Wanna Trade?
Items Needed:
- Homemade tickets or coupons
- Special treat
Use a simple illustration to talk about a great exchange – Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin.
Give each child a ticket or coupon and inform them they can trade their ticket or coupon for a special treat. Show the special treat to your children and ask if they want to make a trade.
Jesus’ sacrifice redeemed us, not with a coupon, but with His life. He paid the penalty for our sins and bought our salvation through His death. If we accept the payment of His blood for our sins, we can have eternal life with Him in Heaven.
Spend a few minutes in prayer as a family thanking God for His Son’s sacrifice.
Can You Pay the Price?
Items Needed:
- Supplies for special event or treat
- Money
Announce a fun event (movie night, ice cream run, etc.) and then announce that anyone who wants to participate must bring a certain amount of money (an amount bigger than they could pay). When they express disappointment, emphasize the price must be paid. Finally, pull out your wallet and pay the amount needed for each child.
Sometimes we use everyday situations to help us understand bigger ideas.
God said a price had to be paid for sin and there was no way we could pay for our own sins. There was only One Who could pay the high price – Jesus, who had no sin. He was the perfect sacrifice.
Pray together, asking God to help you tell others about Jesus and His sacrifice and love.
Drawing Gratitude
Items Needed:
- Paper
- Markers
Draw pictures to express thanks to God for sacrificing His Son for our sin. Pass out paper and markers and instruct everyone to think about Jesus’ sacrifice and draw a picture or write a note to say thank you.
Ask:
Why is it important to remember Jesus’ sacrifice? (So we can understand His great love for us; so we can say thank you; so we can share His love with others; etc.)
Why are you thankful Jesus sacrificed His life for us? (We can have our sins taken away; we can live in Heaven one day with Him; we can have a special friendship with Him; etc.)
We should remember Jesus’ great love and sacrifice for us. He redeemed us with His life and paid the penalty for our sins. Because of His death, we can receive salvation.
Allow time, for those who want to, to share their notes or drawings.