Overview Jesus the Word An Angel Visits Mary Simeon and Anna Flight to Egypt Boy in the Temple Jesus the Word Epiphany John the Baptist The Baptism of Jesus The Lamb of God Tempted Calling the Disciples Wedding at Cana Woman at the Well The Beatitudes Love Your Enemies Do Not Worry Build Your House on the Rock The Man with a Shriveled Hand The Widow of Nain Jesus Calms a Storm The Mustard Seed The Man in the Caves The Man Born Blind Four Friends Mary and Martha The Lord's Prayer Jesus and the Children Transfiguration The Good Samaritan The Parable of the Fig Tree The Danger of Riches The Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin The Lost Son The Pharisee and the Tax Collector Ten Men Healed Man Born Blind Lazarus Jesus Talks about God's House Promise of the Holy Spirit The Rich Young Man The Woman Who Touched Jesus' Cloak Jairus' Daughter The Parable of Talents Sending the Twelve Peter's Faith Feeding the 5000 Share God's Love The Ten Bridesmaids The Wrong People Heal in Jesus' Name James and John Ask for Seats of Honour Sheep and Goats Christ the King Zacchaeus A Woman Washes Jesus' Feet Palm Sunday Jesus Cleanses the Temple Parable of the Vineyard The Wedding Banquet Paying Taxes The Greatest Commandment Be Humble The Sadducees’ Question Jesus the Vine The Empty Tomb Thomas and Jesus The Road to Emmaus The Disciples Fish Again The Great Commission Jesus' Ascension

Bible Text:

Luke 13:1-9

 

Children's Bible Story sources:

"Parable of the Fig Tree," Spark Story Bible, p.372

 

Children's Story Resource

The Monster Who Lost His Mean by Tiffany Strelitz Haber and illustrated by Kirstie Edmunds

Everyone knows that the M in "monster" stands for MEAN. But what happens when a monster can't be mean any more? Is he still a monster at all? One young monster's attempts to live up to his name go hilariously awry as he discovers―with a little help from new friends―that it's not what you're called but who you are that counts.

How these stories are connected: Jesus teaches this parable about the man and his fig tree to illustrate how faith grows and develops. Patience and second (and even third) chances provide room and grace for ourselves and others as we grow and develop. Similarly, Onster experiences the pull of his old ways as he discovers new gifts and talents within himself and begins to make surprising new friends.

 

Questions about The Monster Who Lost His Mean:

     What did the monster do first when he lost his M?

     What did he do when he couldn’t find it?

     How did his feelings change?

 

Questions about the Bible story:

     Why did Jesus tell this story?

     What did the man want to do when the tree didn’t grow figs?

     What did the gardener tell him?

 

Questions about our lives: 

      Can you see goodness in bad things?

 

Prayer

Dear Jesus, help us to make the most of each day. Help us to see goodness, even when things don’t go the way we want them to. Amen.