“But here is how God has shown His love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

The Bible is like a jigsaw puzzle with every verse being a puzzle piece. Each piece is important and needed. But there is more understanding of the value of each piece when they are connected. Likewise, each verse in the Bible is very important, but also like a jigsaw puzzle, there is more understanding when the verses are connected. 

It is easier to put jigsaw pieces together if you look at the picture on the puzzle box. It is also easier to understand the Bible if you know that it forms a picture of God’s love. So if you read what seems to be a scary part, read on because with more of the puzzle pieces God’s love will be revealed.

For example, verses in Genesis explain that the penalty for sin is death (separation from God). Romans 3:23 is a verse that says everyone has sinned. So everyone is guilty and has received a death sentence. But by adding more puzzle pieces, God’s rescue plan is revealed. In this plan, the penalty for sin doesn’t change and God doesn’t change His rules. He still demands payment. But instead of you making the payment, a Savior, Jesus Christ pays the penalty for you.

The part of the puzzle revealing Jesus paying this penalty shows Him dying on a cross. This part makes us sad, but we can be thankful that He loved us so much that He suffered and died for us. The proof that God accepted Jesus Christ’s death as the complete ransom payment is that Jesus rose from the grave.

Easter is a day that Christians in unison praise God for His Rescue Plan. 

In the following activity, you will use a sheet of paper to form the shape of the cross. The cross will represent a Bible puzzle piece showing God’s rescue plan.

1. Fold a sheet of copy paper so that side A touches side B. Crease the fold by pressing it with your fingernail.
2. Fold the paper so that corner B touches corner A. Crease the fold.
3. Fold the paper in half so that corner B touches corner C. Crease.
4. Starting at the bottom of the folded paper at a point about 1 inch from the folded edge (marked by the arrow), tear across the paper as shown. 
5. Keep the folded side of the paper and discard the other side.
6. Unfold the paper. A cross is formed.
7. Show friends how to make a cross, then tell them how it was part of God’s rescue plan.  

Memory Verse: “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.” John 3:16

For more ideas to teach children about Jesus, see: Janice VanCleave’s Bible Explorations.