LIVES TRANSFORMED BY JESUS

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:16-18, NIV*).

This unit will help your preadolescents:• Know that Jesus loves everyone and wants to change their lives, and that they can feel his love and know that he forgives all sin.• Comprehend what spiritual blindness is, and know that this type of blindness is much more serious than physical blindness.• Understand that Jesus’ power is greater than any kind of evil, and that they can count on him when they’re confronted by sin and evil.• Understand what “born again” means, to take that step and start their personal relationship with Jesus.

As they grow up, preadolescents may think that the world is a terrible place. Crimes, diseases, poverty, and immorality have devastating, life-long effects. Many of them feel that they cannot do anything about it and, therefore, feel frustrated. In a subtle way, peer pressure can lead them to compromise their beliefs. Some will feel ashamed of their faith. But it is important they know that there is someone who can produce a significant change. Jesus Christ makes a difference in the life of each person who responds to him personally. The Bible is much more than a book of interesting stories. The people that the preadolescents will encounter in the four lessons of this unit were transformed and changed because they had a personal encounter with Christ. It changed the way they saw themselves. And they were able to overcome opposition because they were filled with inner strength after meeting him. Today’s preadolescents need the confidence that’s acquired only when they know the Lord personally. Pray that each of them will receive God’s gift of salvation and that they give their lives completely to Christ.