Family Worship

A Dark Night in the Garden

The focus of this family time is to use five easy steps to teach our family about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus knew he had to take the punishment for our sins. It was the only way to bring us back to God.


MEMORY VERSE:  

The Son of Man must be killed and after three days rise again.

Mark 8:31


STEP 1. GATHER!

Use this exercise to begin Family Worship Night and have fun!


Play 20 questions

  • One person will simply think of something (either a person, place, or thing). The rest of the group will take turns asking yes or no questions in order to try to guess what that person is thinking of.
  • If the players can not guess what the person has thought of within a total of 20 questions, then they lose and the person who thought of the initial phrase wins!

STEP 2. WORSHIP!

Preschool:



Elementary:

  • Sing and have fun while worshiping then pray. Take a moment here to thank God for your family and your time together!! 


STEP 3. BIBLE!

Read Pages 291-301 in the Jesus Storybook Bible

Watch:


STEP 4. DISCUSSION! 

Use these questions and points to have a conversation with your children about the Bible story. 

  • Say: I’m going to ask you some questions about this story and about Jesus’ death. I will then say ‘Go!’ If the answer to my question is ‘yes,’ stand up and if the answer is ‘no,’ sit down. Ready?” 
  • Ask the questions below, saying “Go!” after each one. When the children have stood or sat, comment on the accuracy of their choice (e.g., “You are all correct!”) and then ask them to sit back down in the circle. Say “Ready?” and ask the next question. 
  • Were Jesus and his disciples in a garden?

  • Jesus asked the disciples to stay up with him and pray. Did they?
  • 
Did the disciples fall asleep?
  • 
Did Jesus know it was time for him to die?

  • Did Jesus and his Father plan the rescue and Jesus’ death from the beginning? 
  • Was there any other way for Jesus to rescue us, other than by dying?

  • Did Jesus cry out and pray in the garden about his death?
  • 
Did Jesus end his prayer by saying to God, “Whatever you say, I will do”? 
  • Were the soldiers who arrived in the garden led by Judas, Jesus’ disciple?
  • 
Did the soldiers want to arrest Jesus?

  • Peter took out his sword and tried to defend Jesus. Did Jesus need defending? 
  • Did Jesus let them arrest him?
  • 
Had Jesus ever done anything wrong?

  • Did Jesus’ disciples stay with him?

  • Did the soldiers take Jesus to the Leaders to be put on trial?

  • When the Leaders ask Jesus if he is the Son of God, does he disagree?

  • Were the Leaders angry at Jesus?
  • 
Were the Leaders allowed to kill prisoners?
  • 
Would the Leaders’ plan to have the Romans kill Jesus work?

  • Was this part of God’s plan?

STEP 5. Pray!

  • Pray aloud, thanking God for his rescue plan and thanking him that Jesus loves us so much that he died to take away the punishment for our sin. 
  • Ask the children to thank God in prayer for who Jesus is and for why Jesus died.