Parable of the Vineyard Workers
Matthew 20:1-16

The Secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know. Matthew 13:11

Like the vineyard owner and his wealth, God is free to share His grace as He desires. Does God act fairly in saving people who have not followed Him their entire lives? The reward—eternal life—is God’s grace to those who believe, whether they believe at the first or at the last. Jesus’ parable teaches about God’s grace. God is generous, and He loves us. We deserve to die for our sins, but God gives us what we don’t deserve—salvation through His Son, Jesus.

FAMILY TIME #1

Read Matthew 20:1-16. Jesus told a story to teach people about God. God loves us and gives us good gifts. No one can earn a gift. Everyone sins, or disobeys God, so everyone deserves to be punished. But God gave a good gift: His Son, Jesus. People who trust in Jesus will live with God forever.

Discussion Question:

What does God give us?

FAMILY TIME #2

Give kids grapes to eat as a snack. Explain that grapes grow on vines in a vineyard. Review the Bible story. The landowner hired men to work his fields. At the end of the day, the landowner paid all the workers what was fair or more than they deserved. Ask the big picture question and lead kids to respond with the answer. List ways God has been generous to your family.

FAMILY TIME #3         Sort Coins

Provide various kinds of coins and lead the preschoolers to sort coins according to color, size, country of origin, and so forth. You may also provide clean egg cartons for kids to sort their coins into. Talk about the value of the coins. Make sure kids use hand sanitizer after sorting the coins.

Discuss • In the story Jesus told, the man who owned the vineyard paid many of the workers, who only worked a few hours, a full day’s wage. He paid the workers more than they deserved. God also gives us far more than we deserve through Jesus.