4-Part Lesson Plan: The Resurrection of Jesus (Ages 4-8)
This lesson plan is designed to introduce young children to the core story of the Resurrection of Jesus in a gentle, age-appropriate way. The lessons focus on key events, using simple language and hands-on activities to help children understand the concepts of love, sacrifice, and new life.
Lesson 1: The Last Supper and The Gift of Love
Main Point: Jesus loves us so much that he gave us a special way to remember him.
Bible Passage: Matthew 26:17-30 (Focus on verses 26-28)
Activities:
- Story Time: Use a children’s Bible to tell the story of the Last Supper, focusing on Jesus sharing bread and wine (or juice) with his friends and telling them to remember him.
- Simple Bread-Making: Give each child a small amount of dough to knead and shape. While they work, talk about how Jesus broke bread with his friends. Bake the bread and share it together.
- Heart Craft: Provide construction paper and stickers. Have the children cut out a heart and decorate it with stickers or glitter. Talk about how Jesus gave us a big gift of love.
Lesson 2: The Cross and The Promise of Forgiveness
Main Point: Jesus went to the cross to take away our sadness and our wrong choices.
Bible Passage: Matthew 27:27-56 (Focus on verses 35-50)
Activities:
- Story Time: Tell the story of Jesus on the cross in a simple, non-graphic way. Emphasize that he was doing this to forgive us and bring us closer to God.
- Forgiveness Stones: Give each child a smooth, flat stone. Have them draw or paint something they are sad about or a wrong choice they made. As they do, talk about how Jesus took that sadness away. Then, have them place their stone in a large basket or box, symbolizing Jesus taking away their sins.
- Cross Craft: Provide popsicle sticks and glue to make a simple cross. Decorate with a sticker or a marker. Remind them that the cross is a symbol of God’s great love for them.
Lesson 3: The Empty Tomb and The Surprise of Joy
Main Point: The tomb was empty because Jesus is alive!
Bible Passage: Matthew 28:1-10
Activities:
- Story Time: Tell the exciting story of the women going to the tomb and finding it empty. Emphasize the surprise and joy of the angels telling them that Jesus had risen.
- Resurrection Eggs: Use plastic eggs, with a different item inside each one to tell the story of Holy Week and Easter. The last egg should be empty to represent the empty tomb.
- Happy Dance: Play upbeat, joyful music and have a “Happy Dance” to celebrate that Jesus is no longer in the tomb. This is a great way to release energy and express joy.
Lesson 4: Jesus Is Alive and We Can Share the Good News
Main Point: Jesus is alive, and we can tell everyone!
Bible Passage: Matthew 28:16-20
Activities:
- Story Time: Tell the story of Jesus appearing to his disciples and then ascending to heaven. End with the command to “go and make disciples.”
- “Go and Tell” Map: Provide a large poster board or sheet of paper. Have the children draw pictures of their family, friends, and neighbors on the map. Talk about how they can share the good news of Jesus with the people in their lives.
- Resurrection Balloons: Give each child a balloon. On the balloon, write “Jesus is Alive!” Have them draw a happy face or other joyful images. Let them play with the balloons, reminding them that the good news is something we can share and celebrate.