Free from Sin & Guilt

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 14: 1-12

 

Herod heard about the ministry of Jesus but FELT GUILTY about his command to behead John the Baptist. He knew he had killed an innocent and rigtheous man who was jailed for sharing the good news and convicting others of sin. Herod had earlier misused his authority in imprisoning John who told him of his adulterous sin with his brother's wife.

 

LESSON POINT: (Observation) Sin Catching Up

When we sin, and try to hide it, the SIN will finally catch up with us. It is impossible to hide from sin although man is very good in trying to cover up or sweep it under. GUILT will come on to convict which would bind us into further condemnation.

 

Children (as well as adults) should be taught to RECOGNIZE sin; AVOID it with God's word (like Jesus ~ Matt 4) or CONFESS wrong done (1 John 1:9) to receive Christ's forgiveness (Rom 8:1)

 

TRUTH: (Application) ~ Free from Sin and Guilt

 

It is important for children (and adults) to be DAILY CLEANSED from all sin (known and unknown) for God is a holy God. To be useful for God, one must be cleansed first (2 Tim. 2:20). It is important to allow the HOLY SPIRIT convict us NOW than at judgment day.

 

BIBLE VERSE: Matthew 14:1,2,9

Herod was sorry to have said rash promises which he could not or did not want to break for he viewed man's honor more important than God's.

Lead the children to think of their sins before applying 1 John 1:9. Then help them memorise the bible verses by breaking them into various phrases and piecing them.

 

ACTIVITY:

 

Play CATCHING with the children to remind them that SIN WILL CATCH UP with us when we dont confess them. If the child is caught, he/she is to SAY SORRY. If caught TWICE, he/she becomes CATCHER.

 

 

PRAYER: Cleanse me Lord of my sins to be your Cleansed and Useful vessel. Convict me now so that there is no condemnation on me after I confess to You. TQ for your forgiveness, Jesus. Amen.