One of us

01 · GATHER ROUND

Start with a question.

“When you’re sad or scared, who helps most—someone who has been through it, or someone who hasn’t?”

Kids often know the answer right away. Let them explain why.

03 · OPEN THE BIBLE

Only teammates can sub in.

In a soccer game, the coach can send in a substitute when a player needs to come out. But there’s a rule: the sub has to be on the team. You can’t send in a kangaroo, a robot, or a fan from the bleachers. Only a teammate can take a teammate’s place.

People broke God’s law, and sin deserves punishment. So who could take our place? An angel couldn’t—angels aren’t human. An animal couldn’t either. To stand in for human beings, the substitute had to be one of us.

That’s why Jesus became truly human. Our Bible verse says he had to be made like his brothers in every way. He had a real body that got tired, hungry, and hurt. He had real feelings. He was tempted, just like we are—but he never once gave in.

As a human, Jesus did two big things for us. First, he obeyed God’s law perfectly—every day, in every thought, word, and action—on our behalf. The perfect life we couldn’t live, he lived for us. Second, he suffered the punishment that human sin deserved when he died on the cross. He took our place.

Hebrews calls Jesus a merciful and faithful high priest. In Bible times, a high priest stood between God and the people and offered animal sacrifices for their sins. But Hebrews says those sacrifices could never really take away sin. They were pictures pointing ahead to Jesus. Our verse says Jesus came to make atonement—to pay for sins so people could be right with God again. He is the best high priest of all, because he offered himself. And because he became human, he understands what it’s like to be us.

Every time you pray, you’re talking to someone who knows exactly what your life is like: Jesus, who was once a kid, who has felt tired and hungry, who has faced temptation—and who loves you.

04 · WONDER TOGETHER

Let’s talk about it.

1. Why couldn’t an angel or an animal take our place?
2. What are some ways Jesus experienced life just like we do?
3. How does it help to know Jesus understands what you’re going through?

Try answering one yourself first. “I don’t know yet” is a fine place to start a conversation.

06 · TALK TO GOD

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank you for becoming one of us. Thank you for living the perfect life we couldn’t live and taking the punishment we deserved. Thank you that you understand what it’s like to be tired, tempted, and sad. When we feel alone, remind us that you are our merciful and faithful helper. Amen.

Then invite everyone to add one thing they want to tell God.

07 · MAKE IT STICK

A little truth to learn by heart.

Teach it to a stuffed animal. Each person chooses a stuffed animal (or a very patient pet) and teaches it this week’s answer one phrase at a time, explaining what each part means. Teaching something is one of the best ways to learn it yourself.