Download the He is risen! An engaging Easter Sunday school lesson for kids
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Easter is a time of joy and celebration for Christians around the world. It’s a season when we pause to reflect on the profound significance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and rejoice that He defeated the grave!
In this free Easter Sunday school lesson, we’ll explore the essence of Easter, focusing on the resurrection of Jesus and its eternal impact. You’ll also find:
You’ll also find the teacher’s narration for each of these sections to help you easily create a memorable story of Easter for kids in your class.
1. Introduction: Set the stage of the Easter lesson for kids
“Hey kids! Do you know what day today is? Today is a special day as we come together to explore the incredible story of Easter—a story at the very heart of our faith. Imagine, over two thousand years ago, a special one-time event unfolded that changed everything.
Did you know that God loves us so much that he sent his only son Jesus to come and live with us? That’s right! Jesus came and lived on earth. He lived a perfect life and never sinned.
On the other hand, every one of us has sinned. Romans 3:23 says “...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ We all know that there are consequences that come when we do something bad. God loves us so much, but when we do something wrong, or ‘sin’, that separates us from God’s love. In order to be close to God, we need someone else—someone without sin—to pay the penalty for our sins.
This sets the stage for our journey today. It’s like opening the curtains to a play, and the lead actor is none other than Jesus.”
2. The Crucifixion: Explain Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins
“Jesus is the only person who ever lived without sin. He decided he would pay the price for our sins by being crucified on a cross by the very people he came to save. It’s here, in his sacrifice, that Jesus bore the weight of our sins.
In Matthew 20:28, Jesus himself says, ‘the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ This act of love, this sacrifice, is the reason we celebrate Easter. So, let’s dive into the extraordinary true story that is the resurrection of our Savior.”
3. The Resurrection: Emphasize the miraculous event of Jesus rising from the dead
“Get ready to fasten your seatbelts as we journey to the most incredible part of our story—the Resurrection. In Matthew 28:1-8, we read the incredible story when Jesus rose from the grave.
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.’ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Can you imagine their shock and surprise? Think of the joy that filled their hearts! This is the moment when Jesus conquered death. It’s like the sun breaking through the darkest night. The Resurrection is a miracle that changes everything!”
4. Eternal life: Connect the Resurrection to the promise of eternal life with Jesus
“As we wrap up our journey today, let’s talk about a beautiful promise that the Resurrection brings—eternal life. In Matthew 28:20, Jesus assures us, ‘And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’
The Resurrection is not just a historical event; it’s an invitation into a relationship with Jesus that lasts forever. In John 11:25, Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”
Think about that. Through Jesus’ resurrection, we have the promise of eternal life, a life filled with His love, presence, and joy. So, children, let the truth of Easter fill your hearts with hope and the assurance that Jesus is with you always!”
Object lessons are a great way to increase participation, interest, and retention. To make your Easter lessons more interactive and memorable for kids, use one of these hands-on object lessons using simple and easy-to-find items.
Materials Needed:
- A dark-colored cloth or paper
- A bright, vibrant fabric or paper
- A small candle
Steps:
1. Hold up the dark-colored cloth.
“Today, we have a special activity that will help us understand the incredible transformation that Jesus brings into our lives. I have here with me a dark-colored cloth. This cloth represents the darkness of sin that was in our lives before we knew Jesus. Sin can be like a heavy cloud, making everything feel gloomy and sad. So, as I hold this dark cloth, think about the times when we may have felt distant from God because of our mistakes and wrong choices.”
2. Transition to the bright, light fabric
“Now, let's transition to something brighter. Look at this light fabric! It symbolizes the hope and joy that Jesus brings into our lives. In the Bible, in Matthew 4:16, it says, “the people living in darkness have seen a great light.” Jesus is that great light that dispels the darkness in our hearts. As we unfold this vibrant fabric, think about the joy and hope that come when we invite Jesus into our lives.”
3. Hold up the small candle
“Here comes the most exciting part. I have a small candle here. This candle represents Jesus as the light of the world. In John 8:12, Jesus says, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ Just like a candle lights up a room, Jesus lights up our lives with His love and presence. As I introduce this candle, think about how Jesus brings light and understanding into our lives, showing us the way.”
4. Light the candle
“And now, the grand finale! Are you ready? We’re going to light this candle. This symbolizes when Jesus rose from the dead, the moment He overcame the darkness of sin. As the flame shines, remember that Jesus conquered sin and death, bringing us into the light of His love. It’s a celebration of the victory that Jesus won for us on the cross and the joy that fills our hearts because He is alive!
Let this visual experience remind you that Jesus is the light that overcomes darkness, and His resurrection brings hope, joy, and eternal life. Let His light shine brightly in your hearts as you carry this beautiful truth with you.”
Easter lessons for Sunday school are more memorable when you use a simple yet impactful object lesson like this one..
Materials Needed:
- Two plastic Easter eggs, one empty, one full
Steps:
1. Hold up the empty egg
“Let’s pretend that we have two very special Easter eggs. Each egg holds a unique story that helps us understand the miracle of Easter. This empty egg is like the empty tomb we read about in the Bible. In Matthew 28:6, it says, ‘He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.’
Just like this empty egg, the tomb where Jesus was placed is now empty. Do you know why? Because Jesus is alive! When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb, they found it empty. It was a surprise, just like when we open an egg expecting to find something inside. The empty tomb is the most fantastic surprise because it means that Jesus is not there; He is alive, just as He promised.”
2. Show them the egg that is full
“But wait, we have another egg here. This egg is full, and it reminds us of something important too. In our hearts, we carry the good news of Jesus’ resurrection—just like this egg is filled with something special. The Bible tells us in Matthew 28:7, ‘Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead.’
This full egg represents the joy and excitement that filled the hearts of the disciples when they heard the incredible news. We are like messengers carrying this full egg of joy and sharing with others that Jesus is alive!”
3. Encourage the children to hold and examine the eggs
“So remember, children, the empty tomb means that Jesus rose from the dead and walked out of the tomb, and the full egg represents the fullness of joy that comes from knowing Jesus is alive. Happy Easter!”
Now that you’ve taught the Easter Sunday school lesson and illustrated it with an object lesson, it’s time to engage the children in a meaningful conversation about the resurrection story using these discussion questions:
Help your Sunday school class memorize key Bible verses related to Easter with these short but powerful passages:
Wrap up the Easter Sunday school lesson with a heartfelt closing prayer:
“Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for the incredible gift of Jesus and His resurrection. May we always remember the hope and joy that come from knowing Him. Help us to share this good news with others and live our lives in a way that reflects your love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.”
By incorporating engaging activities, thoughtful discussion questions, and meaningful memory verses, this Easter Sunday school lesson aims to deepen children’s understanding of the resurrection story and its impact on our lives. May the light of Jesus shine brightly in their hearts as they celebrate Easter with joy and gratitude.
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