Curriculum

The Faces of Easter

The Faces of Easter Go to Curriculum multi-week pack

Bible Background

What Kids Will Learn

It was devastatingly sad when Jesus died on the cross and was buried in the tomb. But just as Jesus predicted, He rose from the dead and brought immense joy to His people and the world.

Scripture Summary

Jesus’ ministry had come to an end, or so the disciples thought. After three full years of teaching, healing, and spending time with people, Jesus was wrongfully crucified and buried. It was a time of bitter mourning and confusion for His followers.

Sunday morning, after observing Sabbath, women who were close to Jesus prepared spices and perfumes to bring to the tomb. This custom can be compared to our present-day practice of bringing flowers to a grave site. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary (James’ mother) were shocked and confused to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.

Two angels, who appeared as men dressed in glowing clothing, asked the women why they were searching for the living among the dead. And the angels reminded the women of Jesus’ words: He had predicted His own resurrection.

The women then shared what they had found with the 11 disciples. (Judas, the disciple who had betrayed Jesus, took his own life.) The disciples didn’t understand or believe what the women were saying. They, too, had forgotten Jesus’ words of His resurrection.

Jesus’ resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian belief. Other religions have moral standards, good teaching, and helpful service to others. Christianity is the only religion that includes a God coming in the form of a human, living among other people, dying for His followers, and raising again.

Peter wanted to check it out for himself. When he arrived at the tomb, he saw with his own eyes what the women had described. He was confused and continued to ponder. Jesus rising from the dead was an unbelievable turn of events, introducing joy into a bleak situation.

Why Is This Important

God’s kingdom contains the earthly kingdom. Rather than being on a path of destruction, which was started by the sin of Adam and Eve, we are on a redemption journey for all people as they accept Jesus.

Teacher Devotion

Scripture

“Then they remembered His words.” (Luke 24:8)

The women who found Jesus’ tomb empty were distraught and confused. They relyed on their own strength and understanding to make sense of the situation. Jesus—their beloved Messiah, teacher, healer, and friend—had been crucified. This turn of events just didn’t make sense.

The angels reminded them of Jesus’ words, predicting His own resurrection. And just like the women who found Jesus’ tomb empty, I need to be reminded of His words.

When I am confused, I remember that God freely gives wisdom (James 1:5).

When I am impatient, I recall that it’s best to wait on the Lord for courage and strength (Psalm 27:14).

When I am overwhelmed, I reflect on the fact that God is the One who cheers my soul (Psalm 94:19).

When I celebrate, I remember that every good gift comes from God (James 1:17).

When I am at the end of my days, I know that God is always with me (Matthew 28:20).

When I am scared, I can rely on God to be with me, giving me strength (Isaiah 41:10).

When I am tired, God Himself gives me rest (Matthew 11:28-30).

When I am lonely, I remember that I have nothing to fear and God is with me (Isaiah 41:10).

When I am successful, I can thank God who is the giver of my strength (Philippians 4:13).

When I am grumpy and thinking of all that is wrong in my life, I am reminded to fix my eyes on what is true and lovely (Philippians 4:8).

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for Your reminders. You have a beautiful and gentle way of helping me remember Your promises and Your goodness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Get the full Sunday school lesson plan

  • Bible Memory Verse
  • Interactive Bible Experience
  • Animated video with companion questions

Bible Memory Verse

You’ll Need: Stones, Fine-tipped marker

Get Ready: Write words or phrases from the verse on the stones and hide them around the room.

“He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” (Luke 24:6-7)

Have kids learn the verse in this way:

  • Remind kids how the stone that was blocking the opening of Jesus’ tomb had been rolled away on Easter morning.
  • Explain that you’ve hidden stones around the room with words from the verses on them.
  • Have kids find the stones and put them in order.
  • Lead kids in saying the verse several times.
  • One by one, gently roll each stone away, saying the verse without the missing words each time you remove a stone.
  • Repeat until kids can say the whole verse without the help of the stones.

ASK:

  • What’s special about Easter for you?

SAY: Easter is a special day because we celebrate that Jesus died and then came back to life. Wow! That’s something to celebrate.

Interactive Bible Experience

You’ll Need: Bibles, “Easter Egg Hunt” handouts, Plastic eggs, Permanent marker, Small piece of rope, Thorn or rose, Small nails, Black material or black crayon, Cotton ball, Stone, Gauze or linen

Get Ready: Put the items in the eggs and number the eggs according to the handout. If you have more than eight kids, make more than one set. Hide the eggs around your room.

SAY: Let’s have an Easter egg hunt! Ready? Go! (Let kids find the eggs.)

Lead kids through these steps:

  • Have kids gather in a circle with the eggs they found.
  • Give each child a handout and a Bible.
  • Have kids find the verse in their Bibles according to any eggs they found.
  • Once all the kids have found their verses, invite those with an egg labeled “1” to open it and reveal the contents.
  • Invite one child to read the description for the egg labeled “1.”
  • Have another child read the verse that corresponds. (Or you can read.)
  • Repeat for each egg.

ASK:

  • Which part of what you learned today is your favorite, and why?
  • Which is your least favorite part, and why?

SAY: God sent Jesus to Earth because He loves us. Jesus came as a baby, but then He grew up and taught many people. He healed people and did amazing things. But then He died on a cross. He was punished for all the world’s sin, even though He never did anything wrong. But three days after He died, He rose again. When we believe in Him, we can live forever in Heaven!

Snack

Easter Stones

You’ll Need: Large bowl, Melted salted butter, Marshmallow creme, Rice Krispies cereal, Spatula, Disposable bowls, Hand wipes

Get Ready: For every 16 kids, measure out 4 tablespoons of melted butter, 7 ounces of marshmallow creme, and 5 cups of Rice Krispies cereal.

Follow these steps for the “Easter Stones” snack:

  • Invite kids to retell what happened on Easter morning.
  • Explain to kids that they’re going to be making some Rice Krispies cereal stones to remind them of when the stone was rolled away.
  • Have kids clean their hands.
  • Invite a child to add the butter and marshmallow creme to the bowl and stir it together.
  • Have another child add the Rice Krispies cereal and mix.
  • Give each child a handful of the mixture in a bowl.
  • Encourage kids to form their treats into stone shapes.
  • Enjoy.

SAY: On Easter we celebrate that Jesus came back to life. When His friends went to put spices on His body, the stone was rolled away and He wasn’t there because He had risen. When we believe in Him we can live forever. That’s the best reason to have a celebration.

Game

Joy Tag

You’ll Need: Dot stickers, Pens

SAY: When Jesus’ friends found out He had risen, they were filled with joy. Everyone who learns that Jesus died on the cross for them and came back to life can have that joy, too. Let’s play a game where we spread joy.

Follow these steps to play the game:

  • Give each child a sheet of dot stickers.
  • Have kids write “Joy” on each sticker.
  • Lead kids in a game of “Joy Tag” where they try to put as many of their stickers on other kids as they can in 1 minute.
  • After a minute, invite kids to count how many stickers they stuck to others.
  • Have kids collect stickers to fill up their dot sticker sheets again, and play again.

ASK:

  • Why does Jesus bring you joy?
  • Tell about someone you can share the joy of Jesus with.

SAY: Jesus’ resurrection brings us joy, and we can share that with anyone and everyone because we want everyone to have this wonderful joy, too.

Craft

Paper Balloons

You’ll Need: “Joy Balloons” handouts, Paper, Markers, Scissors

To make the craft, have kids follow these steps:

  • Have kids name all the things they see at celebrations.
  • Point out that balloons are at celebrations and how they’re a symbol of joy.
  • Tell kids they’re going to make their own paper balloons.
  • Give each child a piece of paper and a “Joy Balloons” handout.
  • Guide kids through the steps to make the balloons.
  • Invite them to decorate their balloons to make them look joyful.

SAY: Take home your Easter balloons as a reminder that God breathed life into Jesus and He came back to life. That brings us so much joy!

Prayer

Living Prayers

You’ll Need: Paper balloons from the craft

Lead kids to pray in this way:

  • Have kids sit in a circle, holding their paper balloons.
  • Remind kids that Jesus died on the cross.
  • Have them deflate their balloons.
  • Allow a moment to talk to Jesus silently.
  • Have kids say aloud the Bible verse for today: “He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you: ‘The Son of Man must be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” (Luke 24:6-7)
  • Have kids breathe air back into their balloons to symbolize how Jesus came back to life.
  • Allow a moment for kids to thank Jesus.

PRAY: Dear God, thank you for bringing Jesus back to life! We celebrate Easter with joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.