Jesus - A Spiritual Concept for a Semester

A spiritual program for a semester featuring 8 devotionals on the life and ministry of Jesus.

Jesus as a 12-Year-Old in the Temple

John and the Baptism of Jesus

Jesus Turns Water into Wine

Main Message of the Passage - Bible Verses Related to the Story

With God, nothing is impossible. / He makes the impossible possible!
God gives in abundance!!
Illustrate the devotional with comparisons. For example, explain how large the jars were—80–120 bottles—or use something that holds exactly that amount and that the children are familiar with. Bring pictures and jars.

Possible Activities

Game ideas: Relay race with water and syrup.
Afternoon snack: e.g., grape juice for those who want it, syrup for the others. Various fruits or small rolls, like at a wedding
e.g., create a festive atmosphere with music and dancing

Jesus Calls the First Disciples Matthew 4:18–21; 9:9–13

Main Message – Bible Passages Related to the Story

Jesus is calling you, too. Will you follow him?
Jesus calls fishermen and tax collectors—no matter what you can do, Jesus wants to use you.
(No matter who you are, Jesus always wants to be with you.)
Jesus needs “ordinary” people, like you and me.
The disciples put Jesus first (above family and work). How about you?
(Song: Absolutely No. 1)
It’s worth trusting Jesus, just as the disciples did. (They didn’t know what lay ahead.)

Jesus and Nicodemus John 2:13 – John 3:1–21

Main Message – Bible Passages Related to the Story

Nicodemus has a genuine interest in Jesus.
Do you?
Let’s not listen to the negative things others say—just like Nicodemus. John 3:16

Jesus and the Rich Young Man Luke 18:18–27

Main Message – Bible Passages Related to the Story

Wealth on earth means nothing to me before God or in heaven.
The rich man: He kept all the commandments, but since he had a lot of money, he found it hard to give it away. Key verse: Verse 25

Possible Activities

Teacher’s Note: Memorize John 3:16—Light in the Darkness (Bunker); dress up as a rabbi

Jesus and the Centurion of Capernaum Matthew 8:5–13

Main Message - Bible Passages Related to the Story

The Crucifixion of Jesus Mark 15:21–41, Matthew 26:36–56, John 20:1–10

Prov. Main Message - Bible Passages Related to the Story

Jesus bridges the gap to God so that we can have fellowship with Him.
God wants to have fellowship with us. The temple curtain has been torn.
Jesus was innocent; He bore—and continues to bear—the guilt of all humanity from yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
God sees beyond just this one day; He sees tomorrow—He has a plan.

Ascension / Jesus Today / Possible Second Coming Matthew 28:1–10 / 16–20, Mark 16

Main Message - Bible Passages Related to the Story

An angel opens the gate to heaven.
Now go and make disciples of all nations (invite the children to join the youth group).

Content: Ameisli Romanshorn, 2010
Cover image:Clipart courtesy of the publisher buch+musik ejw-service gmbh, Stuttgart -www.ejw-buch.defrom: Jungscharleiter Grafik-CD plus; Second revised edition 2002 © buch+musik ejw-service gmbh, Stuttgart