Week 6 – Same Story, Different Gospel

Summary
Verse
Movement
Lesson
Small Groups
Closer Game

Summary

Kids explore two different Gospel resurrection accounts to see that all four Gospels tell the same truth: Jesus rose from the dead. They practice flipping between Gospel books, build confidence finding scriptures, and learn that God’s Word was written so we can believe in the living Christ.

Verse

John 20:31 — “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”

Action cue:
  • “Written” – pretend to write in the air.
  • “Believe” – point to your head and heart.
  • “Life” – stretch arms wide like a sunrise.

This verse highlights the Bible’s purpose — especially the Gospels: to help us know and trust Jesus.

Movement: “Gospel Corners” (Expanded)

Set-up:
  • Label each corner or wall area Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

How to play:
  • Play music as kids walk around the room or march.
  • When the music stops, call out the name of a Gospel.
  • Kids must move quickly to that corner. Once there, read aloud or summarize a resurrection line from that Gospel.
  • Quick connection after each: “No matter which Gospel we read, they all show that Jesus is alive!”

Variation:
  • Add symbols: crown for Matthew (Jesus the King), cross for Mark (Jesus the Servant), heart for Luke (Jesus’ compassion), light for John (Jesus the Son of God).
  • Have children move according to meaning — e.g., skip to the “heart,” walk proudly to the “crown.”

Lesson: “Two Gospels, One Risen Jesus” (Expanded)

Introduction: 
  • Hold a Bible and say, “The Gospels are like four friends each telling us what they saw Jesus do.”

Demonstration:
  • Open to Matthew 28:5–7 and read the angel’s message.
  • Then go to John 20:11–16 and read Mary’s encounter with Jesus.
  • Ask: “What do both stories say about Jesus?” (He’s alive!)

Visual aid:
  • On the board, draw two open books labeled Matthew and John. In the center between them, write “Jesus is Risen!”with arrows pointing in from both sides.

Discussion:
  • Why might God give us four Gospels, not just one?
  • What do we learn about Jesus when we read more than one version of the story?
  • How does this help us believe, like John 20:31 says?

Connection to the verse: 
  • “These stories were written so we could believe that Jesus is the Son of God — yesterday, today, and forever.”

Small Groups: “Finding Two Resurrection Passages” (Expanded)

Supplies:
  • One Bible per small group; sticky notes or bookmarks.

Instructions:
  1. Choose two Gospels per group (for example, Matthew and Luke, or Mark and John).
  2. With leader help, find and mark each group’s assigned passages:
  • Matthew 28:1–7
  • Mark 16:1–8
  • Luke 24:1–12
  • John 20:1–18
3.  Read both short sections aloud (or paraphrase if needed).
4.  On a chart or paper, write or draw one thing the stories have in common (empty tomb, angels, women see Jesus) and one unique detail.

Wrap-up: 
  • Have each group share what they found—it’s like assembling four puzzle pieces that form the full resurrection picture.

Closer Game: “Gospel Flip Race” (Expanded)

Set-up:
  • Bibles closed in laps, teams of 3–4 kids each.

How to play:
  • Leader calls a verse such as “Mark 16:6!”
  • One person per team races to open the Bible and find it. They stand and read the first sentence aloud when ready.
  • Alternate rounds for Matthew, Luke, and John to help kids switch between books quickly.
  • Keep score for fun, or just cheer when the verse is found.

Variation:
  • Use “mystery callouts” — give a clue like “The Gospel where Jesus talks to Mary in the garden!”
  • Add a quick echo after each find: Leader calls, “What did we learn?” Kids shout, “Jesus is alive!”
Closing thought and prayer idea:
Gather everyone near the “John” corner, hold up a Bible, and say:
“All these stories were written so we could believe—and believing gives us life in Jesus’ name.”
Pray together: “Thank You, God, that every Gospel leads us to the same truth: Jesus lives forever. Help us keep reading Your Word so our faith grows stronger.”