The Disciples Replaced Judas (Acts 1)

Dear families,

In the latter half of Acts 1, Jesus’ eleven disciples were at a turning point in their ministry. Jesus had ascended to heaven, and His followers recognized the gap Judas left. They came together, united in mission and motive as they waited for the promised Holy Spirit. 

How did the disciples take their next step without Christ’s physical presence guiding them like before? To what did they cling for hope and clarity?  

Verse 14 explained that a zealous prayer life knitted together the eleven disciples and their fellow believers. This eagerness to commune with the Father not only bound them together in fellowship; it also unified them as they sought out the next leader to take Judas Iscariot’s place. 

While they followed Jesus’ command to wait in Jerusalem, the disciples leaned on God’s Word as the cornerstone of their faith. Peter stood up among their community of believers, reminding them of Scripture’s supremacy and foresight. He reassured them of the Holy Spirit’s movement throughout the Old Testament and emphasized His presence and guidance amidst this new turning point for the church. 

Continuing to unite themselves in prayer, they sought out the next apostle to join them as a leader. They trusted the character and direction of the God whom they served and called for Matthias to join them. Through prayer and meditation over God’s Word, they were certain about the call on this new disciple’s life. 

Consider the example set by the early church in Acts 1. When they found themselves at a crossroads, they turned to the same resources we have available today: prayer, biblical community, Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As you prepare to lead your kids this week, be encouraged that you are using the same tools to prepare for your family ministry as the early church used. God is faithful to use us for His kingdom purposes just as He faithfully used the early church to complete the mission He gave them.

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 wants us to work together to tell others about Jesus. 
• Younger Preschool: Matthias was chosen to join Jesus’ friends to tell others about Jesus. God wants us to work together to tell others about Jesus, too. 
• Older Preschool: Matthias was chosen to join the disciples to tell others about Jesus. God wants us to work together to tell others about Jesus, too. 
• Kids: Matthias was chosen to join the apostles in sharing what they learned about Jesus. God calls us to join in this mission of sharing the gospel, working in community, and seeking Him in prayer. 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: How does the Holy Spirit help Christians? The Holy Spirit helps us as we live.
• Older Preschool: How does the Holy Spirit help Christians? The Holy Spirit comforts us, shows us our sin, and guides us as we live for God’s glory. 
• Kids: How does the Holy Spirit help Christians? The Holy Spirit comforts us, shows us our sin, and guides us as we live for God’s glory. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: God’s Spirit helps us be like Jesus. Galatians 5:22 
• Younger Preschool: God’s Spirit gives us love, joy, and peace like Jesus. Galatians 5:22 
• Older Preschool: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 
• Kids: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. Galatians 5:22-23 

** Next week: The Holy Spirit Came (Acts 2)

Jesus Gave His Followers a Mission (Acts 1)

Dear families,

Today’s passage is found in the first chapter of the book of Acts. Although Jesus’ time on earth was coming to an end, He promised to leave for His followers a special Helper and Guide. God fulfilled His promise to remain with us, and through the gift of the Holy Spirit, He also provided the power to accomplish the mission of His church. 

What was Jesus’ overall mission for His church? Better yet, how were the apostles supposed to accomplish this feat in Christ’s absence? 

Jesus’ departure meant great uncertainty for His people. He proclaimed the restoration of God’s kingdom, but His apostles could not seem to recognize His power at work. Though they requested a timeline for their troubles, the Lord directed their attention away from the passage of earthly time and instead toward the power of His Holy Spirit. 

As He did with His early followers, the Lord has called us to be witnesses of His good news to the world. He may not give us the answer to every one of our questions, but He does give us the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim His good news with our words and actions. From Judea to Samaria, near and far, there is no place His power and purpose cannot reach. Knowing we lack the ability to do His will on our own, He provided His Holy Spirit to aid us on this mission. Jesus even declared in John 16:7 that it is better that He leave us and grant us the Spirit’s power in His place. 

As you talk with your kids this week, consider the truth that the Holy Spirit has already provided us the strength needed to witness to the next generation of Christ followers. While we may not understand His timing or plans, we can trust in His ability to provide what is needed to do His will. Help your class see that the Holy Spirit empowers us to face life’s uncertainties and to live on mission for His kingdom, leading others to place their trust in the God who provides all we need. 

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 sent the Holy Spirit to help us while we wait for Jesus to come again. 
• Younger Preschool: Jesus left earth and returned to heaven, but He did not leave us alone. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us do God’s work on earth while we wait for Jesus to come again. 
• Older Preschool: Jesus left earth and returned to heaven, but He did not leave us alone. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us do God’s work on earth while we wait for Jesus to come back and make everything new. 
• Kids: Jesus left earth and returned to heaven, but He did not leave us alone. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be with us and help us do God’s work. One day, Jesus will return to make all things new and to rule as Lord 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 does the Holy Spirit help Christians? The Holy Spirit helps us as we live.
• Older Preschool: How does the Holy Spirit help Christians? The Holy Spirit comforts us, shows us our sin, and guides us as we live for God’s glory. 
• Kids: How does the Holy Spirit help Christians? The Holy Spirit comforts us, shows us our sin, and guides us as we live for God’s glory. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: God’s Spirit helps us be like Jesus. Galatians 5:22 
• Younger Preschool: God’s Spirit gives us love, joy, and peace like Jesus. Galatians 5:22 
• Older Preschool: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 
• Kids: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. Galatians 5:22-23 

** Next week: The Disciples Replaced Judas (Acts 1)

Unit Description: Before Jesus returned to be with the Father, He gave His followers the mission to continue what He had begun. But this is a mission they would not be able to complete in their own power. Jesus would send the Holy Spirit to change them and empower them to be His witnesses to the world.

Younger Preschool Big Picture Question: How does the Holy Spirit help Christians? The Holy Spirit helps us as we live.

Older Preschool Big Picture Question: How does the Holy Spirit help Christians? The Holy Spirit comforts us, shows us our sin, and guides us as we live for God’s glory.

God Wants Us to Know Him (Matthew 28)

Dear families,

Today’s passage from Matthew 28 is referred to as “The Great Commission.” We see here that the resurrected Jesus purposely brought His eleven disciples together to receive the invitation and instruction they would need to fulfill the Father’s will. God’s overall plan for His creation has always been that they would know Him and lead others to know Him, too. 

What was the significance of Christ drawing near to them in this passage? Why does the Lord promise to be with them as He commissions them to teach the good news to others? 

Verse 18 tells us that, despite the disciples’ fear and doubt, the Lord chose to draw near to them. His words offered the encouragement and direction they needed to hear. The Word made flesh—Immanuel—draws near to His people, even amid their unworthiness. This is the essence of the gospel message, and it is the good news that sustained the church then and still does today. 

Jesus also knew the trials and persecution His disciples would face in the days to come. This is why He promised to never leave or forsake them, even when their situations seemed hopeless, disheartening, or dangerous. No matter what, until the end of the age, the Lord continues to remain near to His people. 

Consider how the Great Commission began with Jesus declaring that all authority belongs to Him because He has perfectly completed the Father’s plan for salvation, accomplishing what we cannot. Then, reflect on the reality that Christ continues the call to create new disciples: to inform others of how they, too, may respond to this invitation to know Jesus for themselves. Christ—our perfect example, our God-made-flesh—has invited us into His story of redemption so we would guide others to Him as well. 

Explain to kids that despite our fear and doubt, Christ extends the Great Commission to us and has given us the authority and power to share the good news with those around us. Our call to know Jesus was never meant to end with us, but to be extended to others. 

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 wants us to know and love Him forever. 
• Younger Preschool: Jesus came to earth as a baby, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross for our sins. He rose from the dead and wants us to know and love Him forever. 
• Older Preschool: Jesus came to earth as a baby, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross for our sins. He rose from the dead and wants us to know Him, love Him, and live with Him forever. 
• Kids: Jesus came to earth as a baby, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross for our sins. He rose from the dead and invites us into God’s family forever. God wants us to know Him and to tell others about Him, too. 

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 Gave His Followers a Mission (Acts 1)

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)