Worship Lesson 10: Worshiping God through the Lord's Supper

Worshipping God with Breaking of Bread

Review last supper (as Jesus initiated)

Teach Word choices for the whole body gathering to remember what Jesus did. Teach preparing

Last Supper Review (Luke 22)

Video link

Laminated images

Freebibleimages.org

Read aloud script/Drama

Lord’s Supper  (use ICB bibles)

I Corinthians 11:23-29

Handout choices- lord’s supper what do bread/wine stand for?, Cross/King, Jesus Crown, Word Find

Laminated Activities: Puzzle Picture, Spot the Difference

From sundayschoolzone.com

Take home: 1 Cor 11:26 verse

Aim:

·         To review that the last supper and Jesus death- started the New Covenant, connected to the Passover,  where we don’t have to make blood sacrifices because Jesus was our Rescuer, shed His blood, and stood in our place (a substitute).  We worship Jesus as King by remembering Him weekly with the emblems He suggested as a local church! 

·         To connect that My King, Jesus, is worthy of my worship because His body was broken for ME! His blood was shed for ME!  He was my substitute- He was my sacrifice once for all!  I love Him and am thankful/grateful- so I respond with Worship! (reoccurring theme)

·         To use and compare the different words for Communion/Lord’s Supper/Breaking of Bread/Time of Remembrance to help understand that they are names used by different people or cultures for the same thing.

·         To discuss the words used for the symbols that Jesus asked us to use to remember his death and give thanks regularly for it. Bread/Cup, Bread/Wine, Symbols or Emblems.  We use these words as labels for the food/drink that represents this.

·         To teach that we are to prepare for remembering the Lord to take in a worthy manner. (for believers only, focused on thinking about Jesus)

Concepts:

·         Worship- to bring honor, assign value, make a priority- God is worthy and deserves our glorifying Him as King!

·         Lord’s Supper, Communion, Breaking of Bread, Eucharist- all names for the Worship time where we remember  AND GIVE THANKS for what Jesus did for us on the cross with His death and resurrection- shedding His blood and sacrificing His broken body as the Lamb of God who forgives our sins- a substitute sacrifice (instead of regularly sacrificing animals.)

·         New Covenant- a new covenant is started with Jesus sacrifice for us.

·         Bread/Cup, Bread/Wine, Emblems or Symbols- the food and drink that we eat (partake) of as we remember what Jesus did.  Sacrament

Choose an attention getter- review, a puzzle, props, drama, etc.. 

Then Review:

Video:  https://ministry-to-children.com/video-last-supper-story-for-kids/

Story Card review option- laminated pictures of Luke 22 Last Supper and Script.  Or Drama.

·      What is the Lord’s Supper? An act that symbolizes the breaking of Christ’s body and the shedding of His blood on the cross for us and our sins- it’s God focused- honoring and remembering His work.

·      Why did Jesus want His disciples to break bread and drink with him? To remember Him and His death on the cross

·      What happened after the Last Supper? Jesus is betrayed by Judas and then is crucified

Teach-Discuss…

Discussion questions as you read I Corinthians 11:23-29 (remember kids are literal and need simple clarifications)

·      Does it matter what type of bread or drink we have for it? No, they are just symbols- but we traditionally use bread and fruit of the vine (wine or grape juice, not grape kool aid)

·      Who can take the Lord’s Supper? Those who accept the gospel personally- have a relationship with God. 

·      What do we traditionally do when we take the Lord’s Supper?  Remember Him! We use a theme with an opener, bible reading, prayer, singing, then the emblems are passed.

·      How do other churches have Communion? Some go to the front and have a Pastor or Elder directly give you the emblems, others have you take it from a table, many only do it monthly or quarterly.  Each denomination is different.

·      What should we think about as we take the Lord’s Supper? Jesus- Gratitude for His actions Remember what He has done and is doing in our lives.   

·      When do we confess and ask for forgiveness? In preparation—we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness, we examine our relationship with God- our week- our connection

·      Should we pray as we take it? Yes- giving thanks- remembering- gratitude. Prayer is talking to God. Telling Him of our love- our devotion- our commitment to knowing Him!

·      Why do you think it’s important that we do the Lord’s Supper? Jesus asks us to! Why do we do it weekly? Remember Him- or we would forget like the Israelites. 

·      How are we to come to the Lord’s Supper? Prepared, having examined our relationship with Christ, confessed our sins, and connected to God (commune).

What are we told to do in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26? ICB

²³ The teaching that I gave you is the same teaching that I received from the Lord: On the night when Jesus was handed over to be killed, he took bread ²⁴ and gave thanks for it. Then he broke the bread and said, “This is my body; it is^[b] for you. Do this to remember me.” ²⁵ In the same way, after they ate, Jesus took the cup. He said, “This cup shows the new agreement from God to his people. This new agreement begins with the blood of my death. When you drink this, do it to remember me.” ²⁶ Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you show others about the Lord’s death until he comes.

What does the Lord ask of us? I Corinthians 11:27-29 ICB

²⁷ So a person should not eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in a way that is not worthy of it. If he does, he is sinning against the body and the blood of the Lord. ²⁸ Everyone should look into his own heart before he eats the bread and drinks the cup. ²⁹ If someone eats the bread and drinks the cup without recognizing the body, then he is judged guilty by eating and drinking. 

Complete a handout where students write- what the bread and cup stand for- as a closure.

This week’s take away verse: “Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you show others about the Lord’s death until he comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:26

BEFORE THE SERVICE SPEAK TO GOD

DURING THE SERVICE, LET GOD SPEAK TO YOU.

AFTER THE SERVICE, SPEAK TO OTHERS

Worship Lesson Part 9: Worshiping God through His Word

Worshipping God- the Word Preaching (Sermon, Message) Making Jesus my King

Bible 2 Timothy Luke 11:28 Mark 7:6b-7/ Isaiah 29:13 Psalm 9:1

-review Worship definition, what did those who recognized Jesus as God make Him? King. Is He your King too? -highlight Psalm 95- in class or as take home- how and who we are worshipping -Christ is King Word Find -Cross/King Folding and Coloring -Jesus Crown Coloring

Teacher Notes:

Review Worship: could be thought of as “Worth Ship” to bring assign worth or value to. We assign value and worth to God for Who He is, and to Jesus for Who He is and What He has done. 

Could be thought of as to honor, revere, praise. A simple way to think about WORSHIP of God- to give glory & praise, honor to God.  When we are seeking God with our whole hearts, we are able to remember and CELEBRATE who God is.  On our own and each week in the Lord’s Supper. 

We worship God because of Who He is.  Our focus is on God and the Lord Jesus and who they are, what Jesus has done for us, and we respond with praise the comes from our hearts overflowing with gratitude. 

How does making Jesus my King connect to Worship? (new concept for this week)

·         We love Him. We delight (take pleasure) in Him.  (Command- Mark 12:30 Love the Lord Your God- heart, soul, and mind or in kid terms- Love God Most).

·         We choose Him to be our Authority (in charge person) to follow His commands/Obey

·         We want to celebrate, bring honor, treasure Him. (Cheer, applaud, sing, treat with importance or priority)

·         We honor him as a King- we bow down and worship Him for who He is, what He has done.

·         We know Him intimately- He is our best friend and we love to spend time in prayer, in His Word, and celebrating Him with song, adoration, praise, prayer, learning more about Him.

·         Worship is our life.  It includes: The Word, Praise/Adoration, Giving Thanks, Singing, Giving, Serving, Loving God and bringing glory to Him.  (making God look God). 

·         Worship must be done in Spirit (emotions/heart) and Truth (knowledge/head)- John 4:24

·         Worship in truth is done by knowing the Word of God (Bible) by being taught the Word of God.

·         We respond in worship after hearing, studying, meditating on the Bible because we know God better. 

What is the goal of worship? (newish concept)
bringing glory to God for Who He is or to make God look good.   God’s our priority, treasure. It’s Vertical or Up worship and it’s all about God and who He is, not horizontal or point to self and all about me.  We take delight (please Him greatly) in Him- He makes us smile- we are happy, excited, giddy to celebrate who He is.  We are created for worship.  It is our life (Romans 12)

How do we worship together as a local church?

·         Call to Worship » Calls us to seek after, worship and draw near to God » Vertical focus on God

Could be a song, scripture, prayer- but it will focus on God.  Anchor will open with scripture. 

·         Praise and Adoration » Directed to God or about His character » Expressions of love, trust, praise and thanksgiving » Focuses on attributes of God from the lesson Teaching »

·         Prayer- giving thanks or praise to God, who He is, He has done, Remembering Him

·         Singing- together bringing the focus to GOD and who He is- as one voice.  Must be songs of Truth. 

·         Word/Teaching- scripture reading, message or sermon, reading on your own your Bible. Learning about who God is through His Word and the History- alone, with direction of the speaker or pastor or elder who has prepared to help you know God better through His Word, by understanding the setting, people, place, concepts, teaching new vocabulary words, context, etc. 

·         Remembering Him and what He has done for us as He commanded- Lord’s Supper, Communion, Breaking of Bread (all names for the same thing)

 Aims:

·         most important command is to love God most of all (Mark 12:30)

·         We show God our love with Worship. 

·         We must worship in spirit (heart/emotions) and truth (head/knowledge).

·         We worship by knowing Him better- and we know Him through His Word the Bible. 

·         Preaching is a way to worship God in truth- hearing from the Word of God passionately.

·         Review: God calls His people to remember Him—to not forget what He has done- and we need to keep learning about Him so that we know Who He is- and REMEMBER. 

Review: what do you know about Worship? About Jesus as King? About who Jesus is? About who God is?

Kid Concept: How do I make Jesus my King?  (a way of loving Him the Most! And not forgetting)

·         Show Him love, honor, praise, bowing down, celebration, making Him look good, serving Him,…

·         Every Knee will bow- tongue confess Jesus Christ is Lord.

Concepts:

·         Glorify God by Knowing Him: To make God look Good- I need to know Him.  His Word the Bible- is His letter to me.  So I need to learn about Him by reading, studying, being taught, and meditating on the Bible.  And when I know Him- my heart is full and I long to worship Him! 

·         Preaching, Message, Sermon- all the same word and meaning—Synonyms.  Defined: Hearing from God’s Word.

·         Preach= Herald, Announce, Proclaim (like the Town Crier did for a King- public exultation over good news/truth) and Jesus is My King, bringing the best news of eternal life!!

·         Why do we need preaching (teaching, sermon…) Why not just read the Bible on my own? Word of God

·         What does God say about preaching?  

·         Worship in Spirit and Truth (John) – the Word helps us See God and allows us to Savor Him. (enjoy)

o    Emotions and Knowledge

2 Timothy 3:16-17 …. Have all he needs for good work.

·         ICB: ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching and for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching how to live right. ¹⁷ Using the Scriptures, the person who serves God will be ready and will have everything he needs to do every good work.

·         ESV ¹⁶ All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

What does God say about preaching?

2 Timothy 2:15- Using the truth of God correctly      (awana verse)

·         ICB: ¹⁵ Do the best you can to be the kind of person that God will approve, and give yourself to him. Be a worker who is not ashamed of his work—a worker who uses the true teaching in the right way.

·         ESV¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.  (approved means being tested)

2 Timothy 4:1-5 Preach the Word!  Emphasis verse 2.

·         ESV 4 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:² preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. ³ For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, ⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. ⁵ As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

·         ICB 4:2 ² Preach the Good News. Be ready at all times. Tell people what they need to do, tell them when they are wrong, and encourage them. Do these things with great patience and careful teaching.

Luke 11:28

·         ESV “But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

·         ICB ²⁸ But Jesus said, “Those who hear the teaching of God and obey it—they are the ones who are truly blessed.”

Why is the preaching of the Word so important? …. Review last semester’s discussion of the Word- the Word is God- the Word is Jesus- The Word is the Bible- God’s message to us- His love story.

·         Worship-In Spirit and Truth (twofold) always understanding with the mind (truth) and feeling with the heart (spirit) .Piper calls it: Seeing God and Savoring God.   Expository and Exultation-

·         Preaching-“faithful exposition of God’s Word”  exposition is telling about.  Passionately- in spirit and truth!

How do I respond to the teaching of the Word?

Choice:  Mark 7: 6b-7 or Isaiah 29:13

·         ICB ‘These people show honor to me with words. But their hearts are far from me. ⁷ Their worship of me is worthless.  The things they teach are nothing but human rules they have memorized.

·         ESV “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; ⁷ in vain do they worship me,
    teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

Choice: Psalm 9:1

·         ICB I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart.     I will tell all the miracles you have done.

·         ESV I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

Handout Created: (in class or take home)

Today we will practice worshipping God by studying His Word. 

Psalm 95:1-7  What does it say about who God is?  Highlight that. 

What does it tell me about how to respond? Underline that.  First Verse is done for you. 

95 Come, let’s sing for joy to the Lord.
    Let’s shout praises to the Rock who saves us.
² Let’s come to him with thanksgiving.
    Let’s sing songs to him.
³ The Lord is the great God.
    He is the great King over all gods.
⁴ The deepest places on earth are his.
    And the highest mountains belong to him.
⁵ The sea is his because he made it.
    He created the land with his own hands.

⁶ Come, let’s bow down and worship him.
    Let’s kneel before the Lord who made us.
⁷ He is our God.
    And we are the people he takes care of
    and the sheep that he tends.

I count 7 things for us to do. 

I count 11 lines that tell us about God. 

Are these ways that you can show honor, praise, worth, value to your King? For His gifts to you. Yes they are! 

Notes for the teacher to consider: Theological Matters Preaching is Worship

Quotes:  Preaching is re-presenting the God of the Word by faithfully explaining how He represented Himself in a way that we are lost in ever wonder, love, and praise of God. If worship is the missing jewel of the church, then preaching is its setting; a setting by that its theological parameters so that God can be glorified and worshiped to the highest. Jesus said in John 4 that true worship was to worship Him in spirit and in truth. I think applied to preaching that means at least three things.

 First of all it means that preaching as worship must always be God-focused. Preaching is the act in which we explain the text of Scripture, and in the explanation of Scripture the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ points to Jesus, and Jesus always points to the Father. Preaching in its essence is a Trinitarian act. Second, preaching must always be text-driven. Preaching is not invention it is proclamation. Third, preaching can never showcase man. Someone said no one can at once think the preacher is clever and at the same time think God is mighty to save.

Notes for the teacher to consider: Desiring God the Place of Preaching in Worship  info adapted from.

Worship Lesson Part 8: He raises the dead- a model of His plan

Lazarus, Mary, Martha, God’s Power, tomb, believe, eternal life, Jesus-King, Son of God

Part 19 Raised to Life pg. 337-357 John 11:25 A new way to see Jesus as God

Act out: John 11- use the script (8 parts- one not speaking) Lazarus Lives! Fill in blank puzzle Lazarus Coloring NT books handout

Aim:  To explain that Jesus taught the people around Him that He is God, has power from God, and has it now, and will show it even more when He rises from the dead.  He is the rescuer- worthy of their belief!

Concepts:

• resurrect to come to life again after death
• believe
• Spirit -Spirit of God- Holy Spirit
• Prayer
• Jesus is My King, is He yours? pg. 355 the people recognized Him as King

Read book or act out or both:

Talk about: who Mary is (one who anointed Jesus with perfume)? What did Mary and Martha expect Jesus would do? Save him from dying. 

What is Jesus response? He didn’t come- he is waiting knowing He would show God’s power over death. 

What does Jesus mean by: I am the resurrection and the life… pg. 344,  What is he telling Marth about himself? That He is God- and He is the Messiah of the OT and He will die and rise 3 days later. 

What were people beginning to recognize about Jesus (pg. 345) if he healed the blind, couldn’t he have saved Lazarus?  But what power did Jesus show them? Power over death… and he talked about belief. Is power over death a bigger miracle than healing a blind person?

Where did the power come from? Spirit of God or Holy Spirit gave Jesus power.

What did they believe?

Jesus will rescue God’s People.  He is God’s Place (new temple).  He rules over death.  He brings blessing to all the people.  What was their response?  To make Jesus their King. 

Discussion: Mary, Martha and their friends all believed in Jesus' power to heal. They believed that He was the Messiah. But still Jesus wanted to increase their faith. He wanted them to see the full power and glory of God, to give substance to His promises. They said they believed in the resurrection on the final day but had not yet seen God's power to raise the dead. It was distant to them -- not connected to their current life. Jesus allowed Lazarus to die in order to show God's ultimate power. Discuss how this tragedy turned into a terrific source of faith in their lives. How they could then proclaim to others, "God can raise the dead!"

Worship Lesson Part 7: Sent by God- Jesus is God and Man needs Him.

Man blind from birth, mud, Siloam (sent), rescue from sin, belief/faith, Spiritual blindness is worse than blindness

A blind man sees pg. 323-335 Man needs God Faith, Faith pleases God

-puzzle pieces to put together of story image -Spiritual Sight: blind man bag of objects that help us see Jesus and WHO He is.  -Find hidden objects color page -blindfold to experience no sight

Aim:

·         Jesus is the Messiah- the Son of God- Jesus is God. 

·         Because Jesus is God-He has power like no other- to heal a man born blind. 

·         Jesus is sent by God to do His work- to rescue people from sin, and to start the New Covenant.

·         Jesus is the Light of the World. The blind man had never seen light.  The blind man now lives in light, not darkness.

Concepts:

·         Miracle-Jesus heals because He is God-- doing something through God’s power that otherwise cannot be done by men. God is Sovereign (In control)

·         Sent (Siloam) -by God to deliver the new covenant, Jesus sent to do God’s work.  To rescue people from sin. 

·         Messiah- Jesus is the Messiah- the promised one talked about in the OT.

·         Man needs God.

·         Jesus can rescue from sin. 

·         Faith/Belief- recognize He is God. Believing in what you cannot see.

·         Not believing in Jesus is TRUE blindness

·         Faith pleases God (John 9:35-38)

·         Born Again-Gospel-Good News

·         Jesus is God. Jesus is the Son of God.   All that Jesus did was for the purpose of glorifying God. 

A blind man sees pg. 323-335 Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm

Why was this man blind? Who disobeyed God? His fault, his parents,

What did Jesus say?  Watch and see as Jesus does the Work that God has sent Him to do. 

No- Jesus had a different reason- He sent him to wash and gain sight so that people could recognize that Jesus is sent from God.  (Siloam)

Why could Jesus heal? Who gave him the power to heal illness? God. If God gave him the power to heal, did that mean he approved or disapproved of what Jesus taught? It means he approved.

So Jesus’ ability to heal was proof that he was sent from God. This was a miracle; Jesus healed people supernaturally. Jesus did miracles to prove he was from God, and not just teaching what he thought was right. 

Why could Jesus rescue men from sin? He is God.  He is the Messiah- and will give His life and take the punishment for Sin- and will rise again because He is God. 

What did the man who could see believe? Jesus is God- sent by God to rescue people from sin?

What do we call this message? Believing- is being born again- or the gospel- or the good news- or salvation.  Faith. 

The man’s world of darkness turned to LIGHT because the Light of the World healed his blindness.

How is Jesus sharing His message? How did this man believe? While Nicodemus was confused?

Worship Lesson 6: New Covenant, God's Love, Kingdom

Nicodemus, born again, see Kingdom of God, God’s Spirit, Abraham’s family line, God’s Love

Part 17 Jesus reveals God’s Kingdom pg 307-321 Read John 3:1-21

Intro: puzzle put together Coloring/Word Find New Testament books of the Bible Waiting for parents- wipe off seek and find Nicodemus about God’s Love.

Aim: 

·         To discuss the New Covenant and it’s expectations: God’s Kingdom (Heaven), connect the OT covenants to the NT happenings, expand on who the Spirit is, (triangle- God top, Jesus one side, Holy Spirit the other) explaining that the Holy Spirit is God dwelling with us and helping us. 

·         To reinforce that God is love- His love is like no other.

Concepts:

·         God’s Love

·         Born Again- spiritual birth (not physical-born of water, not born of Spirit)

·         Spirit- Holy Spirit, third part of the trinity, came down on Jesus as a SYMBOL at his baptism.

·         New Covenant

·         Jesus is the Son of God. Holy Spirit is God to dwell with us.

·         New Creation- 2 Cor 5:17 -all things have become new!

Jesus reveals God’s Kingdom pg 307-321—Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm

Where is this story found in the Bible?  John 3:1-21

What verse do you know in John 3?  John 3:16 What is the theme of that verse? How much God loves

Pg. 309- who is Nicodemus? A Jewish leader who liked Jesus, and came to see him at night.  Why night? Nic was afraid of the other religious leaders.  (Sanhedrin)

Pg. 310Why did Nicodemus come to see Jesus? To remind him that the temple is important in God’s Kingdom.

Pg. 313What did Nicodemus know about Jesus? That he has to be from GOD because of the signs He is doing.

Pg. 313 What does Jesus mean when he says- you must be born again to see the Kingdom of God?

Pg. 315- What confused Nicodemus? What birth was he thinking about? 

Pg. 316- Abrahams family line- Nicodemus remembered the Abrahamic Covenant

Pg. 318- What does it mean that God’s Kingdom needs to be born into him? (Spirt comes and indwells- making him New in Christ- gift of eternal life- like the Spirit coming with Jesus at His baptism- entering)

Pg. 320- others would see and be born again- have you?

What should Nicodemus have remembered from the teachings of the prophets? New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34) new plan for sin- God won’t remember it any more when the Messiah has come and rules.