the mother hen as a picture of how Jesus wants to protect and gather his children.
  3. Students will recognize that Jesus remains faithful to his mission even when people do not listen to his message.

Class Setting Notes

  1. Recommended for upper elementary Sunday School.
  2. Lesson length: 45 to 60 minutes. Can be shortened or extended based on activities selected.

Opening Activity: Under the Wings

  1. Ask the students to think of a time they felt scared and where they went to feel safe.
  2. Have a volunteer act like a mother hen by stretching out their arms like wings.
  3. Have a few other students stand close to the volunteer to show how baby chicks hide for safety.
  4. Talk about how birds use their wings to keep their babies warm and safe from predators or rain.

This activity helps introduce the beautiful picture Jesus used to describe his desire to protect and care for the people of Jerusalem.

Bible Reading

Ask the class to read Luke 13:31-35 aloud together or have one person read it.

Additional Reading: Choosing the Right Bible Translation

Suggested prompts:

As the class reads aloud, consider asking some of these prompts:

  1. Notice how the Pharisees try to make Jesus afraid by telling him about Herod’s plan.
  2. Watch what happens when Jesus calls Herod a fox to show he is not scared of that ruler’s tricks.
  3. Think about why Jesus says he must keep doing his work of healing for a few more days.
  4. Listen for the sadness in the voice of Jesus as he calls out the name of Jerusalem two times.
  5. Pay attention to the way Jesus describes the people who did not want him to gather them.

Teacher Background Notes

  1. Herod Antipas was the ruler of Galilee who had already killed John the Baptist and was now a threat to Jesus.
  2. The city of Jerusalem was the center of religious life but had a long history of rejecting the men God sent to preach.
  3. In the Bible, a fox was often seen as a small, destructive, and sneaky animal rather than a powerful one like a lion.
  4. When Jesus says his work will be finished on the third day, he is pointing toward his future death and resurrection in Jerusalem.
  5. The quote at the end of the passage comes from the book of Psalms and was a traditional greeting for those coming to the Temple for a festival.

Theological Insights

  1. Jesus is completely sovereign over his own life and death, and no human ruler could kill him before his time.
  2. The heart of Jesus is full of compassion for sinners, showing that he takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.
  3. Prophetic history shows that humans often resist the grace of God, and yet he continues to send messengers out of love.
  4. Jerusalem represents the home of God’s people, and its rejection of Jesus leads to the loss of his protective presence.
  5. Jesus is the true king who comes in the name of the Lord to fulfill all the promises made to his people.

Discussion Questions

Understanding the Text

  1. What was the warning the Pharisees gave to Jesus at the beginning of the passage?
  2. Why did Jesus call Herod a fox instead of being afraid of his power?
  3. What is the specific job Jesus said he would continue to do for the next few days?
  4. What are two things Jesus said the people of Jerusalem had done to the messengers God sent?

Personal Reflection and Application

  1. How does it make you feel to know that Jesus wanted to protect the people like a mother hen?
  2. Why do you think it is hard for people to admit they need the protection of Jesus?
  3. In what ways can you show courage this week when you are trying to do what is right for God?
  4. How can we pray for people who do not yet want to listen to the message of Jesus?

Suggested Activities

Safe Shelter Drawing

  1. Give each student a piece of paper and have them draw a large bird with wide wings.
  2. Underneath the wings, have them write their own name or the names of their family members.
  3. Discuss how Jesus is our shelter when we face hard times or fears.

This activity helps students visualize the safety and comfort found in the love of Jesus.

The Courage Goal

  1. Hand out index cards and have students write down one thing that makes them feel nervous about following God.
  2. On the other side, have them write “Nevertheless, I must go on my way,” just like Jesus said in verse 33.
  3. Talk about how we can keep moving forward in faith even when we feel small or scared.

This activity encourages students to imitate the bravery Jesus showed when he was threatened.

Jerusalem Prayer Map

  1. Use a simple map or a drawing of a city to represent the community where you live.
  2. Have students place heart stickers on the map to show that Jesus loves the people in their town.
  3. Pray together for the people in your city to listen to God and be gathered into his family.

This activity connects the sadness of Jesus over Jerusalem to a heart of prayer for our own neighbors today.

Memory Verse

This Bible verse image features Luke 13:34 (ESV): “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” A reminder of the protective love of Christ and his desire to gather his people.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! – Luke 13:34 (ESV)

Closing Prayer

Father,
Thank you for the brave and loving heart of Jesus. Help us to always run to his protection and to follow his example of doing your work no matter what.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A Sunday School Lesson: Luke 13:31-35: The Heart of Jesus for His People
This Bible verse image features Luke 13:34 (ESV): “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” A reminder of the protective love of Christ and his desire to gather his people.

The ESL Version

I also create materials for adult English Language Learners (ELLs) and ESL students. You can find my ELL Bible Study based on Luke 13:31-35 here:

Subscribe

If you enjoyed this post and wish to receive more Christian content, consider subscribing to my newsletters!

Related Resources

Visit the Joyful Moments in Christ homepage for all posts, or scroll through other blog posts related to Sunday School:

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

Recent

, , , , , , , , ,