The Last Supper

The Last Supper

Wednesday, February 27th & Sunday, March 3rd

Key Passages: Luke 22:7-34; John 13

Basic Truth: God's love is unlimited

Memory Verse: My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Great love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends John 15:12-13

Think about it:

From the battlefield in Iraq came an account recently of a Marine who gave his life to protect his brothers.  A hand grenade, set to explode in a few seconds, was hurled by the enemy into the cluster of his fellows.  This man, in love for his comrades, threw himself upon the grenade, absorbing the full force of the blast in his own body.

The death of this hero was a sudden, unexpected act of love for his friends.  The Bible respects such voluntary manifestations of love.  But Romans declares how the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, went far beyond that by planning centuries in advance to sacrifice Himself for us sinners, when we had no love at all for Him.  “…at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6).

Pray for a deeper understanding of such an unfathomable love!

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: How can you lay down your life for someone without actually dying?

A: You would have to be willing to give up, or sacrifice, everything you have for someone else.

Grade 1-2

Q: What does Jesus show us about God's love?

A: Jesus shows us that there is no limit to God's undeserved love.

Q: What was the significance of Jesus washing his disciples feet and what did it show?

A: Normally, a servant had the job of washing the feet of his master and guests. But Jesus was willing to serve His disciples by washing their feet. It showed them his love, as an act of service. To us it may seem like a strange way to say "I love you", but it was His way of serving his disciples. And He commands us to do the same! (John 13:14-15)

Q: Do we deserve to be loved?

A: No! We disobey God and deserve to be punished. But God's loved us enough to die for us, even though we don't deserve it!

Grade 3-4

Q: How did Jesus prepare His disciples for His death?

A: Jesus assured the disciples of His sovereign control and His unlimited love so they would continue to trust Him, even when they didn't understand. 

Q: How would knowing that He loved them prepare the disciples for His death? 

A: They would know that they could trust Him. He wouldn't do anything that would hurt them or be bad for them

Q: Jesus proved his love (in one way) by washing the disciples' feet. How would washing their feet show that He loved them?

A: It showed that He was willing to serve them. Washing feet was one of the lowliest jobs. He showed that he cared about each of them above Himself. If you love someone, you're willing to do things for them and make sacrifices. 

Grade 5-6

Q: How did Jesus show that God's plan for mankind is a plan of love?

A: Jesus explained and demonstrated God's unending love to mankind and also commanded us to love one another. It's not just about God loving us! (John 15:17, 13:34-35)

Q: When Jesus was washing the disciples feet what was He doing?

A: He was giving an example of love. We can show others the same kind of love by serving them, being willing to do something that might not be as pleasant for us, but sacrificing for them. (John 13:12-15)

Q: What visual sign was Jesus showing the disciples when He washed their feet?

A: He was giving them a sign of how He would wash away their sins. Just like their feet needed to be washed continually, so do their sins (and ours!) Only Jesus is able to cleanse us from our sins. He demonstrated a love that would forgive others. 
Q: What's the reason we celebrate communion?
A: It helps us to remember the Lord's death until He returns. Knowing He gave His life for us will help us to love others, because He loved us.

Family Activities:

1) Plan a specific deed to express love to someone. Choose something that ill require some sacrifice.

2) Discuss specific ways to show love when you don't feel like it. What would be the right reason for loving someone you don't like? What would keep you from doing it?

7 Cabin Fever Rescues...great indoor ideas to keep your kids entertained

Raising Lazarus

Raising Lazarus

Wednesday, February 20th & Sunday, February 24th

Key Passage: John 11:3-53

Basic Truth: Jesus reveals God's glory.

Memory Verse: Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 1 Chronicles 29:11

Think about it: 

How many times have we carefully planned a trip or an outing, only to have our glowing prospects punctured by a change in weather, or health, or overriding circumstances?  The sweet anticipation turns to sawdust, and we are left wondering “Why?”

This never happens to God’s plans.  We may think it does, confusing our wishes with God’s sovereign will.  Yet time after time, looking back later, we have reason to thank Him for His “course corrections”.  We see blessings released that we would have otherwise missed altogether.

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!  "Who has known the mind of the Lord?  Or who has been his counselor?"  "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"  For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be the glory forever! Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36).

Is your heart surrendered to the inconceivable plans of the Almighty???

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: Why do we use so many words to describe God?

A: God cannot be adequately described by human words...

Grade 1-2

Q: Why did Jesus bring Lazarus back to life?

A: Jesus revealed God's indescribable greatness and excellence by proving His power over death.

Q: 'A reflection of the indescribable greatness and excellence of God' is the Glory of God. What are some ways that we can see and know that God is great?

A: His creation, miracles, share some examples from your life!

Q: What part of a person never dies? What difference is there for the person who believes in Jesus? 

A: their spirit (the invisible, inner part that we call our spirit). Jesus said, "He who believes in me will live, even though he dies." So for the believer, even though we die we will live iwth Him and never be separated from Him. (John 11:25-26)

Grade 3-4

Q: Why didn't Jesus come to heal Lazarus before he died?

A: Jesus wanted people to see a power far greater than the ability to heal physical sickness. Jesus is able to give life that will never end!

Q: Why do people die? 

A: Death is a result of sin. Death: separation of the soul from the body; separation of the soul from God

Q: Why was the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead written down? How can we believe, even when these things are hard to understand?

A: They were written down so we may believe in Jesus and have eternal life (John 20:30-31). We can believe by having faith (trust; confidence in what we cannot see).

Grade 5-6

Q: How does faith help us to handle difficult things in life?

A: Faith is the confidence to trust God's plan and know that His plans are better than ours. 

Q: Do things happen randomly in life, or is there a purpose?

A: Everything happens and exists for a purpose, and it's all for God and apart of His plan! Sometimes we make plans, but God's plan is better and He wants us to trust Him. (Proverbs 19:21)

Q: In the story of Lazarus did Martha believe Jesus?

A: Yes she did! Her faith allowed her to trust God's plan, even though she didn't understand what was happening. 

Family Activities:

1) Think of a believer you know that has passed away (maybe a relative or family friend). Talk about death for a believer and the confidence you have in living in heaven with Jesus forever. 

The Rich Ruler; Zacchaeus

The Rich Ruler; Zacchaeus

Wednesday, February 13th & Sunday, February 17th

Key Passages: Luke 18:18-27, 19:1-10

Basic Truth: God knows our hearts

Memory Verse: The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7b 

Think About it:

        In a land where the name of their god is “Money”, the goal of life is to get as much money as possible; doing that wins the favor of the Money god and his followers. Loyal citizens of that land use every circumstance and every person to get more money. The life theme there is “Love money - use people”.

        But the citizens of a different kingdom love the Creator God because He first loved them, and He loves people through them.  Folks there think of whatever money they may have as being on loan from their God for use in sharing His love.  The financial theme there is “Love God - use money for His glory”.

        Of which kingdom are we citizens?  We cannot be loyal to both.  “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (Matthew 6:24).

Ask It:

All Levels

Q: What does the Bible mean by "heart"?

A: My heart is the center of who I am; the inner self that controls my thinking, feelings and choices.

Grade 1-2

Q: Why does God look at our hearts?

A: God looks at our hearts to see if we love something else more than we love Him. There's nothing more precious than Jesus because He gives us eternal life. 

Q: Why would the rich ruler not receive eternal life?

A: While the man's behavior seemed good, Jesus knew that in his heart he loved something else more than he loved God (his money). He wasn't willing to give away his money because it was precious to him. 

Q: What happened when Zacchaeus realized how much Jesus loved him? Why would he do that?

A: Read verse 8. His money was precious to him, but  he loved God more!

Grade 3-4

Q: What does God See when He searches a heart? 

A: Thoughts and motives (1 Chronicles 28:9b)

Q: Can you change your heart? Can you successfully tell your heart to always think kind thoughts?

A: No! Only God is able to change the condition of our hearts. He starts by showing us that we've sinned. 

Q: Why does God reveal a sinful heart? Why does it matter if my heart is sinful?

A: God shows us our sin so we will repent and be forgiven. A sinful heart will separate us from God!

Grade 5-6

Q: How can we know what we really worship?

A: Our hearts were meant to worship, but we are inclined to worship things other than God. valuing something else more than we value God will cause us to make wrong choices. 

Q: Why is God the only One who can search our hearts? If our hearts are so deceptive, how can we know what we really worship?

A: He's the only One who can see our hearts...He's the only One who will not be deceived. We can know what we worship by asking God to show us, and to listen to what he tells us! (Jeremiah 17:9-10a)

Q: Read 1 Timothy 6:17-18. What are some things God tells us to do and not to do?

A: We should be generous, share, hope in God- know that everything comes from God, do good. We shouldn't be arrogant or trust in riches. 

Family Activities:

1) Make a "Valentine" for Jesus. Tell Him why you want to give Him your heart.

2) Read and discuss Mark 7:21-23 or Psalm 139: 24-25 or 1 Chronicles 28:9

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Wednesday, February 6th & Sunday, February 10th

Key Passage: Luke 18:9-17

Basic Truth: Righteousness comes only from God.

Memory Verse: "(This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,) and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:22-24

Think About it:

A little child struggled repeatedly to climb up to the seat of a chair.  After bumps and tears he attained his goal, and stood there with a big smile.  When asked why, he replied, “Cause now I’m closer to God!”

As adults we laugh at such naive efforts.  Then we turn back to our own attempts to be “closer to God” through our personal “good works”, deceived into thinking there is something we can do to earn or deserve God’s favor.

Pray that God will use our very slips and failures to lead us to put all our trust in Jesus, our Sacrificial Lamb, to bring us “closer to God”.

“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.”  (Psalm 32:1-2).

Ask It:

All Levels

Q: What does it mean to be righteous?

A: To be righteous means that you have fulfilled all of God's requirements.

Grade 1-2

Q: How can sinners be righteous?

A: To be righteous means that we meet God's requirements. We can't do everything His Law requires but we can meet His requirement to repent and trust Jesus to forgive our sins.

Q: In the parable, why did God declare the the tax collector met God's requirements, even though he didn't obey all of God's laws?

A: The tax collector didn't claim to be righteous because of good thing she did. Instead, he admitted that he was a sinner-- that he had disobeyed God. He asked God for help! He believed that God would make him righteous by forgiving his sin.

Q: Read Luke 18:16. What are two things that children do that God requires us to do?

A: Children know when they need help, and they ask for it! Just like we need to ask God for help because He is the only one who can declare us righteous. Children also believe something, even when they can't figure out why or how; they just believe it! That's called faith. We don't have to figure out why or how God makes us righteous, we just have to believe it!

Grade 3-4

Q: How can no one be saved by obeying the Law?

A: God sets the standard for what is required and no one meets His standard for perfect obedience. Without God's grace, no one could be saved. 

Q: Who sets the requirements for our lives? And why does He have the right to do that?

A: God does because He is sovereign; he is Creator and Owner of all things.

Q: What does it mean to be justified? Which of the two men in the parable were justified, the pharisee or tax collector? Why?

A: Justified: declared righteous. The tax collector was declared righteous by God because he knew he was not righteous. He wasn't proud of his life. he didn't claim to deserve God's favor, instead he asked for God's mercy. 

Grade 5-6

Q: How does pride keep us from God?

A: Pride convinces us that we are good so we won't see that we are sinners and need a Savior.

Q: Why is it important to know that I am a sinner?

A: so I'll see God and ask for mercy

Q: Why was the tax collector declared righteous and not the Pharisee?

A: The tax collector didn't declare to be righteous according to the Law, he was only righteous by God's grace and because he asked for God's mercy. The Pharisee claimed to be righteous based on the works he had done and the rules he kept. He thought he was good enough to be acceptable to God because he was better than others by human comparison. 

Family Activities:

1) Listen carefully to your thoughts and words as you do a simple family project (house-cleaning, dinner, a puzzle etc.) How often does a prideful attitude show up in your mind? (A critical attitude indicates pride)

2) When wrong attitudes or behavior surface, encourage each other to ask for forgiveness from others, as well as from God. 

The Lost Sheep; Lost Coin; Lost Son

Wednesday, January 30th & Sunday, February 3rd

Key Passages: Luke 15:1-32

Basic Truth: God is love.

Memory Verse: For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost. Luke 19:10

Think about it:

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.”  (Titus 3:3)

Consider our condition without Christ…

Pray for students to clearly understand how lost and unworthy they are.

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.” (Titus 3:4-5a)

Praise be to God who seeks us!

Ask It:

All Levels
Q: What does it mean to be lost?
A: To be lost is to be separated from someone you are supposed to be with. Jesus seeks those who are separated from God. 

Grade 1-2     
Q: What do the parables of lost things teach us about God?
A: God loves us and sent Jesus to rescue us from being separated from Him.
Q: What separates us from God?
A: Our sin makes us unacceptable to be with God. Unless our sin is taken away, we are lost because we're separated from God.
Q: In Luke 15:7 it says there will be rejoicing in heaven over every sinner who is rescued. Why would God rejoice when a sinner is saved?
A: He loves us and doesn't want anyone to be separated from Him. 

Grade 3-4
Q: Why does God love us?
A: God loves us because God IS love. We are precious to Him- not because of our value or worth- but because of His grace.
Q: In what way are sinners lost?
A: Sin separates us from God. Because God is Holy (set apart; totally separated from sin) He cannot tolerate sin. We are separated from God, unless that sin is forgiven. 
Q: How are all 3 of these parable alike? And how do they help us understand God?
A:  Something is lost, the thing is found, then there is rejoicing. God loves and seeks sinners who are lost. He forgives sinners and rejoices when one repents. 

Grade 5-6 
Q: How would you describe God? {Make sure answers are Biblical} Why can it be hard to describe God accurately?
A: He's so much greater than we can understand or describe! It's easy to misunderstand God because He is so unlike anything on this earth. God doesn't act or think like anyone you know. That's why we have to make sure that our ideas about God come from the Bible. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Q: What do you do when someone rejects you or treats you like an enemy? 
A: get angry, be mean to them, don't want to be with them or be their friend.
Q: When we sin, we reject God. We act as His enemies by disregarding what He says. Does Jesus get angry with us?
A: No, he seeks us! He wants to forgive us so we can live with God forever. Not what you would expect right? That's because we don't deserve it, and its not how we might act. 
Q: Why is God's love so hard to understand?
A: God doesn't think or act the way we would expect. God's undeserved love for sinners is beyond our understanding. 

Family Activities: 

1) Play "I Spy": Take turns hiding an object while the rest of the family is out of the room. During the "seeking" have the one who hid the object say the first half of the memory verse when anyone gets close to the object. Say the whole verse when the object is found. 
2) Pray for someone you know who is "lost" (unsaved). Ask God for an opportunity to share God's truth with that person.