Unit Description: Jesus’ early encounters with people revealed that He had come to be the Savior of all people—Jew and Gentile, male and female, rich and poor. All people have been made in God’s image and are loved by Him.
Preschool Big Picture Question: How do we know God loves us? We can know that God loves us because He sent His Son, Jesus.
SESSION 1: Jesus Told Nicodemus about Eternal Life (John 3) SESSION 2: Jesus Told a Woman about Living Water (John 4) SESSION 3 (Big Truth Session): God Loves All People (1 Corinthians 13)
Key Passage: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 Key Passage Song:
Jesus Came to Be the Sacrifice for Sin (Hebrews 10)
Dear families,
The phrase “take away” has many different connotations and applications. For a four-year old, it means someone stole their toy. For a basketball player, it means a steal. For a math teacher, it means subtraction. So, what does it mean that Jesus came to “take away the sin of the world”?
In John 1:29, as John the Baptist saw Jesus coming along the banks of the river where he had been baptizing people and calling for repentance, John said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
This statement raises a question that’s important for every person: What does it mean that Jesus came to take away the sin of the world? A look to Hebrews 10 brings clarity as we seek to allow Scripture to help interpret the question.
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that the Old Testament sacrificial system was good, but not enough. Though this system proved to be a faithful response to the call of God for His people prior to Christ’s arrival, it was never intended to be a permanent means of atonement for the sin of God’s people.
Hebrews 10:12-14 says, “But this man [Jesus], after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. He is now waiting until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified.”
Jesus was the perfect sacrifice because He lived a sinless life and died once as a single offering for sins. All who trust in His death and resurrection are eternally forgiven as His sacrifice has satisfied the wrath of God on their behalf.
This is what it means that Jesus takes away the sin of the world: Jesus died once for all, that those who trust in Christ would no longer be held captive by their sin and that they would be able to stand before God, redeemed by the blood of Jesus shed for sins. This is the greatest “take away” the world has ever known.
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, God forgives our sin forever.
Younger Preschool: Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. When we trust in Him, God forgives our sin forever.
Older Preschool: Jesus came to be the sacrifice for sin. He lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. When we trust in Him, God forgives our sin forever.
Kids: Jesus came to be the sacrifice for sin. He lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. In Him, we have complete forgiveness once and for all.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Younger Preschool: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead.
Older Preschool: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead.
Kids: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.
KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Babies & Toddlers: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Younger Preschool: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Older Preschool: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
Kids: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
** Next week: Jesus Told Nicodemus about Eternal Life (John 3)
Jesus Called His Disciples (John 1) Unit 19, Session 5
Dear families,
New Christians may find themselves wondering, Now what? What do I do? To answer these questions, we may talk with those new believers about Bible reading, prayer, community, and mission. Though these are all good and essentials things, they alone do not capture Jesus’ initial call to His disciples.
When Jesus first began calling disciples, He used two words: “Follow Me.” He didn’t say “Clean yourself up” or “Work harder.” He said, “Follow Me.”
The call to follow Jesus is a call to our souls to find rest. He invites us to be with Him and enjoy Him. Jesus’ invitation is not to be amazing, to do great things, or even to get to work. Jesus’ initial invitation is to follow Him.
Jesus has most certainly called His followers to go and do good works, but the order in which we heed His calling and instructions is vital to our spiritual health.
It’s easy for us to get caught up in the activity of God, the work of His mission, and the effort we must engage in to grow as He desires for us; however, these are not to be first.
God calls us to come to Him; draw near to Him; and to see a glimpse of His goodness, beauty, splendor, and grace. And it is only in seeing these realities that we will go and do faithfully. For if we seek to go and do before we come and see, we will find ourselves in a spiral of constant despair feeling like we are falling short or equally as dangerous, feeling like we must earn our way to God.
Jesus’ call to His disciples to come and see is the same invitation that we have today. Whether we have walked with God for decades or are new to the faith, our greatest need is to draw near to God and experience His glorious grace. It is then that we will see Him for who He truly is, understand ourselves more fully, and then live faithfully for His glory.
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 are Jesus’ disciples when we trust in Him.
Younger Preschool: Jesus came to earth to save people from their sins. He called disciples to follow Him. We are Jesus’ disciples when we trust in Him.
Older Preschool: Jesus, the Son of God and true King of Israel, came to earth to save people from their sins. He called disciples to follow Him. We are Jesus’ disciples when we trust in Him.
Kids: Jesus, the Son of God and true King of Israel, came to earth to show what God is like and to save people from their sins. He called disciples to follow Him. We are Jesus’ disciples when we trust in Him. We can invite everyone to come and see the good news about Jesus.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Younger Preschool: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead.
Older Preschool: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead.
Kids: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.
KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Babies & Toddlers: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Younger Preschool: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Older Preschool: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
Kids: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
** Next week: Jesus Came to Be the Sacrifice for Sin (Hebrews 10)
Jesus Was Tempted (Matthew 4; Luke 4) Unit 19, Session 4
Dear families,
We’ve all felt some degree of hunger at one time or another. We may have had a long day at work with no time for lunch and come home hungry. We may have had a hard workout and found ourselves craving a large meal shortly afterward. We may have skipped breakfast in a hurry to get to church only to hear our stomach growl as the pastor shares that he’s wrapping up for the third time. Hunger reminds us that there is something we require to satisfy a physical need.
Have you ever felt a similar sense of hunger deep in your soul, a hunger for God? Have you ever found yourself longing for a moment with God, an experience of His Spirit, a message from His Word?
The temptation of Jesus teaches us how to face temptation ourselves, but it also subtly reminds us of the blessing that comes as we hunger for God.
The first experience of temptation for Jesus came in the form of the enemy, Satan, tempting Him to use His power to turn stones into bread. Jesus’ response reminds us that feeding on God’s Word is the ultimate source of satisfaction.
In our own lives, we may hunger for a million different things. We may deeply desire companionship, food, a feeling, money, a job, notoriety, and so on. Those things can all be very good things, but they are not what Jesus was referring to when He spoke to the tempter.
Jesus spoke to the blessing that comes in hungering and thirsting for God Himself because, as is the case in all things Jesus said and did, He is God and knows what’s best.
What do you long for above all else? Do you find a deep longing in your soul for God? Do you recognize that nothing else in this world will satisfy that desire? And are you satisfied with Him giving you Himself to meet your greatest need? Not only does the Scripture say that there is blessing in hungering for God, but your experience will also prove that nothing will satisfy you like He can and will.
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 always did the right thing.
Younger Preschool: Jesus always did the right thing. When we want to make a wrong choice, we can ask Jesus to help us make the right choice.
Older Preschool: The devil tried to get Jesus to sin, but Jesus never sinned. Jesus always did the right thing. Jesus died on the cross to rescue us from sin. When we are tempted to sin, we can ask Jesus to help us say no to sin.
Kids: Jesus was tempted, but He trusted God and never sinned. Jesus is perfect and righteous. A perfect sacrifice was required to take away sin. Jesus was that perfect sacrifice. He died on the cross to free us from sin and to give us the power to say no to temptation.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Younger Preschool: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead.
Older Preschool: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead.
Kids: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.
KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Babies & Toddlers: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Younger Preschool: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Older Preschool: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
Kids: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
Unit 19, Session 3 Jesus Was Baptized (Matthew 3; Mark 1)
Dear families,
What gives you hope? It seems like a simple question, and most of us who regularly attend church likely know the “right” answer to the question. However, it’s the most important question for every person who has ever lived because your answer will determine your security and eternity. Unlike the hope the world has to offer, we can have a sure and steadfast hope that will never fail.
In the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ baptism, we see John the Baptist offer words of warning that lead us back to the question, what gives you hope?
John warned the Pharisees sternly that no family, tradition, or outward practice is sufficient to save people from the wrath of God due to them for their sin. People are saved only by the grace of God received through faith and repentance.
The same is true today. Though we may be tempted to find our hope in the faith journey of our parents, grandparents, or even children, those experiences are not sufficient to save. Though it is a gift to have family members who have placed their faith in Christ, our hope does not come from them.
Similarly, no tradition is sufficient to save either. Though we may uphold the traditions and practices—baptism, the Lord’s Supper, prayer, and so forth—those practices alone are not able to save from sin and secure eternity with God.
John the Baptist made it clear that the faith that leads to repentance brings the certainty of salvation. The larger context of the New Testament reminds us that this repentance is always paired with genuine faith. When these are present, the believer will bear the fruit of the Spirit.
What gives you hope? The only true answer is that we must put our hope in Jesus. Only faith in His finished work on the cross rescues us from sin and death, empowers us to live for Him, and promises us life with God forever.
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: People are baptized to show they follow Jesus.
Younger Preschool: Baptism reminds us that Jesus died and came back to life. People are baptized to show they follow Jesus.
Older Preschool: Jesus never did anything wrong, but He was baptized like sinners are baptized. Baptism reminds us that Jesus died and came back to life. People who know and love Jesus are baptized to show they are following Jesus.
Kids: Jesus never sinned, but He obeyed God and was baptized like sinners are baptized. Baptism reminds us of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It reminds us that when we trust in Jesus, we turn from sin and start a new life—a life lived for Jesus.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Younger Preschool: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead.
Older Preschool: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead.
Kids: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.
KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Babies & Toddlers: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Younger Preschool: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Older Preschool: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
Kids: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
Jesus Was Dedicated (Matthew 2; Luke 2) Unit 19, Session 2
Dear families,
As the narrative of Jesus’ early days on earth unfolded, several unique people are introduced who teach us lessons about our own journey. We find the wise men who sought Jesus with persistence, Herod whose power was threatened by this newborn King, and others such as Simeon and Anna—both who demonstrated a remarkable devotion to the Lord.
In Luke 2, Simeon and Anna are described as people who are deeply committed, faithful, and devout followers of God. Simeon is described as one who was old in years—near death—and desperately waiting for the Messiah to come. So, you can imagine the significance of that moment as Simeon saw the Christ child and rejoiced.
Anna, also old in years, had been faithfully worshiping God through fasting and prayer in the temple for 84 years. It is easy to imagine the joy she had upon seeing Jesus in the temple and her eager desire to tell everyone about this glorious child.
Both Simeon and Anna came upon the incredible blessing of seeing, celebrating, and worshiping Jesus because of their faithfulness to the Lord. Both were in the place the Lord wanted them to be, faithful to God over the years, and daily looking for the Lord in everything they did.
Imagine if your daily decisions were influenced by similar factors. You were deeply committed to being in the places God wanted you to be, you were seeking to be faithful over the decades, and in all that you did you were pursuing what the Lord might have for you. What would have to change in your life, in your motivations, and in your decisions to make this true of you? In what ways would you see and experience the blessings of God’s good gifts even more?
Faithfulness like that of Simeon and Anna doesn’t earn any additional degree of salvation before God. But it can produce more opportunities to see the work of God in your life, even if it’s only because you’re more attuned. What a blessing that would be for each of us as well.
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 can tell others the good news about Jesus.
Younger Preschool: We can trust Jesus to save us from our sins, and we can tell others about Jesus.
Older Preschool: God had promised His people that a Savior was coming. When Simeon and Anna saw Jesus, they knew He was the Savior. Jesus came to save people from sin. We can trust Jesus to save us from our sins; and like Simeon and Anna, we get to tell others the good news.
Kids: Throughout the Old Testament, God promised the arrival of a King who would redeem people. When Jesus arrived, Simeon and Anna knew He was the promised Messiah, God’s own Son. We can trust Jesus for our salvation, and like Simeon and Anna, we should share the good news.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Younger Preschool: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead.
Older Preschool: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead.
Kids: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.
KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Babies & Toddlers: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Younger Preschool: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Older Preschool: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
Kids: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
Unit 19, Session 1 Jesus Was Born (Matthew 1; Luke 2; John 1)
Dear families,
How many times have you read or heard the narrative of Jesus’ birth? When interacting with a familiar Bible story, it is easy to simply skim over it and assume we understand all there is to know about it. Rather than taking that approach, spend time this week meditating on Luke 2:1-20.
The detailed account of His conception and birth, as well as the details between those two events provide the believer with a gift of God’s grace that is far too important to gloss over. This event preceding Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection lays the foundation for a close and thoughtful study of the Gospels.
The details around the conception and birth of Jesus provide reason for amazement and strengthen our faith. Consider the detail of Mary having been a virgin, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14. Jesus was born in the small town of Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy of Micah 5:2. He was born into the family line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—fulfilling God’s promises in Genesis 12:3; 17:19; 28:14.
All of this ought to cultivate a sense of wonder at the divine intervening in the human world, and an amazement at the detail to which God worked out His plan.
Additionally, recalling the details of Jesus’ birth ought to generate affirmation in the believer’s heart and mind. The uniqueness surrounding the birth of Jesus affirms His claims of being the Son of God.
Finally, the birth narrative should grow the anticipation of the believer. At the end of the New Testament, the book of Revelation sheds light on the end of sin and death, the final judgment of the living and the dead, and the new heaven and the new earth. These promises can seem distant or unlikely; however, the joy and gratitude that comes from understanding Jesus’ birth narrative can cultivate confidence in and anticipation of the future promises of Jesus.
Luke 2 invites us to behold our God, who—out of His great love for us—“emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity” (Phil. 2:7). Jesus came to earth to rescue sinners. The angels’ announcement to the shepherds in Luke 2:10 is also for us and for the nations: “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
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 came into the world to rescue us from sin.
Younger Preschool: Jesus was born! This was very good news! Jesus came into the world to rescue us from sin.
Older Preschool: Jesus was born! This was very good news! Jesus was not like other babies. Jesus is God’s Son. God sent Jesus to earth from heaven. Jesus came into the world to rescue people from their sins.
Kids: The birth of Jesus was good news! Jesus was not an ordinary baby. He is God’s Son, sent to earth from heaven. Jesus, the promised Savior, came into the world to show us what God is like and to deliver us from sin and death.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Younger Preschool: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead.
Older Preschool: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead.
Kids: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.
KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Babies & Toddlers: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Younger Preschool: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Older Preschool: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
Kids: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
** Next week: Jesus Was Dedicated (Matthew 2; Luke 2)
Unit Description: Jesus, the long-promised Messiah, had finally arrived, but in a rather unexpected way. From the start, though, every detail of Jesus’ life was to reveal and advance His mission of being the sacrifice for the sins of the world.
Preschool Big Picture Question: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead.
Key Passage:The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold,the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 Key Passage Phrase: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Weekly Schedule June 11: Jesus Was BornMatthew 1; Luke 2; John 1 June 18: Jesus Was DedicatedMatthew 2; Luke 2 June 25: Jesus Was BaptizedMatthew 3; Mark 1 July 2: Jesus Was TemptedMatthew 4; Luke 4 July 16: Jesus Called His DisciplesJohn 1 July 23: Jesus Came to Be the Sacrifice for SinHebrews 10
Coming face-to-face with sin in our lives often leads to one of two responses: It may lead to feelings of guilt and shame that cause us to either run and hide or to simply stop trying and give ourselves over to a particular pattern of sin, or it may lead to a place of genuine confession and repentance followed by a deep trust in the power of God to help us walk in freedom.
Romans 8 provides for us a warning against living according to the flesh, but it also declares a promise that we can cling to in our battle against sin.
Romans 8:8-9 says, “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him.”
These verses give surprising hope to the believer battling sin in his or her own life. The hope comes in the form of the Spirit of God, alive and present in the follower of Christ.
What help is this in our battle against sin? It is everything! The promise of the Spirit of God living in a believer offers hope by way of the power of God—powerful enough to defeat the devil and raise Jesus from the dead—is alive and working to fight sin in our lives.
Paul goes a step further, too. Not only is the Spirit of God at work in the heart of the believer allowing, us to battle against sin, but the Spirit works in such a way that we can actually please God.
We can have hope in our battle against sin because the Lord has given us Himself in such a way that by His power at work in us, we can battle against sin and live a life pleasing to Him. “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you” (Romans 8:11).
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: Because Jesus died and rose again, we have forgiveness of sins and life with God forever when we trust in Him.
Younger Preschool: Because Jesus died and rose again, we have forgiveness of sins and life with God forever when we trust in Him.
Older Preschool: Because Jesus died and came back to life, we have forgiveness of sins and life with God forever when we trust in Him. God gives us His Spirit so we can become more like Jesus.
Kids: God sent Jesus to take the punishment our sin deserves. Because of Jesus, we have forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Through God’s Spirit, we have the power to turn away from sin and live to bring glory to God.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Younger Preschool: How should we feel when we make wrong choices? When we make wrong choices, we should feel sorry that we have disobeyed God and want to obey Him.
Older Preschool: How should we feel when we sin? When we sin, we should feel sorry that we have disobeyed God and choose to obey Him.
Kids: How should we feel when we sin? When we sin, we should feel sorry that we have disobeyed God and want to turn from our sin because we love Him.
KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Babies & Toddlers: We should feel sorry when we disobey God. 2 Corinthians 7:10
Younger Preschool: We should feel sorry when we disobey God and want to obey Him. 2 Corinthians 7:10
Older Preschool: Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret. 2 Corinthians 7:10
Kids: For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10
The People Promised to Be Faithful (Nehemiah 9–10)
Dear families,
What comes to mind when you think about confession? Do you think of sadness? Weeping and guilt? Shame and failure? What about worship?
When was the last time you came before God in true confession? What led to your admission of failure before a holy God?
The Bible is clear that “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance” (Rom. 2:4). But what does the Bible say about what confession should look like? What does the Bible say should lead us to confession?
Nehemiah 9 gives insight in how to answer that question. The Israelites had gathered and were fasting and beginning to confess their sin when the priests chimed in with an appropriate pattern for how that confession ought to progress.
In this text, we discover that true confession of sin will never come before genuine recognition of the holiness of God. God’s people had promised to be faithful, but following their return from exile, the men of Israel intermarried with foreign women. Their were unfaithful to God, disobeying His commands. Yet God remained faithful.
The pattern of the priests is to first recognize, exclaim, and celebrate God’s goodness, faithfulness, holiness, and righteousness. Only out of those comes the reason for confession. For it is only when we see the majesty of the holy God that we see the weight of our sin and the punishment due to us as a result. Then, and only then, will we be drawn to the altar of honest confession before God. Yes, conviction must come, but it will only come when there is first an awareness of the greatness of God.
Set aside time to intentionally approach God to confess the sin in your life. Remember this pattern. That God wants your eyes fixed firmly on Him, even in moments of reflection and confession. For the moment we lose sight of Him is the moment we lose sight of the sinfulness of our sin, which is the moment before we lose sight of the necessity of confession.
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 does what is right even when His people do what is wrong. We have God’s kindness and love through Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins.
Younger Preschool: God has always done what is right even when His people have done what is wrong. We have God’s kindness and love through Jesus, who died on the cross so we can have life with God forever.
Older Preschool: God’s people remembered all He had done and promised to be faithful. God is kind and loving. God has always done what is right even when His people have done what is wrong. We have God’s kindness and love through Jesus, who died on the cross so we can have life with God forever.
Kids: God’s people remembered all He had done and promised to be faithful. God is gracious and compassionate. All along, God has been faithful to people who are unfaithful. We experience God’s grace and compassion in Jesus, who gave His life so we can receive mercy and life forever.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Younger Preschool: How should we feel when we make wrong choices? When we make wrong choices, we should feel sorry that we have disobeyed God and want to obey Him.
Older Preschool: How should we feel when we sin? When we sin, we should feel sorry that we have disobeyed God and choose to obey Him.
Kids: How should we feel when we sin? When we sin, we should feel sorry that we have disobeyed God and want to turn from our sin because we love Him.
KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Babies & Toddlers: We should feel sorry when we disobey God. 2 Corinthians 7:10
Younger Preschool: We should feel sorry when we disobey God and want to obey Him. 2 Corinthians 7:10
Older Preschool: Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret. 2 Corinthians 7:10
Kids: For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10
Imago Dei Church Kids Ministry 