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Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection

Bible Passage: Matthew 26-28; John 20

Kids Church: April 4, 2021

Volume 11: The Church United. Unit 31: From Jews to Gentiles. Session Easter Special

Leading Parent, please read below for an overview of today's lesson (drop down) ----->>

Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection

Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection are essential to the Christian faith. If we teach Jesus as a respected teacher and miracle-worker who claimed to be the Messiah and who was crucified on the cross—but who was not resurrected—then we are teaching the Jesus of Judaism. If we teach Jesus as a wise teacher and prophet who ascended into heaven—but who was not crucified—then we are teaching the Jesus of Islam.

Jesus came to earth to save us from our sins. (Matt. 1:21) He died to show God’s love to us (Rom. 5:7-8) so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) Jesus died so that we would be forgiven. (Eph. 1:7) Jesus died to bring us to God. (1 Pet. 3:18)

The time between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning must have been dark hours for Jesus’ disciples. Fear, doubt, and confusion certainly overwhelmed their thoughts. Jesus, their Lord, was dead. He had been unjustly arrested, falsely accused, and severely beaten. Even worse, He had been killed in a horrible manner: by crucifixion.

The story doesn’t end there. Jesus’ body was laid in a tomb. The tomb was sealed and guards watched over it. The Jews remembered Jesus’ claim that He would rise from the dead (John 2:19-21), and they made sure no one could steal His body and insist He had risen. Imagine their surprise when Jesus did rise from the dead!

Jesus’ resurrection gives us joy and hope for our own resurrection. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will raise our bodies to life. (Rom. 8:11)

As you teach kids this Bible story, emphasize the gospel: the good news of who Jesus is and what He has done. We do not worship a dead Savior. Jesus is alive! Sadness turns to joy. There is hope for sinners.

Opening Prayer for Kids Church Worship

Dad (or Mom) lead your family

Praise God for His attributes: holiness, greatness, grace, love, mercy, etc.
Thank God for sending His Son Jesus to save us from our sins.
Thank God for His goodness, provision, forgiveness, etc.
Thank You God for for sacrificing Your Son Jesus on the Cross to take our just punishment of death. Thank You Jesus for Your obedience to the Father and suffer the pain and death on the Cross. Thank You for the victory over death by raising Jesus from the grave on the third day! Because He is risen, the children of God shall inherit eternal life. Thank You God!
Ask God for His Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts, minds, and spirits to worship God and learn the lesson He has for us today.
God, we are here to worship, adore, and exalt You. Speak and teach us through Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

You may ask all the kids to take turn to pray as well.

Pledges - recite out loud together

Right hand to your heart

Bible raised high in the air

Praise & Worship singing to God together

Let's dwell on the holiness of God and His expectation of us, too.

Leader - Ask the Big Picture Question

Everyone reply with the Big Picture Answer

Everyone memorize the Scripture verses CSB version

NIV

Leader: The heavens, the earth, and all people from all nations rejoice that the Lord reigns! Because the Lord reigns, Christians can live with joy and confidence, knowing that God is in control of any situation we face. Nothing surprises Him because He knows everything. We can trust Him with any scary or sad situation, knowing that He has a plan for everyone who belongs to Him. We can also live in hope and true joy because Jesus is alive.

Let's all sing “Rejoice, Be Glad" (1 Chronicles 16:31).

Everyone sing the Scripture song CSB version

Everyone open your Bible and read aloud Philippians 4:4.

Leader: God always keeps His promises. He fulfilled His promise to send a Savior to rescue people from their sins. Jesus’ resurrection gives us joy and a reason to celebrate! He is alive! Let’s rejoice in our risen Savior!

Let’s sing together “Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy.”

Praise & Prayer Time

Invite kids to pray items below:

Share praises from this past week of what God did in your lives.
Confess and repent of our sins. Pray to God for His holiness and purity in our lives.
Ask God to forgive us, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us in self-control.
Share prayer requests with each other. Pray for each other.
Ask God to give wisdom for parents, school teachers and kids for work, in-person and virtual learning to manage time, technology, and meals for this semester.
Let's pray for the pastors, ministers and elders of our church. And continue to pray that God will raise many good Christian men and women to serve in the church, so that the ones who serve over us would fear the Lord, walk humbly, and act justly.
Lord God, thank You for sending Your only Son, Jesus, to take the punishment for sin in our place. Because of His resurrection, we can experience true joy and hope—even in hard times. Help us point others to You by the way we live our lives and how we share the Gospel with them. In the Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Bible Lesson Time

Leader - Read the main story point below

Watch the Bible Story video

Christ Connection: Jesus’ death and resurrection is the center of the gospel. Jesus died to pay for our sins. Jesus is alive! God gives hope and true joy to everyone who trusts in Jesus. The story of Jesus’ resurrection encourages believers to press on in their faith, even in hard times. It reminds Christians that Jesus has settled the payment for our sins and that He is preparing an eternal home for us. Believers can look ahead with hope for the future.

Apply the Bible Lesson

Guide kids to open their Bibles to Matthew 28. Explain that the Book of Matthew is found in the New Testament division called the Gospels. Challenge kids to name the Gospels. (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) Remind them that these books tell us about Jesus’ life and ministry.

Choose a volunteer to read aloud Matthew 28:6.

LEADER SAY • Jesus did not stay in the tomb! He is alive!

Ask the following questions. Lead your family to discuss:

(Take your time to ask, let the kids to ponder and answer the following questions)

1. Why did the angel tell the women to not be afraid? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Help kids recognize that the women and Jesus’ disciples were probably very sad and confused. Seeing an angel would be very shocking. Seeing Jesus’ tomb open and empty would have been very upsetting. They had not understood what Jesus had said about His death and resurrection.

(Option: Choose a kid to read Matt. 20:17-19.)

2. How does Jesus’ death and resurrection give believers hope? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Lead kids to recall that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can become children of God and inherit eternal life with Him. This allows believers to live with unshakable hope for the future.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read 1 Pet. 1:3-4.)

3. How can we share the good news that Jesus is alive? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Help kids recognize that it is our job and our joy to share the good news with others. We can do this simply by telling the story we heard today. The bad news is that we are all sinners, and the punishment for sin is death. Jesus took the punishment we deserve by dying on the cross, and He conquered death by rising on the third day. He offers salvation to everyone who trusts Him as Lord and Savior.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Isa. 61:1.)

LEADER: The good news of the gospel is that Jesus made the way for people to be free from sin and experience forgiveness and hope as children of God. Jesus’ resurrection gives true joy to believers.

Application: Questions from Kids

Leader Say: As you watch this video, think about why Jesus’ enemies were able to kill Him.

After the video, guide them to discuss other times God has used something that seemed bad to bring about something good.

Sing the Song of Response below

Closing Prayer - Leader

Praise and thanksgiving to God that the Holy Spirit helps us to listen and obey God.
Protection from the COVID-19.
Productive at home this week.
For those who are sick or lost of job.
For our family, our church, our nation our leaders to repent to honor and follow God.

A Missions Moment

Leader: We’ve been learning about church planting missionaries in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Wiltons tell people there about Jesus. Jesus, our great High Priest, brought a better covenant. Let’s find out more about the city where the Wiltons are helping people to know that Jesus is better than anyone else.

Watch the missions video. Then pray for the Wiltons and any missionaries your church supports.

Invite kids to tell you some things they might know about the state of Pennsylvania or the city of Pittsburgh. Kids might be able to name a sports team or recall an historical fact they’ve learned in school.

Leader: The gospel is for all people. That’s why missionaries serve around the world. They want to bring the good news of Jesus to everyone. Let’s find out more about missionaries who are starting churches in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Jesus is Better!

A little extra song.

God with Us

Full movie. 1:28 mins.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

March 17, 2021

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