Curriculum
Jesus Is Our Lifesaver
Memory Verse:
“God loves us so much that He gave His Son Jesus for us.” John 3:16
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
Nicodemus was a religious leader who sought out Jesus to learn more. Nicodemus was confused, but he wanted to know the truth. Nicodemus learned that Jesus is the only One who saves us.
Scripture Summary
The Pharisees, or religious rulers, didn’t like Jesus and were threatened by His teachings, His following, and the way He interacted with others. Nicodemus was part of the ruling council, the Sanhedrin. Being educat- ed and a teacher himself, Nicodemus was still searching for truth.
It is surprising that Nicodemus came to Jesus himself—and didn’t just send one of his messengers. Nicodemus also traveled at night, probably so no one would see him seeking out Jesus himself.
Nicodemus knew the scriptures well. He knew God controlled His king- dom and that it would be restored to God’s people, the Jews. But Jesus shared that God’s kingdom is much bigger than just for the Jews—it’s available to everyone who is born again.
The literal concept of being born again is quite illogical, and Nicodemus struggled with the concept. Jesus, being compassionate, took His time explaining that being born again is figurative and of the Holy Spirit. No one can enter heaven without first knowing Jesus personally.
Jesus knew Nicodemus was a biblical scholar, so He drew from what Nicodemus already knew. When the Israelites were in the desert, God sent snakes as a consequence for disobedience and bad attitudes.
Those who repented could be healed when Moses raised the bronze snake. Likewise, Jesus taught Nicodemus that we can look to Jesus for eternal salvation. Later, Nicodemus boldly speaks up for Jesus (John 7:50-51).
Why Is This Important
Nicodemus knew a lot about the Old Testament and the Bible. But knowledge doesn’t save us. We learn through Nicodemus that Jesus is the only One who saves us.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)
“But I just don’t understand!”
I embarrassingly resemble a toddler throwing an epic tantrum, complete with foot stomping, as I cry out. There are just too many things in my life that I don’t understand.
An unexpected diagnosis. A division within the church. A volatile culture. Friends who hurt or hurt others.
If only I understood, then I could fully process the situation and reach the other side. But I’m stuck. I don’t understand, so I feel like I cannot move on.
God placed Proverbs 3:5 right in the middle of His Word for my benefit (and maybe yours, too). We all need reminders to trust God and not rely on what makes sense to us. The latter gets us nowhere.
But what does this look like? I wonder if this trust is displayed in the doctor’s office knowing the ultimate battle is won and accepting the next step of prognosis and treatment. It might look like inviting a friend, who has left the church, out for coffee asking how her heart is doing (and not seeking details of why she left). It might just be as simple as being a friendly and available neighbor to all of those on your street...yes, even that family.
I love how Paul says it in 1 Corinthians 14:33: “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.”
Nicodemus is portrayed as an educated man who doesn’t take himself too seriously. He didn’t understand what Jesus was saying, but he didn’t sulk in his confusion. He sought out Jesus to ask questions, to hear Jesus personally.
As I navigate this chaotic life, may I not rely on my own understanding. That doesn’t get me anywhere. I want to learn from Nicodemus and seek out the Author of Peace.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for being trustworthy. Life is tossing me back and forth, and I struggle with wanting to understand. Instead, help me trust You even more...every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
You’ll Need: “Only One Lifesaver” handout, White card stock, Scissors
Get Ready: Before class, print the “Only One Lifesaver” handout on white card stock. Cut out each of the lifesavers and hide them around the room. If you have a large group, make more than one set.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Lead kids in these steps:
- Invite kids to turn in their Bibles to John 3:16.
- Lead kids in reading it aloud together.
- Explain that they will find the lifesavers hidden around the room.
- Once they find them all, instruct the kids to put them in order of today’s memory verse.
- Once they’ve completed the task, take away one lifesaver at a time and invite kids to say the Scripture aloud.
SAY: Great job finding all the lifesavers and putting them in order. A lifesaver is used to rescue someone who is drowning in water. In life, it’s like we’re drowning in sin. That’s why we need Jesus, our lifesaver who comes and rescues us from our sin. Jesus is our lifesaver.
Interactive Bible Experience
You’ll Need: Bibles - one per child, Modeling dough in various colors
- Give each child several pieces of different colored modeling dough.
- Instruct them to create the following:
- Nicodemus
- Jesus
- Moses
- A snake
- The world
- Once they have made all of the above, explain that you are going to read today’s Bible passage aloud. Invite the kids to use their creations to act out the story as you read.
- Read aloud John 3:1-17 slowly.
- After you have finished, applaud the kids for their modeling dough theater.
ASK:
- What did you notice about Nicodemus in this passage?
- How are you like or unlike him?
Snack
Lifesaver Cookies
You’ll Need: Large, soft sugar cookies - two per child, White frosting, Small, round cookie cutters, Red licorice, Paper plates - one per child, Plastic knives - one per child, Napkin - one per child
Follow these steps for the “Lifesaver Cookies”:
- Give each child a paper plate, a napkin, two cookies, and a plastic knife.
- Have kids take turns using the small, round cookie cutter to cut out the middle of their cookies.
- Have kids frost their cookie rings.
- Instruct kids to use red licorice and break it into four small pieces to space out evenly on top of the frosted cookie.
- Enjoy.
ASK:
- What do you know about how a lifeguard uses a lifesaver to rescue someone?
- How do you feel knowing that Jesus rescues you?
SAY: As you enjoy your cookies today, remember that Jesus didn’t just throw us a lifesaver; He IS our lifesaver!
Game
Lifesaver Pass
You’ll Need: Toothpicks - at least one per child, Hard lifesaver candy - at least one per child, Bowls - two per small group
To play “Lifesaver Pass,” have kids follow these steps:
- Divide the class into small groups.
- Give each group two bowls and at least one lifesaver per child to put in one of the bowls. Give every child a toothpick.
- Have each group make a circle.
- Designate a starting person in each circle.
- Explain that the starting person will use their toothpicks to pick up one lifesaver out of the bowl and pass it to the next person.
- The lifesaver can only touch the toothpick and not their hands.
- Once the lifesaver is safely passed to the next player the starter can get another lifesaver.
- Once the lifesaver gets to the last person in the circle they drop it in another bowl.
- The goal is to try to see which team can get the most lifesavers into the second bowl in the allotted amount of time.
SAY: Wow, great job passing the lifesaver. Just as you passed the lifesaver to the person next to you, Jesus wants us to pass on the good news that there is salvation in Him. Jesus loves us so much that He came to take away our sins and save us. That is amazing news for us to share with our friends and family.
Craft
Jesus Saves Picture Frame
You’ll Need: Thin paper dessert plates - one per child, Pringles can lids for tracing, Scissors, Red and black markers, Tape
Follow these steps to make the “Jesus Saves Picture Frames”:
- Give each child a plate.
- Have kids use the round lids to trace a circle in the center of their plates.
- Help kids get started in cutting out their circles from the center. Then allow them to finish up.
- Instruct kids to take the red markers and color in four lines around the circle.
- Help kids write “Jesus saves!” on their white lifesavers.
- Encourage kids to take home their frames and put a picture of themselves inside.
SAY: God loves you so much that He gave His one and only Son, Jesus, to be our salvation for our sin. Take home your picture frames as a reminder of that.
Prayer
Lifesaver Prayers
You’ll Need: Flotation device
- Invite kids to sit in a circle.
- Allow kids to each hold the flotation device.
- While a child has the device, say a brief prayerful affirmation over him or her. For example, “God, thanks for Kenzi. Help her to know you’re her savior.”
- Allow each child to have a turn.
PRAY: Dear God, thank You that salvation is found in Jesus. May we see that Jesus alone is our lifesaver. In Jesus’ name, amen.
