Holy Week, Week 2 (Mar. 17, 2024)
Jesus in the Garden
Bible Passage: Matthew 26:36-46
Big Idea: Facing Our Fears Through Prayer
Preschool-Kindergarten
Welcome — Activity Leader — 2 minutes
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 — 3 minutes
Read: Easter Love Letters from God (pages…)
Intro & Bible Story— Bible Story Leader — 5 minutes
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 vide to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — 5 minutes
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader — 5 minutes
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 — 1 minute
“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.”
Craft: Garden Mural — Activity Leader — 7 minutes
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.
Free Play — Both — 7 minutes
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver
Grades 1-3
Welcome —Both— 3 minutes
Have the children sit near the TV. Welcome them to class. Introduce yourselves .
Warm Up Activity: Heads Up Seven Up — Activity Leader — 3 minutes
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 —5 minutes
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? (Jesus said that one of his friends would betray him, and that he would get arrested and taken to the cross; he also gave his disciples the bread and the wine to represent his body and blood, which he would give up for them)
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 about the story…
Video Lesson — 5 minutes
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader — 5 minutes
Was it surprising to you to hear that Jesus got scared too? Why or why not?
What did Jesus do when he was scared? (he prayed to God to take away his troubles, but even if not, Jesus said that he was willing to do what God what God was asking of him)
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 — 1 minute
“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.”
Craft: Garden Mural — Activity Leader — 10 mins
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
Grades 4-6
Welcome and Warm-Up — Activity Leader— 5 minutes
Welcome the kids to class, introduce yourselves.
Game: Heads Up Seven Up
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 —5 minutes
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? (Jesus said that one of his friends would betray him, and that he would get arrested and taken to the cross; he also gave his disciples the bread and the wine to represent his body and blood, which he would give up for them)
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 about the story…
Video Lesson — 4 minutes
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader — 5 minutes
Was it surprising to you to hear that Jesus got scared too? Why or why not?
What did Jesus do when he was scared? (he prayed to God to take away his troubles, but even if not, Jesus said that he was willing to do what God what God was asking of him)
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 — 1 minute
“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.”
Craft: Garden Mural — Activity Leader — 10 minutes
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
