MARCH CURRICULUM

You may have heard what Jesus lived and taught described as “The Upside-Down Kingdom.” Though Jesus is King of the universe, He entered our world as a humble carpenter. Instead of demanding that others serve Him, Jesus healed, listened to, and cared for the people deemed most unimportant. Rather than living in a palace and depending on horses and chariots, Jesus walked long, dusty miles on His own tired feet. By our world’s standards, that’s completely upside down!

I am created in the image of God and have unique potential and worth.

Week 1 John the Baptist is a Witness about Jesus

Throughout the month, we take a look at humility in the life of Jesus, and in the lives of people He encountered. In Week 1, followers of John the Baptist are up in arms about all the people going to follow Jesus. He’s the competition, right? But John the Baptist is secure in his calling—that his whole purpose is to point people to Jesus, rather than to himself.

[BOTTOM LINE] Jesus must increase. I must decrease.

Week 2 A Roman Commander Has Faith

In Week 2, meet a Roman commander who comes to Jesus for help. Instead of asserting his power and status, the man humbly asks Jesus to heal his servant. The commander even trusts that Jesus is so powerful that He only needs to speak and the boy will be made well.

[BOTTOM LINE] Remember God is most important.

Week 3 Be Humble/Love Your Enemies

We follow up in Week 3 with Jesus’ teaching to “turn the other cheek” and “go the extra mile.” Rather than paying back our enemies in kind, we show they can’t control us when we choose to love like Jesus … and trust God to make things right.

[BOTTOM LINE] Love like Jesus even when it’s hard.

Week 4 Mary and Martha

Week 4 brings us to the story of Mary and Martha. While Martha whips up a frenzy of activity to prepare for their guests, Mary simply sits at the feet of Jesus. When Martha finally explodes about her sister, Jesus doesn’t send Mary to work. Instead, Jesus affirms that what Mary has done in spending time with Him is even more important than doing things for Him.

[BOTTOM LINE] Make time for Jesus first.

Week 5 Palm Sunday/Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

We wrap up the month as Jesus approaches Jerusalem during Passover week. Days after entering Jerusalem on a donkey, to the cheers of a multitude, Jesus celebrates the Passover meal with His closest friends. Instead of demanding that He be served, Jesus takes on the role of the lowliest servant by washing His disciples’ feet … even those of Judas, His betrayer.

[BOTTOM LINE] Jesus showed us how to be humble.

APRIL CURRICULUM

Roll out the lawn games, fire up the grill, and start the music. Who doesn’t love a party? And there’s no greater reason to celebrate than this — Jesus is alive! That’s why this month’s theme is “Block Party: Celebrating Jesus and joy that never ends.” Kids can remember that they’ve always got something to be joyful about.

I am created in the image of God and have unique potential and worth.

Week 1 Easter (Crucified and Risen)

In Week 1, we explore the events leading up to Easter Sunday. A story that began with betrayal, arrest, and the desertion of Jesus’ closest friends set the stage for Jesus to lay aside every right and give up His life for all of us. But even though the sun went dark and all hope seemed lost, God was still at work. And when Mary Magdalene came to the tomb at dawn on the third day, she found it empty!

[BOTTOM LINE] You can have joy because Jesus is alive.

Week 2 On the Road to Emmaus

In Week 2, two Jesus followers travel the road to Emmaus on Sunday afternoon. While they tried to make sense of all that had happened—spoiler alert!—Jesus Himself joined them on the road. Though they didn’t realize it was Him, Jesus explained how God’s whole story fit together. And then, when He broke bread with them at dinner, they finally understood who He was!

[BOTTOM LINE] You can have joy because there’s a bigger story.

Week 3 Great Commission and Ascension

After appearing multiple times to His friends, Jesus meets them on a mountain to give them the greatest assignment in history: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Jesus promises to be with them always, but then, soon after, ascends to Heaven. He leaves them with the remarkable assurance that they will soon receive power from the Holy Spirit.

[BOTTOM LINE] You can share the good news about Jesus.

Week 4 Pentecost/Fruit of the Spirit

We wrap up the month as God’s promised Holy Spirit shows up in tongues of fire, imparting to the believers an ability to speak so that people of all nations could understand them. Peter stood up amid the crowds gathered for the Feast of Weeks and preached such a powerful sermon that 3,000 people were filled with joy and became followers of Jesus, too!

[BOTTOM LINE] God’s Spirit gives you joy.