Sunday Spotlight is where we share our Calvary Kids Bible lesson topic each week for kids of all ages. Use this lesson for a Family Night devotion or a preview/review time to talk about what your children are learning at Calvary on Sundays in God’s Word.

These lessons correspond to the Big Picture Cards your child receives each week — great to collect and review together! We post a new lesson here every Wednesday.

 

---

Sunday, September 13

Lesson Title: Jesus Rejected in Nazareth

Bible Passage: Luke 4

Key Passage: Daniel 4:3

Big Picture Question:  Why did Jesus perform miracles? Jesus performed miracles to glorify God, to show He is the Son of God, and to care for people.

Lesson Summary

At the beginning of this week’s Bible story, the people’s eyes are fixed on Jesus, hanging onto His every word. At the end of the story, however, they are so angry at Jesus they plan on throwing Him off a cliff to shut Him up. What happened to trigger such an abrupt change in the people’s attitude toward Jesus?
  
For Jesus’ neighbors in Nazareth, it was a mix of pride and disbelief. The Jews had no problem when Jesus followed their customs by reading a scroll in their synagogue on the Sabbath. But when Jesus began to show how the Old Testament pointed to Him, the people began to murmur and doubt. How could the man they had seen grow up on their streets be the expected Messiah?
  
What’s more, Jesus began sharing scriptural examples of times when God’s people rejected His blessings, and when grace and mercy were applied to Gentiles (non-Jews). This was the tipping point for those listening to Jesus, as they were appalled at the idea that God’s blessings were not theirs by default due to their ancestry.
  
This story offers two lessons to today’s listeners. First, we are not in God’s family because we go to church, live in a certain area, or have family members who love Jesus. Help kids see that each person must respond to the gospel individually with faith and repentance. It is only by grace through faith that we are saved.
  
Secondly, Jesus is a polarizing presence in a lost world. In today’s story we quickly see a fascination with Jesus turn into hatred of Him. This echoes Jesus’ words elsewhere in Scripture that “anyone who is not with Me is against Me, and anyone who does not gather with Me scatters” (Matthew 12:30). Help kids see that there is no neutral ground when it comes to considering Jesus. Every person must decide to either reject Him or worship Him as Lord.
  
Consider sharing with your kids the turning point in your life when you saw Jesus for who He really is and responded in faith and repentance. Help them see that Jesus really is the loving Messiah who came to redeem, forgive, and restore our relationship with God.

 
Christ Connection

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

• Babies & Toddlers: Jesus taught good news. Jesus is the one God promised to send.
   
• Younger Preschool: Jesus said He is the special one God promised to send. Jesus came to tell the good news that He is the Savior.
   
• Older Preschool: Jesus taught that He is the Messiah. He came with good news! Jesus is the One God promised to send.
   
• Kids: All people sin and need a Savior, but not everyone will believe in Jesus. Only those who believe the good news about Jesus and repent will be rescued from sin and death.

Big Picture Question & Answer

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Younger Preschool: Why did Jesus do miracles? Jesus did miracles to show He is the Son of God.
   
• Older Preschool: Why did Jesus perform miracles? Jesus performed miracles to show He is the Son of God.
   
• Kids: Why did Jesus perform miracles? Jesus performed miracles to glorify God, to show He is the Son of God, and to care for people.

Key Passage

Daniel 4:3  This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Babies & Toddlers: How great and mighty are his miracles. His kingdom is forever. Daniel 4:3
   
• Younger Preschool: How great are his miracles and mighty his wonders! His kingdom is forever. Daniel 4:3
   
• Older Preschool: How great are his miracles, and how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom. Daniel 4:3
   
• Kids: How great are his miracles, and how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. Daniel 4:3

Next week: Healings in Capernaum (Mark 1; Luke 4)

---

And check out our playlist on Spotify — these songs are featured in our Kid Zone and Zone 345 worship time on Sundays. Sing along at home or on the road!

---