Riverside Kids exists to establish a firm foundation in God’s word and to train disciples who will make disciples. Our volunteers will do this by teaching the entire Word of God. We believe it is important to teach God’s Word to children in an exciting yet practical way. Our volunteers will use the Gospel Project curriculum to accomplish this.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24 | God Wants Us to Know Him
BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 28
MEMORY VERSE: “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ.” John 17:3
BIG PICTURE QUESTION:
JK-Grade 1
How do we know God wants us to know Him? We know God wants us to know Him because He shows Himself through the Bible.
Grade 2-5
How do we know that God wants us to know Him? We can know that God wants us to know Him because He has revealed Himself through His Word.
CHRIST CONNECTION: Jesus came to earth as a baby, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross for our sins. He rose from the dead and invites us into God’s family forever. God wants us to know Him and to tell others about Him, too.
Today’s passage from Matthew 28 is referred to as “The Great Commission.” We see here that the resurrected Jesus purposely brought His eleven disciples together to receive the invitation and instruction they would need to fulfill the Father’s will. God’s overall plan for His creation has always been that they would know Him and lead others to know Him, too.
What was the significance of Christ drawing near to them in this passage? Why does the Lord promise to be with them as He commissions them to teach the good news to others?
Verse 18 tells us that, despite the disciples’ fear and doubt, the Lord chose to draw near to them. His words offered the encouragement and direction they needed to hear. The Word made flesh—Immanuel—draws near to His people, even amid their unworthiness. This is the essence of the gospel message, and it is the good news that sustained the church then and still does today.
Explain to your children that despite our fear and doubt, Christ extends the Great Commission to us and has given us the authority and power to share the good news with those around us. Our call to know Jesus was never meant to end with us, but to be extended to others.