MORNINGSIDE KIDS
Morningside Kids 11/22/20
Volume 9: Jesus the Savior
Unit 27: Out of the Grave
Session 1: Jesus' Resurrection
Bible Passage: Matthew 28; John 20
Story Point: God raised Jesus from the dead to defeat sin and death.
Key Passage: John 11:25 "Jesus said unto her, 'I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.'"
Big Picture Question: Where is Jesus now? Jesus ascended to heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father.
Summary:
The time between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning must have been dark hours for Jesus’ disciples. Fear, doubt, and confusion certainly overwhelmed their thoughts. Jesus, their Lord, was dead. He had been unjustly arrested, falsely accused, and severely beaten. Even worse, He had been killed in a horrible manner: by crucifixion.
The story doesn’t end there. Jesus’ body was laid in a tomb. The tomb was sealed and guards watched over it. The Jews remembered Jesus’ claim that He would rise from the dead (John 2:19-21), and they made sure no one could steal His body and insist He had risen. Imagine their surprise when Jesus did rise from the dead!
John and Peter saw the empty tomb. Jesus appeared to Mary. The disciples believed Jesus had risen from the dead. Even though the guards at the tomb were bribed to lie about what happened (they said the disciples stole Jesus’ body), the truth spread. The disciples wouldn’t have dedicated their lives and died for something they knew was a lie.
If Christ had remained dead, His death would have meant nothing more than yours or mine. Humanity would still be dead in sin. But God gives us victory over sin and death through His Son, Jesus. The resurrection gives us hope that we too will one day be raised and changed. (See Rom. 6:5; 8:11.)
Paul addressed in 1 Corinthians 15:17 just how essential Jesus’ resurrection is to the gospel: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.” The resurrection is proof that God was satisfied with Jesus’ sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins and that God’s new covenant had begun.
Emphasize to your kids that Jesus is alive! Christ Connection: Jesus died on the cross for our sins, but He didn’t stay dead. God was pleased with Jesus’ sacrifice and raised Jesus from the dead to reign as King over all creation. Jesus provides salvation from sin and the promise of eternal life. We believe this by faith. Today, Jesus is seated at the right hand of God and reigns as King over all of creation. (Phil. 2:9-10)
Kids on Mission - Week 10 - 11/11/20
This past Wednesday our K4-2nd graders learned about the Joshua, Caleb and 10 other spies who went to search out the land of Canaan. Joshua and Caleb brought back a good report and much fruit. The other spies fearfully told of giants in the land. Joshua and Caleb demonstrated faith over fear. (Joshua 1:9). They are Heroes of Faith! Our K4-2nd graders created a cluster of grapes craft as a reminder to be strong and courageous because God is with you wherever you go.
Our 3rd-5th graders spent time doing a team building project last week. This week we will get started with craft time as soon as kids arrive so we have more time to work on our Bible memory verses. The 3rd-5th graders will be creating a family advent calendar. Each day will have a Bible verse to read and talk about. We pray your family will benefit from the calendar!
Morningside Kids 11/15/20
Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection are the center of the gospel. Jesus accomplished the plan God had been working out throughout the Old Testament to bring salvation to sinners, and it happened in such an unlikely way.
In the Book of Acts, Peter testified to the Israelites about Jesus’ death: “Though He was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail Him to a cross and kill Him” (Acts 2:23). Crucifixion was a horrific way to die. As you teach kids, rather than focus on the graphic details of how Jesus died, emphasize why He died. Two primary reasons stand out: God is loving, and God is just.
First, God is loving. He sent His Son to be the Savior of the world because He loves us. (See John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:10.) Jesus submitted to the Father’s will; He humbled Himself and came to earth as a man, and He laid down His life because He loves us. (Eph. 5:2) Jesus lived the perfect life we failed to live and died the guilty death we don’t want to die. Those who trust in Him receive forgiveness and eternal life.
Second, God is just. God’s law for the people was plain. (See Deuteronomy 6:5.) But God’s people, and all people, broke the law. We have loved other things more than we love God. That is sin. So why did Jesus have to die? Why couldn’t He just say, “You are forgiven”? Because God is just, He requires due payment for sin. To simply forgive sin without requiring a payment would be unjust.
Jesus was our substitute, taking our place on the cross and absorbing God’s wrath on our behalf so we can be forgiven and declared righteous. (See Rom. 3:25-26; Col. 2:13-15.) Jesus died to rescue sinners from slavery to sin, and when we trust in Him, we are free indeed.
Christ Connection: We deserve to die because of our sins, but God loves us and kept His promise to send a Savior. Jesus never sinned, but He died in our place. He was the blood sacrifice made once and for all for the forgiveness of sin. Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, and those who trust in Him have forgiveness and eternal life.
God's Power: Moses, Lesson 3
Here’s Lesson 3 of “God’s Power: Moses.” Click here for Lesson 1.
Follow these links for your Jesus and Me sheet!
Kids on Mission - Week 9 - 11/4/20
This past Wednesday our K4-2nd graders learned about Moses and the 10 commandments. By using hand motions from this video, the kids were able to remember some of the most important truths God has given us which are still a vital part of our Christian lives today. We finished the night with a few crafts to reinforce the 10 commandments.
Our 3rd-5th graders began the second unit on The Bible. Some of the truths we will be memorizing leading up to Christmas are:
The Bible is True and Without Error - Psalm 119:160 - Thy word is truth from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
The Bible Helps Us Know God - John 20:31 - But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
The Bible Should Be Studied Carefully - 2 Timothy 2:15 - Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, right dividing the word of truth.
The Bible is Our Guide - Psalm 119:105 - Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Morningside Kids 11/8/20
The Pharisees and other Jews in Jerusalem did not like Jesus. He didn’t play by their rules (Matt. 12:1-14), He claimed to be God (John 8:58-59; 10:22-33), and He extended salvation beyond the Jewish people (Luke 4:27). So they plotted several times how they might kill Him.
The events leading up to His death did not surprise Jesus. Each step was part of God’s established plan. (See Isa. 53:10; Acts 2:23.) But knowing God’s plan didn’t lessen Jesus’ suffering as He was betrayed by His friends, arrested, falsely accused, and beaten. As you teach kids about the arrest of Jesus, help them understand the gravity of the events.
First, Jesus wanted to do God’s plan. Jesus came to earth to rescue people from sin. He was committed to doing the Father’s will. (Matt. 26:39,42) When Judas showed up with a crowd, Jesus didn’t run. He didn’t even allow Peter to stand in His defense. (Matt. 26:52) Jesus willingly gave Himself up for us because He loves us. (Eph. 5:2)
Second, Jesus was betrayed and arrested even though He did nothing wrong. The Jews tried to find a legitimate reason to kill Jesus, but they couldn’t find one. (Matt. 26:59-60) Jesus did what we failed to do; He perfectly obeyed the law. His arrest was not just. The trial was not fair. But this had to happen. Only a sinless, perfect sacrifice could take away sin. (Heb. 9:11-14)
Finally, Jesus is who He says He is. After Jesus’ arrest, the high priest asked Jesus if He was the Son of God. Jesus affirmed that He is. (Matt. 26:64) The high priest accused Him of blasphemy (speaking against God), but Jesus always told the truth.
Christ Connection: Jesus felt the pain of betrayal and the agony of His imminent suffering and death. Jesus knew that His death was God’s plan to save people from sin. Jesus’ friends turned against Him and He was arrested and put on trial, but Jesus followed His Father’s plan in order to bring salvation to the world.
God's Power: Moses, Lesson 2
Here’s Lesson 2 of “God’s Power: Moses.” Click here for Lesson 1.
Follow these links for your Jesus and Me sheet!
Good News Club Online
For several years, Good News Club has given us the privilege of reaching out on Tuesday afternoons to students at Pelham Road Elementary School, just across the street from us.
This year, after-school activities have been very limited, and our in-person club isn’t able to meet. But with permission from Child Evangelism Fellowship and Majesty Music, we are very excited to announce that Good News Club is going online this year! Lesson videos, printable worksheets, and songs to help the gospel stick. We hope you can join us.
God's Power: Moses, Lesson 1
Welcome to Good News Club online! Our first group of lessons is called “God’s Power: Moses.” It’s about how God showed His power in the life of Moses.
Here’s our video for Lesson 1.
Follow the links below to find your Jesus and Me sheet!
Kids on Mission - Week 8 - 10/28/20
During last Wednesday’s Missions Night, we talked about how God is with you wherever you go (Deuteronomy 31:6). Kids learned that no matter where God calls you in the world, He will be with you always and will not forsake you. We asked and answered two questions…
What is a Missionary? Kids offered so many good responses. We watched this video from Child Evangelism Fellowship to learn personally from a missionary how she defines what a missionary is. Our answer came down to this short sentence: A missionary is a someone who tells other people about Jesus.
What can you do to be prepared to be a Missionary? We used colored M & Ms to explore some Missional Moves that can help you and your child to prayerfully consider missions. Help your child continue to consider missions by reviewing these Missional Moves below.
Morningside Kids 11/1/20
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 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.
Christ- Connection: Jesus showed His disciples with the bread and the drink that He is the true Passover
Lamb. God’s people had broken the old covenant, and God promised to make a new
covenant to forgive sins. The new covenant says that everyone who turns away from sin
and trusts in Jesus’ death and resurrection will be forgiven of his sins and will have
eternal life.
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.
If your kids are not 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.
Kids on Mission - Week 7 - 10/21/20
Last week at Kids on Mission most of our 3rd-5th graders finished their Key Verse craft! "How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7) Jesus fulfilled this prophecy! Now we who know Jesus personally can follow in His steps while remembering that our "God reigns"!
Our K4-2nd graders learned about Moses in Egypt. God brought 10 terrible plagues upon a stubborn, wicked king, the people of Egypt and their land. God was determined to rescue his people, but not before teaching Pharaoh and all the Egyptians that their gods were inferior to the One True God, Yahweh, I AM. (Exodus 15:11) Our K4-2nd graders made a craft to remember the 10 plagues.
Morningside Kids 10/25/20
The religious leaders despised Jesus. He was a threat to their power, and they didn’t believe He was the Messiah. The Jews decided to confront Jesus with questions. Perhaps He would misspeak, and they could trap Him with His words. The Pharisees’ disciples asked Him, “Teacher, is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
As far as these men were concerned, Jesus could not give a satisfactory answer to this question. If Jesus said God’s law required them to pay taxes to Caesar, they could get the Jewish people —who hated paying taxes to the Romans—to turn away from Jesus. If Jesus said God’s law did not require them to pay taxes to Caesar, they could convince the Romans to arrest Jesus. But Jesus answered wisely: “Give ... to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt. 22:21). The men were speechless, and they left.
Then an expert in the law asked Jesus which command in God’s law is most important. The Pharisees knew the law well and felt prepared to argue. Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 6:5: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Then He emphasized a second command: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18). These commands summarize the rest of the law, and the Pharisees could not object.
Jesus turned the tables and asked the Pharisees about the Messiah: “Whose son is he?” The Pharisees recognized the Messiah as the son of David. Jesus referred to Psalm 110, in which David calls the Messiah “Lord.” Why would he do that? The Pharisees had no answer. As fully man, Jesus is the son of David. But as fully God, He is greater than David; He is Lord. No one dared to question Jesus again.
Christ Connection: When the religious leaders questioned Jesus, He answered with wisdom and power. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. He is the Word of God, who came to show us exactly what God is like. Jesus has authority in heaven and on earth.
Kids on Mission - Week 6 - 10/11/20
It was a Color-Filled Night at Kids on Mission! Joseph lived a colorful life. As the favored son, purchased slave, condemned prisoner, dream interpreter, Egyptian ruler, Joseph's life was anything but dull or easy. Joseph demonstrated faith in God who keeps his promises, rescued his people from famine, and works all things together for good. (Genesis 50:20)
Our 3rd-5th graders spent time finishing up their Key Theme verse craft. You may have noticed your child's hands and feet came home a little more colorful than when they arrived:-) Your 3rd-5th graders painting will go home with them this Wednesday night. I pray this project will be a reminder to your child that it was the feet of Jesus who brought peace and salvation to each one of us and it is God who reigns in our world. (Isaiah 52:7)
Morningside Kids 10/18/20
Leading into the last week of Jesus’ ministry before His death and resurrection, Jesus entered Jerusalem as the King of kings. Many of God’s people traveled to Jerusalem for Passover. Jesus and His disciples traveled to Jerusalem as well. Near Bethphage (BETH fayj) and Bethany near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples ahead into a village.
Jesus told them, “You will find a young donkey tied there. No one has ever sat on it. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone says to you ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” Jesus would fulfill Zechariah’s prophecy: “Look, your King is coming to you ... humble and riding on a donkey” (Zech. 9:9).
Jesus made a spectacular entrance into the city. He rode a donkey, and people laid branches and their robes on the ground in front of Him. The people welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem believed He was the promised Messiah, but they expected Him to overthrow Roman oppression and set up an earthly throne. Jesus sent a different message.
The next day, Jesus entered the temple and turned over the tables of the money changers and those selling doves. Jesus referred to Isaiah 56:7, declaring that His kingship would not just be over the Jews but over all people. While Jesus was in the temple, He healed the blind and the lame. Jesus’ actions declared, “I am not just your King; I am also your God.” (See Isa. 35:4-6.)
Finally, the priests and the scribes heard the children in the temple worshiping Jesus as their King. “Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. Jesus replied, quoting Psalm 8:2. Jesus gladly received their praise because He was worthy of their praise. Jesus is the Son of God who came to overthrow sin and set up an eternal throne.
During Jesus’ triumphal entry, the people welcomed Him as King. Jesus was the Messiah spoken about by the prophet Zechariah: “Look, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). One day, Jesus will return to earth on a white horse as King over everything.
Kids on MIssion - Week 5 - 10/7/20
It was a Starry Night at Kids on Mission Wednesday night! Being asked to sacrifice your only son for God, was not something Abraham had expected God to require. But "Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness." (Romans 4:3) Because of his faith-filled obedience, God blessed Abraham while promising that one day his family would multiply as the stars of heaven. God fulfilled that promise in the person of his only Son, Jesus Christ. Now all who repent and believe the Gospel are blessed like faithful Abraham and are welcomed into God's family.
Enjoy the pictures below of our starry kids, leaders, crafts, and lesson time!
Morningside Kids 10/11/20
Jesus received word that His friend Lazarus was sick. Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha. They lived in the town of Bethany, which was about two miles away from Jerusalem. Mary and Martha sent a message to Jesus, likely expecting Him to come right away.
Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus; yet He stayed where He was, and Lazarus died. Why would Jesus do such a thing? Jesus said that Lazarus’ sickness was “for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4). He said that He was glad He wasn’t there when Lazarus died so that the disciples may believe. (John 11:15) Jesus’ timing is always perfect, and He acts—or doesn’t act—so that God will be glorified.
By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. Martha went to meet Jesus. She said to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” Jesus had shown His power to heal people who were sick. Even still, she believed He could do a miracle.
Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). Jesus is the source of life —eternal life that cannot be destroyed by death. Believers do not need to fear death because physical death is not the end. (See John 11:25-26.) Jesus endured death for us so that when we die and are absent from our physical bodies, our souls are with the Lord. (See 2 Cor. 5:8.)
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. His messiahship was clearly on display, and it was Jesus’ claims to be the Son of God that would lead to His death on the cross. Jesus interrupted Lazarus’s funeral knowing His would soon follow.
Emphasize to your kids that when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He showed that He has power over death. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead. He gives eternal life to those who trust in Him.
Kids on Mission - Week 4 - 9/30/20
Last Wednesday night was Rain Gear Night! We learned that Noah and his family didn't own umbrellas. They built something better...a boat designed by God. And most importantly, Noah and his family could claim a truthful, just and merciful God and so can we! "He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he." (Deutoronomy 32:4)
Morningside Kids 10/4/20
On the heels of His miraculous feeding of the five thousand, Jesus encountered crowds who erroneously concluded He was worth following because He could use His power to fill their empty stomachs. But Jesus recognized their motives and challenged them to go after something greater —not to work for food, which does not last long, but to receive eternal life by believing in Him.
Over and over again, people misunderstood Jesus’ words. They asked what they could do to get the food that lasts forever. Eternal life is a gift that God gives—not to those who perform certain deeds, but to anyone who believes in Jesus. Then the crowd asked for another sign. If Moses had provided bread for 40 years, couldn’t Jesus do that too? Jesus pointed out the bread didn’t come from Moses; it came from God. The crowd was so determined to get bread to eat that they didn’t understand recognize that God had now provided true bread from heaven by sending His Son.
Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” He wanted to give people more than food. He wanted to give them true life. Jesus continued, “If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever” (John 6:51). As you teach, emphasize to kids that God invites us to come and eat. We partake in the bread of life by believing in Him.
The Jewish leaders struggled with Jesus’ teaching. How could this man, whom they knew as the son of Joseph, be the Son of God? Furthermore, Jesus talked about giving His flesh and blood. To the Jews, this didn’t make any sense. Jesus wanted to do more than fill people’s stomachs; He wanted to give them true life. Jesus’ teachings were hard to understand. When Jesus talked about His flesh and blood, He was talking about His death and resurrection. When we trust in Jesus, He gives us the gift of eternal life.
Many people stopped following Jesus because they could not accept His teachings. Yet Peter, one of the Twelve, grasped the truth: “You have the words of eternal life. ... You are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-69). When we trust in Jesus, He gives us the gift of eternal life.
Kids on Mission - Week 3 - 9/23/20
Last Wednesday night, we welcomed kids to our first official night of “Fall” while we also were reminded of the “The Fall” which began with Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve’s choices to disobey God brought sin into the world (Romans 3:23), but Jesus, our Savior, came into the world to rescue us from our sin. Our K4-2nd graders spent craft time making trees with their arms and adding apples to those hand trees as a reminder of Adam & Eve’s sinful choices and our Savior’s loving rescue.
Our 3rd-5th grade kids spent game time at dusk playing protect the king followed by small groups. In small groups, kids and leaders spent time focusing on our key truth about God (God is Holy) while writing out and saying our verse for the week (Revelation 4:8b)…”Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is and is to come.”
