• Learn this week’s Q & A and Bible Verse together.
• Read the Bible story together.
• Ask your child to describe the differences in how the two thieves in the story responded to Jesus.
• Lead yourchild to explain what it means to be justified by God
Q: What is justification?
A: Justification is God’s act of declaring and making me right with Him—just as if I never sinned!
Bible Verse-
Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.-Romans 5:1
Bible Story: The Thief on the Cross
Jesus was crucified between two thieves. As the soldiers were fastening Jesus to the cross, He said, "Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing."
The people and soldiers watching the crucifixion insulted Jesus. They sneered, "He saved others; let him save Himself if this is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One!"
One of the criminals on the cross insulted Jesus, too. "Aren’t You the Messiah?" he asked. "Save Yourself and us!"
The second thief scolded the first one. "Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he spoke to Jesus: "Remember me when You come into Your kingdom!"
Jesus replied, "Today you will be with Me in paradise."
The thief was justified—declared "not guilty" by Jesus.
—based on Luke 23:32-43
Family Activity Idea
Pour cornmeal or flour into a jelly roll pan or large baking dish with sides. Play a Pictionary™-style game by drawing pictures with your fingers in the cornmeal. Use words like
mouse
cottage
garden
knight
horse
pencil
Between rounds, brush the cornmeal lightly with a basting brush or old paintbrush to allow for "do-overs."
After the game, comment that brushing and shaking the cornmeal completely undid the previous picture.
Discuss these questions
When you sin, is it possible to completely undo what you have done? Why or why not?
What did Jesus do to justify you and "undo" your sins in God’s eyes?
Because a Christian is justified by God, is it OK for him to keep sinning on purpose? Why or why not?
Be Crafty!
Work together to make a wooden cross magnet for each member of the family. Use these magnets to display personal items or leave off the magnets and use for bookmarks. Make extra crosses and share with friends who need to know that they can have peace through Jesus.
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