Pilate

The child will learn that:-

  • Jesus had done nothing wrong, yet Pilate handed Him over to be crucified.
  • Jesus went to the cross out of love.

Bible Story Reference: Matthew 27: 1-2 & 11-31

Memory Verse: 

Matthew 27:22 (NIV) 

“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!”

Opening Activity

  • Recap the previous story with the child, Jesus had been arrested.
  • Ask them if they have ever got in trouble for something that they did not do. Perhaps they had to be punished when they had done nothing wrong. Was this fair? How did this situation make them feel?
  • In today’s story Jesus was punished even though He had done nothing wrong.

Bible Story

  • Jesus was arrested and taken to Pilate, the Roman Governor. Explain that the Jewish leaders had to take Jesus to Pilate because he was in charge of their country at that time (Matthew 27: 1-2).
  • Pilate questioned Jesus. He felt sure that Jesus wasn’t guilty. Remind the children that Jesus had never committed any sins. He was sinless. Pilate knew that the Jewish leaders wanted Jesus to be crucified because they were envious of Him. They had told lots of lies about Jesus. Pilate didn’t want to send Jesus to be crucified so he offered to let one prisoner go free. He said that the Jews could choose which man would be set free. Pilate was hoping they would choose Jesus, but they didn’t. They chose Barabbas who was a wicked man and shouted for Jesus to be crucified. Ask, ‘Did Jesus deserve to be crucified? Do you think this was fair?’ Discuss why God allowed Jesus to be treated this way (Matthew 27: 11-23).
  • Pilate knew that the people would not change their minds. He released Barabbas and ordered that Jesus should be whipped and taken away to be put on a cross. Before they crucified Him, the soldiers treated Him very badly. They dressed Him in a scarlet robe and put a crown of thorns on His head. They mocked Him, spat on Him and hit Him. Then they crucified Him by nailing Him to a cross (Matthew 27: 24-31).
  • Discuss why Jesus had to die . The Bible teaches that He had done nothing wrong, yet He took the punishment that our sins deserve because He loves us.

Review

Use these True/False statements for a quiz:

  1. Pilate asked Jesus questions.
  2. Pilate thought that Jesus was guilty.
  3. The Jewish leaders did not want Jesus to be crucified.
  4. Jesus had never committed any sins.
  5. Barabbas was innocent.
  6. The soldiers treated Jesus with kindness.
  7. The Bible teaches that Jesus took the punishment that our sins deserve.
  8. The Bible teaches that people can be in Heaven with Jesus if they ask for their sins to be forgiven.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me to always make the right choice.
.

Songs

Crafts

Jesus Before Pilate

What You Need

  • Brown paper
  • Yellow paper
  • Scraps of light brown/ tan and white paper
  • Crayons
  • Marker
  • Scissors
  • Glue

Steps 

  1. Fold brown paper in half.
  2. Draw a large “T” on the front, middle of the brown paper.
  3. Cut on “T.” These are the doors.
  4. Fold back both doors.
  5. Unfold the brown paper.
  6. Glue the inside top of the brown paper with the doors open. (DO NOT glue the large, plain bottom of the brown paper or the doors will be glued shut!)
  7. Re-fold brown paper again and press papers together, so the papers are glued together.
  8. Write “Pilate’s Judgment Hall” on the yellow strip.
  9. Glue yellow strip above doors.
  10. Close doors.
  11. On a small scrap of white paper, draw, color, and cut out soldier.
  12. Glue soldier to outside of the door, as if he is guarding the door.
  13. Open doors. Inside is the Judgment Hall.
  14. On light brown paper, draw, color, and cut out Pilate on his throne and Jesus standing with hands tied.
  15. On white scraps, draw and cut out a pillar and speech bubbles that say, “Are you King of the Jews?” and “It is as you say.”
  16. With doors open, glue pillar, Pilate, Jesus and speech bubbles to the inside of the Judgment Hall.
  17. On a small white scrap of paper, write “Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 18.” and glue it outside of the Judgment Hall.
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