Reading I Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 - Letter of the apostles to the gentiles
Reading II Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23 - The new Jerusalem
Gospel John 14:23-29 - Last discourse; faithfulness to God's word
Key Passage Jesus answered him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.” (John 14:23)

Adults: What difference has it made in your life when you made a decision in accord with Jesus' teachings?

Kids: When will you have to make a decision this week? What will help you make a good decision?

Reading I Acts 14:21-27 - End of the first mission
Reading II Revelation 21:1-5a - New heavens and new earth
Gospel John 13:31-33a, 34-35 - A new commandment
Key Passage Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” (John 13:34)

Adults: When have you seen the power of love overcome a bad situation?

Kids: Do you believe love is stronger than hate? Why?

Reading I Acts 13:14, 43-52 - Paul's and Barnabas' address to the gentiles
Reading II Revelation 7:9, 14b-17 - Rejoicing of the elect of every nation
Gospel John 10:27-30 - Words at the feast of the dedication of the Temple
Key Passage Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:27.28)

Adults: Whom do you try to protect as Christ protects you?

Kids: Who helps you feel safe and protected? Whom can you take care of and help feel safe?

Reading I Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41 - Disciples' second trial before the Sanhedrin
Reading II Revelation 5:11-14 - Praise to the lamb
Gospel John 21:1-19 or 21:1-14 - Appearance at the Sea of Tiberias
Key Passage When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs.” (John 21:15)

Adults: In what ways are you answering Jesus' command to Peter to "feed my sheep”?

Kids: What do you do to take care of others as Jesus asked Peter to do?

Reading I Acts 5:12-16 - Signs and wonders
Reading II Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19 - First vision
Gospel John 20:19-31 - Appearance to the disciples; Thomas
Key Passage He placed his right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever.” (Revelation 1:17b.18a)

Adults: When has your faith in the living Christ helped you overcome fear?

Kids: What could you do this Easter season to help someone feel less afraid?

Reading I Acts 10:34a, 37-43 - Peter's discourse
Reading II Colossians 3:1-4 - Mystical death and resurrection
Gospel John 20:1-9 - Peter and the disciple at the tomb
Key Passage Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. (1 Corinthians 5:7)

Adults: What change could the hope of the resurrection of Christ inspire you to make?

Kids: What bad habit would you like to “clear out” during the hopeful time of this Easter season?

Reading I Luke 19:28-40 - Welcomed with palms
Reading II Isaiah 50:4-7 - Salvation only through the Lord's servant
Gospel Philippians 2:6-11 - Jesus, compassionate high priest
Key Passage The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” (Luke 22:61)

Adults: When have you felt that you betrayed the confidence of another, as Peter did when he denied Jesus?

Kids: When have you let someone down who trusted you? How did you feel?

Reading I Isaiah 43:16-21 - Promise of restoration
Reading II Philippians 3:8-14 - Breaking with the past
Gospel John 8:1-11 - The adulteress
Key Passage Jesus straightened up and said, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7)

Adults: Have you ever been too willing to "cast the first stone" when you disapproved of someone's behavior? How can you resist these feelings?

Kids: When have you criticized or made fun of someone? What could help you act differently?

Reading I - Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18 - The covenant with Abram
Reading II - Philippians 3:17–4:1 - Christ our goal
Gospel - Luke 9:28b-36 - Jesus transfigured
Key Passage - But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:20)

Adults: How are your priorities affected by your faith in Jesus Christ?

Kids: When you have important choices to make, do you and your family pray to make the right choice?

Reading I Deuteronomy 26:4-10 Thanksgiving for the Lord's goodness
Reading II Romans 10:8-13 - The faith of the Christian
Gospel Luke 4:1-13 - Temptation in the desert
Key Passage For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Rom. 10:13)

Adults: How willing are you to profess your faith in Jesus Christ openly to others?

Kids: Would you still be able to say that you believe in Jesus if others made fun of you for it?

Reading I Sirach 27:5-8 - All tested by their speech
Reading II 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 - Glorification of the body
Gospel Luke 6:39-45 - All known by their works
Key Passage Jesus said, "How can you say to your neighbor, 'Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,' when you yourself do not see The wooden beam in your own eye?" (Luke 6:42a)

Adults: When have you most felt like a hypocrite? How did you overcome this feeling?

Kids: Is it a good thing or a bad thing to act differently from what you are really feeling? Why?

Reading I 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 - Saul's life spared; Saul admits his guilt
Reading II 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 - The natural and the spiritual body
Gospel Luke 6:27-38 - Love of one's enemy
Key Passage Jesus said, “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:27–28)

Adults: What has allowed you to overcome obstacles and forgive someone who has hurt you?

Kids: When has it been hard to forgive someone who hurt you? What did you do?

Reading I Jeremiah 17:5-8 - True wisdom
Reading II 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20 - The resurrection and faith
Gospel Luke 6:17, 20-26 - The great discourse
Key Passage Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:20)

Adults: In what way are you serving the poor, as Jesus did?

Kids: When have you helped bring God's love to someone who was sad, or hungry, or whom others made fun of?

Reading I Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8 - Call of Isaiah
Reading II 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 - Christ's resurrection
Gospel Luke 5:1-11 - Call of the first disciples
Key Passage Simon Peter fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” (Luke 5:8,10b)

Adults: When have you felt inadequate to a task or role you were given? How did you respond?

Kids: When have you been asked to do something you felt might be too hard for you? What did you do?