Big Idea
Following Jesus means loving others even when it costs us something.
Memory Verse
“If anyone wants to come after me, let him… follow me.” — Mark 8:34
Object Lesson
Play follow-the-leader with harder and harder moves. Talk about how following Jesus sometimes means doing something hard — like sharing a favorite toy or saying sorry first.
Craft
Take-Home Cross: Wrap two craft sticks with colorful yarn to make a small cross for a pocket or backpack.
Three ways this craft can look:
Materials
Craft sticks, Yarn, Glue, Beads, Scissors
Full passage
Scripture Reading
31He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32He spoke to them openly. Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. 33But he, turning around, and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you have in mind not the things of God, but the things of men.” 34He called the multitude to himself with his disciples, and said to them, “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it. 36For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? 37For what will a man give in exchange for his life? 38For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him, when he comes in his Father’s glory, with the holy angels.”
Mark 8:31–38 · World English Bible (public domain). Read this passage in the NIV
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