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 When Jesus and his closest disciples gather for the Passover meal, Jesus performs a task usually done by servants.  He is their teacher, but he demonstrates true service and love by washing his disciples' feet. He then goes on to teach them that they should show this kind of love to others. 

Bible verses used in this episode:

John 13:1-19, 31-35

Outline:

1. The heart and mind of Jesus (John 13:1-3)
2. Jesus washes the disciples’ feet (John 13:4-11)
3. Jesus explains what it means (John 13:12-19)
4. The common to love (John 13:31-34)

Tips for teaching:

• In a children's class, make a craft with footprints.
• Memorise John 13:34-35
• When teaching children or adults, teachers can wash the feet of students.  Use a bowl of warm water, a towel or cloth for washing and another for drying.  Adding fragrance to the water or using lotion is also good.  While you are washing their feet, speak words of encouragement to them and tell them what an honour it is to serve them.  Verbally affirm your love for them.  If appropriate, then offer students the opportunity to wash the feet of other class members.
• As the teacher, think about how Jesus washing his disciples’ feet and his death on the cross are illustrations of “loving them to the end” (v.1) and loving as Jesus loved (v.34).  Ask the class to discuss how these are parallel.  And give examples from their life when “they laid down their life for someone else” and “washed another’s feet.”  How were the others’ lives impacted?

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Jesus Washes the Disciple's Feet 

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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The Jerusalem temple represented God's presence and holiness to his people.  Jesus came to the temple during the yearly Passover celebration only to find that the area had been turned into a busy marketplace where people were concentrating on money instead of God.  His deep love and respect for God led Jesus to take dramatic public action. He turned over tables and threw out those who were cheating the people.

Emphasise that we should have respect for God.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Mark 11:15-19
• Jeremiah 7:1-15
• Deuteronomy 6:5
• Exodus 20:7
• Proverbs 9:10
• 1 Corinthians 10:31
• 1 Peter 3:15 
  
  

Outline:

1. Clearing the Temple (Mark 11:15-16)
2. Teaching (Mark 11:17)
3. The reaction of the people and leaders (Mark 11:18-19)

Tips for teaching:

• Talk about the meaning of holiness.  Show a Bible to young children and let them read "Holy Bible" on the cover.
• Review the 10 Commandments and notice how the first half relates to holiness.
• Memorise Proverbs 9:10
• Both adults and children will enjoy viewing 3D reconstructions of what the temple would have looked like. Try these: Jerusalem Temple at the Time of Jesus or
  Virtual Tour of the Temple

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Jesus and the Moneychangers 

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time in a most unusual way. He entered in the way that the Old Testament said a peaceful king enters a city – riding on a donkey. A great crowd waved palm branches at Jesus and cried out, “Hosanna!” in praise of him.

We should also praise God and Jesus.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Matthew 21:1-11
• Psalm 118:25-26
• Psalm 18:49

Outline:

1. Preparation (Matthew 21:1-11)
2. Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:7-11)

Tips for teaching:

• Make a craft using palm branches
• Teach older children how to make a cross from a palm leaf.
• Lead children in a time of praise.  Prompt with the following sentence: 
  God, you are ________ because you ______.
  • For example: God, you are strong because you closed the lions’ mouths for Daniel.
  • God, you are imaginative because you created colours.
  • Jesus, you are loving because you helped sick people.
• Read the story and ask the class to name all the characters in the story and to say what they did or said. Be sure to name the donkey.  Have a discussion about the characters and imagine which character you may be.
• Challenge adults with the question, “Who is Jesus?” What is different about confessing Jesus as “Saviour” and confessing him as “King?” What difference would it make in your life?  In your choices in life?
• Ask adults to reflect on the following: “How far are you willing to go with Jesus?  Part of a procession into the city (rah! rah!) or all the way to the cross?  What stage are you at with Jesus?”

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  The Triumphal Entry

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Mary and Martha sent for Jesus when their brother, Lazarus, got sick. When Jesus arrived at the home of these good friends, Lazarus had already been dead for four days and was buried in a tomb. Jesus raised Lazarus back to life.

Before raising Lazarus, Jesus grieved with his friends. Jesus cares when we are sad.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• John 11:1-46
• 1 Peter 5:6-7
• Romans 8:35-39
• Hebrews 4:15-16

Outline:

1. Lazarus is sick, so Jesus is asked to come (John 11:1-3)
2. Jesus responds to the news (John 11:4-16)
3. Jesus talks to Martha and Mary (John 11:17-37)
4. Jesus raises Lazarus (John 11:38-44)
5. People react (John 11:45-46)

Tips for teaching:

• Children can sing the song "Cast Your Burdens."
• For a game, children can have a race to wrap toilet paper around someone and then unwind it again without breaking it,
• Children can list their worries and concerns, and then the class can pray for them.
• Adults can explore the meaning of the glory of God.  Read John 11 verses 4 and 40.  Talk about how the raising of Lazarus reveals the glory of God.
• What does the "glory of God" mean in your life?

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Jesus Raises Lazarus 

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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When Jesus passed through the city of Jericho, a man named Zacchaeus climbed a tree to get a better look. Jesus amazed the crowd by calling Zacchaeus down to say that he would be coming to his house. In a true act of repentance for what had probably been a dishonest tax-collecting career, Zacchaeus declared that he would pay back the people he had cheated and give half of his wealth to the poor.

Jesus was willing to help Zacchaeus change his life and he can also help us when we try to be better.

Bible verses used in this episode:
Luke 19:1-10

Outline:

1. Zacchaeus climbs a tree (Luke 19:1-4)
2. Jesus invites himself to Zacchaeus’ house (Luke 19:5-6)
3. The people judge (Luke 19:7)
4. Zacchaeus repents (Luke 19:8)
5. Jesus states his purpose (Luke 19:9-10)

Tips for teaching:

• Make a tree craft
• Tell the story while sitting on the branch of a tree
• Talk about what it means to repent. To change one’s direction in heart, mind/attitude, and behaviour.
• Talk about true repentance is more than just saying you are sorry.  Adults can explore the idea of restitution and making things right.

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Zacchaeus Meets Jesus

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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When parents brought their small children to Jesus to be blessed by him, the disciples tried to hold them back. Jesus told the disciples to let the children come to him.

Jesus loved little children. We should follow his example by taking special care of the children around us.

Bible verses used in this episode:
Mark 10:13-16

Outline:

1. Parents bring children to Jesus (Mark 10:13a)
2. Followers say stop (Mark 10:13b)
3. The King Speaks (Mark 10:14-15)
4. Jesus blesses the children (Mark 10:16)

Tips for teaching:

1. Invite a parent to bring their small child to class to talk about what needs they have and how to care for them.
2. Small children can play with dolls and talk about caring for babies
3. Sing “Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World”
4. Adults can spend time considering how well your church accepts and blesses children. As a way of talking about it rate your church from 1-10 in how it accepts children.
5. List ways to encourage those who work with children

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Jesus Blesses the Children

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Then men with leprosy met Jesus as he was passing through Samaria on his way to Jerusalem.  Jesus told the men to go to a priest and be declared clean.  As the men were making their way to find a priest, they realised that they had been healed of their leprosy.  Nine of the men continued on to find a priest.  Only one of the men, a Samaritan, returned to thank Jesus and give praises to God.

We should express thanks to God and to others.

Bible verses used in this episode:

•  Luke 17:11-19
• Leviticus 13:1-46 
•  Psalm 95:1-5
• Psalm 106:1
• Ephesians 5:20
• Colossians 2:7
• Colossians 3:15-17
• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Outline:

1. Jesus met by 10 lepers in Samaria (Luke 17:11-13)
2. Lepers healed (Luke 17:14)
3. One returned to praise and thank (Luke 17:15-16)
4. Jesus comments on the Samaritan’s belief (Luke 17:17-19)

Tips for teaching:

• Help students understand leprosy and what that meant in these times.
• Younger children can write the verse or "Thank You" on a bandaid/plaster and use it as a sticker.
• Practice gratitude by listing blessings from God.
• Write thank-you notes to people who have blessed you.
• As a teacher of an adult class, be sure to prepare your own heart by praying and thanking God for blessings in your life.
• Provide post-it notes so adults can write blessings on each and then attach them to a wall.  After talking about these blessings, divide them up and pray about them.
• Adults and older children can begin a "gratitude journal" by jotting blessings down each day.

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Jesus Heals Ten Lepers

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Jesus visited the home of his friends, Mary and Martha. While Martha was busy with meal preparations, her sister sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to his teaching. When Martha got upset at her sister for not helping, Jesus told her that Mary was choosing to do what was better.

Although there are many activities we can do, listening to Jesus should be our first priority.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Luke 10:38-42

Outline:

1. Martha invites Jesus and his disciples to her home (Luke 10:38)
2. Mary sat and listened to Jesus (Luke 10:39)
3. Martha instructs Jesus to reprimand Mary for listening to him instead of helping her (Luke 10:40)
4. Jesus tells Martha that Mary has made the better choice (Luke 10:42)

Tips for teaching:

• For children, re-create a home setting like it would have been in Martha’s home.  Children can lounge on pillows (not tables) and taste-test 1st-century foods like nuts, raisins, grapes, flatbread, curds (cottage cheese), honey, etc.
• Discuss priorities and choices.  If a tornado or bushfire was approaching your home and you had to leave then what would you choose to take with you? Which are the more important or better things? You would choose people over furniture, for instance.
• Adults and children can listen to the words of Jesus being read.  
• For an adult class activity try some or all of these methods. When you have completed all of the readings, then ask students to talk about what they learned from listening in these different ways.
  • Everyone else closes their eyes and listens to Luke 10:38-42 being read by 3 different readers, one after the other.  The 3 readers should use the same translation of the bible.  It would be better to have a diversity of readers. These can be different ages, sex, ethnicity, etc.
  • Repeat the exercise but, this time each reader should read from a different translation of the Bible.
  • Finally, listen to a pre-recorded dramatic reading of the Scripture.

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Mary and Martha

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Jesus took Peter, James, and John up onto a mountain to pray.  As these disciples watched in awe, Jesus transfigured (changed appearance).  His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Even more incredible, Jesus was joined by the long-dead Moses and Elijah.  From a cloud that enveloped them all, the voice of the Lord affirms that this is his Son and they should listen to Him.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Matthew 17:1-13
• Exodus 34:29-35
• Malachi 3:1 and 4:5
• Mark 9:11-13
• 2 Peter 1:16-21

Outline:

1. Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-3)
2. The Significance of this event (Matthew 17:4-5) 
3. How this relates to the teachings of the time (Matthew 17:6-13)

Tips for teaching:

• Show children a “red letter” version of the bible.  Read aloud and have them listen to words Jesus said. Decrease the volume of your voice as you read so that children will have to listen very carefully.
• Tell the story in an interactive way by scooping 3 scoops of icecream into a glass (1 scoop each for Jesus, Moses and Elijah).  As you talk about the cloud descending on the mountain pour cola over the icecream and watch it fizz and buble up.  Children can repeat the story by then making their own. Eat and enjoy together.
• For a craft paint a picture of Jesus using glow-in-the-dark paint.
• Adults can explore the text together. They can use their own bibles or the teacher can pre-print Exodus 24:9-18 and 34:29-35 in one column and Matthew 17:1-13 in another. Students can circle similarities between the stories in Exodus and Matthew. Discuss why Matthew might be using the background of the giving of the law to tell the story of the transfiguration.  How does this relate to our understanding of Jesus today?
• Play an audible version of Matthew 17:1-13 in class so students can listen.  Those who use audible apps on their phones can share with the class how to use these.
• Discussion questions for adults: How do we listen to Jesus today? What prevents us or hinders us listening to Jesus clearly? What other voices in our world today can mask or down out the voice of Jesus?

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  The Transfiguration

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Jesus guided his disciples into a boat and sent them to sail across the Sea of Galilee without him.  He then spent time alone in prayer. 

Later in the night, Jesus observed the disciples rowing hard against the wind and so walked across the water to join them.  At first, when they observed the figure walking on the water, they thought it was a ghost. 

Jesus asked Peter to walk out to him so Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water too. When Peter began looking at the waves instead of Jesus, he began to sink.

This event shows the importance of trusting and having faith in Jesus.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Matthew 14:22-33
•  Hebrews 11:1-3
• Hebrews 11:6

Outline:

1. Jesus sends disciples on a boat and then goes to pray alone 
   (Matthew 14:22-24)
2. Walking on water (Matthew 14:24-31)
3. Calm water and worship (Matthew 14:32-33)

Tips for Teaching:

• To better understand the miracle of Jesus walking on water, very young children can experiment by trying to float a variety of objects on water.
• Older children will enjoy learning how magicians and filmmakers use tricks to make it appear people are walking on water.
• Memorise Hebrews 11:1
• Provide adults with paints or crayons and invite adults to use them to depict "fear" and then, in contrast, "calm". 
• Complete the following sentences:
  • Peter is a good disciple because _____________.
  • Peter challenges my faith because _____________.
• Adults can commit to one another to be of support if they see each other "sinking".

Full teaching instructions available free from Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Jesus Walks on Water

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: [email protected]