Lesson 4: Jesus carries his cross.
Passage: John 19:17-24 - After Jesus’ arrest and questioning, he is sentenced to death on the cross. He carries his own cross on which Pilate had fastened a sign that said “The King of the Jews.” Some objected to this sign, saying that it should instead say “This man claimed to be king of the Jews.” After Jesus was crucified, the soldiers divided his clothes amongst themselves, which was in fulfillment of a prophesy from the Scriptures.
Big Idea: Jesus’ death is not the end.
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: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
It’s just one week until Easter!
Are you excited? What does your family do to celebrate?
For the last few Sundays, we’ve been talking about the story leading up to the very first Easter - how Jesus came to Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and the people were praising him as king, but there were some people who still didn’t like him very much and wanted him to be arrested. And last time we talked about how Jesus was questioned by the governor, and how Jesus said that his kingdom is not an earthly kingdom but is in our hearts.
Today we’ll be learning about how Jesus died on the cross, but we know that’s not the end of the story, because he came back to life again on Easter!
Let’s watch the video to hear more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today’s story is all about how Jesus ended up going to the cross because some people didn’t like his teachings and didn’t believe that he was really the Son of God who was going to bring the kingdom of God to the world…
How do you think Jesus’ followers must have felt when this happened?
They must have felt sad, confused, scared… or like maybe Jesus failed in his mission. Do you think that that’s true? Why or why not?
What are some of the great things that Jesus did while he was a human in the world?
What are some great things that Jesus has done for you in your life?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story of Easter and of Jesus’ life that we’ve been learning about. Thank you for all the ways that Jesus helped the people around him, and made the world a better place, and how he is still doing great things in the world today. Thank you that we know Jesus’ kingdom is in our hearts and fills us with God’s love. Please help us to spread that love to others and we pray that your kingdom will keep on growing throughout the whole world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Water Colour Palm Leaves — Activity Leader
Children will paint the leaves with water colour paint.
If a child is uninterested 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: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
It’s just one week until Easter!
Are you excited? What does your family do to celebrate?
For the last few Sundays, we’ve been talking about the story leading up to the very first Easter - how Jesus came to Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and the people were praising him as king, but there were some people who still didn’t like him very much and wanted him to be arrested. And last time we talked about how Jesus was questioned by the governor, and how Jesus said that his kingdom is not an earthly kingdom but is in our hearts.
Today we’ll be learning about how Jesus died on the cross, but we know that’s not the end of the story, because he came back to life again on Easter!
Let’s watch the video to hear more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today’s story is all about how Jesus ended up going to the cross because some people didn’t like his teachings and didn’t believe that he was really the Son of God who was going to bring the kingdom of God to the world…
How do you think Jesus’ followers must have felt when this happened?
They must have felt sad, confused, scared… or like maybe Jesus failed in his mission. Do you think that that’s true? Why or why not?
What are some of the great things that Jesus did while he was a human in the world?
What are some great things that Jesus has done for you in your life?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story of Easter and of Jesus’ life that we’ve been learning about. Thank you for all the ways that Jesus helped the people around him, and made the world a better place, and how he is still doing great things in the world today. Thank you that we know Jesus’ kingdom is in our hearts and fills us with God’s love. Please help us to spread that love to others and we pray that your kingdom will keep on growing throughout the whole world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Water Colour Palm Leaves — Activity Leader
Children will paint the leaves with water colour paint.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Introduce yourself, welcome the kids to class. Ask kids about their weeks, and one interesting thing that happened this week.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
We’re just one week away from Easter!
What are some ways your family celebrates?
For the past few Sundays, we’ve been talking about the story leading up to the very first Easter.
First, we learned about how Jesus arrived in Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and how the crowds of people were praising him as king. That’s what we celebrated today with all the palm branches upstairs.
Next, we learned about how Jesus came to the temple and started turning over the tables because some people were turning God’s house of prayer into a marketplace. And finally, we learned about how Jesus was arrested and brought to the Roman governor for questioning.
Can anyone remember what Jesus said when Pilate asked him if he was the King of the Jews? (he said that his kingdom is not of this world but is from another place)
What do you think that means?
Today we’ll be talking about Jesus’ death on the cross. But as sad as this part of the story is, we know that it’s not really the end, since Jesus rose again on the very first Easter Sunday.
Let’s watch the video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
How do you think Jesus’ disciples must have been feeling when Jesus went to his death on the cross?
They must have felt pretty sad, scared, and a bit confused… maybe they even thought that Jesus had failed in his mission to bring the kingdom of God in the world.
Do you think that’s true or not? Why?
What are some ways that Jesus fulfilled his mission when he was on the earth?
What are some things that you’ve seen God doing in your own life or the life of someone you know?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story of Easter that we’ve been learning about, and all that Jesus did while he was alive on the earth - how he brought the kingdom of God to the world, by changing people’s hearts and lives, and by teaching them about and showing them God’s love. Thank you that we know that Jesus’ death isn’t really the end of the story, and that he came back to life again on Easter Sunday, and still lives today. Thank you for all the ways that you change our own hearts and lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Water Colour Palm Leaves — Activity Leader
Children will paint the leaves with water colour paint and use droppers to add rubbing alcohol onto the paint to create texture.
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 that you learned about in class today?
What do you think Jesus’ followers were thinking when they found out that Jesus had to go to the cross? Do you think they were sad and maybe confused since they thought Jesus as going to be king?
But what kind of kingdom did Jesus say he was going to have?
Do you think Jesus changed people’s hearts? What are some ways he did that?
Do you think Jesus is still alive in our hearts today? How do we know that?
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What was the story that you learned about in class today?
What do you think Jesus going to the cross meant for his mission to bring God’s kingdom? Do you think he failed or succeeded?
Do you remember what kind of kingdom Jesus said he was bringing?
What are some ways that Jesus changed people’s hearts and lives when he was here on earth?
Do you think that Jesus is still alive in our hearts today? How do we know that?
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What was the story that you learned about in class today?
How do you think the disciples felt about Jesus going to the cross? Do you think it might have been confusing to them? How so?
What do you think Jesus’ death means for his mission to bring God’s kingdom on earth? Do you think he failed or succeeded? What makes you think that?
What kind of kingdom did Jesus say he was bringing to the world?
What are some signs of God’s kingdom that you see in your life or in the world?
