WELCOME TO WEEK 4

We can not predict our future. We do not know what lies ahead of us in the weeks, months or years, but Jesus does. We might face challenges in the near future but Jesus will be with us through the challenges. We can trust that Jesus understands our difficult times because Jesus also faced challenges when he was here on earth. This week we will see what challenges Jesus faced and how he handled them.

Mark 8:31-38 

BIBLE STORY

When you are in trouble, who do you call for help? We ask for help from different people, depending on where we are. Listen to these situations and choose who you would ask for help.

-You are lost at the park. Who do you ask for help: a kid or someone’s mom?

-You are don’t know how to do your class assignment. Who do you ask for help: a classmate or the teacher?

-You don’t know what to wear today. Who do you ask for help: Siri or your mom?

-You need help with your homework. Who do you ask for help: Your dad or your mom?

-You lost your cat high in the tree. Who do you ask for help: a neighbor or the firefighter?

-You want to know more about Jesus. Who do you ask for help: your parents or your pastor?

-You can’t find the book you want at the library. Who do you ask for help: the librarian or the computer?

We know that when we need help we can usually call on these people to help us. We can also be sure that when we face challenges, whether they are big or small, we can call on Jesus to help us. Jesus also faced challenges while he was on earth but God was there to help Him. This week we will see what some of the challenges Jesus faced while he was on earth.

Read or listen to the Bible verse for this week: Mark 8:31-38 

What was Jesus beginning to tell the disciples about the future? (That he would suffer, be rejected by the elders die and be raised from the dead after 3 days)

What did Peter say when he heard Jesus talking this way? (He took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him)

What was Jesus’ response to Peter’s rebuke? (He rebuked Peter and said Get behind me Satan)

What did Jesus say his followers must do? (Deny himself, take up their cross and follow him)

How can your life be saved? (By losing your life for Jesus and the gospel)

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

Jesus knew a difficult time in his life was going to happen and he would feel sad and miss the people on earth that he loved. We all have difficult times in our lives that we might ask Jesus to help us with. Our difficult situations may not change and we may not be able to avoid the hurt and pain in life, but we can have comfort that Jesus understands our pain and He wants to be with us during those times as well. 

Activity

Print and cut out the strips of paper. Then take turns completing the challenge on the strip. Encourage your child to do even the activities that may be challenging or too difficult for them. Encourage them to try the activity and help them after they have tried to do it independently. Some of those challenges were really difficult and we may have even needed help completing them but we were able to try it. Jesus understands that we will have challenges in our lives, but he will be with us through those difficult times.

Materials: printed activity strips, household items for some challenges

Alternate

Life can be challenging but we have Jesus who understands and wants to help! Complete this Challenging scavenger bingo card by completing the challenges each box before the timer is complete. If you are able to complete the challenges before the timer is off, you win! You can offer a small prize if you desire. To make it easier for younger players, you can have them complete one row instead of the entire board and give them ample time to complete the challenges.

Materials: Printed Challenge Bingo game, stamp or pencil

independent activity:

Draw a picture of a difficult time or situation you have been through. Maybe you lost a pet. Maybe someone you love has died. Maybe your best friend moved away or you have moved to a new school. Maybe your mom or dad live in a different place than you or your grandparents have moved far away. We all go through difficult times, but we can know that Jesus will be there with us through those difficult times and he understands our pain. Draw your picture of something difficult you have faced and then draw a picture of Jesus being with you during that difficult time.

Materials: Construction paper, drawing supplies such as crayons, pencils, colored pencils or markers

ARTS & CAFTS

CRAFT 1

Make a cross bookmark. Draw a picture of a cross on a sheet of construction paper. Write your challenge or challenges on the cross, then color your cross. Hole punch the top of the bookmark and add a small string. 

Materials: construction paper, scissors, glue, hole punch, string

Craft 2

Coloring page

Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons

FOLLOW-UP

What challenges have you faced today?

What challenges have you faced this week?

What has been your most difficult challenge?

Did you feel that Jesus was with you during those difficult times?

What can you do when you need Jesus’ help?

Can you think of someone from the Bible who faced difficult challenges but relied on God to get through it?

Practical Application at Home

We each face challenges in life and the challenges we face can be different. As a family, discuss at least one challenge you have had this week, month, or year. Notice that you don’t all have the same challenges even within the same family. God is with us through our challenges and will help us through these difficult times. He has given us strength but He also wants us to help others who may be going through a similar challenge that we have gone through. This week pray for ways to see other’s challenges, and opportunities to help them through their challenge. God has given us comfort so we can pass that comfort to someone else. When we do this, we are showing others God’s love.

As a family, work together to support and encourage someone else this week. Look for a family project you can do together to encourage and uplift another family. We are all facing difficult times right now, and we can encourage each other by showing them we care.

Possible family projects:

-make a meal together that you can share with another family

-Make a “Thinking of You” card that you can send to a family friend

-make a personalized DIY game to give as a gift. Look here for more ideas

-make a personalized pillow decorated with their family name by using fabric paint. Or make a no-sew pillow. Look here for instructions. 

-make a bird feeder to share with a neighbor or friend

-Decorate clay pots and then plant herbs in the pots to give away as gifts

Additional Resources

Outings to Reinforce Lesson

Donate to a local food shelter or toy drive this Christmas season. As a family, volunteer together or pick out toys you think another child your age might enjoy.