Unit 26, Session 3

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)

Unit 26, Session 2

Jesus Shared a Last Meal (Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22)

Dear families,

The time came nearer for Jesus and His disciples to celebrate Passover together. Christ knew the betrayal would take place soon, yet He earnestly desired to break bread and recline at the table with His closest friends. He was aware of the suffering that was soon to come, too, yet He still took to the cross for our salvation; He endured it all for the joy set before Him.

The Passover celebrated the works of God on His people’s behalf, as He freed them from Egyptian bondage. Each year, they gathered so as not to forget their miraculous deliverance from slavery. Out of these age-old traditions came the Lord’s Supper—a celebration of His new covenant.

What was the significance of the last meal taking place on the first day of Unleavened Bread? How did this tie into the promises of God’s new covenant in Jesus?

The first day of Unleavened Bread was a time when the Israelites would sacrifice their Passover lambs. They observed this tradition in remembrance of the blood of the lamb, which signified that God should pass over their home amid the last Egyptian plague. Since that event, they would continue to sacrifice a lamb in memory of God’s faithfulness in saving His people.

Even though Jesus had predicted His death, the disciples still did not comprehend all that Jesus would suffer. As He offered the cup and broke bread at their side, they could not fathom all that Christ would soon endure for them to have forgiveness and eternal life in His name. While the priests before Him could only offer up a sacrificial lamb in their place, only Jesus could truly be the sacrifice needed to atone for sin. He was the promised eternal Lamb of God who died in our place that we may truly live.

Explain to kids that the disciples did not initially have the full picture of God’s great plan of redemption as we do today. During these significant moments we read about in Scripture, they only saw up close what Jesus was doing, whereas we get to experience everlasting life now, fully knowing Him as the object of our faith.

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 made a new, better promise.
  • Younger Preschool: God’s people had promised to love and obey God, but they broke their promise. Jesus made a new and better promise. God would forgive people for their sins and  help them obey Him.
  • Older Preschool: God’s people had promised to love and obey God, but they broke their promise. God sent Jesus to make a new, even better promise. God would forgive people for their sins, and God would help them obey Him.
  • Kids: God’s people had broken the old covenant, and God promised to make a new covenant to forgive sins. The new covenant says that everyone who turns away from sin and trusts in Jesus’ death and resurrection will be forgiven of his sins and will have 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 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 Arrested (Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22)

Unit 26, Session 1

Jesus Was Anointed (Matthew 26; Mark 14; John 12)

Dear families,

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John all recounted Christ’s anointing in the last days before Passover. As Christ, His disciples, and friends all gathered to remember what God had done for His people so long ago, Mary anointed Jesus. We continue to celebrate the legacy of her worshipful act, just as Jesus proclaimed we would.

What was the significance of Mary’s extravagant offering? Why did Christ declare that she would always be remembered for the affection she displayed for her Lord?

While Judas’ eyes were blinded by his own greed, Mary’s hands were guided by devotion to Christ alone. Though it seemed her offering of such precious perfume was a waste of resources, her reverence was not lost on Jesus. He deemed the costliness of her worship to be noble and exemplary. A year’s worth of oil was worth less to her than this opportunity to worship Him there in His presence. She found herself unwilling to waste such an occasion to showcase His worth before all who were assembled in Simon the Leper’s home.

To Jesus, it did not matter where the cost of the oil went, so much as the fact that she offered it up to Him in worship. So often, those on the outside wish to find the worth of our worship through a worldly lens. However, Christ is more interested in the obedience of our hearts. The joy in our giving is of greater value than any price tag it may bear.

Mary’s choice to anoint the Lord with this costly oil became preparation for His burial; her sacrificial choice to honor Him with all she had was not put to waste. In fact, it helped establish her legacy in Scripture and even brought Christ one step closer to fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy.

Explain to kids that genuine worship, even at its costliest, is never wasted because He is worth more than all the treasures of the world. Mary’s opportunity to demonstrate Christ’s value before the others was what set her apart. How can we lead our kids toward lives of genuine devotion to Christ?

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 deserves to be worshiped. He died to rescue people from sin.
  • Younger Preschool: Jesus is most important, and He deserves to be worshiped. Jesus died to rescue people from sin. He was buried and then rose from the dead.
  • Older Preschool: Mary did the right thing by pouring oil on Jesus. She worshiped Him. Jesus is most important, and He deserves to be worshiped. Jesus knew that He was going to die to rescue people from sin. He would be buried and then rise from the dead.
  • Kids: Pouring the expensive oil on Jesus was not a waste; it was worship. By allowing Mary to anoint Him, Jesus showed that He is more valuable than anything. Jesus knew He would soon die, be buried, and rise from the dead on the third day to rescue sinners.

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 Shared a Last Meal (Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22)

Unit 26: The Arrest of Jesus

Unit Description: The time for Jesus’ rejection was at hand. After sharing a special meal with His disciples, Jesus was betrayed by one of His own and was arrested. Even as His death approached, Jesus continued to act as a perfect Priest, loving His followers and praying to the Father on their behalf.

Big Picture Question:
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.

Key Passage
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

SESSION 1: Jesus Was Anointed (Matthew 26; Mark 14; John 12)
SESSION 2: Jesus Shared a Last Meal (Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22)
SESSION 3: Jesus Was Arrested (Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22)
SESSION 4: Jesus Is Our Perfect Priest (Hebrews 7)

Unit 25, Session 5

Jesus Is Our Perfect Prophet (Deuteronomy 18)

Dear families,

In today’s passage from Deuteronomy, Moses spoke to the Israelites about the prophet God promised to raise up from among them. Unlike the imperfect Moses, his successor would prove to be even greater and better than himself. This coming prophet would be the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises of old. Only Jesus could be the One whose perfect word would faithfully and flawlessly come to pass.

Prophets served as mouthpieces between God and His people. Through sharing the Word of the Lord, they made God’s truth known among His people. What separated Jesus from Moses and the rest of the prophets, though, was that He alone could save and redeem God’s people from sin. God used the prophets of the Old Testament to continually point His people to the coming Messiah, who alone is the only Way to the Father.

How did Jesus fit the criteria for this final prophet? How could they be sure? Moses spoke of a prophet worth heeding and obeying, one whose words would truly come from the Father. Unlike the false gods and teachers who echoed off meaningless deception, Christ’s resurrection proved Him to be the perfect, promised prophet from God.

Moses instructed the Israelites to wait expectantly for the prophet who spoke God’s truth in all its fullness. He instructed them to watch for a divine message to be fulfilled as it could only come from God Himself. When it came to fruition, they would know it was His truth.

In His own perfect timing, God sent Jesus to the world to save us from sin. The ultimate fulfillment of Moses’ instructions came after Christ’s death and resurrection; He not only declared victory over sin and death but enacted His triumph on our behalf.

As you talk with your kids this week, help them understand that all Jesus spoke has and will continue to come to pass, just as Moses prophesied. Teach them that Jesus did more than simply speak God’s truth; He lived out and fulfilled its requirements so that by faith, we could be brought back into relationship with God.

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 told people God’s words and invites us into God’s family forever.
  • Younger Preschool: Jesus is the perfect Prophet. Jesus came into the world to tell people God’s words and invite them into God’s family forever.
  • Older Preschool: Jesus is the perfect Prophet God promised to send. He is the last prophet. Jesus came into the world to tell people God’s words and invite them into God’s family forever.
  • Kids: Jesus is the perfect and final Prophet God promised to send. Jesus is the Word who became a man. He came into the world not only to tell people God’s message but to bring people to God through His 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 Prophet? Jesus tells us God’s message.
  • Older Preschool: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? God speaks to us through Jesus.
  • Kids: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? Jesus perfectly reveals God the Father and fulfills what the prophets spoke.

KEY PASSAGE

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

  • Babies & Toddlers: We can listen to Jesus. Deuteronomy 18:15
  • Younger Preschool: God wants us to listen to Jesus. Deuteronomy 18:15
  • Older Preschool: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet … . You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15
  • Kids: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15

** Next week: Jesus Was Anointed (Matthew 26; Mark 14; John 12)

Unit 25, Session 4

Jesus Warned about Not Acting (Matthew 25)

Dear families,

The parables in Matthew 25 called for God’s people to lead lives ready for the Great Master’s return. These passages dwelled specifically on the importance of being moved to action rather than halted by complacency or fear. This infamous parable demonstrated the call to be doers of the Word rather than mere hearers through the different types of workers called to the same purpose of Christ’s kingdom.

Who did the master and his servants represent in this passage? What were the talents that Jesus discussed? The master of the estate represented Christ, and the servants were God’s people. Just as the master entrusted his possessions to the servants for profitable use, so, too, did the Lord entrust us to steward the gifts He delegated. This parable emphasized the role of human responsibility under the calling of those in Christ, as well as the eternal joy promised to those who walk faithfully in His ways. His call is to forsake earthly security for what is infinitely greater: a life lived in step and in service to the Great Master.

Each servant was faced with the choice of whether or not he would honor his master with faithful service. The one who received five talents produced five more for his master, while the servant given two likewise earned back the same. In the end, both received affirmations for the faithfulness they actively employed amid his absence.

However, the servant who received only one talent did not act as instructed; instead, he was motivated by fear, choosing to hide his talent in the ground. As a result, he received rebuke rather than praise. The last servant failed to hold a correct view of his lord, declaring him to be a harsh man who reaped what he did not deserve. From this incorrect perspective came the failure to act faithfully on his master’s behalf. Consider how you can lead your kids closer to a right view of the Lord in His goodness.

Our goal in this session is to strengthen our kids’ perception of God so that they, too, may enter faithfully and joyfully into His service, being moved to eager action and stewarding their lives to the worthiest Master and Lord.

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: Everyone who believes in Jesus will live with God and be happy with Him forever.
  • Younger Preschool: Everyone who believes in Jesus can serve Him as Lord. Jesus’ followers will live with God in heaven and be happy with Him forever.
  • Older Preschool: Everyone who believes in Jesus can serve Him as Lord. God is happy when people know and love Jesus. One day, every believer will live with God and be happy with Him. People will be happy to know, worship, and be with Jesus forever.
  • Kids: Every believer, as a servant of Christ, has the task of serving God with his or her life. We eagerly wait for the day we can share in the joy of our Master. Heaven is the joy of knowing, worshiping, and enjoying Jesus forever.

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 Prophet? Jesus tells us God’s message.
  • Older Preschool: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? God speaks to us through Jesus.
  • Kids: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? Jesus perfectly reveals God the Father and fulfills what the prophets spoke.

KEY PASSAGE

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

  • Babies & Toddlers: We can listen to Jesus. Deuteronomy 18:15
  • Younger Preschool: God wants us to listen to Jesus. Deuteronomy 18:15
  • Older Preschool: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet … . You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15
  • Kids: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15

** Next week: Jesus Is Our Perfect Prophet (Deuteronomy 18)

Unit 25, Session 3

Jesus Warned about Not Loving (Matthew 23)

Dear families,

Jesus spent the bulk of Matthew 23 rebuking the Pharisees and Sadducees’ unloving nature. He criticized the self-importance in their hearts and how it served as a stumbling block to those around them. Christ warned these religious leaders against making so much of themselves that they were blind to their own need for a Savior.

How did the religious leaders’ behavior go against God’s command to love Him and others? Why was Jesus so grieved by these men’s lifestyle? As it turns out, Christ was grieved by the state of their legalistic hearts and was not impressed in their ability to keep up a pious appearance.

These leaders’ lives seemed to be led in service to God, yet they failed to obey His greatest commands: to love Him and to love those created in His image. God did not play favorites as they did. Instead—and contrary to the ways of the world—He exalted the humble and humbled those who exalted themselves; through this humility in Christ’s own death and life, God’s love was displayed for all to see.

The focus of the Old Testament’s teachings was to guide us in faith toward the cross of Christ, not to try to find salvation through our own means. Instead of extending the love of God as commanded, these religious leaders narrowed the focus of their love to themselves alone. They trusted in their own ability to obey God’s laws rather than relying on their faith in the Messiah to make their hearts right before the Father.

Consider the reality that the Pharisees and Sadducees sought to make others more like themselves rather than the God they claimed to serve. Christ spent this chapter addressing the issue of their spiritual blindness, as well as their need for a regenerated heart with which to truly love God and others.

Explain to your kids that while these leaders were faithful tithers and rule followers, they failed to put their faith into tangible practice for others to see and experience. God’s love is most clearly expressed and extended through justice, mercy, and faithfulness, not the self-important exaltation of ourselves.

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: When we trust in Jesus, He makes us right with God and changes our hearts so we can love and obey Him.
  • Younger Preschool: Jesus said to love God and love others. (Matt. 22:37-39) The religious leaders loved themselves most of all. When we trust in Jesus, He makes us right with God and changes our hearts so we can love and obey Him.
  • Older Preschool: Jesus said that the greatest commandments are to love God and love others. (Matt. 22:37-39) The religious leaders loved themselves most of all. When we trust in Jesus, He makes us right with God and changes our hearts so we can love and obey Him.
  • Kids: Jesus said that the greatest commandments are to love God and love others. (Matt. 22:37-39) The religious leaders loved themselves most of all. When we trust in Jesus, He makes us right with God and changes our hearts so we can love and obey Him.

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 Prophet? Jesus tells us God’s message.
  • Older Preschool: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? God speaks to us through Jesus.
  • Kids: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? Jesus perfectly reveals God the Father and fulfills what the prophets spoke.

KEY PASSAGE

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

  • Babies & Toddlers: We can listen to Jesus. Deuteronomy 18:15
  • Younger Preschool: God wants us to listen to Jesus. Deuteronomy 18:15
  • Older Preschool: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet … . You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15
  • Kids: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15

** Next week: Jesus Warned about Not Acting(Matthew 25)

Unit 25, Session 2

Leaders Wanted to Trick Jesus (Matthew 22)

Dear families,

Matthew 22 recounts an instance of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming together to try to test, trick, and teach Jesus a lesson. They had heard and witnessed so much about this man from Nazareth but were determined to be the ones to put Him in His place. They sought to do so by means of their own worldly wisdom.

How does godly wisdom play a role in Christ’s presence throughout this story? What kinds of warnings does Jesus give to the religious leaders, and to us, in the text? This was not His first run-in with these men, and it would not be His last. Time and time again, they used what they knew of Jesus’ teaching to find fault with His ministry. Though they sought to criticize and condemn Jesus, they found no real means to do so, as all wisdom and truth are derived from Him alone.

While the religious leaders wanted to trick Jesus through flawed earthly insight, they missed the true wisdom that all Scripture speaks to: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. We know from Proverbs 9:10 that true knowledge and power come from the fear of the Lord, as it is the beginning of wisdom and understanding. How heartbreaking it was that they saw Wisdom with their own eyes yet failed to believe and cling to His words of life!

As you reflect on this chapter, consider what it means to seek and find His truth, though it may appear as folly to the eyes of the world. The leaders who went up against Jesus in the temple sought to stun Him into submission. Yet in the end, they were the ones whose logic had failed and astonished them into silence.

Christ offers us a warning against misunderstanding both the Scriptures and the power of God here in this chapter. As you share this story with kids, point in the direction of Jesus—the One whose power and understanding are unlimited and unwavering, never silenced or made to bow down to the whims of the world.

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 spoke with wisdom that comes from God.
  • Younger Preschool: Jesus always spoke with wisdom. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. He came to show us what God is like.
  • Older Preschool: When the religious leaders asked Jesus questions, He answered with wisdom. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. He came to show us what God is like.
  • Kids: When the religious leaders questioned Jesus, He answered with wisdom and power. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. He is the Word of God, who came to show us exactly what God is like.

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 Prophet? Jesus tells us God’s message.
  • Older Preschool: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? God speaks to us through Jesus.
  • Kids: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? Jesus perfectly reveals God the Father and fulfills what the prophets spoke.

KEY PASSAGE

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

  • Babies & Toddlers: We can listen to Jesus. Deuteronomy 18:15
  • Younger Preschool: God wants us to listen to Jesus. Deuteronomy 18:15
  • Older Preschool: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet … . You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15
  • Kids: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15

** Next week: Jesus Warned about Not Loving(Matthew 23)

Unit 25, Session 1

People Welcomed Jesus as King
(Matthew 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12)

Dear families,

In all four Gospel accounts of the triumphal entry, we uncover the truth that Jesus reigns as the sovereign King over everything. From the need for a processional donkey to the praises spilling from children’s mouths, He continued to fulfill the Old Testament requirements for the coming Messiah—the One promised since the beginning.

Why were the crowds so welcoming to Jesus and His disciples on this day? What led them to sing so loudly, to make way for His arrival so exuberantly? Many had heard the news of this prophet from Nazareth. Some had even witnessed His miraculous, healing power for themselves. Yet they all looked on with the hope that He would do even more for them now as their long-awaited King.

Those they encountered while entering Jerusalem were excited to see what Christ would do next, especially regarding the Roman rule they faced. They knew of Scripture’s promises and wanted more than anything for Jesus to be their answered prayer. They were more than elated to celebrate Him as the object of their kingly anticipation but failed to recognize Him as Someone greater—their Messiah and Lord.

Amid their jubilant festivities and merrymaking, they missed Christ’s purpose in heading toward their city. It was not for the sake of sitting on an earthly throne, but to stake His claim as sovereign Ruler of the universe. He was not interested in merely delivering them from Pontius Pilate, but rather from life and eternity spent without God.

As you prepare to teach kids about Jesus’ triumphal entry, reflect on the full picture of the gospel’s good news: We do not have to wonder who Christ would turn out to be, nor shall we simply compartmentalize His reign to only one area of our lives. We already know of His death, resurrection, and ultimate victory over sin. We have even more reasons to welcome and worship Him than those in this story!

Teach your kids that Jesus made His way into Jerusalem to make a way for us to be with the Father for all eternity. May we never take for granted His sovereignty not just as King, but as Lord of all.

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 good King who rescues His people.
  • Younger Preschool: Jesus came riding on a donkey, just as the prophet Zechariah said He would. (Zechariah 9:9) One day, Jesus will come back, riding on a white horse as King over everything.
  • Older Preschool: Jesus came riding on a donkey, just as the prophet Zechariah said He would. (Zechariah 9:9) One day, Jesus will come back, riding on a white horse as King over everything.
  • Kids: Jesus is the Messiah spoken about by the prophet Zechariah: “Look, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). One day, Jesus will return to earth on a white horse as King over everything.

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 Prophet? Jesus tells us God’s message.
  • Older Preschool: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? God speaks to us through Jesus.
  • Kids: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? Jesus perfectly reveals God the Father and fulfills what the prophets spoke.

KEY PASSAGE

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

  • Babies & Toddlers: We can listen to Jesus. Deuteronomy 18:15
  • Younger Preschool: God wants us to listen to Jesus. Deuteronomy 18:15
  • Older Preschool: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet … . You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15
  • Kids: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15

** Next week: Leaders Wanted to Trick Jesus (Matthew 22)

 Unit 25: The Warnings of Jesus

Unit Description: As the final days of Jesus’ earthly ministry drew near and His rejection was at hand, He continued to warn all who would listen to turn from sin and trust in Him. Failing to believe in Jesus and to love God and live accordingly has consequences.

Younger Preschool Big Picture Question: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? Jesus tells us God’s message.
Older Preschool Big Picture Question: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? God speaks to us through Jesus.

Key Passage: The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet … . You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15
Key Passage Phrase: We can listen to Jesus.

SESSION 1: People Welcomed Jesus as King (Matthew 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12)
SESSION 2: Leaders Wanted to Trick Jesus (Matthew 22)
SESSION 3: Jesus Warned about Not Loving (Matthew 23)
SESSION 4: Jesus Warned about Not Acting (Matthew 25)
SESSION 5: Jesus Is Our Perfect Prophet (Deuteronomy 18)