This is your last week of Matthew! I hope your time spent in Scripture has proven to be well worth it.
This week’s readings fall right in line with what we’ve just learned through Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. So, while I’ll give you a question to discuss for each day, I’d like you to focus a little on the transition to Mark during your reading times this week since Thursday you’re reading the end of Matthew and Friday you’re reading the beginning of Mark.
Questions:
4/22 – Matthew 27:45-56:
- In verse 54, the centurion, who was a Roman soldier, and others who were watching suddenly realize that Jesus really was the Son of God. What do you think they felt when they had that realization?
4/23 – Matthew 27:57-66:
- The Pharisees assured everything was done to try to keep Jesus in the tomb, but we know, none of it worked. Is there anything in your life right now that seems impossible? What miracle could you start asking God for in that situation?
4/24 – Matthew 28:1-15:
- Why does it matter that Jesus rose from the dead?
4/25 – Matthew 28:16-20:
- What does Jesus command us to do in the Great Commission? What is one thing you will do to obey the Great Commission?
Talking about the transition:
One of the wiliest moves the devil makes is creating the argument that the Bible contradicts itself. One of the reasons we believe it is because we don’t know the Bible well enough so we’re afraid to argue back – kids and teenagers are particularly susceptible to this argument because their thinking is very black and white and concrete.
Because of that and because we are about to transition from Matthew to Mark where some of the stories will sound different or will be in a different order, I want to give you and your family a helpful exercise to understand why the gospels might sound a little different.
The Car Ride:
When you get home from some car ride where at least three of you were present, without warning, tell everyone to write down or dictate what they experienced on the car ride. Pick something simple and familiar like coming home from school or going to church, etc. Ask them to write down whatever they remember. Then compare the different accounts.
No surprise, they will all be somewhat different, but they’re all true, and you all experienced the same thing – just from different perspectives. If little brother had to go to the bathroom the whole time, that will cloud what he remembers. If you were driving, you will notice when someone cuts you off, but the kids in the backseat probably won’t notice that.
Remind the kids that even though the stories may sound a little different, you’ll hear the same heart shining through Jesus through all the different accounts.
Munger Kids 