AIM: The aim of this series is to provide opportunities for children to encounter Jesus as they learn about how people encountered Jesus in the bible.
THEME SONG IDEAS:
This series is a great opportunities to introduce worship as a way of children encountering Jesus. Try not to rush times of praise and worship, but encourage the children to enter in in a way that is comfortable for them. We’d also encourage you to consider how you might spend more time in the Word and allow the children to read from the bible as a way of them learning how to encounter Jesus for themselves every day.
- ‘O Taste and See’ by Bethel Kids Music
- ‘This is Amazing Grace’ by Bethel Kids Music
SPACE THEME:
Coming face to face with the Creator of the Universe. If you wanted to, you could make more of an emphasis of this theme throughout the teaching. Each time you introduce the story you could remind the children that the God of the Universe – came to earth as a man. It would help to reinforce the Trinity as you remind the children that God is three-in-one; God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
- IMAGES OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM
- PLANETS
- SUN AND MOON
- STARS
- ROCKETS
- ROCKET SHIP
- ASTRONAUTS
- MOON ROCKS
You could decorate the room with all of these hanging from the ceiling (3D items such as inflatable planets and globes) or stuck on the walls (2D items such as posters) – or you could even display large models of each item at the front of the room.
Decorations in your room will reinforce to the children that God is the God over all. You can remind the children at the beginning of each lesson that when the people encountered Jesus, they weren’t just encountering an average man, they were encountering the Son of God! God Himself in human form. You can remind the children that the One who created the sun, the moon and the stars had come to earth. This is a great opportunity to help children use their imaginations in a fun and creative, godly way!
LESSONS:
LESSON 1: ZACCHEAUS ENCOUNTERS JESUS:
BIG IDEA: JESUS LOVES ME
PASSAGE: LUKE 19:1-10
Jesus loves me even when I mess up and make mistakes, even when I fail and do the wrong thing. Yet coming to Jesus and experiencing his love always changes me for the better.
LESSON 2: ROMAN SOLDIER ENCOUNTERS JESUS:
BIG IDEA: JESUS CHALLENGES ME
PASSAGE: MATTHEW 27:45-56
Jesus challenges me to think about the fact that he is real; he is the Savior of the World; he is the Son of God. I can’t walk away from Jesus without being challenged to see him for who he really is. I can’t ignore his power.
LESSON 3: THE WOMAN AT THE WELL ENCOUNTERS JESUS
BIG IDEA: JESUS KNOWS ME
PASSAGE: JOHN 4:1-42
Jesus knows me inside and out. There’s nothing I can hide from him and nothing that I need to hide from him… so why would I want to?
LESSON 4: THE FISHERMEN ENCOUNTER JESUS
BIG IDEA: JESUS CALLS ME
PASSAGE: MATTHEW 4:18-22
Jesus calls me out from a boring, average life into a life filled with excitement and challenges.
LESSON 5: THE LEPERS ENCOUNTER JESUS
BIG IDEA: JESUS HEALS ME
PASSAGE: LUKE 17:11-19
Jesus is the One who heals; he calls me into relationship with him and he can heal me of all my fears, doubts, shame and regret.
LESSON 6: THE CENTURION SOLDIER ENCOUNTERS JESUS
BIG IDEA: JESUS PROVIDES FOR ME
PASSAGE: MATTHEW 8:5-13
Children will learn a two fold lesson in this session; they will see how Jesus’ words are powerful and we can have faith in them and that Jesus provides for us; he provides for all our needs.
LESSON 7: SINFUL WOMAN ANOINTS JESUS
BIG IDEA: I CAN ENCOUNTER JESUS ANY TIME
PASSAGE: LUKE 7:36-50
Children will learn that just as the sinful woman interrupted the party to come before Jesus, we can encounter Jesus any place or any time.
