Sunday, June 7, 2015 Kidzone 2nd- 4th Grade Small Group TEACHER BIBLE STUDY Jesus Gave the Great Commission Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 1:3 After Jesus death and resurrection, He appeared to His disciples over a 40 day period. At one point, He appeared to over 500 disciples. Then He appeared to James, His half- brother, and the rest of the apostles. (1 Cor. 15:5-7) During that time, Jesus taught them about the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3) Some disciples wondered if Jesus was going to restore the kingdom of Israel. (Acts 1:6) Jesus and the Father had a different plan for the disciples. Jesus directed the Eleven to go to a mountain, where He appeared to them again. When Jesus appeared, they worshiped Him, but some still doubted. (Matt. 28:17) Before we condemn the disciples who doubted, they had not yet received the Holy Spirit. (Luke 24:49) Without the Holy Spirit, the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. (1 Cor. 1:18) On the mountain, Jesus gave His disciples the Great Commission. First, Jesus stated that all authority had been given to Him. Before the resurrection, Jesus had authority as God the Son. Through the resurrection, however, the Father gave Jesus far more than even Satan had promised. (Matt. 4:8-9) Through Jesus death and resurrection, God subjected everything to His beloved Son. (See Heb. 2:5-9.) Because of Jesus authority, He commanded His disciples to go into the world and preach the gospel, the good news about Him. The Great Commission is not just for missionaries far from home. All believers are called to share the gospel with others, teach them to obey God s commands, and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus finishes His commission with a profound promise: And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matt. 28:20). Talk to the kids you teach about the importance of living out the Great Commission. The good news about what Jesus has done to rescue us from our sins is too great to keep to ourselves. Before Jesus went back to heaven, He gave the disciples a job to do. Jesus wants His followers to teach people everywhere about Jesus so they will trust in Him as their Lord and Savior. OLDER KIDS BIBLE STUDY OVERVIEW Session Title: Jesus Gave the Great Commission Bible Passage: Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 1:3 Big Picture Question: How can we join in the Great Commission? We can share the gospel, the good news about Jesus. Key Passage: Matthew 28:19-20 Unit Christ Connection: Jesus prepared His disciples for a life of ministry. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be with us until He returns. Unit 33 Session 4 Older Elementary 1
Sunday, June 7, 2015 Welcome time Activity page (5 minutes) Session starter (10 minutes) Key passage activity (5 minutes) Kidzone 2nd- 4th Grade Small Group Small Group Time Bible story review (10 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Journal (5 minutes) Prayer (5 minutes) THE BIBLE STORY Jesus Gave the Great Commission Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 1:3 After Jesus had been raised from the dead, He met with His disciples over a 40- day period. During that time, Jesus told them even more about God s kingdom. Then Jesus eleven disciples went to a mountain in Galilee. Jesus had told them to go there. When the disciples saw Jesus, some of them worshiped Him. But some of the disciples still doubted. Then Jesus went up to them and said, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Jesus is God the Son; He always had authority. But after Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, God gave Him all authority in heaven and on earth. Jesus is the King over all creation, and He rules over God s kingdom. Jesus gave the disciples and everyone who follows Him a job to do. He said, Go into all the world and preach the gospel. Make disciples of people from every nation. The word disciple means follower. Jesus wants His followers to tell people all over the world how to be rescued from sin and death by trusting in Jesus death and resurrection. Then those people who believe would become disciples of Jesus too. Jesus also said, Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. When believers are baptized, they show the world that they have turned away from sin and trusted in Jesus as their Savior. New disciples are cleansed from sin. The Father is God, the Son is Jesus, who saves us, and the Holy Spirit will come to the new disciples and give them the power to live a new life for God. Jesus continued, Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. People who have trusted in Jesus as their Savior have been forgiven of their sins. They don t want to live the way they lived before. They want to live holy lives by obeying God s Word. Then Jesus said, Remember this: I am always with you, until the very end of the age. It would not always be easy for the disciples to tell the world about Jesus. People would hate them because of their message, and people would even try to stop them from telling others about Jesus. But they did not need to be afraid because Jesus promised to be with them. One of Jesus names is Immanuel: God with us. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is always with us. Unit 33 Session 4 Older Elementary 2
Sunday, June 7, 2015 Kidzone 2nd- 4th Grade Small Group At the end of the age once all the nations have heard the good news of God s kingdom Jesus will return. At the end of the age, believers will be reunited with Jesus forever! Christ Connection: The good news about what Jesus has done to rescue us from our sins is too great to keep to ourselves. Before Jesus went back to heaven, He gave the disciples a job to do. Jesus wants His followers to teach people everywhere about Jesus so they will trust in Him as their Lord and Savior. SMALL GROUP OPENING Session Title: Jesus Gave the Great Commission Bible Passage: Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 1:3 Big Picture Question: How can we join in the Great Commission? We can share the gospel, the good news about Jesus. Key Passage: Matthew 28:19-20 Unit Christ Connection: Jesus prepared His disciples for a life of ministry. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be with us until He returns. Welcome time Greet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Encourage kids to share if they have ever had any jobs. Maybe they have helped with chores around the house or volunteered in the community. Invite kids to describe what responsibilities they had. Mention that Jesus has given everyone who follows Him a job to do! Activity page (5 minutes) The Great Commission Maze activity page, 1 per kid pencils Challenge boys and girls to complete the Great Commission maze. The correct path through the maze will follow the unit key passage (HCSB translation): Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Say Does anyone know who said these words? (Jesus) We call this command from Jesus The Great Commission. That s what our Bible story is about today. Unit 33 Session 4 Older Elementary 3
Sunday, June 7, 2015 Kidzone 2nd- 4th Grade Small Group Session starter (10 minutes) Option 1: Domino effect dominoes Challenge kids to stand dominoes on end in a line, leaving only about an inch between the dominoes. Allow kids to work for several minutes. Then call for kids to finish. Choose a volunteer to push over the domino at the end of the line so that a chain reaction occurs one domino knocks over the next, which knocks over the next, and so forth. Say Awesome! That s what we call a chain reaction: when one event causes a bunch of other things to happen. In today s Bible story, Jesus gave His disciples an important command. When His disciples obeyed, it caused a chain reaction that affects people even today! Option 2: Hole- in- one cardboard box beanbags scissors tape Before the session, cut a 6- to 8- inch hole in the bottom of a cardboard box. Turn over the box and tape the edges to the floor so it doesn t tip over. Challenge the kids to toss beanbags into the hole. Instruct them to stand several feet away from the box and take turns tossing. After kids practice for a couple minutes, form teams and allow kids to compete to see which team can score the most hole- in- ones. Say Great work, everyone. As we get ready to hear our Bible story today, think about the Bible. Who is at the center of the Bible? Jesus is! Our Bible story today is about Jesus and a very important command He gave to His disciples and to everyone who follows Him. SMALL GROUP LEADER Session Title: Jesus Gave the Great Commission Bible Passage: Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 1:3 Big Picture Question: How can we join in the Great Commission? We can share the gospel, the good news about Jesus. Key Passage: Matthew 28:19-20 Unit Christ Connection: Jesus prepared His disciples for a life of ministry. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be with us until He returns. Unit 33 Session 4 Older Elementary 4
Sunday, June 7, 2015 Kidzone 2nd- 4th Grade Small Group Key passage activity (5 minutes) Key Passage Poster Say Our key passage comes from today s Bible story. Raise your hand if you can tell me our key passage from memory. Allow any kids who have memorized Matthew 28:19-20 to recite the passage from memory. Say Who said these words? (Jesus) What do we call this command? (the Great Commission) Jesus said these words to His disciples, but this command is for all believers. Jesus wants everyone who trusts in Him to tell others about Him. How can we join in the Great Commission? We can share the gospel, the good news about Jesus. Invite kids to say the key passage in different types of voices. (Examples: loudly, quietly, like a robot, like an opera singer, and so forth) Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Bibles, 1 per kid Small Group Visual Pack paper marker Note: More than one child may have the correct answer. Review the timeline in the small group visual pack. You may choose to retell or review the Bible story using the bolded text of the Bible story script. Remind kids that Jesus met with His disciples after He rose from the dead. Write the review answers on separate pieces of paper. If necessary, make multiple sets so you have at least one paper per kid. Crumple the paper into balls and scatter them on the floor. Instruct kids to stand in a circle. Read one of the following review questions. When you finish, kids should each grab a paper ball and open it. If a kid s paper has the answer to the review question, she should shout, I ve got it! Then instruct kids to crumple the papers and toss the paper balls back in the circle. Instruct kids to march once around the circle, and then ask the next review question. 1. Who has all authority? (Jesus) 2. Who gave the Great Commission? (Jesus) 3. What did Jesus tell His followers to do? (make disciples) 4. To what groups of people did Jesus tell His followers to go? (all nations) 5. How can Jesus followers publicly show their commitment to Him? (by being baptized) 6. In whose name did Jesus say to baptize people? (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) Unit 33 Session 4 Older Elementary 5
Sunday, June 7, 2015 Kidzone 2nd- 4th Grade Small Group 7. What did Jesus tell His followers to teach the new disciples? (to observe or obey Jesus commands) 8. How long did Jesus promise to be with His followers? (always, to the end of the age) Say The Great Commission is not a suggestion from Jesus; it is a command. Imagine if all of Jesus followers had chosen to disobey Jesus. What if none of them told anyone else the good news about Jesus? Because of the obedience of believers before us, we can know and respond to the gospel. Jesus wants us to tell others about Him too. Will you obey Him? How can we join in the Great Commission? We can share the gospel, the good news about Jesus. If you choose to review with boys and girls how to become a Christian, explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions. God rules. God created and is in charge of everything. (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; Col. 1:16-17) We sinned. Since Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Rom. 3:23; 6:23) God provided. God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. (John 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9) Jesus gives. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again so we can be welcomed into God s family. (Rom. 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 3:18) We respond. Believe that Jesus alone saves you. Repent. Tell God that your faith is in Jesus. (Rom. 10:9-10,13) Activity choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Master plan paper crayons Provide each kid with a piece of paper and a crayon. Challenge them to pay careful attention to your instructions. Read the following instructions, pausing to allow time for kids to draw: 1. Draw a large circle in the center of the page. 2. Draw a triangle inside the circle. 3. Draw a line from one side of the circle to the other. 4. Write your age above the triangle. 5. Draw a square under the circle. Invite kids to share their drawings. Did any kids ignore, disobey, or misunderstand your instructions? Unit 33 Session 4 Older Elementary 6
Sunday, June 7, 2015 Kidzone 2nd- 4th Grade Small Group Say Jesus gave a command to everyone who follows Him. Jesus command, the Great Commission, was not only for the men who were with Jesus that day. The Great Commission is a command for everyone who trusts in Jesus. How can we join in the Great Commission? We can share the gospel, the good news about Jesus. Option 2: Race to the finish drinking straws marbles masking tape or painter s tape Use masking tape or painter s tape to mark lines on the floor for each kid, approximately 12 inches apart. Mark two sets. Form two teams of kids and instruct them to stand in a single- file line. Give each kid a drinking straw. Position a marble 12 inches from each start line. Explain that the first player will blow the marble to the first line. The next player will blow it to the second line, and so forth. Continue until every kid has a turn. Applaud kids for their teamwork. Say You worked together to get the marble to the finish. We can work together to obey the Great Commission. How can we join in the Great Commission? We can share the gospel, the good news about Jesus. Everyone needs to hear the gospel! Journal and prayer (5 minutes) pencils Bibles Journal Page, 1 per kid (enhanced CD) CROSSword Puzzle activity page, 1 per kid Distribute pencils and journal pages to boys and girls. Encourage kids to write an exciting news article. Say The word gospel means good news. Use the journal page to write a news story about yourself. If you remember the details, write about when you first understood the Bible or when you received Jesus as Lord and Savior. Write a headline and a few sentences about your experience. As time allows, lead kids to complete the activity page CROSSword Puzzle. (Across answers: observe, disciples, baptize, gospel; Down answers: Son, witness, teach, Father, Holy Spirit) Dismiss to parents Make sure to check security tags when dismissing children. Unit 33 Session 4 Older Elementary 7
Unit 33 Session 4 Jesus Gave the Great Commission 2014 LifeWay OK TO PRINT Jesus Prepared the Disciples
people today today age. the the to end with totally teaching the of and the Holy Spirit, of of people name of store of am always, you cheese burger people car puppies the Father Son and of the the some bible Instructions: Help the disciples find the correct path to the top of the mountain. As you follow the path, read Matthew 28:19-20 (the Great Commission). Unit 33 Session 4 Older Kids Activity Pages Jesus Prepared the Disciples And you. to observe I remember, commanded all have today people some everything them nations, I baptizing all of them in of me disciples make and therefore, to sleep Go,