A New Year Celebration together with Jesus Christ our Savior
“Happy New Year, everyone! When we think of a New Year, we think of ‘New.’ New calendars, new school supplies, maybe new goals. How does it feel when you get something brand new? It smells fresh, it’s clean, and there are no scratches on it.
But here is a secret: as much as we love new shoes or toys, they eventually get old. They get scuffed, they break, or we lose them. But did you know that God is in the business of making things new in a way that never wears out?
Today, we are going to talk about the ‘Great Reset.’ Just like hitting a reset button on a video game when things go wrong, God gives us a way to start fresh—not just once a year, but every single day through His Son, Jesus.”
Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Lamentations 3:22-23
Key Truth: In Jesus, we aren’t just improved; we are made brand new!
The Story: From Old to New
The Problem: The “Old” Self In the beginning, God made the world perfect. It was the “Brand New” original. But then, sin entered the world. Think of sin like that mud on the old sneakers. It makes things messy, it breaks our friendship with God, and it makes our hearts feel “old” and heavy.
The Solution: The New Covenant For a long time, people tried to fix the mess themselves. They tried to follow rules perfectly, but they kept failing. So, God did something amazing. He sent Jesus.
Think about a caterpillar. It’s small, it crawls on the ground, and it eats leaves. But then, something miraculous happens inside the chrysalis. It doesn’t just grow bigger legs or get a better haircut. It undergoes metamorphosis. It becomes a butterfly! It has wings; it flies; it’s a completely different creature.
This is what the Bible means in 2 Corinthians 5:17: ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!’
When we follow Jesus, He doesn’t just put a band-aid on our old mistakes. He changes us from the inside out. He takes the ‘caterpillar’ heart (the one that struggles with being selfish or mean) and gives us a ‘butterfly’ heart (one that is filled with His love and light).”
Object Lesson: The Butterfly
Interactive Activity: The “Erasable” Wall
Instructions: Give every child a piece of paper and a dark crayon or marker.
- The Burden: “I want you to draw a scribble that represents something from last year you wish you could change. Maybe you were mean to a sibling, or you felt scared, or you didn’t listen to your parents. That represents the ‘Old’ things.”
- The Transformation: Now, give them a bottle of white paint, a heavy-duty eraser, or a “New Year” sticker to place directly over the scribble.
- The Lesson: “When we ask God for forgiveness, He doesn’t just look past the scribble. He wipes the slate clean. In God’s eyes, because of Jesus, that scribble is gone. You are starting this New Year with a clean page.”
Application: Living as a New Creation
“So, if we are ‘New Creations,’ how do we live that way in 2024? It’s not about being perfect; it’s about staying connected to the one who makes us new.”
- New Eyes: Ask God to help you see people the way He does. Instead of seeing a “bully,” see someone who might need a friend.
- New Words: Instead of using your voice to complain, use it to encourage.
- New Habits: This year, let’s make a “God-First” habit. Maybe it’s praying for one minute when you wake up or reading one Bible verse at breakfast.
Memory Verse Challenge: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
“Did you catch that? God’s mercy isn’t just new on January 1st. It’s new every single morning. If you have a bad Tuesday, you don’t have to wait until next year to start over. You can start over on Wednesday morning!”
Closing Prayer & Celebration
Prayer: “Dear God, thank You for the gift of a New Year. But most of all, thank You for making us New Creations. Help us to leave the ‘old’ things behind—the anger, the sadness, and the mistakes—and walk into this year with ‘butterfly’ hearts. Thank You that Your mercies are new every morning. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
Celebration: Have the kids pop some bubble wrap or throw a little biodegradable confetti to celebrate the “New Creation” they are in Christ!
Teacher Tips for Kids Ministry:
- Keep it Visual: Use the “Butterfly” analogy heavily, as kids understand physical transformation easily.
- Movement: During the “Newness Parade,” let them march around the room once they’ve “erased” their scribbles.
- Take-Home: Give them a small butterfly sticker or a white crayon to remind them of their “Clean Slate” with God.
