Kamp Kids Book of John StudySample

Thursday Jesus was killed. This was during the Passover festival. Do you remember the significance of Passover? The very first Passover, God’s people had to kill an innocent lamb and place the blood over their door. This was the only way to protect their family from God’s wrath on Egypt (where they were living at the time). 

NOW, the Passover Lamb, Jesus, is shedding His innocent blood to keep those who believe in Him safe from God’s just wrath. Some ask, why did Jesus have to die? Why blood? This ties into who God is. He is Holy and perfect. He must punish sin. He is a just God. 

God will not let sin go unpunished. Ever since the very first sin. Genesis 3:21 says that God made “garments from skin to clothe Adam and Eve.” How would you make clothes from skin? You have to kill the animal. Someone must die for your sin: either you or Jesus. 

Those of us who believe in Jesus have already had our sins paid for. If you do not trust Jesus, you yourself will pay the penalty of sin and be eternally separated from God. 

Friday and Saturday Jesus is dead and the disciples and people who loved Jesus must have been so confused and heart broken. I thought Jesus was God’s son…the long awaited-for King…and now, He is dead. It doesn’t make sense. 

Then early Sunday…Praise God! 

Mary Magdalene is the first to arrive at Jesus’ tomb. However, when she gets there she sees the stone has been removed. She is probably very upset thinking the Roman guards stole Jesus’ body. She runs to tell Peter and John and they come running only to find Jesus’ linen folded neatly in the tomb. Then Mary encounters Jesus Himself! I love that He tells her, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” What a confirmation of faith. 

This account of the resurrection is told a little differently in each of the four gospels. When I was a new believer it confused me why each person’s story seemed to be a little different. Then I started teaching school. Have you ever been involved in some drama at recess? Every kid has a different perspective on what happened. Some kids choose to tell only the parts that make them look good, some kids tell ALL the details, and some chime in who were not really paying attention but heard some stuff. Lots of kids who witnessed the same event tell different parts of the truth that they experienced and heard. Either way, the different perspectives in the gospel stories proves to me even more that these were real accounts by real people who really did experience the resurrection and person of Jesus. 

Questions:

1. How do you think the disciples and people closest to Jesus felt when He died?

2. Have you ever felt hopeless?

3. How do you think Mary felt to see Jesus? 

4. What would have been your first reaction after seeing Jesus risen from the dead?