CE: Narrative design points to Christ’s finished work
The Bible’s Stories Point to What Jesus Did for Us
(With Questions to Help You Think!)
The Bible isn’t just a bunch of stories—it’s one big story about Jesus and what He did for us. From the beginning to the end, everything in the Bible helps us understand who Jesus is, how He loves us, and how He saves us.
1. The Stories Act Like the Cross
Many Bible stories follow this pattern:
- Something bad happens,
- Someone cries out to God,
- Then, there’s rescue or a happy ending!
This is just like Jesus: He died for us (the sad part), but then He rose again (the happy ending)!
Examples:
- Joseph: Thrown in a pit, then becomes a ruler.
- Jonah: Swallowed by a fish, then set free.
- Israel: Slaves in Egypt, then God leads them out.
🟡 Question: Can you think of a story where something sad happens, but God brings a happy ending?
2. Names Tell a Secret Story
In the Bible, names have meanings—and sometimes they whisper secrets about Jesus!
- Noah means “rest”—Jesus gives us rest.
- Moses means “drawn out”—Jesus draws us out of trouble.
- Joshua means “God saves”—and Jesus saves us!
It's like finding hidden treasure in the names!
🟡 Question: If your name had a meaning, what would you want it to say about Jesus?
3. Pictures and Symbols Show the Cross
The Bible uses special pictures (called symbols) to teach us about Jesus.
- The lamb reminds us Jesus gave His life.
- The veil tore when Jesus died, showing we can come close to God.
- The Exodus shows how Jesus leads us out of sin.
These symbols are like big signs that say, “Look at Jesus!”
🟡 Question: Which of these pictures helps you understand Jesus better? Can you draw one?
4. Some Stories Are Like Mirrors
Some Bible stories are shaped like mirrors!
The beginning and end match, but the middle is the most important part.
That middle part is often where someone is saved or shown mercy—just like Jesus saving us on the cross.
🟡 Question: What do you think is the most important part of Jesus’ story?
5. Hints and Fulfillment
God gave hints in the Bible before Jesus came:
- The snake would be crushed—Jesus won over sin.
- A prophet would come—Jesus is that prophet.
- A servant would suffer—Jesus did, for us.
Jesus said: “All these stories are really about Me!” (John 5:39, Luke 24)
🟡 Question: Why do you think God gave hints before Jesus came?
6. The Bride Becomes New
In the Bible, God’s people are called His bride.
At first, the bride (Israel) keeps running away from God. But at the end of the story, the bride is new, beautiful, and ready! That’s all of us who believe in Jesus—He makes us clean and full of joy!
🟡 Question: How do you think Jesus feels about His bride (His people)?
7. What It All Means
The Bible is one big story with patterns, names, and pictures that all point to Jesus:
- Jesus loves us,
- Jesus died for us,
- Jesus rose again to bring us close to God!
It’s like God is saying:
“Look at My Son. I made this whole story to show you how much I love you.”
🟡 Final Question: What’s one thing you learned about Jesus today?
Here’s an activity sheet to go with “The Bible’s Stories Point to What Jesus Did for Us”. It’s designed for 8-year-olds and includes fun tasks that reinforce the key ideas:
📝 Bible Story Activity Sheet
"The Bible’s Stories Point to What Jesus Did for Us"
1. ✏️ Draw the Pattern!
Many Bible stories follow the pattern of the cross:
Something sad → A cry for help → A happy ending
🎨 Draw a 3-box comic of a Bible story that follows this pattern.
Choose one:
- Joseph in the pit
- Jonah and the big fish
- Israel leaving Egypt
2. 🔍 Name Match!
Draw a line from the name to its meaning:
| Name | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|
| Noah | 👉 | God saves |
| Moses | 👉 | Rest |
| Joshua | 👉 | Drawn out of the water |
3. 🐑 Symbol Hunt!
Circle the things that are symbols of Jesus (some are just silly!)
- 🐑 Lamb
- 🚪 Door
- 🧃 Juice box
- 🕊️ Dove
- 🎸 Guitar
- 🕯️ Light
- 🐠 Fish
- 👑 Crown
4. 🪞 Mirror Puzzle!
Here’s a story written like a mirror:
A - God gives a promise
B - People disobey
?
B - There’s a punishment
A - God gives another promise
❓ What belongs in the middle?
Draw or write it in the center:
(Hint: It’s something that shows God’s mercy!)
5. 🐍 Hidden Hints!
God gave hints about Jesus before He came.
Can you spot the hint? Circle the right answer:
👣 “He will crush the snake’s head.”
- A. Someone stomping on bugs
- B. Jesus beating sin
- C. A snake winning
📖 “A prophet like Moses will come.”
- A. Moses will come back
- B. A new teacher—Jesus!
- C. Moses is the best
6. 💒 Bride Makeover!
The Bible says we are Jesus’ bride—and He makes us new!
🎨 Design a beautiful dress for the bride to wear when she meets Jesus.
Draw it and add words like “clean,” “joyful,” “new,” “loved.”
7. ❤️ Thank You, Jesus!
Write a short thank-you prayer to Jesus for what He did on the cross:
“Dear Jesus, thank You for…”
