Unit 26 • Session 3 Use Week of: Unit 26 • Session 3 The Last Supper BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; John 13 STORY POINT: Jesus commanded His disciples to remember His sacrifice. 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. INTRODUCE THE STORY TEACH THE STORY APPLY THE STORY (10–15 MINUTES) (25–30 MINUTES) (25–30 MINUTES) PAGE 108 PAGE 110 PAGE 116 Leaders, grow on the go! Listen to session-by-session training every week on Ministry Grid, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or LifeWay’s Digital Pass: ministrygrid.com/gospelproject | gospelproject.com/podcasts Older Kids Leader Guide 104 Unit 26 • Session 3 © 2020 LifeWay LEADER Bible Study As the Passover celebration drew near, Jerusalem hummed with excitement. Everyone wondered if Jesus—teacher, miracle-worker, and prophet—would come for Passover. (John 11:56-57) The Passover meal was a permanent statute God intended for every Israelite family to observe each year. (See Ex. 12:1-28; Lev. 23:5-8.) But it was no secret the religious leaders were determined to kill Jesus. Jesus had warned His disciples what would happen this Passover. (Mark 10:33-34; Luke 18:31) As they ate the Passover meal, Jesus broke bread and gave it to His disciples. He shared the cup with them too, explaining that the bread and cup represented His body and blood. Jesus established a new covenant. In the Old Testament, God made a covenant, or promise, with His 3 people. He gave them commandments to follow so they could live in right relationship with Him. But God’s people broke the covenant. They didn’t obey God, and they didn’t love Him. What the sacrifice of the Passover lamb could not do—take away sins once and for all—the perfect Lamb of God was going to do. Jesus, the perfectly sinless Son of God, was going to take the punishment for sin upon Himself. (See Heb. 10:1-10.) As Jesus’ disciples prepared for Passover, Jesus prepared to die. By dying on the cross, Jesus brought forgiveness and made the way for people to know and love God again. Believers take the Lord’s Supper to remember what Jesus did for us in His death and resurrection. We remember God’s faithfulness, and we look forward to the day that Jesus will return. Not all the kids you teach will be ready to take the Lord’s Supper at church. Gently explain that the Lord’s Supper, like baptism, is an ordinance of the church and is a celebration for those who have repented of their sin and trusted in Jesus for salvation. To the Cross 105 © 2020 LifeWay The BIBLE Story The Last Supper Bible Storytelling Tips Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; John 13 • Display props: Jesus and His disciples were in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. Consider showing the Bible story picture, Long ago, God delivered His people from slavery in Egypt. He sent a toy lamb, a water ten plagues to Egypt and during the tenth plague, the firstborn of the jug, a depiction of Egyptians died. The Israelites smeared the blood of a lamb the Last Supper, on their doorposts, and God kept them safe; unleavened bread, and grape juice. He passed over their houses. God said • Use a that once a year, the Israelites should flannelgraph: celebrate the Passover to remember Print pictures of people and elements how He rescued them. He told in the story (a man His people when and how to carrying a water celebrate. pitcher, Jesus, the On the day when the disciples, a long table, bread, and a cup) on Jewish people were supposed heavyweight paper. to kill the Passover lamb, Use hook-and-loop Jesus sent Peter and John to fasteners to stick the pieces to flannel as get the meal ready. He said, you tell the story. “Go into the city, and you will meet a man carrying a jug of water. Follow him.” Jesus said that the man would go to a house, and the homeowner would show Peter and John a large room upstairs with furniture in it. That was the place Jesus wanted them to get the Passover meal ready. So Peter and John did as Jesus said. When the Passover meal was ready, Jesus and His disciples reclined to eat. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.” The disciples were upset, but Jesus knew this was part of God’s Older Kids Leader Guide 106 Unit 26 • Session 3 © 2020 LifeWay The Last Supper plan. Peter said he would never betray Jesus, but Jesus Bible Storytelling Tips Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; John 13 said Peter would deny Him three times. Then Jesus took the bread, gave thanks to God for it, • Display props: Jesus and His disciples were in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. broke it, and then gave it to His disciples to eat. Jesus Consider showing the said, “This is My body, which I am giving for you. Do Bible story picture, Long ago, God delivered His people from slavery in Egypt. He sent a toy lamb, a water ten plagues to Egypt and during the tenth plague, the firstborn of the this to remember Me.” jug, a depiction of Egyptians died. The Israelites smeared the blood of a lamb Jesus took the cup and gave it to His disciples. They the Last Supper, on their doorposts, and God kept them safe; drank from it, and Jesus said, “This is My blood of the unleavened bread, and grape juice. new covenant, which is poured out for many.” He passed over their houses. God said • Use a that once a year, the Israelites should They sang a hymn together, and then they went out flannelgraph: celebrate the Passover to remember to the Mount of Olives. Print pictures of Jesus knew He would be arrested and would suffer. Then people and elements how He rescued them. He told in the story (a man His people when and how to He would die on the cross to take the punishment for the carrying a water celebrate. sins of the world. On the third day, Jesus would rise from pitcher, Jesus, the On the day when the the dead. disciples, a long table, bread, and a cup) on Jewish people were supposed heavyweight paper. to kill the Passover lamb, Christ Connection: Jesus showed His disciples with the Use hook-and-loop Jesus sent Peter and John to bread and the drink that He is the true Passover Lamb. God’s fasteners to stick the pieces to flannel as get the meal ready. He said, people had broken the old covenant, and God promised to you tell the story. “Go into the city, and you will make a new covenant to forgive sins. The new covenant says meet a man carrying a jug of that everyone who turns away from sin and trusts in Jesus’ water. Follow him.” death and resurrection will be forgiven of his sins and will have Jesus said that the man would eternal life. go to a house, and the homeowner would show Peter and John a large room upstairs with furniture in it. That was the place Jesus wanted them to get the Passover meal ready. So Peter and John did as Jesus said. When the Passover meal was ready, Jesus and His disciples reclined to eat. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.” The disciples were upset, but Jesus knew this was part of God’s To the Cross 107 © 2020 LifeWay INTRODUCE the Story SESSION TITLE: The Last Supper BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; John 13 STORY POINT: Jesus commanded His disciples to remember His sacrifice. 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. 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. Prompt kids to think about holidays that are used to remember or celebrate certain events. (Veteran’s Day, Christmas, Memorial Day, Easter, and so on) Activity page (5 minutes) • “Discover the Story” Invite kids to complete “Discover the Story” on the activity activity page, page. For each set of letters, guide kids to cross out the first 1 per kid • pencils or markers letter and every other letter to reveal a key word in today’s Bible story. SAY • What are some of the key words that you found? [Allow kids to share their answers.] All of these words have something to do with the Bible story we will hear today. When you hear the story, listen carefully to see if you notice any of these words. Session starter (10 minutes) OPTION 1: What do we need? • paper • pencils Give each kid a piece of paper and a pencil. Instruct boys and girls to imagine they are preparing a dinner for all of Older Kids Leader Guide 108 Unit 26 • Session 3 © 2020 LifeWay their friends. Ask each kid to list all the supplies and food they would need to have the dinner. Allow a couple of minutes for the kids to create their lists. Then invite the kids to share their lists with the group. SAY • Preparing and hosting a special meal can be a lot of work! Did you know that right before Jesus died, He planned one final meal to share with His disciples? This wasn’t just any meal; it was a very special meal as you’ll soon find out in our Bible story today.