We started out asking the kids what animal they would be if they could choose one and why. Then we divided the group into two teams and played animal charades. We asked the kids at the end of the game to choose which animal portrayed in charades was the one that best matched their personality and why. Jesus was described as different animals. Tonight we learned about him as Lion and Lamb.
We talked about John's intent in writing the book of Revelation. He didn't intend for his readers to analyze every detail about the end times. He wrote Revelation to encourage the church and help us grasp some important truths about the Messiah. It gives us a new way of looking at the world and it is meant to strengthen the believers' faith.
We read Revelation 5:1-8. We discussed what images capture our attention the most in this passage and what emotions the descriptions of Him conjured up. We talked about the 6 main characters of this Scripture: God sitting on the throne, 4 living creatures, 24 elders, John witnessing these visions, an angel who helps John navigate these visions, and the Messiah figure who is the hero. What details do you notice in this scene that are surprising or memorable? Why do you think John wept? Why was the Lamb able to open the scroll when no one else could? In Rev. 5:5, John is told to look and see the Lion of Judah, but when he looks, he sees a Lamb instead (v. 6). Why do you think the Lion turned into the Lamb?
The Lion and the Lamb are the same figure. Just like a quarter is a quarter even though it has George Washington on one side of it and an eagle on the other. The images are meant to display 2 ideas about America and should be understood together. The same holds true for how we are to view Jesus as both the Lion and the Lamb. The powerful, ruling Lion reminds us that the Messiah is the King, the Son of God, and the Lord of all. The Lamb reminds us that He is the priest who sacrificed Himself for our sins and redemption.
In Revelation, we see the final victory of the Messiah and the fulfillment of all God's promises. We wait in hope for the time when He will rule and be the solution to all of our earthly pain. He is the most relevant answer to all of the problems in our world. As the Lion, He is the ruling King who will bring justice and peace. As the sacrificial Lamb, He brings forgiveness, spiritual wholeness, and satisfaction of our deepest yearnings.
We passed out newspapers then and gave the kids scissors and asked them to cut out the stories, read them, and decide which aspect of the Messiah will ultimately answer the problem reported in the article....Lion or Lamb. For example, a story about a murder would best be answered by the Lion who will one day bring justice and victory over violence and evil. A story about a suicide or a fatal car accident might be best answered by the Lamb who offers spiritual wholeness and satisfaction of our deepest needs. Until Jesus returns, our world will be full of problems and heartache. But we have an amazing hope: Our Messiah is the Lion and the Lamb who will eventually make everything right.
We wrapped up the night by watching the promotional video for Acquire the Fire again and reviewing the 9 different images this study has given us of the Messiah. He is our High Priest. He is our King. He is a Servant. He is the Son of God. He is Lord, Savior, Life, and Redeemer. HE IS THE LION AND THE LAMB AND HE IS EVER PURSUING US! AMEN!!
