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Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 10 “Passover and Plotting”

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Featured Passage: Matthew 26

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NT-L3L10 Passover and Plotting Download/Print

Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem did not sit well with the chief priests and elders. Besides, not many days before that, Jesus had resurrected Lazarus from the dead in front of a host of witnesses. Many of the people started to believe that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah, and the religious rulers were determined that He must be stopped. They looked for an opportunity to take Him without the people knowing it, and the opportunity presented itself.

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Discuss:

  1. What happened when Jesus and His disciples were at the house of Simon the leper? Why were the disciples upset by this? 
  2. What was Judas promised for his betrayal? Where in the Bible is there a prophecy that this would happen?
  3. Where did Jesus and the disciples eat the Passover meal? 
  4. How did Jesus tell the disciples to prepare for what was about to happen to Him? How did they respond? What did Jesus say Peter would do?
  5. What did Christ do to prepare for what was about to happen? 
  6. Who came to arrest Jesus? How did the Jews know who Jesus was to arrest Him? What did the disciples do? 
  7. What crime did the high priest and elders say Jesus had committed? Was Christ guilty of that crime? Why or why not?
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Memory Challenge:

Matthew 26:39

 “He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.’”

Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 9 “The Messiah Enters Jerusalem”

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Featured Passage: Matthew 21

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NT-L3L9 The Messiah Enters Jerusalem Download/Print

It was nearing the time for the Passover, and Jerusalem was beginning to fill with pilgrims traveling from many different places near and far. The streets were abuzz with talk about a man from Nazareth called Jesus. Many had witnessed His miracles of healing the sick and heard about His unique teachings. Some said they knew for a fact that He had raised a man, Lazarus, from the dead (John 12:1, 9-11). Many wondered, could this Jesus be the Messiah, the Savior of Israel who would come from the line of David? Imagine their excitement when they saw Jesus entering the city in a way which fulfilled a special prophecy about the Messiah. 

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Discuss:

  1. How did Jesus enter Jerusalem? How did the multitudes respond as Jesus entered the city? What do you think it would have been like to be there? (This fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9)
  2. What happened when Jesus arrived at the temple? What did the religious authorities think about all this?
  3. What lesson did Jesus intend the disciples to learn from the death of the fig tree?
  4. When the chief priests and elders questioned His authority, Jesus asked them a question in return. Why do you think they would not answer Christ’s question?
  5. In the parable about the landowner who leased his vineyard, who represented the landowner, vinedressers, and the son? What punishment did the elders say should be administered to the vinedressers?
  6. What was the point Jesus was making when He quoted Psalm 118:22? Do you think the chief priests and Pharisees knew what Jesus was talking about?
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Memory Challenge:

Matthew 21:9 

“Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!’”

Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 8 “The Narrow Gate”

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Featured Passage: Matthew 7

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NT-L3L8 The Narrow GateDownload/Print

Jesus Christ taught His disciples about how they should conduct themselves as they go through this life. After giving principles of how we should not worry but seek the kingdom and put God first Jesus concluded His message with some very wise and very important advice for Christians. One thing He made clear is that trying to follow God and His teachings is not easy, but it is worth it!

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Discuss:

  1. What does it mean to have a “plank in your eye”? 
  2. How does a person ask, seek and knock? What does God promise to those who do?
  3. Verse 12 is often called the “Golden Rule”. What is the “golden rule” and how can you follow it? 
  4. What did Christ mean when He spoke of the narrow gate and the broad way? How does a person enter through the “narrow gate”? Why would you say it is worth it to take the difficult, narrow gate even though the other way is way easier?
  5. Christ used the analogy of a wolf in sheep’s clothing to describe false prophets. How did He say we could tell the difference?
  6. What does Christ say about those who call Him Lord, but do not obey the law? 
  7. When Christ tells us to build on the rock, what does He mean? How can we make sure we aren’t building our house on the sand?
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Memory Challenge:

Matthew 7:13-14

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 7 “Put God First”

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Featured Passage: Matthew 6

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NT-L3L7 Put God First Download/Print

In the message He gave on the mountain (often known as “The Sermon on the Mount”), Jesus first encouraged His disciples in the attitudes they should have to be blessed and happy. He then began to address the importance of keeping the Commandments – emphasizing that Christians should keep the spiritual intent of the law and not just the letter of the law. Jesus Christ continued the message by talking about everyday circumstances that people have and the usual concerns that this life brings. Christ told them, and tells us today, that the answer to life’s problems is to put God first.

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Discuss:

  1. What does it mean to do “charitable deeds”? Can you think of some charitable deeds that you could do?
  2. When we do a good deed, should we tell everyone? Why or why not?
  3. What does it mean to fast? What are some instructions Jesus tells us about fasting in this passage?
  4. Do you worry about things? What does God say about worrying? What are some solutions to keep from worrying about things?
  5. What things did God say we should seek first? What is righteousness? How do we seek the kingdom and God’s righteousness?
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Memory Challenge:

Matthew 6:33

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 6 “The Model Prayer”

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Featured Passage: Matthew 6

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NT-L3L6 The Model PrayerDownload/Print

Prayer is something that God wants us to do. When we pray, we are coming before the Eternal’s magnificent throne to talk to our Heavenly Father. You may be curious about how to pray and wonder if you are doing it correctly. No worries! You are in good company; the disciples also wanted to learn how to pray (Luke 11:1). Jesus Christ left us instructions written in His word so that we can know how to pray.

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Discuss:

  1. What does Christ say about prayers that are recited to get attention? Where did Christ say we should go when we pray? Does this mean we have to be in a specific place when we pray? 
  2. How often should we pray? Can you think of any examples of people in the Bible who prayed regularly? 
  3. To Whom did Jesus say we should address our prayers?
  4. What does the word hallowed mean? How can we hallow God’s name?
  5. Why did Christ say that we need to pray for God’s kingdom to come? What are some reasons that we need His kingdom to come? 
  6. What are some things we should regularly pray about? For each thing that you mention, why do you think God wants us to pray about those things? 
  7. Imagine someone you are close to. How did you build a relationship with them? How does praying help us build a relationship with God? 
  8. Why does God want us to pray?
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Memory Challenge:

Matthew 6:6 

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 5 “The Beatitudes”

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Featured Passage: Matthew 5

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NT-L3L5 The BeatitudesDownload/Print

Jesus Christ had begun His ministry on earth. Many people followed Him, excited to see what miracles He would perform and to hear what He had to say. One day, Jesus  went up on a mountain to teach the people and His disciples some very important lessons. The speech he gave that day is one of the most famous ever given, and it is often called “The Sermon on the Mount”. He began His speech with a list of qualities we call “The Beatitudes”. “The Beatitudes” is a good place to start learning what Christ looks for in a Christian.

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Discuss:

  1. Beatitudes express attitudes that should be part of a Christian. What are the beatitudes Christ teaches? 
  2. The Greek word for “blessed” can also be translated as happy. What conclusion can you reach about people who have these qualities?
  3. What does it mean to be poor in spirit?
  4. What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness? (Psalm 119:172 tells us what righteousness means)
  5. Think of an example in which you can act as a peacemaker.
  6. Christ said true Christians would experience persecution. Have you ever experienced persecution for Christ’s sake? Can you think of any examples of Christians who have? 
  7. What are the promises God offers to those who have the qualities mentioned in the Beatitudes?
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Memory Challenge:

Matthew 5:3-12 

Memorize the Beatitudes!

Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 4 “The King of Kings”

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Featured Passage: Matthew 4; Isaiah 9, 11

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NT-L3L4 The King of KingsDownload/Print

Jesus had been baptized and was preparing to begin His important ministry on earth. God had a very important mission for Him, and He knew that the lives of every human being depended on Him to be successful in the mission. Jesus also knew that if He succeeded He would one day earn a brand new title. He was about to be tested in a way He never had been before. He was about to enter a battle against the current ruler of the world – the one whose name literally means “adversary”.

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Discuss:

  1. Who is the god/ruler of this current age? (Hint: Have a look in 2 Corinthians)
  2. In what ways did Satan tempt Christ? How did Christ respond? What are some ways we can respond when we are being tempted to do something wrong?
  3. Why do you think Satan offered to give Jesus the kingdoms of the world? 
  4. What title(s) will Jesus Christ have when He returns to the earth? What will happen to Satan at that time?
  5. Christ will not return to the earth alone, the saints will be with Him. Who are the saints? What will the saints’ role be in the Kingdom of God? Why do you think Satan would be angry about that?
  6. What are some ways that life will change when Christ and the saints rule the earth?
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Memory Challenge:

Matthew 4:10

Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 3 “The Son of God”

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Featured Passage: Matthew 1; Isaiah 53

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NT-L3L3 The Son of GodDownload/Print

The prophets, like Isaiah and Jeremiah, spoke of the Messiah–the one who would come and restore the glory of Israel. They also spoke about One who would suffer and die to save all mankind. From the beginning, God planned to create human beings who could become like Him and live in His family forever and ever. God knew that because of sin, people would need to be saved from the penalty of death. So They planned that the Word would be born as a human being and would die to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind.

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Discuss:

  1. The Word had to empty himself of his divinity in order to be born as a human (Philippians 2:5-11). What does this tell us about what He is like?
  2. Who is listed at the beginning of the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew? Do you recognize any other people mentioned in the list?
  3. Have a Luke at the genealogy in Luke 3 and compare it to the one in Matthew. How far back does the one in Luke go? What are some reasons the lists are different?
  4. God carefully selected Jesus’ parents. What are some of the character traits Mary and Joseph must have had to be chosen for this honor? 
  5. Christ lived without committing a single sin for His entire life (2 Corinthians 5:21). Could we have access to eternal life if Christ had sinned?
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Memory Challenge:

Matthew 1:21 

“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 2 “The God of Israel”

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Featured Passage: 1 Corinthians 10

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NT L3L2 The God of IsraelDownload/Print

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all had a personal relationship with God. Moses saw God and talked with Him (Exodus 33:18-23, Deuteronomy 34:10). How can this be true when the scriptures state that no one has seen God at any time (John 1:18)? We can understand the answer to this question when we understand that there are two God beings in the God family. God, who was later known as the Father, has never interacted directly with mankind, and no man has ever seen or spoken with Him. The Word who became Jesus Christ was the God of Israel.

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Discuss:

  1. The Word had to empty himself of his divinity in order to be born as a human (Philippians 2:5-11). What does this tell us about what He is like?
  2. Who is listed at the beginning of the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew? Do you recognize any other people mentioned in the list?
  3. Have a Luke at the genealogy in Luke 3 and compare it to the one in Matthew. How far back does the one in Luke go? What are some reasons the lists are different?
  4. God carefully selected Jesus’ parents. What are some of the character traits Mary and Joseph must have had to be chosen for this honor? 
  5. Christ lived without committing a single sin for His entire life (2 Corinthians 5:21). Could we have access to eternal life if Christ had sinned?
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Memory Challenge:

1 Corinthians 10:4

“…and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”

Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 1 “The Word”

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Featured Passage: John 1

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NT-L3L1 The WordDownload/Print

The question of who Jesus Christ is and why we should worship Him is perhaps the biggest, most life-changing, thought a human being could consider! Many people take for granted that they know the answer to this profound question, and many others have not thought about it at all. However, God reveals the answer to this question in the Holy Bible. The answer to this question starts before Genesis…before the Beginning!

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Discuss:

  • Who existed in “the beginning”?
  • What does the book of John say about “the Word”? Who was the One who spoke when the world was created? Who created the first man and woman?
  • What do you think it means when John says that “the world did not know Him [the Word]”?
  • John 1:14 says “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Who did the Word become? 
  • Why did Jesus Christ come to live as a human being on earth?
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Memory Challenge:

John 1:1

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”