Growing Kids in Grace

Sunday, May 6, 2012

1. Story (based on Numbers 13:1-30)

God’s special people, the Israelites, were slaves in Egypt for 400 years.
One day, God saved them and brought them out of Egypt. He was going to bring them into the Promised Land, the special place that He had reserved for them.
But first, they had to cross a desert. So for many months they walked, until one day, they were near the Promised Land.
Then God told Moses, “Send spies into Canaan, the country I am giving you. Tell them to see what sort of land it is. Find out what the people are like who live there.”
Moses did as God asked. He choice one man from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. Moses raised his hand and blessed the 12 men as they left camp.

1. Story (based on Luke 24:44-53)

Last week we learnt about how Jesus appeared his disciples. What was the name of the disciple who wanted proof that Jesus was alive? (Thomas) And who did Jesus say was more blessed because they believed without seeing? (All of us)
Over the next 40 days, Jesus met and talked with His disciples and explained many things to them.
He explained to them about what all the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms were talking about — they were talking about Jesus. Everything that happened to Him — His life, His death and His resurrection — had already been planned by God from the beginning of time.

1. Story (based on Luke 24:36-53; John 20:24-29)

Last week we learnt about how Jesus appeared to some of His disciples. How many? (2) What was the name of one of them? (Cleopas). Where were they walking to? (Emmaus)
After the two disciples recognized Jesus, they quickly ran all the way back to Jerusalem to tell the others that they had seen Jesus.
The other disciples were also excited … Jesus had appeared to Simon Peter. As they were talking, suddenly, guess who appeared before them? Jesus!
The disciples were startled and afraid. They thought He was a ghost!

1. Story (based on Luke 24:13-35)

Last week, we heard of how Mary and Peter and John went to Jesus’ tomb and saw that it was empty!
That same day, two other disciples — Cleopas and his friend — were walking to a village called Emmaus, about 7 miles from Jerusalem.
How do you think they were feeling? Yes, they were feeling sad! They were feeling dejected. Disappointed. Defeated.
Their friend Jesus had died. Their hopes and dreams for a superhero savior had been dashed. And now, they have heard that Jesus’ tomb was empty!
As they walked and talked to each other, suddenly Jesus came by and walked together with them. But somehow, they were not able to recognize him.

Lesson: The Empty Tomb

1. Story (based on Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18)

Good morning, boys and girls! (Good morning!)
Do you like mystery stories?
Today we are going to hear about the most exciting mystery story every told. I call it, "The Case of the Empty Tomb."
This is a story about what happened after Jesus died on the cross. Jesus died on a Friday. It was a very sad day. It was sad because Jesus’ friends didn’t know what was going to happen. They didn’t understand why Jesus had to die.
Late on that Friday afternoon, Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross. It was wrapped in long strips of cloth. And it was buried in a rich man’s tomb. A large stone was rolled over the entrance to the tomb, and soldiers were standing outside to make sure that nothing happened to Jesus’ body. Jesus was dead.

Lesson: Jesus exchanged His life for me to set me FREE!

1. Lesson (based on Luke 23:13-25; adapted from: He died for me)

Last week, Jesus was on trial before the elders, Pilate and Herod.
All of them could find nothing wrong with Jesus. He was blameless and sinless.

Today we will look at a man named Barabbas. Let me describe Barabbas' room: hard bed; dark, dingy walls; window (draw bars). Where was Barabbas?
That's right! He was in Jail! He deserved to be in jail. He was a thief and a murderer. The law at that time said that the punishment for murder was death. Did Barabbas deserve to die according to the law at that time? Yes, he did.

1. Story (based on Luke 22:63-71; 23:1-25)
(Option: get kids to act out the trials etc. Can be impromptu or rehearsed.)

Last week we learned that Jesus was arrested and brought to the High Priest’s house.

The Jewish religious leaders did not like Jesus.
They felt threatened by Him because of His growing popularity — ever since Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, they have been trying to get rid of Him.
They thought He was wrong to claim that He was the Son of God. They called that blasphemy.

So they put Him through several trials in an attempt to find him guilty of something so he could be punished with death.