​Read all or parts of 2 CORINTHIANS 5:11-21 from your Bible or watch the Bible story video.

STORY: 

  Paul sent a letter to remind the church in Corinth that through Jesus, God forgives sin and invites everyone to be a part of His family. Paul wrote, ‘We know what it is like to fear God because we will have to answer for our sins.’ Fearing God is not the same as fearing something like spiders. The fear of God is an attitude of respect. We recognize that God is holy and just. He knows and will judge every thought, word, and action. When we fear God, we understand that we are sinful and that our sin deserves to be punished. But there’s good news! God loves us and made a way for us to be forgiven. Through faith in Jesus, we receive forgiveness of our sins. 

   Paul said that trusting in Jesus changes everything. Jesus died for our sins by taking our punishment on Himself. When we confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He makes us into new creations by giving us changed hearts. Now, we want to follow Jesus and live for Him.
 

  Paul said that faith in Jesus makes us right with God. God also gives us a job to now tell others how they can be forgiven of their sins. We share the good news of the gospel so they can have new life and be made right with God.

   Jesus died on the cross for our sin. He was sinless but took our punishment for sin. When we trust in Jesus, we are forgiven and God no longer counts our sin against us. Now, God looks at us and doesn’t see our sin, but Jesus’ righteousness. 

DISCUSSION QUESTION #1: Who took your punishment for sin? Why? 

ANSWER: Remind kids that Jesus took our punishment for sin. Tell kids that Jesus did this because He loves us, and His death and resurrection is the only way we can have forgiveness. Explain that only Jesus’ death on the cross provided the perfect sacrifice our sin required. 

DISCUSSION QUESTION #2: Are some people too sinful to be forgiven? Why not? 

ANSWER: Discuss how no one is too sinful to be forgiven of their sins. Remind kids that the apostle Paul was a murderer before he became a Christian. Tell kids that God’s grace is greater than all of our sin. Explain that Jesus’ sacrifice covers all our sin for all time. 

MORNINGS:

Dear Heavenly Father,

  God, thank You, that You forgive us of all our sin when we trust in Jesus. Help us live for
You and tell others how they can be forgiven. Show us who we can share the good news with this week. Amen.

EVENINGS: 

Dear Heavenly Father, 

 Thank You for Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for loving us first and for showing us Your love for us through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Thank you that we who trust in Jesus have the guarantee to live forever with you! Help us keep You at the center of our lives and to love others by sharing Jesus with them. In Jesus' name, amen.