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 Miracle of Restoration

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  Ephesians 2:1, 2

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13, 14

Props: “the bridge” illustrations (boy separated from God, sin between boy and God) and a cross cut out to fit over the word “sin” and “bridge” the two cliffs

Today we’re talking about one of the most amazing miracles: Jesus’ resurrection.  He was dead and God raised Him by the power of the Holy Spirit.  He lived again, and still lives.  How amazing!

The Bible says that before we know God, we are dead in our sins.  But that doesn’t mean that we’re not breathing or don’t have a heartbeat.  So why would God call us dead when we have sin in our lives and don’t know Him?

If you think about it, death is more than a physical body that stops working.  Death is separation.  When someone dies, you and I who are still alive become separated from that person.  We can’t talk to him or see him like we used to.  When we are in sin, it’s like we are dead because we are separated from God.  His life-giving power is not at work in our lives. 

(Show 1^st picture–boy separated from God). 

   Everyone since Adam has been separated from God by sin.  The thing is, there’s no way we can ever get to God on our own.  People have tried for thousands of years to reach God with their own strength, their own good works or their own beliefs.  But it has never worked.  Sin created too great a separation to be crossed on our own. 

(Show 2^nd picture –sin between boy and God). 

 

That’s where the miracle happened.  Jesus came to the earth and was born without sin.  He lived a perfect life and never sinned or did anything wrong.  When He died, He took the punishment for our sins and made a way for us to be close to God again.  Our own goodness was never enough to get us close to God, but Jesus is perfect and His death was enough. 

(Place cut-out cross over the word “sin,” creating a “bridge” between the two cliffs). 

            When you accept what Jesus did for you and ask God to forgive your sins, you cross over from death to new life.  You are no longer separated from God, but are once again close to Him.  You are given new life just like Jesus rose from the dead. 

            We’re alive because Jesus is alive.  Jesus rose from the dead and, by God’s power, we can be free from sin and made alive in Christ.

Permanent Marker Mistakes

…[love] keeps no record of wrongs.  1 Corinthians 13:5

Props: paper, pencil, eraser and permanent marker

            How many of you like to do schoolwork? (Allow for response).  How many like to take tests? (Allow for response).  The one good thing about tests and schoolwork is that you get to do all of your work in pencil.  Pencils are great because they all have erasers.  And erasers are there to take care of all your mistakes by making them disappear.  Your teachers all know that you are human (at least most of the time you act human) and you make mistakes.  That’s why they let you use a pencil—so you can erase your mistakes.  Sometimes they might make you use a pencil, knowing that it will save you lots of trouble in the end if you can erase your mistakes and not have to start all over. 

            Can you imagine what school would be like if the only thing you could ever use to do your work was a permanent marker?  None of you would ever make it past kindergarten.  Using a permanent marker would mean that you couldn’t ever correct any of your mistakes.  So the whole time you were trying to learn to write the alphabet, you’d just have to keep starting all over again!

            All of us are human and sometimes have to use erasers to make our mistakes go away.  And we make more mistakes than just writing.  Sometimes you say or do things to hurt your friends’ feelings.  And they do the same things to you.  (In pencil, write offenses on the paper such as lying, cheating, fighting, etc.)  They might lie about you, cheat when playing a game, or fight with you.  Some of you remember the mistakes of others forever, and you never want to forgive them.  (Go over one or two of the words in permanent marker).   The Bible tells us that love keeps no record of wrongs.  In other words, it erases the wrongs that people do.  (Erase the other word or words).  Love forgives and forgets because true love is quick to forgive.  You can make a choice today to forgive others and show true love to them, even as God has shown His love for you.

Magnetic Pull

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Props: 2 large magnets

When we are born, our nature is sinful.  In other words, sin comes natural to us and we automatically want to do things that are bad.  That sin separates us from God.  We cannot get close to God unless he forgives us for our sins.  (Demonstrate how the like poles of the magnets repel each other).  Do you see how it is impossible for these magnets to connect?  I can try and force them together, but it’s not going to happen.  The same is true for you.  When you have sin in your life, it is impossible to get close to God. 

However, God’s Word tells us to repent, to turn away from our sin and to turn to God.  When you do that, God forgives you for your sins and you can be close to Him.  (Turn one magnet around and demonstrate how the magnets are drawn together now).  When you come to God in prayer every day, it is important to take time to ask if there’s anything in your life that is displeasing to Him (Psalm 139:23).  If you have disobeyed God in any way, tell Him you’re sorry.  Ask for His forgiveness.  The Bible promises that He will forgive you (1 John 1:9) and you will be connected and close to Him again just like these magnets are now. 

Remember to turn away from your sin and allow God to change you as you pray!

Let It Go!

…[love] keeps no record of wrongs.  1 Corinthians 13:5

Props: 3 backpacks, 6-8 “bricks” labeled with various offenses

Judge: Okay, here’s how it works.  You each have a backpack.  Whenever you do something wrong, a brick will be added to your backpack and you have to carry it around all day.  Understand? 

Kid 1 and 2: Yep!

Kid 1 (to Kid 2): This is great!  Now you’ll finally get what’s coming to you.  (to judge)  Last year, he tripped me when I was walking down the hall at school.  I dropped my books and they went flying everywhere!  I was so embarrassed…and hurt. I was hurt!

Judge pulls out a brick and sets it down.

Kid 2: (Solemnly) I said I was sorry.

Kid 1: (to judge) And 6 months ago he knocked over my drink in the cafeteria.  I got chocolate milk all over my new pants.

Judge adds a brick to the first.

Kid 2: But I offered to help clean up, and I apologized.

Kid 1: (to judge) Last month he borrowed my video game, and I haven’t seen it since.

Judge adds a brick to the pile.

Kid 2: I’ll bring it back…

Kid 1: (to judge) He even called me a name last week.

Judge adds a brick to the pile.

Kid 2:  I’m sorry.

Kid 1: And yesterday he chose four other kids to be on his team before me.

Judge adds a brick to the pile.

 Judge: Well, it looks like we’ve got quite a pile of bricks built up here.  (Places all of the bricks in the backpack of Kid 1).

Kid 1: (shocked) Judge, you’ve made a mistake.  These bricks are supposed to go in his backpack.  He’s the one who’s done everything wrong.          

 Judge:  He’s already done his part to make things right by asking forgiveness.  You’re the one that can’t let go of these things by refusing to forgive and forget!   So you’re the one that’s going to have to carry them around.  They’ll be with you until you can learn to forgive.

 (All walk toward exit).

Kid 1: But I can’t live like this!  How am I supposed to do anything?

Judge:  It’s very hard to live when you’re carrying everyone else’s mistakes around.

(Exit).

Teacher: (Use extra backpack and bricks as you teach).  Keeping a record of wrongs means keeping track of what others have done wrong, remembering it, and reminding them of it.  What you’re really doing is carrying their mistake around yourself.  Who is the one who suffers for that?  (Allow for response).  If you do not forgive others, you are the one who suffers for it, because you are the one carrying the bad feelings around.  (Begin taking the bricks out of the backpack).  When you forgive, you choose to let go of what someone has done to you and it frees you up.  It will make you feel better on the inside.  God doesn’t want us to walk around so sad and weighed down all the time.  That’s why He told us to forgive.  True love is quick to forgive.

You Are a New Creation (Forgive Yourself)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

 Props: 2 identical T-shirts, one stained and the other clean, laundry detergent and bucket of water.  Before you begin, place the clean t-shirt into the bucket of water. 

             The Bible says that anyone who is in Christ is a new creation—the old is gone and the new has come.  When you come to God for forgiveness, He washes you and makes you clean and new.  Before you come to God, you look like this T-shirt.  (Display stained shirt).  Your heart is stained and full of sin.  There is no way you could ever get your own heart clean.  (Immerse stained t-shirt into water and “wash” it, then pull out clean t-shirt and wring it out while you are speaking).  But a miracle happens when you come to God: He completely washes away all of your sin.  There is not even a little bit left.  He forgives you and in His eyes you are completely clean, just as if you’d never done anything wrong.  (Hold up clean shirt).      

            Can you see any stains left on this shirt?  (Allow for response).  If you wore this shirt around would you worry about all the stains that used to be on it?  Of course not!  You can’t see the stains anymore; the shirt is clean.  In the same way, God sees your heart as clean.  He doesn’t look at you and see all the sin that used to be there.  So if God doesn’t think about it, neither should you.  Don’t worry about the bad things that you did before if God has already forgiven you.  See yourself like God does.  He sees you as a brand new person

You Are the Apple of His Eye

…you are God’s chosen and special people. 1 Peter 2:9

 Props: picture of an eye

             It’s very important that you learn to see yourself like God does.  We’re going to talk about seeing for just a few minutes.  Because God loves us and doesn’t want to see us get hurt, He made us with the ability to protect ourselves.  Our eyes are just one example of how we protect ourselves.  Any time something comes near your eye, you blink.  In fact, you can’t help it.  You blink without even thinking about it.  That’s because God made your eyelids to protect your eyes, and your reflexes to make sure your eyelids go down when they should.  When sand or dust gets in your eyes, they fill up with tears that wash it away.  God wanted your eyes to be very protected.  The most protected part of your eyes are the pupils.  The pupil is the black circle in the middle of each eye.  It is very important because it lets the light in and without it you can’t see.

In the book of Zechariah in the Bible, God compares his people to the “apple,” or pupil, of His eye.  That means that his people are more important than anything else to Him and He will do anything to protect them.  You and I are in the center of His vision; He can’t look at anything without seeing us. 

            Look at the person sitting next to you.  Now look straight into his or her eyes.  What do you see there?  (Allow for response).  You see the pupil, the whites, the color.  But if you’ll look closely, you’ll also see yourself.  It’s just the same with God.  When you look into God’s eyes, you can see yourself there.  You are always in the center of His eyes.  So see yourself like God does and you’ll see someone who is precious to Him.