I wrote this lesson I wanted to share, which I think you could use in your Sunday school classes, too. It’s all about change and how even though some things feel different sometimes, Jesus is always the same.
You know how life gets a little crazy sometimes? Everything is always changing, right? Whether it’s stuff at school, with friends, or even in your family, it can be hard. New teachers, new houses, even getting taller – changes happen all the time, even when they’re good changes!
But guess what? In the middle of all those changes, there’s something amazing to remember – Jesus never changes. He promises to be with us always, and He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. He’s like this super cool High Priest who knows all about us and is always on our side.
Think of Jesus like your biggest, strongest friend, the one who’s got your back no matter what happens around you. That’s super comforting, isn’t it?
Passage: Hebrews 5:1-10 and 13:6-8
Target Audience: Kindergarten-6th grade
Materials Needed: Pictures or examples of things that change; baggy sweaters or jerseys; construction paper or cardstock; markers or crayons; decorative supplies; paper plates; pipe cleaners; scissors; glue or tape; Bibles.
This Hebrews 5:5-10 Bible Lesson for kids is available in ESV and KJV, also from the Sunday School Store. Use the link above to download the complete teaching plan in NIV translation.
The Unchanging One – Sunday School Lesson: Jesus as High Priest and Constant
Change is a part of life that cannot be denied or avoided. While many transitions are positive, they can still be difficult for all ages. In this lesson, children will discuss change, but be reassured that our Lord never changes. Jesus promises to always be with us and never change of fade. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, our great High Priest who goes before us and is always with us. Remind students that we can trust in and rely on God, no matter what else happens in life.
Life can be challenging and tumultuous at any age. For kids especially, changes are a constant that are never easy. Knowing that Jesus never changes is a comforting idea to rely on. He is our great high priest who gave Himself for us. He knows our needs and was sent by God to act on our behalf. He is our rock and redeemer. We can trust that He will always be with us and never ever change.
Passage: Hebrews 5:1-10; 13:6-8
Target Audience: Kindergarten-6th grade
Materials Needed: Pictures or examples of things that change; baggy sweaters or jerseys; construction paper or cardstock; markers or crayons; decorative supplies; paper plates; pipe cleaners; scissors; glue or tape; Bibles.
Lesson Opening: These passages review how we can rely on Jesus to be our powerful great High Priest who will never leave us or change, even when other things in life do. Start with an activity that uses these themes and gets kids thinking:
- Spot the difference: Have a student volunteer leave the room and alter one slight thing about his/her appearance. Invite students to try figuring out what the change was once the volunteer returns to the room.
- Spot the difference (picture version): Look at cartoon brain challenges of pictures with slight variations. For extra fun and challenge, invite students to create their own, drawing two pictures that have small changes, and having other students find the alterations.
- Quick change relay: Have students line up in two teams for a relay race. Have the first runner put a jersey or sweater over their clothing. That person should then run to the opposite end of the play area and quickly swap their sweater for another one, piled in a group. The runner will then come back and tag the next teammate, who will do the same, running down to change for another shirt/sweater and returning. Continue until all players have run and changed.
- Jobs of Jesus matching game: This game is best for older students. Provide students with cards or lists of descriptions of Christ’s roles. For example, prophet, priest, king, healer, etc. In addition, have verses that line up with each description. Students should read the verses and determine which role or description coincides.
- Baby match-up: Look at pictures of animals and/or people (celebrities or people in the church) as babies. Have students match or guess what those animals/humans grow up to be. If possible, plan ahead to have students bring in baby pictures, and use those for others to guess. Remind children that all things change, but Jesus always stays the same.
Explain that today’s lesson reminds us of some important and comforting truths about who Jesus is and how He never changes.
Bible Lesson:
This lesson consists of two passages from the epistle of Hebrews. Both remind us of important and saving truths about the nature of Christ and His ability to save us. These verses don’t quite lend themselves to acting, but can be read together and explained. Older students can read out loud, and teachers can read and discuss with younger ones.
For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
-Hebrews 5:1-4
These opening verses describe the nature of a high priest. Explain to students that before Jesus, people had to have a priest (like a pastor) make sacrifices to God on their behalf. The priesthood was a special honor, but those people were still human. They still sinned and had to offer their own sacrifices, too. These details are setting the stage for an explanation of how great the work of Jesus was, and how He was a different sort of priest.
Ask: What is something special about your pastor? How do you know that he is still imperfect?
5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,
“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”;
6 as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.” -Hebrews 5:5-6
Here there is a note of how Jesus, too, was appointed. This can be a little confusing, since it deals with the perplexing nature of the Trinity (Jesus is God, but was appointed by Him). However, it establishes His legitimacy as high priest, not just a human priest but the great high priest forever.
Ask: Why is this important to us? (Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us!)
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. -Hebrews 5:7-10
This reminds us that Jesus was God’s son, but also lived as a human and suffered unto the point of death. He is God, but also understands and sympathizes with our weaknesses as people. Jesus has done it all, and yet He Himself does not change or alter. He knows all things, and has lived through all things for our sake. Unlike earthly priests, He is not changing or sinful, but perfect and constant, always faithful.
Ask: What are some things in your life that change? Would it be comforting to know something that doesn’t change?
So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”
7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
-Hebrews 13:6-8
Jumping over to another passage from Hebrews, these verses are wonderful and comforting. Jesus is with us always. The Lord is our helper, and we can always count on Him. The answer to the question “what can man do to me?” is “Nothing!” With God on our side, we don’t need to fear. We have confidence knowing He fights for us. The final verse of this passage is especially helpful to ease our troubled and anxious minds. No matter what else is happening, and no matter how much changes, Jesus is always the same. He is the same yesterday and today and forever. He has already made the sacrifice, won the victory, and defeated death. He is always the same and is always with us!
There are a lot of things that change or can be frustrating. But Jesus is always the same!
Close with prayer, thanking God for His Son Jesus and for always being with us.