CELEBRATE EASTER LESSON 3 | SUNDAY, APRIL 12: EASTER! BIG PICTURE: Celebrate Easter
BIG IDEA: Easter Sunday BIG POINT: He has risen!
BIG STORY: Read Mark 16 or Chapter 27 of The Story for Kids, The Story for Children, or The Story for Little Ones BIG WORD: “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.” John 3:16 (NIV) LEARNING OUTCOMES
Through this lesson, children will: • Know that Jesus died and rose again. • Understand that we are saved from sin through Jesus’ death and resurrection. • Celebrate that Jesus is alive!
THE BIG QUESTION (to discuss with your kids)
1. What happened when the two women visited the tomb where Jesus was? As they got to the tomb they saw that the huge stone had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him” (Mark 16:6, NIV). 2. Why did Jesus die on the cross and rise again? Jesus died on the cross and rose again so we could be saved from our sin. The punishment for sin is to be separated from God forever, but Jesus took the punishment we deserve and put it on himself. It’s a little bit like if your brother or sister did something wrong, but instead of them getting in trouble and being grounded, you took the blame and took the punishment instead of them. Jesus’ death and resurrection (rising again) defeated sin and death so we could be saved and have a relationship with God, our Father in Heaven. 3. Who did Jesus die on the cross for? Jesus didn’t die on the cross and rise again for only a select special few people. He died and rose again for me and for you and for every person who has ever lived or will
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ever live. Here’s what the Bible says in John 3:16 (NIV): “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.” It says that whoever, which means anyone and everyone.
AT-HOME FAMILY ACTIVITIES: ALL AGES
Homemade Resurrection Eggs This activity requires a few more supplies, but many of you have an egg carton, a dozen plastic eggs, and these general supplies around your home. Number your plastic eggs 1–12. Tell the Easter story, and as you do, place the corresponding item in each egg.
EGG
TELL THE STORY
SCRIPTURE
ITEM TO BE PLACED IN THE EGG
1
Jesus rode on a donkey and the people shouted Matthew 21:1–9 “Hosanna!” and waved palm branches.
2
Jesus was betrayed by Judas, who was paid thirty silver coins.
Matthew 26:14–16
3
Jesus had a last supper with his disciples before he died on the cross.
Matthew 26:17–30 Piece of bread or oyster cracker
4
Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray with his disciples.
Mark 14:32–42
Picture of praying hands
5
Jesus was whipped with a rope by the soldiers.
John 19:1–3
Piece of yarn or rope
6
A crown of thorns was put on Jesus’ head and the soldiers mocked him by saying, “Hail the King of the Jews!”
Matthew 27:29–31 Twig
7
Three large nails were driven into Jesus’ hands and feet to nail him to the cross.
John 19:17–20
Picture of or actual small cross and nail.
8
The Roman soldiers used dice to gamble for Jesus’ robe.
John 19:23–24
Dice
9
Roman soldiers used a spear to pierce Jesus’ side when he was on the cross.
John 19:31–37
Toothpick
10
Joseph of Arimathea wrapped the body of Jesus John 19:38–42 in a linen cloth after he died.
11
The huge stone that had covered the tomb was found rolled away.
Matthew 28:1–3
Rock
12
Jesus’ tomb was empty because he rose from the dead!
Matthew 28:5–8
Empty
2
Picture of a donkey or a palm branch Coins
Piece of fabric or paper
Resurrection Buns Ingredients needed: 10 oz can refrigerated crescent rolls 8 large marshmallows ¼ cup melted butter 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons white sugar Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a baking sheet. 2. Separate crescent rolls into individual triangles. 3. In a small bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar. 4. Dip a marshmallow into the melted butter, then roll in sugar mixture. 5. Place the marshmallow into the center of a dough triangle. Carefully wrap the dough around the marshmallow. Pinch the seams together tightly to seal in the marshmallow as it melts. Repeat with all the marshmallows and rolls. 6. Place rolls on a baking sheet. 7. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. As you enjoy eating your rolls, talk about how because Jesus is risen, the tomb is empty! Cross=Love Art Project Supplies needed: White card stock or construction paper, paint tape or masking tape, watercolor paints. Directions: Have children draw a large heart on heavy duty white paper. Next, have them form a cross in the center using the tape. Kids can then use the watercolors to paint their heart. Paint over the tape. After it dries a bit, have them remove the tape to reveal the white cross underneath. Explanation: When it comes to being saved, there is only one way—Jesus! You can’t be saved by trying to be good, being a good singer, or never stealing. It’s not those things that save us. Acts 4:12 (NIV) says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Easter is when we take time to celebrate Jesus. We celebrate that Jesus died on the cross and rose again to take the punishment for our sin, so we can be saved. The cross of Jesus Christ represents love. Cross=Love.
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Nature Walk Talk a walk outside around your yard and look for signs of new life, like plants pushing through the ground, buds opening up, new nests and bird eggs, grass turning green, baby bunnies, and birds. Talk about how Jesus is the author of life and offers us a new life forgiven from sin when we believe in him.
PRAYER Dear God, thank you for saving us from our sins by sending your son Jesus for us. Thank you that Jesus has victory over death and sin. We pray that this Easter we can share the message of what Jesus has done for us with our friends and family. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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