Send a text

In this parable, Jesus says that everyone who hears the word of God is building a house. The one who hears God’s word but does not do what it says is like a foolish builder who builds his house on sand. That house will be crushed in a storm. The one who hears the word of God and obeys it is like a wise man that builds his house on solid rock. That house will stand up to any storm. Wise people build their faith on the foundation of God’s word. This faith stands strong against the storms of life.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Matthew 7:24-29

Outline:

1. A wise man builds on a strong foundation (Matthew 7:24-25)
2. A foolish man builds on a weak foundation (Matthew 7:26-27)
3. The people were amazed (Matthew 7:28-29)

Tips for teaching:

• Bring sand and rock to class so children can examine it and note their unique qualities.
• Show a candy bar to the children.  Read every word on the packet and then set it aside.  Ask the children if they enjoyed the candy bar.  Compare this to reading the bible but never obeying the words.  Of course, then let the children enjoy eating the candy bar.
• Adults can talk about what it means to hear Jesus’ words AND obey them.  Choose a teaching of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and ask students to describe what it would be like to hear the words and then obey them.  How would this apply when a “storm of life” strikes?  For example,
  • Storm: Being made redundant or suddenly becoming unemployed
  • Teaching: Do not worry (Matthew 6:25-34)
  • Built on a Rock: If you had heard and obeyed this teaching, then what would happen when the storm struck?
  • Built on Sand: If you had heard this teaching but did not obey it, then what would happen when the storm struck?
• Choose other teachings from the sermon and discuss the applications. This can be done together or in smaller groups. 

 Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Parable of the Wise & Foolish Builders 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas 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]

Send a text

After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to many people. One of these times was to Peter and some other disciples who had spent an unproductive night fishing. Jesus directed them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat, resulting in a miraculous fish catch.

Jesus cooked breakfast for these followers on the beach and then provided Peter with a new opportunity to follow him and care for others in the future. Peter had previously denied Jesus, but now Jesus says to "feed my sheep".

Jesus can forgive us and help us do better when we sin.


Bible verses used in this episode:
John 21:1-17

Outline:

1. Fishing (John 21:1-3)
2. Great catch and breakfast (John 21:4-14)
3. Jesus talks to Peter (John 21:15-17)

Tips for teaching:

• Help children find the Sea of Galilee on Google Maps
• Serve children fish and bread.
• Children can make a craft involving one or more of the following: fish, campfire, sheep
• Discussion questions::
  • How much did you love Jesus when you first became a Christian?  How much do you love Jesus now?  Talk about some ways you show your love for Jesus now.
  • If Jesus came to you and asked, “Do you love me more than these” (‘more than your life or livelihood’), what would I say?  What would I do to show Jesus that I love him more than these?  
• Write a letter to Jesus with two parts: 
  • thank him for loving you to the very end and how his love makes you feel, and 
  • how you can “feed Jesus sheep” to demonstrate your love for Jesus.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Breakfast on the Shore 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas 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]

Send a text

Jesus was buried in a tomb, and on the third day, some women arrived and were shocked to find the tomb empty.  Two angels appeared to explain that Jesus had risen from the dead. Jesus went on to appear to a number of people, including the disciples. Jesus had risen from death just like he said he would.

Even though everything was bad, God made it good. He can do the same for us when things are bad.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Luke 23:50-24:49
• Romans 6:9
• 1 Corinthians 15
• Matthew 27:57-28:15
• Mark 15:42-16:14
• John 19:38-20:29

Outline:

1. Burial (Luke 23:50-56)
2. Empty Tomb (Luke 24:1-12)
3. Appearances (Luke 24:13-49)
   • Road to Emmaus (13-35)
   • The Disciples (36-49)

Tips for teaching:

• Children can make a tomb craft.  Instructions here.
• Adults can share some recent “aha” moments (new insights), in your reading of the Scripture. How did this enrich your faith?
• Adult discussion questions: What does the resurrection mean to you?  How does it inspire faith and hope in you?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson: Burial and the Resurrection

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas 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]

Send a text

Jesus was crucified on a cross like a common criminal, even though he had never done anything wrong. While he was on the cross, the earth became dark. The huge curtain in the temple in Jerusalem suddenly ripped in half at the exact moment Jesus died outside the city. There was also an earthquake. The day of the crucifixion was a terrible day.

Jesus was innocent, but he was killed.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Matthew 27:32-56
• Luke 23:26-49

Outline:

1. Going to the cross (Matthew 27:32-56)
2. Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:35-50)
3. Reactions to his death (Matthew 27:51-56)

Tips for teaching:

• Introduce the story by showing pictures or examples of crosses (on churches, jewellery, cemeteries, hospitals, logos, etc.) Ask children what crosses they have seen.
• Explain that crucifixion was punishment for people who had done very bad things.  It was different for Jesus.  He had never done anything bad.  Instead, Jesus was being punished for all the bad things that OTHERS do.
• Draw an outline of a cross.  Guide children in filling in the blank space inside the cross in one of the following ways:
  • Write words and impressions about what happened at the crucifixion.
  • Jesus took the punishment for every person in the world.  Fill the cross with as many names as you can think of.
  • Older children can write their own personal sins inside the cross.
• For adults: Make a cross out of rough wood and ask adults to take turns holding the cross and thinking about its significance.  For a better experience, the cross should be large enough to hold and pass around from person to person while remaining seated.
• If using PowerPoint, include a slide of a significant archaeological discovery in Jerusalem a half-century ago.   Here is a link to the Wikipedia photo and description.

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Jesus is Crucified

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas 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]

Send a text

After being arrested, Jesus was taken before a number of different religious and civil courts.  He suffered false accusations and mistreatments at every stage.  The result was that Jesus was sentenced to death on the cross.  Even as these trials were taking place, Peter denied him, and Judas took his own life.  Everything about the trial of Jesus and the surrounding events was unfair and sad, yet Jesus never strayed from his purpose. 

Emphasise that we can do the right thing even if we are treated unfairly.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Matthew 26:57-27:31
• Mark 14:53-15:20
• Luke 22:54-23:25
• John 18:12-19:16

Outline:

1. Unfair religious leaders (Matthew 26:57-68)
2. Unfair friends (Matthew 26:69-75)
3. Unfair government leaders (Matthew 27:1-26)
4. Unfair soldiers (Matthew 27:27-31) 

Tips for teaching:

• Ask children to draw a picture of Jesus.
• Explain the meaning of “fair” in a way children can understand. To be fair is to be impartial and just without favouritism or discrimination. Help children relate to the unfair treatment of Jesus by using examples of someone cheating at a game or being punished when they have not done anything wrong.
• Adults or older children can participate in a dramatic reading. Select students to read the speaking parts of individual characters in a selection from the Bible.  For help in preparing the readings, follow this link. 
  • Jesus before the Sanhedrin: Matthew 26:57-68 
  • Peter’s denial: Matthew 26:69-75 
  • Judas’ end: Matthew 27:1-10 
  • Jesus Before Pilate: Matthew 27:11-26 
  • Soldiers mock Jesus: Matthew.27:27-31 
• Discussion questions for adults:
  • Think of a time when you were treated unfairly and share your story about that. 
  • How did you respond to this mistreatment?  
  • How would you respond now if this happened to you again? Why? 
  • Read 1 Peter 2:21-25 and ask the class how Jesus responded to this unfair treatment.  How should we respond?

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  The Trial of Jesus

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas 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]

Send a text

As the time of his death drew near, Jesus told his followers that they would soon lose faith and leave him.  Even as Jesus then prayed through the night, his closest followers fell asleep instead of keeping watch.  Afterwards, Judas leads an angry group to Jesus. Knowing his time has come, Jesus allows himself to be arrested.  Although his followers had been dismayed at Jesus’ earlier statement, they now did exactly as he had said.  They all left him and ran away.

Even when friends disappoint us, we can talk to God.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Matthew 26:30-56

Outline:

1. Jesus says his followers will leave him (Matthew 26:30-35)
2. Jesus prays while his disciples fall asleep (Matthew 26:36-46)
3. Jesus is arrested (Matthew 26:47-55)
4. The followers run away (Matthew 26:56)

Tips for teaching:

• Explain the word "betrayal" to children in a way they can understand.  Betrayal can be described as providing information to an enemy that causes your friend or loved one to be hurt.  An example would be if your friend were in a hiding place to keep safe from "bad people" and you told the bad people about the hiding place.  You would be "betraying" your friend, and they would get hurt.
  Judas betrayed Jesus because he gave information to the Jewish leaders and Jesus was arrested.
• Play the Gethsemane video so children (or adults) can hear Claire Crosby sing about this event. To avoid unhelpful ads appearing before this and any live online video, teachers find it helpful to download the video first.
• Talk about Jesus praying in a garden where olives are grown.  Children can eat olives as well as touch and smell olive oil.

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Night of Betrayal and Prayer

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas 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]

Send a text

On the night before he was crucified, Jesus celebrated one last Passover meal with his disciples.  Jews ate this meal annually to celebrate God’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage.  On this night, Jesus used elements of the meal to institute a new remembrance, bread to remember his body and wine to remember his blood. From this time forward, the followers of Jesus would celebrate God’s deliverance from sin through Jesus.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Luke 22:7-23
• Romans 15:4

Outline:

1. Preparing the Meal (Luke 22:7-13)
2. The Meal (Luke 22:14-20)
3. The Betrayal to Come (Luke 22:21-23)

Tips for teaching:

• Help children list special foods that help us remember special occasions: birthday cake, chocolate eggs, Christmas pudding, hot cross buns, etc. Compare this to the Passover Meal.
• Gather the ingredients and let the children taste foods from the Passover meal. You can use horseradish for bitter herbs, grape juice for the wine, and pita bread for the unleavened bread. You can purchase very thinly sliced lamb at a butcher or grocery deli. Recline and eat your meal at a low table.
• Children or adults can use a communion bread recipe to prepare the church communion.
• Adults and children can enjoy celebrating a Passover meal together.  This link leads to full instructions for a messianic Haggadah (telling).  It includes a complete set of instructions, recipes, room set-up and order of service.  The source is https://www.chosenpeople.com/ 

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  The Last Supper

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas 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]

Send a text

 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 Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas 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]

Send a text

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 Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas 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]

Send a text

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 Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas 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]