Splink
» New Birth
1
Hello, This Is...
Pair up family members and tell them to learn important facts about their partner (what they like to do, a favorite food or toy, a nickname, etc.) Ask them to pretend they are introducing their partner to someone they've never met.
John the Baptist introduced Jesus to the crowd of people by saying, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).
John was telling the people something important about Jesus when he called Jesus, the Lamb of God.
What does "Lamb of God" mean?
Every year the people offered a sacrifice (a perfect lamb that was not crippled or sick) to remember how serious sin is and to look forward to the day when Jesus would be the final sacrifice and die for their sin. Jesus was the only one who ever lived perfectly, with no sin, and was willing to give up His own life and take the punishment we deserved for sinning against God
2
What Does Baptism Mean?
Item Needed: scout badge or other symbol
What does this badge mean? (That you completed the requirements to get the badge)
The badge tells others that you have learned how to build a campfire or know first aid for injuries. It is a symbol that tells others what you've done. Baptism is a symbol that tells others you have decided to follow Jesus. Baptism does not wash away your sin since it is only a picture of what has already happened inside. You are still a scout and have earned the badge even if you lose the badge. You are still a Christian even if you haven't been baptized, but it is a way to obey God and show others that you have a new life in Jesus.
Ask your kids if they have any questions about baptism. If you don't know the answer, tell them that you will ask the pastor and find out. It's a good idea to talk with the pastor about baptism if they are saved, but have never taken this important step of obedience.
3
"Jesus Is Worthy to Receive ______."
Ask:
If someone saved your life, what should be your attitude toward that person? (Thankfulness, kindness)
What did Jesus do for us? (Gave up His life on the cross so we could have our sins forgiven, made a way for us to know God and go to heaven, saved us from punishment in hell, etc.)
Students using the D6 curriculum learned that Jesus is the Lamb (who gave up His life for us) and is worthy of our worship. They are memorizing Revelation 5:12. If those in heaven are praising God continuously, we should praise and worship Him every day.
Write each of the seven things Jesus deserves on a slip of paper. Hide these around the room (before the kids come in). Invite them to find the seven things that Jesus should receive. When all seven have been found, ask a volunteer to read Revelation 5:12. As each one puts the ones he found on a table, say, "Jesus is worthy to receive ________."
Put them in order. Take turns scrambling the words and putting them back in order, saying the words aloud each time.
4
Ugly "Sin" T-shirt
Items needed: two T-shirts (one white T-shirt in clean, new condition, but kept out of sight until needed)
Black marker
To illustrate that Jesus was the perfect lamb who took our place, do the following object lesson.
Ask:
What are some sins—wrong things we think, say, or do? (Tell lies, steal, disobey, fight, hate, etc.)
What are some sins—wrong things we think, say, or do? (Tell lies, steal, disobey, fight, hate, etc.)
Let the kids write these sins in a messy, haphazard way on the T-shirt. Make big ugly marks as you talk about how sin breaks God's rules and how sad it makes God. (Put the ugly T-shirt on one of the kids.)
After Adam and Eve sinned, everyone born since then was born with a desire to sin. God said that sin must be punished. God knew that man would sin, so He made a plan before the world was ever created. Not only would sin have to be punished, but also God would send His only Son to take the punishment for those sins. (Pull out the clean, white T-shirt.) Jesus, who was perfect and had never sinned, was willing to suffer the punishment we should have received.
Jesus took our ugly sin (Take the ugly, "sin" shirt off your child) and made us clean. (Have him put the clean shirt on.)
Why do you think Jesus did this? (Because He loves us)
Say a prayer of thanks that Jesus was willing to take our punishment and take our sins away and make us clean.
5
You Are My Friends If...
Items needed: Bible
Small treats in a bag (small pieces of candy or gum or stickers or whatever your kids might like)
Students using the D6 curriculum began learning Jesus' words in John 15:14 (You are my friends if you do what I command you.)
Ask:
How did God show His love for us? (He sent Jesus to die for our sins.)
How do we show our love for God? (Do what He has commanded us to do)
How did God show His love for us? (He sent Jesus to die for our sins.)
How do we show our love for God? (Do what He has commanded us to do)
How do we know what those commands are? (They are in the Bible—Ten Commandments, plus other rules)
Write the words of the Bible verse on a piece of paper so all can see. Gather everyone in a circle. Ask each one to say the next word of the verse as the Bible is passed around the circle. The person who says the last word of the verse is allowed to pick a small treat from the bag. Do this several times so everyone gets a treat.
6
Hard or Easy?
Ask each member of the family to think of situations that might be either hard or easy and pose a question. Start with fun questions and move to serious ones.
Do you think it would be hard or easy to eat a gallon of ice cream?
Do you think it would be hard or easy to clean your room in one hour?
Do you think it would be hard or easy to ride a llama?
Do you think it would be hard or easy to forgive someone who hurt you?
Do you think it would be hard or easy to clean your room in one hour?
Do you think it would be hard or easy to ride a llama?
Do you think it would be hard or easy to forgive someone who hurt you?
Do you think it was hard for Abraham to take his son, Isaac, to offer him as a sacrifice to God?
Although it may be hard to do some of the things God has asked us to do, we show our love to Him when we obey and do them.
What are some things God has told us to do that may be hard? (Love our enemies, be kind to each other, don't lie, forgive those who have hurt us, etc.)
