April 7

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4th/5th Grade – Apr 7

Lent  Lesson 3

Peter Denies Jesus Bible Verse Right then a rooster crowed, and Peter remembered that Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will say three times that you do not know me.” (Matthew 26:74-75)

Teacher Enrichment This is the third lesson in the Lent series which explores the Biblical account of the week between Palm Sunday and Easter. In today’s church, Lent is a time to prepare our hearts and minds for Easter. This series exposes children to the events leading up to Jesus’ death and prepares their hearts to receive the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection. The crowd’s sentiment for Jesus had changed quickly. Only a few days earlier, Jesus had rode into Jerusalem to the tune of loud praises and palm branches being laid at His feet. Now He had been arrested and was facing death. Anyone who had been friends with Jesus would have also been in danger of persecution. During the Last Supper, Peter was adamant that he would never betray Jesus and would even be willing to die for Him. However, when the moment comes, Peter stands in the courtyard and repeatedly denies knowing Jesus. How often have we done the same? We stand in church on Sunday and praise God loudly. We talk within the confines of our homes of our love for God and others. We even post Biblical words and blessings on social media. And then when the moment comes to truly “know” God, we find ourselves weighing the price and “denying” Him. Then the rooster crows and we regret our denial. But the rooster is not the last word on our actions, the cross is. Just as Jesus forgave Peter, Jesus forgives us. As you prepare for this lesson, consider if there is an area of your life that amounts to a denial of knowing Jesus. What can you do about it? In this lesson children will learn God wants us to celebrate knowing Jesus through our words and actions. They will also learn that when we sin and are sorry, Jesus forgives us.

Before Class Begins  Place the Sign In sheet and a pen where parents can see it upon arrival.  Place the Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards and pens where students can see them upon arrival.  Check that you have supplies for this lesson: - Arrival Activity, Stuffing Eggs - “Do We Deny Jesus?” skit scripts  Create an Easter egg stuffing station including plastic eggs, stuffing items and box for completed eggs.

Welcome SUPPLIES: Sign In sheet, Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards, Attendance chart, stickers, Plastic eggs, stuffing items  Greet each child individually as they arrive. Introduce yourself by name.  Help children find or add their name on the attendance chart. Provide each child  

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with a sticker to place in today’s column on the attendance chart. Encourage children to complete a Joy or Concern card if they have a particular joy or concern they would like to express. Collect completed Joy & Concern cards. Encourage children to complete a Time or Talent offering card if they gave their time to God or used their talents to serve God or others during the previous week. Children should keep their own completed Time and Talent cards. If children bring monetary offering, they should keep it with them. Direct children to help stuff plastic Easter eggs at the Easter egg stuffing station. Encourage conversation among the children and with you! Get to know the children in your classroom by asking about their week including school, activities and families. Introduce new children to each other and encourage friendships.

Children’s Worship SUPPLIES: Sign In sheet, Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards  Arrive at Ruth Hall at 9:20 or 11:05. Lent  Lesson 3

 Bring the Sign In sheet and completed Joy & Concern cards to Ruth Hall. Hand the     

Joy & Concern cards to the Children’s Worship leader as you arrive. Have children bring their completed Time & Talent cards and any monetary offering. If additional children arrive while in Ruth Hall, have parents complete the Sign In sheet and remind parents that pickup is in Room 110. Encourage children to participate in Children’s Worship and provide re-direction if necessary. Assist the Children’s Worship leader as needed. At the conclusion of Children’s Worship, have children line up and return to Room 110.

The Lesson SUPPLIES: “Do We Deny Jesus?” skit scripts, Easter egg stuffing station

SAY: Today we learned how Peter denied knowing Jesus. Today we may not be standing outside the prison where they are holding Jesus fearing for our own life, but it can still be times when it’s hard to tell others about Jesus or to show God’s love in the world. When we forget to do these things, we are denying knowing Jesus. Like Peter, we might be afraid of what will happen to us if we show God’s love. We may stay quiet instead – we may “deny” knowing Jesus by not showing his love. SAY: We are going to act out a few scenarios when this might happen. The skit as written has a “denial” like Peter. After we act it out, we’ll discuss what we could do differently that would involve “knowing” Jesus.  Create three groups and give them each a set of scripts.  Give groups a few minutes to review their skit.  Have each group act out their skit.  At the conclusion of each skit, ask the following questions: - How did the main character “deny” Jesus? - Why do you think they denied Jesus? - How could they change their behavior to “know” Jesus?  Use the Discussion Guide below to help guide the conversation. Lent  Lesson 3

Discussion Guide - Skit #1 - Sam did not admit he went to church on Sunday. He lied about his morning. - Sam was embarrassed that he did something different from the others. He may

have been afraid they would tease him if he admitted it. - Sam could have told his friends what he did on Sunday. He didn’t have to make a big deal about it, but could have said “I actually did get up! It’s a pain sometimes to have to get dressed, but I do like going to church. It’s a nice way to spend the morning and I have fun.” - If Sam’s friends teased him, he could simply say “Everyone makes different choices; I like what I do on Sundays.” - If Sam’s friends asked him why in the world he would want to get up and go out instead of sleeping in, he could use the chance to talk about church.  Skit #2 - Anna did not admit that she believed in God. She said she hated going to church. - Anna was embarrassed and wanted to fit in. - Anna could have said she did believe in God and that she actually likes going to church with her dad. - If Anna’s friends asked her why she believed in God when they thought it was silly, she could use the chance to say why and talk about God.  Skit #3 - Jane didn’t actively tease Billy, but she didn’t stand up for him either. In doing so, she “denied” Jesus by not showing His love. - Jane might have been afraid the kids would tease her too if she stuck up for Billy. - Jane could have said, “Billy, I think your lunch looks good. Did your mom make it?” - If Jane’s friends teased her, she could say “Everyone likes different kinds of food. It’s no big deal that Billy has something different.”

SAY: God wants us to make the right choices in these situations. He wants us to acknowledge knowing Jesus. But we are human and sometimes we sin. Sometimes we deny Jesus. Peter realized he messed up and was sorry and Jesus forgave him. When we sin and are sorry, Jesus forgives.

Lent  Lesson 3

For the remaining time, have children continue stuffing Easter eggs.

Closing  Lead the children in a closing prayer. You may say your own prayer, ask one of the

children to say a prayer or use the one below. God, Help us always acknowledge you in our lives, even when it’s difficult or scary. Thank you for always being with us. Amen  If time remains before parents arrive, encourage children to return to stuffing Easter eggs. Also encourage conversation between children and with you. This is another opportunity to build relationships with the children in your classroom!

Lent  Lesson 3

Lent  Lesson 3

Do We Deny Jesus? Skit #1 Narrator: It’s Monday morning and everyone is arriving at school and entering their classroom. Sam: Hi guys, how was your weekend? What did you do yesterday? Child 1: Hi Sam! I slept in on Sunday morning and then played Fortnight for hours. I hate getting up early during the week and it’s so nice to be lazy on Sunday mornings. Child 2: Me too! I love sleeping in on Sunday mornings. Child 3: I did the same thing. Spent the morning in my PJs and then went to a great trampoline place at lunch time. Child 1: Anything that requires getting out of PJs on Sunday morning would be dumb! All children laugh. Narrator: Sam got up early, dressed up and went to church on Sunday morning, but he/she isn’t so sure what to say now. Sam: I did the same thing! Who would want to get up on Sunday morning?! Child 2: I guess we’re all in the Sunday PJ club! Child 3: The best club there is!

Lent  Lesson 3

Do We Deny Jesus? Skit #2 Narrator: Everyone is hanging out at the playground in the neighborhood. It’s almost time to go home for dinner. Child 1: Hey guys, we should all get together again this weekend and shoot some hoops again. Anna: I have to visit my dad this weekend so I won’t be here. He always goes to church on Sundays because he believes in God. Child 2: My mom says God doesn’t exist. Do any of you even believe in God? Child 3: No way! Child 4: Of course not! That stinks that you have to go to church with your dad. Child 2: Anna, do you even believe in God?? That seems silly. Narrator: Anna believes in God and she likes going to church with her dad, but now she isn’t so sure what to say. Anna: Of course not! I hate going to church with my dad. Child 4: We’ll miss seeing you this weekend. I’ll take a few three points shots for you! All the children laugh.

Lent  Lesson 3

Do We Deny Jesus? Skit #3 Narrator: A group of friends are sitting together a lunch. A new kid, Billy, has joined their class a few weeks ago. Jane doesn’t know him that well yet. Child 1: What do you have for lunch today? Child 2: Turkey sandwich. Again. But my mom added grapes and two Oreos! Jane: I have leftover spaghetti and meatballs. Child 1: Yum! That sounds delicious. Child 3: Billy, what do you have for lunch? Billy: I have leftover Biryani. Child 2: What in the world is biryani?? It looks terrible! Child 3: Yuck. It smells funny too. Child 1: Billy, you are so weird. How can you eat that for lunch?? All children start laughing at Billy. One even holds their nose. Narrator: Jane feels bad for Billy. She thinks his lunch looks good, but Jane isn’t sure what to say. Jane says nothing and looks away. Child 2: Time to clean up our table. Come on!

Rooster Craft

Placeholder for actual sample craft picture. Will not use feet. TP roll will be plain, not black.

Lent  Lesson 3