JANUARY
Jesus in all the Scriptures – The High Priest (Part 1)
Welcome kids and pray before the lesson. Ask if anyone wants to pray.
Remind kids the main topic for Sunday school 2022/2023 year – Jesus in all the Scriptures.
Short recap:
Last time we finished talking about Jesus as the One who fulfilled the Law. Does anyone remember what that means for us?
Jesus says that He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets! What does that mean? It means that everything that holy God required in his Law, Jesus kept perfectly, and He also fulfilled the prophecies about himself from the Old Testament. You may not think it is good news but it is actually AMAZING NEWS! Why? Because Jesus says that if we are not more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees (who were trying to keep all God’s Laws plus a bunch of man-made laws, too), we will not enter the kingdom of heaven. How can we enter then? We can enter because Jesus kept ALL of God’s commandments perfectly and when he died on the cross and rose again, all who believe in Him become One with him and God looks at us as if we kept all of the commandments. His righteousness (purity, perfection, holiness) becomes OURS through faith.
Past Golden verse:
Galatians 2:16a
16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ …
Today’s lesson:
Today we will continue looking at the book of Exodus and other books of the Old Testament. If you remember from last couple of lessons, God led people of Israel out of the land of Egypt and they were supposed to travel to the promised land. As they were walking through the desert, God through Moses gave them the law. And the Law covered pretty much all aspects of life for people of Israel – what to eat, what to wear, what special days to celebrate, how to deal with people around you, how to punish crimes, etc.
One of the most important aspects of life was how to worship God and how to bring sacrifices to him. And God appointed special people, called priests, to serve as mediators (explain the word to kids) between God and people – they were supposed to be responsible for teaching /interpreting the law to the people, offer sacrifices to God, to purify the house of the Lord, and to communicate the blessings of God to people of Israel.
It was an extremely important job. And not just anyone could do it. Initially, God chose Aaron and his sons to be priests. And then after the story of the golden calf (the idol that people of Israel worshiped while awaiting Moses from the mount Sinai), God appointed people from the tribe of Levi (Levites) to become priests as well. God explained everything about their job duties through Moses and they had to make sure they do everything right because they were serving the Holy God of Israel. They even had special clothes that they had to wear:
Example: Exodus 28:1-2
“Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 2 And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.
If you read further you will see that these garments had very fine materials – best fabric, gold, gemstones. All of this again shows us how important the position of the priest was.
One of the duties of the priest was to offer sacrifices on behalf of the people. People would bring animals that God determined as acceptable for a sacrifice and the priests would shed its blood and throw it against the altar in the temple of the Lord. Remember – punishment for sin is death and blood has to be shed to cover the sin. Of course, the blood of the lambs and goats couldn’t fully cover the sins of the people but it was a shadow of the true Lamb of God that would come and be sacrificed on the cross for the sins of the world (we talked about that couple lessons ago). Nevertheless, it was a duty of the priest (and a very important and holy one) to make sure that these sacrifices were done according to the way God prescribed.
The problem was that some priests did not perform their duties properly. They took this job lightly and there was little or no fear of God in those priests. For example, sons of Aaron did something that God did not command them to do and they died because of that:
Leviticus 10:1-2
Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.
You may think – well, that’s a bit harsh, no? And the answer is no, because God is Holy and they did not treat Him as Holy.
And so it was that some priests were ok, others – not so much. And there is a pretty sad story that we can find later on in the book of Samuel, where sons of Eli, when they were priests, they did very bad things – they stole meat from people, and most importantly, from God, and they took portions that were not prescribed to them by God and did other sinful things before God. And God was very disappointed with them and their father, Eli. Because Eli knew about his sons’ sins and did not stop them (you can find that story in 1 Samuel 2:12-36).
So God had to punish Eli and his sons for their sins. And in the book of Samuel, God makes a promise:
Golden verse:
1 Samuel 2:35
35 And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind.
So God is promising to bring up a priest who would be faithful to him and who would do everything according to God’s commands. And we will talk about that in the next lesson.
What did we learn today:
- God appointed priests
- Priests were mediators between God and people
- Priest was a holy and important position
- Priests offered sacrifices for the sins of the people
- Even though some priests were ok, others were pretty bad. And all of the priests were sinful men
- So God makes a promise to raise up a faithful priest
Acitivity:
Please think of an activity for the kids. Google something like “Priests in the Bible Sunday school activity” or come up with one on your own.
God bless!
Jesus in all the Scriptures – The High Priest (Part 2)
Welcome kids and pray before the lesson. Ask if anyone wants to pray.
Remind kids the main topic for Sunday school 2022/2023 year – Jesus in all the Scriptures.
Short recap (as a teacher, you can take a look at the previous lesson notes from Jan 8th to get a better context of what was discussed):
Does anyone remember what we talked about last time? We talked about special people that God appointed for a special task:
- God appointed priests
- Priests were mediators between God and people (Mediator is an important word, so explain to kids what it means – a person who attempts to make people involved in a conflict come to an agreement; a go-between)
- Priest was a holy and important position
- Priests offered sacrifices for the sins of the people
- Even though some priests were ok, others were pretty bad. And all of the priests were sinful men
- So God makes a promise to raise up a faithful priest
Past Golden verse:
1 Samuel 2:35
35 And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind.
Today’s lesson:
Today we will continue talking about priests. As we mentioned, God promised that one day there will be a faithful priest, the one who would do everything according to God’s commands and God’s will. And in the book of Hebrews we learn that Jesus is that true High Priest. Let’s look at chapter 9 together (you can decide beforehand which verses to read or you can read all for full context)
Hebrews 9:1-7 and 9:11-15
Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 2 For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, 4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
When God gave Moses the Law, he gave very specific details about what the tent (and then the more permanent temple) was supposed to look like. As we can see, there were sections – Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. And each section had certain items there as we read. Now let’s read further and listen to what those sections were used for.
6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties,
In this first section of the tent, priests performed regular ritual duties that God prescribed in the Law. We read further:
7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people.
You see, only the high priest (the main priest) could enter into the second section, the Most Holy Place (signifying the place of God’s presence), and only on a special day once a year – the Day of Atonement. And when he entered, he had to offer sacrifices – one of himself (because remember that priests were sinful people, too) and one for all the people of Israel (they were sinful people too). But, do you think the blood of animals can fully cover sins of the people? No. Because people are not animals, they are unique creatures, created in the image of God Himself. So people are much more valuable than animals and blood of animals couldn’t fully cover the sins of the people. We will skip couple verses and look at verse 11:
11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. 15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance
Here we see that Jesus is the true High Priest who entered the Most Holy Place (not the earthly temple but Heaven itself) and He did that once and for all by shedding His own blood! There is no more need to do it once every year, and no more need to sacrifice animals because Jesus paid the penalty for the sins of people! And he did it once for all! How awesome is that? And you know another awesome fun fact? When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain that separated the Holy place from the Most Holy place in the temple in Jerusalem ripped in half! From top to bottom! It was a very thick curtain! God himself opened access to His presence because Jesus paid the price on the cross! Wow! Isn’t that good news? And now if we believe in Jesus and his sacrifice, we can enter into God’s presence, too.
Golden verse:
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man[a] Christ Jesus
If time allows, you are also welcome to read these verses in Hebrews 9:
24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
God bless!
Jesus in all the Scriptures – the One who ripped the curtain
Welcome kids and pray before the lesson. Ask if anyone wants to pray.
Remind kids the main topic for Sunday school 2022/2023 year – Jesus in all the Scriptures.
Short recap (as a teacher, you can take a look at the previous lesson notes from Jan 15th to get a better context of what was discussed):
Do you remember what we talked about last time?
We saw that Jesus is the true High Priest who entered the Most Holy Place (not the earthly temple but Heaven itself) and He did that once and for all by shedding His own blood! There is no more need to do it once every year, and no more need to sacrifice animals because Jesus paid the penalty for the sins of people! When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain that separated the Holy place from the Most Holy place in the temple in Jerusalem ripped in half! From top to bottom! It was a very thick curtain! God himself opened access to His presence because Jesus paid the price on the cross! Wow! Isn’t that good news? And now if we believe in Jesus and his sacrifice, we can enter into God’s presence, too.
Past Golden verse:
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man[a] Christ Jesus
Today’s lesson:
Note for the teacher – if you’d like, I can bring a book called “the Garden, the curtain and the cross”, it might be helpful for the little kids. Please let me know.
Today we will continue talking about Jesus. And we will continue by looking at what we just mentioned in a little bit more detail – when Jesus died on the cross, the curtain that separated the Holy place from the Most Holy place in the temple in Jerusalem ripped in half! From top to bottom!
In order for us to understand the meaning behind the ripped curtain, we need to go back to the garden of Eden. Does anyone remember what garden of Eden was? Let kids answer and see if they remember the story of the garden and the Fall.
What was so special about the garden of Eden? The garden was a perfect place where Adam and Eve could enjoy God’s presence and have fellowship with him. But when they sinned, they could no longer be in the presence of the Holy God, so we read that God sent them out of the garden of Eden:
Genesis 3:24
24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.
Not only did God drove the man out of the garden but he also placed a cherubim, a powerful angelic being to guard the way to the garden so that no one could come in. Now keep that in mind and let’s fast forward to Moses and the time when God was giving Moses instructions about the Law and the tabernacle.
In Exodus 26:31,33b we read:
31 “And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
33 … And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy.
What was the veil separating? Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Do you remember what was significant about the Most Holy Place? This was a place where God showed his presence, and only the High priest could enter once a year on the Day of Atonement.
Did you notice what was on the curtain? Cherubim. Why? To remind people that the way to God’s presence was guarded and closed, just like cherubim who was put by God at the entrance to the garden of Eden. How cool is that? You see how Bible tells one coherent story?
So now we know that the way to the presence of God is guarded and is closed off to people and there are cherubim protecting the way in, how can we ever enter? That is where Jesus comes in.
See, we already said, that when Jesus died on the cross, the curtain ripped in half, from top to bottom.
Matthew 28:50-51
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.
What does it mean? It means that the way to God’s presence was opened. Cherubim don’t need to guard it anymore. It is open to anyone who trusts in Jesus, comes to him in repentance (asking for forgiveness). Believers can now come in and enjoy God’s presence forever! That is good news!
Golden verse:
Matthew 28:50-51a
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
Activity:
If possible, think of an activity for kids after the lesson. Googling something like “temple or veil activity for Sunday school” might help.
God bless!
Jesus in all the Scriptures – The Bronze Serpent
Welcome kids and pray before the lesson. Ask if anyone wants to pray.
Remind kids the main topic for Sunday school 2022/2023 year – Jesus in all the Scriptures.
Short recap (as a teacher, you can take a look at the previous lesson notes from Jan 22nd to get a better context of what was discussed):
Do you remember what we talked about last time?
We continued talking about the temple and the Most Holy place. Do you remember what separated the Holy from the Most Holy place in the temple? The curtain/veil. And on that curtain were the cherubims as an additional reminder that the way to God’s presence was closed off and guarded. When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain ripped in half, from top to bottom.
What does it mean? It means that the way to God’s presence was opened. Cherubim didn’t need to guard it anymore. It is open to anyone who trusts in Jesus, comes to him in repentance (asking for forgiveness). Believers can now come in and enjoy God’s presence forever! That is good news!
Past Golden verse:
Matthew 28:50-51
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.
Today’s lesson:
Today we will continue talking about Jesus. And we will continue by looking at the words of Jesus himself. You all probably know the famous John 3:16 verse, don’t you? But do you remember what Jesus said right before that? In verses 14 and 15? Let’s take a look:
John 3:14-17
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
In order for us to understand the meaning behind what Jesus is saying here, we need to look at the story that Jesus is referring to – Moses and the serpent in the wilderness. Have you guys ever heard this story? Do you remember who Moses is? Let’s read the story together. It is written in the 4th book of the Old Testament called Numbers. We will read from chapter 21:
4 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.”
What is happening here? We have people of Israel in the wilderness after they left Egypt and as they were walking toward the promised land, they became impatient and started complaining. Let’s see what happened next.
6 Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died.
Ouch. Because of their disbelief and complaints, God sent them serpents or snakes that started biting them and many people died.
7 And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.
People realized their sin and repented and asked Moses to pray for them.
8 And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.
God provided a way for people to escape death. What did they need to do to stay alive? They needed to look at the bronze serpent. It seems simple but it did require them to have faith, to trust God and to look for their salvation outside of themselves.
And Jesus is using this story to tell Nicodemus and all of us that in order to be saved, we must look up to him. He was crucified. He was nailed to the cross and raised up on that cross so that we can look up and see him there, dying for our sins. And if we look at him with faith, God promises us that we will have eternal life. Israelites got stung by snakes and were dying from their venom. We, as sinful people, are already spiritually dead in our sins (without Christ) and the only way we can ever have hope for eternal life is if we look to Jesus, look to him in faith, trust God, and he will grant us eternal life and forgiveness of our sins. This is good news!
Golden verse:
John 3:14-15
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
Activity:
If possible, think of an activity for kids after the lesson. Googling something like “the bronze serpent activity for Sunday school” might help. God bless!
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