Children investigate a murder case, interviewing suspects to discover that the victim is Jesus. Through this game, they learn that Jesus willingly died for our sins and that forgiveness can only be found in Him.
Kids get an introduction to the murder case: a person has been murdered in this neighborhood, and you have to find out what happened (important: kids don't know it's Jesus, apparently this happened in today's weather!)
- Who was the perpetrator / culprit?
- Who was the victim (person killed)?
- Why did they have to die?
- What happened to the body after death?
In groups of about 3-4 children, they have to interview suspects in the neighborhood. In total, 6 suspects have to be found. The groups move independently and keep in touch with the game coordinator via WhatsApp. After the case is solved or when time runs out, everyone meets at the agreed location.
There, the case is analyzed together with the children, and at the end a short devotion (spiritual moment) is held on the case with the main idea: Forgiveness is only found in Jesus!
Characters
Pilate (Judge)
Attitude: defensive, feigning innocence, apologizing
I am a great ruler with great power. I can solve any problem. I am responsible for everything that happens in this city
- I didn't want to kill this man, but I was pressured by the mob
- I considered this man innocent, but I was forced to execute him
- I washed my hands afterwards and had nothing to do with what happened
- Accuse the priest
Soldier by the grave (guard)
Attitude: surprised, disbelieving, astonished
I was on guard and a dead body was brought in. I had the task of protecting him. But very early in the morning something hit me, I fainted and after I woke up the body was stolen.
- The grave was very well protected, it couldn't have been stolen from there
- This was no ordinary man
- God was surely on his side
Peter (best friend)
Attitude: disappointed, remains vague in what he says
For several years this man and I were inseparable. My life and perspective changed radically. And now he's dead and gone!
- Disappointed in himself
- He couldn't help his best friend
- I betrayed my friend three times at a time when he really needed me
- But I believe there's hope... he always told us that at some point he would rise again...
The High Priest
Attitude: happy, no guilty conscience, did what was necessary
I really control this area and people obey me. Others have nothing to say. I consider what is good or not and if I give an order it must be obeyed.
- He protected his community in the city
- He took care of public order
- I've done good for society
- This criminal has disturbed our people and has been a big problem
- I didn't run afoul of the law but the judge saw that the law was enforced
- I had very good help from someone in his close circle
Mary (Jesus' mother)
Attitude: sad, angry, troubled, disappointed
I am his mother.
- My son has been wrongly condemned to death
- A great injustice has been done
- The state betrayed me, I thought institutions were here to protect us, but they killed my son
- This judge must be removed
John (friend)
Attitude: stunned, it still doesn't make sense what happened
For several years I was with my mentor, and I learned a lot from him. I'm even writing a book about him. I am very impressed by this man.
- I got to the tomb where I wanted to visit my mentor and there were two very special people there
- They told us to look somewhere else
- I've never seen anything like it
- I just wanted to say goodbye to my mentor, but somehow he wasn't there
- Are these two men by the grave responsible for the body's disappearance?
Notes for Reflection:
- Congratulate the children on their detective skills, "You were great detectives! You put the clues together and figured out who was on the cross-Jesus."
- The big difference: "In an ordinary case, the victim is surprised. But in our case, Jesus knew exactly what was about to happen and willingly chose to go there. And do you know why? Here is the big secret of our investigation today: Jesus died for our sins."
- The Sin Problem: The real culprits: "Normally, at the end of a case, detectives catch the culprit and he is punished. But in our story, the culprits besides the high priest and the Pharisees ,were us. All humans."
- The consequence: sin separates us from God, and the wages of sin is death. Someone had to pay this huge "fine".
- The solution: Jesus was the only person who ever lived on earth without committing a single sin. He was completely innocent. Out of love for us He took the punishment. Jesus died for our sins. On the cross, Jesus took all our guilt on Himself so that we could be forgiven."
- Conclusion (transfer to real life)
Now that we have discovered that Jesus died for our sins, what do we do with this truth? We don't just keep it in a locked file, we put it into practice in our lives: -Recognize and surrender
-Pass on the good news
-Live joyfully knowing your sins are forgiven
