We start to hear stories from an early age. Whether it’s the Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Cinderella, The Lord of the Rings, or a Batman comic book, similar themes stick out. A villain, some sort of conflict, someone who needs saving, and a hero. Likewise, we can see how in some way or another, almost every story points back to the one God wrote when He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sin. This week, we spent time specifically praising the Lord for the Gospel – the original story of a villain, a conflict (sin), someone who needs saving (all of us!), and by God’s grace, a hero.
PATIENCE: Trusting and waiting for God in all things
MEMORY VERSE: “Yet I am confident I will see the Lord's goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord." Psalm 27: 13-14
This Week’s Finish Line: God showed His patience with us through Easter
Jesus came down from heaven to earth and lived a perfect life. That means He never sinned. Are any of us perfect? Definitely not! We are all sinners. We all think, say, and do things that don’t please God. We are separated from God and deserve to die for our sins. But God LOVES you! Romans 5:8 says, “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Even though Jesus was perfect, He was arrested and killed on the cross. Then, when it didn’t seem like anything good could come out of this sad situation, God raised Jesus from the dead! JESUS IS ALIVE! His death paid the price for your sin and mine. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, He offers us salvation, which is rescue from the punishment, power, and presence of sin. When we ADMIT that we are sinners, BELIEVE that Jesus died for us, and CONFESS that He is Lord of our life, we are saved! We can have eternal life with God! That really is the best true story ever.
Family Questions:
- Read John 20:1-10 What did Peter and John find in the tomb? (They did NOT find Jesus! He had risen! They found linen wrappings and the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head.)
- Read Luke 24:36-43 Why do you think the disciples were frightened when Jesus appeared? What did Jesus say to them? (“Peace be with you.”)
- What did Jesus do to show the disciples it really was Him and He was really alive? (Showed them the nail holes in His hands and feet, let them touch Him, ate some fish)
- What is your favorite part of the Easter story? Why? Do you think it’s a big deal that Jesus is alive today? Why?
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
* Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.
Teacher: Meal Time
The good news of our good God isn’t just for us on Easter…it’s for everyone, every day of the year! Practice sharing the gospel with each other as a family. If you don’t know where to start, start here! Read each verse and ask the question that goes with it.
What is SIN? - Romans 3:23
ANYTHING WE THINK, SAY, OR DO THAT DOES NOT PLEASE GOD
What is SALVATION? - Romans 6:23, 5:8
RESCUE FROM THE PUNISHMENT, POWER, AND PRESENCE OF SIN
How can I be saved? - Romans 10:9
A-B-C – ADMIT you are a sinner, BELIEVE Jesus paid the price for your sins, CONFESS Jesus is Lord of your life
Friend: Drive Time
What is your favorite story and why? It could be a true story or a made-up story. How do you see God's story reflected in it? No story can perfectly echo the Gospel, but how do you see it show up in other popular stories that you know or have heard?
Counselor: Bedtime
This Easter, all elementary kids went home with The Biggest Story tract. Read it together as a family before bed. Thank God for Easter and the way His story is in every story. Thank Him for His patience, love, and free gift of salvation.
Coach: Anytime
Have you ever noticed that every story points to the Gospel story? Next time you are reading a book or watching a movie as a family, talk through these questions to help you see how every story points to the Gospel!
- Who is the Hero?
- Who is the villain?
- What is the problem/conflict?
- Who is in trouble or in need of help?
- Is something lost/stolen? Is there a search?
- What was sacrificed? By whom?
- Is there justice? Mercy?
- Who is found/rescued/saved? By whom?
- Does “good” win in the end? How?
Prayer
Lord, thank you so much for sending your son, Jesus, to die on the cross for my sins so that I will live in Heaven with you one day!
Looking Ahead
Next week, we will continue in the month of April with our character trait, PATIENCE. We will be talking about trusting and waiting for God in all things!
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