During the lesson, the information for you to know is written in regular type, and what we suggest speaking or reading aloud to children is in bold. All resources for this lesson, including the Teacher Guide, Student Page, Family Connection Card, and other resources can be downloaded in a ZIP file by clicking on the following link:
In some lessons you will find "resource articles." These are articles written by experts from around the world to help equip you for your work with children and adolescents. Share them with parents or guardians if you consider it appropriate.
Before class, tear out the picture of the tomb found at the end of this lesson.
A week later, Jesus’ disciples were in the house again. Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came in and stood among them. He said, “May peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. See my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
John 20:26–27
Do you ever struggle to believe what Jesus did for us? Sometimes it can be difficult to believe that Jesus died for us. Why would the Creator of everything send His only Son to die for us? When you think about how amazing God’s gift was, Thomas’ need to see and feel Jesus after His resurrection from the dead is understandable.
While you might not doubt that Jesus died for us, you may have times when you find it hard to believe that you are worthy of His sacrifice. Jesus loved you long before you were born. He has always loved you. God’s Word says that He planned to adopt you into His family before creation! He will continue to love you. Do not doubt your worth or Jesus’ love for you. It was a big price that Jesus paid on the cross so that you could be with Him. Pray for the children you teach this week to know the powerful love of Jesus too!
Encourage families to talk together about the amazing gift of what Jesus did when He died for our sins. If possible, send home copies of the Salvation Path for the families to talk through together.
Teacher Tip: If possible, email or text the Family Connection Card to the families of your students.
Welcome every child into the teaching space with a warm handshake. Ask the children to think about amazing things they have seen.
Think for a moment about something that is so amazing that we cannot completely understand it. For example, I do not understand how God made chickens to form eggs and lay them. I also do not understand how these eggs give life to chicks. An egg seems hard and lifeless, but it is a source of life. It is amazing that God thought of this and made both chickens and eggs!
Optional: If you come from a community where chickens are not common, think about 1 familiar animal or bird and how it gives life to its young ones. Talk to the children about the stages of its growth.
If possible, move to a location in your teaching space where you can point to a tree while giving the next example.
Let me give you 1 more example before I listen to your thoughts. I think it is amazing that a plant grows from a small seed that looks lifeless. When it is planted in the soil, it springs to life and grows into a big plant like a tree. I do not understand exactly how this happens, but it does!
Allow 4–5 children to respond.
It is amazing that God created plants that make tiny seeds that fall to the ground and make more plants! As you learned in the last lesson, God is very creative!
Sometimes the things that God does are so amazing that we cannot completely understand them. This is the case with the story of the resurrection of Jesus.
Remember when you heard the Bible story of how Jesus was born? Easter is also a story of new life that comes in a different way. You see, the story of Easter tells us about Jesus being hurt and dying on a cross. But Jesus’ death is actually just the beginning of the story. The Bible tells us that Jesus died on the cross and was buried. Then, on the third day, He rose from the dead. This is called His resurrection.
Today you will hear a true story from the Bible about what happened on the day Jesus was resurrected. Let’s listen to the story of Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene. This Mary was not Jesus’ mother. She was another Mary who knew and followed Jesus.
The story of His death begins with a large group of people who hated Jesus. They did not believe that Jesus is the Son of God. They hung Jesus on a cross to die. This is called crucifixion. After Jesus was crucified, He was buried in a tomb. This is a place like a cave. On the third day, Mary Magdalene went to the place where Jesus was buried.
Show the children the image of the tomb at the end of this lesson.
Optional, if there is time: Relate the tomb to the burial sites in your area. Discuss the similarities with the children.
Mary Magdalene stood outside the tomb. She was sad and cried because of what had happened to Jesus. But then she decided to look inside the tomb, and do you know what she saw? She saw 2 angels dressed in white, and they were seated where Jesus’ body had been! Jesus was gone!
Allow 2 children to respond.
Mary did not know what had happened to Jesus’ body. The angels spoke to her. Listen carefully to what they said.
Read this verse directly from your Bible.
They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said. “I don’t know where they have put him.”
John 20:13
Let’s repeat the angels’ and Mary’s words. You will make your voice sound like you are singing when you say what the angels said. Then use a voice that sounds sad when you say what Mary said.
Divide the class into 2 groups. Read the verse again. Allow 1 group to repeat what the angels said and the other to repeat what Mary said. Then switch roles.
Mary thought someone had taken Jesus’ body away, but when she looked up, guess who she saw? Jesus was standing there! She did not realize that it was Jesus at first. Listen to what Jesus said to her.
He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener. So she said, “Sir, did you carry him away? Tell me where you put him. Then I will go and get him.”
John 20:15
Read the verse again. Allow 1 group to repeat what Jesus said and the other to repeat what Mary said.
Then Jesus said Mary’s name! It was at that moment that Mary realized Jesus was standing in front of her. He was no longer dead!
Mary was the first person to see Jesus alive. He was resurrected! Mary talked to Jesus, who gave her a message to take to the disciples.
Instead of being sad, Mary was now filled with joy! She went straight to where the disciples were with the news that Jesus was alive! She told them that Jesus said He would soon go up into heaven to be with His Father.
Allow 2 children to respond. After they respond, read the following verses to the group.
On the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were together. They had locked the doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Jesus came in and stood among them. He said, “May peace be with you!” Then he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were very happy when they saw the Lord.
John 20:19–20
They were happy because although Jesus had died, He came back to life! They were amazed!
Let’s answer some questions to see if you can remember the story:
Optional: If you are using The Action Bible, read the story on pages 641–644. you may also choose to have the children retell the story using The Action Bible downloadable images.
Today you have learned that Jesus returned to His disciples. He became alive again after having died. Jesus died to pay the price for our sins. Sin is choosing to do anything that goes against what God would want. Listen to what the Bible says about who has sinned:
Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory.
Romans 3:23
This is the reason for Jesus’ death. Jesus is the only person who has never and will never sin. Everyone else who has ever lived has sinned. Without Jesus’ death, we would not be able to return to the Father in heaven. God loves you so much, and this is the reason He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for your sins. Always remember Jesus died and rose for you.
Optional: If you are using Student Pages, give each child crayons to draw Mary and others in front of the tomb.
To help you remember what we learned today about the resurrection, we will make a circle of colours.
For this activity, create a circle that is about 1⁄2 meter across. you can draw on the ground, tie a piece of string together, or tie blades of grass together to make a circle. Give each child a small object that is either green, red, white, or yellow.
Jesus lived a life on earth. This is represented by the green object. This colour is seen in many plants. If you are holding a green object, please come and place it on the circle.
Jesus lived a life without sin. He was and is perfect! Because He is the Son of God, He was able to give His life for our sins. Red represents Jesus’ blood and death on the cross. If you are holding a red object, place it on the circle.
After giving His life, Jesus was resurrected and rose to life on the third day. White represents Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus came back to life and showed those who believed in Him that He is stronger than death. If you are holding a white object, place it on the circle.
After Jesus came back to life, He went up into heaven to be with God, His Father. This is shown by the colour yellow. Yellow represents eternal life. Jesus is alive now and lives forever with His Father in heaven. You, too, can live forever in heaven when you believe that Jesus died for your sins. If you are holding a yellow object, place it on the circle.
When you look at this circle, remember the life of Jesus. Do not forget that God loves you so much that He sent Jesus to die for your sins. Remember how Jesus lived and remember He gave His life so that you might have a life with Him in heaven.
End class by speaking this blessing, based on John 20:19–20, over the children.
Blessing: May the peace that only Jesus can provide be with you. May you be happy knowing that death was not the end of Jesus’ story. Give thanks to the Lord for His resurrection!
Lead the children in singing this quarter’s song if possible.
Life on Life ©2020 David C Cook. Reproducible for home or classroom use only. All other uses require written permission from David C Cook [email protected]. All rights reserved.
