Opening Activity

• Discuss with the child some of the amazing things that Jesus did. Consider how Jesus was able to do these things – the Bible says it’s because He is God’s Son.
• Discuss that although Jesus healed the sick and performed miracles, this was not the reason He came to Earth.
• Ask the child if they know the real reason Jesus came to Earth – to die on the cross. Why? The Bible teaches that the punishment for sin (breaking God’s laws) is death. It had been God’s plan all along that He would send Jesus, who had no sin, to die on the cross to take the punishment that sins deserved. This was the only way that people could have their sins taken away, their relationship with God repaired and be in Heaven with Him forever.

Bible Story

• The Chief Priests and the Elders of the people plotted to find a way to kill Jesus. Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, went to them and promised to lead them to Jesus. They paid him 30 pieces of silver. Judas ‘betrayed’ Jesus. Explain the meaning of the word ‘betrayed’. Discuss the fact that Judas betrayed Jesus because he wanted money more than he wanted to follow Jesus. He did not love Jesus and was not a true disciple (Matthew 26: 14-16).
• One evening, Jesus went with all His disciples, except Judas, to the Garden of Gethsemane. In the garden, Jesus asked Peter, James and John to wait for Him and keep watch whilst He went on His own to pray to His Father, God. Jesus knew what was about to happen. Ask the child if they know what is about to happen. The Bible tells us that He began to be ‘sorrowful and troubled’. Why was Jesus feeling this way? He prayed to His Father, and even though He knew what was going to happen He prayed, ‘Not my will but yours be done’. Explain that Jesus would allow Himself to be crucified because He loved us and would take the punishment for our sins (Matthew 26: 36-39).
• As Jesus was praying, the disciples fell asleep. Three times, Jesus came back and woke them up. Jesus told His disciples that there would be time to sleep later. The time had come. Judas was leading Jesus’ enemies to Him (Matthew 26: 40-46).
• Judas arrived with a great crowd of people who carried swords and clubs. Judas had told them he would kiss Jesus in order to show them which man to arrest. Jesus allowed Judas to kiss Him. Then He allowed the men to arrest Him (Matthew 26: 47-50).
• Judas had made a big mistake betraying Jesus. He wanted money more than he wanted to follow Jesus. The Bible teaches that Jesus should be more important to us than anything else. He loved us so much that He allowed Himself to be betrayed and crucified for us. On the cross, Jesus took the punishment that our sins deserved.
• A Christian is someone who has said sorry for the wrong things they have done and asked Jesus to forgive them. Now that their sins are forgiven, they no longer need to take the punishment for them, because Jesus has already done that. The Bible makes it clear that God’s loving plan to repair the broken relationship between Him and people, by sending Jesus, makes it possible for Christians to enjoy Heaven for Eternity.