City Kids Parent Take-Home
Hi Parents! On the run up to Easter, we’re taking a break from our journey through the Old Testament to learn about how Jesus is the truest Prophet, the final Priest, and the best King – in other words, the Messiah, God’s promised rescuer! Sin makes us blind, but Jesus our prophet opens our eyes to know God. Sin makes us guilty, but Jesus our priest took our place to make us right. Sin makes us rebellious, but Jesus our king conquered sin and death to make us his people. This is good news!
Matthew 26:57-68, 27:32-54 (Jesus’ trial and crucifixion)
Big truth: Jesus is the last Priest! He took our place and always defends us.
Faith Response: Children who bring their sin, struggles and sadness to God, confident of Christ’s acceptance.
Memory verse: Hebrews 1:3
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high.
Dinner-table questions
- What was a priest’s job? What did the sacrifices show?
A priest went in-between God and the people: He brought their sin and needs to God, and told God’s blessing to the people. He made sacrifices for the people and himself. Sacrifices showed that sin had a big cost and brought death, and that sin needed to be cleaned and covered. All the sacrifices were never enough to deal with sin. - How is Jesus the best and last Priest?
Jesus gave himself. His one perfect sacrifice really paid the big cost for our sin, completely. Jesus’ death and rising brings us close to God – no more separation, no more priests, no more temple curtains! - We can be tempted to hide our sin, ignore it, compare it to others, or never stop feeling bad about it. Can you remember responding in some of these ways? What’s a better way to respond when we sin?
We can tell our sin to Jesus, believing all our sin and guiltiness is gone in Him. Jesus sits in heaven now to prove we’re forgiven and innocent. He defends us from every guilty charge when we sin. - As well as our sin, we can bring our struggles and sadness to Jesus. Why is Jesus the best person to bring our struggles and sadness to?
Jesus became human – he truly understands and cares for us better than anyone. Jesus helps us in hard times and he never stops praying for us.
Family activity: messenger in the middle
Choose a ‘messenger’ and then split everyone else into two rooms. The two groups should communicate with one another, but only through the messenger running back and forth.
The messenger was a bit like an Old Testament Priest. The good news is that Jesus, the last Priest, has brought us right up close to God, so we can talk to Him directly. Jesus also prays big prayers for His people to stay in God’s love and keep living for His glory. The Father loves to answer Jesus’ prayers and our prayers!
Link love
Songs we sing in City Kids: