Lesson: Narrow is the Way

Sermon on the Mount: Narrow is the Way

To Remember: We must choose between good and bad

Vocabulary

Narrow - thin

Lesson - Matt 7:13-14; Matt. 6:24

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leads unto life, and few are they that find it.

Life is like a road. When you came to church tonight, you took a road to get here. There were other streets that you could have taken, but you wouldn't have ended up here. You had to follow a certain path to get here. If you'd taken a different road, you would have ended up somewhere else.

Jesus said that the choices we make in life are like picking which road to take. He describes two roads. One is wide, and flat, and easy with a wide gate at the end. The other is narrow, and rugged, and difficult, with a narrow opening at its end. Most people take the easy road, and few take the narrow one. But Jesus said that the wide and easy road leads to destruction, and the straight and narrow road leads to eternal life.

When we have to make choices in life, we have to base our decisions on more than what is easiest. Often what seems easiest or most appealing is the worst choice we can make. Satan wants us to sin, so he makes sin look good. But we have to know where our decisions will lead us. We have to look at the consequences of our decisions

Sing: The wise man built his house upon the rock

Activity: Use modeling clay, felt, or construction paper to create the scene in the passage. Have students show two roads, leading to two gates. Show many people on one and few on the other.

True or False

All roads lead to heaven. (F)
God gave us the map to get to heaven. (T)
The easiest choice is always the best. (F)
God will save everybody. (F)
Getting to heaven is easy. (F)

Discussion Point: We can't take the easy road to get to heaven, we have to follow the narrow road. Some people think they can do both. Is it possible to drive on two different roads at the same time? Is it possible to drive in two different directions? No! But some people think they can do wrong and be right. They think they can serve God, but do everything they want to do. Jesus said this is impossible. We have to decided to follow God, and put His will first.

Activities

Memory Work: Books of the New Testament round robin

Memory Work

Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (ASV)

Questions for Review

What two places did the roads lead in Jesus' lesson? (heaven and hell)
Which road was wide and easy to travel? (the one to destruction)
Which road was least popular? (the road to heaven)
Why do fewer people choose the road to heaven? (it is more difficult)
Where did God put the directions to heaven? (the Bible)
How do we choose the right road? (make righteous decisions)
Can people do whatever they want and serve God? (no)
Who chooses who we serve? (we do)