LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In John 3:16, we find the heart of the entire Christian faith captured in a single verse. God, who created all things and loves all people, looked upon a world broken by sin and chose not to leave it that way. He sent His only Son, Jesus, into the world to live a perfect life and then to die in our place. Good Friday marks the day Jesus was crucified on a cross, taking the punishment we deserved so that we could be forgiven and restored to relationship with God. This was not an accident or a tragedy without purpose. It was the plan of a loving Father to rescue His children.
The death of Jesus on Good Friday is inseparable from His love. Romans 5:8 tells us that God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Even before we knew we needed saving, God was making a way. For young children, the concept of sacrifice may be difficult to fully grasp, but the truth that Jesus loves them deeply and did something very great because of that love is entirely within reach. Good Friday is not simply a sad story. It is the story of the greatest act of love the world has ever seen, and it sets the stage for the joy of Easter Sunday.
PLAY ROOM 5:45-6:00
Children will be dropped off in the playroom between 5:45-6:00 p.m. Allow them to play freely as they arrive. Transition them to the classroom at 9:00 a.m.
OPENING ACTIVITY 6:00-6:15 | Play-Doh Cross Making
Items Needed:
- Play-Doh
Children use Play-Doh to roll out long snakes and then form them into cross shapes. Teachers can show them how to make the cross and then encourage them to make their own. A simple reminder that the cross is a symbol that tells us Jesus loves us can be woven in throughout.
BIBLE STORY 6:15-6:25
Question 1: Where is this found in the Bible? The book of John.
Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? The New Testament!
Today we are going to hear a very special story. Our story is about someone who loves you SO much.
Can you say, “Jesus loves me”?
[Wait for response. Say it with them.]
One more time, nice and BIG! Jesus loves me!
[Wait for response.]
Jesus is God’s Son. God sent Jesus to earth as a tiny baby. He grew up just like you are growing up. And the whole time, Jesus loved people. He lived a perfect life.
One day something very hard happened. Some people did not want Jesus around anymore. They made up a story about a crime he didn’t commit and sent him to the cross to die.
[Hold your arms out wide to show what a cross looks like.]
Can you hold your arms out wide like this? [Wait for response.] Good job.
Jesus did not do anything wrong. He was perfect. But do you know why He stayed on that cross?
[Pause and look at the children.]
Because He LOVES us. He loves YOU.
[Point to different children as you say “you.”]
[Hold up a small red heart.]
This is a heart. It reminds us of love. When Jesus died on the cross, He was saying, “I love you this much.” Even bigger than this little heart. Even bigger than this whole room!
[Spread your arms open wide.]
Can you spread your arms open wide and say, “Jesus loves me THIS much”?
[Wait for response. Do it together.]
The people who loved Jesus were very sad that day. They cried. But there is something important to remember: Jesus knew this was going to happen. And He chose to do it anyway. Why? [Pause.] Because He loves us so, so much.
God has a special rule for us in the Bible. It is called John 3:16. It says that God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have ever lasting life. God gave us Jesus because He loves us.
He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins.
Can you say our special phrase with me? Ready? [Pause.]
Jesus loves me!
[Wait for response.]
This I know!
[Wait for response.]
One more time, all together! Jesus loves me, this I know!
[Wait for response.]
[Object Lesson: Hold up a piece of black paper and a bright red heart cutout.]
This black paper reminds us of the wrong things we do. We all do wrong things sometimes, don’t we?
[Pause.]
But when Jesus died on the cross, He covered up all of those wrong things with His love.
[Place the red heart over the black paper so it covers the center.]
His love is bigger than all the wrong things we do. That is why Good Friday is such a good day.
Theological Questions:
- Why did Jesus die on the cross?
- The Bible says God loved the world so much that He gave His Son. What does that tell us about how much God loves us?
Life Application Questions:
- Can you think of a time someone did something really kind for you because they love you? How did that make you feel?
- How can we show other people that Jesus loves them?
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for loving us so much that You died on the cross for us. Help us to remember every day that Your love for us is bigger than anything in the whole world. Amen. [Let children say “Amen” together.]
WORSHIP IN SONG 6:25-6:35
PRAYER 6:35-6:45
Transition kids to the floor for prayer time. Pray for the children to understand how deeply Jesus loves them, that this love would stay in their hearts as they grow, and that they would share the love of Jesus with their friends and family this Easter season.
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY 6:45-7:00 | Nailed to the Cross
ITEMS NEEDED
- Nailed to the Cross Printouts
- Crayons
- Glue Sticks
Children should color the cross on calvary and glue the paper nails they were given during the lesson to the paper. Discuss how Jesus died on the cross for our sins.
Note: Put each individual nail into sets inside Ziplock bags. Tape the bags to the wall. Let kids take turns picking a nail off the wall to glue to their paper.
BIBLE CRAFT 7:00-7:10 | Jesus Loves Me Cross
Items Needed:
- Pre-cut cross shapes from cardstock (one per child)
- Red tissue paper squares
- Glue sticks
- Marker
Children glue red tissue paper squares all over their cardstock cross, covering it completely. Teachers write “Jesus Loves Me” on each cross. Children can take their cross home as a reminder of Good Friday and the love of Jesus.
SNACK TIME AND BIBLE STORY VIDEO 7:10-7:15
Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat snacks while watching a video.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
John 3:16 (ESV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway: Jesus Loves Me
What I Learned Today: Today we learned that Good Friday is the day Jesus died on the cross because He loves us. We discovered that John 3:16 tells us God loved the whole world so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to take the punishment for the wrong things we do. The cross is not just a sad story. It is the greatest love story ever told.
Questions to Ask Me:
- Why did Jesus die on the cross? (Because He loves us and wanted to take the punishment for the wrong things we do.)
- Who sent Jesus to earth? (God, His Father.)
- What does the cross remind us of? (That Jesus loves us and gave His life for us.)
- What book of the Bible is John 3:16 found in? (The book of John, in the New Testament.)
- What does it mean that Jesus is God’s Son? (Jesus is special and came from God. He is God who came to live with us as a person.)
- When you feel sad or scared, what can you remember about Jesus? (That He loves me and is always with me.)
- If a friend asked you why Christians talk about the cross, what would you say? (Because the cross shows us how much Jesus loves us.)
- Can you say our memory verse? (For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.)
- How can you show someone else that Jesus loves them this week? (Give them a hug, be kind, tell them about Jesus.)
- Is Good Friday a sad day or a happy day? (It can feel a little sad because Jesus died, but it is also a good day because it shows us how much Jesus loves us, and we know Easter is coming!)