Sunday, April 12: Discussion Questions for 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 - Longing for Life
FOR PRESCHOOL AND YOUNG ELEMENTARY CHILDREN:
Read or summarize the account of the crucifixion and resurrection (from Matthew 26–28; Mark 14–16; Luke 22–24; or John 18–20), or read it from a Bible storybook.
What do we celebrate on Easter?
A lot of things happen around the Easter holiday — egg and bunny decorations pop up in stores and yards, people get more excited about springtime, maybe you even do an Easter egg hunt with your family or neighbors. None of this is what Easter is really about, though. On Easter, we take extra time to remember and celebrate that Jesus is alive! Jesus died on the cross, but He did not stay dead; He came back and is alive again. (This is one of the main points of our toddler Sunday School curriculum, so that language will be familiar to your child.)
Why did Jesus die on the cross?
Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sin. Sin refers to all of the ways we fail to obey God, or “any lack of conformity to or transgression of the law of God” (Catechism Q&A 29-32, Track 14). Our sin comes with a punishment, but God loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross as punishment for our sin. This is how Jesus gives us new hearts that can love Him.
Why is it good news that Jesus didn’t stay dead, but that He came back and is alive again?
After Jesus died and was buried, He came back alive, and He will never die again (this is what “resurrection” means). He is alive even today, and He is in heaven with God the Father! When this happened, Jesus did something else for us. He made it possible for us to have eternal life just like Him after our bodies die (John 11:25).
Share with your child about the hope you have because of the eternal life Jesus has given to you. Read through 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 if your child(ren) listened to the sermon with you.
Review these songs we sing in Sunday School and Catechism worship:
Where do you learn how to love and obey God? In the Bible alone. Who wrote the Bible? Chosen men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
“My God Is So Big”
“All Creatures of Our God and King”
NOTE FOR PARENTS: If you would like additional resources for Easter, email laura.magness@trinitynashville.org.
FOR OLDER ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL CHILDREN:
If your child used the listening guide to follow along with the sermon, take a few minutes to talk through his or her notes.
Read through 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 again as a family. You may also want to read or summarize the account of the crucifixion and resurrection (from Matthew 26–28; Mark 14–16; Luke 22–24; or John 18–20).
On Easter weekend, we remember Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. Why did the crucifixion and resurrection happen? Why did Jesus go through everything He did?
Discuss the good news of the gospel with your child — creation, the fall, our brokenness and need for redemption, and how Jesus’ death and resurrection accomplishes that.
Do you believe these events are true? How can we know Jesus rose from the dead if we weren’t there to see it?
Remind your children that Christians believe in the radical claim of the resurrection because it is written about in the Bible. All four Gospel writers tell about these events and about the hundreds of people who saw Jesus after His resurrection.
Help them recall the following Catechism questions and answers: “Where do you learn how to love and obey God? In the Bible alone. Who wrote the Bible? Chosen men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
At this time in our lives, the entire world is suffering together, including our families, church, and neighbors. Share about a moment this week when you felt the way Paul described in 2 Corinthians 5:1-4—longing for a body that will not get sick and die, for a world that does not have to endure suffering and sin. What happened that made you feel that longing?
How does Jesus’ death and resurrection help you face those longings? Share your own example with your child to help him or her understand the hope we have in eternity with God.
Matt reminded us that for Christians, the resurrection is our source of hope. The good news of the resurrection is that Jesus made eternal life with God possible, this is the “heavenly dwelling” Paul talks about in 2 Corinthian 5. What fell apart with Adam and Eve’s sin in the garden of Eden is restored through Jesus, meaning one day everyone who believes in Him will join Him in eternal life, and all those longings will be no more.
NOTE FOR PARENTS: If you would like additional resources for Easter, email laura.magness@trinitynashville.org.