A biblical discipleship journey equipping parents to engage their children in biblical truth.
Theme Verse
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Objective
God cares about us.
Teach
While the concept of salvation is too complex for a younger preschooler to grasp, you can still prepare a foundation for future learning. This week, lay this foundation by teaching how God not only loves them but also cares for them. A great verse to clarify the distinction of care from love is “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT). When your child is afraid or concerned, remind them you care and God cares. In regard to salvation, one day they will learn that God cares for their soul and where they spend eternity.
For this lesson, instead of looking for a moment when your child is concerned or afraid (although this is a great time to remind them that God cares), create a scenario with their toys or act out a scene yourself with them. For example, if your child is afraid of going to the doctor, create a scene with toys where a character is going to the doctor, becomes scared, and is comforted. Act out and provide voices for the toys in this scenario. As your child grows and develops, pretend play is one of the methods God designed for them to work out emotions, thoughts, and behaviors to prepare them for real-life situations.
Discussion Questions
As always, a great way to model discussion for your child is to provide the question and answer for them. Ask, “Child’s name, who cares for you?” and then answer, “God cares for you!” Provide the opportunity to respond; set up the answer to merely be “God!” or “God cares!” and repeat several times. It is okay if they do not answer or repeat; they are able to observe and acquire language skills that you model.
Play
Continue from where you left off with the toys or if you were acting out a scene. This can involve some imagination and creativity as you think of scenarios to set. Consider the things your child responds positively to or what they enjoy and build from there.
Sing
Live it Out
Throughout the week, remind your child when they are afraid or concerned that God cares. Demonstrate that you care for them.
Closing Prayer
God, thank You for caring for us so much. Help us to be like You and care for each other. Amen.
Theme Verse
"God loved the world and gave His Son” (John 3:16).
Objective
God sent His only Son, Jesus, because He cares about us.
Teach
What does the word “care” mean? How do you know that someone cares about you? What would you do to show someone that you care about them? Throughout the Bible, God told His people that He loved them and was going to send a Messiah because He cared for them. The Messiah was Jesus. He sent Jesus as a baby that grew to become a man. He shared God’s love by healing people and telling them about His Father. He even raised people from the dead. That was a lot of love shown to those people. Can you do any of those things? No, I cannot do them either. Only God could do those things.
One day, Jesus rode into the town of Jerusalem on a donkey. This was the way a king would ride into town. The people were excited. They waved palm branches and shouted, “Hosanna!” Some of the people knew Jesus was God’s Son, and He was the true Messiah. Others were just caught up in the moment. They thought Jesus would lead an attack against the Romans who were controlling the country of Israel. That was not God’s plan.
God planned to send Jesus to die for our sins. Jesus had never sinned. Therefore, He could take our place. He was and is the perfect, sinless Son of God. Jesus did die on the cross, but the best news ever is that He rose from the dead. He is alive in Heaven with His Father. One day, He will return to Earth to take us all to be with Him. Are you ready?
In our Bible verse, “God loved the world and gave His Son,” the word “world” means you and me (John 3:16). We can even put our name in the place of the word “world.” Say the verse but replace “world” with your name. Say the verse with each person’s name in the place of the word “world.” Jesus showed that He cares and loves you by giving His life for you. Most importantly, He cared enough to come back to life and live for us.
Discussion Questions
Play
Love, Bible, Cross
This game is played like Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Love: Use hands to form a heart.
Bible: Use hands to form an open book.
Cross: Use arms to form a cross.
Have the family members pair together. Count, “1, 2, 3 Go!” Each person will choose one of the signs. Bible trumps love, cross trumps Bible, and love trumps cross. Continue playing until someone wins.
Discuss that God shared His love with us through Jesus. He told us this in the Bible. He showed His love that He promised in the Bible when Jesus died on the cross and rose again after three days.
Repeat the game.
Sing
Live it Out
God loves us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. The best part is that Jesus did not stay dead, but he came back to life and now lives in Heaven. Let’s thank Him!
Closing Prayer
Dear God, thank You for sending us Your Son, Jesus, to be our Messiah. Thank You that Jesus was willing to die for us. Most of all, we thank You that Jesus is alive and now lives in Heaven. Help us to always love and thank You. In Jesus’ name, amen!
Theme Verse
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Objective
God sent His only Son, Jesus, to be the only Savior of the world.
Teach
Some of the places we go require a ticket for admission. What are some places where a ticket is required to enter (the zoo, a plane trip, the planetarium, a movie, etc.)? Some of the places we named require a paper ticket. If we have the ticket at the door or gate to enter, then we have permission to enter. Sometimes, like in the case of plane tickets, we obtain the ticket days or weeks before the actual time to travel or enter the event, but we have our ticket as the promise of permission to enter. Entrance tickets are usually for an event we are excited to attend.
Discussion Questions
We don’t need a ticket to Heaven, but the Bible does tell us how we can go to Heaven when we die. We call this salvation, because we do need to be saved to go to Heaven. Only people who trust in Jesus go to Heaven. We place our trust in Jesus by telling God:
The Bible says whoever places their trust in Jesus becomes a child of God and will go to Heaven when they die.
Play
Looking around the room, take turns picking items and deciding how much they are worth or how much you would pay for that item. Everything in this world has a dollar amount it could be worth, bought, or traded for, but that’s not how Heaven works. Salvation through Jesus’ death on the cross is the only payment that makes it possible for us to go to Heaven.
Sing
Live it Out
At the end of the day, take time to reflect on moments when we sinned. How does it make us feel when we sin? Why did we sin? Sometimes we think we have a reason, but we really do not. What do you think our punishment should have been when we sinned? While it is sad and discouraging when we sin, we can be thankful that God sent His Son, Jesus, so that we could be forgiven for our sin.
Closing Prayer
God, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life and die for my sins because we couldn’t. Thank you for loving us and wanting to have a relationship with us. Amen.
Theme Verse
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Objective
God sent His only Son, Jesus, to be the only Savior of the world.
Teach
Some of the places we go require a ticket for admission. What are some places where a ticket is required to enter (the zoo, a plane trip, the planetarium, a movie, etc.)? Some of the places we named require a paper ticket. If we have the ticket at the door or gate to enter, then we have permission to enter. Sometimes, like in the case of plane tickets, we obtain the ticket days or weeks before the actual time to travel or enter the event, but we have our ticket as the promise of permission to enter. Entrance tickets are usually for an event we are excited to attend.
Discussion Questions
We don’t need a ticket to Heaven, but the Bible does tell us how we can go to Heaven when we die. We call this salvation, because we do need to be saved to go to Heaven. Only people who trust in Jesus go to Heaven. We place our trust in Jesus by telling God:
The Bible says whoever places their trust in Jesus becomes a child of God and will go to Heaven when they die.
Play
Looking around the room, take turns picking items and deciding how much they are worth or how much you would pay for that item. Everything in this world has a dollar amount it could be worth, bought, or traded for, but that’s not how Heaven works. Salvation through Jesus’ death on the cross is the only payment that makes it possible for us to go to Heaven.
Sing
Live it Out
At the end of the day, take time to reflect on moments when we sinned. How does it make us feel when we sin? Why did we sin? Sometimes we think we have a reason, but we really do not. What do you think our punishment should have been when we sinned? While it is sad and discouraging when we sin, we can be thankful that God sent His Son, Jesus, so that we could be forgiven for our sin.
Closing Prayer
God, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life and die for my sins because we couldn’t. Thank you for loving us and wanting to have a relationship with us. Amen.
Theme Verse
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Objective
Jesus willingly died to provide salvation. Jesus’ death and resurrection makes salvation possible.
Teach
As a part of our human nature, we tend to compare ourselves to others. Because we are naturally selfish people, it makes us feel better about ourselves to think that we are more skilled or gifted at something than someone else. We also tend to compare our sins with others’ sins. We may be willing to admit to a mistake, but we tend to justify it by pointing out that others made bigger or worse mistakes. God created the world perfectly, without sin. When man chose to sin, it changed the world forever. Just one sin separates us from our perfect and holy God.
Because of our sin, we each have to experience a physical death. Jesus is the only man to have ever lived a perfect, sinless life. When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the penalty for all the sins of the world. When He rose from the dead, He defeated death so that we can spend eternity in heaven with Him. If we repent of our sin, believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead to save us, and receive Him as our Savior, we can have eternal life! This promise brings us peace and purpose as we live the rest of our earthly lives. If we can trust Him with our eternity, we can certainly trust Him with our earthly lives.
Discussion Questions
Play
Play a simple game of “Let’s Make a Deal.” Give your preteen $1. Then allow him or her to decide whether to keep the $1 or choose one of three other options that he or she cannot see, some of which are more valuable than $1 and some not. Use this illustration to explain that choosing Jesus for eternal security is a great deal. We not only receive eternal life after we die, but we also enjoy an abundant life on earth.
Sing
Live it Out
Talk about how our culture downplays the seriousness of sin and promotes an obsession with self. How does much of the world think that someone gets to heaven? Compare this with what the Bible teaches. Discuss ways that Christians can stand for the truth of God’s Word and still love and respect those who do not.
Closing Prayer
God, thank You for loving me so much that you would send your Son to pay my price for sin. Thank You for loving me enough to not only give me eternal life but help me follow You and live an abundant life here on earth.
Theme Verse
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Objective
People cannot save themselves, and Jesus is the only way to be reconciled to God.
Teach
In the beginning, Adam and Eve walked with God in a perfect relationship! Each day, they were in harmony with each other, enjoying all of creation. God gave them a simple command: Don’t eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve failed and committed a sin against God. They chose their ways rather than God’s ways.
This sin had some serious consequences, not just for Adam and Eve, but for all of mankind. Every person is born as a sinner, separated from a relationship with God. Not only has sin caused hurt, trials, and sufferings here in this life, but also for eternity. The ultimate cost of sin is eternal punishment in Hell. Praise God verses like John 3:16 show us that God still loves us and has made a way for us to be reconciled to Him.
Jesus came to this earth and died on the cross. He took on the full punishment for every person’s sin when the wrath of God was poured out on Jesus at His death. He was buried in a tomb, and many of His followers doubted if He was truly the Messiah to bring salvation. However, on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead! He literally walked out of the tomb, defeating sin and crushing death. Jesus invites all of the world to believe in Jesus as the Savior of the world, repenting of sin, and receiving Him as their Lord.
One man’s failure, Adam, led to the condemnation of all of mankind. However, one Man’s sacrifice, Jesus, led to salvation for all who would put their faith in Him and repent of their sin.
Discussion Questions
Play
Play a simple game of deal or no deal. Give your preteen $1 and have them choose one of three options. Some may be good, and some may be bad. Do this as many times as you want but use it to teach that giving your eternal security to Jesus is never a bad deal. We always get more in return.
Sing
Live it Out
Pray as a family that over the next week, at least one of you will get to tell someone else about Jesus. If we truly believe God saved us from a horrible separation from Him, we should want to tell others. Set a time one week from now when you will all share if you had the opportunity.
Closing Prayer
Lord, I praise You “that everyone who believes in Him (You) will not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Thank You for saving me from my sins and separation from You. Help me to share this truth with others.
Theme Verse
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Objective
No amount of good works can save a person, and Jesus’ praying the penalty for our sin is the only way to be reconciled to God.
Teach
In the beginning, Adam and Eve walked with God in a perfect relationship! Each day, they were in harmony with each other, enjoying all of creation. God gave them a simple command: Don’t eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve failed and committed a sin against God. They chose their ways rather than God’s ways.
This sin had some serious consequences, not just for Adam and Eve, but for all of mankind. Every person is born as a sinner, separated from a relationship with God. Not only has sin caused hurt, trials, and sufferings here in this life, but also for eternity. The ultimate cost of sin is eternal punishment in Hell. Praise God verses like John 3:16 show us that God still loves us and has made a way for us to be reconciled to Him.
Jesus came to this earth and died on the cross. He took on the full punishment for every person’s sin when the wrath of God was poured out on Jesus at His death. He was buried in a tomb, and many of His followers doubted if He was truly the Messiah to bring salvation. However, on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead! He literally walked out of the tomb, defeating sin and crushing death. Jesus invites all of the world to believe in Jesus as the Savior of the world, repenting of sin, and receiving Him as their Lord.
One man’s failure, Adam, led to the condemnation of all of mankind. However, one Man’s sacrifice, Jesus, led to salvation for all who would put their faith in Him and repent of their sin.
Discussion Questions
Play
Play a simple game of deal or no deal. Give your preteen $1 and have them choose one of three options. Some may be good, and some may be bad. Do this as many times as you want but use it to teach that giving your eternal security to Jesus is never a bad deal. We always get more in return.
Sing
Live it Out
Pray as a family that over the next week, at least one of you will get to tell someone else about Jesus. If we truly believe God saved us from a horrible separation from Him, we should want to tell others. Set a time one week from now when you will all share if you had the opportunity.
Closing Prayer
Lord, I praise You “that everyone who believes in Him (You) will not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Thank You for saving me from my sins and separation from You. Help me to share this truth with others.