Lesson 4: The empty tomb.
Passage: John 20:10-18 - On the third day after Jesus’ crucifixion, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb in which he was buried and was crying. She looked into the tomb and saw that Jesus was gone, and two angels were sitting where his body had been. They asked her why she was crying, and she said that it’s because Jesus’ body had been taken away and she didn’t know where it had gone. Just then, she turned and saw Jesus, but she didn’t know who he was. Thinking that he was the gardener, she asked him where Jesus’ body had been taken. When Jesus said her name, she recognized him and excitedly cried out “Rabboni!" meaning “teacher.” She rushed to tell the other disciples the good news that Jesus had risen.
Big Idea: We are part of God’s work in the world.
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: Easter Sensory Bins — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Happy Easter! Today is our last day talking about the Easter story.
First we learned that Jesus had a special dinner with his friends where he said that someone was going to turn against him. Then Jesus went to a garden with his friends to pray because he was scared of what was about to happen to him.
Then last week we learned that Jesus got arrested, and instead of fighting back, he showed everyone that being peaceful is God’s better way. Finally, on Good Friday, Jesus went to the cross and then was buried in a tomb for three days. On Easter we celebrate Jesus coming back to life again!
Let’s watch our video to see what happened in that part of the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Does anyone remember the name of the person who saw Jesus first when he came back to life?
When Mary first saw Jesus, she didn’t recognize him. Who did she think he was?
Then when Mary realized that it was actually Jesus and he was alive, what was the first thing she did?
So even though Mary wasn’t one of the 12 disciples of Jesus, she still had a very important part in Jesus’ plan. Do you think that we can also have an important part in God’s big plans in the world?
What kind of things do you think we can do to share God’s goodness and love to others?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we learned today about how Jesus came back to life again, showing how powerful and good you are. Thank you that just like Mary Magdalene, we all have an important part in your great plan for the world. We can share your love and goodness with others in so many different ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Empty Tomb Mural — Activity Leader
Kids will make sunburst art using paper strips. They can draw a cross, Jesus, or an empty tomb, and create a sunburst around it by gluing the pre-cut paper strips.
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: Easter Treasure Hunt — Activity Leader
Read: Kids will each get a bingo card and will try to find all of the Easter pictures hidden around the room (without taking down the pictures)
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Happy Easter! Today is our last day talking about the Easter story.
First we learned that Jesus had a last supper with his disciples where he said that someone was going to betray him. Then Jesus went to a garden with his friends to pray because he was scared of what was about to happen to him.
Last week we learned that Jesus got arrested, and instead of fighting back, he showed everyone that being peaceful is God’s better way. And finally, on Good Friday, Jesus went to the cross and then was buried in a tomb for three days. On Easter we celebrate Jesus coming back to life again!
Let’s watch our video to see what happened in that part of the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Does anyone remember the name of the person who saw Jesus first when he came back to life?
When Mary first saw Jesus, she didn’t recognize him. Who did she think he was?
Then when Mary realized that it was actually Jesus and he was alive, what was the first thing she did?
So even though Mary wasn’t one of the 12 disciples of Jesus, she still had a very important part in Jesus’ plan. Do you think that we can also have an important part in God’s big plans in the world?
What kind of things do you think we can do to share God’s goodness and love to others?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we learned today about how Jesus came back to life again after three days in the tomb, showing how powerful and good you are. Thank you that just like Mary Magdalene, we all have an important part in your great plan for the world. Please help us to see the many different ways that we can share your love and goodness with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Empty Tomb Mural — Activity Leader
Kids will make sunburst art using paper strips. They can draw a cross, Jesus, or an empty tomb, and create a sunburst around it by gluing the pre-cut paper strips.
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.
Activity: Easter Egg Minute to Win It Challenges — Activity Leader
Using plastic Easter eggs, compete in a variety of challenges.
Egg Toss - put a basket at one end of the room while kids stand at a designated point on the other side. They will try to get as many eggs into the basket in one minute as they can.
Egg Stack - kids have to try to stack as many egg halves as they can in a minute without it falling over.
Egg Roll - Mark a start and finish line. The kids put their eggs at the start line and, using straws, try to blow their eggs to the finish line. This may have to be done in turns depending on how many kids there are.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Happy Easter everyone! Today is the final day we’ll be talking about the Easter Story. On the first week we learned that Jesus had a last supper with his disciples where he said that someone was going to be tray him. Then we learned about how Jesus and his disciple went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray because Jesus was scared about what was to come.
The next morning, a crowd of people came to arrest Jesus and on Good Friday, he was taken to the cross, killed, and buried in a tomb for three days. On Easter Sunday, we celebrate Jesus coming back to life again.
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
What was the name of the first person who saw Jesus alive again?
Who did she think he was at first?
What was so special about Mary Magdalene that she got to have the honor of seeing Jesus first?
What was the first thing that she did after realizing that Jesus was alive?
What do you think this story can teach us about our place in God’s plans in the world? (we all, like Mary, have an important part to play)
What do you think are some ways that we can be a part of God’s work in the world each day?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we learned today about Jesus coming back to life again on Easter Sunday, and how it shows your power and goodness. Thank you for what we learn from this story about how it is not only the people who we normally think of as important or significant that have a part to play in your bigger story and plan in the world. You have an important role for each and every one of us, just like you did for Mary Magdalene, a woman who wasn’t even one of the 12 disciples. Please help us to see the opportunities we have each day to make a difference in the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Empty Tomb Mural — Activity Leader
Kids will create sunburst art using rulers and watercolour paint. They will draw their central picture (can be a cross, Jesus, or an empty tomb… something that represents the story they learned).
Then, using a ruler and pencil, they will draw lines emanating out from it. They will then paint in the lines to create a bright sunburst.
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?
Who was the first person who saw Jesus alive again? Who did she think he was at first?
What did she do once she realized who he really was?
What do you think was so special about Mary Magdalene?
What can we do to play our part in God’s work in the world?
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What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
Who was the first person who saw Jesus alive again? What was her first reaction?
What did she do once she realized who he was?
Why do you think Jesus chose her to be the one to bring the good news to everyone?
What can we do to play our part in God’s work in the world?
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What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
What do you think about the fact that Mary Magdalene was the first person to see Jesus after he had come back to life again? What was so special about her?
Do you think it would have been surprising for the 12 disciples that they heard the news from her? Why or why not?
Why do you think Jesus chose her to be the first person to share the good news of his resurrection?
What do you think that teaches us about ourselves and our role in God’s work in the world?
