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)

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)

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 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)

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)