John 3:14-15

Wednesday:	John 3:14-15
Bible Lesson:	Look and Live: The Bronze Snake and the Son of Man: We should look to Jesus, trusting God for our salvation.
Memory Verse:	Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:14-15

Introduction: Snake on a Stick

In our lesson today we learned that when the Israelites were bitten by snakes, God provided a way for them to live. They were saved if they looked at the snake that Moses lifted up on a pole.

Explanation: John 3:14-15

That was a symbol of how the Son of Man, Jesus, had to be lifted up on a cross, so that we could be saved from our sins if we trust in him.

[Show the verse and read it aloud.]

When we let Jesus pay for our sins, we can be saved. Looking at a cross is not any kind of magic: it's the belief in Jesus, who paid the penalty for our sin, that allows us to be saved.

In the book of John (which is in the New Testament), Jesus was talking to a man who named Nicodemus came to ask him questions. Jesus was telling him about salvation. This is what he said: [Quote the verse.]

Game: Portion Motions

Divide the verse into four main parts:

• Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert
• so the Son of Man must be lifted up
• that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life
• John 3:14-15

Have the children march in place while saying the first part of the verse. Repeat it enough times that they sort of know it.

Now have them jump up and down repeatedly while saying the next part of the verse. Repeat it enough times that they sort of know it. Go back and put the two together: have them march in place saying the first part, then jump up and down saying the second part.

Now say the third part of the verse while turning in circles. Repeat it until they sort of know it. Add the reference, having them sit down as they say it. Then have them stand up again so you can practice these two parts again.

Now put it all together, and practice the whole way through: march in place through the first part, jump up and down through the second part, spin through the third part, and sit down saying the reference. Repeat the whole thing as long as there's time left.

Announcement: Verse Points

Tomorrow, when you come to Bible School, if you can say your memory verse without looking, you can earn points for your team's score. Each person who can say the verse can earn 200 points. So, if you want to help your team win more points, go home and practice your verse a few times. Don't forget the reference! On your way out the door tonight, you will be given a slip of paper with your verse on it. Don't lose it, because if you learn your verse, your team gets 200 more points!

You can say your verse for points tomorrow when you check in at the registration table.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.