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LESSON 23: Jesus’ Ministry Begins
Timeless Truth: Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but to save
it.
Bible Basis: Matthew 3:1-4:11;
John 1:19-34; Mark 1:31-2:12; Matthew 4:24-25; Mark 3:9-15; Luke 8:1-3
Key Verse: “People
brought to him all who were ill with different kinds of sicknesses. . . . Jesus
healed all of them” (Matthew 4:24).
Get the Point:
Preschool: Jesus shows people the power of God. I
can look for God’s power in my life.
Elementary: Jesus shows people the power of God. I
can look for God’s power in my life.
Middle/High School: Jesus shows all different kinds of
people God’s power through miracles.
Table Talk
Preschool/Elementary
• John
the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord Jesus Christ. He told people that the
kingdom of heaven was coming. Some people believed him, but others thought he
was weird because he wore camel-hair clothes and ate bugs. What would you think
if somebody like that told you the Lord was coming?
• Have
you ever eaten a bug? If not, what’s the strangest thing you’ve eaten?
• John
the Baptist was also Jesus’ cousin. Do you have any funny family members?
• When
John baptized Jesus, a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, and I love him.
I am very pleased with him.” How does it feel when your parents say those words
about you?
• What
are some things you can do to please your parents?
Note: Young readers will enjoy hearing the
stories “Heaven Breaks Through” and “Let’s Go!” in the Jesus Storybook Bible on pages 200-213.
Middle/High
School
• Jesus
called a wide variety of people to be his disciples—fishermen, tax collectors,
revolutionaries—why didn’t Jesus call more powerful people like religious and
government leaders?
• Think
of the Christians you know. Are they all the same? Why does Jesus call people
with different interests and personalities to follow him?
• When
Jesus asked someone to be his disciple, he simply said, “Follow me.” What can
you do to follow Jesus more closely?
• How
does following Jesus change the way you act at school or with your family?
• When
Satan tempted Jesus, he used Old Testament Scriptures to defend himself. Recite
some Bible verses you’ve memorized. If you haven’t already, memorize John
3:16-17 as a family. Talk about how God’s Word can protect you today.
Living Faith
Jesus seemed a bit reluctant to
perform his first miracle at the wedding feast. But he turned the water into
wine, because his mom asked. Do you think Jesus did this at home, because the
fact that he could do it didn’t seem to surprise his mother? Talk about what it
must’ve been like to grow up in the same house with Jesus as you prepare for a
fun experiment. You won’t be turning water into wine, but you can add a jolt of
color to this clear liquid.
You’ll
need to gather a clear glass or clear plastic cup, water, cooking oil, food
coloring and a pencil. Fill the glass about two-thirds full with water. Now
pour a little cooking oil into the glass so it creates a thin layer of oil on
top of the water. Add a few drops of food coloring. What happens?
The
food coloring should sit on top of the oil in a little glob. Have fun by
dropping in other colors of food coloring. Now gently poke the pencil into one
of the blobs of food coloring. Watch color streak into the glass. Poke all of
the different colors. At the end, gentle swirl the glass and see what happens.
As you carefully clean up, ask these questions about miracles:
• Jesus did many miracles. Name a
few. Do you think those same miracles still happen today?
• If you could’ve witnesses any of
Jesus’ miracles, which one would it have been?
• What does it tell you about Jesus
that his first miracle happened at a wedding?
Extra Mile
One of the
neatest events in this chapter of The
Story occurred when the paralyzed man’s friends lowered him through the
roof so Jesus could heal him. For a modern-day story with a similar message, go
to godtube.com and watch the inspiring 5:29 video called “The Home Run –
Today’s Christian Videos.”
• Why did the two players decide to
help the injured girl?
• Do you think the injured girl
would’ve scored without their help?
• Do you think the players did the
right thing by helping, even though it made their team lose the game?
• What’s your favorite part of this
video?
• Why do you think everybody got so emotional?
• Do you think the friends of the
paralyzed man got emotional and started jumping around on the roof of the house
when their friend was healed?
LESSON 24: No Ordinary Man
Timeless Truth: Jesus’ teachings have earthly benefits and heavenly
rewards.
Bible Basis: Mark 4:30-34; Luke 15:1-7, 10:25-37; Matthew 5:3-12, 6:5-15; Mark
4:35-41; 6:30-44; Matthew 14:22-32; John 6:66-71
Key Verse: “We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (John
6:69).
Get the Point:
Preschool: Jesus teaches his friends and the crowds.
I can learn from God.
Elementary: Jesus teaches his friends and the crowds.
I can learn from God.
Middle/High School: Jesus teaches about a new way of life.
Table Talk
Preschool/Elementary
• God
doesn’t like show-offs. In Jesus’ time, some people made a big show about how
spiritual they were. They’d go outside and make a huge fuss that they were
praying. Jesus told his followers to act different. He taught them to pray in a
quiet place. Where do you like to pray? Do you pray at a certain time of day?
• The
Bible says God “knows what you need before you even ask him.” How can he know
that? Since he already knows, why do you need to pray?
• When
Jesus teaches us to pray, he says to forgive others the bad things they do to
us, just like God forgives us. Is it hard to forgive others? Who are some
people you’ve forgiven recently? Is there anyone you need to forgive right now?
• One of
the coolest things Jesus did was water on the water. What do you think that
would be like?
• Peter
tried to walk on the water, but took his eyes off Jesus and went for a swim
instead. What’s your favorite part about swimming?
Note: Young readers will enjoy “How to
Pray” on pages 222-227 in the Jesus
Storybook Bible.
Middle/High
School
•
Historians agree, even those who aren’t Christians, that Jesus was a great
teacher. Some of his most famous teachings came at the Sermon on the Mount
where he made a bunch of “Blessed are . . .” statements. Discuss some of them:
- For many meekness equals weakness,
but Jesus says the meek are blessed and will “inherit the earth.” How? What
does meek really mean?
- Blessed are the merciful. How can
you show mercy?
- What are some ways you can protect
your heart, so you will be “pure in heart”?
- How can you be a peacemaker?
- Jesus says you’re blessed when
people insult you, persecute you and say evil things about you because of your
relationship with Jesus. Has this ever happened to you?
• On
several occasions Jesus raised people from the dead. In this chapter he raised
Jairus’ daughter. Talk about Jesus’ power over death. Do you think this was
Jesus’ most amazing miracle? If not, which miracle most amazes you?
Living Faith
Jesus feeding the 5,000 is the
only miracle retold in all four gospels. When a young boy’s lunch was
multiplied to feed a multitude, it showed God’s power and taught a powerful
lesson about his provision. This week bring your family together for a picnic
to remember Jesus’ huge impromptu picnic. Have family members choose their
favorite foods to include or make a meal that’s reminiscent of what happened on
that mountainside. Maybe you can buy packages of flavored tuna and a loaf of
French bread. Juice boxes or bottles of water work well, because they don’t
spill as easily. If it’s warm enough, eat outside at a park or in your
backyard. If the weather’s cold, move your picnic indoors. Lay out a blanket in
the living room and talk about Jesus’ miracle.
•
Did you know Jesus actually fed way more than 5,000 people? Back then only the
men were counted. When you include women and children that number may double.
Does that make this miracle more impressive? Why?
•
Do you find it interesting that there were 12 baskets of leftover food? Why
didn’t Jesus make just enough food for everybody?
•
What do you think the little boy thought when he gave up his lunch? Do you
think he had any idea that Jesus was going to use it to feed everybody?
•
What does this miracle teach you about God’s power?
Note: You can read a great story of
God’s big picnic called “Filled Full” in the
Jesus Storybook Bible on pages 244-249.
Extra Mile
Jesus used
stories in about one-third of all of his teachings. That means one out of every
three times that Jesus taught, he used a parable.
• Why do you think Jesus used
stories so often?
Stories are still a powerful and
meaningful way to explain God’s truth. But today a lot of stories are told in
movies. Watch one of Jesus’ parables told in a modern way at
compassclassroom.com. Under Our Products, choose Modern Parables, then click on
Sample Lesson. Watch the two videos that give a modern
twist on
Jesus’ parable of the hidden treasure found in Matthew 13:44. In all, the two
videos last less than 20 minutes.
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