Unit 27, Session 2

Jesus Was Crucified
(Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23–24; John 19–20)

Dear families,

Here in the New Testament crucifixion accounts, we read of Christ taking to the cross on our behalf. In this place where Jesus was stripped of His dignity, we find ourselves clothed in His righteousness by faith.

Why did the omnipotent Jesus choose the cross? How did the suffering of Jesus lead to life everlasting for us? It was through the undeserved disgrace He endured that we would receive God’s unwarranted grace and the gift of new life.

In the events leading up to His crucifixion, the King of glory faced criminal charges based on His claim to kingship. We read that the scoffers in the crowd and rulers of the day failed to truly realize His eternal reigning power that transcended the politics of their day. Though He was truly the all-powerful Son of God, He was unwilling to save Himself, that He might save us instead through suffering on our behalf. He refused to bow down to the hateful whims of the world, even despite the physical torture He was forced to endure. How heartbreaking to consider the insults hurled at the only truly innocent One, even from the mouths of the criminals who hung at His side on the cross.

In the aftermath of such excruciating punishment—and at the hands of so many of His own people, at that—the Son of Man was laid to rest in a garden tomb, thus fulfilling the burial prophecy of Isaiah 53:9. The ultimate price was paid by the God who keeps His promises, from the old covenant now into the new.

Teach your kids that on Calvary’s hill as darkness fell upon the earth, we got to experience the life that could only come from the death of God’s own Son. He who knew no sin experienced the depths of separation from the Father so that we would not have to endure such darkness. Christ took on the feeling of forsakenness so that we would never have to know what life is like without Him; this is our invitation to everlasting life that is only received by faith alone.

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities.

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

• Babies & Toddlers: We deserve to die because of sin, but Jesus died for us.
• Younger Preschool: We deserve to die because of our sin, but Jesus died for us and rose from the dead. When we trust in Jesus, God forgives our sin and gives us life with Him forever.
• Older Preschool: We deserve to die because of our sin, but God loves us and sent Jesus—who never did anything wrong—to die in our place. On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead. When we trust in Jesus, God forgives our sin and gives us life with Him forever.
• Kids: We deserve to die because of our sin, but God loves us and kept His promise to send a Savior. Jesus never sinned, but He died in our place. Now those who trust in Him have forgiveness through his blood and are no longer separated from God.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Younger Preschool: How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus rules over everything.
• Older Preschool: How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus perfectly rules over everything.
• Kids: How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus perfectly rules over the universe as the King of kings.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Babies & Toddlers: Everyone will worship God forever. Revelation 5:13
• Younger Preschool: Every creature will worship God forever and ever. Revelation 5:13
• Older Preschool: I heard every creature … say, Blessing and honor and glory and power be to the one seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever! Revelation 5:13
• Kids: I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say, Blessing and honor and glory and power be to the one seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever! Revelation 5:13

** Next week: Jesus Was Raised (Matthew 27–28; Mark 15–16; Luke 23–24; John 19–20)