Does your master pay taxes?

Scripture:
God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus
Philippians 4:19

Key word(s):

Taxes: charge against a citizen''s person or property or activity for the support of government.

Attention Grabber:
I explained that we as a class got paid $800.00. With this money we had to first pay state and federal taxes. Next we had to pay tithes which is $80.00. In addition, we had to get necessities such as food, clothing, gas, cable/Internet, cleaning supplies, etc.

Objective: To see how much money from a pay check goes to taxes and tithes. Also, to show the children how sometimes once the taxes and tithes are paid we have to go without some of the stuff we want (ie video games, cell phones, etc).

Lesson:
Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, The tax collector came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your master pay the temple tax?""Yes, he does," he replied.When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes-from their own children or from others?" "From others," Peter answered."Then the children are exempt," Jesus said to him. "But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."

- Matthew 17:24-27

Important Notes:
Obedience: although it did not make sense to Peter for a coin to be in a fish's mouth he did as Jesus instructed him
Jesus uses your strengths: Jesus knowing that Peter was a former fisherman, .uses Peter's skill to perform his miracle

Review Questions:
1. What did the tax collector ask Peter?
Answer: does his master pay taxes
2. Did Peter tell the tax collector Jesus paid taxes? Was it true?
Answer: yes he said Jesus paid his taxes but he was not telling the truth
3. How did Jesus and Peter pay their taxes?
Answer: Jesus told Peter to go fishing and he would find enough money in the fish mouth to pay taxes for him and Peter.
4. Which Peter is the story about?
Answer: Simeon Peter

Teacher: Cierra Francis