Sunday School Preparation

7.14 Sending the Seventy-Two

Jesus gathers seventy-two followers and sends them out to the surrounding towns and villages. Taking nothing with them, these disciples depend on the willing welcome of local residents. There they remain, healing and spreading God’s Word. Returning from their mission, the seventy-two rejoice in the many miracles they witnessed. Jesus reminds them to rejoice in

7.13 Jesus’ Transfiguration

Jesus takes His inner circle—Peter, James, and John—up on a mountain. There, they see Jesus in His heavenly glory as Moses and Elijah appear alongside Him, discussing His upcoming departure. In his excitement, Peter offers to build three tents so they can remain on the mountaintop. Suddenly, a cloud—a sign of God’s presence—appears and a

7.12 Peter Confess Christ

Jesus asks His disciples two very direct questions: “Who do people say I am?” and “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:13, 15). Peter’s bold confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v. 16), prompts Jesus to commend his words and proclaim this truth as the rock upon which the

7.11 – Jesus Walks On Water

Jesus sends His disciples before Him in the boat while He goes to pray. Late in the night, Jesus appears to them, walking on the water. Thinking they see a ghost, the disciples first react in fear until Jesus identifies Himself to them. Peter, seeking further proof, asks to come to Jesus on the water.

7.10 The Call of Matthew

Jesus encounters Matthew sitting at his tax booth. He tells Matthew to follow Him, and Matthew responds immediately, inviting Jesus to his home. There, Jesus and His disciples dine with other tax collectors and sinners despite the criticism of the Pharisees. When Jesus hears their comments, He reminds them that only those who recognize the

7.09 The Pool of Bethesda

For thirty-eight years, a paralyzed man has lain by the pool of Bethesda, hoping to enter it and receive healing. Jesus asks if he desires healing and then tells the man to take up his bed and walk. When the Jews see the man carrying his bed on the Sabbath, they question who told him to do this, but the man doesn’t know who Jesus is. After encountering Jesus at the temple, the man reports back to the Jewish leaders, who persecute Jesus.

7.8 Samaritan Woman

7.07 Nicodemus

Nicodemus, a leader of the Jewish Council, comes to see Jesus under cover of darkness. Puzzled by Jesus’ instruction that one must be born again to enter the kingdom of God, Nicodemus asks how someone can be physically reborn. Jesus gently instructs Nicodemus as He explains the spiritual rebirth found only in Christ. Christ alone

7.06 Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Merchants and money-changers fill the outer courts of the temple in preparation for the Passover. Jesus overturns the tables and drives out the animals in His zeal to restore the temple to its proper purpose. When the Jews question His authority, Jesus tells them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). Only after His resurrection do the disciples realize that Jesus was referring to His body as the new temple.

7.05 Jesus Baptism

John the Baptist lives in the wilderness, dressed in camel’s hair and eating locusts and honey. John’s message of repentance and preparation draws people to the banks of the Jordan, where they receive Baptism. As the prophet sent to point out the Messiah, John declares, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29), as Jesus approaches.