📖

Understanding Atonement

The Cross: What Jesus Accomplished

Day 116of 180
Week 24of 36
30Minutes
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Learning Objectives

1

Understand the basic concept of atonement

2

Explain how Jesus' death reconciles us to God

3

Develop a deeper appreciation for God's redemptive plan

Romans 3:25-26

whom God set forth to be an atoning sacrifice, through faith in his blood, to show his righteousness, because in his forbearance, God passed over the sins previously committed, to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time, that he might himself be just and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:25-26 (WEB)

Explains God's purpose in sending Jesus as an atoning sacrifice

📦 Materials Needed

  • Bible
  • Notebook
  • Colored pencils
  • BibleMouse Atonement Study Guide
  • World English Bible

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

In today's BibleMouse lesson, we'll explore a big word that changes everything: Atonement! Remember how we learned about faith heroes last week? Now we'll see how Jesus makes a way for us to connect with God.

💭 Review Question: What did you learn about faith in our previous lesson?
2Teaching (10 min)

Atonement means 'to make things right with God'. Imagine you broke something precious, and you couldn't fix it. Jesus is like the perfect repair person who not only fixes what was broken but makes it even better!

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Sin separates us from God
  • Jesus bridges the gap between God and humans
  • Atonement is God's rescue plan
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What do you think separates people from God?
  • How does Jesus make a way for us to know God?
3Activity: Atonement Bridge Drawing (12 min)
discussion

Create a visual representation of how Jesus bridges the gap between God and humanity

📝 Instructions:
  1. Draw a canyon representing separation from God
  2. Draw Jesus as a bridge across the canyon
  3. Write key words about atonement on the bridge
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use pre-drawn template from BibleMouse Printables Library

Challenge: Research additional Bible verses about reconciliation

4Closing (3 min)

Review key concepts of atonement

📝 Review Questions:
  • What does atonement mean?
  • How does Jesus make things right with God?
🙏 Prayer:

Thank you, God, for sending Jesus to make a way for us to know you.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll explore how Jesus took our place as a substitute

2 Corinthians 5:21

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Atonement Puzzle: Write each word of the verse on a separate puzzle piece. Mix up the pieces and challenge the student to reassemble the verse while explaining its meaning.

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Atonement is a complex theological concept. Focus on the heart of God's love and rescue plan.

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use simple analogies to explain complex ideas
  • Encourage questions and curiosity
  • Connect the lesson to personal faith
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children may find it difficult to understand abstract concepts of sin and redemption

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Signs of understanding: asking thoughtful questions, making connections to personal experience

Extension Activities

  • Watch BibleMouse animated video on atonement
  • Read additional passages about God's redemption in the BibleMouse Resource Guide
  • Create a prayer journal reflecting on God's love

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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