Matthew 12 · Grade 3

Greater Than Jonah

Name Date

Read the Story

One Sabbath, Jesus' disciples were hungry and picked some grain to eat. The Pharisees said this broke the Sabbath rules. Jesus said that God desires mercy, and that He, the Son of Man, is Lord of the Sabbath. Then Jesus healed a man's withered hand, because it is right to do good on the Sabbath.

Jesus healed many people. Matthew says He was the gentle Servant that Isaiah wrote about, who would not break a bruised reed. When Jesus freed a man from a demon, some leaders said His power came from Satan. Jesus said that was foolish. A kingdom fighting itself cannot stand. He was defeating evil by the Spirit of God.

Some asked for a sign. Jesus said the only sign would be the sign of Jonah. As Jonah was three days in the big fish, Jesus would be three days in the earth, and then rise again. Later, Jesus pointed to His disciples and said that whoever does the will of His Father is His brother, sister and mother.

Memory Verse

For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

Matthew 12:50 (WEB)

Answer the Questions

Why did the Pharisees complain about the disciples?
What did Jesus say He is Lord of?
Why did Jesus heal the man on the Sabbath?
What is the sign of Jonah?
Who did Jesus say is His family?

Put the Story in Order

Write what happened in each box.

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can you show care for people in need like Jesus?
Jesus said that people who do God's will are His family. How can you treat people at church like family?