If you ask any famous historian or theologian, he or she will say that Jesus’ life on earth was unique.  Books that are not even in our Bible talk about the influence he had as a sacred teacher during his time.  What most people don’t know is that he entered into this world as a human for our good and was far more than an exceptional teacher.  Many events surrounding his life point to him as being not only a man, but also the incarnation of God, or God-in-flesh.

Before you begin this lesson, talk with your family, Pastor Kip, Denise or your mentor, maybe over dinner or a Coke, about whom they believe Jesus is and why he is so significant in the Christian faith.

Jesus’ Birth

Read these stories about Jesus’ birth and beginnings:  Luke 1-2:21; John 1:1-18

Q1. Why do you think the shepherds went to see Jesus?

Q2. What do you think it took for Mary to say to an angel that she accepted that she would be having a son who was conceived from the Holy Spirit?  What are some questions you have about the person of Jesus and his role in your life?

Q3. How does the Gospel of John describe Jesus?  What are some of the words he uses and why do you think he describes Jesus this way?

Jesus’ Life

It is not possible to capture all that Jesus did on earth in one paragraph.  The Gospel of John says that if everything Jesus did was written down, “I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” (John 21:25)  Jesus healed the sick, reached out to the poor and oppressed, hung out with the educated folks, taught about God and the kingdom, and even raised Lazarus from the dead.  Here we read a small part of what his ministry was like on earth:

Read Jesus’ Life – Luke 9:1-6: The Mission of the Twelve

Q4. The twelve disciples are the men who lived and served alongside Jesus; his followers.  In this passage, Jesus gives them some of the same powers that he has.  Why do you think Jesus would pass these gifts on to his followers?

Q5. What kind of life do you think Jesus lead if he is asking his disciples to do this?

Q6. As you think about the example Jesus showed his disciples, what ways of living would you like to explore and what ways seem hard to try?

Jesus’ Death

Many of us have been to church at Easter when we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.  However, it’s hard to celebrate if we don’t know why he died.  Jesus came here so that we could know God in a more intimate way and, ultimately, be able to walk with God because God accepted the sinless life and sacrificial death of Jesus as the substitution for the punishment we deserve for our sin. Only the death of God's Son could pay for our sin.  The death of God’s Son is a symbol of God’s ultimate sacrifice for us.  Even more, his resurrection was the defeat of death which assures us that someday we too will rise with Him and live with Him forever. However, we cannot be grateful for his resurrection until we discover more about his death.

Read about Jesus’ Death:  Mark 14-15

Q7. Why do you think Jesus was handed over to the Roman authorities?

Read Mark 15:31-32 again.  Jesus was the Son of God and had the power to come off the cross and free himself from death.

Q8. Why do you think Jesus remained there?  What would you have done?

Jesus’ Resurrection

Read about Jesus’ resurrection in Matthew 28

Q9. Why do you think rising from the dead is something only Jesus could do?  What makes it so important?  (I Corinthians 15:12-14 may help with this answer)

Q10. Why are Mary and Mary Magdalene afraid after talking with the angel?

Click here for the Student Response Sheet for Lesson 2.

Material adapted from Erin Hayes and the Imago Dei Ministry of Westminster Presbyterian Church and Dilworthtown Community Church, 2008.