Aim to understand the Christian belief that Jesus’ death was God’s will

Aim
* to understand the Christian belief that Jesus’ death was God’s will
* to understand the Principle explanation that Jesus’ death was not God’s will

Materials
* The parable of the wicked tenants – Luke 20:9-19
* Bible passages of Jesus’ words (English Standard Version)
* A Bible for each child
* Children’s worksheets

Lesson Outline
1. Christian and Principled Understanding of Jesus’ death
2. Why Jesus’ death was not God’s original plan
3. Jesus Own Words
4. The Parable of Wicked Tenants
5. Activities – worksheet, act out parable
6. Conclusion
7. Prayer

1) Christian and Principled understanding of Jesus’ death
*Most Christians today believe that Jesus’ death and resurrection was all part of God’s plan to save people. Through this he paid the price for the sins of fallen mankind. All those who believe and follow Jesus have the hope to be with him in paradise.

* According to the Principle, the crucifixion of Jesus was not God’s will, but a terrible tragedy.
Jesus came to build the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Because he was rejected, God asked him to go the way of the cross. It was a secondary plan in case the people rejected him. By giving his life willingly he paid the price for the sins of mankind and was resurrected. He opened a place in spiritual world, free from Satan, called paradise. Anyone who believes and follows Jesus can also be with Jesus in paradise.

2) Why Jesus’ death was not God’s original plan
1) The chosen nation did not recognize Jesus
God had prepared the chosen nation of Israel for 2,000 years. The Jewish people were longing for the Messiah to come. They crucified Jesus because they failed to recognize him, not because it was God’s will.

2) Christians are not fully saved
Christians can only receive spiritual salvation. They can only be free from Satan in paradise.
Because Jesus died, he could not give physical salvation. Christians are still vulnerable to Satan’s influence and commit sins through their physical bodies 

3) The Messiah must come again
Jesus did not fulfill his mission, to build the Kingdom of Heaven on earth That’s why the Messiah must come again

4) Jesus wanted to be accepted
When we read what Jesus said, it is clear that he did not want to die. He wanted acceptance, so he could fulfill his mission to build the kingdom of heaven on earth.

3) Jesus Own Words
1. This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent. – John 6:29
2. You did not know the time of your visitation. – Luke 19:44
3. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! – Matt. 23:37
4. You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. – John 5:39-40
5. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me . . . if you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me. – John 5:43-46
6. Even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father. – John 10:38
7. Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. – Luke 23:34

4) The Parable of Wicked Tenants
The owner of the vineyard is God. The farmers are the chosen people of Israel. The servants are the prophets of God. The owner’s son is God’s son. Jesus was explaining that the chosen people of Israel were failing, because they would not listen to God’s servants, the prophets and they were ready to kill His son, Jesus. Because of this they would lose their qualification to be the chosen nation.

5) Activities
* Worksheet 1 – Search in the Bible to match Jesus’ words with the Bible verses
* Worksheet 2 – Find Bible verses to match four reasons why Jesus did not come to die
* Act out the parable of the wicked tenants

6) Conclusion
Review the aims of the lesson
* to understand the Christian belief that Jesus’ death was God’s will
* to understand the Principle explanation that Jesus’ death was not God’s will

7) End with a prayer