SERIES: Reactions to Jesus

Notes for teachers/discussion group leaders:

1. Focus on the main point of the passage. You want the kids to leave

having heard 1 main lesson, not multiple.

2. Use images and stories as much as you can! This helps this kids

connect with what they are hearing

3. Speak loudly and clearly when you teach

4. Remember that many of these kids don’t have non-Christian friends

yet and that’s OK! They will as they get into middle school and high

school. We shouldn’t necessarily push for them to bring friends, but

instead should focusing on helping them learn

a. About who Jesus is

b. How to talk about spiritual things

c. That it’s GREAT to ask questions and get them answered!

5. Don’t let discussion groups go too long. If you get 5 great minutes

from them, play a game or share funny stories from the week. You

don’t want them to hate discussion groups.

6. One cool way to end Discussion Group time is with “3 Things”. The

way this works is you go around the circle 3 separate times. Each

time you go around, each person shares 1 thing they are grateful for.

It ends when everyone has shared 3 things!

Email the TNT Director with questions, thoughts, comments etc.

Series: Reactions to Jesus

Lesson 1: Introduction

Remote Spheres: July 28, 2019

Main Campus: August 4, 2019

Teaching Outline:

Passage: Romans 10:9; Acts 4:10, 12; Matthew 5:20, John 10:30 Main Point: How we choose to react makes all the difference Supporting Points: In this series, we are going to learn about how different people reacted to Jesus and His message from God - Everyone heard the same message, but they had VERY different responses - You have a choice in how you will react to God’s message - God’s message: We all do things that are wrong and this separates us from God. However

we can be forgiven for everything if we admit we need forgiveness and ask for it. (Romans 10:9, Acts 4:10,12)

- Jesus said some crazy things o Matthew 5:20: But I warn you—unless you righteousness is better than the

righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

o John 10:30: The Father and I are One - Some samples of reactions that we’ll discuss:

o Matthew: Admitted his need for God’s forgiveness o Pharisees/Lawyers: Got Jesus killed o Thomas: Had questions o Rich young man: Loved his possessions o Lepers: 9 ungrateful, 1 grateful o Judas: Didn’t care o Andrew: Brought everyone he could to meet Jesus

Antithesis: Argue against statements such as “I don’t control my reactions—they just happen”; “It doesn’t matter how I react because I have to go to church—I have no choice.”

Application: - Start reading a gospel and see what you think of Jesus!

Small Groups:

1. What have you heard about Jesus? What do your friends think about him?

2. If you heard someone on the street making claims like those that Jesus made, what

would you be thinking?

3. Do you think it’s important to make a decision about who you believe Jesus is?

Crafts: Chain Reaction Connection to teaching: We can choose to take hold of God’s truth (not let the popsicle sticks

of and explode) or we can choose to walk away from the truth and experience the repercussions of that choice (letting go of the popsicle sticks).

Supplies: Tongue depressors Instructions:

1. Step 1: Arrange 4 craft sticks into this pattern. Make them look exactly like this.

2. Step 2: Add another stick to the top to secure the end. This stick must go diagonally across to hold down the ends of the top horizontal stick and the right vertical stick. If it won’t hold them both down, slide those two sticks out farther until they are successfully held down by the stick you added. This next photo also shows the first chain stick added.

3. Step 3: Build the chain by adding craft sticks, one at a time to each side. Each stick should go over one stick, and under one stick.

* Do not let go of the Popsicle sticks unless you want them to explode!!

Series: Reactions to Jesus

Lesson 2: Matthew

Remote Spheres: August 4th, 2019

Main Campus: August 11th, 2019

Teaching Outline:

Passage: Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:14-17; Luke 5:27-39 Main Point: Admit your need for God like Matthew did. Supporting Points:

- History: tax collector (considered a traitor by many, explain tax collectors) - How he met Jesus: Jesus came up to the place where he was collecting taxes and said

“follow me” - His reaction to Jesus: Immediately left what he was doing to follow Jesus, then brought

Him to meet all of his friends. - The results in his life: He became a devoted follower of Jesus, to the point that he even

wrote a book of the Bible! (Matthew) - The results for other people (draw on lawyers from a few weeks ago): the Pharisees got

upset because Jesus was hanging out with tax collectors. Examples:

- Tax collector: A thief- someone who rips people off to get their money! - Jesus hanging out with tax collectors: Like Jesus hanging out with drug addicts or

criminals today. Antithesis: “I go to church and do good things, so that means I am OK with God.” “I don’t need

God, I am OK on my own.” “I’ve never done anything too bad, that would make God unhappy.”

Application: - For Christians and non-Christians: Do you think you are a good person? Better than

other people? Ask God to show you how much you need Him. - Feel like you already know every day that you need God’s forgiveness? Then praise

God that He has forgiven you and confidently share about His love and forgiveness with other people.

Small Groups:

1. What was Mathew’s job? Why do you think his job made him unpopular? 2. After Jesus met Matthew where did they go? What can we learn from this? 3. Who got upset about the party and why were they upset? 4. How do you think you would you feel if you saw Jesus hanging out with some one of

Matthew’s reputation? 5. Read Matthew 9:12. What answer did Jesus give about hanging out with the tax collectors?

What does he mean by this? 6. Why don’t some people like to hang around with “unhealthy” or sinful people? 7. Why do some people think that you go to heaven for doing good things? 8. What does Jesus tell them in Matthew 9:13? What do you think this statement means? “I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices. For I have come to call not those who think that they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

crafts: Paper Wallets Connection to teaching: Matthew was a rich tax collector, so we are making wallets. Supplies: Copies of paper wallet sheet, scissors, tape, coloring utensils Instructions: For today’s craft we are going to be making a paper version of a wallet. There are many techniques to making a paper wallet. Feel free to experiment with your own folding and taping methods. The following is an adaptation of a popular method:

1. Start by taking a piece of cardstock with the copied pattern. 2. Lay the paper in front of you in a landscape position. 3. Fold along each of the vertical lines so that the paper is folded in quarters and crease. 4. Unfold the paper and using a pair of scissors cut out the small black tabs and shapes. 5. Fold the remaining tabs in as indicated. 6. On the right side of the paper, you should have two sides that are loose. You will notice

arrows that say “Tape” on them. Carefully, tape these two sides together so that they fit flush. This side of the paper will now bend; this will help your wallet keep its shape. (Note: this step is optional. You can still make the wallet without tape).

7. Now, fold the first and third folds back into the center of the wallet. 8. Fold the two sides in on each other once again (along the center crease). 9. Turn the wallet on end. On each end you will have two tabs and two pockets. Insert each

tab into the opposing pocket. You can tape these if you wish, but tucking in the tabs in opposite directions will give you a pretty good hold.

10. Hold the wallet so that the two front pockets are facing you. You now have an open wallet, make one more fold down the center to close the wallet.

11. Decorate your wallet to your liking.

Series: Reactions to Jesus

Lesson 3: Pharisees/Lawyers

Remote Spheres: August 11th, 2019

Main Campus: August 18th, 2019

Teaching Outline:

Passage: Matthew 12:1-14 Main Point: Sharing God’s love is more important than being a good person. Supporting Points:

Explain Pharisees/lawyers (Experts in Jewish law; Many Jews believed that the people who followed the law best were accepted by God, therefore the Pharisees/lawyers were experts in how to be accepted by God)

Explain Sabbath (A big deal. No work, originally intended for people to have a day off and to learn more about God. Pharisees “helped” people know what was and was not allowed on the Sabbath by making a lot of rules about it)

Jesus breaks several of those “Sabbath rules”: harvesting, walking long distances, healing o His point: Showing people God’s love is more important than following the rules. The

rules were made to protect people from working 7 days a week and now they are being used to punish people.

Antithesis: Argue against just “doing the right thing”/“being a good person”/following the rules Application: Make it your top priority to follow God and show His love to people

Does not mean just breaking all the rules all the time—rules should be followed until they conflict with what God says.

Find ways to love and serve others: can mean being nice to people who others don’t like, but can also mean saying something that is true and needs to be said, even if you don’t want to.

Small Groups:

1. What were the things the lawyers (the Pharisees) criticized Jesus for? 2. Why do you think that these things were so important to them? 3. Are there any rules that you can think of that are really important to you? (I really get mad

when other people don’t do their chores on time—that’s a rule that is really important to me.) 4. What does Jesus say that he wants from people? 5. Why do you think it’s easier to “follow” the rules than to love people? What makes loving

people hard? 6. What are some ways that you can show love to other people? to siblings? to friends? at

TNT?

crafts: Ciphers

Connection to teaching: The lawyers made understanding what God wanted you to do so hard that it was like trying to figure out a cipher. But Jesus cut through all of that, gave us the key, and made it so we can talk directly to God about what He wants.

Cipher 1 Supplies: Red cellophane, paper, blue and red colored pencils Instructions:

12. For this craft we will make a coded message and a code reader. You can use your message reader to pass coded messages to your friends!

13. Take two Popsicle sticks and a section of red acetate. Glue or staple your red acetate to the Popsicle sticks (put one on each end, so you can hold it).

14. Write your message in a light blue marker or colored pencil. 15. Now scribble red lines over the top of the message.

Cipher 2 Supplies: Copies of cipher wheel, coloring utensils, scissors, brad Instructions:

1. Cut out both circles, being careful to include the arrow on the smaller circle 2. Write letters on the small circle, mixed up or in order, one in each section 3. On the larger circle, write one letter, number, or shape in each section 4. Put smaller circle on top of larger circle and attach with brad 5. Write a message by marking where the arrow should point to decode.

The secret message

before decoding.

The secret message

after decoding.

Series: Reactions to Jesus

Lesson 4: Thomas

Remote Spheres: August 18th, 2019

Main Campus: August 25th, 2019

Passage: Matthew 10:1-4, John 20:19-29, James 1:5

Main Point: Doubts are normal and we should seek the

answers.

Supporting Points:

Thomas was one of the twelve disciples

He saw Jesus perform miracles during his life

Thomas had genuine belief in Jesus as the Messiah

His main reaction comes after the resurrection of Jesus

o He was not with the disciples when Jesus appeared to them

o When told he refused to believe them until he saw proof

o Jesus revealed himself to Thomas and he then believed

Antithesis: Sitting on doubts and refusing to look for answers.

Application:

Ask your questions and get the answers! God isn’t afraid of your questions. :-)

Invite your friends to ask their questions. If you don’t know the answer, you can find out

together!

Small Groups:

1. Has there ever been a time when someone has told you something that you didn’t believe?

How did you respond?

2. Have you ever had a question about something that you were unsure of how to find out the

answer? What did you do?

3. What are some questions or doubts that you have about God? Let’s talk about them now

and write them down.

Teachers- have your students write down their questions and doubts about God. Send them to me by email so that we can incorporate answers into the upcoming series “Hard Questions”

crafts: Spy Kit Connection to teaching: Just like spies search until they find answers, so should we.

Supplies: Box or bag, optional: fancy tape, stickers, coloring utensils

Binoculars: 2 toilet paper rolls, yarn or string, hot glue gun

Telescope: paper towel roll

Phone: 2 cans, string, nail, hammer

Notebook: Paper, paint strip, stapler

Fingerprint kit: Ziploc bag, flour, tape, brush

Cell Phone: Cardboard, coloring utensils

Invisible ink: Lemon juice, container, q-tips, paper

Disguise: felt, skewer

Instructions:

1. Binoculars: Glue the toilet paper rolls together. Add a string and you have a set of

binoculars. (You can just hot-glue it to the side like in the pic. Please don’t let the kids

use the hot glue gun. Leaders only.) :-)

2. Telescope: Color the paper towel tube (can use tape/stickers)

3. Phone: Punch a hole in two cans nail and connect with string

4. Notebook: Staple Paper inside paint chip

5. Fingerprint kit: Put flour in a bag. From home get a brush and tape to complete

6. Cell phone: Cut out a rectangle of cardboard, decorate as a cell phone

7. Invisible ink: put lemon juice and some water into

container, write on paper with q-tips

8. Disguise: Make a mustache from felt, put on a

skewer and hold up to your face

Series: Reactions to Jesus

Lesson 5: Rich Young Ruler

Remote Spheres: August 25th, 2019

Main Campus: September 1st, 2019

Teaching Outline:

Passage: Matthew 19:16-29l Mark 10:17-30; Luke 18:18-30

Main Point: Greatness in Jesus’ kingdom is better than worldly wealth.

Supporting Points:

Luke 18:18-19: Jesus is putting him on the spot—are you saying I’m God? Who do you

believe I am?

Luke 18:20-23: This shows the young man’s view of himself. He is a good person,

important because of his wealth and how well he follows the rules. People view him as

important and good. But Jesus tries to show him that he’s not as good (or as willing to

follow God) as he thinks he is. Being a good person is not enough to get him to God.

Jesus tries to help him give up all the things that keep him from understanding his need

for forgiveness and that his worth comes from God, but he is unwilling to give them up.

Luke 18:24-27: Wealth tends to hide our need from us. We think it makes us important,

but it doesn’t. Only God can save us; it is only with Him that it is possible to be forgiven.

Luke 18:28-30: When we give up trying to earn good things in this world (wealth, homes,

people’s views of us, etc.) we are able to focus instead on relating to God, which is what

leads to eternal rewards.

Antithesis: Seeking things that make us important in this world—wealth, people thinking we’re

awesome, etc. What makes you valuable?

Application:

- What makes you valuable? Is it that you are funny, or smart, or a good person? Not

according to God! God asks us to give up trying to make ourselves be valuable in this

world, but instead to focus on what He says is important—things that are eternal.

- These are things like our character, endurance, hope, knowing God, loving Him and others

(not because this makes us good, but because God has given us so much) (Romans 5:3-5)

Small Groups:

1. Do you believe the rich man when he said he followed all of the laws of the Old

Testament since he was a child? Why or why not?

2. What would you think if Jesus told you to sell everything you have and give the money to

the poor? Why do you think Jesus said this to the rich young ruler?

3. What are some things that God might ask us to give up? What are some things that

would be really hard to give up if God asked us to?

4. Is it easy or hard to believe Jesus’ promise that you will inherit “100 times as much” if

you have given something up for Jesus’ sake? Why?

5. Does anyone have a time that they gave something up for God and got something better

in the end?

crafts: DIY Coins Connection to teaching: Decorate your own “coin” to remind yourself of what is really

important in life

Supplies: Circular “coins” (poker chips, sliced dowel rods, checkers, etc.), Styrofoam/plastic

plates, paint, paint brushes, table clothes

Instructions:

6. Place cloth over table

7. Let each student paint/decorate a coin as they wish

8. Place on plate to dry/send home

Series: Reactions to Jesus

Lesson 6: 10 Lepers

Remote Spheres: September 1st, 2019

Main Campus: September 8th, 2019

Teaching Outline:

Passage: Luke 17:11-19

Main Point: Be thankful to God for what he has given you.

Supporting Points:

The men stood at a distance because they were not allowed to come close to non-leprous

people. Leprosy is a terrible disease that causes sores on one’s skin (called lesions) and

can lead to disfigurement and the loss of use of certain body parts. For thousands of years

there were no cure and no treatment available for lepers. A person affected with leprosy was

usually cast out of society and shunned because it was believed that they were being

punished with the disease by God1.

Even though Jesus healed 10 men, only one came back to thank him, and that man was a

Samaritan. Jews hated Samaritans and thought that they were the scum of the earth.

9 of these people were healed but never said thank you. They acted like they deserved to

be healed by God. They didn’t understand that we all deserve nothing good in life at all—we

only deserve to be separated from God and punished for the things that we do wrong in life.

1 of these people was grateful. He understood that he didn’t deserve anything from Jesus,

but because he was grateful for what he was given, Jesus gave him more—forgiveness.

Antithesis: Take for granted what we are given, always see what we don’t have

Application:

- Be grateful to God! Make a gratitude list and be sure to include EVERYTHING you can

think of that God has given you—family, friends, school, good things in your day, etc.

- Ask God to show you when you are being ungrateful.

- Thank people around you for the things they do for you.

Small Groups:

1. Who can retell the story for us?

2. Let’s start a gratitude list—let’s see if we can come up with 20 things that we are grateful

for.

3. What are some times when it is difficult for you to be grateful? Why is that? What are

some things that you could be grateful for in that circumstance?

crafts: air guns Connection to teaching: Try flapping your hand and seeing how far away you can feel the air. When we try to heal or change ourselves, it is like this—it doesn’t last very long and doesn’t go very well. When God changes us, it is like using this air gun—it works a lot better, goes further, and lasts longer. :-) Supplies: paper cup, a plastic bag, a paper-clip, 2 rubber bands, a popsicle stick, and some sturdy tape.

Instructions: 16. Carefully cut the bottom off of the paper cup. Try not to damage the sides. 17. Next cut a circle out of the plastic that is about an inch larger all the way around, than

the big end of the cup. 18. Then carefully poke your paper-clip through the center of the circle, being careful to

make the smallest hole possible. 19. Once you have the paper-clip sticking through the plastic. Push one end of the rubber

band through the paper-clip. 20. Securely tape the paper-clip and the hole up, so that it won’t pull through. 21. Place the plastic on the bigger end of the cup with the paperclip on top and the rubber

band inside the cup. 22. Next rubber band the plastic around the outside of the

cup to hold it down, and securely tape the plastic onto the cup all the way around.

23. Hook both end of the rubber-band with the popsicle stick and fish them out.

24. Place the popsicle stick over the open end of the cup. Your gun is complete!

25. Hold the cup from the back and pull the paperclip back. Release to shoot!

Series: Reactions to Jesus

Lesson 7: Judas

Remote Spheres: September 8th, 2019

Main Campus: September 15th, 2019

Teaching Outline:

Passage: Matthew 20:21-22, 26:49, 27:3-5; John 12:4-6, 13:26-29 Main Point: Believe and act on what Jesus teaches. Supporting Points: - Explain our need to understand why Judas betrayed Jesus (this attitude can be seen in

many people today and we need to guard against it)

- Judas’ life:

o Became a disciple of Christ because he thought that Jesus was going to become king

(as did many of the disciples—see Matt. 20:21-22)

o Followed Jesus for 3 years; was the treasurer of the group (John 12:4-6)

o very trusted by the other disciples (when Jesus says one of them will betray him in John

13:26-29, no one turns to Judas—Peter even thinks it more likely that he himself will

betray Jesus than Judas!)

o Betrays Jesus with an act of friendship (Matthew 26:49—modern day equivalent of

walking up to someone and giving them a hug)

o Regrets his decision, tries to return the money, and kills himself (Matthew 27:5)

- Why did Judas betray Jesus? He didn’t believe when Jesus said that He was the Savior

and God, so he took the payout that he could get for selling Jesus out.

- Why didn’t he believe Jesus? Jesus didn’t look like the sort of Savior that Judas wanted—

he wanted a king, and he got a servant. He wasn’t interested in learning from Jesus about

who God is, he just wanted Jesus to be the guy that he wanted him to be.

Antithesis: Judas cared more about what he could gain for himself than the truth. Application: Decide what you believe about Jesus - Do you believe Jesus is God? Have you started a relationship with him? You can freely ask

him for forgiveness if you haven’t, and if you have, then make it your goal to learn more from

Jesus about who God is and to act on what He says.

- Are you unsure what you think about Jesus and God? Then learn more—ask questions!

Don’t be a Judas, who didn’t care about anyone other than himself

Small Groups:

1. What did we learn about Judas?

2. Judas didn’t act on what he learned from Jesus because he cared more about what he

could gain for himself than the truth. Why do you think that was?

3. What do you think about this story?

crafts: Exploding Popsicle Sticks Connection to the teaching: Making these can be a little difficult—it takes practice and paying

attention to what you are doing. Really learning who God is and knowing Him takes the same

things, and these were things that Judas wasn’t willing to do. When things didn’t go his way, he

took the way that seemed easier—betraying Jesus and getting some cash. But if you stick with

it, you’ll get far better rewards—both in following God and in having a fun toy to explode.

Supplies: Popsicle sticks

Instructions:

1. Make a “V”. Take 2 popsicle sticks and place

them in the form of a letter V. Make sure they

are overlapping.

2. Make a “W”. Now you must take 1 more stick

and place it on top of the other 2. Make sure

that the middle stick is on top of the other 2.

This will not work if it isn't.

3. Cross the “W”. Now you must cross the "W".

Take a popsicle stick and criss-cross the "W".

Look in the picture on how to criss-cross the

"W" (under, over, under).

4. Cross the crossed “W”. Now you must cross

the "W" with one more stick. This time in the opposite directions (over, under, over)

5. Viola! Now your popsicle stick bomb is complete. Throw it, or see who can throw theirs

the furthest without it exploding.

Series: Reactions to Jesus

Lesson 8: Andrew

Remote Spheres: September 15th, 2019

Main Campus: September 22nd, 2019

Teaching Outline:

Passage: John 1:35-42; John 6:8; John 12:22 Main Point: We can tell other people about Jesus, just like Andrew did. Supporting Points:

Andrew’s life: Fisherman, normal guy, followed John the Baptist, was looking for truth and when he found it, he followed it (John 1:35-42)

He immediately starts bringing people to meet Jesus (See vs. 40-42)

He is also the one who brings the boy with fish/bread to Jesus at the feeding of the 5,000

What do these say about Andrew? He knew the most important thing in the world was for people to know Jesus, and he trusted that Jesus would use even what little people have.

Antithesis: “Your relationship with Jesus isn’t something other people want to hear about. You should keep it to yourself.” Application: Just like Andrew, we can tell others about Jesus

- Maybe you don’t know anyone who isn’t a Christian right now. That’s OK! You will

meet plenty of people who don’t know Jesus, as you grow up.

- Instead, tell friends and family what you are learning about Jesus, what you are

excited about from the Bible. Learning to talk about spiritual things with friends

and family is a great way to start.

Small Groups:

1. Can someone retell the story of Andrew’s life for us?

2. Reread John 1:35-42. Why do you think Andrew is so quick to leave John the Baptist?

What does this say about Andrew?

3. What is the first thing that this verse says Andrew did after finding Jesus? (Hint: read

verse 41).

4. What does he say to his brother? (Hint: read verse 41)

5. What does this verse teach us about talking to others about God?

crafts: moose call Connection to teaching: We can tell everyone who can hear us about God’s love for them, just like tons of people can hear this moose call when you use it! Supplies:

- 1 disposable plastic cup/student - String, about 2 feet (60 cm) long/student - 1 toothpick/student - A nail or something sharp and round to punch a hole in the cup, 2-3/class

Instructions:

1. Punch a small hole in the middle of the bottom of the cup--just big enough for the string to fit through--and push the string through the hole.

2. Tie the end of the string inside the cup to the matchstick or toothpick. How to use the moose call.

Usually, you will need to wet the string. Wetting it serves the same purpose as the rosin applied to bowed string instruments. You might not have to if you use waxed dental floss. Hold the cup in one hand and the string--near the cup--between thumb and forefinger. Pull. You should hear a noise, and it should be loud. From http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/mooseCall/index.htm “I learned about this amazing device from Mrs. Wilma Moore. Her husband runs a science club where he teaches at the First Nations Reserve in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. She said that hunters actually use them when calling in moose.” HOW COOL!!!