Jesus' Crucifixion

Unit 26 • Session 5 To the Cross

Use Week of: Unit 26 • Session 5 Jesus’ Crucifixion

BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 26–27; John 18–19

STORY POINT: Jesus died to rescue us.

KEY PASSAGE: Philippians 2:8

CHRIST CONNECTION: We deserve to die because of sin, but Jesus died for us.

Bible Story for Toddlers Jesus did not do anything wrong, but people took Jesus to jail. The people did not believe Jesus is the Son of God, so they took Him to the governor, Pilate. The leaders wanted Pilate to put Jesus on a cross. Pilate did not think Jesus had done anything wrong, but Pilate did what they wanted. They put a robe and a crown of thorns on Jesus. They put Jesus on the cross with a sign above Him that said, This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. Jesus died on the cross because He loves us. It was God’s plan for Jesus to die on the cross and come back to life on the third day.

Babies Gospel Gems * Jesus never did anything wrong. * Jesus died on the cross to do God’s plan. * God made Jesus alive again.

Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit ministrygrid.com/thegospelproject.

Babies & Toddlers Leader Guide 38 Unit 26 • Session 5

Look in the Bible Provide hand-size Bibles for babies to handle. Open your Bible to John 18. Show the Bible story picture as you say the gospel gems in a soothing voice. Read the key passage card. SAY • Jesus never did anything wrong. Jesus is God’s own Son. Jesus died on the cross to do God’s plan. We deserve to die because of sin, but Jesus died for us. JESUS DIED TO RESCUE US. [Pray for the babies.]

Sing a Bible story song Sing to the tune of “The Muffin Man”: “Jesus died to rescue us, rescue us, rescue us Jesus died to rescue us because He loves *us so.” *Substitute children’s names in subsequent rounds. SAY • JESUS DIED TO RESCUE US from our wrong choices. Jesus died on the cross to do God’s plan. On the third day, God made Jesus alive again.

Make crown art Cut a crown shape from heavyweight paper for each baby. Write the story point on each crown. Place the crown and a squirt of glitter paint in a ziplock bag. Seal the bag with duct tape. Invite babies to squish the art to distribute the paint. Remove the art; set it on a paper towel to dry. Talk about the Bible story. 5 SAY • Jesus died on the cross to do God’s plan. People wrote, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Jesus is King over everything. JESUS DIED TO RESCUE US from sin.

Look at sensory crosses Post an allergy alert. Provide bibs to protect clothing. Squirt whipped cream in front of each baby. Give pretzel sticks to babies and demonstrate how to make a cross shape. Talk about the Bible story as babies explore. SAY • Jesus died on the cross to do God’s plan. JESUS DIED TO RESCUE US.

Check diapers, serve bottles if needed, and release babies to parents according to your church’s security guidelines. Give parents today’s big picture card. Repeat the story point, gospel gems, and Bible-learning activities for babies who stay a second hour.

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Circle time (5 minutes) Provide small Bibles for toddlers to handle. Say the Bible is God’s words. Read the key passage card and guide toddlers to say it. Open your Bible to John 18. Show the Bible story picture as you tell the Bible story. Say the story point and gospel gems. Pray for the toddlers.

Make cross art Before the session, gather several sticks and use colorful duct tape to make crosses. Provide stickers or smaller strips of tape or yarn for toddlers to place around the cross, assisting as needed. Write the story point on the cross. Retell the Bible story. SAY • Jesus never did anything wrong. We deserve to die because of sin, but Jesus died for us. JESUS DIED TO RESCUE US.

Read a book Print and assemble the “God’s Plan to Save Book” printable. Read the Bible story to toddlers, pointing to the pictures. Remind toddlers of previous stories. Celebrate the hope that Jesus’ resurrection brings. SAY • Jesus never did anything wrong, but people put Jesus on a cross. JESUS DIED TO RESCUE US. God made Jesus alive again!

Sort and count rocks Provide smooth stones of various sizes and colors. Invite toddlers to sort the stones into piles. Remind toddlers of the Lazarus story, where Jesus told people to move the stone away from the tomb. Talk about the Bible story. SAY • Jesus died on the cross to do God’s plan. People put a stone in front of Jesus’ tomb, but guess what? We will learn next week that God made Jesus alive again. JESUS DIED TO RESCUE US.

Sing songs about Jesus Sing songs to celebrate Jesus’ obedience to God’s plan, such as “Jesus Paid It All,” “Jesus Saves,” or “Jesus Loves Me.” Talk about the Bible story. SAY • Jesus never did anything wrong. JESUS DIED TO RESCUE US. God made Jesus alive again.

Babies & Toddlers Leader Guide 40 Unit 26 • Session 5

SESSION TITLE: Jesus’ Crucifixion BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 26–27; John 18–19 KEY PASSAGE: Philippians 2:8 STORY POINT: Jesus died to rescue us. CHRIST CONNECTION: We deserve to die because of sin, but Jesus died for us.

Transition activity: Look at crowns Place an artificial crown of thorns in one gift box and a plastic kingly crown in another gift box. Invite toddlers to sit with you and open the boxes one at a time. Ask toddlers which crown is Jesus’. Retell the Bible story. SAY • Jesus is God’s Son, and He is King over everything. [Hold the kingly crown.] Jesus never did anything wrong, and JESUS DIED TO RESCUE US from sin. [Hold the crown of thorns.] God made Jesus alive again. One day, Jesus will come back again as King! [Hold the kingly crown.]

Work puzzles Print double-sided an extra copy of the “Jesus’ Crucifixion” Bible story picture and the “Jesus’ Resurrection” Bible story picture. Cut the picture into four squares or strips. Invite toddlers to assemble the puzzle with the crucifixion picture faceup. Carefully turn over the pieces to reveal the resurrection picture. SAY • Jesus died on the cross to do God’s plan. We deserve to die because of sin, but Jesus died for us. JESUS DIED TO RESCUE US, and God made Jesus alive again.

Dress like a king or queen Provide royal dress-up clothes for toddlers to wear. Retell the Bible story. SAY • People put a kingly robe on Jesus to make fun of Him. They did not know Jesus died on the cross to do God’s plan. JESUS DIED TO RESCUE US.

Check diapers, serve a snack if needed, and release toddlers to parents according to your church’s security procedures. Give parents today’s big picture card to reinforce today’s Bible story, story point, Christ connection, or gospel gems throughout the week.

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