After completing this Sunday school lesson, the children will understand what it means to be "Born Again"
TOPICS
Word of God, Bible, Born Again
AS KIDS ARRIVE (10 minutes)
As the children arrive, have them find their folder and take out the Old and New Testament Books of the Bible handout sheets started last week. Have them use their Bible to continue writing down the names of the books of the Bible. As kids finish with this project, they can quiz each other as to how far they can say the books in order, or demonstrate to the teacher how far they can go towards getting stars on the Starboard. The goal at the end of this week is to be able to say all of the books of the Old Testament.
OPENING PRAYER AND PRAISE (5 minutes)
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MEMORY WORK (6 minutes)
Today's memory challenge will test the children's Bible reference skills. The object is to be the first to find a specific verse. The teacher will randomly select a book, chapter and verse, such as 1Kings 3:6 and as soon as it is said, the kids must find the first word in verse 6. So in this case, the first child to correctly say "Solomon" is the winner. To give everyone a chance, you can have winners sit out or help others find the next verses. Repeat this activity for several minutes or until interest starts to fade. (For a trick you can call out Elijah 1:1.)
SCRIPTURE READING AND DISCUSSION (15 minutes)
Introduction:
Last week we learned that the Bible is the source for our spiritual guidance. Today, we will see that the Bible is also our source for New Life in Christ Jesus. The Bible tells us we were all born sinners, but it also tells us that because of Jesus Christ, and what He did for us on the cross, we can have a new life free from sin. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 it says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come."
Read John 3:1-8 (Jesus Teaches Nicodemus)
Discussion Questions:
1. When did Nicodemus come to Jesus? (At night.)
2. Who did Jesus say would see the kingdom of God? (One who is born again.)
3. What question did Nicodemus ask of Jesus? (How can a man be born when he is old?)
4. How is one born again according to verse 5? (Must be born of the water and the Spirit.)
5. How is being born of the water and the Spirit different from being born in the flesh? (One is our physcial birth, the other is our spiritual birth.)
6. What is the Spirit compared to in verse 8 and why? (Wind, because it is there but you cannot see it.)
CLASS EXERCISE (15 minutes)
Quick Change Artist (Game) Click here
ALTERNATE CLASS EXERCISE (10 minutes)
Eyesore (Story) Click here
APPLICATION (2 minutes)
Now when you hear someone say "born again Christian", you should know what they mean. Of course being born again is more than just changing clothes. In fact, when you are born again your outward appearance does not change at all. What changes is what is inside of you, your heart. When you are born again, you no longer belong to this world, you belong to Jesus. And this new life is not temporary like our bodies, it is everlasting. And what is the source for this new life. Jesus of course. We know this because it is in the Word of God. The Word of God is our source for new life.
NEXT WEEK
Next week one of you will be holding a sword, and the lives of your teammates will depend on you. You can prepare yourself by studying the books of the Bible.
CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)
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TAKE HOME PAGE
Give one copy to each child at the end of the class to take home. Click here [PDF]