Blog Archives - The Great Passion Play

Jack Dawson: Day 15 - The Ministry of Jesus

12/15/2016

Jesus is preaching to the people, but do you see something strange in the painting?

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness among the people. — Matthew 4:23 (NIV)

Jesus did many things to show people He was God. He was everything all the Old Testament prophecies said Messiah would be. He preached that He had brought hope for everyone to be with God again, like Adam and Eve were before the fall of man. He taught that He was the only Way to heaven, the real Truth, and the giver of Life. He did many miracles, healed the sick, and even brought some people back from death. He led people to follow Him and taught them how to live a life that pleases God. He wants us to walk the way He walked, do what He did, and live like He lived. He wants us to be like Him in our daily lives, and then follow His example and tell others the good news about Him. His “Great Commission” is to go into all the world, baptize them and teach them to obey everything He commanded. We should always follow His example and teach His good news.

Today's PrayerLord, thank You for teaching us to live like You and tell people about You. Please help me watch for ways I can talk about my faith with everyone I meet, and use me to help them know You better. Use me in a new and wonderful way this week.

Today's Activity:Help the children list as many miracles of Jesus as they can think of. Have them draw something that reminds them of the miracle they like best and tell why.

Seek & Find Answer to the question in the painting above:
See the little boy? He’s dressed like today’s children to show that Jesus came to save all people of all time.

Jack Dawson - Day 14: The Baptism of Jesus

12/14/2016

In this painting, what reminds us Jesus is the Light of the World? What represents the Holy Spirit? Where is He?

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John didn’t want to baptize Him. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It must be done, because we must do everything that is right.” So then John baptized Him. After His baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with Him.” — Matthew 3:13-17 (NLT)

Jesus grew up just like any other boy. For thirty years He lived in Nazareth, working in His family’s carpenter shop. But He always knew the world was waiting for Him to show the great love of God through His life and sacrifice for our sins. When God the Son was baptized we could see the Trinity: God the Father saying from heaven that He was pleased with His Son, and God the Spirit coming down like a dove to sit on His shoulder. The Bible says it was a picture of His coming death, burial and resurrection; and to show He was ready to begin His ministry and work. Some say it was an example of what we should do. God has a special ministry for each of us. When we accept Him as our personal Savior, we should be baptized and follow that example to begin the work He has for us to do. Are you asking God to show you what He wants you to do and then doing it the best you can?

Today's Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for being our example. Please show me the work You want me to do, and help me do what You say so You can say about me, “This is my child, in whom I am well pleased!”

Today's Activity
Have the children read I Peter 2:38-39 and discuss what baptism represents. Have them draw a picture of their own (past or future) baptism and talk about what it means to them.

Seek & Find Answer to the question in the painting above:
Light shines down on Jesus at His baptism to remind us Jesus is the Light of the World. The Holy Spirit can be seen as a dove coming down to settle on Him.

Jack Dawson - The Baby Jesus

12/13/2016

Can you find three things about Christ: His birth, His death and His resurrection?

“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus,
for He will save His people from their sins.” — Matthew 1:21 (NKJV)

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son,
born of a woman, born under the law. — Galatians 4:4 (NKJV)

God always had a plan for His people. The day the prophets had been telling about had finally come. The star in the east pointed the way. God’s Son had come to earth as a tiny baby born to a young girl named Mary. He had come into the world so the world could be saved. Never before had there been such a miracle! God became one of us, completely human in every way, but still completely God. Jesus. Even His name was a wonderful miracle, given to Mary by God. Just the mention of His name would cast out demons, heal the sick and raise the dead, and only Jesus can take away our sin. It doesn’t matter where you came from or what the color of your skin is, He wants you to accept Him as your Savior. Some day everyone who ever lived will bow down to Him as Lord. Is Jesus Christ your Lord?

Today's Prayer Lord God, thank You for sending Your only Son to live among us so we could know You. Lord Jesus, thank You for being Immanuel, “God with us,” and coming to earth to save us. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to live in our hearts.

Today's Activity: Have the children help create or set up a nativity scene where it will remind them every day why Jesus came to earth. (Don’t forget to leave the manger empty until He comes on Christmas Eve.)

Seek & Find Answer to the question in the painting above:
1. The manger is encircled by a heart. “For God so loved the world.”
2. The lamb is a symbol of Jesus’ sacrifice as “The Lamb of God.” There are three crosses; one on the hill above the manger and one on each post beside the manger.
3. The empty tomb is found on the distant hillside between the two posts on the right side of the painting.

Jack Dawson - Day 11 - 10 commandments and the Tabernacle

12/12/2016

Can you find the cross?

And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. — Exodus 25:8 (NKJV)

While the Israelites were in the wilderness on the way to the land God was giving them, He gave Moses the Ten Commandments and the law that they would live by. What do you think the world would be like today if people actually tried to live by the Ten Commandments? God also gave Moses instructions on how to build the tabernacle where He would live among them. He told Moses to make everything exactly like the pattern He had given him because it was not only a place to worship, it was a picture of Christ, who would come to save us from sin, and of the place God is building in Heaven for us.

Today's Prayer Father, I know the greatest commandment is to love You with all my heart and soul and mind. Thank You that because of Jesus we can come right to You whenever we choose, instead of waiting for a priest to come for us only once a year. We’re so thankful You live in everyone who accepts Jesus as Lord, instead of behind a curtain in the Holy of Holies, the way it was before He came.

Today's Activity: God told Moses exactly where the Israelites were to set up their camp. Do you think it could have been in the shape of a cross? Draw 5 rectangles on your paper like in the painting above.

Read Numbers 2.
— Write the name of the tribe on the East on the rectangle with the E (v. 3)
— Write down the total number of that tribe. (v. 9)
— Write the name of the tribe on the South on the rectangle with the S (v. 10)
— Write down the total number of that tribe. (v. 16)
— Write the name of the tribe on the West on the rectangle with the W (v. 18)
— Write down the total number of that tribe. (v. 24)
— Write the name of the tribe on the North on the rectangle with the N (v. 25)
— Write down the total number of that tribe. (v. 29)

Notice that the tribes on the North and South have close to the same number. But the tribe on the East is larger and the tribe on the West is smaller. As they were camped the shape could have been in the shape of a cross.

Seek & Find Answer to the question in the painting above:
The camp of the Israelites could form a cross.

Jack Dawson - Day 10 - Moses the Deliverer

12/12/2016

Can you find the cross? It is there to remind us God gave a way to cross from death to life.

But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. — Exodus 14:16 (NKJV)

Abraham’s family became a great nation, Israel. Many years later Israel moved to Egypt because there was nothing to eat in their land. Can you imagine living in a land where there is no food at all? In Egypt the children and grandchildren of Abraham grew even greater. After many years, the Egyptians were afraid of them and made them slaves. When they cried out to God for help, He sent Moses to lead them to freedom. The Egyptians would not let them go until God sent plagues on their nation. Then, even after Israel had left, the Egyptians decided to send their army to bring them back. Israel was trapped between Egypt’s army and the Red Sea until Moses raised his arm over the water and called on God to save them. God answered, “Stand still and watch the power of the Lord.” Then He did a miracle and caused the waters to part so His people could escape across dry land to the wilderness.

Today's Prayer Lord, sometimes it seems like there are things to be afraid of all around. I believe Your promise that “greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” Please help me see Your power and remember You are stronger than anything I can be afraid of.

Today's Activity: Tell your children how God saved Moses when he was a baby and prepared him to lead the people while he was growing up as a son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Have them pretend to be Moses and see how long they can hold their arm up like Moses did over the waters. Have them list as many plagues as they can find in Exodus 7-11.

Seek & Find Answer to the question in the painting above:
Look for the light of the cross in the sky across from Moses.

Jack Dawson - Day 12 - The Prophets

12/12/2016

All the prophets' predictions about the Messiah pointed to Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross for us. Can you find the cross in this painting?

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. — 1 Peter 1:10-11 (NIV)

After the Israelites were settled in the Promised Land, God sent many prophets to tell them He was going to send Someone to bless all the people of the world. The prophets knew all their predictions would come true in one Man, the Messiah, and they searched and prayed all the time for their coming King. Do you think the prophets knew the Messiah would come as a little baby? Did any of them know the Messiah would be Jesus Christ? Today, preachers and teachers are telling us that Christ is coming again, but just like many people in the Old Testament, many today will not believe it. Do you believe Jesus is coming again? Does that make you happy, or scared?

Today's Prayer Lord, thank You for telling us about the Old Testament prophets, who waited and believed You would send the Messiah just like You promised. Thank You that Jesus came, and He will keep His promise to come again for everyone who believes in Him. Please live in me and keep my heart clean for You. Thank You for forgiving me of all my sins.

Today's Activity: Have the children help build a cross from 2 x 4 boards or strong cardboard and place in the yard. Or, have them draw a picture of a cross to place in the front window.

Seek & Find Answer to the question in the painting above:
The prophet’s fingers are pointing to the cross on the parchment, just as his prophecies pointed to Jesus the Messiah.

Jack Dawson - Day 9 - Abraham's Sacrifice

12/9/2016

Can you find the cross?

And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” — Genesis 22:12 (NKJV)

Even though Abraham trusted God, it was hard for him and his wife, Sarah, to see how their family could be a blessing to all people when they could not seem to have even one child of their own. But God wanted the world to know this was all His plan, so He waited until they were too old to have children before He worked a miracle and gave them Isaac. Then He did a very strange thing. He asked Abraham to offer Isaac to Him as a sacrifice of worship! Have you ever felt like God was asking you to do a strange thing? Do your parents ever ask you to do something you don’t understand? God already knew Abraham’s heart, but He was testing him. God knew what Abraham would do. Abraham chose to trust when he didn’t understand, and God gave him another sacrifice in Isaac’s place. But God’s plan was much bigger than Abraham’s story. He gave the ram to die so Abraham’s only son could live, just like He would give His Only Son to die so we can live with Him forever.

Today's Prayer Lord God, thank You for the plans You have for my life. I want to learn to choose Your plan instead of mine. Please help me remember if I study your Bible and pray to You each day, I will know how to do what pleases You. Please help me never forget to thank You for the sacrifice You made for me.

Today's Activity: Talk about the meaning of “sacrifice” and ask the children to list what they would be willing to sacrifice for your family. Now have them list what they would sacrifice for God. Have each of them choose one sacrifice they will make for God during this Christmas season (e.g., serving meals to the poor, giving something they love to someone in need, doing something for another member of the family, etc.). Be sure to follow through with them and help them identify the blessing that will come from their sacrifice.

Seek & Find Answer to the question in the painting above:
The cross of Jesus Christ can be seen on the side of the altar of Abraham’s sacrifice.

Jesus and Santa at the Passion Play

12/8/2016

Santa will be here for the kids Sat night Dec 17th 6-9pm. See the 100 lit Christmas Tree Forrest and get some Hot Chocolate or coffee.

And, of course, The Christ of the Ozarks is always here!

Jack Dawson - Day 8 - Abraham’s Blessing

12/8/2016

Can you find Jesus in this painting?

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on the earth will be blessed through you.”
— Genesis 12:1-3 (NIV)

After God scattered the people at the Tower of Babel, He knew it was time for the next step of His plan. He chose Abraham, and told him He would make his family a great nation that would bless all people everywhere. Abraham chose to believe and obey God, even though God told him to leave the country where he lived. It would be the first of many sacrifices God asked Abraham to make, but Abraham was willing to follow Him no matter what. Do you know what a sacrifice is? Has God ever asked you to sacrifice something for Him? Abraham obeyed God, and God kept His promise to make him the father of a great nation, but probably even Abraham could not have imagined God would choose his family to bring the world the Savior, Jesus Christ! When we choose to believe and obey God and are willing to give Him whatever He asks, He promises He will give us more blessings than anything we might give up.

Today's Prayer
Father, thank You for our family. Thank You that You have made a way for us to be in Your family forever. Thank You for Abraham. Help us to be like him and to be willing to go and do whatever You ask. Please help us understand what will please You, and give us the courage and strength we’ll need to do it. We love You, Lord, and want to give You our very best. Thank You for always blessing us more than we can ever imagine.

Today's Activity:
Discuss how the Bible lists the names of family genealogies to show Jesus’ ancestry. Have your children draw their genealogy. Start with their name at the top. Then put their parent’s names on the next line. Then put their parent’s parent’s names on the next line. See how many generations you can name.

Seek & Find Answer to the question in the painting above:
The Name of Jesus is written in the stars above Abraham and Sarah’s heads.

Jack Dawson - Day 7 - The Tower of Babel

12/7/2016

Can you find the cross? God has warned that sin and wrong choices will bring His terrible judgement once again. The good news is, God has always had a plan to save us from our sins through the cross of Jesus Christ.

“Let’s build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies – a monument to our greatness! This will bring us together and keep us from scattering all over the world.” — Genesis 11:4 (NLT)

Sadly, as Noah’s family grew and spread over the earth, mankind forgot all that had happened. Do you think people today are a lot like people in Noah’s day? God planned for them to form many nations that would follow Him, but they wanted to make themselves great instead. They all chose to settle in the same place and started building a great tower that would reach to the skies. They wanted a great monument to their greatness. Instead, God confused their languages so they couldn’t understand each other, and scattered them all over the world. Do you think people today are still trying to build monuments to their greatness?

Today's Prayer
Lord, forgive us when we forget we can’t live without You. You are the only giver of life. Thank You for loving us so much You’ll do whatever it takes to bring us back to You.

Today's Activity:
Have a contest to see who can draw the most imaginative Tower of Babel. Have the children sign their drawings and hang them on the fridge. Discuss how pride and rebellion always separate us from God. Have them memorize Isaiah 55:9, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Seek & Find Answer to the question in the painting above:
The cross is on the large boulder on the path ahead of the people.

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