4/28: The Gospel Project, Jesus the Perfect King
Session 1: Jesus was put on Trial

Step 1: Read the Scripture

Read all or parts of Mark 14:53–15:15

Step 2: Read a devotional

Judges have a tough job. They take an oath, or promise, to uphold justice and fairness. During a trial, if a person is found guilty, the judge must decide on the appropriate sentence, or punishment. It is the judge’s responsibility to be impartial and fair in her decision.

The Bible teaches us that God is just, which means He is perfect in His judgments and His punishments are always fair. Because God is holy, sin must be punished. He can’t overlook it or give a lighter sentence to some people–that wouldn’t be fair. That’s bad news for us because we’re all guilty of sin and deserve to be punished.

But the good news of the Bible is that Jesus came to take the punishment we deserve. Though He was innocent, He took the guilt that belonged to us and faced God’s justice for us. Sin had to be punished and the sentence was death, but Jesus gave His life to save ours.

Jesus was unfairly sentenced to die although He did no wrong. Jesus was the perfect substitute for us, dying on the cross for our sins and rising from the dead. Everyone who trusts in Jesus has forgiveness and life with God forever.

Step 3: Reflect and respond

FAMILY DISCUSSION STARTERS
  • What is a sin you struggle with? Ask God to help you see the habits that cause you to sin each day. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to avoid sin and to honor God throughout the day.
  • If Jesus was willing to take our punishment for sin, how much more will He be willing to help us avoid sin and obey Him? Praise God for His mercy and love. Think about His willingness to punish our sin by sending His own Son to die on the cross.
 
PRAY
God, we know that You are right and just to punish sin, but You showed us Your amazing love by giving Your Son to take on our punishment. Jesus was perfectly innocent, but He willingly took our punishment to offer us forgiveness and new life. Help us know Jesus, trust in Jesus, and share Jesus with others. Amen.

Step 4: Review from class

BIG PICTURE QUESTION
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
  • Preschool: How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus rules over everything.
  • Elementary: How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus perfectly rules over the universe as the King of kings.
KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to our unit emphasis. Encourage your kids to memorize the verse.
  • Preschool: Every creature will worship God forever and ever. Revelation 5:13
  • Early Elementary: And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" Revelation 5:13

UPPER ELEMENTARY:
  • Lesson: John 13-21 overview by the Bible Project and John 20:19-31
  • Key Passage: These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31
  • Tools for Bible learners: Good Bible Questions. When reading scripture together, encourage your children to help ask a question and discuss or look for the answer together. A good place to start are the 5Ws (who, what, when, where, why, and how). Example questions: Who does God show Himself to be (His character) in this passage? or When can I apply this command in my life? etc. 

**Next Week: Jesus was Crucified