Lesson 2: Jesus in the garden.
Passage: Matthew 26:36-46 - Jesus and his disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane, and Jesus asked them to sit nearby while he prayed. He took Peter, James, and John and asked them to stay with him because he was overwhelmed with sorrow. He prayed to God to take away the cup of suffering away from him, but only as God wills. Returning to his friends, he saw that they had fallen asleep. He asked if they could stay up with him for just one hour. He continued to pray and then a second time found his friends sleeping. After the third time, he told them to get up because the time had come for him to be betrayed.
Big Idea: Facing our fears through prayer.
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 and introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Storytime — Activity Leader
Read: Easter Love Letters from God
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we are going to be talking about another part of the Easter story… Last time we learned about how Jesus had his last supper with his friends, and one of his friends was going to turn his back on Jesus and get him in trouble so that he would have to go to jail.
In today’s story, it is the last night before Jesus is taken to jail, and he went to a garden with his friends to pray, because he was pretty scared.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Did you know that even Jesus got scared sometimes too?
Have you ever been really scared? What did you do when you felt that way?
Are there any people who help you feel better when you’re scared?
Have you ever tried praying to God when you’re scared? Did that help?
How can we be a good friend to others when they are feeling scared?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we learned today, and how we know that even Jesus got scared sometimes, just like us. Thank you that we are never alone, even when we feel worried or scared, and that you are always with us. Whenever we’re feeling that way, we know that we can talk to you through prayer, and you listen to us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Garden Mural — Activity Leader
Coloring pages of gardens/jungle scenery will be provided for the kids to color, or they can just color a garden/jungle of their own.
This will be the backdrop art this week. They don't need to cut anything out, just leave the pages to the side and they will be added to the mural later on.
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 near the TV. Welcome them to class. Introduce yourselves .
Warm Up Activity: Heads Up Seven Up — Activity Leader
Choose seven volunteers. The rest of the kids will sit on the floor with their eyes closed (with space to walk around) and their thumbs up.
The volunteers silently tap the thumb of one kid each and return to the front of the room. The seven kids whose thumbs were picked stand up and try to guess who tapped them.
If they guess correctly, they get to be a picker next round. If not, they sit back down and the person who picked them gets to stay up for another round.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re continuing our story about the last week of Jesus’ life. Last time we learned about Jesus’ last supper with his disciples.
Does anyone remember what happened at the last supper?
Today we’ll be learning about the time when Jesus and his disciples went to a garden called Gethsemane, the same night that Jesus was going to be arrested. Jesus was really scared and wanted to go there to pray.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Was it surprising to you to hear that Jesus got scared too? Why or why not?
What did Jesus do when he was scared?
Can you think of a time when you were really scared? What was the situation? What did you do?
Are there people in your life who help you feel less scared? Have you ever tried praying to God in those moments? Did that help?
What are some ways we can help our friends when they’re scared?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we heard today, about how even Jesus got scared when it was time for him to go to the cross, and he took that moment to turn to you in prayer. Thank you that we know we’re not alone when we’re facing something scary, and that you are always with us. We can pray to you, just like Jesus did, and you can bring peace to our hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Garden Mural — Activity Leader
Kids will draw pictures of disciples praying, and different plants/animals in the garden. They can cut these out and add them to the next section of the mural.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Welcome the kids to class, introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Heads Up Seven Up — Activity Leader
Choose seven volunteers (or fewer, depending on the size of the group). The rest of the kids will sit on the floor with their eyes closed (with space to walk around) and their thumbs up.
The volunteers silently tap the thumb of one kid each and return to the front of the room. The seven kids whose thumbs were picked stand up and try to guess who tapped them.
If they guess correctly, they get to be a picker next round. If not, they sit back down and the person who picked them gets to stay up for another round.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re continuing our story about the last week of Jesus’ life. Last time we learned about Jesus’ last supper with his disciples.
Does anyone remember what happened at the last supper?
Today we’ll be learning about the time when Jesus and his disciples went to a garden called Gethsemane, the same night that Jesus was going to be arrested. Jesus was really scared about all that was about to happen to him, and wanted to go there to pray.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Was it surprising to you to hear that Jesus got scared too? Why or why not?
What did Jesus do when he was scared?
Can you think of a time when you were really scared? What was the situation? What did you do?
Are there people in your life who help you when you’re feeling afraid? Have you ever tried praying to God in those moments? Did that help?
What are some ways we can help our friends when they’re scared?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we heard today about the time when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, praying to you in his time of fear. Thank you that we know we are not alone when we’re feeling afraid, and that you are always right there with us. You hear us when we pray to you, and you bring peace to our hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Garden Mural — Activity Leader
Kids will draw pictures of disciples praying, and different plants/animals in the garden. They can cut these out and add them to the next section of the 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 Bible story that you learned about in class today?
What were Jesus and his friends doing in the garden? Why was Jesus scared?
Has there been a time when you were really scared?
What did Jesus do when he was scared?
What are some things you can do when you’re feeling afraid?
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What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
What were Jesus and his friends doing in the garden? What was Jesus praying to God about?
Is it surprising to learn that Jesus got scared too, just like us? Why or why not?
Can you think of a time when you were really scared? What did you do?
What is something we can learn from what Jesus did when he was afraid?
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What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
What were Jesus and the disciples doing in the garden? What was he praying about?
Is it surprising to hear that Jesus was afraid about going to the cross? Why or why not?
How does it change your perspective to know that even the Son of God was afraid sometimes?
What are some things that you do when you’re feeling afraid? What can we learn from Jesus’ example in the story?
