Lesson 1: Garden of Gethsemane
Lesson 2
Preliminary Hearing Before Annas:
Trial Before Caiaphas and Sanhedrin:
Peter's Third Denial and Rooster's Crow (see next lesson)
Theme: Attempt to Find a Charge for Jesus's Arrest
Lesson 3: Peter & Judas
On forgiveness
Lesson Overview
Peter denied Jesus. Judas betrayed Jesus. Peter did not give way to disappear and his relationship to Jesus was restored. Judas gave in to his disappear and killed himself.
Judas' Response
Last year, we learned Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane for 30 pieces of silver. When Judas saw that Jesus was condemned to death, he was full of remorse (just as Peter was), and he went to return the silver. The Sanhedrin did not want the silver (as it had 'blood on it') so Judas threw it in the temple stating he had sinned and Jesus was innocent. They bought a field for Judas to be buried. This met the prophecy of Jeremiah: 'They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him whose price was set by the Israelites, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me."
Peter's Responses
During Peter's remorse he may have remembered about six months earlier at Capernaum, when he asked Jesus how many times must we forgive. Jesus responded 77 times (ie always-too many to count). Religious leaders of the day thought to forgive 3 times.
Difference
Judas saw no hope and he did not turn back to Jesus. Jesus is always there waiting for us when we sin.
Lesson 4:
Trial Before Pilate
Lesson Overview
After Jesus was condemned by the Sanhedrin, Jesus was taken to Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of region. Although he did not want to condemn Jesus to death, he gave into the pressure of the crowds and sentenced Jesus to death.
Jesus Faces Pilate
They did not enter the headquarters themselves; otherwise they would be defiled and unable to eat the Passover. So Pilate went out and asked what was charge was bought against Jesus. They started accusing Jesus of being a criminal of many crimes, including that Jesus was:
So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus answered him, “You say so.”
Pilate then told the chief priests and the crowds that had increased in number that he found no grounds for charging Jesus. But they kept insisting. “I find no grounds for charging this man, ” Pilate said and he went on to say that they should take him and judge him according to their law. But the Jews declared it was not legal for them to put Jesus to death – they wanted him to die on the cross under Roman law. They kept insisting, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he started even to here.”
Jesus Faces Herod
When Pilate heard that Jesus was a Galilean, and therefore under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod Antipas, who was also in Jerusalem during those days. Herod was very glad to see Jesus; for a long time he had wanted to see him because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by him. So he kept asking him questions, but Jesus did not answer him. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Then Herod, with his soldiers, treated him with contempt, mocked him, dressed him in bright clothing, and sent him back to Pilate. That very day Herod and Pilate became friends. Previously, they had been enemies.
Jesus Faces Pilate (Again)
When Jesus returned, Pilate asked him again, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said that he is not of this world or His servants would defend Him. Pilot then determined Jesus was king.
Pilate’s wife had suffered a terrible dream about Jesus and warned Pilate to not do anything to Jesus. Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, “You have brought me this man as one who misleads the people. But in fact, after examining him in your presence, I have found no grounds to charge this man with those things you accuse him of. Neither has Herod, because he sent him back to us. Clearly, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will have him whipped and then release him.”
After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and said, "You have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” Pilate said “King of the Jews” as he knew they were jealous of Jesus.
They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was in prison with rebels who had committed murder during a rebellion.
Pilate asked them, “What should I do then with Jesus, who is called Christ?”
The chief priests stirred up the crowd to shout “Crucify him!”
Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them two more times, “Why? What has he done wrong?” But they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify him!” When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that a riot was starting instead (therefore he wanted to satisfy the crowd), he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. See to it yourselves!”
All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released Barabbas to them and, after having Jesus flogged, handed him over to be crucified.
They shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” stating Jesus ought to die as He made Himself the Son of God.
When Pilate heard this statement, he was more afraid than ever. He went back into the headquarters and asked Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus did not give him an answer. So Pilate said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you?”
“You would have no authority over me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above. This is why the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”
From that moment Pilate kept trying to release him. But the Jews shouted, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar!”
When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside. He sat down on the judge’s seat. It was the preparation day for the Passover, and it was about noon. Then he told the Jews, “Here is your king!”
They shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”
Pilate said to them, “Should I crucify your king?”
“We have no king but Caesar!” the chief priests answered.
Lesson 5 Torture & Mocking by the Military
Scripture Reference:
Mocking by the Soldiers
Lesson Overview
Just like His love that kept him on the cross to pay for our sin, he went through the painful torture and mockery by the soldiers though He could have chose to abandon His sacrificial death for us.
Mocked by the Military
After Jesus was flogged, the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the governor’s residence and gathered the whole company around him. They stripped him and dressed him in a scarlet-purple robe. They twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on his head, and placed a staff in his right hand. And they knelt down before Him and mocked Him (saluting him): “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on him, took the staff, and kept hitting him on the head, slapping His face.
Road to Golgotha
Jesus carries his cross part of the way to Golgotha (means place of the Skull. Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, was seized and was made to carry Jesus' cross behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed him, including women who were mourning and lamenting him. But turning to them, Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and your children. Look, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the women without children, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with him to Golgotha.
Desolation of Jerusalem
Teach the children about the desolation of Jerusalem and the man Josephus, the historian who recorded events of this time.
Lesson 2
Preliminary Hearing Before Annas:
- John 18:13-24
Trial Before Caiaphas and Sanhedrin:
- Matt 26:57-27:1
- Mark 14:53-15:1
- Luke 22:54-71
Peter's Third Denial and Rooster's Crow (see next lesson)
Theme: Attempt to Find a Charge for Jesus's Arrest
Lesson 3: Peter & Judas
On forgiveness
- Matthew 18:21-22
- Matthew 26:30-35; Mark 14:26-31; Luke 22:39 & 31-34; John 18.1; 13.36-38; 16:32
- Matthew 26:57-58 & 69-75; Mark 14:53-54 & 66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18 & 25-27
- Judas 27:3-10
Lesson Overview
Peter denied Jesus. Judas betrayed Jesus. Peter did not give way to disappear and his relationship to Jesus was restored. Judas gave in to his disappear and killed himself.
Judas' Response
Last year, we learned Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane for 30 pieces of silver. When Judas saw that Jesus was condemned to death, he was full of remorse (just as Peter was), and he went to return the silver. The Sanhedrin did not want the silver (as it had 'blood on it') so Judas threw it in the temple stating he had sinned and Jesus was innocent. They bought a field for Judas to be buried. This met the prophecy of Jeremiah: 'They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him whose price was set by the Israelites, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me."
Peter's Responses
During Peter's remorse he may have remembered about six months earlier at Capernaum, when he asked Jesus how many times must we forgive. Jesus responded 77 times (ie always-too many to count). Religious leaders of the day thought to forgive 3 times.
Difference
Judas saw no hope and he did not turn back to Jesus. Jesus is always there waiting for us when we sin.
Lesson 4:
Trial Before Pilate
- Matthew 27:11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-7; John 18:28-37 & 19:6 & 9-10
- Luke 23:8-12
- Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:38-40 & 19:4-16
Lesson Overview
After Jesus was condemned by the Sanhedrin, Jesus was taken to Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of region. Although he did not want to condemn Jesus to death, he gave into the pressure of the crowds and sentenced Jesus to death.
Jesus Faces Pilate
They did not enter the headquarters themselves; otherwise they would be defiled and unable to eat the Passover. So Pilate went out and asked what was charge was bought against Jesus. They started accusing Jesus of being a criminal of many crimes, including that Jesus was:
- misleading the Nation;
- opposing paying taxes to Caesar; and
- calling himself the Messiah, a king.
So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus answered him, “You say so.”
Pilate then told the chief priests and the crowds that had increased in number that he found no grounds for charging Jesus. But they kept insisting. “I find no grounds for charging this man, ” Pilate said and he went on to say that they should take him and judge him according to their law. But the Jews declared it was not legal for them to put Jesus to death – they wanted him to die on the cross under Roman law. They kept insisting, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he started even to here.”
Jesus Faces Herod
When Pilate heard that Jesus was a Galilean, and therefore under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod Antipas, who was also in Jerusalem during those days. Herod was very glad to see Jesus; for a long time he had wanted to see him because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by him. So he kept asking him questions, but Jesus did not answer him. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Then Herod, with his soldiers, treated him with contempt, mocked him, dressed him in bright clothing, and sent him back to Pilate. That very day Herod and Pilate became friends. Previously, they had been enemies.
Jesus Faces Pilate (Again)
When Jesus returned, Pilate asked him again, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said that he is not of this world or His servants would defend Him. Pilot then determined Jesus was king.
Pilate’s wife had suffered a terrible dream about Jesus and warned Pilate to not do anything to Jesus. Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, “You have brought me this man as one who misleads the people. But in fact, after examining him in your presence, I have found no grounds to charge this man with those things you accuse him of. Neither has Herod, because he sent him back to us. Clearly, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will have him whipped and then release him.”
After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and said, "You have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” Pilate said “King of the Jews” as he knew they were jealous of Jesus.
They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was in prison with rebels who had committed murder during a rebellion.
Pilate asked them, “What should I do then with Jesus, who is called Christ?”
The chief priests stirred up the crowd to shout “Crucify him!”
Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them two more times, “Why? What has he done wrong?” But they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify him!” When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that a riot was starting instead (therefore he wanted to satisfy the crowd), he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. See to it yourselves!”
All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released Barabbas to them and, after having Jesus flogged, handed him over to be crucified.
They shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” stating Jesus ought to die as He made Himself the Son of God.
When Pilate heard this statement, he was more afraid than ever. He went back into the headquarters and asked Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus did not give him an answer. So Pilate said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you?”
“You would have no authority over me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above. This is why the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”
From that moment Pilate kept trying to release him. But the Jews shouted, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar!”
When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside. He sat down on the judge’s seat. It was the preparation day for the Passover, and it was about noon. Then he told the Jews, “Here is your king!”
They shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”
Pilate said to them, “Should I crucify your king?”
“We have no king but Caesar!” the chief priests answered.
Lesson 5 Torture & Mocking by the Military
Scripture Reference:
Mocking by the Soldiers
- Matthew 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-20; John 19:1-3
- Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26-32; John 19:17
Lesson Overview
Just like His love that kept him on the cross to pay for our sin, he went through the painful torture and mockery by the soldiers though He could have chose to abandon His sacrificial death for us.
Mocked by the Military
After Jesus was flogged, the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the governor’s residence and gathered the whole company around him. They stripped him and dressed him in a scarlet-purple robe. They twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on his head, and placed a staff in his right hand. And they knelt down before Him and mocked Him (saluting him): “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on him, took the staff, and kept hitting him on the head, slapping His face.
Road to Golgotha
Jesus carries his cross part of the way to Golgotha (means place of the Skull. Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, was seized and was made to carry Jesus' cross behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed him, including women who were mourning and lamenting him. But turning to them, Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and your children. Look, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the women without children, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with him to Golgotha.
Desolation of Jerusalem
Teach the children about the desolation of Jerusalem and the man Josephus, the historian who recorded events of this time.
Bible Stories
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North Parade Publishing
A Night of Prayer
Jesus and the disciples left the city to go to a quiet garden called Gethsemane. Jesus prayed to His Father to look after His disciples, and for all those who would come to believe in Him because of the message they would spread throughout the world.
Then Jesus went to one side, but He took Peter, James and John with Him, asking them to keep His company. He went a little way away from them to pray in private.
"Father!" he cried out in anguish. "if it is possible, may I not have to go through this!" Yet His very next words were, "Yet let it not be as I will, but as you will, Father," for Jesus knew that God wasn't making Him do anything: He had chosen freely to do it.
When He returned to His friends, they were sleeping. "Couldn't you men keep watch with me for just one hour?" He sighed. He went again to talk to His Father, but when He returned, the disciples were fast asleep again. This happened once more, and this time when He woke them, he said, "The hour has come. You need to get up, for the one who has betrayed me is here!"
Betrayed with a Kiss
A crowd of people burst into the garden, many armed with weapons. At the head of them was Jesus Iscariot. he had told the chief priests that he would kiss Jesus so that they would know whom to arrest, and as Jesus approached him, Jesus said sadly, "Oh Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"
Peter struck out with his sword, but Jesus told him to put his sword away, and He allowed the soldiers to arrest Him. "I am the one you have come to find," He said quietly. "Let these others go. You had no need to come here with swords and clubs. You could easily have taken me when I was in the temple courts."
When the disciples realised that Jesus was going to allow Himself to be taken prisoner, they fled in fear and despair.
Jesus and the disciples left the city to go to a quiet garden called Gethsemane. Jesus prayed to His Father to look after His disciples, and for all those who would come to believe in Him because of the message they would spread throughout the world.
Then Jesus went to one side, but He took Peter, James and John with Him, asking them to keep His company. He went a little way away from them to pray in private.
"Father!" he cried out in anguish. "if it is possible, may I not have to go through this!" Yet His very next words were, "Yet let it not be as I will, but as you will, Father," for Jesus knew that God wasn't making Him do anything: He had chosen freely to do it.
When He returned to His friends, they were sleeping. "Couldn't you men keep watch with me for just one hour?" He sighed. He went again to talk to His Father, but when He returned, the disciples were fast asleep again. This happened once more, and this time when He woke them, he said, "The hour has come. You need to get up, for the one who has betrayed me is here!"
Betrayed with a Kiss
A crowd of people burst into the garden, many armed with weapons. At the head of them was Jesus Iscariot. he had told the chief priests that he would kiss Jesus so that they would know whom to arrest, and as Jesus approached him, Jesus said sadly, "Oh Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"
Peter struck out with his sword, but Jesus told him to put his sword away, and He allowed the soldiers to arrest Him. "I am the one you have come to find," He said quietly. "Let these others go. You had no need to come here with swords and clubs. You could easily have taken me when I was in the temple courts."
When the disciples realised that Jesus was going to allow Himself to be taken prisoner, they fled in fear and despair.
Bible Stories
Bible Story
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North Parade Publishing
A Cock Crows
When the soldiers took Jesus to be questioned, Simon Peter followed them to the courtyard of the high priest, where he waited outside miserably, along with the guards warming themselves at the fire. as one of the servant girls was walking by, she caught sight of Peter by the fire. "Weren't you with Jesus of Nazareth?" she asked him. I'm sure I saw you with him."
"No, you've got the wrong man!" Peter hissed quietly, hoping no one else had heard, for he feared what would happen if they believed he was one of Jesus' disciples.
The girl shrugged and walked away, but on her way back, she said to one of the guards, "Don't you think he looks like one of Jesus' followers?"
"I told you, I don't have anything to do with him!" panicked Peter.
Now the other guards were looking at him. "You must be one of them," said one. "I can tell from your accent you're from Galilee."
"I swear I've never even met Him!" cried Peter, his heart racing. At that very moment, a cock crowed, and Peter remembered what Jesus had said, and he broke down and wept in dismay.
When the soldiers took Jesus to be questioned, Simon Peter followed them to the courtyard of the high priest, where he waited outside miserably, along with the guards warming themselves at the fire. as one of the servant girls was walking by, she caught sight of Peter by the fire. "Weren't you with Jesus of Nazareth?" she asked him. I'm sure I saw you with him."
"No, you've got the wrong man!" Peter hissed quietly, hoping no one else had heard, for he feared what would happen if they believed he was one of Jesus' disciples.
The girl shrugged and walked away, but on her way back, she said to one of the guards, "Don't you think he looks like one of Jesus' followers?"
"I told you, I don't have anything to do with him!" panicked Peter.
Now the other guards were looking at him. "You must be one of them," said one. "I can tell from your accent you're from Galilee."
"I swear I've never even met Him!" cried Peter, his heart racing. At that very moment, a cock crowed, and Peter remembered what Jesus had said, and he broke down and wept in dismay.
Bible Story
North Parade Publishing
Passed Around
The priests and Pharisees spent the night questioning Jesus. They asked Him if He was the Messiah, the Son of God, and Jesus replied, "You have said so. but from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of God."
They were furious, but only the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, could order His death. So they dragged Him before Pilate, but although Pilate asked Jesus many questions, he could find no reason to put Him to death. "But He's a troublemaker!" the priests complained. "He started in Galilee and made His way here!"
When Pilate realised that Jesus came from Galilee, he saw a way of getting rid of the problem, for Herod was in charge of that area. So Jesus was taken before Herod. But however many questions Herod asked, Jesus remained grave and silent. In the end, Herod grew tired of his audience. Then he and his soldiers made fun of Jesus, before sending him back to Pilate.
Pilate Washes His Hands
Pilate was under pressure to order the execution of Jesus, but there was one possible way out. During Passover it was the custom to release one prisoner. At that time, there was a man named Barabbas in prison for rebellion and murder. Pilate called the priests and the people before him and asked who they wanted him to release, and the crowd answered, Barabbas!" for they had been told to say this.
"What shall I do with the one you call King of the Jews?"
"Crucify Him!" roared the crowd.
"But why?" continued Pilate. "For what crime?" but the crowd only shouted all the louder.
Pilate did not want to order the execution - but neither did he want a riot! He sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands in it, to show that he took no responsibility for Jesus's death. Then he released Barabbas, and had Jesus handed over to be crucified.
The priests and Pharisees spent the night questioning Jesus. They asked Him if He was the Messiah, the Son of God, and Jesus replied, "You have said so. but from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of God."
They were furious, but only the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, could order His death. So they dragged Him before Pilate, but although Pilate asked Jesus many questions, he could find no reason to put Him to death. "But He's a troublemaker!" the priests complained. "He started in Galilee and made His way here!"
When Pilate realised that Jesus came from Galilee, he saw a way of getting rid of the problem, for Herod was in charge of that area. So Jesus was taken before Herod. But however many questions Herod asked, Jesus remained grave and silent. In the end, Herod grew tired of his audience. Then he and his soldiers made fun of Jesus, before sending him back to Pilate.
Pilate Washes His Hands
Pilate was under pressure to order the execution of Jesus, but there was one possible way out. During Passover it was the custom to release one prisoner. At that time, there was a man named Barabbas in prison for rebellion and murder. Pilate called the priests and the people before him and asked who they wanted him to release, and the crowd answered, Barabbas!" for they had been told to say this.
"What shall I do with the one you call King of the Jews?"
"Crucify Him!" roared the crowd.
"But why?" continued Pilate. "For what crime?" but the crowd only shouted all the louder.
Pilate did not want to order the execution - but neither did he want a riot! He sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands in it, to show that he took no responsibility for Jesus's death. Then he released Barabbas, and had Jesus handed over to be crucified.
Bible Story
North Parade Publishing
Mocked
Jesus was taken away by soldiers, "Since you are the King of the Jews, let's dress you for the occasion!" they mocked, and then dressed Him in a purple robe, the colour worn by kings, and put a crown of thorny branches upon His head. They they beat Him, and spat on His face, before putting him back in His own clothes and leading Him through the streets towards Golgotha, the place where He was to be crucified.
They made Him carry the wooden cross on His back, but it was large and heavy, and Jesus had been dreadfully beaten. When He could do it no longer, they snatched someone from out of the crowd to carry it for Him. And so the dreadful procession made its way of the city to the hill of Golgotha.
Jesus was taken away by soldiers, "Since you are the King of the Jews, let's dress you for the occasion!" they mocked, and then dressed Him in a purple robe, the colour worn by kings, and put a crown of thorny branches upon His head. They they beat Him, and spat on His face, before putting him back in His own clothes and leading Him through the streets towards Golgotha, the place where He was to be crucified.
They made Him carry the wooden cross on His back, but it was large and heavy, and Jesus had been dreadfully beaten. When He could do it no longer, they snatched someone from out of the crowd to carry it for Him. And so the dreadful procession made its way of the city to the hill of Golgotha.