The gospel through instant replay! 

When a coach thinks the officials got it wrong, they can call for an instant replay. The game stops, the officials gather, and they remind the video to review the last play. Replay started in football and has now spread to basketball, ice hockey, and baseball. It’s a handy tool to help make things right. In this series, we’re going to wind back to the Old Testament and see how Jesus fulfilled many words that were spoken about him before he was born! 

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Instant Replay Children's Ministry Curriculum Lesson Overview

Memory Verse:

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” - Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

Lessons:

Family Legacy

Scripture: Genesis 22:18, Numbers 24:17, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Matthew 1:16

From the Griffeys to the Mannings to Lebron and Bronny James, sports families are everywhere. One of the first things God revealed about Jesus was that he would be from the family of Abraham, Jacob, and David. Joseph, Jesus’s earthly father, was a direct descendant of all these men! Even today, God makes a habit of working through families that pass down a legacy of faith. 

Objective: Kids will learn, Jesus was born into the family God said he would be.

Home Court

Scripture: Micah 5:2,4, Matthew 2:1-12

God told the prophet Micah where Jesus would be born. When the Magi came calling, the wise men in the palace used Micah to point them in the right direction. Right from the beginning, even as a baby, Jesus was fulfilling the words spoken about him! 

Objective: Kids will learn, Jesus was born where God said he would be. 

Strong Defense

Scripture: Hosea 11:1, Jeremiah 31:15, Matthew 2:13-18

Having a high powered offense is not enough in sports. A good defense is what wins championships. Early in Jesus’s life, God was ready to defend and protect his son from harm. The prophets predicted a terrible tragedy would fall on Israel after his birth, but it also predicted Jesus would be saved. 

Objective: Kids will learn Jesus escaped to Egypt just like God said he would.

Pre-Game

Scripture: Isaiah 40:3-4, John 1:19-28

Every game begins with a pre-game warm up, the announcement of the team line ups, the national anthem, and other festivities. Before Jesus began his ministry, his cousin John the Baptist announced his arrival - just as Isaiah predicted he would. 

Objective: Kids will learn, John the Baptist announced Jesus’ arrival just like God said he would. 

Sending Signals

Scripture: Isaiah 6:9-10, Matthew 13:13-15

Coaches and players often use signals the other team does not understand in order to call a strategic play. Isaiah said that Jesus would speak in parables, and that’s exactly what Jesus did. Not everyone understood, but God revealed his plans to those willing to listen. 

Objective: Kids will learn that people did not understand Jesus’ message just like God said they wouldn’t.

Scouting Report

Scripture: Zachariah 9:9, Zechariah 11:12-13 Psalm 22:16-18

Teams often send a special group of staff, called scouts, to watch their opponents and figure out what their game plan will be. They do not want to be surprised! Jesus was not surprised by any of the events leading to the cross. He knew how people would respond when he rode into Jerusalem. He knew Judas would betray him for 20 pieces of silver. He knew he would be forsaken and mocked. He knew his hands and feet would be pierced. He knew all this and still… he went through it all for us! 

Objective: Kids will learn, Jesus suffered and died in our place, just like God had said he would. 

He Scores! 

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

There’s nothing more thrilling for fans than when a replay shows a play is good. The catch was made. The puck went into the goal. Jesus appeared to two of his followers and used the prophecies about his suffering as proof that everything went according to God’s plan. Then Jesus revealed himself, showing them and us that he has given us victory! 

Objective: Kids will learn, Jesus fulfilled everything God said about Him in the Old Testament.

We Are the Champions

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:12-13, Revelation 22:1-5

From the Super Bowl to March Madness, every sporting season ends with a champion. The winners are the champs until the start of the next year, when everyone starts over. Jesus’s victory has no end, and neither will his kingdom. There’s no “wait until next season” for sin. Sin is defeated and Jesus’ kingdom is forever! Just as every Old Testament prophecy about Jesus came true, we can know that God’s promise of eternal life to those who put their faith in Jesus will also come true.

Objective: Kids will learn, God’s Word is trustworthy and His kingdom is forever.

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ABOUT THIS CURRICULUM:

• Perfect for kids ages 6-12
• 8-weeks
• Includes large group and small group resources
• This curriculum is an instant download
  
• Download a free sample here

EACH LESSON INCLUDES:

• Make It Stick! Parent Sheet - so you can let mom and dad know what kids are learning each week and look like a rockstar teacher who's thought of everything.
• Memory Verse - so that you can make sure kids are getting Scripture in their minds and hearts every single week and you can feel like each lesson was a success even when it seems like 90% of your lesson time is spent saying things like "calm down", "let's be quiet", "hands to yourself!"
• Skit or Puppet Show - so you have a way to easily connect the lesson with your hands-on and visual learners. No drama team? No problem! Just hand the script to the kids. They'll have a blast and think you're the coolest.
• Craft Activity - so you can give kids a physical reminder of the Bible lesson (and give yourself an activity to keep them busy until mom and dad come back!)
• Game - so kids don't leave and say church was BORING! Games are so important to help keep kids engaged. Our large group games always include a "What's The Point" section to help you connect the game to the lesson.
• Large Group Lesson - so you can present the Bible story in a clear and fun way, which means now you can enjoy Saturday nights instead of stressing over putting a lesson together!
• Small-Group Discussion - so you can find out who was paying attention and who was talking to their neighbor.  Just kidding, this is a great way for you to build deeper relationships with your kiddos after each lesson, which means you're going to care about them so much you'll cry like a baby when they graduate and go to middle school :(
• More! - Yes, there is even more than all of that so that you can easily put together the perfect lesson for your ministry each weekend, which means no more agonizing over how to adjust complicated lesson plans. 

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Guaranteed to Be Awesome!