Bible Passage: Mark 16:12-13 and Luke 24:13-35

Big Idea: The Bibe id God's Word and everything in it is about Jesus

This week the kids studied how Jesus appeared to the Emmaus disciples after His death and resurrection. The bible is about Jesus. When Adam and Eve sinned, God began to working out His plan to send Jesus to rescue people from sin (Genesis 3:15). All of the Old Testament points foward to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection – the time when Jesus would bring God's promised salvation for sinners. 

Family Journal Activity: Give each member of the family a Bible. Call out a book of the Bible and guide each person to race to find it. Vary the difficulty of the book being found. Read Luke 24: 13-35. Remind the kids that Jesus taught that the Bible is about him. Tell them that no matter where they turn in the Bible, they can know that it all points to God's plan for Jesus to come to earth, die on the cross for our sin, and rise again three days later, as a picture of His victory over sin and death. 

Bible Passage: Matthew 28:1-15; John 20:1-18

Big Idea: God raised Jesus back to life to show we are forgiven & He has victory over sin and death. 

This week the kids learnt that 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 to reign as King over all creation. Jesus provides salvation from sin and the promise of eternal life. 

Family Activity

Talk about a time you needed proof to help someone believe you. Consider telling a story and challenging the kids to believe you, and provide some ‘evidence’ or ‘proof’ to consolidate your story. Ask kids why they believe that you love them. (You hug them, feed them, tuck them in at night.) Let them give you examples that mean a lot to them. Talk about how Jesus’ resurrection is the proof that Jesus is who He said He is, and that we can trust everything He said. Ask kids if they sometimes struggle to believe this big truth. Reassure them that doubt is okay, and that while it is an unbelievable fact that God raised Jesus to life, that we can trust the Bible and what it says. Pray with your kids that you would learn to trust God together, and thank Him for giving us a way to be with Him again. 

Bible Passage: Matthew 26:36-28:10

Big idea: Jesus died to pay the sacrifice for our sin so that we could be made right with God.

This week the kids learnt about Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus is the center of the gospel. We took a look back at all the ways God has shown his people that He wants themt to be with Him throughout the Bible, and why Jesus had to die. We talked about how, because God is perfectly just, that sin needs to be paid for. We deserve to die because of our sin. But because God is not only perfectly just, but also perfectly loving, He sent Jesus to die in our place. He was the blood sacrifice made once and for all for the forgiveness of sin. God was pleased with Jesus' sacrifice and raised Him from the dead to reign as King over all creation. We are forgiven and made right with God only through Jesus. When Jesus died on the cross for us, he said "IT IS FINISHED'. 

Family Activity

Look at a cross on a necklace or other item in your home, or as you see one driving around your community. Ask kids to tell you in their own words why the cross is used as a decoration today. Remind kids that the cross is a reminder of what Jesus did by dying for us on the cross and rising three days later. Pray together and thank Jesus for His sacrifice for us, and that He won victory over sin and death when He rose again. Say together "it is finished" at the end of the prayer and talk about how Jesus' sacrifice was once and for all, and how we can praise Him for our hope even in death.

Bible Passage: Matthew 26:36-27:2

Big Idea: Jesus trusted His father's plan to bring salvation to the world.

On Sunday the kids learned that Jesus was arrested. Jesus knew he was going to die, so he went to the garden to pray. While he was there, his friends fell asleep. Then Judas, his friend, betrayed him and he was arrested. Peter even denied knowing him! Jesus was taken away by the guards and beaten up and made fun of. But through all of this, despite being alone, heart-broken and hurt, Jesus trusted in His Father's plan. 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. 

Family Activity

Ask Have you ever felt scared, alone, or betrayed? Why do you think Peter denied Jesus? Why would Jesus let Himself be arrested? When do you find it hard to trust God's plan? 

Do Go out into your garden or to a nearby park. Choose a place together and consider kneeling down together. Pray together as Jesus did, "Not our will Father, but yours. We trust you. We know you have a good plan. We love you and thank you for Jesus' sacrifice for us." Mark this place in your garden as a place of prayer and return to pray together in times of struggle and hardship or to thank Jesus. 

Have a wonderful week!