Lesson 5: The empty tomb.
Passage: John 20:1-18 - Early in the morning, on the Sunday after Jesus’ death, Mary Magdalene came to visit his tomb but found that it was empty. She thought that someone must have stolen Jesus’ body and so she went to Peter and another one of the disciples to tell them what had happened. They ran to the tomb to see for themselves and found it empty as Mary had said and left. Mary was standing by the tomb weeping when she saw two angels who asked her why she was crying, and she told them that Jesus’ body had been taken away. She then saw a man who she thought was the gardener, and asked him if he saw where they had taken Jesus. When the man said her name, she realized that it was Jesus and that he had risen from the dead, so she ran to tell the rest of the disciples the news.
Big Idea: Jesus defeats the power of death.
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: Duck Duck Goose — Activity Leader
The children will sit in a circle and the leader will choose one child to be “it”. The person who is it will walk around the outside of the circle tapping each persons head and saying “duck” until choosing one to be the “goose”. The goose will stand up and the two will run in opposite directions around the circle to see who can make it back to the empty spot and sit down first. The person left standing will be “it”.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to talk about the last part of the Easter story. So far, we’ve learned that Jesus first came to Jerusalem riding on a donkey and being praised by the people who believed he was the king sent by God.
Then we learned about how Jesus went to the temple and got angry because he wanted everyone to be able to pray and come to God, but there were some people turning the temple into a marketplace.
Next, we learned about how there were people who didn’t like Jesus and wanted him to be arrested. So they arrested him and brought him to the governor who questioned him about his teachings.
And finally, last Sunday we learned about how Jesus died on the cross. But today, on Easter, we learn that Jesus actually came back to life again after three days! And that’s why we celebrate Easter.
Let’s watch the video to find out more about this part of the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
From the video, do you remember which one of Jesus’ followers was the first to see Jesus after he came back to life again?
When Mary Magdalene first saw that Jesus’ tomb was empty, what did she think happened?
Then when she saw Jesus, who did she think he was at first?
Why do you think Jesus was able to come back to life again?
How do you think his disciples must have felt when they saw Jesus again?
If Jesus has the power to come back to life, what other amazing things do you think he can do in our lives?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you so much for the story of Easter Sunday, and how Jesus came back to life again. Thank you that Jesus is still alive today and lives in our hearts, filling us with your love which can change our lives and change the world. Please help us to know how much you love and care for each one of us, and that you are always with us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Paper Crosses Craft — Activity Leader
Children will decorate paper crosses using confetti and glue sticks.
If a child is not interested in the craft, allow them to move into free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
-
Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Duck Duck Goose — Activity Leader
The children will sit in a circle and the leader will choose one child to be “it”. The person who is it will walk around the outside of the circle tapping each persons head and saying “duck” until choosing one to be the “goose”. The goose will stand up and the two will run in opposite directions around the circle to see who can make it back to the empty spot and sit down first. The person left standing will be “it”.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to talk about the last part of the Easter story. So far, we’ve learned that Jesus first came to Jerusalem riding on a donkey and being praised by the people who believed he was the king sent by God.
Then we learned about how Jesus went to the temple and got angry because he wanted everyone to be able to pray and come to God, but there were some people turning the temple into a marketplace.
Next, we learned about how there were people who didn’t like Jesus and wanted him to be arrested. So they arrested him and brought him to the governor who questioned him about his teachings.
And finally, last Sunday we learned about how Jesus died on the cross. But today, on Easter, we learn that Jesus actually came back to life again after three days! And that’s why we celebrate Easter.
Let’s watch the video to find out more about this part of the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
From the video, do you remember which one of Jesus’ followers was the first to see Jesus after he came back to life again?
When Mary Magdalene first saw that Jesus’ tomb was empty, what did she think happened?
Then when she saw Jesus, who did she think he was at first?
Why do you think Jesus was able to come back to life again?
How do you think his disciples must have felt when they saw Jesus again?
If Jesus has the power to come back to life, what other amazing things do you think he can do in our lives?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you so much for the story of Easter Sunday, and how Jesus came back to life again. Thank you that Jesus is still alive today and lives in our hearts, filling us with your love which can change our lives and change the world. Please help us to know how much you love and care for each one of us, and that you are always with us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Paper Crosses Craft — Activity Leader
Children will decorate paper crosses using confetti and glue sticks.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Introduce yourself and welcome the kids to class.
Warm Up Activity: Trivia Hunt — Activity Leader
Give the students some pencils and their first clue. Tell them as a team they need to work together to find their reward. Hidden in the classroom there is a series of clues and also try again cards. There is no penalty for finding a try again card, just keep going to find the next clue. The leader will have a Clue Master sheet with the answers to each of the clues.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Happy Easter everyone! Today we’re going to be talking about the last part of the Easter story.
Can anyone remember what we’ve learned about so far in the story?
Week 1: Jesus came to Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and the people were praising him as king.
Week 2: Jesus went to the temple and got angry because people had turned God’s house of prayer into a marketplace.
Week 3: The people who didn’t like Jesus and his teachings had him arrested and brought to the governor Pilate to be questioned. That’s when Jesus taught that his kingdom is not an earthly kingdom but a spiritual one that is in our hearts.
Week 4: Jesus was sentenced to death on the cross, even though he hadn’t done anything wrong.
But today, on Easter Sunday, we celebrate the fact that Jesus’ death wasn’t the end of the story, because after three days he came back to life again, defeating the power of death.
Let’s watch our video to find out more about this part of the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember which of Jesus’ followers was the first to see Jesus alive again?
What did Mary Magdalene think when she first saw that the tomb was empty?
When she saw Jesus, who did she think he was at first? What did she do once she realized the truth?
How do you think the disciples must have felt when they heard that Jesus was alive?
What does Jesus rising back to life again mean to you personally?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you so much for the story of Easter Sunday, and how today we celebrate Jesus coming back to life and defeating the power of death. Thank you that we have hope knowing that Jesus is alive and working in our hearts and in the world around us. Even in times when we may feel afraid or confused or alone, you are there bringing light into the darkness, as well as hope in all circumstances. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Paper Crosses Craft — Activity Leader
Children will decorate paper crosses using confetti and glue sticks.
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?
What do you think about Jesus came back to life again after three days?
Do you think that it proved that Jesus really was telling the truth that he’s the Son of God?
If God is powerful enough to bring Jesus back to life, what other amazing things do you think God is able to do in our lives too?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What do you think it teaches us about Jesus that he came back to life again?
Do you think that Jesus coming back to life proves that he really is the Son of God? Why do you think so?
Do you think God also has the power to do other amazing things in the world? What are some things God is still doing in the world today?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Was there something that particularly stood out to you about the story?
What does it mean to you that Jesus rose from the dead? What do you think it meant to his disciples?
Do you think that Jesus is still alive and at work in the world today? In what ways?
