Jesus Rose from Death on Easter
Sunday, and Lives Forever

Dear Jesus, today we remember your death and resurrection. Through your death
we have forgiveness for our sins. Your resurrection gives us life. We praise you!

Choose any of these children's learning activities.

1. The teacher or an older child reads or relates Jesus’ rising from death, Mark 15:1 – 16:8.

It tells how Jesus died, was buried and rose again three days later.

After telling the story, ask these questions. Answers appear after each question.

· What two things did Jesus do for us when he died, and when he rose again?

[1. Jesus’ blood covered our sins.
2. His resurrection gives life to all who believe in him.]

· What did Pilate call Jesus? [King of the Jews’, Mark 15:2]

· How did the soldiers treat Jesus? [Mark 15:17–19]

· What did they write on a sign over his head? [Mark 15:26]

· What did Jesus shout before he died? [Mark 15:34]

· What did Joseph of Arimathea do? [Mark 15:43–46]

· What was placed over the opening to the tomb? [Mark 15:46]

· Who went to the tomb and found it empty? [Mark 16:1]

2. Let the children copy or color the picture found at the end of this lesson.
Have older children help the younger ones.

3. Dramatize parts of the Easter story.

· Arrange for the children to present their drama during worship time.

· Use your time with the children to practice it.

· You may omit some parts, or add more from the Scripture verses.

· Children need not memorize lines: the aim is to relive sacred events, not to perform.

· Let older children help the younger ones prepare.

· Older children or adults play these parts:

Narrator:       Tell the story and help children recall what to say.

Soldiers:        Prepare things to signify a whip and robe.

Priest

Jesus

Pilate

Joseph:           Prepare a cloth.

Younger children play these parts:

Women:        Prepare bottles to represent perfume.

Crowd

Angel

Narrator:   Read or tell by memory the first part of the story from Mark 15:1-20. Announce, “Hear what the priests say.”

Priest:         “Governor Pilate, this man broke our laws. He deserves to die.”

Pilate:         “I will ask him about that. Jesus, are you the King of the Jews?

Jesus:          “I am.”

Pilate:         Look surprised.
“I find nothing wrong in this man.
People, do you want me to release him?”

Crowd:       (Some shout angrily) “Release Barabbas!
(Others say) “Crucify Jesus!”

Pilate:         “Soldiers, take him and crucify him.”

Soldiers:     (One pretends to whip Jesus.) “Take that!”
(Another pretends to put a robe on him.) “Here is your royal robe. Ha ha ha!”
(Another pretends to put a crown of thorns on him.) “Here is your royal crown!”
(Others say) “Hail, king of the Jews!” Ha ha ha!”
(Another pretends to lay a heavy cross on his back.) “Here’s your cross! Carry it!”

Narrator:   Read or tell the second part of the story (Mark 15:22-47).

Jesus:          Bend over, pretending to carry a heavy cross on your back.
Move slowly around the room.

Soldiers:     (One pretends to lay the cross on the ground, and pushes Jesus down onto it.)

Narrator:   “Hear what the soldiers say.”

Soldiers:     (One pretends to pound spikes into Jesus’ hands to nail him to the cross.
Others pretend to lift Jesus, nailed to the cross, and place him on a chair.

Jesus:          Stand with arms outstretched.

Soldiers      (One says) “Let us throw dice for his clothes.”

Crowd:        (Some say) “Look! That sign says that Jesus is a king.”
(Others say) “Ha! Jesus, save yourself!”

Priest:         “Jesus, show your power! Ha ha ha! Come down from the cross!”

Jesus:          Cry loudly, “My God, why have you forsaken me?”

Women:     “Oh no! Jesus has died!”

Narrator:   Tell the third part of the story (Mark 16:1-8). Say,
“Hear what Joseph of Arimathea says.”

Joseph: “Governor Pilate, let me bury the body of Jesus.”
The women watch as Joseph takes Jesus off the cross, wraps him, and puts him in a tomb (under a table). Put a stone (a chair) in front of it.

Narrator: “On the third day the great miracle happens.”
Remove the chair that represents the stone.

Jesus:          Rise and walk to one side.

Women: Go to the tomb with the perfume bottles. Wipe away tears.
(One asks)  “Who will roll away that heavy stone?”
(Another says) “Look! The stone is gone!”
(Others say) “Look! There is an angel!”

Angel: (Spread arms out wide) “Jesus is alive! Go tell his disciples!”

Narrator: Thank the children and anyone who helped.

4. Children ask the adults what Jesus did for us when he died, and when he rose again.

Answers should include:
1) That Jesus’ blood covered our sins.
2) That his resurrection gives life to all who believe in him.

5. Let older children draw pictures of Jesus on his cross,

They can show the pictures to the adults at worship time and explain that it
shows how Jesus died for us and rose again on the third day to give us life.

6. Memorize 1 Peter 1:3

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

7. Four children each recite one of the verses from Psalm 21:1-4.

8. Older children may write a poem about Jesus’ resurrection.

More detailed, five-minute dramas dealing with the resurrection of Christ:
http://biblestoryskits.com/028-jesus-rises-from-the-dead-as-seen-by-angels/

http://biblestoryskits.com/029-jesus-appears-to-many-after-rising-from-death/