Jesus' Crucifixion PARENT Bible Study

Unit 26 • Session 5 Jesus’ Crucifixion

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

Story Point: Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins.

KEY PASSAGE: Philippians 2:8

BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.

PARENT Bible Study

Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection are the center of the gospel. Jesus accomplished the plan God had been working out throughout the Old Testament to bring salvation to sinners, and it happened in such an unlikely way.

In the Book of Acts, Peter testified to the Israelites about Jesus’ death: “Though He was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail Him to a cross and kill Him” (Acts 2:23). Crucifixion was a horrific way to die. As you teach kids, rather than focus on the graphic details of how Jesus died, emphasize why He died. Two primary reasons stand out: God is loving, and God is just.

First, God is loving. He sent His Son to be the Savior of the world because He loves us. (See John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:10.) Jesus submitted to the Father’s will; He humbled Himself and came to earth as a man, and He laid down His life because He loves us. (Eph. 5:2)

Jesus lived the perfect life we failed to live and died the guilty death we don’t want to die. Those who trust in Him receive forgiveness and eternal life.

Second, God is just. God’s law for the people was plain. (See Deuteronomy 6:5.) But God’s people, and all people, broke the law. We have loved other things more than we love God. That is sin. So why did Jesus have to die? Why couldn’t He just say, “You are forgiven”? Because God is just, He requires due payment for sin. To simply forgive sin without requiring a payment would be unjust.

Jesus was our substitute, taking our place on the cross and absorbing God’s wrath on our behalf so we can be forgiven and declared righteous. (See Rom. 3:25-26; Col. 2:13-15.) Jesus died to rescue sinners from slavery to sin, and when we trust in Him, we are free indeed.

The BIBLE Story

Bible Storytelling Tips Draw the story: As you tell the story, show simple drawings of elements from the story. Or ask an adult volunteer to draw corresponding images on a dry erase board or large sheet of paper. Use props: Display props related to the story (scarlet robe, crown of thorns, large nail, torn curtain, picture of tomb). Consider playing a sound effect of falling rocks when you tell about the earthquake after Jesus’ death. Jesus’ Crucifixion

Matthew 26–27; John 18–19

Jesus stood before Pilate, the governor. Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Yes, that’s right.” Then the religious leaders made accusations against Jesus, but Jesus did not say anything. Pilate was surprised that Jesus was silent. Every year at Passover, the governor would free a prisoner—whichever prisoner the people chose. At that time, there was a prisoner named Barabbas (buh RAB uhs) who was very dangerous. So Pilate asked the crowd, “Who do you want me to set free? Barabbas or Jesus, who is called the Messiah?” The crowd answered, “Barabbas!” Pilate asked, “Then what should I do with Jesus, who is called the Messiah?” The crowd answered, “Crucify Him!” Pilate asked, “Why? What has He done wrong?” But the crowd kept shouting, “Crucify Him!” Pilate’s soldiers took Jesus to the governor’s palace and gathered around Him. They took off His clothes and put a scarlet robe on Him. They made a crown of thorns and put it on His head. Then they hit Jesus and mocked Him. “Hail, King of the Jews!” they said. The soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross. Then they cast lots to decide who would get His clothes. They put a sign above His head that said: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two criminals were crucified next to Him. As Jesus was on the cross, people mocked Him. “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself!” they said. From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness covered the land. Then Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Jesus shouted again with a loud voice, “It is finished!” Then Jesus died. Suddenly, the curtain in the temple sanctuary split in two, from top to bottom, and there was an earthquake. One of the men near the cross said, “This man really was God’s Son!” Jesus was buried in a rich man’s tomb cut into a rock. A stone was sealed in front of the tomb and Roman soldiers stood guard so that no one could steal Jesus’ body.

Christ Connection: We deserve to die because of our sin, but God loves us and kept His promise to send a Savior. Jesus never sinned, but He died in our place. He was the blood sacrifice made once and for all for the forgiveness of sin. Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, and those who trust in Him have forgiveness and eternal life.

Activity page “Cross Search” activity page, 1 per kid pencils or markers

Invite kids to complete “Cross Search” on the activity page. Guide kids to find in the word search the key words related to the Bible stories in this unit. Say • Were any of these key words familiar to you? Are any of them words you haven’t seen before? Today we are going to hear the story of how Jesus died on the cross to save sinners. I can’t wait for you to hear more. Consider showing two analog clocks: one set to nine o’clock and another set to three o’clock. Ask kids to identify the time on each clock and how many hours pass between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. (six) Distribute paper and pencils. Challenge kids to think of everything they did the previous day between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and list the activities on their paper. Invite volunteers to share their lists. Who listed the most activities? SAY • You can do a lot in six hours! Today, we are going to talk about the most important six hours in history. In six hours, Jesus did something that changed everything. [See Mark 15:25,33.]

TEACH THE STORY

Session Title: Jesus’ Crucifixion Bible Passage: Matthew 26–27; John 18–19 Story Point: Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. Key Passage: Philippians 2:8 Big Picture Question: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.

Big picture question Leader • Does anyone remember our big picture question? [Allow kids to respond.] That’s right! What did Jesus do to save us? Let’s say the answer together: Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. .

Show the Bible story Bibles “Jesus’ Crucifixion” video Big Picture Question Poster Bible Story Picture Poster Story Point Poster Open your Bible to Matthew 26. Use the Bible storytelling tips on the Bible story page to help you tell the story, or show the Bible story video “Jesus’ Crucifixion.” Leader • Before Jesus was crucified, Pilate asked Him questions and the religious leaders made accusations against Him. How did Jesus respond? Look at Matthew 26:62-63. [Allow kids to read the verse and respond.] Jesus was silent. He was even silent as the soldiers placed a robe and a crown of thorns on His head to mock Him. This fulfilled the prophecy about the Messiah found in Isaiah 53:7. [Choose a volunteer to read aloud Isa. 53:7.] Jesus’ silence shows His humility, obedience, and willingness to lay down His life for us. When Jesus was on the cross, the people made fun of Him, saying “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself!” Was this true? Was Jesus powerless to save Himself? [Allow kids to respond.] No! Jesus is all-powerful and can do anything, but Jesus was obedient to His Father and carried out His plan for our salvation. Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. Jesus shouted from the cross, “My God, My God, why have You abandoned Me?” Why did He say this? Jesus freed us from sin and death by taking the curse of sin on Himself. God is perfect and separate from sin, so as Jesus hung on the cross with the weight of all our sin on Him, God turned away from His Son. When we trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, God will never turn away from us.

Christ connection Tip: Use Scripture and the guide provided on page 147 to explain how to become a Christian. Make sure kids know when and where they can ask questions.

Leader • Sin must be paid for. We deserve to die because of our sins, but God loves us and kept His promise to send a Savior. Jesus never sinned, but He died in our place. He was the blood sacrifice made once and for all for the forgiveness of sin. Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, and those who trust in Him have forgiveness and eternal life.

Key passage (5 minutes) Key Passage Poster “He Humbled Himself (Philippians 2:8)” song

Show the key passage poster. Lead the boys and girls to read together Philippians 2:8. Leader • Our key passage tells us that Jesus humbled Himself and was obedient to His Father, even when it meant His death. Jesus willingly laid down His life to fulfill God’s plan of salvation. We deserve death for our sin, but praise the Lord for sending His perfect Son to take the punishment we deserve. Lead boys and girls in singing the “He Humbled Himself (Philippians 2:8).” and grace and for sending Jesus to take the punishment of sin in our place. May we remember Your sacrifice for us and honor You in the way we live our lives. Use us to tell others about this good news! Amen. 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

APPLY THE STORY

Key passage activity Key Passage Poster permanent marker foil pans, 2 wooden clothespins bucket

Before the session, write the key passage reference in the middle of each foil pan. Write the words from the key verse on separate clothespins and place them in a bucket. Make at least two sets (one per team). Display the key passage poster. Lead kids in reading aloud Philippians 2:8 together. Place the buckets with the clothespins at one side of the room the pans on tables at the other side of the room. Form two or more teams of kids and instruct them to line up single file. When you say “go” the first kid will dig in the bucket for the first word of the key passage, race to the pan at the other end of the room, clip their clothespin to the edge of the pan and race back to tag the next player. Continue until kids complete the key passage. The first team to finish wins. Say • Great job! I hope you’ll remember our key passage when you think about what Jesus did for us. What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. Discussion & Bible skills (10 minutes) Distribute Bibles. Guide boys and girls to open their Bibles to John Bibles, 1 per kid Story Point Poster Small Group Timeline and Map Set (005802970) Option: Retell or review the Bible story using the bolded text of the Bible story script.

19. Remind kids that John—like Matthew, Mark, and Luke—is about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. These four books are called the Gospels. Choose a volunteer to read aloud John 19:30. Say • “It is finished!” Those were the last words Jesus spoke before He died. He declared victory with those words. He had obeyed the Father and paid the punishment for sin. We don’t have to work to be accepted by God. We can trust in Jesus, who did the work for us by living a perfect life. It is finished now and forever. Ask the following questions. Lead the group to discuss: What is the cost of sin? Prompt kids to recall that because of our sin, we deserve to die. But God loves us and sent Jesus to take the punishment in our place. We are saved only through the sinless Lamb of God’s death on the cross. He lived a perfect life, and salvation is found only in Him. (Option: Choose a volunteer to read Acts 4:12.) The Bible says that the curtain in the temple sanctuary split in two. Why is this important? Lead kids to recognize that the curtain that was torn separated the area in the temple called the holy of holies from the other areas of the temple. Only the high priest was allowed to enter this room and only at certain times. But when Jesus declared “It is finished!” the curtain tore, showing that all who receive His salvation have full access to God the Father. (Option: Choose a volunteer to read Heb. 4:16.) Since Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins, what must we do? Help kids recognize that we don’t have to work to earn Journal and prayer (5 minutes)

Distribute journal pages and pencils. Guide kids to think about and pencils Journal Page “Made Right” activity page, 1 per kid Tip: Give parents this week’s Big Picture Cards for Families to allow families to interact with the biblical content at home. answer the questions listed on the page: What does this story teach me about God or the gospel? What does the story teach me about myself? Are there any commands in this story to obey? How are they for God’s glory and my good? Are there any promises in this story to remember? How do they help me trust and love God? How does this story help me to live on mission better? As kids journal, invite them to share their ideas. Then pray, thanking God for taking the curse of sin for us and giving us new life in Him. Pray for boldness for the kids to share the good news of the gospel with others. As time allows, lead kids to complete “Made Right” on the activity page. Kids should circle the correct words or phrases to tell the story of Jesus’ death. Younger Kids Activity Pages Unit 26 • Session 5 Connect the Cross Jesus’ Crucifixion INSTRUCTIONS: Draw lines to connect the dots in numerical order and reveal a picture.

BIBLE STORY SUMMARY: • Jesus was put on trial before the Roman governor, Pilate. • The people wanted ilateP to crucify Jesus, even though Pilate believed Jesus was innocent. • Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. • Jesus was buried in a rich man’s tomb.

KEY PASSAGE: Philippians 2:8

BIG PICTURE QUESTION: • What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.

FAMILY DISCUSSION STARTERS: • Why was it important that Jesus had no sin? • Why did Jesus have to die? • How does knowing Jesus’ sacrifice make you feel toward Him?

FAMILY ACTIVITY: • Use pillows, cushions, and blankets to make a cave. Talk to your kids about the cave-like tombs that were used in Jesus day. Discuss how Jesus’ disciples likely felt when Jesus, whom they had worshiped as King, died like a criminal.