Children's Church Lesson: The Miracle of Easter!

Story 

Say: Today is a special day…what is today? (Easter)  What makes it so special (give children time to answer).  Those are all good answers!  Today we are going to read the story of the very first Easter!  Are you ready?

Read  the Easter Story from any Children's bible.

Lesson

Say:  What did Jesus ride into Jerusalem?   (Donkey)  What did he say he say the bread and the cup were? (His body and blood) After Jesus was arrested what happened to him? (hurt, died on a cross).  Did he stay dead (No, he rose on the third day!)  That’s right, Jesus died on the cross but he didn’t stay dead.  When Jesus beat death and he beat sin!  The bible says that God loved the world so much that he sent his only son so than anyone who believes in him will live forever  (John 3:16).  That means if we believe that Jesus can take away our sins and if we ask him to do that than we will live forever with him!  If you want to know more about that ask your mom and dad or you can talk to Pastor Riley.

Big Idea

Jesus is our savior because he died for us and rose again!  If we believe that he can take away our sins and ask him to do that than we will live forever with him!

Memory Verse

God loved the world so much that he sent his only son so than anyone who believes in him will live forever – John 3:16

Prayer

Take time to see if children have any prayer requests or prayer joys.  Say a short prayer thanking God for sending Jesus to save us.

Children's Church Lesson: Palm Sunday

Story

Say: What did you get today at church? (Palm Leaves)  Why did you get them? (Let the children share)  That’s right!  What day is it today? (Palm Sunday)  Today we are going to look at the story of the very first Palm Sunday!  I see you all have your palm leaves with you!  Pay very close attention to the story.  There  is a part in the story where the people wave palm leaves, just like yours and say “Hosanna!” During that part I want you to wave your palm leaves and say “Hosanna” too! Are you ready? 

Read “Palm Sunday” in any children's book.  Pause during the "Hosanna" part.

Lesson

Say:  What did Jesus want to celebrate with his disciples? (Passover – the celebration of the Exodus of God’s people from Egypt)  What did Jesus ask his disciples to borrow? (A donkey for Him to ride into Jerusalem)  What did the people shout as Jesus rode by? (Hosanna) That’s right!  Hosanna means save us.  These people wanted Jesus to be their savior.  Jesus is our Savior too.  Did you know that?  How did Jesus save us? (Died on the cross and came back to life to take away our sins).  The bible says that “God loved the world so much that he sent his only son so than anyone who believes in him will live forever”  (John 3:16).  That means if we believe that Jesus can take away our sins and if we ask him to do that than we will live forever with him!  If you want to know more about that ask your mom and dad or talk to Pastor Riley.

Memory Verse

God loved the world so much that he sent his only son so than anyone who believes in him will live forever – John 3:16

Big Idea

Jesus is our savior!  If we believe that he can take away our sins and ask him to do that than we will live forever with him!

Prayer

Take time to see if children have any prayer requests or prayer joys.  Say a short prayer thanking God for sending Jesus to save us.

Craft

Children will color and cut out donkey template pieces and glue them to a paper bag to make a donkey puppet.

Game Options

Incorporate the palm leaves in a game of Simon Says.

Children's Church Lesson: Fruit of the Spirit

Story

Say: What did you talk about during today children’s moment? (Growing up in our relationship with God)  Just like we grow up in our physical bodies, we also need to continue to grow in our relationship with God.  Today’s story tells us about some of the ways we can do that.

 Read “Fruit of the Spirit” in the Spark Story Bible (Page 550).

Lesson

Say: In our story who did Paul write a letter too? (The church in Galatia) What did this church need? (Help)  What was one of their problems? (They were always arguing)  What were they arguing about?  (lots of things, what it meant to be a church and what rules to follow)  Why was it so bad that they were always arguing? (They had a hard time getting along, and it was getting in the way of them being a good church)  Why did Paul write a letter to the Galatians?  (To tell them to stop fighting)  How did Paul suggest that they stop fighting? (By living with the fruit of the Spirit in mind, and by letting God’s love fill them)

We need to get along and live by the Fruit of the Spirit too (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control)  Let’s take some time to learn what the fruit of the spirit is (go over the memory verse multiple times with the children)

Memory Verse

The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. –Galatians 5:22 & 23

Big Idea:  

We need to get along with one another and live out the fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control).

Prayer

See if children have prayer requests.  Say a short prayer thanking God loving us and asking Him to help us to get along with each other and live out the fruit of the spirit. 

Song

Fruit of the Spirit Song:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFumjSll68s

Craft

Have the Children color the fruit and basket, cut out the fruit and glue them to their basket.  Keep reviewing the fruit of the spirit with them during the craft time. http://www.christianpreschoolprintables.com/Pages/BibleCrafts/BibleCraftsFruitoftheSpirit.html

Children's Church: The Little Lost Sheep

Story

Say: Today’s story is in the New Testament.  It is a fun story because it has sheep in it!  What sound do sheep make?  (BAA) That’s right!  I need you to help me with the story.  Every time I sway the work sheep I need you to say “BAA!”  Can you do that?  Good!

Read “The Lost Sheep” from any children's story bible

Lesson

Say: How did the shepherd feel when he found the lost sheep? (happy)  What did he do to show how happy he was (He had a party) God loves us very much, so much that each one of us makes God feels happy!  God shares that joy with us by giving us things that make us feel happy!  What are some things God gives you that make you feel joyful? 

The greatest thing that God gives us is the chance to live forever with Him.  He did that by sending His son Jesus to be our shepherd and find us when we were lost.  That is what this season, called Lent, that ends with Easter is all about.  What did Jesus do for the lost so they could be found (Died on the cross and rose again).  That’s right.  What do the lost have to do to be saved? (Ask Jesus to forgive the bad things they have done and ask them into their heard and life).  That’s right.  If you want to know more about this you can talk to your parents or one of the adults here.

Memory Verse

God loved us so much that he sent His son.  Anyone who believes in him will be saved!  – John 3:16

Big Idea

God send Jesus to be our shepherd and to find us when we are lost.  The lost have can ask Jesus to forgive them of their sins and ask Jesus to come into their hearts and lives and they will be saved!

Prayer

Take a minute to see if the children have any prayer requests or prayer joys.  Say a short prayer thanking God for giving his son to save us.

Song

Pick a song from any children's music DVD.  Use the same song for multiple weeks and have the children perform it in church.

Craft

Find a simple black and white sheep picture (clip art).  Paste it too a work document and adjust the size so it  takes up most the the page.  In large font type "Jesus is my shepherd!" for a title at the top of the page.  Have the children glue cotton balls on the sheep to make it three dimensional.

Children's Church Lesson: Prodigal Son

Story

Say: Raise your hand if you sometimes make bad choices.  (Give children time to raise their hands).  We all make bad choices don’t we.  Some people make more bad choices than others.  Today’s story is about someone who made bad choices and what Jesus had to say about it.  In the story there will be times when people are mad or happy.  We need to give our best mad or happy face at those times.  OK?  Good!

Read “The Prodigal Son” in the any children's story bible allowing the children to respond when appropriate.

Lesson

Say: Why were some people mad at the beginning of our story? (Jesus spent time with people who had done bad things)   What did Jesus do when he heard them grumble? (Told a story)  What did the younger son do in the story? (Took his father’s money and left)  What happened to the younger son? (He spent all his money and had to come back home, to be a servant)  What did his father do when he came back home? (His father was happy and welcomed him back)  How did that make the older son feel? (He was mad).  What did the father say to him? (You are always with me but your brother was lost and now he is found).  Why Did Jesus tell the story? (So people would know that when people who do bad things change and live like God wants, Jesus forgives them and is happy)  That’s right!  Everyone makes bad choices sometimes but when we ask for forgiveness and try to do what God wants Jesus forgives us and he is happy.  We need to remember that Jesus wants to forgive the people around us who do bad things and wants them to live for him.

Memory Verse

We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was lost, but now he is found! – Luke 15:32

Big Idea

Everyone makes bad choices sometimes but when we ask for forgiveness and try to do what God wants Jesus forgives us and he is happy.  We need to remember that Jesus wants to forgive the people around us who do bad things and wants them to live for him.

Prayer

Take a minute to see if the children have any prayer requests or prayer joys.  Say a short prayer thanking God for giving his forgiveness and asking him to help others learn to follow him.

Music

Pick a song from any music DVD (from VBS or Sunday School curriculum).  Consider using the same song for several weeks in a row and then having your group sing it during church (to showcase your ministry).

Craft

There are numerous free coloring pages and craft ideas available online; choose one that works for you.

Youth Group Discussion: Evangelism

Bible Verse 1: Isaiah 9:1-2

Video: Skit Guys The Skinny on Evangelism

Bible Verse 2: Matt. 4:18-22

Five Questions:
1. Do you consider yourself a “follower” of Jesus?
2. What does that mean to you?
3. How would a stranger know you are a Christian?
4. Do your friends know your Christian? How?
5. Tell me want you might want your friends to know about Christianity. About Jesus, about your church.

Children's Church Lesson: The Apostle Paul

Story

Say: Today we are going to talk about the apostle Paul.  Paul wrote letters to other disciples of Jesus telling them more about Jesus.  We can learn a lot from what Paul has to say. 

Read A story about Paul and his writings from any children's bible.

Lesson 1

Say: Who was Paul? (apostle/disciple of Jesus) What did Paul do? (Travel, Start Churches, write a letter to share God’s love)  What three things did Paul tell the Christians in Rome? (Jesus was a human and God, Jesus came to show people how much God loves them, Jesus changes your life).  What did Paul compare the Church to? (A body)  Why did he do that? (to show us that even though we are all different we all have a job to do as part of the church

Lesson 2

See if an older child wants to read 1 Corinthians 9:24-26.  If no one does than a leader can read. 

Say: What does Paul compare follow Jesus to? (A race, sports) What are some sports that you play (validate all answers).  Why do you think Paul compares following Jesus to running a race? (Validate all answers).  That’s right!  In a race we need to be focused and prepared, I think Paul is saying we need to be that way about following Jesus too.

Memory Verse

 I run with a purpose in every step. – 1 Corinthians 9:26

Prayer

Take a minute to see if the children have any prayer requests or prayer joys.  Say a short prayer thanking God for giving us Paul’s writings so we can learn how to follow Jesus.

Music

Pick a song from any music DVD (from VBS or Sunday School curriculum).  Consider using the same song for several weeks in a row and then having your group sing it during church (to showcase your ministry).