At Home Easter Lesson Ideas for Families

(Ideas provided by: childrensministry.com/easter-sunday-school-lesson/) Happy Easter! Parents, you might feel overwhelmed with the idea of teaching your children about Easter. Maybe you feel tired. Maybe you feel under qualified. Maybe you just don’t know where to begin because of everything going on around us. Here are some great ideas for how to teach your kids about the events leading up to and including Easter morning. There are some games, hands on activities, Bible exploration, and more listed below. While many of these activities are geared for a larger group, I have added some notes throughout this to help think creatively to make it work for your family no matter what size or age! What is most important is spending time in God’s word and learning together. Be creative and have fun with this special time together! There is A LOT here. Please do not feel as if you have to do everything that is listed here. Please do not even feel like you have to do it all in one sitting or in one day. Maybe take a few days to work through this together as a family devotion time. You know your kids best and what they can and cannot handle. Give them and yourself the opportunity to learn together. Vica

Prep

Dig In to the Bible

Read: Matthew 27:27–28:10 In This Passage: Jesus takes on the punishment for everyone’s sins and dies on the

cross. But three days later, he comes back to life! Jesus came back to life so we can live

forever with him. When we accept his gift of forgiveness, we will have eternal life with him.

Bible Point: Jesus came back to life so we can live forever. Summary Verse: “God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son

into the world so that we might have eternal life through him” (1 John 4:9).

Dig Deeper

You’ll Be Teaching: Jesus came back to life so we can live forever. This message is the

core of the Bible. On this special day, you may have visitors. Teach this story and Bible

point assuming there are kids who’ve never heard it before. Make sure all of your kids

walk away understanding this important Bible Point!

Think About: What does it mean to you that Jesus conquered death so you can live

with him forever?

Dig In to Prayer

Pray that Jesus will open your heart to accept his gifts of forgiveness and eternal life.

Quick Tip

Be ready to answer kids’ questions about faith and eternal life. If you feel unsure about what to say,

don’t hesitate to call or email Pastor John or Vica. We would love to talk to you and your child to

answer questions. Questions that you cannot answer are also a great teaching tool for your kids to see

that it’s ok to not know all of the answers but that you can work on figuring it out together.

Easter Sunday School Lesson

Opening Introduce the Lesson Say: Today we’re going to learn that Jesus died. But we’re also going to learn that Jesus

came back to life so we can live forever! When you believe in Jesus, you can know for

sure that you’ll live in heaven with Jesus forever. That’s something to look forward to!

Share Tell kids about something you’re looking forward to in the next month or so.

Note: If you haven’t thought about what you are looking forward to other then getting back to normal,

I challenge you to think outside of the box. Maybe it’s something as simple as getting coffee at

Starbucks again or to get to pick out your own produce again at the store.

Have kids tell about something they’re looking forward to in the next month or so.

Note: Many children are going to sad about the cancelation of school for the rest of the school year or

maybe the lost of parties or trips they were excited about. Use this time to talk about those feelings

that they have and validate the grief that they are experiencing. This might be a great time to talk

together about something you can all do together when the stay-at-home orders are lifted. Such ideas

could include: going to see a movie together, visiting a museum, a family party to celebrate all missed

celebrations, etc.

Summarize Open a Bible to Matthew 27, and say: Today is Easter! It’s a day to celebrate that we can

look forward to living forever in heaven because Jesus is alive! Let’s learn more about

Jesus’ death and resurrection from the Bible. The Bible is a very special book that helps

us know God. One of the ways God talks to us is through the Bible. God is ready to talk

to you right now. So let’s listen and talk with God.

Pray, thanking Jesus for coming back to life so we can live forever.

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High-Energy Easter Game: On a Roll Relay

Supplies

plastic eggs (1 for every kid) file folders or pieces of card stock (1 for every kid) upbeat music (optional) • music player (optional) a line or some sort of designation to go to

Roll an Egg

Say: In our Bible story today, things didn’t go the way Jesus’ friends thought they

should go. Jesus died, and when they went to his tomb they couldn’t find his body! I’ll

give you a chance to experience a little of that feeling with this wild game.

On one side of the room, give each person a file folder. Set a plastic egg in front of each

person.

Say: When I say “go,” use your folder to fan the egg straight across the room and across

the line. You can’t touch the egg unless it rolls into a wall or gets stuck.

Begin the game. If you’d like, play music as kids play. Anyone and Everyone can play this and

enjoy getting a laugh.

Talk About It

Say: Those eggs didn’t always do what you wanted them to do or what you hoped

they’d do!

Ask:

In the game, how did that make you feel? In real life, how do you feel when things don’t go the way you’d hoped?

Note: Again, this is a great opportunity to talk about what is going on right now in our lives. This year so far

has not gone the way that anyone had thought or anticipated. We are all grieving this is different ways.

Validate the feelings that everyone in your family is experiencing and allow each person to express

themselves. No answer is wrong.

Say: When Jesus died, his friends may have felt [repeat some of the words kids shared,

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such as frustrated, disappointed, or afraid]. Things seemed out of control for them. But even

though Jesus’ death and resurrection seemed out of control to Jesus’ friends, the ending

was better than they could’ve imagined! Jesus is alive! We don’t have to feel hopeless

because we have the hope of living forever with Jesus. Jesus came back to life so we can

live forever.

Core Bible Discovery

Easter: Jesus Dies and Comes Back to Life (Matthew 27:27-28:10)

Supplies (It is optional how much or how little you use of the suggestions)

Bible Sour Patch Kids candy (1 piece per child) dry-erase board permanent marker

colorful washable markers spray bottle of water paper towels masking tape unlit glow sticks (or confetti can be used) large box

powerful lantern flashlight a thick blanket that blocks light contemplative music (optional) music player (optional)

Easy Prep

Use a permanent marker to draw a large cross outline in the center of the dry-erase

board. (Don’t worry, there are instructions on how to get it off afterwards!)

• If you do not have a whiteboard at home, you can do this activity on a large

window, shower, or any other large washable surface that you can write on.

• Another option is to cut out a large cross and tape on a wall. Use construction

paper to create the various words/symbols needed. Instead of using paper,

simply remove the items from the wall.

In a corner of the room, make a tomb by setting a large box on its side. Turn on the

lantern flashlight, and place it inside the box. Cover the box with a thick blanket so kids

can’t see the light inside. Don’t have a large box? Pillow Fort!!!!

Tip

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When you spray the washable marker, it will run down the dry-erase board. If the dry-

erase board has a tray for markers at the bottom, line it with paper towels to absorb the

water. If there’s not a tray at the bottom, do this somewhere that you can easily clean up

such as outside, etc.

Taste Sour, Taste Sweet

Give each child a Sour Patch Kids candy. Say: Today’s true Bible story starts out sour like

our candy. Have kids eat their candy. As they do, say: But also like our candy, our Bible

story turns sweet! Let’s see how something that was sour for Jesus turned into

something that was sweet for us.

Draw

Show kids the cross on the dry-erase board. Say: In Jesus’ time, a cross was used to

punish really terrible criminals. When someone had committed a bad crime, that

person would be killed by being hung on a cross.

There were some people who said Jesus was a criminal. That wasn’t true at all! In fact,

Jesus was the only person who ever lived a perfect life. But even though he never sinned,

Jesus was willing to take the punishment for the sins of everyone else.

Before they put Jesus on the cross, the governor’s soldiers did some awful things to

him.

Bible Passages

Read Matthew 27:28. Ask a child to use a red washable marker to draw a robe near the

cross.

Read Matthew 27:29. Ask a child to use a brown washable marker to draw a crown of thorns

over the cross.

Ask:

Tell about a time someone made fun of you. Share your own example first, and

then have kids share in trios.

How do you feel knowing people made fun of Jesus?

Read Matthew 27:30. Ask a child to use a brown washable marker to draw a stick near the

cross.

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Say: Next, the soldiers made Jesus carry his cross until he couldn’t carry it any longer.

Then a man named Simon had to carry it the rest of the way. After that, here’s what

happened.

Read Matthew 27:35. Have a child use a washable marker to draw nails on the cross.

Read Matthew 27:37. Have a child draw a sign over the cross that says “This is Jesus, the King

of the Jews.”

Read Matthew 27:38. Have a child draw two more crosses, one on either side of the first

cross.

Say: The other people on the crosses were real criminals. Jesus died to forgive even

them! And he died to forgive us. We’ve all done wrong things or failed to do what’s

right. Think about something you’ve done wrong this week. Then come up to the

whiteboard and write one word that represents what you’re thinking of, or draw a

picture to show what you mean. You might write “anger,” “lying,” or “left out a

friend.”

Set out washable markers, and allow time for kids to come up and write on the board. Start it off

by writing your own word.

Erase

Say: We aren’t criminals, but we’ve all sinned. We all needed Jesus to die on the cross

for us because sin separates us from God. It’s like this.

Have kids sit several feet back from the whiteboard. Use masking tape to make a line between

kids and the board. Say: Because God is perfect and we’re not, sin is like a dividing line

between us and God that we can’t cross. Our sin keeps us away from God. Before Jesus

died, this separation was shown by a curtain in God’s Temple. Behind the curtain was a

special, super holy room where ordinary people couldn’t go because we’re all sinners.

Jesus Died on the Cross

Say: But listen to what happened to that curtain when Jesus died on the cross.

Read Matthew 27:51. Rip the masking tape up off the floor, and throw it away.

Say: We’re not separated from God anymore because Jesus died on the cross for us.

And that’s not all that happened when Jesus died.

Have kids move closer to the board, crossing where the tape line was.

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Use the spray bottle to spray water all over the whiteboard. All of the sins kids wrote, as well as

the symbols they drew, will drip down the board. Encourage a somber atmosphere, and allow

time for kids to quietly watch the water dripping. If you’d like, consider playing contemplative

music. Then use a paper towel to wipe up the board so the only thing remaining will be the

cross.

Say: When Jesus died on the cross, it was sad. His friends must have cried. The water

that dripped down the board can remind us of those tears.

Ask:

The day Jesus died is called “Good Friday.” If it was such a sad day, why do you

think it’s called “Good Friday”? What’s good about it?

Say: When Jesus died on the cross, he made it possible for our sins to be forgiven. Just

like the sins were washed away from our board, Jesus made it possible for our real sins

to be washed away. That’s really good news! And the story wasn’t over…Let’s see what

happened next.

Visit the Tomb

Say: After he died, Jesus was buried in a tomb—a grave in a cave.

Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Say: Jesus’ friends were sad that he died. So on Sunday they went to his tomb. They

planned to put good-smelling spices on his body. But they were in for quite a surprise.

Lead kids to the tomb you made. Make sure everyone can see, and then lift off the blanket to

reveal the bright light inside.

Say: First there was a huge earthquake. Let’s shake! Pause for kids to shake.

When they got to the tomb, it was open. An angel had rolled the stone away and was

sitting on it. When Jesus’ friends looked in the tomb, Jesus wasn’t there! Let’s hear

what the angel had to say.

Read Matthew 28:5-7.

Say: The angel told the women to go tell Jesus’ disciples about the empty tomb. And

that’s just what they did. They spread the news that Jesus came back to life so we can

live forever. And to think, we celebrate Easter today because they got the word out that

Jesus is alive!

Celebrate

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Say: Let’s see how quickly we can spread the news! Make a pile of unlit glow sticks by the

tomb. Pass glowsticks to each person. As each person passes a glow stick, they’ll say the Bible

point: Jesus came back to life so we can live forever. If using glowsticks, crack them and lift

the light high.

Note: Glitter works great here. When you pass it along a little stays behind as well. Look around

your house for ideas if you do not have glow sticks.

Say: Let’s wave our lights to celebrate that Jesus came back to life so we can live with

him forever.

Lead kids in jumping and chanting “Jesus is alive!” as they wave their lights. Then have kids

sit down.

Ask:

What can you tell someone that you are happiest about because Jesus came

back to life?

Say: When Jesus’ friends found his body missing, they cried. It was like the water

dripping down our whiteboard. But their tears turned to tears of joy when they

realized Jesus came back to life so we can live with him forever! It’s the best news

ever!

Note: To erase the cross from the dry-erase board, draw on top of the permanent marker

with a dry-erase marker. When you use a rag or eraser, it will erase both the permanent

marker and the dry-erase marker.

Deeper Easter Bible Lesson: If Jesus Died for Us, Why Do We Still

Die?

Supplies

Bibles plastic eggs (1 per child)

small, individually wrapped candy (1 piece per child) crepe paper double-sided tape

Easy Prep

Put a piece of candy in each egg. Wrap double-sided tape around the seal of each egg,

and then wrap crepe paper around the egg so it sticks to the tape.

Talk About It

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Say: We’re learning that Jesus came back to life so we can live forever. But what does

that really mean? We probably all know someone who didn’t live forever.

Ask:

Tell about someone you know who died. Share your own story first.

Say: Some of those people might’ve believed in Jesus, but they still died. We talk about

the fact that Jesus died for us, yet everyone still dies. Why is that? Let’s dig in to that.

First, we need to learn what death really means.

Ask:

What would you say death means?

Say: When most people think of dying, they think of the end of life on earth. But when the

Bible talks about death, that’s not always what it means. Death also means being

separated from God. Because of Jesus, we don’t ever have to be separated from God. Your body on earth is like a shell, holding the real you. Your body dies, but when you

believe in Jesus, the real you never dies. You’re always with God, and when your body

dies you’re even closer to him, in heaven.

Dig Deeper

Say: Let me show you what I mean. Distribute the prepared plastic eggs.

Say: Your egg has a piece of candy inside. Crack your egg and take it out. Allow time.

Say: In order to get your candy, you had to break the seal on your egg. That’s kind of like

when our bodies die. Our earthly bodies will die, and they won’t come back to life. But

listen to this, and eat your candy as I read these verses.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:42-44.

Say: When the seal on the egg was broken, it’s like the Easter egg died. But there was

something great inside—the candy. The real you is inside your body, just like the real

treasure was the candy, not the egg. When we die, our bodies “break,” but our inner

selves move from our current bodies to heavenly bodies!

Ask:

What do you think a heavenly body is like?

Say: Let’s read on to find out more about our heavenly bodies.

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Read 1 Corinthians 15:50-53.

Say: We don’t know exactly what our heavenly bodies will be like. But we know they’ll

last forever, and they’re much better than the bodies we have now! Let’s think again

about the people we know who’ve died. We usually get sad when someone dies because

we won’t see that person any more on earth. But listen to what’s happened to people

who believed in Jesus.

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14.

Ask:

How does this verse give you hope?

Celebrate

Say: The Bible talks more about Jesus’ victory over death. These verses celebrate that

we don’t really die. Let’s read those verses as a praise to God. When I point to all of you,

repeat the line I just said.

Read these verses from 1 Corinthians 15:54-57.

Say: “ ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. Point to kids. O death, where is your victory? Point

to kids. O death, where is your sting?’ Point to kids. For sin is the sting that results in

death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and

death through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Lead kids in this cheer:

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y;

Victory, victory,

That’s our cry!

Say: Jesus came back to life so we can live forever. Death has no victory over us! We’ll

never die, we’ll just transfer from one broken body to a much better, permanent one

when God says it’s time.

Easter Craft: Resurrection Garden

Supplies

plastic tablecloths disposable pie pans (1 per child)

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potting soil 3-ounce cups (1 per child) grass seed slender twigs (a total of about 20 inches of twig per child) string scissors pebbles rocks the size of the cup opening (1 per child) fake greenery (optional) sturdy disposable plates (optional)

Easy Prep

Cover your craft table with plastic tablecloths. This craft can be messy! Look online for examples if you are unsure how to create this

Make a Garden

Give each child a disposable pie pan, and set out the remaining supplies. Have kids follow

these steps.

Fill the pie pan about half full with potting soil. Lay the cup on its side in the middle of the pan. This will be the empty tomb. Put a little dirt inside the cup and press down to help it stay in place.

Cover the cup with potting soil, pressing it down to make a firm mound. Sprinkle the mound of dirt with grass seed. Press it into the soil and top with more soil. Pat down. Break the twigs into three tall pieces and three shorter pieces.

To make crosses, pair each tall twig piece with a shorter piece. Wrap string diagonally

around both twig pieces to hold them together, and then tie to hold the cross pieces in

place.

Stick the three crosses into the dirt behind the tomb.

Set a rock to the side of the tomb entrance to represent the stone that was rolled

away.

Use pebbles to make a path in front of the tomb. If fake greenery is available, add it around the scene to further decorate.

Clean Up

Take kids to a sink to wash their hands. Wet wipes won’t be enough to get the dirt off their

hands.

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You can also use this time to go outside to plant plants or flowers in your yard, flowerbed, etc. You can make the stick crosses to put somewhere that everyone will see and remember the story.

Close

Pray: Jesus, thank you that you died for us and came back to life so we can live

forever. We’re excited about living forever with you! In your name, amen.

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