September 6
Kingdom Parables
Bible Passage: Matthew 13
Story Point: God’s growing kingdom is more valuable than anything
Key Passage: Colossians 1:13-4
Big Picture Question: How does God care for His creation? God loves and rules over His creation according to His perfect plan.
The kingdom of God is growing in the world. This kingdom is valuable and worth giving everything for. While we wait for Jesus to return and fully set up His kingdom, we carry out the mission of telling others about King Jesus, who rescues sinners.
September 13
Three Parables
Bible Passage: Luke 15
Story Point: Jesus came to seek and save the lost.
Key Passage: Colossians 1:13-14
Big Picture Question: How does God care for His creation? God loves and rules over His creation according to His perfect plan.
The religious leaders complained that Jesus welcomed sinners. Jesus told these parables to teach about God’s forgiveness. God sent Jesus so sinners can be forgiven. As Savior, Jesus seeks sinners. He paid he ultimate price- His own life- to save people from sin.
September 20
Jesus’ Hard Teachings
Bible Passage: John 6
Story Point: Most people misunderstood Jesus’ teachings.
Key Passage: Colossians 1:13-14
Big Picture Question: How does God care for His creation? God loves and rules over His creation according to His perfect plan.
Jesus wanted to do more than fill people’s stomachs; He wanted to give them true life. Jesus’ teachings were hard to understand. When Jesus talked bout His flesh and blood, He was talking about His death and resurrection. When we trust in Jesus, He gives us the gift of eternal life.
September 27
Jesus raised Lazarus
Bible Passage: John 11
Story Point: Jesus has power over death
Key Passage: Colossians 1:13-14
Big Picture Question: How does God care for His creation? God loves and rules over His creation according to His perfect plan.
When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He showed that He has power over death. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead. He gives eternal life to those who trust in Him.
October 4
Jesus’ Triumphal Entry
Bible Passage: Matthew 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12
Story Point: People welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem as their King
Key Passage: Philippians 2:8
Big Picture Question: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.
During Jesus’ triumphal entry, the people welcomed Him as King. Jesus was the Messiah spoken about by the prophet Zechariah; “Look your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). One day, Jesus will return to earth on a white horse as King over everything.
October 11
Jesus Was Questioned
Bible Passage: Matthew 22; Mark 12; Luke 20
Story Point: Jesus spoke with wisdom and authority
Key Passage: Philippians 2:8
Big Picture Question: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.
When the religious leaders questioned Jesus, He answered with wisdom and power. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. He is the Word of God, who came to show us exactly what God is like. Jesus had authority in heaven and on earth.
October 18
The Last Supper
Bible Passage: Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; John 13
Story Point: Jesus commanded His disciples to remember His sacrifice.
Key Passage: Philippians 2:8
Big Picture Question: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.
Jesus showed His disciples with the bread and the drink that He is the true Passover Lamb. God’s people had broken the old covenant, and God promised to make a new covenant to forgive sins. The new covenant says that everyone who turns away from sin and trusts in Jesus’ death and resurrection will be forgiven of his sins and will have eternal life.
October 25
Jesus Was Arrested
Bible Passage: Matthew 26-7
Story Point: Jesus allowed His enemies to arrest Him.
Key Passage: Philippians 2:8
Big Picture Question: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.
Jesus knew that His death was God’s plan to save people from sin. Jesus’ friends turned against Him and He was arrested and put on trial, but Jesus followed His father’s plan in order to bring salvation to the world.
November 8
Jesus’ Crucifixion
Bible Passage: Matthew 26-7; John 18-9
Story Point: Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins
Key Passage: Philippians 2:8
Big Picture Question: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.
We deserve to die because of our sin, but God loves us and kept His promise to send a Savior. Jesus never sinned, but He died in our place. He was the blood sacrifice made once and for all for the forgiveness of sin. Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, and those who rust in Him have forgiveness and eternal life.
November 15
Jesus’ Resurrection
Bible Passage: Matthew 28; John 20
Story Point: God raised Jesus from the dead to defeat sin and death
Key Passage: John 11:25
Big Picture Question: Where is Jesus now? Jesus ascended to heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father.
Jesus died on the cross for our sins, but He didn’t stay dead. God was pleased with Jesus’ sacrifice and raised Jesus from the dead to reign as King over all creation. Jesus provides salvation rom sin and the promise of eternal life.
November 22
The Emmaus Disciples
Bible Passage: Luke 24
Story Point: Jesus taught that all the Scriptures point to Him.
Key Passage: John 11:25
Big Picture Question: Where is Jesus now? Jesus ascended to heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father.
The whole Bible is about Jesus. When Adam and Eve sinned, God began working out His plan to send Jesus to rescue people from sin. All of the Old Testament points forward to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection- the time when Jesus would bring God’s promised salvation for sinner.
November 29
Jesus Appeared to the Disciples
Bible Passage: Luke 24; John 20
Story Point: Jesus proved He is alive
Key Passage: John 11:25
Big Picture Question: Where is Jesus now? Jesus ascended to heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father.
For 40 days, Jesus presented Himself to more than 500 people and proved that He is alive. Jesus is still alive today. We have not seen Jesus, but if we believe in Him, we will be blessed. He sends out believers to tell others about Him and gives us power through the Holy Spirit.
December 6
Jesus Returned to Heaven
Bible Passage: Matthew 28; Acts 1
Story Point: Jesus gave His disciples the Great Commission
Key Passage: John 11:25
Big Picture Question: Where is Jesus now? Jesus ascended to heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father.
Jesus left earth and retuned to heaven, but He did not leave us alone. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to be with us and help us do God’s work- to teach people everywhere about Jesus so they will trust in Him as their Lord and Savior. One day, Jesus will return to make all things new and to rule as Lord over all.
