“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” – Philippians 2:5-10

• Everyone go around and share what their favorite holiday of the year is and why.
• Did anyone pick Christmas? But have you ever thought about the fact that Easter is the reason for Christmas?
• In other words, at Christmas we celebrate Jesus becoming human (or “being born in the likeness of men”), which had to happen so that He could die on the cross in place of sinful humans and defeat death and the devil.
• For example, 1 John 3:8 says, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”
• 1 John 4:14 reminds us that “the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.”
• And Hebrews 2:14-15 says, “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”
• So even though today is the day Jesus died, we call it “Good Friday” and celebrate it because His purpose in coming to earth as our Rescuer was accomplished and our sin was paid for by His death.
• Read 1 Peter 2:24 together. What is another reason given here for why Jesus bore our sins? (“that we might die to sin and live to righteousness”)  Discuss together what it means for us “to live to righteousness”?
• Now read 1 Peter 3:18. What reason is given this time for why He died? (“that he might bring us to God”)  Why is it important for us to be brought to God, rather than just be given things from God?
• Review today’s memory verse together, Philippians 2:5-10 and then close in prayer.
• For TEENS and OLDER KIDS: Read Colossians 2:13-15  What’s are some examples you can think of where a debt was cancelled?  What does it mean that the record of debt that stood against us was cancelled on the cross?