Lesson 4: Jesus is alive.
Passage: John 20:1-23 - Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene discovers the stone rolled away from Jesus’ tomb and runs to tell Peter and another disciple. They race to the tomb and find it empty, with the burial cloths left behind. After they leave, Mary remains outside weeping and then sees two angels in the tomb. Turning around, she encounters Jesus, though she doesn’t recognize him at first. When he says her name, she realizes that it’s him, risen from the dead. Jesus tells her not to cling to him but to go and tell the disciples. Later that evening, Jesus appears to his disciples behind locked doors, offers them peace, shows them his wounds, and breathes on them, saying “Receive the Holy Spirit,” thus commissioning them to continue his mission.
Big Idea: Jesus is alive and always with us.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Bunny Hop Game — Activity Leader
Place different colored printed bunnies on the floor. The kids will start hopping around like bunnies while the leader calls out different colors for the kids to hop onto. The leader can also call out “freeze” or different movements for the bunnies to do.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Happy Easter! Today we’re going to be hearing another one of our Easter stories from Nana Alex.
Let’s watch our video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Who was the first person who went to visit Jesus’ tomb? What did she see when she got there?
How do you think Mary felt when she realized that Jesus was actually alive?
How do you feel knowing that Jesus came back to life again? What kind of person do you think can do that?
What are some ways we can share the love of Jesus with our friends and family?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the Easter story that teaches us that Jesus is alive and lives in our hearts. Help us to remember this whenever we’re scared or sad. And help us share your love with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Frame Wall — Activity Leader
Kids will make a picture of themselves celebrating that Jesus is risen. These will be added to the wall to create a mural.
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Rock Paper Scissors Challenge — Activity Leader
Ask all the kids to get into pairs and play three rounds of rock, paper, scissors. Winners will find a new partner to play again. Continue playing until there is one winner left and if there is time, you can start over again.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Happy Easter! Today we’re going to be hearing another one of our Easter stories from Nana Alex.
Let’s watch our video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Who was the first person who went to visit Jesus’ tomb? What did she see when she got there?
How do you think Mary felt when she realized that Jesus was actually alive?
How do you feel knowing that Jesus came back to life again? What kind of person do you think can do that?
What do you think are some signs that Jesus is alive and with us today? (ie. we can sense that he is with us in our heart, he comforts us when we’re sad, he guides us in doing the right thing, etc.)
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the story of Easter and how we know that Jesus is alive even today. Please help us to feel your peace when we’re scared or sad, and to know that you are always with us. And help us to share your love with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Frame Wall — Activity Leader
Kids will make a picture of themselves celebrating that Jesus is risen. These will be added to the wall to create a mural.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Easter Egg Scoop — Activity Leader
Place a bunch of Easter eggs on the table along with a scoop and a basket. Kids will take turns being blindfolded and they will each have one minute to try to scoop as many eggs as they can into their basket.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Happy Easter! Today we have another Easter story with Nana Alex.
But before we get into today’s video, let’s read the passage together.
Read: John 20:1-23
Now let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Why do you think Mary didn’t recognize Jesus at first? What was it that made her realize who it was?
What was the first thing Jesus said to his disciples when he visited them? (Peace be with you)
Why do you think Jesus showed them his hands and his side?
What does the story of Jesus’ resurrection mean to you personally? What does it tell us about who Jesus is?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the amazing gift of Jesus our savior, who loved us and who died and rose again. Thank you for showing us that your power is stronger than anything, even death. Help us to remember that Jesus is alive and with us, and give us peace when life feels hard or confusing. And help us to find ways to share your love and peace with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Frame Wall — Activity Leader
Kids will make a picture of themselves celebrating that Jesus is rise. These will be added to the wall to create a mural.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Who found Jesus’ empty tomb first?
How do you think Jesus’ friends felt when they saw him alive again?
Do you think that Jesus is still alive and with us today? What are some ways that we can feel that Jesus is with us?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Which of Jesus’ disciples was the first to find Jesus’ empty tomb?
How do you think all the disciples felt when they saw Jesus alive again?
What are some signs that Jesus is alive and with us today?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What did Mary see when she came to Jesus’ tomb? How did she react?
What did Jesus say to his disciples when he visited them?
What are some ways that Jesus brings peace to your life?
What are some respectful ways to share the good news of Jesus with others?
