Structures:

Your uncle just died?
I'm sorry.
You have my (sympathy, condolence).

Vocabulary:

What was the unusual thing that happened for three hours before Jesus died?

1. Three people died on a cross that day with Jesus. Who were the other two? Why were they crucified?
2. What happened to the seamless garment Jesus was wearing on the day he died?
3. How did Jesus feel about his accusers?
4. How long was it dark?
5. What were the last words of Jesus?
6. Who buried Jesus?
7. Where was he buried?

1. The soldiers took Jesus to a hill called Calvary.
2. They nailed Jesus to a cross between two thieves.
3. Jesus shed his blood for our sins.
4. The sky was dark from twelve o'clock noon until three o'clock.
5. Jesus shouted: "Father, I give myself to you."
6. Then Jesus died for the sins of the world.
7. A friend named Joseph took the body of Jesus to a burial place.
8. Daylight was ending; it was almost night on Friday.

Choose one of these words to fill in the blanks below:

The soldiers lead Jesus away to a hill called Calvary. 1________ nailed Jesus to a cross between two thieves. Jesus 2_____ the perfect "substitute lamb." Jesus paid the penalty for 3_____ sins. Jesus said: "Father, forgive them. They do not know 4_______ they are doing." The religious leaders and soldiers made 5______ of Jesus. They said: "If you are the king 6___ the Jews, save yourself." The sky was dark 7_______ twelve o'clock noon until three o'clock. Jesus shouted: "Father, I 8____ myself into your hands." Then Jesus died for the 9_______ of the world. A friend named Joseph took 10____ body of Jesus to a burial place. Daylight was ending; 11___ was almost night on Friday.

1. Putting burial spices on the body was an important part of the burial custom in the time Jesus lived on earth. What burial customs are important in your culture now? Share this information in a small group: a. How much time is there between the death and the funeral?
b. What time of the day are funerals?
c. How long do funerals last?
d. Are flowers, colors, music, and food important for funerals?

2. In your small group, talk about what additional facts you learned in this story about the burial customs in Israel when Jesus died on the cross.

3. In small groups, talk about why Jesus died on the cross. Say what you are thinking. Debrief by writing responses on the board.

1. The blood sacrifice in the old way of worship paid the penalty for sins.

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood. . . For the blood makes you free from sin because of the life in it." (Leviticus 17:11, NLV)

2. God sent Jesus to atone (to be the substitute lamb) for our sins.

"Christ is the sacrifice that takes away our sins and the sins of all the world's people." (I John 2:2, CEV)

"All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." (Romans 3:23, CEV)

"God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Jesus Christ, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins. God sent Christ to be our sacrifice. Christ offered his life's blood, so that by faith in him we could come to God." (Romans 3:24-25, CEV)

"God makes anyone right with Himself who puts his trust in Jesus." (Romans 3:26b, NLV)

"The Law says that almost everything is made clean by blood. Sins are not forgiven unless blood is given.(Hebrews 9:22, NLV)

3. The leaders and soldiers did not take the life of Jesus. He gave it. The nails did not hold Jesus to the cross. His love did.

"Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!." (Romans 8:39b, NLV)

"My sheep hear my voice and I know them. They follow me. I give them life that lasts forever. They will never be punished. No one is able to take them out of my hand." (John 10:27-28, NLV)