Bridget Pavelec – Kids Creek Sunday

Kids Creek Sunday is designed to let everyone who doesn’t have kids — or isn’t a kid — see what actually goes on in those rooms down the hall while you’re getting your message in here. It’s always a good time. The kids bring the energy and the excitement. Sometimes it’s chaotic, as any teacher will tell you. But it’s always good.

Thank You to Our Kids Creek Leaders

Before anything else — if you serve in Kids Creek, in elementary, preschool, or the nursery: thank you. You are impacting the next generation to find and follow Jesus. You are a blessing to me personally every time I put you on the schedule and you say yes. And most importantly, it is a way to serve Riverwood and to serve Jesus.

And here is my shameless plug: if you would be willing to give up one Sunday a month, or every six or eight weeks, let me know. I would love to get you an application so we can get you into a room.

We are still using the Gospel Project curriculum, and we have now worked through more than a hundred lessons. We started all the way back in Genesis. The last time I taught on a Sunday like this — almost a year ago to the day — we were still in the Old Testament. Since then we have moved into the New Testament, learning about Jesus’ life, His miracles, and ultimately the purpose of why He came to earth.

Our Big Question

In Kids Creek we always open with a big question. It frames our minds for what we are about to talk about. And the rule is always the same: think first, then raise your hand.

Here was the question: How would you react if someone blamed you for something you didn’t do?

The answers came quickly. You’d be annoyed. You’d be mad. Really frustrated. I didn’t do that — why would you say that about me? One person said they would simply lose their mind over it. You’d start ranting and raving. You’d feel like it wasn’t even in your character — you know me better than that, why would you accuse me?

And you feel that way because you are being personally attacked. So you want to defend yourself. I didn’t do this. That’s not true.

Hold on to that, because it is exactly what happened to Jesus.

Our Big Word: Substitute

A substitute is a person or thing acting or serving in the place of another.

To get that into our heads, we play a game. I put up a picture and everyone has to name something you could use instead.

A pencil — a mechanical pencil, a pen, a golf pencil, a highlighter, a marker, a colored pencil, a crayon. Somebody said a drumstick, which I’ll allow.

A broom — a mop, a vacuum. And a leaf blower, which got suggested because at home I genuinely keep a leaf blower in my kitchen and use it multiple times a day. I blow everything into one corner and leave it there until somebody else comes and sweeps it up for me.

A lamp, with the bulb burned out and the power off — a candle, a lantern, build a fire.

A butter knife, when you want toast or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and there is not one clean knife in the house — the back of a spoon, a fork, a steak knife, a popsicle stick if you eat the popsicle first. One suggestion was a flip-flop. I personally would not spread butter with my flip-flop, but if that’s what you want, brand new pair, you technically could. Another was a second piece of bread, which works, though I promise your mother will not love the mess — and speaking as a mother, I would not love it either.

Here is the point. Sometimes a substitute is not as good as the original. But sometimes the substitute is even better.

Today we are going to see that Jesus is our perfect substitute — because He took the punishment for our sins onto Himself.

The Big Picture Question

We also always have a big picture question that runs across several weeks. Right now it is: How is Jesus the perfect king?

The guesses were good ones. He doesn’t sin like normal kings do. He is the king above all kings. Both true. But the answer we learn and repeat together is this: Jesus perfectly rules over the universe as the King of kings.

That question helps us understand that Jesus rules every part of the universe and is always in control. He is sovereign. He is the king in charge of all things. Which means that even when Jesus died for our sins, He was still the king in charge. Though He was innocent and sinless, He laid down His life willingly to save us. He is not just a king who rules — He is a king who saves. And that is amazing news.

Where We Left Off

Over recent lessons we have covered the events of the week before Jesus was crucified. He rode a donkey into Jerusalem and was welcomed as king by the people. He gave many warnings to help people turn from their sin and trust in Him — teachings that show us He is our perfect prophet, who spoke God’s words and fulfilled them.

We learned that Jesus is our perfect priest, who came to be the perfect and final sacrifice for sin. Mary anointed Him and worshiped Him. Jesus shared the Passover meal with His disciples and told them about the new covenant He would establish. And then He was arrested.

Today we pick the story up right after that arrest, as the religious leaders put Him on trial.

Jesus on Trial

The men who arrested Jesus took Him to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the religious leaders had gathered. They wanted a reason to kill Him, and they could not find one.

Finally two men came forward and claimed He had said He could destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days. They had twisted His words to make it sound as though He had done something wrong. Caiaphas stood and demanded an answer — and Jesus said nothing.

Then Caiaphas commanded Him to answer: are you the Messiah, the Son of God? Jesus replied that He was, and that in the future they would see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of God, coming on the clouds of heaven.

Caiaphas was furious. He and the other leaders did not want to believe Jesus is God’s Son. They said He was lying — but He was telling the truth. Caiaphas tore his robes and declared that Jesus had spoken against God, and the crowd said He deserved to die. Then they spit in His face, hit Him, and mocked Him.

The next morning they took Him to Pilate, the governor, who had the power to punish people for crimes. Pilate asked if He was the king of the Jews, and Jesus said yes. Then the religious leaders made their accusations — and Jesus said nothing at all. Pilate was genuinely surprised by the silence. Jesus never tried to defend Himself or prove His innocence, even as Pilate kept questioning Him.

Every year at Passover the governor would release one prisoner, whichever the people chose. At that time there was a very dangerous prisoner named Barabbas — a criminal who had done horrible things and was set to die. Jesus had done nothing wrong at all.

Pilate asked the crowd which one he should set free. They answered: Barabbas. And when he asked what he should do with Jesus, they shouted, “Crucify him!” Pilate asked why — what had He done wrong? — but they kept shouting it. So Pilate washed his hands in front of the crowd, said he was not guilty of this man’s death, released Barabbas, and handed Jesus over.

That was a genuinely sad moment. But this is why Jesus came. He knew the plan the whole time, and He still willingly went to the cross for our sins. He was not surprised that people wanted to crucify Him — He came to fulfill God’s plan to die for us.

Draw a Crown

We handed out index cards and everyone drew a crown. Any kind of crown — simple triangles are a perfectly good crown, and so is something more ornate. Then we wrote across it: Jesus, King of Kings.

While we drew, we talked about who wears crowns. Kings. Queens, princesses, princes. Maybe you like to wear one at home just because it makes you feel fancy. Crowns are usually reserved for royalty — and they are extraordinarily expensive. I looked it up, and a coronation crown can run well over a million dollars, contain several pounds of solid gold, and be set with jewels and gems. It also sounds tremendously heavy to wear.

Back in Kids Creek we would have used markers and crayons and colored pencils, plus stickers and fancy jewels for decorating — sometimes the craft supplies are the best part of being back there. Though never glitter. Whoever invented glitter did not make a good decision.

Put your card somewhere you will see it — in your Bible, on your mirror, on your dashboard. Because I want you reminded that although Jesus only ever wore a crown of thorns, He deserved a royal crown. He is the king of this earth, the king of heaven, and the king above all kings. He was not treated as a king here, but He is treated as king in heaven. And if you have not accepted Him, my prayer is that He would become the king of your heart.

Talking It Through

We usually discuss in groups at this point, so we did the same together. Three questions.

Jesus willingly laid down His life. How does that demonstrate His love for you? The answer that came back was simple and exactly right: it shows He was willing to give His life for us. Think about that love — Jesus was perfect, and He came to earth to die for people’s sins.

Why is Jesus our perfect substitute? Because He died for our sins. Because He never sinned — a perfect, spotless sacrifice. Because He was fully God and fully human, like us in every way except that He never sinned. His life was the only payment God would accept for our sin.

Jesus told Caiaphas He would be seated at the right hand of God. Why? Here is what matters: Jesus’ death was not the end of the story. If He had not risen on the third day, none of it holds. We need both halves — the death for our sins and the resurrection, which defeated sin and death. His work was finished, one sacrifice for all, and anyone who trusts in Him will live with Him forever. He is seated at God’s right hand, and people can still come to Him to be saved.

Open Your Bible to John 18

I am a firm believer that everybody should know how to navigate a Bible. There is an index in the front, and if you do not know the order of the books, that is completely fine — I probably could not sing you the song right now either.

But learning to find your way around matters, and so does having a physical Bible — something nobody can take from you. I tell my students at school: if the Wi-Fi goes down, I don’t know what teachers will do. If you don’t have one, take one from the back. It is Riverwood’s gift to you. Open it every single day.

So we found the book of John — New Testament, one of the Gospels — then chapter 18, then verses 36 and 37. In Kids Creek we pair readers with non-readers so they can learn to navigate, find the books, and sound out the verse numbers. And then I ask for volunteers to read out loud, and let as many read as want to. It warms my heart every time.

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my kingdom is not of this world.” Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” — John 18:36–37 (NLT)

Jesus told Pilate His kingdom is not of this world. He is the king — but because people’s hearts are ruled by sin, they often do not recognize Him as king. He was born into a sinful world and chose to lay down His life so that sin would no longer rule. He came to become the king of our hearts and to forgive our sins. When we trust Him, He changes our hearts so we can worship Him as our true king.

He also told Pilate He came to help people know the truth — the truth that we are all sinners, that we all need saving from sin and from death. When we listen to Jesus’ voice, believe in Him, and repent of our sins, we are saved and forgiven.

That is the big point of the whole lesson.

How We Finish

However we spend the rest of the time — another game, another activity, anything to keep moving — we always end by praying together. I open, then leave silence. Sometimes the kids pray out loud. Sometimes it is very sweet, for a grandma who isn’t feeling well, or help me be a better friend. Often they are praying quietly in their hearts, which is perfect.

So use that silence however you like. Thank Jesus for something. Confess a sin. Turn your heart toward Him. Maybe this lesson changed your thinking, or you have just understood what the gospel truly means, or you are asking Jesus into your heart right now — in which case today might be your spiritual birthday.

We praise God for being sovereign, for being the King of kings, for loving us enough to come down to earth and die for our sins — taking our place as the perfect sacrifice, the perfect king, paying the price for our wrongs even though He did no wrong Himself. And as we walk out those doors, may we go ready to be disciples who tell people about Him, and disciples who make disciples.