Knowing Jesus
God's special book, the Bible, says that Jesus died on a cross and three days later God brought Him back to life.
Christians believe that the cross where Jesus died is really important.
Jesus said, "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son. God gave his Son so that whoever believes in Him may not be lost, but have eternal life." (John chapter 3, verse 16 - International Children's Bible).
Do you want to know God and live as his friend?
It's not about being good, which is great because it's very hard to be good all the time!
It's about believing that Jesus died on the cross so you can be friends with God forever!
The Bible says that everyone does things wrong that God doesn't like. The Bible calls this "sin" - this is when we think, speak and act in our own way and not in the way God wants us to and this stops us being friends with God.
God knew that all the wrong things we do couldn't be forgotten. Instead of punishing us, because he loves us so much he sent Jesus, the only person never to have done anything wrong. Jesus died on a cross to be punished for all the wrong things we have ever done, thought and said - He took our punishment!
Three days later God brought Jesus back to life! Now all we have to do is believe in Jesus, believe that He died for us and accept him as the one who saves us and wants to be our best friend!
X:site reminds us of the place of the cross, which is the place where Jesus died so we can be friends with God forever!
Want to read about what happened to Jesus? If you have a Bible, the first 4 books of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) are all about Jesus and the amazing things He did!
What now?
God promises that he listens when we pray and he will forgive us when we ask Him. You can ask God to be your friend at any time! You could use our prayer below to get ideas from:
"Dear God, my wonderful father in heaven. Thank you that you really love me!
Thank you that, although I do things wrong sometimes, you don't want to punish me.
I believe that you sent Jesus, your only son, to die on the cross for me.
I believe Jesus took the punishment for the wrong things that I have done and will do.
Thank you that you gave me another chance!
Please come into my heart and be my best friend.
Please help me to love and trust you always and to remember to spend time talking to you and listening to what you have to say. AMEN"
Tell a friend, church leader, your parents about the decision you have made or email us at X:site. It's a great idea to see if you can join a group at a local church. You should always keep learning more about being God's friend by reading God's book the Bible. It never gets boring!
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