April 2024 - You Blew It!
ELEMENTARY LESSONS:
MEMORY VERSE:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
April 7: Peter failed many times, but Jesus never gave up on him.
Synopsis: Peter suffered many failures, but we are going to look at three of them briefly. When Peter stepped out of the boat to walk to Jesus on the water, his faith failed him, and he sank. Peter tried to correct Jesus concerning the crucifixion. And when Jesus was arrested, Peter assaulted the High Priest’s servant with a sword. And after each of these failures, Jesus reprimanded Peter’s behavior. But Jesus never gave up on Peter. And He will never give up on you.
Scripture: Matt 14:22-31, 16:21-23, 26:47-52: Peter's Failures
April 14: Jesus loved Peter, even though He knew that Peter would betray Him.
Synopsis: Peter insisted that he would never abandon Jesus. But after Jesus’ arrest, Peter and the other disciples scattered. And at Jesus’ trial, Peter denied that he even knew Jesus. At the last supper, Jesus knew that this was about to happen, but He still encouraged Peter, prayed for Peter, and washed Peter’s feet. Jesus knows that we will experience failure. But this doesn’t stop him from loving us.
Scripture: John 13, Predicting Peter’s Denial & Washing Peter’s feet.
April 21: Jesus loves people who fail.
Synopsis: Peter failed again after the resurrection. After not seeing Jesus for a few days, Peter returned to his old life as a fisherman. And that is when Jesus showed up. This is when Jesus reinstated Peter, giving the man one opportunity to state his love and commitment for each time that he denied Jesus. Jesus’ grace is always bigger than our mistakes.
Scripture: Matthew 26, Peter's Epic Failure
April 28: Jesus cared about Peter’s future, not his failures.
Synopsis: After reinstating Peter, Jesus assured him that he would ultimately succeed by remaining faithful to Jesus to the very end. He did this, explaining that Peter would be martyred one day because he followed Jesus. After receiving this beautiful encouragement, Peter caught sight of John out of the corner of his eye and asked Jesus, “What about him?” Jesus effectively answered, “Don’t worry about him. You worry about following me.” Petty as it may seem, this is a thing that we Christians do all too often. We become more concerned with the lives, mistakes, blessings, treatment, and fate of others than we are with following Jesus. Our job is to follow Jesus and let Him worry about the rest.
Scripture: John 21, Peter Reinstated
Preschool Lessons:
April Memory Verse: If we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins. 1 John 1:9 (paraphrased/condensed)
April Main Idea: Jesus loves people who fail.
April Bible Story: Peter Denies Jesus, John 13:36-38; Matt 26:31-35 John 18:15-18, 25-27, John 21:15-17
Included Each Week: A craft, wiggle-tamer, table time activity, discussion questions, take-home page, and more.
Lesson 1: April 7
Creative Teaching Method: Storytelling with Pictures
This Week’s Focus: Even when Peter broke a promise, Jesus loved him.
Lesson 2: April 14
Creative Teaching Method: Storytelling with Props
This Week’s Focus: Even knowing that Peter would let him down, Jesus loved him.
Lesson 3: April 21
Creative Teaching Method: Storytelling with Interactive Roleplay
This Week’s Focus: Jesus gave Peter another chance.
Lesson 4: April 28
Creative Teaching Method: Storytelling with Questions Only
This Week’s Focus: Jesus’ grace is bigger than our mistakes.