Last Days of Jesus’ Life Prior To Arrest

1. Open in prayer

2. Introduction – Preparing To Go To Jerusalem
After a couple of years of public ministry the time had arrived when it was time for Jesus to bring His earthly ministry to a close. Now was the time that He was to return to Jerusalem in order to fulfill the Father’s will. Now was the time for Him to become our Passover Lamb – the Savior of the world.

Matthew 21:1-7 NKJV
“Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’” So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them.”

Before entering the city Jesus instructed several of His disciples to go to a nearby village and bring back a donkey for Him. During this time period, leaders rode horses if they rode to war, but donkeys if they came in peace.

As they entered Jerusalem it was crowed with people who has came to observe the annual Passover celebration. This feast was one of the feasts that God had commanded the people to observe.

Numbers 9:1-3 NKJV
“Now the Lord spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying: “Let the children of Israel keep the Passover at its appointed time. On the fourteenth day of this month, at twilight, you shall keep it at its appointed time. According to all its rites and ceremonies you shall keep it.”

3. Praise and Worship Songs –
_________________________
_________________________

4. Memory Verse

Matthew 21:10 NKJV
“And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”

5. Jesus Enters Jerusalem – Palm Sunday
The year of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection this day was on a Sunday. It was the day the Priest would parade the Passover lamb (Pesach Lamb) through the city. The people coming to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover would collect palm branches and cedar boughs along the way and bring with them.

Hundreds of priests would leave the temple and parade through the streets. While these priests positioned themselves along the route to be taken by the High Priest and the Pesach Lamb, the High Priest and his entourage made their way outside the city where they inspected the flocks of yearling lambs to find the most perfect lamb (Pesach Lamb.)

Waiting inside the city were hundreds of thousands of people who had joined the priests in lining the streets, each one bringing a palm frond or cedar bough. The priests lined up throughout the city were to begin shouting (and encouraging the people to join in) “Hosanna to the Highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed be the kingdom of our father David that is coming! Hosanna in the Highest!” when they saw the High Priest with the Pesach Lamb.

Luke 19:37-40 NKJV
“Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying:
“ ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.”
But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”

As Jesus entered the city, the multitude of disciples with Him began shouting, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”

As with every year, the people coming to the Passover celebration anticipated the announcement of the coming of the Messiah. When they saw Jesus coming into town riding a donkey and heard the disciples shouting, they crowed around them. They begin to wave the palm branches that they had and shout “Hosanna!” Hosanna means save us now! Some even spread their coats on the ground for the donkey with Jesus to walk over.

Matthew 21:8 NKJV
“And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.”

Matthew 21:9 NKJV
“Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!”

When the High Priest and those with him, returned with the Pesach Lamb they found the city in an uproar over Jesus’ arrival. They became very angry and instructed Jesus to make His disciples be quiet. However, Jesus answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”

6. Game – Palm Branch Relay
Need:
2 palm branches – made out of paper or purchased
a poster board with the memory verse written on it.

Line the children up into two teams. Give the first person in line a palm branch.
At the signal the first person on each team will run to the front and say the
memory verse. Then they will run back to their team. The process continues
until everyone on their team has had a turn. The team that finishes first is the winner.

7. Jesus Teaches In The Temple
From riding into Jerusalem on a donkey Jesus went to the temple where He drove out the moneychangers and the merchants. This was the second time He had driven them out – the first time was at the beginning of His ministry. This time was at the end of His earthly ministry. Jesus taught in the temple for several days after this event.

Matthew 12-13 NKJV
“Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”

The Passover lamb that the priest carried through town was tied up at the temple for three days according to their law. During this time the lamb was examined to make sure it was an acceptable sacrifice. It had to be free of all blemishes.

Exodus 12:1-6 NKJV
“Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without[blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight.”

During these same three days Jesus went to the temple where He taught for several days. While the selected Pesach lamb was being examined by the temple authorities, Jesus was being examined also – He was continually questioned about His teaching and His authority.

The things that Jesus did and said made the temple leaders very angry and they began to plot how they could get rid of Him. Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples went to the religious leaders to offer his help.

Matthew 26:14-16 NKJV
“Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.”

8. Game – Pass The Beach Ball Relay
Need:
2 beach balls
2 teams

Line the children up into two teams. Give the first persons in line a beach ball. At the signal they will pass the ball over their head to the person behind them. When the ball reaches the end of the line, that person will run to the front of the line and say the memory verse. Then they will pass the ball over the head to the person behind them. The process continues until the person who was originally at the front is back in the front (they must say the memory verse also). The team that finishes first is the winner.

9. Passover With Disciples
On the Thursday, after arriving on Sunday, Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples. Passover is a feast remembering the exodus from Egypt and it points to Jesus Christ as our Passover Lamb.

Exodus 12:13 NKJV
“Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”

Passover reminded the Hebrews of their deliverance from Egyptian bondage. God had passed through Egypt, and the oldest child of every household had died – except those who had obeyed God by putting blood from a spotless lamb on the doorposts.

Matthew 26:17-19 NKJV
“ Now on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.” ’ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.”

After the meal Jesus washed the disciples feet.

John 13:2-11 NKJV
“And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”

After Jesus washed the disciples feet He told them that one of them would betray Him.

John 13:18-30 NKJV
“I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.”

After Judas left to betray Him, Jesus gave a new commandment.

John 13:31-35 NKJV
“ So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

10. Game – Jesus Rides Into Jerusalem Memory Verse Relay

Need:
2 stick donkey – these can be made or purchased.

Line the children up in two teams. Give each team a stick donkey.

At the signal the first person on each team will ride their stick donkey to the front and say the memory verse. Then they will ride back to their team and the next person will repeat the process. The team that finishes first is the winner.

11. The Lord’s Supper and The Garden of Gethsemane

Matthew 26:26-28 NKJV
“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

After the meal, during the seder, Jesus gave us the Lord’s Supper (communion). Communion is a very intimate time between a person and Jesus. It is a time to remember what Jesus has provided for us, a time to look toward His future return, and a time to committee to preparing to be His bride.

Matthew 26:30 NKJV
“And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”

Late Thursday night, after Jesus and His remaining 11 disciples finished the Passover meal and the institution of communion, they sang a hymn then went to the Garden of Gethsemane.

Matthew 26: 36-38 NKJV
“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”

In the Garden Jesus spent the night in prayer. Jesus knew that He was about to be crucified. He was praying for God to give Him the strength to fulfill what He had came to do. Jesus prayed for God’s will to be done.

Luke 22:42-44 NKJV
“saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

As Jesus prayed, He was in so much anguish that He began to sweat drops of blood.

12. Game – Backwards Memory Verse Relay Race
Practice the memory verse a few times.

Divide the group into two teams. Give each team a poster board to write on. At the signal each team will write out the
memory verse, one letter and one person at a time. The verse is to be written backwards! Begin with the Scripture reference and write each word from the right to the left.

The first team to finish with the words in the proper order wins.

13. Worship Song – _________________________________

14. Challenge and Altar

Matthew 21:10 NKJV
“And when He had come into Jerusalem,
all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”

Who is Jesus to you?

Does your life show it?

 

15. Refreshments or a light meal

16. Crafts

 

 

 

           

 

 

CRAFT IDEAS:

Jesus’ Crucifixion, Death & Burial And Resurrection Booklet

                

Jesus’ Crucifixion, Death & Burial And Resurrection

Memory Verse: Matthew 28:6

Bible Truth: Jesus did not stay dead.

1. Open in prayer

2. Introduction
Sin separates us from God, and sin must be punished. Because God loves us so much, He allowed Jesus to take our punishment for our sin.

John 3:16-17 NKJV
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

Jesus Christ was the only person that never sinned, therefore He was the only person that would be acceptable as a sacrifice. Jesus made a way to God by dying on the cross for our sins.

Romans 3:23-16 NKJV
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

Crucifixion was a humiliating and agonizing form of death. Jesus chose to suffer the whipping, the bruising, and the pain of the cross because He knew it was the only way a sacrifice could be made for the sins of the world.

(USE A POSTER THAT SHOWS HOW JESUS BRIDGED THE GAP TO GOD)

3. Praise and Worship Songs –
____________________________________
____________________________________

4. Memory Verse
Matthew 28:6
“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

5. Jesus Hung On The Cross

Matthew 27:27-31 NKJV
“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him.
And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.”

Mark 15:16-20 NKJV
“Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison.
And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.”

After Jesus’ arrest and trial, the Roman soldiers publicly whipped Jesus and then hung Him on a cross, at the same time that the Passover lamb was being sacrificed. Jesus was crucified at a place called Golgotha, also known as the Skull.

As Jesus hung on the cross He could have called angels to rescue Him, but He chose not to. He was obedient to the Father even to the point of death.

Around noon, it became very dark outside. During this time Jesus was in agony and He cried out to God. As He cried out to God, those standing around the cross continued to make fun of Him. Finally, around three o’clock, Jesus cried out, “It is finished.” Then He died.

Matthew 27:45-50 NKJV
“Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

6. Game – Kangaroo Hop Relay Race

Matthew 28:6
“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Divide the children into two teams. Line the teams up at one end of the room. At the signal the first person on each team is to hop to the front and say the memory verse, then hop back to their team. The next person on the team will do the same thing. The team that finishes first is the winner.

7. At The Moment Of Jesus’ Death
At the moment of His death the veil, which was four inches thick, in the temple was torn in to from the top to the bottom. This demonstrated that we were no longer separated from God, but now we had direct access to Him.

Matthew 27:51-54 NKJV
“Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,
and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;
and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

Also, at the moment of His death, there was a great earthquake. The earthquake caused many tombs to open up and the dead people in them were raised back to life, much like Lazarus. These people went into the town and they were recognized by those who saw them. One of the soldiers who witnessed this finally realized that Jesus was the Son of God.

Matthew 27:57-66 NKJV
“Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb. On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.”

Jesus was taken down from the cross prior to 6:00 P.M. and buried in a garden tomb that was secured with an official Roman seal and guard.

8. Game – Jig-Saw Relay

Matthew 28:6
“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Need: 2 poster boards (of different colors), a marker and 2 small baskets.
Write the memory verse on each poster board, then cut the poster boards into ten pieces each. Keep each one separate.

Divide the group into two teams. Line up the two teams in lines. Place the puzzles in two small baskets a short distance from the teams. At a signal the first person on each team must go to the puzzle pieces and put their puzzle together. Once the puzzle is together they must read it out loud, then put the puzzle back in the basket and run back to their team. The next person will do the same. The team that finishes first is the winner.

9. Jesus Is Risen
On the first day of the week, early Sunday morning, some of Jesus’ friends, Mary Magdalene and another Mary, went to finish anointing Jesus’ body. In the garden they met an angel who told them that Jesus was not there. The angel told them to, “Come and see the place where He lay, then go quickly and tell the disciples.” Jesus had risen from the dead and He was no longer in the tomb.

Matthew 28:1-8 NKJV
“Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.”

10. Game – Where’s My Shepherd?

Need 2 teams

Name each team ( blue team / green team). Tell each person which team they are on. One person on each team will be the shepherd and the other people will be the sheep.

Blindfold the sheep. Place the shepherds and place them away from the sheep.
At a signal the sheep must find their shepherd by the shepherd’s voice.
The shepherd may repeat their team color over and over.
The sheep must crawl – no standing.
The first shepherd that get all their sheep to come to them will be the winning team.

11. Jesus Is The Firstfruits
Jesus did not stay dead. Because of His resurrection we have the hope and promise of resurrection also.

1 Corinthians 15:20 NJKV
“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

The Feast of the First Fruits was delayed until the people of Israel took possession of their promised land. Once they began taking its harvest, they were to begin observing a feast of First Fruits. This was the day of the first sheaf waving, the first of the barley harvest. The first fruits were presented to the Lord along with a burnt meal offering.

Leviticus 23:10-11 NKJV
“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: when you come into the land which I give you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.”

The first fruits offering represented the whole harvest yet in the field. Jesus is in the presence of God the Father in heaven as the First Fruits, while the church is still in the field waiting for the harvest. The Feast of the First Fruits pointed to the resurrection of Jesus as the First Fruits of the righteous.

2 Timothy 2:8 NKJV
“Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel.”

Jesus was resurrected on the Feast of First Fruits. In 1 Corinthians 15:20, Paul refers to Jesus as the “First Fruits from the dead.”

1 Corinthians 15:20 NJKV
“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

Jesus arose from the dead and He imparts life to anyone (and everyone) who believes in Him through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus described Himself as the grain of wheat that fell into the ground and died, that it might spring to life and bring much fruit.

John 12:23-24 KJV
“And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour is come, that the Son of Man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”

On the evening of First Fruits (Sunday evening), Jesus appeared to the disciples as the “First Born Among Many Brethren.” When Jesus appeared to the disciples they confessed Him as Lord and believed that God raised Him from the dead. They were among the first to be saved under the new covenant.

Romans 10:9 KJV
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

12. Game – Tic -Tac-Toe (Lesson Review)

1. Jesus Christ was the only person that never ______________.
Sinned

2. Jesus made a way to _________ by dying on the cross for our sins.
God

3. The Roman soldiers publicly done what to Jesus?
They whipped Him

4. Jesus was hung on a cross at 3:00 P.M., at the same time that the ________________ ___________ was being sacrificed.
Passover lamb

5. Jesus was crucified at a place called ________________, also known as the “Skull.”
Golgotha

6. Jesus chose to suffer the whipping, the bruising, and the pain of the cross because He knew it was the ___________ way a sacrifice could be made for the sins of the world.
only

7. While hanging on the cross it became very ___________ outside.
Dark

8. Around three o’clock, Jesus cried out, “It is _________________.”
Finished

9. At the moment of Jesus’ death the veil, which was ___________ inches thick, in the temple was torn in to from the top to the bottom.
Four

10. What did this demonstrate? ___________________________________________

That we were no longer separated from God, but now we had direct access to Him.

11. At the moment of Jesus’ death, there was a great _______________________.
Earthquake

12. What did the earthquake cause?
It caused many tombs to open up and the dead people in them were raised back to life.

13. One of the soldiers who witnessed the earthquake realized that Jesus was the __________ of God.
Son

14. What happened to Jesus’ body when it was taken down from the cross?
He was buried in a garden tomb that was secured with an official Roman seal and guard.

15. On the first day of the week, early Sunday morning, some of Jesus’ friends, Mary Magdalene and another Mary, went to finish _________________ Jesus’ body.
Anointing

13. Worship Song – __________________________

14. Challenge and Altar
Just as the first believers confessed Jesus as their Savior in order to have their sins forgiven, we must to. There is only one way to God and that is through Jesus. Everything that Jesus suffered was for you – so that your spirit, soul and body could be healed.

Have you received salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross?

John 14:6 NKJV
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

A – Admit that you have sinned.

Romans 3:23
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

B – Believe in Jesus.

Acts 16:31
“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved”

C – Confess your sins to God, then forsake (leave) your sins

1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.”

Allow children time to pray.

15. Refreshments or a light meal

16. Crafts

 

                     

MEMORY BOARD

CRAFT IDEAS

*Look in the Categories section for more craft ideas and instructions.

 

THE GOOD NEWS IN COLOR BOOKLET

                          

THE GOOD NEWS IN COLOR

 

Psalm 62:2 NKJV
“Truly my soul silently waits for God;
From Him comes my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be greatly moved.”

.
Jesus is our rock and through Him we have salvation. We are going to look at nine different colors and discuss what each color represents, and how it relates to God or His plan for us.
.
Yellow – represents creation.
God made the world, and all that is in the world, and the entire universe out of nothing. He spoke His Word, and everything came into existence. This is referred to as creation.
.
Genesis 1:1 NKJV
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

In the beginning the world was beautiful and perfect.

Genesis 1:31 NKJV
“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.”

God’s most special creation was man. He created man to share a special friendship (fellowship / intimacy) with Him. The first man and woman (Adam and Eve) shared a very special friendship with God.

Black – represents sin.
When sin entered the world, through Adam and Eve’s disobedience, it stood between them and God. Man could no longer enjoy the special friendship (intimacy) that he once had with God.

God still loved man, and desired for the intimacy He once had with man to be restored. God is a holy God and sin cannot come into His holy presence therefore sin separated man from God.

Romans 3:23 NKJV
“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”

Red – represents the blood of Jesus.
God knew that sin had to be punished and that someone who had never sinned would be needed to take the punishment. Jesus Christ was the only person that never sinned, therefore He was the only person that would be acceptable as a sacrifice. Jesus made a way to God by dying on the cross for our sins.

We have been saved, delivered, healed and set free through the blood of Jesus. We have been saved from the punishment of sin by Jesus’ blood. Jesus was punished for our sins. He took our place.

Romans 5:8-9 NKJV
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him”

The blood that Jesus shed was for man’s sin. His precious blood provides atonement for our sins. Through His blood we can be restored into right fellowship with God. Because of His sacrifice we can once again experience the intimacy with God that He desires to have with us.

Jesus made a way for man to have a relationship with God again. The Bible describes Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

John 1:29 NKJV
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

The blood that Jesus shed on he cross washes away our sin.

White – represents forgiveness.
The Bible tells us that everyone has sinned. However, when we confess our sins to God and ask Him to forgive us, He will.

1 John 1:9 NKJV
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

When we ask for forgiveness we are made clean – our sins are forgiven and forgotten. We become a new creation. We are restored by Jesus to what God had originally created us to be. Everything about our lives change, because we are transformed into the likeness of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Just like a caterpillar changes into a butterfly, we too are changed when we accept Jesus as our Savior.

Blue – represents water baptism.
Water baptism is an important part of a believer’s life. As a believer we should follow Jesus’ example in water baptism.

Matthew 3:13-17 NKJV
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Those who accepted Jesus as Savior in the time of the New Testament were baptized in water to show that they were Jesus’ followers. Jesus established the command and the Church obeyed it. We, too, should obey it. When we are baptized we are obeying Jesus, and it is a milestone (memorial) in our life. It is a time that we can return to in our memories as a specific moment that we know we declared to others that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer.

We are baptized to show others that we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and want to follow Him and live for Him. Water baptism is also an illustration of our dying to sin and being raised to new life in Christ Jesus.

Before Jesus left to go to heaven, He left instructions about baptism.

Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Orange – represents baptism in the Holy Spirit.

John 16:5-11 NKJV
“But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”

After Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, He stayed on earth for 40 days, appearing to many different people, then He ascended into heaven. During this time Jesus told His followers that He would send them a Helper, the Holy Spirit, after He left.

Acts 2:1-4 NKJV
“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Being baptized with the Holy Spirit will fill you with power to live for God, to be a witness for Jesus and to draw closer to God. Being baptized with the Holy Spirit will make you a better you! Being baptized with the Holy Spirit is a wonderful gift that Jesus promised to you. As a Christian you should greatly desire to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Next to salvation it is the most precious gift that you can receive from God. Just like salvation, you must believe that it is promised to you and you must ask for it.

Green – represents growing in Christ.
Every believer needs to grow spiritually.

2 Peter 3:18 NKJV
“but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Two things that will help you grow spiritually are reading the Bible (God’s letter to you) and praying (talking and listening to God.) We are not to study the Word of God just for the sake of acquiring more knowledge. We are to mature and be doers of the Word not just hearers. Growing (mature) in our faith is not an option. God does not want us to stay babies forever. Every aspect of our lives should experience growth.

God wants us to grow and bear fruit in His garden. The goodness or sweetness of our fruit will depend on how much time we spend with God – in prayer and in His Word.

John 15:1-6 NKJV
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”

As we draw closer to Jesus our lives will have certain fruit. This doesn’t mean that we will start sprouting fruit, but that the more time we spend getting to know Jesus, the stronger our spirit will become and the easier our fruit will be seen and like by other people. The Bible tells us that there are nine fruits of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

Purple – represents the blessed hope.

Titus 2:11-14 NKJV
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

The blessed hope is referred to as the rapture. It is when Jesus will return to take the true Christians home to heaven.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NKJV
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

The Bible tells us that Jesus is coming again. One day He will appear in the sky and a trumpet will sound and those who are true Christians will go to be with Him in heaven.

John 14:1-3 NKJV
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Jesus is in heaven right now preparing a home for us. He is also sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding, praying, for us.

Hebrews 10:12 NKJV
“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God”

We should be ready at all times for Jesus to return because we do not know when He will come.

Matthew 24:44 NKJV
“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Pink – represents resurrection.
One day both the saved and the lost will be resurrected. The saved to everlasting life with God and the lost to everlasting damnation.

Revelation 20:11-15 NKJV
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

In the end everything in the world will be beautiful and perfect again. God promised He would make a new heaven, a new Jerusalem, and a new earth.

2 Peter 3:10-13 NKJV
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

Revelation 21:1-2 NKJV
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

The new Jerusalem, will come down out of heaven and will shine with the glory of God. The city will be made of gold and will be decorated with precious jewels, and the streets will be made of pure gold, as transparent glass.

Revelation 21:18-21 NKJV
“The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.”

It will have a great wall with 12 gates made of pearls. The city will not need any light from the sun or moon because Jesus, the Lamb of God will be the light.

Revelation 21:22-23 NKJV
“But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.”

Revelation 22:1-5 NKJV
“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.”

Down the middle of the city will flow the river of life, and on each side of it will grow trees of life. The throne of God will be in the city, and people will worship God forever. There is so much more about heaven that we don’t know, and it will be far better than we could ever imagine.

God’s ultimate plan for man:

Revelation 21:3-5 NKJV
“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”

JELLY BEAN PRAYER

   

Search For Leaven Children’s Activity

Items needed:
candles (small battery operated candles work best)
feathers
paper bags
wooden spoons
small pieces of bread
string
bonfire – the morning after they search for leaven

Search For Leaven In Biblical Times
The week before Passover, the people cleaned their houses and all leaven (yeast, baking soda, baking powder…) was removed. When we see the word leaven in the Bible it refers to sin. The night before Passover the family would conduct a search for leaven. This was their way of teaching the children to examine their lives.

All the lights would be turned off and they would search for leaven in the house by candlelight. They used a candle, a feather, a paper bag, and a wooden spoon. If leaven was found they used the feather to brush it onto the wooden spoon and the wooden spoon was then placed in a paper bag and tied shut. The next day all the people would take their paper bags and place them in a pile, then they were all burnt.

What The Items Represent
* The leaven represents sin.
* The candle represents Jesus, the Light of the World (the very Word of God)
The Word of God will shine light into our lives. It will reveal sin.
* The feather represents the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit draws us to Jesus and He convicts us of sin and bad habits.
* The paper bag represents the tomb.
Jesus was placed in a tomb, however the tomb could not hold Him.
* The wooden spoon represents the cross.
All our sins were placed upon Jesus and He was nailed to a cross.
* The fire represents Hell (and the lake of fire)
One day all sin will be cast into the Lake of Fire.

Life Application
Today we don’t have to go through our houses and remove all the yeast, baking soda and baking powder, but we must examine our homes and our lives and remove all sin. If people were found with leaven in their homes during this time, they were considered unclean and they would be cut off from the rest of the people.

God desires for us to go through our homes and lives, with the Holy Spirit, and remove (forsake) all sin. Just like the whole house had to be searched and cleaned, our whole house must be also. Each believer needs to go through their home (and life) with the Holy Spirit and use the Light of the World (the Word of God) to guide them. Everything that causes the Holy Spirit to grieve must be removed or we will be cut off from the glory of God, the manifest presence of God.

The morning after the search for leaven, the bags with the leaven are thrown into the fire. One day all sin will be thrown into the lake of fire, along with every person that has allowed sin to remain in their heart and life. Jesus gave Himself on the cross so that we could be forgiven, and the Holy Spirit has been given to us to convict us of sin and unrighteousness. However, it is up to us to accept the gift of salvation and to act upon what the Holy Spirit tells us. If we willing allow sin to remain in our life, we have not forsaken our sins and we remain in our sin.

Children’s Leaven Search
While someone is discussing what the search for leaven is someone else will be hiding small pieces of bread for the children to find – make them easy to find. When finished give each child a candle, a feather, a paper bag and a wooden spoon. At the signal the children will hunt for the bread (leaven). Using the feather they will brush the bread onto the wooden spoon and then put it in their bag. After all the pieces are found put the spoons in the bags and tie them up. The next morning make a fire outside and allow the children to throw their bags into the fire.

 

THE LAMB WHO IS OUR ROCK (ROCK HUNT)

Need:
rocks (various shapes and sizes – but not too big)
paint (for rocks)
prizes for the winners
bags to gather the rocks in – one per child

 

Prepare:
Before the hunt paint rocks with the following colors: yellow, black, red. white, blue, orange, green, purple, pink. The number of rocks need for painting will vary with the size of your group. The more children you have the more painted rocks you will need – you want to give each child a fair chance of finding one of each color.

You can paint the rock plain or fancy, and you can add a coordinating Bible verse on each rock if desired. You can add glitter to the yellow and pink rocks also if desired.

 

Hunt Day:
After the children are gathered together give the lesson “The Good News In Color“. The lesson can be shortened or modified depending on the ages of the children. However, keep the same meaning of the colors listed. While doing this someone could be hiding the rocks – don’t make them hard to find.

Before dismissing the children to find the rocks go over the rules, prizes and the short version of the meaning of the different colors.
Yellow – represents creation.
Black – represents sin.
Red – represents the blood of Jesus.
White – represents forgiveness.
Blue – represents water baptism.
Orange – represents baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Green – represents growing in Christ.
Purple – represents the blessed hope.
Pink – represents resurrection.

Prizes
Prizes will be given in three different ways. It is possible for a child to win three prizes – if they find the most rocks, one of each color and can say what each color represents.

* A prize will be given to the child that finds the most rocks.

* A prize will be given to each child that finds at least one of each of the different colors (yellow, black, red. white, blue, orange, green, purple, pink.) This prize should be greater in value than the prize given for the most rocks. Encourage the children to work together in trying to earn this prize. For example: If a child finds multiples of a certain color they can trade (not give) one of the multiplies with someone that needs that color.

* A prize will be given to each child that has at least one of each color, and can explain what each one represents. These prizes should be greater in value than any of the other prizes.
Yellow – represents creation.
Black – represents sin.
Red – represents the blood of Jesus.
White – represents forgiveness.
Blue – represents water baptism.
Orange – represents baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Green – represents growing in Christ.
Purple – represents the blessed hope.
Pink – represents resurrection.

Extra decorated rocks can be added to the rock hunt if desired. These rocks could be called special prize rocks and would increase the chances of more children receiving prizes.

 

 

LESSON: “The Good News In Color”

 

Psalm 62:2 NKJV

“Truly my soul silently waits for God;
From Him comes my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be greatly moved.”

Jesus is our rock and through Him we have salvation. We are going to look at nine different colors and discuss what each color represents, and how it relates to God or His plan for us.

Yellow – represents creation.

God made the world, and all that is in the world, and the entire universe out of nothing. He spoke His Word, and everything came into existence. This is referred to as creation.

Genesis 1:1 NKJV

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

In the beginning the world was beautiful and perfect.

Genesis 1:31 NKJV

“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.”

God’s most special creation was man. He created man to share a special friendship (fellowship / intimacy) with Him. The first man and woman (Adam and Eve) shared a very special friendship with God.

Black – represents sin.

When sin entered the world, through Adam and Eve’s disobedience, it stood between them and God. Man could no longer enjoy the special friendship (intimacy) that he once had with God.

God still loved man, and desired for the intimacy He once had with man to be restored. God is a holy God and sin cannot come into His holy presence therefore sin separated man from God.

Romans 3:23 NKJV

“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”

Red – represents the blood of Jesus.

God knew that sin had to be punished and that someone who had never sinned would be needed to take the punishment. Jesus Christ was the only person that never sinned, therefore He was the only person that would be acceptable as a sacrifice. Jesus made a way to God by dying on the cross for our sins.

We have been saved, delivered, healed and set free through the blood of Jesus. We have been saved from the punishment of sin by Jesus’ blood. Jesus was punished for our sins. He took our place.

Romans 5:8-9 NKJV

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him”

The blood that Jesus shed was for man’s sin. His precious blood provides atonement for our sins. Through His blood we can be restored into right fellowship with God. Because of His sacrifice we can once again experience the intimacy with God that He desires to have with us.

Jesus made a way for man to have a relationship with God again. The Bible describes Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

John 1:29 NKJV

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

The blood that Jesus shed on he cross washes away our sin.

White – represents forgiveness.

The Bible tells us that everyone has sinned. However, when we confess our sins to God and ask Him to forgive us, He will.

1 John 1:9 NKJV

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

When we ask for forgiveness we are made clean – our sins are forgiven and forgotten. We become a new creation. We are restored by Jesus to what God had originally created us to be. Everything about our lives change, because we are transformed into the likeness of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Just like a caterpillar changes into a butterfly, we too are changed when we accept Jesus as our Savior.

Blue – represents water baptism.

Water baptism is an important part of a believer’s life. As a believer we should follow Jesus’ example in water baptism.

Matthew 3:13-17 NKJV

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Those who accepted Jesus as Savior in the time of the New Testament were baptized in water to show that they were Jesus’ followers. Jesus established the command and the Church obeyed it. We, too, should obey it. When we are baptized we are obeying Jesus, and it is a milestone (memorial) in our life. It is a time that we can return to in our memories as a specific moment that we know we declared to others that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer.

We are baptized to show others that we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and want to follow Him and live for Him. Water baptism is also an illustration of our dying to sin and being raised to new life in Christ Jesus.

Before Jesus left to go to heaven, He left instructions about baptism.

Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Orange – represents baptism in the Holy Spirit.

John 16:5-11 NKJV

“But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”

After Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, He stayed on earth for 40 days, appearing to many different people, then He ascended into heaven. During this time Jesus told His followers that He would send them a Helper, the Holy Spirit, after He left.

Acts 2:1-4 NKJV

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Being baptized with the Holy Spirit will fill you with power to live for God, to be a witness for Jesus and to draw closer to God. Being baptized with the Holy Spirit will make you a better you! Being baptized with the Holy Spirit is a wonderful gift that Jesus promised to you. As a Christian you should greatly desire to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Next to salvation it is the most precious gift that you can receive from God. Just like salvation, you must believe that it is promised to you and you must ask for it.

Green – represents growing in Christ.

Every believer needs to grow spiritually.

2 Peter 3:18 NKJV

“but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Two things that will help you grow spiritually are reading the Bible (God’s letter to you) and praying (talking and listening to God.) We are not to study the Word of God just for the sake of acquiring more knowledge. We are to mature and be doers of the Word not just hearers. Growing (mature) in our faith is not an option. God does not want us to stay babies forever. Every aspect of our lives should experience growth.

God wants us to grow and bear fruit in His garden. The goodness or sweetness of our fruit will depend on how much time we spend with God – in prayer and in His Word.

John 15:1-6 NKJV

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”

As we draw closer to Jesus our lives will have certain fruit. This doesn’t mean that we will start sprouting fruit, but that the more time we spend getting to know Jesus, the stronger our spirit will become and the easier our fruit will be seen and like by other people. The Bible tells us that there are nine fruits of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

Purple – represents the blessed hope.

Titus 2:11-14 NKJV

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

The blessed hope is referred to as the rapture. It is when Jesus will return to take the true Christians home to heaven.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NKJV

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

The Bible tells us that Jesus is coming again. One day He will appear in the sky and a trumpet will sound and those who are true Christians will go to be with Him in heaven.

John 14:1-3 NKJV

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Jesus is in heaven right now preparing a home for us. He is also sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding, praying, for us.

Hebrews 10:12 NKJV

“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God”

We should be ready at all times for Jesus to return because we do not know when He will come.

Matthew 24:44 NKJV

“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Pink – represents resurrection.

One day both the saved and the lost will be resurrected. The saved to everlasting life with God and the lost to everlasting damnation.

Revelation 20:11-15 NKJV

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

In the end everything in the world will be beautiful and perfect again. God promised He would make a new heaven, a new Jerusalem, and a new earth.

2 Peter 3:10-13 NKJV

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

Revelation 21:1-2 NKJV

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

The new Jerusalem, will come down out of heaven and will shine with the glory of God. The city will be made of gold and will be decorated with precious jewels, and the streets will be made of pure gold, as transparent glass.

Revelation 21:18-21 NKJV

“The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.”

It will have a great wall with 12 gates made of pearls. The city will not need any light from the sun or moon because Jesus, the Lamb of God will be the light.

Revelation 21:22-23 NKJV

“But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.”

Revelation 22:1-5 NKJV

“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.”

Down the middle of the city will flow the river of life, and on each side of it will grow trees of life. The throne of God will be in the city, and people will worship God forever. There is so much more about heaven that we don’t know, and it will be far better than we could ever imagine.

God’s ultimate plan for man:

Revelation 21:3-5 NKJV

“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”

Prayer / altar

(Allow time for praying with the children before the rock hunt.)

Jesus truly is the Lamb of God that takes away our sins , and He is the Rock of Our Salvation.