📖

Old Testament Sacrifices Pointed Forward

Jesus Took Our Place

Day 112of 180
Week 23of 36
25Minutes
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Learning Objectives

1

Understand how Old Testament animal sacrifices were symbolic of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice

2

Explain the concept of substitution in God's plan of redemption

3

Develop compassion for God's plan to rescue humanity from sin

Hebrews 10:4-5

For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. Therefore when he comes into the world, he says, 'Sacrifice and offering you didn't desire, but you prepared a body for me.'

Hebrews 10:4-5 (WEB)

Demonstrates how animal sacrifices were insufficient and pointed to Christ's ultimate sacrifice

📦 Materials Needed

  • Bible (World English Bible)
  • White paper
  • Red crayon or marker
  • Scissors
  • BibleMouse Resource Guide: Grade 3 Bible

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

In today's BibleMouse lesson, we'll explore how God used animal sacrifices to help people understand Jesus' amazing rescue plan!

💭 Review Question: Can you remember what we learned about substitution yesterday?
2Teaching (8 min)

In the Old Testament, when people sinned, they had to bring an animal to the priest. The animal would take their place and receive punishment for their sin. But this was just a picture of what Jesus would do perfectly!

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Animals couldn't really take away sin permanently
  • Each sacrifice showed that sin requires a payment
  • Jesus would be the perfect, final sacrifice
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Why do you think God used animals to help people understand sin?
  • How is Jesus' sacrifice different from animal sacrifices?
3Activity: Sacrifice Illustration (10 min)
sacrifice system review

Create a visual representation of substitution using paper and red marker

📝 Instructions:
  1. Draw a stick figure representing the person who sinned
  2. Draw another figure representing the sacrifice
  3. Use red to show how the sacrifice takes the punishment
  4. Explain how this is like Jesus taking our place
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Parent helps draw and explain

Challenge: Child explains the illustration to family members

4Closing (3 min)

Review of how Old Testament sacrifices pointed to Jesus

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did animal sacrifices teach people about sin?
  • How does Jesus' sacrifice help us?
🙏 Prayer:

Thank God for sending Jesus to take our place

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll look deeper into Isaiah 53 and how Jesus was wounded for us

Isaiah 53:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Sacrifice Verse Puzzle: Cut the memory verse into word strips, then have the child reassemble the verse, explaining each word's meaning

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

The sacrificial system was God's way of helping people understand the serious consequences of sin and the need for a perfect substitute

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use simple language
  • Be patient with abstract concepts
  • Encourage questions
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children may find it difficult to understand how an innocent animal (or Jesus) could take punishment for someone else

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Child's growing understanding of God's rescue plan

Extension Activities

  • BibleMouse Printables Library: Sacrifice system coloring page
  • Act out the sacrifice process using stuffed animals
  • Research how different cultures understand sacrifice

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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