What did Jesus pray in the garden? (He asked God
for another way to save people, but agreed to obey God’s
plan; Matt. 26:39)How did Jesus die? (He was crucified—hung on a
cross; Matt. 27:33-50)What did the women find on the third day?
(an empty tomb and an angel who said Jesus rose,
Matt. 28:5-6)Why is it important that Jesus really died? Guide
kids to understand that God demands a sacrifice for sin. Because we are sinners, we deserve death. If there were no sacrifice, God would not be perfectly just. Jesus had to die for us to be forgiven. (See Heb. 9:22; Rom. 6:23; and 2 Cor. 5:21.)Why is it important that Jesus rose to life? Help kids see that Jesus’ rising again was proof that His sacrifice was enough. He rose again to prove that sin and death were totally defeated. We have victory in Christ. (See
1 Cor. 15:12-22.)How does Jesus’ resurrection give us joy? Help the
kids think through the hope we have for the future. Remind them that because of Jesus’ resurrection, there is no suffering we can face that could ever take away our salvation. The worst that could happen to us in life is still outweighed by the wonderful nature of God’s mercy and grace toward us.
Discussion Questions:
1. Where did Jesus’ disciples find the young donkey?
(tied up as soon as they entered the village, Matt. 21:2)
2. What did people spread on the ground for Jesus to ride over?
(coats and palm branches, Mark 11:8 )
3. What did Jesus say to the religious leaders who wanted Jesus’ disciples to be quiet?
(“If they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out” Luke 19:40 )
4. Why is it important that Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a powerful warhorse?
Guide kids to see that Jesus’ riding a donkey fulfilled Old Testament prophecy, and signaled the kind of kingdom Jesus had come to establish. Remind kids that Jesus taught about serving, not being served, and that He lived out His teachings by giving His life for us to live.
5. How will Jesus’ second coming be different from His first? How will it be the same?
Guide kids to find and read Revelation 19:11-16. Discuss how Jesus’ first coming brought about the defeat of sin and death, and His second coming will mark the end of all sin everywhere and the complete fixing of the brokenness of the world. Point out that Jesus was King even when he came humbly, but one day He will come as a conquerer.
6. How does knowing about Jesus’ first and second coming help us live courageously?
Help kids see that Jesus has defeated sin, and will one day fix everything broken. We have life in Christ now, and future hope for a perfect eternal life with God forever.
Activity Pages
Younger Kids Activity and Coloring Pages
Older Kids Journal and Activity Pages
Discussion Questions:
What did Daniel see in his dream?
(four mysterious creatures that looked like animals, Dan. 7:3-7)
Who was sitting on the throne?
(God, the Ancient of Days; Dan. 7:9)
What did God do while sitting on the throne?
(judged the creatures, Dan. 7:10-12)
Why do you think God gave Daniel this dream?
Guide the kids to see that God was showing that He is ultimately in control. God gave Daniel (and us) hope for eternity so we can know that no matter what kind of ruler we have, God is still on the throne. He is in charge. Someday, Jesus will return and destroy all evil, restoring the world. Those who trust in Him will live with God forever.
What does this story teach us about what God is like?
Help kids understand that God is sovereign, or in control over all things. He is also good and righteous. He wants us to have hope for the future. Through Jesus, He gives us hope.
What can you do when you feel scared?
Explain that even in scary times we can still trust God. If we have trusted in Jesus, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit for all eternity. (Eph. 4:30) Even though bad things sometimes happen while we wait for Jesus to return, we don’t have to fear anything—not even death. God is bigger than anything we could ever fear, and He will destroy all evil someday.
Activity Pages:
Journal page
Activity page 1
Activity page 2
Coloring page
Discussion Questions:
Why did the other leaders want to get Daniel in trouble?
(They were jealous of him, Dan. 6:3-4)
What law did Darius create?
(For thirty days; people could not pray to anyone except him, Dan. 6:7)
What was Daniel’s response to the king’s law?
(Daniel continued praying, Dan. 6:10)
Why do you think Daniel obeyed God rather than King Darius?
Guide the kids to see that God is our ultimate authority. We are called to obey God above any earthly leaders. If Daniel were to obey the king’s decree to pray to him, Daniel would have been sinning against God.
Is it always easy to obey God? Why or why not?
Help kids understand that obeying God can be difficult. We have to fight against our own sin, and we may face persecution from non-believers. Jesus reminded His disciples that we will be blessed when people mistreat us for His sake. (Matt. 5:11-12; John 15:18-19) We can also remember that Jesus faced punishment and even death when He was obedient to God’s plan to rescue sinners. (Heb. 5:7-9)
How can your obedience to God point others to His goodness?
Explain that our obedience shows others that we really do trust God and believe the Bible. When we choose to follow God, especially when disobedience might seem easier, we demonstrate to the world that God is worthy of our obedience.
Activity Pages:
Journal Page
Activity page 1
Activity page 2
Coloring Page
Discussion Questions:
What plant was in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream?
(a large tree that an angel said would be cut down, Dan. 4: 10)
What did the dream mean?
(God would force Nebuchadnezzar to live like an animal and take the kingdom away from him, Dan. 4:25-27)
What did Nebuchadnezzar do when God restored his mind?
(Nebuchadnezzar praised God and said God is in control of all things, Dan. 4:34-37)
Why do you think God did what He did with Nebuchadnezzar?
Help kids understand that God loved Nebuchadnezzar. God wanted Nebuchadnezzar to know Him and see that He is all-powerful and in control. Nebuchadnezzar was prideful and living for his own glory, and only God deserves glory.
Why do you think pride is such a bad thing?
Guide the kids to understand that pride tries to take glory away from God. He is the only One who deserves glory. Apart from God we are nothing. We owe Him everything, including our praise!
What are some ways we struggle with pride?
Help kids come up with examples from their own lives. We show pride when we fail to love others well, and when we try to get our way instead of trusting God. We even show pride when we choose not to pray or praise God.
Activity Pages:
Discussion Questions:
What did King Nebuchadnezzar want people to worship?
(a large golden statue, Dan. 3:1)
Which three men refused to bow to the statue?
(Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Dan. 3:13)
How did Nebuchadnezzar punish the friends?
(They were thrown into the fiery furnace, Dan. 3:21)
What did the king see when he peered into the furnace?
(The three friends walking around with a fourth person who looked like a god, Dan. 3:25)
Why do you think God allowed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to go through the fire?
Guide kids to see that God used this scary situation to build the friends’ faith in Him and to show Nebuchadnezzar that God is mighty to save His people. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went through the fire for God to be glorified.
What are some idols that you are tempted to worship?
Guide the kids to see that good gifts from God turn into idols if we love them more than we love God. When we repent, God forgives us and changes our hearts to love Him more.
How does knowing that God does everything for His glory and our good help us when we face scary situations?
Guide the kids to see that though God doesn’t promise us physical safety, He promises that He will never leave us or forsake us. He will help us through hard times.
Activity Pages:
Discussion Questions:
1. What did God show Ezekiel?
(a valley filled with bones, Ezek. 37:1-2)
2. What did God do with the bones?
(caused them to reconnect, grow flesh, and come back to life; Ezek. 37:4-10)
3. What was God’s message to His people?
(God would bring them back to life and fill them with His Spirit, Ezek. 37:13-14)
4. When did this prophecy come true?
Guide kids to think about the two different fulfillments of this prophecy. God did bring His people back to their land as He promised. Also, God sent Jesus to die for sin and rise again to give life to believers.
5. What is our ultimate hope?
Guide kids to think about our hope for the future. We know God is faithful, and He has promised to send Jesus back to earth. At that time, all of the damage sin has caused will be undone. We will be completely free from sin in every way. No matter how bad things may seem, we know that Jesus is victorious over sin.
6. When does our life with God start?
Direct kids to see that our new life with God starts right away. When we trust in Jesus, God forgives our sin and makes us new. The Holy Spirit comes to live in us and begin healing the damage sin causes. We gain God’s power to love Him, obey Him, and share the gospel.
Activity Pages:
Discussion Questions:
1. Who were the last four kings of Judah?
(Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah; 2 Chron. 36)
2. How did God’s people treat His messengers and prophets?
(hated them and ignored them, 2 Chron. 36:16)
3. How were God’s people punished?
(Jerusalem was destroyed and her people taken captive, 2 Chron. 36:17-20)
4. How does God punish sin?
Lead kids to discuss the two ways sin will be punished. For those who believe in Jesus, their sin was punished through Jesus’ death on the cross. Help kids see that believers will not face punishment for sin. On the other hand, those who reject Jesus will face punishment for their sin. Help kids see that God’s loving justice means all sin must be punished, but God’s mercy and grace provides the way for us to avoid bearing that weight.
5. What happens when believers sin?
Help kids understand that believers cannot lose their salvation. Guide them to see that believers will be guided by the Holy Spirit, who will help them love and obey God. Remind them that sin still has consequences and will damage our relationships with God and other people.
6. When will believers be completely free from all sin?
Help kids see that, though we are free from the punishment of sin, we still live in a world broken by sin. When Jesus returns, He will fix all that is broken and will restore it. He will destroy all evil.
Activity Pages:
Discussion Questions:
Whom did God plan to use to punish Judah?
(the Babylonians, Hab. 1:6)How will the righteous live?
(by faith, Hab. 2:4)Would Habakkuk stop praising God if things stayed hard?
(no, Hab. 3:17-18)Why do you think God punished His people’s sin?
Guide kids to see that God’s justice is a part of His love. He punishes sin to prevent sin from growing and destroying more lives. Help kids see that if God simply allowed sin to grow and thrive, He would be going against His very character as a loving and holy God.When you think about God’s plan to punish Jesus for our sin, how do you feel?
Guide kids to discuss their thoughts. Ask them questions about if they feel more grateful toward God, more shocked at His love, or more humbled by Jesus’ sacrifice.How can we have faith even when the world seems scary or evil?
Guide kids to talk about our ultimate source of hope. Remind kids that we know Jesus will return and fix everything broken in the world. We know that evil will not win in the end. If we trust in Jesus, we will live in His perfect kingdom when He returns; if we reject Him, we will bear the punishment of our sin that we deserve.
Activity Pages:
Discussion Questions:
Who was king of Judah when Jeremiah was called as a prophet?
(Josiah, Jer. 1:2)What did God tell Jeremiah to say about peoples’ hearts?
(They are sick and trick us to sin, Jer. 17:9)What did King Jehoiakim do with the scroll Jeremiah and Baruch wrote?
(burned it up bit by bit, Jer. 36:23)What are some ways our hearts are tricky?
Guide kids to discuss the things like money, power, or fame that we may chase after. Help the kids see that those things cannot satisfy us and often lead us away from God. When we worship anything—even a good thing—besides God, it is sin. Only God deserves worship. Discuss the idea that sin isn’t just wanting or doing bad things, but also wanting or doing things in ways that don’t honor God’s plans.Why is the new covenant better?
Guide kids to see that under the new covenant, God not only gives the commands to the people, but writes them on their hearts. Remind kids that under the new covenant, God promised not to remember our sin, but forgive it.When did the new covenant start?
Guide kids to discuss the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus as the beginning of the new covenant. Explain that Jesus’ perfect and complete sacrifice undid the curse of sin and made it so that believers no longer need to offer sacrifices for forgiveness. Explain how the Holy Spirit, who lives in the hearts of believers, helps us remember and obey God’s teachings.
Activity Pages:
Discussion Questions:
1. Who was king before Hezekiah?
(Ahaz, 2 Chron. 28:27)
2. How old was Josiah when he became king?
(eight, 2 Chron. 34:1)
3. What did Josiah do when he heard the words written in the book of the law?
(felt very sad, tore his clothing; 2 Chron. 34:19)
4. Why is obeying God so important?
Guide kids to discuss obedience as a picture of our love for God and our trust in God’s plans. Remind kids that God made us, loves us, and has perfect plans for us. Obedience to God means doing things God’s way, which is the best way. Obeying God both glorifies God and benefits us.
5. Why can’t we obey God the way we should?
Guide kids to discuss the sin nature we are all born with. We are broken by sin and cannot always tell right from wrong. Even when we can, we often choose wrong because it seems easier or better at the time. Remind kids that sin affects every part of our lives.
6. How can we have hope despite our sin?
Remind kids that God sent Jesus to die for our sin and rise again. Help them see that when we repent and trust in Jesus, not only does God forgive our sin, but He sends the Holy Spirit to fill us with power and help us love and obey God. We also have hope that Jesus will return someday and fix everything sin has broken.
Activity Pages:
Discussion questions:
What did Isaiah say when he saw the Lord?
(I am ruined, Isa. 6:5)How did God show He had forgiven Isaiah’s sin?
(One of the seraphim touched a hot coal to Isaiah’s lips, Isa. 6:6-8)The Suffering Servant would be punished for whose sin?
(everyone’s, “the iniquity of us all”; Isa. 53:6)How do we know that Isaiah was writing about Jesus?
Guide kids to see that Isaiah’s writings were prophecies—promises from God about the future. We can read the New Testament to see how Jesus died for our sin and understand that Isaiah’s prophecy had come true in Jesus.Why do you think Jesus was willing to suffer for us?
Guide kids to discuss the different parts of this answer. Jesus loves us, so He was willing to die for us. Jesus loves God the Father, so He wanted to obey God’s plan to die for us. Jesus hates sin and wanted to eliminate its power over people. God deserves all glory; and Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection perfectly glorified God.How can we show sacrificial love to others, like Jesus did?
Discuss different ways kids can sacrifice to help others, such as giving generously, loving those who are mean to us, telling others about Jesus even when it is difficult or scary, or being kind to everyone.
Downloadable Activity Pages:
Discussion questions:
1. Who was the final king of Israel, the Northern Kingdom?
(Hoshea, son of Elah; 2 Kings 17:1)
2. Why did Hoshea turn to Egypt for help?
(Hoshea did not want to pay money to Assyria, 2 Kings 17:4)
3. Why did God allow Assyria to defeat and capture Israel?
(The people would not listen to the prophets or obey God, 2 Kings 17:13-18)
4. How is God’s discipline a sign of His love?
Guide kids to understand that sin hurts us and everyone around us. If God did not discipline His people for their sin, it would show that He does not want what was best for them. God’s discipline helps teach His people to obey Him, which is for their own good.
5. What is the difference between consequences of sin and punishment for sin?
Guide kids to see that sin still carries a price. When we make sinful choices, it still hurts us and those around us. Those are the consequences of sin. But the punishment of sin—death and separation from God forever—was laid on Jesus. When we believe in Jesus, His sacrifice covers our sin and makes us new.
6. How do we know that believers in Jesus will never be punished for sin?
Help kids see that Jesus’ sacrifice was the ultimate and final sacrifice. It was sufficient for all our sin. He rose from the dead, proving that sin no longer has power. When we believe in Jesus, we are declared righteous and united to God forever.
Downloadable Activity Pages:
Journal page
Activity page 1
Activity page 2
Coloring Sheet