Jesus Dies and Rises to Save Us
New Testament 4
Weekly Bulletin Notes
Help parents and others stay connected to your Sunday School with these weekly bulletin summaries of the Bible lesson for the week. An electronic version for placement in your church bulletin is also available online: www.cph.org/sundayschool. 

Lesson 1
The children learned about “Jesus and Zacchaeus” in Luke 19:1–10. When Jesus went to Zacchaeus’s house, He demonstrated that God blesses and fills our hungry souls with His gifts. Consider discussing, “How did Jesus show His care for Zacchaeus? How does He show His care for us?” 
Lesson 2
This week in Sunday School we studied, “The Triumphal Entry.” Jesus’ victorious entry into Jerusalem begins the week, which ends with His crucifixion and death. As a family, talk about, “How did the people welcome Jesus to Jerusalem? How can we praise and honor God today?”
Lesson 3
“The Widow’s Offering” serves as the focus of the Sunday School lesson for today. Just as the widow gave all she had to God, trusting Him to provide and care for her, so Jesus gave His all for us, who fail to trust in God for all things. Consider discussing, “How was the widow’s offering different from the others? How has God given us His greatest treasure?”
Lesson 4
The children learned about “The Lord’s Supper” (Luke 22:1–23) in Sunday School today. In your family discussion ask, “What benefits and blessings do we receive in the Lord’s Supper?”
Lesson 5
On this Sunday, the Sunday School lesson studies “Peter Denies Jesus.” Though we, like Peter, deny Jesus and His gifts, Jesus cannot deny us, because we are part of Him, baptized members of His own Body. Instead, He forgives us and welcomes us back. Consider asking, “How does Peter’s denial affect him? In what ways does God forgive us and welcome us back?”
Lesson 6
The Sunday School lesson covers Matthew’s account of “The Passion of Christ” as He ventured to the cross for you and me. The Father, the perfect, righteous judge of the universe, forsook Jesus on the cross so that the perfect, righteous sacrifice, Jesus Christ, could be punished for the sins of the whole world. Discuss with your children, “Why was it necessary for Jesus to die? What benefit do we gain from the death and resurrection of Jesus?”
Lesson 7
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Today in Sunday School, your children are joining in the celebration of “The Resurrection of Jesus” as they study Matthew’s account of Easter morning (Matthew 28:1–10). Consider asking, “Why is the bodily resurrection of Jesus important? How is each Sunday a celebration of Easter?”
Lesson 8
On the first Easter, Mary Magdalene and His disciples discover “The Empty Tomb” (John 20:1–18). In Sunday School today, the children learned how Jesus comes to us in His Word, so that the Spirit gives us faith to believe in Christ’s resurrection and comforts us when we mourn the death of loved ones. You might discuss, “How did Jesus’ followers react when they discovered the empty tomb? How can we share the message of the resurrection?”
Lesson 9
Today in Sunday School, the children learned of how the disciples recognized the resurrected Jesus through the Scriptures and the breaking of bread when “Jesus Appears on the Emmaus Road” (Luke 24:13–35). Talk with your children, “How does Christ comes to and abide with us?” 
Lesson 10
Today in Sunday School, the children studied “Jesus Appears to Thomas” (John 20:19–31). We, like Thomas, doubt what we cannot see. Through His Spirit, God gives us eyes of faith that we might see Jesus in Word and Sacrament and believe in Him. Discuss with your family, “When is it hard to trust and believe in the promises of God? Who is the source of our faith?”
Lesson 11
Today in Sunday School, we study “Jesus Appears in Galilee.” We are all like Peter in our words and actions, denying our Lord and weeping bitterly over what we have done. We are in need of the same comfort that Peter received—the comfort of sins forgiven and the assurance that even though we are faithless, Jesus will remain faithful. You might discuss, “How did Peter express his sorrow and repentance? What specific directions did Jesus give to Peter?”
Lesson 12
Today’s Sunday School lesson taught the children “Jesus Ascends into Heaven” to prepare a place for us there with Him (Acts 1:1–11; Luke 24:44–53). Ask the children to tell you about Jesus’ ascension and what it means for them.
Lesson 13
Today in Sunday School, students studied “John’s Vision of Heaven.” Those who believe that salvation has been accomplished by the all-availing sacrifice of Jesus’ blood on the cross will bear the name of Christ, written on their forehead in Holy Baptism, and will have the right to the tree of life. Consider discussing, “How does John describe heaven? How is the promise of eternal life in heaven ours?”

Cross Explorations® New Testament 4 Director CD © 2017 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV®. Reproduced by permission.