The Anticipation of Punishment

Props: a belt

             Many times when you are going to be punished, you’re warned ahead of time: “When we get home…”, “Go to your room and wait for me…”, “Just wait ’til your father gets home…”, “Go to the principal’s office…”   You may not know exactly what’s coming, but you know it can’t be good.  Many times you feel like crying because you know that something bad is coming.

            Jesus grew up His whole life reading about the punishment that He was going to have to face (Psalms 22, Isaiah 55).  He knew that He was going to be beaten, bruised and nailed to a cross.  He knew that He was going to die.  So on this night He cried out to His Father, knowing that He was about to suffer.

            When we are punished, it is because we’ve done something wrong.  Jesus was punished for us.  He took what we should have had.  We did wrong, and he suffered for it.  Because of Him, we don’t have to be punished.  Jesus’ obedience was hard at first, but He obeyed the Father knowing that He would be blessed and that we would be blessed with eternal life through His death.  It was the hardest thing He ever did, but it brought the greatest blessing. 

            There will be times when God calls you to do something hard.  And you may look ahead and think, “This is going to be tough.  I don’t know if I can do this.”  But if God calls you to it, He will give you the strength.  And He will bless you for obeying.

“The Birthday Party,” part 1

 “A child has been born for us.  We have been given a son who will be our ruler.” 

Isaiah 9:6 (CEV)

 Begin with a skit featuring a birthday boy awaiting the arrival of the guests for his party.  As they arrive, they each greet the birthday boy half-heartedly.  The presents are unwrapped and turn out to be ordinary and rather useless old items.  The guests seem rather complacent about the whole thing.           

            How would you feel if this were your birthday?  (Allow for response).  This is the time of year when we celebrate Jesus’ birthday.  Jesus is God’s Son.  He left Heaven and came to this earth so that He could live as a human and die in our place, taking the punishment for our sins.  Every year we celebrate His birthday because if He had not been born, we wouldn’t have a way to get to Heaven. 

            It is important to remember at Christmas that we are celebrating Jesus’ birthday.  With all of the wonderful gifts that are exchanged, don’t forget to bring your best gift to Jesus, the King.  Jesus is greater than any king or ruler that there ever was.  We must come to Him with our very best gifts.  After all, it’s His birthday.

“The Birthday Party,” part 2

“…a Savior was born for you.  He is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:11 (CEV)

 We find the birthday boy attempting conversation with different friends who are busy playing party games.  The guests ignore the birthday boy and are caught up in themselves and in their activity.

 It would be sad to think that this boy’s friends were so busy trying to plan a party for him that they didn’t have any time to really spend with him.  Do you think he would be able to enjoy his birthday very much?  (Allow for response). 

We can’t forget that Christmas is Jesus’ birthday.  Sometimes we get so busy planning Christmas parties and thinking about presents that we forget about talking to Jesus and spending time with Him.  Today’s power point says, spend time with Jesus on His birthday.  (Have the children repeat the power point after you).  Spend time with Jesus by worshiping Him–doing what’s right and telling Him how wonderful He is.  Spend time with Him by praying to Him and asking Him for what you need.  Let’s make sure we spend time with Jesus on His birthday.     

“The Birthday Party,” part 3

…after the baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.  Matthew 1:21

 The guests bring games that have only half the pieces, snacks that have been half-eaten, and they stay for only half the party.   The birthday boy mentions that he has never given less than everything for any of his friends. 

             Over the past few weeks, we’ve watched this boy get disappointed over and over as his friends have ignored him and have given him useless items for his birthday.  This week we will celebrate Christmas.  It is Jesus’ birthday we celebrate; yet many people act as if Jesus has nothing to do with it.  They buy gifts for everyone and forget about Jesus.  They spend time at parties and events, but spend no time in prayer and worship to the Lord. 

            When Jesus came to this earth, He came to give us everything.  We should give everything we have to Him.  And there’s no better time to remember that than at the celebration of His birthday.

The Camping Trip (skit/lesson)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

 Part 1: Take Time to Prepare

Props: a tent, backpacks for each camper and the leader, various “useless” items (see below) 

The backpack of camper #1 should be filled with items that would be useless for camping. 

The leader calls the campers together and asks them if they are ready to experience the great outdoors.  They all seem excited.  He tells them to strap on their backpacks, which Camper 1 has a hard time doing.  It seems her bag is too heavy and so the leader asks what she packed.  She begins to pull out her items one by one, each one completely useless for a camping trip.  As she explains her need for a hairdryer, a collection of books and magazines, her pet rocks, etc., the leader explains the need to be truly prepared with things that are useful.  He shows her a few of the items he has packed and explains their purpose.  After instructing her to re-pack, the group is off to their camping spot.    

Follow up: Preparing for a camping trip is important; preparing for life is more important. 

If you’re going on a camping trip, you have to take time to prepare.  You also have to know that you are preparing with the things that will be useful, things that will help you.  As we’re talking about taking time for God’s Word every day, you need to understand that taking time for God’s Word means taking time to prepare.  God’s word will prepare you for life.  Listen to what the Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:16, 17: “God has breathed life into all of Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right. By using Scripture, a man of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing.”  (2 Timothy 3:16-17)  Did you get that?  “By using Scripture, a man of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing.” 

            Listening to rock music will not prepare you to make good choices.  Going to your friends for advice all the time will not prepare you for a good future.  Reading magazines will not prepare you to help your friends when they are in trouble.  Only God’s Word will prepare you for all of that.  Reading the Bible, listening to good Bible teaching and memorizing scriptures will prepare you for life.  So take time to prepare and take time for God’s Word every day!

 

Part 2: Take Time to Feed Your Spirit

Job 23:12; 1 Peter 2:2 

Props: a tent, backpacks for each camper and the leader 

The campers arrive to the campsite with their gear.  The leader reminds everyone that it is soon dinnertime.  He says they should get a fire going and begin making dinner.  Camper #2 says he is so hungry.  The leader asks what he packed for dinner.  Camper #2 explains that he was so busy packing a tent, his clothes, bug spray, his iPod, etc., that he didn’t have time to pack food.  The leader replies that camping involves plenty of work, and that we need the energy food gives us. 

Follow up:  Does anyone here ever get so busy you forget to eat?  Probably not—at least not for long.  Our bodies are made to remind us when we get hungry.  They need energy and food gives us that energy.  So it doesn’t usually take long before we feel our stomachs growl and we know that we need something to eat.

            Just like you have to take time to feed your body, you have to take time to feed your spirit also.  Your spirit is that part of you that connects to God, and it gets hungry for something from God.  Your spirit can’t be fed with the food you feed your body; it needs food from the Bible.  When you read, listen to and think about scriptures from God’s Word, your spirit is satisfied.  If you don’t take time for God’s Word, your spirit gets weak.  You will have a hard time getting close to God and living life to please Him. 

            The camper we just saw didn’t take time to pack food.  He got too busy with everything else.  Don’t get too busy to feed your spirit—take time for God’s Word every day! 

Part 3: Take Time to Get Directions

Romans 15:4, Psalm 119:98-100 

Props: tent, backpacks and maps 

The campers finish setting up camp.  The leader mentions that the campground is large and wooded and asks if everyone knows their way around.  He tells all the campers to keep a copy of the map with them.  Camper #3 heads out to check out the trails.  Soon after he leaves, the others notice that he left his map behind.  They call out for him but can’t find him anywhere.  He returns itching and scratching all over, complaining that he went down the wrong trail and got into poison ivy.  The leader reminds him of his instructions to keep the map with him.   

Follow up: Taking time for God’s Word is important because God’s Word is where we get our direction for life.  Some people wander through life not knowing how to live or what to do.  They guess and try to make the best choices they can.  But that only leads them nowhere.

            The Bible is filled with directions for life.  God tells us what we should do and how to make good choices in life.  He also tells us things we should stay away from.  If you read the Bible, your journey through life will be much more successful.

            Our friend here didn’t take time to look at a map before he headed out down the trails.  It sure got him in trouble!  Don’t be like that…take time to get directions by taking time for God’s Word!

The Chain of Sin

By one we were condemned, by One we are justified Romans 5:19           

Props: rope 

            Adam is the great, great, great, great grandfather of us all. (Hold the rope and have a helper hold the opposite end, showing the connection between you).  We are all connected to him.  So when Adam chose to sin (do what was wrong), he passed on a sinful character to his children, and to their children and to their children.  For thousands of years, that sinful character has been passed along until it finally has reached us.  You got a sinful nature from your parents, who got it from their parents…all the way back to Adam.  The Bible says “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  So each of us have sinned.  If we stay connected to the sin, it will lead us to hell.  Doesn’t look very good for us, does it? 

            The good news is, Jesus came and lived a perfect life; he never sinned.  He was not connected to the “chain of sin.”  Because he lived a perfect life and died for our sins, he broke the “chain of sin.”  Now you and I have a choice.  We can stay connected to sin or we can turn from our sins and connect with Jesus.   

            Today we’re going to begin talking about the price that Jesus paid for the forgiveness of our sins.  It’s easy to talk about what Jesus did for us, but we have to understand that Jesus paid a high price—He gave up His life.  And He chose to do it, no one forced Him to.  But He knew the lesson we must learn: Obedience brings blessings.  Jesus chose to obey God’s will, and He was blessed.  In fact, we are all blessed through Jesus’ obedience.  If you obey God, you will also be blessed

The Clock is Ticking

Make the best use of your time. Ephesians 5:16 (NLV)

 Props: clock, calendar, game buzzer, hourglass, stopwatch, etc.

 Take a look at some of the things I have with me today.  There’s a clock, a calendar, game buzzer, hourglass, and stopwatch.  All of these items have one thing in common: they all measure time.  Today’s lesson is all about time.  Time can be measured in many ways: minutes, hours, days and years.  Each of us has a certain amount of time to live on this earth.  And once our life is over, we can never go back and live it again.  Time is a gift. Time is short.  The important thing to remember is to use your time for God. 

The Bible has a lot to say about our time, talent and money and how we should use those things for God. 

Well, my time is up.  Remember, “Make the best use of your time.” Ephesians 5:16 (NLV)

The Commitment

 Props: household pet (real pet or a stuffed animal)       

 “You shall not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14 (NIV)

 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:33 (NIV)         

            (Bring out pet and play with it as you speak).

            Almost every kid has the dream of owning a pet.  Most of you have probably asked your parents for a pet at one time or another.  And they probably all said the same thing: “Having a pet is a big responsibility.  You have to feed it, bathe it, and clean up after it.”  You being the responsible children that you are probably promised to do all of those things.  (If applicable, tell the story of your own childhood pet, how you asked your parents for it, how you had to take care of it, etc.)

            Having a pet is a big responsibility.  It’s not always fun to take care of an animal.  But if you love your animal, it’s worth it. 

            Today we’re talking about respecting marriage.  Marriage is a big responsibility and commitment.  It takes a lot of hard work and it’s not always easy.  But if you love God, it’s worth it.  God will bless people who keep their promises.

            Do you wonder why we’re teaching you about marriage even though you’re so young?  Learning about marriage commitment now is important.  You can pray for your parents and family members who are married.  You can ask God to help them keep their promise to each other.  You can also begin to pray now that when you grow up, God will help you choose the right husband or wife and will help you keep your promise to be faithful in marriage.

The Cross

Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19

 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
       he was crushed for our iniquities;
       the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
       and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
       each of us has turned to his own way;
       and the LORD has laid on him
       the iniquity of us all.

For he bore the sin of many,
       and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 53:5, 6, 12b (NIV)

 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (NIV)

 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

 Throughout the lesson, a cross will be positioned in the front of the room.  For each lesson segment, small pieces of paper—labeled with specific sins, sicknesses and problems—will be nailed to the cross, representing Jesus taking those things upon himself for us. 

 Salvation

            Jesus was born without sin.  He lived His whole life and never sinned—not even once.  But like the verses we just read tell us, God’s plan was to put our sin on Him and have Him take the punishment that you and I deserve. 

            No one (except Jesus) has ever been completely honest 100% of the time.  That means all of us have lied.  (Hold up “dishonesty” paper and nail it to the cross).  But when Jesus died on the cross, He took the punishment for our dishonesty.  If we ask God, He will forgive us for being dishonest because Jesus already took the punishment. 

            How many of you have ever been disobedient?  (Allow for response).  Jesus always obeyed His parents and those in authority over Him.  But He took the punishment for your disobedience. (Nail the “disobedience” paper to the cross).  That is why you can be forgiven when you disobey.       

            Continue along the same lines with 3 or 4 more specific sins, such as jealousy, unforgiveness and pride. 

            When Jesus was crucified, the soldiers drove nails into His hands and feet, and blood flowed out.  They drove a spear into His side, and blood and water flowed out.  It is by Jesus’ blood—the life that He gave—that we receive forgiveness. 

            Jesus already paid the price for your forgiveness.  If you know that you have sin in your life and have not been forgiven, you only need to ask God.  He is ready and willing to forgive you. 

 Healing

Jesus paid a huge price for our salvation, for the forgiveness of our sins.  But before He was crucified, He took a beating on His back.  The soldiers took a whip with pieces of leather and chips of bone in it, and used it to beat Jesus’ back.  They beat His back with the whip 39 times.  Each time, pieces of flesh were torn off of Him. 

Isaiah 53:5 says, “…by his wounds we are healed.”  Jesus suffered in His body so that we wouldn’t have to. 

Everyone knows what it feels like to be sick.  (Hold up papers with the names of sicknesses and nail them to the cross as you speak).  Jesus took a beating on His body so that you wouldn’t have to suffer with colds, allergies, headaches, cancer, heart disease or pain of any kind.  I don’t understand everything about healing—some people are healed right away and others aren’t—but I do know that Jesus paid the price for our healing.

If you are sick in your body, ask God to heal you, because Jesus already paid the price. 

That’s part of His work on the cross. 

 Wholeness

            Jesus purchased our salvation on the cross, He paid for the healing of our bodies, but He also made it possible for us to be made whole. 

            Everyone goes through problems in life.  Sometimes you may feel like the problems you have break your heart. (Hold up papers that name various problems, such as hurt feelings, feeling stupid or broken family.  Nail them to the cross as you speak).   Maybe someone called you a bad name and it hurt your feelings.  Or it could be that you aren’t doing well in school and you feel stupid.  Some of you know what it’s like to have your family break up.  The Bible says that Jesus took “the punishment that brought us peace” (Isaiah 53:5).  That means that when He was beaten and bruised, when His body was broken, He paid the price for us to have peace in our heart.  Even when everything else and everyone else around you is a mess, you can have perfect peace.  If you feel like life is falling apart, it won’t matter, because Jesus will hold you together.  He paid the price on the cross. 

            If you need peace in your heart, come to God today.  He will fill your life with His peace—Jesus paid the price.

The Fireplace

Props: cardboard fireplace display, box of matches

(As the teacher tells the story, have a helper act out the scenes).

 ”You shall not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14 (NIV)

             There is a story about a man who had a beautiful fireplace in his house.  Each night he would come home, light the fireplace, and be warmed by the beautiful fire.  The dancing flames and the glistening embers captivated him.  Some nights, he would stay by the warmth of the fire for hours, just watching the sparks. 

            One evening, he decided he wanted more than just one fire.  He wanted another to enjoy.  (Helper exits).  So he took a box of matches to his bedroom, struck one of the matches and dropped it to the floor.  Suddenly, a large ball of flames began to grow right there in the middle of his bedroom.  It burned up the rug, scorched the bed, charred the walls and didn’t stop until the whole house was engulfed in flames and destroyed. (Optional explosion sound effect).

            The man didn’t understand why the fire in the fireplace was so beautiful and warming, when outside of the fireplace it was so destructive. 

            Today we are talking about the seventh commandment.  This commandment talks about marriage.  God created marriage for a man and a woman to share together.  Marriage was meant to be a blessing, just like fire can be a blessing.  God created boundaries for marriage, just like a fireplace is a boundary for fire.  If the fire stays in the fireplace, it’s a beautiful thing.  And if a man and a woman don’t go outside of God’s boundaries for marriage, it is a beautiful thing.

            The man in our story today didn’t understand boundaries.  He thought he could just throw fire around and everything would be okay.  But he ended up destroying his house.  There are many men and women who don’t understand the boundaries for marriage.  They think they can get married and then have boyfriends or girlfriends on the side.  They end up destroying their homes and families because they don’t follow God’s boundaries for marriage.

            Marriage is supposed to be a wonderful, beautiful blessing in the life of one man and one woman who get married and stay faithful to each other.  God meant it to be a good thing.  Today’s commandment teaches us how to make sure marriage will be the blessing God created it to be.  Let’s learn that commandment now.

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