A True Gift

The Sacrificial Cookies

Luke 21:1–4

(Nate is holding a bag of cookies, very excited that he has them.)

Nate: I love double chocolate Oreo cookies. These are my favorite.

Susan: Hi, Nate. What’s in the bag?

Nate: Double chocolate Oreo cookies. They’re my favorite.

Susan: Oooo. I love cookies.

Nate: (Considering.) You know, Susan, I love these cookies, but I’ve got a whole bag of them. Would you like two?

Susan: Thank you, Nate. I’d love to have two cookies. Thanks!

(Nate shares a cookie and leaves.)

Susan: I love double chocolate Oreo cookies. Since I already had lunch, I think I’ll go get a big glass of milk to eat these with.

(Susanna walks in, looking upset.)

Susan: Hey, Susanna. What’s wrong?

Susanna: Oh, I forgot my lunch at home. I’m so hungry! I can’t wait for school to be over so I can go home and eat something.

Susan: That’s terrible! (Looks at cookies in her hand.) Susanna, I know it isn’t much, but I have two cookies. You could eat them. It might help a little until you can eat at home.

Susanna: I don’t want to take the only two cookies you have.

Susan: That’s okay. You’re my friend and I’m happy to share what I have with you.

Susanna: Thank you, Susan.

Susan: In fact, I was just going to get some milk. I’ll get some for you, too.

Susanna: Great!

(Kids exit)

Teacher: When Nate gave Susan two cookies, was he making a big sacrifice? (No.) It was nice of him to share with her, but he still had lots of cookies left.

When Susan gave her only two cookies to Susanna, was she making a big sacrifice? (Yes.) Susan gave all that she had. She didn’t hold anything back from her friend because she wanted to bless her.

Today’s story is about a widow who gave everything she had to God.

Be A Blessing on Mother's Day!

Mother’s Day Surprise

Susan creeps on stage. She is dressed in camo and covered with squirt guns and supersoakers. As she stealthily looks around, Susan comes up and taps her on the shoulder.

Susan: Hi, Susanna. What are you doing?

Susanna: (Jumping.) AUUUUUGGGHHH!

Susan: Watch out! It’s just me.

Susanna: Sorry. I’m looking for Nick. This is it. I’m finally getting him back.

Susan: With squirt guns?

Susanna: Oh yeah. This one has ketchup. This one has mustard. And this one? Maple syrup. I can’t wait.

Susan: But Susanna, how could you do that on Mother’s Day?

Susanna: I’m not doing it to my mom. I’m doing it to Nick. And anyway, it’s perfect. He’ll never see it coming on a holiday like today.

Susan: You shouldn’t do that to your mom on Mother’s Day.

Susanna: She’ll look back in a few years and laugh about it.

Susan: But don’t you think it will make her Mother’s Day a lot harder? She’ll have to correct you, and she’ll have to keep Nick from getting you back, and it just won’t bless her at all to have her two kids fighting.

Susanna: Oh. I never thought of that.

Susan: Remember Timothy in the Bible? He was so thankful for his mother and his grandmother. They took care of him.

Susanna: My mom takes care of me.

Susan: They made him food.

Susanna: My mom makes me food.

Susan: They gave him clothes.

Susanna: My mom gives me clothes.

Susan: They told him about God.

Susanna: My mom tells me about God, too. (Starting to sniffle because she’s so touched.)

Susan: Don’t you want to bless and honor your mom on Mother’s Day after she’s done all for you?

Susanna: (Pretend crying) I feel so awful. I can’t believe I was going to do that to my mother. (Blows nose with honking sound.)

Nick: (Walking past.) What’s wrong with her?

Susanna: Oh, nothing. She’s just having a great Mother’s Day.

Nick: Right. (Keeps walking)