John
1:16
Thinky wonders if you have ever thought about grace. It’s God’s goodness we don’t deserve. What we do deserve is to be punished for our sins.
But this is God’s grace. God sent his Son, Jesus, to be punished for our sin. Jesus took our place. Because Jesus paid for our sin, we have the right to be his children. But that’s true only if we believe in him.
Think about God’s goodness, about his grace.
Remember to thank him for his grace.
You experience it every minute of every day.
1:18
John tells us that no person has ever seen God. That is true!
But then John does a wonderful thing. In his gospel, he tells about Jesus, God’s Son. Jesus showed us what God is like. So if you know Jesus, then you also know God.
2:23–24
Jesus knew that many people only believed in him because of the miracles. He knew they would quickly leave him if following him became difficult.
But this didn’t stop Jesus from helping people. He even helped those who turned away from him. He was prepared to die on the cross for everyone.
Talky was thinking about being faithful to Jesus. Get together with your friends. Think of the names of people who have always been faithful to Jesus. Talk about the good things you notice in their lives. Then take time to pray together. Thank the Lord for these people who are examples of faithful living. Ask the Lord to help you to always be faithful to him.
4:1–42
Joinme says why not get a group of friends together. Then role-play the story of the woman at the well. Divide up the verses so that everyone has a turn reading. Assign the different roles. Remember the narrator! If you like, you can use face masks for the different roles.
Practice until you know your roles and then perform your play.
Remember that your play has to remind the audience that Jesus loves everybody. It doesn’t matter who they are.
5:5–9
Talky and his friend Thinky were talking to some of the other Wayees. They were talking about how long the man lay next to the pool of Bethesda. He trusted that God would answer his prayers.
Find some friends and talk together about this.
Have any of you ever had to wait a long time before your prayers were answered?
God always knows what’s best for us. Why do you think God sometimes makes us wait before he answers our prayers?
5:16–17
Inny often feels that he wants to do something for someone else. But he is never sure if the time is right. When Jesus healed a sick man, the Jews thought he should have done it on another day. However, Jesus said that it was always a good time to help someone.
See if you can find ways to help other people during the next two days. Don’t forget the people in your family!
8:12
Arty wonders if you’ve ever been in a dark room. What happens when someone switches on the light? Or if they light a candle?
Suddenly you can see where everything and everybody is.
Draw a picture of a candle with a bright yellow flame.
Write John 8:12 under it. Then remember this.
When Jesus is with you, it’s as if a light is shining brightly.
He shows you what to do.
Stay with him and you will always be in the light.
9:1–5
We often want to know where things come from. We ask, Why? and How?
In Jesus’ time, some people believed that illness and suffering were caused by sin. If you were ill or if you suffered, it meant that you had done something wrong.
But Jesus said that this isn’t true. We don’t always know why things happen. But when Jesus healed sick people, he showed us that he is stronger than illness. He did this so we would know he was God’s Son and believe in him.
9:25
The man whom Jesus healed on the Sabbath day was questioned by the Jews. They wanted to know what happened to him. The man answered them,
"I was blind, but now I can see!"
John Newton wrote the song Amazing Grace. He said that he had been like a blind person before he knew Jesus. When he discovered God’s grace, it was as if his eyes had been opened. Hummy found the words in a song book. See if you can find the words to this song and then sing it.
11:35
Inny found out that this is one of the shortest verses in the Bible. It’s one that is easy to remember.
Tears are a gift from God to help us show when we are hurt or feel sad.
Jesus cried because he was sad that his friend had died.
Boys and girls don’t have to feel shy or ashamed to show their feelings.
Like Jesus you can show when you are hurt or when you feel sad.
13:12–17
Even though Jesus was the Son of God, he came to this world to serve. And if we are followers of Jesus, we are meant to serve others just as he did.
We can serve people by doing loving and kind things for them.
Doing this is a way for us to honor and worship God.
Crafty says think of something you can do for someone at home.
It must be something that you don’t really like doing.
Or it may even be difficult to do.
Then go and do it!
14:1–3, 16
The disciples were upset and sad when Jesus told them that he was going away. Has someone you love gone away, either for a short time or forever?
Inny wonders how this made you feel?
Jesus comforted his disciples. He said that they would one day be with him in heaven. He said that the Holy Spirit would be with them in the meantime. His words are meant for you too. How does having the Holy Spirit with you make you feel?
14:6
Arty wants you to make a road sign. You can choose any one you like or design your own. Make it big and color it with bright colors. Write Jesus’ words in John 14:6 on the sign.
What does Jesus mean when he says he is the way?
Jesus means this. He is the one who shows us the way to heaven.
He shows us how to live.
He also shows us the truth about the world and our lives.
14:15–31
Jesus is with us even though he went back to heaven. His Holy Spirit lives in his followers. The Holy Spirit is our friend. He comforts us and gives us advice. He helps us. He asks the Father to forgive us and to give us another chance. He encourages us.
You can read more about the Holy Spirit in John 15:26 and 16:13–14.
16:5–7
Talky hates to be left behind. The disciples were sad when they heard that Jesus was going to leave them behind. How do you feel when you are left behind?
In your group, tell one another about a time when you had to stay behind.
Talk about how Jesus comforted his disciples. He had some good news for them.
What was his news?
Is the Holy Spirit with us as well?
How do you know this?
Read John 16:12–13 for help.
17
The day of Jesus’ crucifixion was coming soon. Then he wouldn’t be with his disciples any more. In this chapter, you can read what is called Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. The high priests used to pray for the people. Jesus prayed for himself. He prayed for his disciples and his followers. He prayed that God would keep them safe, faithful and true to him.
21:15–19
Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loved him. Maybe Jesus did this because Peter had denied him three times. Remember, Peter said three times that he didn’t know Jesus. Now he got three chances to say that he loved Jesus. Jesus was showing Peter that he had completely forgiven him.