Date: February 9, 2025
Unit: People’s Responses to Jesus
Elementary Essential: God is relational: He wants us to know him.
Memory Verse: “I do believe! Help me overcome my unbelief!” – Mark 9:24
Unit Overview:
Kids will learn about five different responses to Jesus in the New Testament: Nicodemus, Peter, Judas, Mary (who anoints Jesus’s feet), and the Pharisees. Through examining these encounters, kids will see how our hearts can respond in different ways to the truth of the Gospel. Some people fall at Jesus’s feet in humility and love, while others proudly do not see their need of him. The best way to respond to Christ is in faith and humility out of a transformed heart given in worship. However, no one can fully respond this way because, despite our best efforts, we are all tainted with sin. Christ does not demand a perfect response, but rather asks that we put our faith in him. A right and biblical response to Christ is: “I do believe! Help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).
Lesson Title: Peter Responds with Faith & Betrayal
Lesson Overview:
Kids will break into three groups. Each will read one of the stories in the Bible about Peter responding to Jesus. Small groups will then share with the others about the story they read (through a play, a drawing, or a description.)
Lesson Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 14:22-36, Luke 22:54-62, John 21:15-17
Lesson Objective: Kids will learn we cannot respond to Jesus rightly all the time; we can be thankful for God’s grace.
Lesson Application: When I learn of Jesus, I want to respond with faith and humility.