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9.1 Large Group Lesson | Elementary

Seek and FindThe Last Supper

Scripture marked “NIV” is taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of Biblica. Scripture marked “NIrV” is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version ™, Copyright ©1995, 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. All scripture references are taken from NIrV unless otherwise stated.

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BIG IDEA: Jesus gave His body and blood for our sins, so we can remember Him through communion.

BIBLE BASIS: Matthew 26:17-30; Luke 22:7-30

KEY VERSE: “Everyone should take a careful look at themselves before they eat the bread and drink from the cup.” 1 Corinthians 11:28 (NIrV)

15–25 minutes

7–15 minutes

30–40 minutes

7–15 minutes

9.1 Large Group Lesson | Elementary

LEADER DEVOTIONALIn ancient Israel, it was customary when a man would propose to a woman that he would pour a

cup of wine and offer it to his beloved. The wine was symbolic of his blood, the very life coursing through his body. So in offering her the wine, he was offering to give his own life for hers. If she drank from the cup, she was accepting his proposal to enter into a covenantal marriage.

At the last supper, Jesus poured a cup of wine and said to His disciples, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” In essence, Jesus was proclaiming, “I love you. I am offering to you my very life. Will you be mine?” That is the gospel. That God so loved the world that He gave His only Son—His life for ours.

Every time we take communion, we remember that He gave His life for ours. We remember not only what He has done but also how we have responded. We remember the moment that we said, “Yes!” and committed our lives to a covenantal relationship with the God of the universe.

Casey JordanGO! Contributor

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9.1 Large Group Lesson | Elementary

LARGE GROUP SKILL BUILDING

Using Props Effectively

Telling a story is great. Showing a story is even better! Well-integrated props can give a third dimension to a two-dimensional story. They help stories come alive. They add interest and intrigue. More than that, they help cement a story or lesson into the minds of the audience. Poorly integrated props, on the other hand, can bring your lesson down like the flaming Hindenburg! Here are a few tips on how to achieve the former and avoid the latter:

Choose props that are relevant to the message. The GO! curriculum will often suggest different props. If you think of a prop that you want to introduce on your own, be sure that it contributes to the objective of the lesson.

In most situations, keep the props out of sight until it’s time to use them. Props are kind of like tigers during a magic show. Let them out at just the right time and they’re sure to wow the audience. Let them wander around for the entire show and they’ll devour an audience member! Interesting props, left in plain sight, can easily devour the attention of a kid.

Don’t let live tigers loose in the room. I think we adequately covered that one in the previous bullet point. More than that, though, be sure that all of your props are safe around kids. If your intro into the prop goes something like this, “God is kind of like this hand grenade,” please reconsider your choice of props.

Organize your props ahead of time. Make sure your props are easy to reach. If you’re using multiple props, organize them so you can quickly grab the right prop at the right time. Does your prop require some set-up? If so, set it up ahead of time. The transition from words to props should be quick and seamless.

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9.1 Large Group Lesson | Elementary

UNIT DESCRIPTIONSometimes life can seem like one giant “seek and find.” Where did my sunglasses go? Why can’t I find the TV remote? Didn’t we come here with three kids? Gulp! Some “seek and finds” can be maddening or even frightening, but not this time. During the “Seek and Find” series, kids will seek high and low within the Big Bible Story pictures to find the hidden items. In doing so, they’ll get a complete picture of the Easter Story and, more importantly, of what it looks like to have a relationship with Jesus, the Risen Lord and Savior of the World.

SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS For each kid, print one “Seek and Find: Last Supper” (see Resource Folder) on 8½ x 11 paper. For each kid, print one “Heart Word Search” (see Resource Folder) on the back side of the “Seek

and Find: Last Supper” paper. Have one marker, pen, or pencil ready to give to each kid. Hide your Bible somewhere in the teaching area or room so that it’s at least partially visible for the

audience. In a separate area, hide a magnifying glass somewhere in the teaching area or room so that it’s

at least partially visible for the audience. Print out the seven “Big Bible Story Character Signs” (see Resource Folder) and tape them

randomly in different spots around the room so that they’re visible for the audience. Place a loaf of French bread and an “old world” cup in the teaching area. (Optional) Place a prize in the teaching area. Give it to the kid or kids who find the most “sin”

words in the word search puzzle. Choose which of the Reflect and Respond Stations you would like to make available. Set out the

appropriate materials for each of those stations.

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9.1 Large Group Lesson | Elementary

CG: “Seek and Find” title graphicSound: Play upbeat music as kids move to large group area

SEEK AND FIND INTROAhead of time, place a Bible and magnifying glass separately somewhere in the teaching area or room that is at least partially visible for the audience. Avoid eye contact with the kids as you welcome them while searching unsuccessfully for your Bible.

Large Group Leader: Hello everybody and welcome to our very first week of… (Trail off as you continue searching.) I’m sorry—I’m having trouble finding something. (Look at audience for first time. Have an “aha” moment.) You know what—maybe you can help. I know I put my Bible somewhere around here, I just can’t seem to find it. Does anyone see it? (Allow kids to search for the Bible from their seats. When found, retrieve the Bible.) That’s it—thank you! You kids are life savers!

Now where was I...oh yes! Hello everybody and welcome to our very first week of… (Quickly get distracted and seamlessly continue into the next sentence.) …You know what? This is a little embarrassing, but I just realized that I also misplaced my magnifying glass. Does anyone see where it might be? (Allow kids to search for the magnifying glass from their seats. When found, hold Bible in one hand and magnifying glass in the other.)

Okay—I think I have everything I need to get started. Let me try this one last time. Hello and welcome to our very first week of “Seek and Find.” (Open Bible and look at it through the magnifying glass as you deliver the next line.) You’re obviously the perfect kids to have here for this, because for the next 4 weeks we’re going to seek and find all sorts of things hidden in the Easter story. But best of all, we’re going to seek and find the most important thing ever—a relationship with Jesus, the Savior of the world.

BIG BIBLE STORY REVIEWBefore we get started, though, let’s think back to the very beginning of the Big Bible Story and see if we can remember how we got to this point in the story.

Ahead of time, print out the Big Bible Story Character Signs and tape them randomly in different spots around the room visible from the audience. One at a time, call out the characters from the list below and have the kids find and point to them. When found, run to that character and briefly explain that portion of the Big Bible Story.

Adam and Eve: In the beginning, everything was perfect until Adam and Eve disobeyed God and brought sin into the world.

Noah: The sin problem eventually got so bad that God used a giant flood to destroy the world. Only Noah, his family, and two of every animal survived.

Abraham: The flood might have slowed sin down, but it didn’t stop it. So God promised Abraham that his family, known as the Israelites, would one day give birth to the Savior.

Moses: After escaping slavery in Egypt, Moses and Joshua led the Israelites through the wilderness and into a land that God had promised them—a land called the Promised Land.

King David: In the Promised Land, God gave His people judges to lead them, but the Israelites demanded to have a king. Most of the kings led the Israelites into sin, but not King David. He was the greatest of Israel’s kings.

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9.1 Large Group Lesson | Elementary

Baby Jesus: Hundreds of years later, just as God had promised, Jesus, the Savior, was born. Grown-up Jesus: When Jesus was grown, He traveled throughout Galilee and the surrounding

areas where He performed miracles and taught people all about God’s kingdom.

CG: “The Big Bible Story” graphic

THE BIG BIBLE STORY—THE LAST SUPPERLast week we heard about the time that Jesus washed His disciples’ feet during a special Passover meal. Jesus knew that this was going to be His (emphasize) last supper before dying. Does anyone know what the supper is called? (If kids struggle to answer, repeat the previous sentence while emphasizing “last supper” even more.) You got it—it’s called the “Last Supper.” I’ve got a picture of it for you. Unfortunately, the picture seems to be missing a few things. Let’s see if we can find what’s missing.

Give each kid a “Seek and Find: Last Supper” printout along with a pen or marker. Ask the kids to keep their paper with the picture facing down until told otherwise. You can reduce distractions by having the kids keep their paper face down unless they’re searching for an object. Tell the kids that when they find the hidden objects, they’ll need to strike the “Finders” pose to show they found it. Ask the kids what kind of fun or crazy “Finders” pose they would like to strike and choose one for the duration of the story.

While they were all eating, Jesus told the disciples something very troubling. When I say “go,” flip your paper over and try to find the bowl. When you find it, circle it and strike the “Finders” pose. (Say “go” and begin the “Seek and Find” countdown. At the end of the countdown video, the hidden object will be revealed.) Video: PLAY 20-second countdown timer #1. Way to find it! Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray Him. The disciples were shocked and saddened. Each of them said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord.” Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.” The disciple named Judas couldn’t believe it—(motion as if dipping hand in bowl) he was the one who had dipped his hand into the bowl with Jesus.

There’s something else missing from this picture. When I say “go,” flip your paper over and find the loaf of bread. (Say “go” and begin the countdown.) Video: PLAY 20-second countdown timer #2. Nice job! Jesus knew that His time on earth was ending and He wanted His disciples to remember He was going to be the sacrifice that washed everyone’s sins away. (Break a piece of bread off of loaf.) So, Jesus took some bread and broke it into pieces. He gave the pieces to His disciples and after He thanked God, Jesus said, “Take this bread and eat it. This is like my body.”

When He was finished, Jesus did something else, but we need to find it first. When I say “go,” flip your paper over and find the cup. (Say “go” and begin the countdown.) Video: PLAY 20-second countdown timer #3. You got it! After breaking the bread, Jesus held up a cup of wine. He passed the cup around to the disciples so that they could each take a drink. (Hold up a cup as if offering a toast.) After He thanked God again, Jesus said, “This wine is like my blood—the blood that God has promised would be poured out for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you eat this bread and drink this wine, remember the sacrifice that I’ve made for your sins.”

At the end of the supper, Jesus did one last thing with His disciples. Let’s see if we can find it. When I say “go,” flip your paper over and find the musical note. (Say “go” and begin the countdown timer.) Video: PLAY 20-second countdown timer #4. When Jesus had finished eating the Passover meal with His

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9.1 Large Group Lesson | Elementary

disciples, they all sang songs to God. A short time later, just as Jesus had predicted, Judas would betray Jesus and hand Him over to the soldiers to be killed on a cross.

CG: “Big Bible Story Questions” graphic

BIG BIBLE STORY QUESTIONSAt the end of the Bible story have the kids turn briefly to their small groups and discuss the following questions: For Younger Kids: What was your favorite part of this story? How would you have felt during the “Last Supper” if you were one of the disciples? For Older Kids: What do you think this story teaches us about Jesus? Do you think the disciples needed the bread and wine to help them remember Jesus’ sacrifice? Why or why not? After a few minutes, draw their attention back to the teaching area. You may want to ask the kids for some of their answers to hear what they were thinking.

CG: “Seek and Find” title graphic

TAKE A CAREFUL LOOK(Return to the teaching area.) In our story today, Jesus used two things to help His disciples remember the sacrifice He made. Who remembers what the two things were? (Take answers. For each symbol, ask kids what it represents.) That’s right—the bread (hold up loaf) reminds us of Jesus’ body and the wine (hold up cup) reminds us of His blood. Did you know that people still eat bread and drink wine (or grape juice depending on your church’s tradition) at church in order to remember the sacrifice that Jesus made? They do! It’s called “Communion.”

Ask the kids what, if anything, they know about Communion. After taking some answers, take a moment to share what Communion looks like at your church. How often does it happen? Who can take it? Where is it served? How is it served? If possible, show some pictures of people at your church receiving Communion.

Whenever people take Communion at church, it helps them remember how Jesus gave His body and shed His blood on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. But there’s something else that’s supposed to happen during Communion. Let me show you with one last “Seek and Find” challenge.

Tell kids to look on the back side of their “Seek and Find: Last Supper” printout. There will be a heart with a word search. Tell the kids that they have one minute to “take a careful look” at the heart and find the word “sin” as many times as they possibly can. Video: PLAY 1-minute countdown timer. When one minute is up, tell the kids to put down their pens/markers and count the number of times they found the word “sin.” There is a total of 20. Consider giving a prize to the kid or kids who find the most.

That “Seek and Find” challenge was a clue about something people are supposed to do during Communion. Can anyone guess what it is? (Take answers.) Great guesses! Let’s take a look at our Bible verse for today to find out. (Encourage kids to open their Bibles to 1 Corinthians 11:28. Be prepared to give younger kids more time and assistance in finding the verse. When ready, choose a kid to read it aloud or read it aloud yourself while the kids follow along.)

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9.1 Large Group Lesson | Elementary

CG: “Everyone should take a careful look at themselves before they eat the bread and drink from the cup.” 1 Corinthians 11:28

When people take communion, God wants them to do something like a “Seek and Find.” He wants people to seek within their heart and find any sin that’s there. Communion is a time for people to take a careful look at themselves and ask Jesus for forgiveness.

Of course, Communion isn’t the only time you can do that. (If the kids at your church are allowed to take Communion with the adults, adjust the following lines.) The kids at our church aren’t quite old enough to take communion, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a careful look at yourself and ask Jesus for forgiveness. Anyone can do that at any time! In fact, we’re going to do that right now.

Close the Large Group time by opening the kids in prayer. After opening, prompt the kids to silently think about some ways they’ve sinned or disobeyed God. Give them about 10 seconds to reflect. Next, prompt the kids to silently ask Jesus for forgiveness. Give them about 10 seconds to pray. Finally, close the kids in one last prayer of thanksgiving for God’s grace and forgiveness.

Following the prayer, explain to the kids which of the Reflect and Respond Stations will be available. Remind them to move about the stations very quietly. Tell them they are free to respond to God in whatever way the Holy Spirit leads them, but if they need suggestions, some of the stations will give them ideas for how to pray, write, or draw. Give each child one “GO! Home” sheet and instruct them to take it with them to the stations. Place small group leaders at the different stations to quietly help the kids. The stations listed below are just the ones that have prompts that are specific to today’s lesson. For more instructions on how the Reflect and Respond Stations work as well as a full list of possible stations, see the “GO! Guide.”

CG: “Seek and Find” title graphicMusic: (Optional) Play quiet instrumental music

Prayer Station prompt: Write a prayer to God. Tell Him about a sin that you’ve committed and ask Him for forgiveness.

Journal Station prompt: How does it make you feel to know that Jesus died for your sins? Tell God about it in a letter.

Bible Station prompt: Read it for yourself: Matthew 26:17-30. Draw a picture of the story or write to God your favorite part of the story. Tell Him why you liked it.

Art Station prompt: What do you think it looks like to take Communion? Draw a picture of it.

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