Leader Guide

Bible Activity

Bibles––one per group of two children or one Bible per child if not sitting in pairs
Whiteboard and marker, or chalkboard and chalk
Eraser

Give one Bible to any child who does not have one.
Try to pair and experienced Bible user with a child who isn't as familiar with the Bible.
The experienced user can look up the verse and the other child can read it aloud.

Note that the suggested answers are from the New Living Translation. If the children are using different translations, their answers will vary.

We have been discussing that God gave us the ultimate gift in sending Jesus, His Son. Jesus sacrificed His life to save us from sin and death. In this activity we will look up and discuss pairs of verses. One verse is what Jesus did for us. The second verse will be how we can respond to His wonderful gift.

Do one pair of verses at a time: Verse A and B. Write the two verses on the board with the A and B designation. Assign verse A to about half of the children or pairs to look up. Assign Verse B to the remaining children. After the children have found the verses. Ask for a volunteer to read Verse A aloud. Briefly discuss it (see below) and then repeat the process for Verse B. Feel free to add or substitute your own discussion questions and comments. Verse A is about what Jesus did for us. Verse B is about our reasonable response. Some verses may mention both: what Jesus did and what our response should be; discuss accordingly.

Be prepared to help any children with special needs.

1. A. Romans 5:8:

But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

What did God show by sending Jesus? His great love for us.

What did Jesus do? He died for us; He was crucified on the cross.

Did we earn or deserve this by being good? No, we were disobedient and still sinning.

B. Galatians 2:20:

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Jesus died for us; He was crucified on the cross. In response to this gift to us, what should we do? Crucify our old selves which means to let our old ways die and submit our lives to Him.

Who now lives in us? Christ (Holy Spirit).

Should we trust in ourselves, our old ways of acting and thinking, or in someone else? Trust in Christ.

Why did Jesus sacrifice His life for us? He loves us.

2. A. Ephesians 5:2:

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Who gives us the perfect example to follow? Christ, Jesus.

What should our lives be filled with? Love, God’s love.

What did Jesus sacrifice that pleased God? His life for us.

If you have ever given up something to help someone else, please explain. Children respond.

How does this verse describe Christ’s sacrifice? A pleasing aroma to God.

B. Romans 12:1:

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.

What does the writer of this verse plead for us to do? To give our bodies to God.

Do you think this a reasonable request? Yes, because of all He did for us (died for us).
What do you think it means for our bodies to be a living and holy sacrifice? We put away our own selfish actions and desires to live for Him according to His Word and following His example.

When we live in this way, what does God accept it as? True worship.

3. A. Titus 2:14:

He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

By giving up His life, what did Jesus free us from? Sin.

What else did this do for us? It cleansed us.

When we accept Christ’s gift and our sins are forgiven, what are we called? God’s people.

What does He expect us to do as a result of His gift? To do good deeds.

Yes, we do good works not to save ourselves, but to show our thankfulness to God for what He has done!

B. Matthew 5:16:

“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

Should we hide our good deeds? No, let them shine for all to see.

Doesn’t this seem to contradict when Jesus scolded the Pharisees for showing off in public places with their prayers and giving? (See Matthew 6.) The Pharisees did it to receive praise, we are to do it so God is praised, not ourselves.

4. A. John 15:13:

¹³“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴You are My friends if you do what I command.”

What did Jesus do for His friends? He laid down His life for them, He died for them.

Who are Jesus’ friends in this verse? Us, if we do what He commands.

How can we be His friend? Obey His example, Words, and commandments. Live as He did.

Name some things Jesus did on Earth that we can do to please Him and be His friend? Serve, love, forgive, show mercy, show kindness and compassion, help, pray, etc.

B. Revelation 3:20:

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”

If a friend comes to your door; what would you be expected to do? Open the door and let him/her in.

Is the door in this verse an actual physical door? No, it represents our hearts.

What parts of our lives does Jesus want to share with us and be invited into? All parts, everything we do, wherever we are.

What should we do then in response to Jesus calling and knocking? Let Him in and spend time with Him.

5. A. John 3:16:

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

What is the gift? Eternal life.

The extent of God’s love is shown by His amazing gift. What do we have to do to receive this gift? Believe in Jesus.

B. Romans 10:14–15:

¹⁴But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? ¹⁵And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring Good News!”

If someone has not heard the Gospel or Good News of Jesus, how can they hear about Him? Someone must tell them, share the Gospel or Good News.

Who sends people to share the Gospel? God, the Holy Spirit.

What part do we play in God’s plan? What is our responsibility after receiving Jesus as our Savior? We are the messengers God calls and sends to share the Good News so others can believe!

Conclusion: God first gave to us a free gift. Even though His gift of salvation is free, we want to thank Him by showing His great love to others to invite them into His Kingdom!