Glow in the dark - Week 3
In the dark, a world of neon colors comes to life. Whether it’s the soft green of glow-in-the-dark stars or the bright colors of bioluminescent creatures, light can break through the darkness. When the world needed some light, God sent Jesus because he glows in the dark, and he can teach us how to shine with God’s light, too! In this five-week series through the Gospels, we’ll follow Jesus’ life leading up to Easter to see some of the ways he can shine bright in our lives. As we explore, we’ll see Jesus is the light in the darkness. We’ll also learn how we can choose Jesus and know God hears our cries while celebrating how Jesus died and rose again!
BIG IDEA: We can choose Jesus.
BIBLE: Mark 15:1–15; Jeremiah 31:31–34
MEMORY VERSE
Elementary: "The Lord is my light and salvation- whom shall I fear?" Psalm 27:1a (NIV)
Toddler Twist: "God is with me- I am not scared." Psalm 27:1
WATCH:
Preschool- teaching video
Elementary- teaching video
SONG: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, and Light of the World
DISCIPLE: Read Mark 15:1-15 together.
As your kids reflect, switch off the lights or have them cover their eyes with their hands. Prepare an age-appropriate story about a time when you were presented with a choice between Jesus and something else. What happened? Use this time to talk to your kids about how choosing Jesus means accepting his forgiveness and love..
Sometimes it can be challenging to choose Jesus because choosing Jesus could mean you have to let go or put off something else that you really want to do.
Jesus had some hard choices to make while he was on this earth, but he always chose what was best, even though it wasn't always the easiest. He chose God's plans over doing life the easy way. He chose the path of forgiveness even when he had the power to squash the people who hurt him. He chose to die so that we may live.
That's how we know that Jesus is the best choice . . . he knew the right thing to do all the time. Choosing Jesus means first and foremost realizing that Jesus chooses you. It means recognizing that everything Jesus went through — dying and coming back to life — he did that for you so that you can be connected to God.
When we believe in Jesus, his love shines in us and through our actions. We can show the love of Jesus in our actions toward ourselves and others. There are so many ways we can use this light inside of us. It can help us see the best parts of ourselves, and we can shine it on other people when they're in need. This light always reminds us that we are forgiven and we are loved.
We can choose Jesus, and I'm glad you did!
Pray: God, we know that sometimes it can be hard to choose Jesus. Instead of listening to what the crowds of life are saying, help us to follow you and choose you first. Thank you for choosing to show your love and forgiveness to us every day. Amen.
DISCUSS:
Who did the religious leaders hand Jesus over to so that he could be put on trial? Pilate
What choice did Pilate give to the crowd? The choice was to have Jesus or Barabbas released.
Why do you think they made that choice? Possible answers: They went along with what everyone else was saying, they were confused, they didn't really know Jesus, or they were disappointed Jesus was not the king they thought he was.
Read Jeremiah 31:33–34. What is the covenant, or promise, God is making with the people (and with us)? They will always be God's people, and God will forgive their sins.
Have you ever made a choice that you knew wasn't Jesus' way? What happened?
What can you do to remind yourself to choose Jesus the next time you are faced with a similar choice?
How can we help each other to choose Jesus?