Jesus Forgave Peter (John 21)

Dear families,

In the beginning of John 21, we read of the resurrected Christ’s third appearance to His disciples. Although Peter had seen Jesus, perhaps he had not yet come to terms with his three-fold denial of Jesus. Through a series of three questions and commands, Jesus demonstrated His mercy and forgiveness toward Peter’s denial as well as His wisdom to help Peter understand that obedience flows from a heart of love toward God. 

How does Christ’s forgiveness toward Peter demonstrate His own mercy toward us? What does Jesus’ commission to Peter teach us about our call as forgiven disciples? 

While Peter hadn’t been the first disciple in the boat to realize the man calling them back to shore was Christ, he was the first one making waves to get back and join the Savior where He stood. We witness this headstrong disciple plunge himself into the sea to swim to Jesus while the rest struggled to haul in all the fish they had caught. 

In their conversation after breakfast, Jesus repeatedly asked Peter, “Do you love me?” Each time Jesus asked, Peter became more grieved. Jesus didn’t ask this question because He didn’t know the disciple’s response; rather, Jesus wanted Peter to examine his motives and mission before stepping into God’s calling on his life: that he would lead others into His gift of eternal life. 

Lead your children to consider how impactful Jesus’ mercy was in these moments on the beach. How unbelievable it is that Jesus was willing to forgive Peter after all the times he had denied Him! This same forgiveness has been granted to us through faith in Jesus.  

Remember: God chose to use Peter to lead others to Jesus, despite the ways he had fallen short in sin. God can choose us, too. Nothing can separate us from Jesus’s love, power, or authority over our lives. With each new day, He beckons us to lead others as we follow Him. 

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: Jesus loved His friends and wanted them to follow Him. Jesus loves us and wants us to follow Him, too. 
• Younger Preschool: Jesus showed His friends that He still loved them and wanted them to follow Him. Jesus forgives and loves everyone who trusts in Him. 
• Older Preschool: When Jesus was arrested, His disciples ran away. Jesus showed His friends that He still loved them and wanted them to keep following Him. Even though we sin, Jesus forgives us and wants us to follow Him. 
• Kids: The disciples had turned away from Jesus when He was arrested, but Jesus still wanted to use them in God’s plan—as fishers of men who would tell people the good news about Jesus. Jesus is the Lord who forgives us and makes things right again. 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: How do we know God wants us to know Him? We know God wants us to know Him because He shows Himself through the Bible. 
• Older Preschool: How do we know God wants us to know Him? We know God wants us to know Him because He shows Himself through the Bible.  
• Kids: How do we know that God wants us to know Him? We can know that God wants us to know Him because He has revealed Himself through His Word. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: People who know God will live forever. John 17:3 
• Younger Preschool: People who know the only true God and Jesus will live forever. John 17:3 
• Older Preschool: “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ.” John 17:3 
• Kids: “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ.” John 17:3 

** Next week: God Wants Us to Know Him (Matthew 28)

Jesus Appeared to Thomas (John 20)

Dear families,

Toward the end of John 20, we find the disciples gathered, only a week after the discovery of the empty tomb. Word of His resurrection had already begun circulating, and Jesus even made Himself known to some followers. At this point in the story, we read of Thomas’ response when faced with the news of Jesus’s resurrected life. 

What lessons can we learn from Thomas’ doubt? Why did Christ declare our faith was more blessed than our sight? 

Doubt comes so naturally to us. We so often feel the need to see things for ourselves before choosing to move forward in trust. This is as true for us now as it was for Thomas. However, unlike the doubting disciple, we do not have the scar-bearing Christ standing physically in our midst. Yet, Jesus declared this reality to be our blessing and advantage. 

Thomas’ encounter with Jesus offers us a significant truth about the necessity of faith. Like this disciple, we weren’t physically present to witness the stone roll away or to see the Lord’s burial clothes folded neatly where His body once lay. We weren’t there, racing at breakneck speed to see the empty tomb with our own eyes. However, we can receive the greater blessing of faith that only comes with the absence of sight. How great will our joy be when our faith does become sight! 

Just as Jesus’ resurrected body was able to appear to His disciples even while they hid behind a locked door, so can He break down the barriers to our faith. He welcomes doubters to enter into His presence. Jesus stood among them despite their distress and fear. In fact, His initial greeting was one of gentleness and peace—not anger or apathy. 

As you talk with your kids this week, help them understand that Christ offers us the same peace and compassion given to Thomas and the others. He likewise commissions us to proclaim the good news to the ends of the earth. Just as Thomas heard of the resurrection through word of mouth, people around us are also dependent upon our sharing of the gospel’s great news. 

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 have not seen Jesus, but if we believe in Him, we will be blessed. 
• Younger Preschool: Jesus is still alive today. We have not seen Jesus, but if we believe in Him, we will be blessed. 
• Older Preschool: Jesus is still alive today. We have not seen Jesus, but if we believe in Him, we will be blessed. 
• Kids: Jesus is still alive today. We have not seen Jesus, but if we believe in Him, we will be blessed. Jesus sends out believers to tell others about Him and gives us the Holy Spirit to help us. 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: How do we know God wants us to know Him? We know God wants us to know Him because He shows Himself through the Bible. 
• Older Preschool: How do we know God wants us to know Him? We know God wants us to know Him because He shows Himself through the Bible.  
• Kids: How do we know that God wants us to know Him? We can know that God wants us to know Him because He has revealed Himself through His Word. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: People who know God will live forever. John 17:3 
• Younger Preschool: People who know the only true God and Jesus will live forever. John 17:3 
• Older Preschool: “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ.” John 17:3 
• Kids: “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ.” John 17:3 

** Next week: Jesus Forgave Peter (John 21)

Jesus Appeared to the Disciples (Luke 24)

Dear families,

In the final chapter of Luke’s Gospel account, we receive insight into how Christ made His resurrection power known. The manner He chose to reveal His newly resurrected body teaches us how we can share and receive His gospel truths in the present day. Since Christians today represent the body of Christ in action, we serve as living, tangible proof of His resurrection power in the world. Just as the earliest followers sought to make His life, death, and resurrection known within their circles, we too must seek to share the gospel with the world today. 

Why did Christ return to the people after His crucifixion? What knowledge did He seek to impart to them amidst their weariness and confusion?  

Though Christ now sits at the right hand of God, shortly after His resurrection He chose to stand in His followers’ midst, that His resurrected humanity might become apparent to them. The first greeting He offered was that of peace through the gift of His presence. 

The questions He posed were rhetorical: “Why are you troubled? For what reason do you doubt?” Jesus recognized their fear and welcomed His disciples to see and touch His body so that their fear may be overcome with belief. His desire was that they would realize their need for His peace and be assured by the power of His resurrected presence. 

As you talk with kids about Christ’s resurrection, reflect on the peace that His presence provides. He left the comfort of heaven that we would have peace with the Father through His death and resurrection. The disciples saw and believed in Christ’s resurrection and would later come to profess His peace throughout the world. Only Jesus provides peace to all who trust in Him as Savior. By teaching this story to your group, you’re extending the legacy of the earliest church members! 

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: God made Jesus alive again! We can tell others this good news. 
• Younger Preschool: God made Jesus alive again! Jesus is still alive today. He wants us to tell others this very good news. 
• Older Preschool: God made Jesus alive again! Jesus visited many people so they would know He is alive. Jesus is still alive today. He wants us to tell others this very good news. 
• Kids: For 40 days, Jesus presented Himself to over 500 people and proved that He is alive. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8) Jesus is still alive today. He sends out believers to tell others about Him. 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: How do we know God wants us to know Him? We know God wants us to know Him because He shows Himself through the Bible. 
• Older Preschool: How do we know God wants us to know Him? We know God wants us to know Him because He shows Himself through the Bible.  
• Kids: How do we know that God wants us to know Him? We can know that God wants us to know Him because He has revealed Himself through His Word. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: People who know God will live forever. John 17:3 
• Younger Preschool: People who know the only true God and Jesus will live forever. John 17:3 
• Older Preschool: “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ.” John 17:3 
• Kids: “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ.” John 17:3 

** Next week: Jesus Appeared to Thomas (John 20)

 Unit Description: Jesus’ resurrection was no secret. For 40 days, Jesus appeared to His disciples and hundreds of others so that they would know He is alive forevermore. Jesus wants everyone to know Him, trust Him, and live for Him. 

Younger Preschool Big Picture Question: How do we know God wants us to know Him? We know God wants us to know Him because He shows Himself through the Bible.

Older Preschool Big Picture Question: How do we know God wants us to know Him? We know God wants us to know Him because He shows Himself through the Bible. 

Jesus Is Our Perfect King (Colossians 1)

Dear families,

One of the most magnificent titles given to Christ is that of the complete and perfect King. Paul reflected on both the might and majesty of the risen Jesus as he detailed the immensity of the hope we find in His name. Though we are prone to falter and fail, Christ in His completeness remains the full, sovereign fixture of our faith.

On what basis do we crown Jesus King? How do we see His kingship demonstrated to us and through us as His followers? It is through His sufficiency and might as righteous King that we find our strength and hope. It was not through earthly wisdom or power that Paul endured persecution and hardship; only because of his trust in Jesus did he find the strength to persevere and encourage the Colossians whom he loved.

The basis of Paul’s hope was the sufficiency of Christ. He wrote that Jesus had been present since the beginning and lived on the earth as our Immanuel, “God with us.” Because He has existed for all time and everything exists for Him and through Him, He reigns supremely and sovereignly over all things. As His followers, we are the body of Christ, and He is the head. There is no greater ruler than He, our perfect King.

By placing our trust in Him as Lord and King over our lives, we are made holy and blameless before Him. Through His Spirit at work in us, we are renewed to reflect the character that He alone embodies. In and of Himself alone, He is holy and complete, lacking nothing in perfection. It is by grace through faith that we enter into the kingdom of the Son whom the Father loves, and are able to live for His glory on earth.

Share with kids that the truth we are all seeking—whether we are young or old, lifelong followers of Christ or new to the faith—is found in Him alone. Just as the church in Colossae had to heed God’s truth apart from the false gospels of the world, so, too, must we seek to find our answers from the Scriptures. May we continue to be filled with His knowledge and strength, being transformed more into the image of the perfect King who made a way for us.

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: Jesus is King over all.
• Younger Preschool: Jesus is God’s Son, and He died on the cross to rescue people from sin. Jesus rose from the dead and is King over everything.
• Older Preschool: Paul reminded believers that Jesus is most important. Jesus is God’s Son, and He died on the cross to rescue people from sin. Jesus defeated sin and death and rules as King over all.
• Kids: Paul encouraged believers by reminding them that Jesus is great. Jesus is God’s Son, and He died on the cross to rescue people from sin. Jesus conquered sin and death and reigns as King over all.

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 Appeared to the Disciples (Luke 24)

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

Dear families,

Amidst the darkness of the crucifixion story, the promise of new life in Jesus sprang forth. Here in these passages, the truth of Christ’s victory became known first to His closest followers and then was spread throughout the rest of the world. 

With what power was Jesus raised from the grave? How did these events tie into the story of the gospel or into our own lives? Every word of the Scriptures works in harmony to point to the reality of Christ’s death and resurrection. Through His victory over sin and death, those who believe in His name find everlasting life through Him, God’s Son.

Despite the security of the closely guarded tomb, Christ still rose again from the grave. Though the chief priests conspired to stop the truth of His resurrection from circulating, the truths of Christ’s enduring power still resounded. The guards in their earthly strength, as well as the priests in their worldly power, stood no chance against the unstoppable might of the one, true Son of God.

The Spirit of God that raised Christ from the dead was not just a once-and-done deal. In fact, that same Spirit is alive inside of those who profess faith in Jesus even still today. Remind kids that the miraculous power at work in the Son is still working within those who call upon His name for salvation from sin. God was pleased with His Son who reigns as King over all creation; He has invited us to enter into a relationship with Him, all because of the work that Christ did on our behalf.

Just as the angels reminded the women at the empty tomb, Christ did all that He said He would do, exactly as the Old Testament proclaimed the Messiah would. His truth remains, and His Word endures. Although the chief priests tried to spread false news, Christ’s truth remains active and living, still alive today. Despite the mourning, weeping, and confusion of our human experiences, the good news is still ours to proclaim and cling to with hope. Christ is risen, and He invites us into the victory He has secured.

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: God raised Jesus from the dead to be King over everything.
• Younger Preschool: Jesus died on the cross for our sins, but He rose from the dead and is alive! God raised Jesus from the dead to be the King over everything.
• Older Preschool: Jesus died on the cross for our sins, but He rose from the dead and is alive! God raised Jesus from the dead to be the King over everything. Jesus rescues us from sin and promises that we will live forever with Him.
• Kids: Jesus died on the cross for our sins, but He didn’t stay dead. God was pleased with Jesus’ sacrifice and raised Jesus from the dead on the third day to reign as King over all creation. Jesus provides salvation from sin and the promise of eternal life.

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 Is Our Perfect King (Colossians 1)

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)

Unit Description: The darkest day the world has ever seen became the brightest day one glorious Sunday morning. After Jesus was unjustly convicted of a crime, He was crucified and His body was placed in a tomb. But on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, defeating sin and death and rising again as the conquering King.

Preschool Big Picture Question:  How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus perfectly rules over everything.

Key Passage
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

SESSION 1: Jesus Was Put on Trial (Matthew 26–27; Mark 14–15; Luke 22–23; John 18)*
SESSION 2: Jesus Was Crucified (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23–24; John 19–20)
SESSION 3: Jesus Was Raised  (Matthew 27–28; Mark 15–16; Luke 23–24; John 19–20)
SESSION 4: Jesus Is Our Perfect King (Colossians 1)

*this lesson will be skipped at church because of the family worship service (no childcare available) on March 17 but you can still access content for this lesson online at The Gospel Project at Home

Jesus Is Our Perfect Priest (Hebrews 7)

Dear families,

It is difficult to comprehend the gospel’s richness without understanding Christ’s role as perfect priest. Because we do not live in the same religious and sacrificial system that the early church was so familiar with, we may struggle to savor the nuances of all this divine position entails. 

Throughout the promises of the old covenant, priests were necessary to represent the people before God and make atonement for sin. However, because these priests were not sinless themselves, they could not fully and perfectly pay the price for the sins of their fellow man. For this reason, the greater, perfect Priest—Jesus—was needed, and only He could satisfy the wrath of God on our behalf. 

Only Christ held the power of an indestructible life, having been crucified and raised again for all eternity. Whereas earthly priests could only serve for the duration of their lifetimes, Jesus holds this position forever, now seated at the right hand of God the Father. The promises of God through Jesus were perfected and completed through His eternal, all-encompassing sacrifice.

In Christ alone we find salvation and relationship with the Father. When we trust in Jesus by faith, we are made righteous and find peace with God; these are the promises foreshadowed by Melchizedek, whose name means king of righteousness and of peace (Hebrews 7:3). Jesus, the perfect Son of God, is even greater than this priest who blessed Abraham and reminded him of the victory God granted him in battles before. 

Explain to kids that in Jesus we find complete forgiveness and victory in the war against sin and death. He rose again that we would experience the promise of eternal life that only comes through faith in Him. No earthly priest was able to accomplish such a feat. Without His work on our behalf, we would remain condemned by the law. Through Jesus, we are held back no longer, fully alive and set free to love the Lord with all we are.

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: Jesus is the perfect Priest who gave His life for us.
• Younger Preschool: Jesus is the perfect Priest who gave His life for us. Everyone who trusts in Him has forgiveness and life with God forever.
• Older Preschool: Jesus is the perfect Priest who gave His life for sinners. He is the true and final sacrifice for sin. Everyone who trusts in Jesus has forgiveness and life with God forever.
• Kids: Jesus is the perfect Priest, the high priest who interceded on behalf of the people by laying down His life to be a once-and-for-all sacrifice for sin. Everyone who trusts in Jesus has salvation from sin through His perfect life, death, and resurrection.

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 Priest? Jesus gave His life for us.
• Older Preschool: How is Jesus the perfect Priest? Jesus gave His life as the perfect sacrifice for sin.
• Kids: How is Jesus the perfect Priest? Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for sin, and He speaks to God the Father for us today.

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: Jesus never sinned. Hebrews 4:15
• Younger Preschool: Jesus lived a perfect life. Hebrews 4:15
• Older Preschool: For we … have a high priest … who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15
• Kids: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

** Next week: Jesus Was Put on Trial (Matthew 26–27; Mark 14–15; Luke 22–23; John 18)

Jesus Was Arrested (Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22)

Dear families,

Christ’s arrest and betrayal remain some of the darkest accounts we read in the Scriptures. The sinless Savior experienced rejection at the hands of His closest friends, knowing the darkness of death He would soon encounter in the hours that followed. The recurring theme that resurfaced throughout each unfolding event was that Christ foreknew all that would come next, yet He took to the cross for our salvation anyway.

The all-knowing Jesus recounted to His disciples the deceitfulness of not only the chief priests and elders, but also of His own follower, Judas, and of the other disciples who would likewise flee in fear of persecution. Each time the Lord shared the truths of the darkness to come, His followers failed to acknowledge the reality of their own faithlessness.

Christ foresaw the betrayals of them all yet forgave them of their sins and continued to walk toward the cross. With each new turn, the Savior remained faithfully in step with the Father’s love. Amid the striking and scattering of His disciples–just as Zechariah 13:7 prophesied–Christ remained resolute, His trust in the Father unfaltering. 

We see His dedication to God through His time spent praying in the garden, as well as in His invitation to the disciples to join Him in prayer. While Jesus earnestly poured out His prayers to the Father, the disciples chose sleep over prayer. And yet, Christ remained steadfast in following his Father’s plan; His eyes toward the suffering He would endure on the cross for sinners.

Explain to kids that Jesus knows our greatest sin, struggles, and inconsistencies but still loves and pursues us despite it all, just as He did with His disciples. Our faith in Him as the Savior was never based on our ability to follow Him perfectly, but rather on Christ’s abilities to obey the Father perfectly. In Him we place our faith as the One who knew our darkness and chose us anyway. Though we do not know what awaits us, we know who remains steadfast amidst the darkness and the unknown: Jesus 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: Jesus obeyed His Father’s plan no matter what.
• Younger Preschool: Jesus followed God’s plan to rescue people from sin. Jesus’ friends left Him and He was arrested, but Jesus did not fight back. He wanted to do His Father’s plan no matter what.
• Older Preschool: Jesus knew God’s plan was for Him to die to rescue people from sin. Jesus’ friends left Him and He was arrested, but Jesus did not fight back. He wanted to do His Father’s plan no matter what.
• Kids: Jesus knew that His death was God’s plan to save people from sin. Jesus’ friends turned against Him and He was arrested and put on trial, but Jesus followed His Father’s plan in order to bring salvation to the world.

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 Priest? Jesus gave His life for us.
• Older Preschool: How is Jesus the perfect Priest? Jesus gave His life as the perfect sacrifice for sin.
• Kids: How is Jesus the perfect Priest? Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for sin, and He speaks to God the Father for us today.

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: Jesus never sinned. Hebrews 4:15
• Younger Preschool: Jesus lived a perfect life. Hebrews 4:15
• Older Preschool: For we … have a high priest … who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15
• Kids: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

** Next week: Jesus Is Our Perfect Priest (Hebrews 7)