Children Will Praise Jesus for His Power Over Death

Jesus Appears toMary

John20:1-18

WorshipTheme:

Jesus has power overdeath.

WeavingFaithIntoLife:

Children will praise Jesus for his power over death.

SessionSequenceWhatChildrenWillDoSupplies

Let’s PraiseGod!

(upto25minutes)

Sing

•“ItIsbyGrace”(Ephesians2:8-9)(track21)

•“IAmtheResurrectionandtheLife”(John11:25)(track16)

•“HisGreatLove”(Romans5:8)(track14)

•“ThatYouMayBelieve”(John20:31)(track18)

•“AreYouGoingtoPraisetheLord?”(track1)

•“ChristtheLordIsRisenToday”(track15)

KidsOwn WorshipKit:

Songs From FaithWeaver,DinosaurPlant

ClassroomSupplies:

CDplayer,notebook,deadplantsfromlastweek,bowl,water,paper,pencils

BibleBackgroundforLeaders

Jesus Appears toMary

John20:1-18

John’sGospelrecordsthatonlyMaryMagdalenewenttoJesus’tombearlyonthatResurrectionmorning.Somescholars feel this contradicts the other Gospels,whichstate that other women accompanied Mary. However,inJohn20:2,Maryusestheword“we”asshetellsPeterofwhatwasseenatthetomb.ApparentlyJohnknewoftheotherwomen; he just didn’t feel it necessary to mentionthemsinceMarywasthecentralfigure.

ItisobviousfromMary’sresponseandfromthatofthedisciplesthatnooneexpectedJesustorisefromthedead.Only after his resurrection were they able torememberthingshehadsaidandrealizethathisdeathwaspartoftheplanallalong.

The “other disciple” mentioned in verse 2 wasJohnhimself.Eventhoughhearrivedatthetombfirst,hedidn’tgoinimmediately.Bold,impetuousPeterarrivedafterJohnand burst into the tomb to see what had happened.Thebodywasgone,butthegraveclotheswerestillthere.Infact,thewrapthathadbeenonJesus’headwasfoldedup,nottossedcarelesslyasagraverobbermighthavedone.Wearen’ttoldofPeter’sresponse,butweseethatwhenJohnfollowedhiminandsawthepositionofthegraveclothes,Johnbelieved.

PeterandJohnleftthetomb,butMarycouldn’t.Forher,thedisappearanceofJesus’bodywasstillamystery.Asshestoodoutsidesobbing,shepeeredintothetombandsawtwoangelssittingthere.Inhergrief,itdidn’tregisterwhoorwhattheywere.Herresponsetotheangel’sinquiryindicatesthatshehadn’tgraspedwhathadhappened.ShewassadbecauseshethoughtJesus’bodyhadbeentakenaway.ShehadnocomprehensionthatJesushadrisen.

WhydidMarynotrecognizetheLordshewaslookingforwhensheturnedaroundandsawhim?Severalfactorsprobablycontributedtoherlackofrecognition:Sheknew

hewasdeadandwasnotexpectinghimtobealive,shemaynothaveraisedhereyestoreallylookathimbecauseshedidn’twanttoshowhertears,shemaynothaveseenclearlythroughhertearsanyway,andJesuswasnowinhisglorifiedbody—hemayhavelookedverydifferentfromwhenshehadlastseenhim.

ItisinterestingthatJesusrepeatedthesamequestiontheangelshadaskedMary.TheangelsandJesuswerebothtryingtohelpMaryunderstandwhathadactuallyhappened.Butshejustcouldn’tcomprehendituntilJesuscalledhername.SheknewthevoiceofJesusandrecognizedhim.

WhydidJesusnotwantMarytoholdontohim?Perhapshewantedhertorealizethathisphysicalpresencewasnolongersoimportant.HewouldalwaysbespirituallypresentintheHolySpirit.

WhyWeWorshipforLeaders

Withhisresurrection,Jesusovercamedeath.HeprovedhimselfLord,rulerovereverything,andmasteroftheuniverse!HeshowedonceandforallthatheisGod.TheResurrectionisgoodnewsforkids,wholoveitwhentheirheroestriumphoverevil.

TheyfindhappinessandsecurityinknowingthatJesus,thetruehero,isnotamake-believecharacterbutareal,true,livingpersonwhocametoearthjustforthem.Jesustriumphedforalltimeandallpeopleeverywhere.Hisresurrectionmeansnewlifeandunendingresources—resourcestheworldcan’tgive,suchaslove,joy,andpeace—forbelieverslivingwithhim.That’sourreasonforworshippinghim!

EasyPrepforLeaders

Let’sPraiseGod!—PlacetheDinosaurPlantfromtheKidsOwnWorshipKitinabowlofwateratleastfourhoursaheadoftimeorovernight.Setitonatableneartheentrancetotheworshiparea,andsetthedeadplantsfromlastweek’sworshipsessiononthesametable.NexttotheDinosaurPlant,placeanopennotebookorpieceofpaperandoneortwopencils.Ifyouwant,includeamagnifyingglass.

“TheBusker”—SetupaTVandDVDplayer,andcuetheLessonVideosDVDtothesegmenttitled“TheBusker.”Watchthesegmentatleastoncebeforetheworshipsessionsoyou’llbefamiliarwithit.

PoppingPraises—Photocopy“ResurrectionMessages”(attheendofthissession),andcutoutthemessageslips.You’llneedoneslipforeachmemberofyour

adultcongregationandoneforeachchild.Prepareaballoonforeachchildinyourchildren’schurchbyinsertingonemessageslipintoitandinflatingit.Puttheremainingmessageslipsasidetouseinthe“CelebrationEggs”activity.(Getsomeonetohelpyouifyouhavemorethan20kids!)Tocarrytheballoons,puttheminalargetrashbagorinabedsheetwiththecornersfoldedup.

CelebrationEggs—GetaplasticEastereggandseveralpiecesofcandyforeachmemberofyouradultcongregation.

PreschoolActivities—Refertothepreschoolpagesforpreparations.

PlaySongsFromFaithWeaveraschildrenarrive.Askafewchildrentostandat

thedoorandgreettheotherchildrenastheyarrive.Havethemgreeteachchildbynameandsay,“Jesusisalive!”Aschildrenentertheroom,encouragethem

toexaminetheDinosaurPlantimmersedinwaterandwriteacommentorobservationabouthowithaschangedsincetheylastsawit.

Welcometochildren’schurch,everyone!Jesusisrisen!That’sourreasonforworshippinghimtoday!Let’sstandandsing“ItIsby Grace” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Sing“ItIsbyGrace”(Ephesians2:8-9).Lyricsareinthebackofthisbook.

Greatsinging,everyone!Jesushaspoweroverdeath.That’swhywecelebrateEaster.WhenAdamandEvesinned,deathenteredtheworld.Sincethen,onlyonepersonhasbeenabletoconquersinanddeath,andthat’sJesus.Jesus’resurrectionprovedheisGod.Itprovedhe’smuchmorethanjustagoodman.Let’scelebratethatJesusisalive!

Sing“IAmtheResurrectionandtheLife”(John11:25).Lyricsareinthebackofthisbook.

BecauseJesusconquereddeath,thosewhobelieveinJesuscan

livewithhiminheavenforever.Jesusisgettingaplacereadyfor us right now. It’s a place where there will be no more painor sadness, no suffering or sickness, no sin or death. Take amomenttothinkofsomethingsadorpainfulinyourlifeorinthelifeofsomeoneyouknow.(Pause.)

Aswesingournextsong,rejoicebecausewhateversadorpainfulthingyouwerethinkingofwon’tbeinheavenwhenwegetthere!Turntoyourneighbor,giveyourneighborahighfive,andsay,“Hisloveisgreat!”

Sing “His Great Love”(Romans5:8.)Lyricsareinthebackofthisbook.

ThankstoJesus,weallhaveaplaceinheavenifwebelievein

him. Try to stay in a spirit of worship and spread out aroundtheroom.Findaplacetostandbyyourself.Pretendthatit’stheplaceGodhasforyouinheaven.Pauseaschildrenspreadout.

Now,let’scontinuetoworshipbysinging.

Sing“ThatYouMayBelieve”(John20:31).Lyricsareinthebackofthisbook.

•WhatdoesitmeantosaythatJesushaspoweroverdeath?(He

died,buthedidn’tstaydead;Jesusrosefromthedead.)

Jesus has power over death because he rose from thedead!ThatprovedheisGod!Whenwelovehim,we don’t everneedtobe afraid of dying. Jesus is the most powerful, the wisest, andmost generous one in the universe. When you feel weak,God

is most powerful. When you’re confused, he’s the wisest.Whenyou need something, he’s the most generous. Let’s praise himforthat!

Sing“AreYouGoingtoPraisetheLord?”Lyricsareinthebackofthisbook.

When you came to children’s church today, you madesome

comments and observations about the plant that we put inwaterduringourlastsession.Herearesomeofyourcomments.Readsomeofthechildren’scomments.

•How is the plant different than when we first put it inwater?

(It’salivenow;it’sgreen.)

•Howisthisplantdifferentfromtheotherplants?(Theotherplantsarestilldead;theotherplantsarebrownanddriedup.)

•HowisthisplantlikeJesus?(Jesuscamebacktolife;Jesusdidn’tstaydead,justlikethisplantdidn’tstaydead.)

Alloftheseotherplantsstayedbrown,dry,anddead.Butthisplantcamebacktolife.Jesuscamebacktolife,too.Jesusistheonlyonewiththepowertocomebacktolifeagain.Andhegivesusnewlife,too.Let’sthankJesusforwhathappenedonthecrossandforwhathappenedthreedayslaterwhenherosefromthedead.

Sing“ChristtheLordIsRisenToday.”Lyricsareinthebackofthisbook.

Jesus,thankyouforhavingpoweroverdeath.Becauseyou

lovedandobeyedGodbydyingonthecrossandcomingbacktolife,yougiveuslife,too.Whenwelookatthislittlegreenplant, help us remember the life you give us when we live inyou.Weloveyouandwanttopleaseyouandpraiseyou.InJesus’ name,amen.

ElementaryActivities

*“TheBusker”

ShowtheLessonVideosDVDsegmenttitled“TheBusker.”ItexplainsthattheResurrectionreallyhappened.BepreparedtostoptheDVDandhandeachchildtworubberbandstousetopracticethetrickthat’sshownontheDVD.

•Whatdidyoulearnfromthisvideo?(Howtodoanewtrick;thatabuskerisastreetperformer.)

•Why do some people have a hard time believing in theResurrection?(Becauseitseemsimpossible;becausetheydon’tbelieve inGod.)

Let’stakealookattheBibleaccountoftheResurrectiontoseewhatwecanlearn.TheEasterstoryisonemostofyouhaveheardmany,manytimes. But as you hear it today, use yourimaginationtoputyourselfintheplaceofeachpersoninthestory.Imaginehowyou’dfeelifyou’dbeenthere.Togetreadyforthestory,spreadoutaroundtheroomandfindaplacewhereyou won’t bedistractedbythosearoundyou.Getintoacomfortableposition,andcloseyoureyes.(Pause.)Ready?Herewego.

First,let’simaginethatweareallJesus’goodfriends.OnFriday,we watched Jesus die a cruel death. Take a moment to imaginehowyou’dfeelifyourbestfrienddied.(Pause.)

Now listen to what the Biblesays.

ReadJohn20:1-2fromaneasy-to-understandversionoftheBible.Explainthatthe“disciplewhomJesusloved”isJohn.Askthefollowingquestions,buthavethechildrenjustthinkabouttheiranswers.

•WhatwasMaryprobablythinkingandfeelingasshewenttothetomb?(Howsadshewas;howmuchshemissedJesus.)

•WhatwasshefeelingwhensherantoPeterandJohn?(ExcitedthatJesuswasalive;excitedtotellthemthegoodnews.)

ReadJohn20:3-7.Thenaskthefollowingquestions,buthavethechildrenthinkabouttheiranswers.

•WhatdoyouthinkJohnfeltwhenhegottothetomb?(Thathe’dbelieveitwhenhesawit;thathewasgoingtoseeJesus.)

•Whydoyouthinkhedidn’tgoinsidethetomb?(Maybehedidn’twanttobedisappointed;afraidofwhathe’dfind.)

•Why do you think Peter went in right away? What was he feeling?(Hewasexcited,soheranin;hecouldhardlywaittoseeJesusagain.)

Readverses8-9.

•WhathappenedtoJohnwhenhewentinsidethetomb?(HebelievedthatJesuswasalive;hesawtheevidenceforhimself.)

Readverses10-11a.

•Whydoyousupposethedisciplesleft?(Theywantedtotelleveryone;theyweretooexcitedtostaythere.)

•WhydidMarycry?(Becauseshewashappy;becauseshewasscared;shethoughtsomeonehadstolenJesus’body.)

Read verses11b-16.

•WhatmadeMaryrecognizeJesus?(Whenhesaidhername,sherecognizedhisvoice;hespoketoher.)

•HowdoyouthinkshefeltwhensherealizedshewastalkingtoJesus? (Really excited; veryhappy.)

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PreschoolActivities

Jesus Appears toMary

John20:1-18

WorshipTheme:

Jesushaspoweroverdeath.

EasyPrepforLeaders

ResurrectionAngels—You’llneedawhitepaperorfoamcupandasmallwhitedoilyforeachchild.Providemarkersandtape.

He’sAlive!—You’llneedanold,whitebedsheet,alargecardboardboxorfloorpillow,afoldedtowelorcloth,andwhiteragsorstripsofwhitetoiletpaper.Drapethesheetoveratablenearthestoryareatomakeatomb,andplacetheemptyboxorpillowinfrontofittorepresentthestone.Setafoldedtowelandsomewhiteragsinsidethecave.Havewithinreachthetwoextraangelsyoumadeinthepreviousactivity.

UsingTheo

ConsiderusingTheophilustheFaithRetriever puppet today intheseways:

•HaveTheoleadthepreschoolersfromthemainworshipareatothepreschoolroom.

•HaveTheotelltheBiblestoryin“He’sAlive!”Pinchalargewhitecircleoftissuepapertomakeangelwings,andtapeittoTheo’sback.

•SeetheKidsOwnWorshipKitforapuppetskitwrittenfortoday’sworshipsession.

Resurrection Angels

TodayisEaster!Thisisthedaywecelebratethefact that Jesus rose from thedead.

•HowdidJesusdie?

•What happened after hedied?

AfterJesusdied,hisfriendsburiedhiminsideatomb,whichwaslikeacave.Theyrolledahugestoneinfrontofittokeephisbodysafe.Ina

littlewhile,we’llhearaBiblestorythattellsusthatJesushaspoweroverdeath.Butfirstlet’smakesomespecialangelstohelpustellthestory.

Havechildrenturntheircupsupsidedownanddrawsmileyfacesonthem.Helpthempinchdoiliesinthemiddletomakeangelwingsandtapethewingstotheircups.Besureeachchildhasanangeltouseinthenexttwoactivities,andmaketwoangelstouseasyou’retellingtheBiblestory.

He’sAlive!

Havechildrentaketheirangelstothestoryareaandsitdown.OpenyourBibletoJohn20.

AfterJesusdied,hewasburiedinatomb.Thetombwaslikeacave.Pointtothesheet-drapedtable.Alargestonewasputattheentrance.Indicatetheboxorpillow.Cupyour

handstogethertomakeasmallcave.Useyourthumbsforthestoneinfrontofthecave.Nowliftyourthumbsupandlookinsideyourcave.Seehowdarkitisinthere?

AfterJesuswasburied,allhisfriendswereverysad.Theythoughttheywouldneversee

Jesusagain.MaryMagdalenewenttothetombwhereJesuswasburied.Shewassurprisedwhenshegottherebecausethegiantstone

hadbeenrolledawayfromit!SherantotellPeter and John, whowere two of Jesus’special friends. Ask avolunteer to push thestoneawayfromyourcave.Liftupthesheetsochildrencanseeinside.

PeterandJohnranbacktothetomb.TheysawthecloththatJesushadbeenwrappedinlyinginsidethecave.ButJesuswasn’tthere.After

awhile,PeterandJohnwenthome.ButMarystayed outside the tomb and cried. She was sad.Placethetwoextraangelsinsidethetomb.

PreschoolActivities

He’sAlive!(continued)

Then Mary peeked inside the tomb again. Thistime she saw two angels where Jesus’ bodyhadbeen! Set your angel in your lap, and use yourhandstomakeatombovertheangel.(Pause.)

Goodjob!Nowholdyourangelupbecauseit’sgoingtotalktoMary.(Pause.)

The angels asked Mary why she was crying.Let’smakeourangelsaskMarythatquestion.(Pause.)

JustthenJesuscameupbehindherandcalledhername.Whenhesaidhername,MaryknewitwasJesus!Shewassohappybecausehehadrisenfromthedead!ShewentandtoldherfriendsallaboutJesus.

•What happened toJesus?

•WhydidthismakeMaryandherfriendssohappy?

•WhatdoesthistellusaboutJesus?

Because Jesus didn’t stay dead but came backtolife,weknowthatheisGod!WeknowthatJesus has power over death! We don’t havetobe afraid of anything, because Jesus’ power isabletotakecareofusandhelpus.That’swhywe celebrate Easter. Let’s take our angelswithus to the table to celebrate with a specialsnack.

FromSadnesstoJoy!

Haveahelpergiveanapkinandpapercuptoeachchild.

Lay your cup on its side next to your napkin,and let’s pretend it’s the tomb that Jesus wasburied in. Show me how sad you feelwhenyou think about Jesus dying on the crosseventhoughhedidn’tdoanythingwrong.(Pause.)

Oh,youalllooksosad!Whileyou’restilllookingsad,let’sputstonesinfrontofourtombsto

sealthemuptight.Passoutdoughnuts,andhavechildrensettheminfrontofthecuponthenapkin.

Now who can tell us the rest of the story so we can get to the happy, joyful part? Ask afewchildrentoretellthestoryofMarygoingtothetombanddiscoveringthatJesushadrisenfromthedead.Encouragechildrentorolltheir

doughnutsawayfromthe“tomb”whenthatpartismentioned.

Marywassadatfirst because Jesusdied. Then shewasoverjoyedwhenshe found outthathe rose fromthedead! Showmeyour happiestface.(Pause.)Ifeelhappyjust lookingat

you!Let’sturnourtombsoverandfillthemupwithjuicetoshowthatJesusfillsuswithlifeand

joy.Then we can eat and drink to celebrate thatJesus has power overdeath!

(continuedfrompage62)

ThoughMarysawJesusstandingnexttoher,shedidn’trecognizehimatfirst.Butwhenhecalledhername,sheknewhewasreallyJesusandthathe’drisenfromthedead.JesustoldMarytogotelltheothersthathewasalive.Maryjoyfullywentandtoldthenewstotheothers.

Havethechildrenopentheireyesandgathernearyou.

WhenMary,Peter,andJohnsawthatthetombwasempty,they must have been a little bit confused. Then Jesus cameandtalkedtoMary.Hewasdead—butthenhewasalive.TheResurrection is real! Jesus is alive and real today. It’s amazingand miraculous, but it’s true. And it proves that Jesus wasGodand that he has complete power over death. Let’scelebrate!

*PoppingPraises

Clearanareaoftheroomsothatkidscanmove.Gathereveryoneintheclearedarea,andsetthebagofpreparedballoonsinthecenter.

We’vebeenlearningthatJesushaspoweroverdeathbecausehe rose from thedead.

•Whyisitsoimportanttoustodaythatherosefromthedead?(Itmeanshetoldthetruthabouthimself;itproveshehaspoweroverdeath.)

•How can the fact that Jesus has power over death help youinyourlife?(Itgivesmehopeforeternity;ithelpsmetrustJesus.)

TheBiblesaysthatwhenMaryandthedisciplesgottothetomb,theydiscoveredthatJesuswasgone.Therewasevidenceinthetombthathehadbeenthere—theyfoundthestripsoflinenandtheburialclothinsidethetomb,buthisbodywasgone.

Let’spretendtheseballoonsaretombs.InsideeachtombissomethingthatremindsusofJesus,thoughJesusisn’tthere.Takeaballoonnow,thenspreadoutaroundtheroom.Givekidsafewmomentstospreadout.

WhenIsay“Go!”trytopopyourballoon.Youcansitonit,steponit,squeezeit—whateveryouwant.Buteachtimeyoutrytopoptheballoon,shoutouta praise orthank you toGod. For example,youmightshout,“Praiseyoufordyingonthecross!”or“Thankyouforrisingfromthedead!”or“Youhavepoweroverdeath!”Assoonasyou“popyourpraises,”pickupwhat’sinsidetheballoon,andwaituntilothersarefinished.Areyouready?Go!

Havekidspickupthemessagesthatfallfromtheballoonsastheypop.Wheneveryonehasamessage,getthechildren’sattention.

ThatwasafunwaytopraiseJesusforhavingpoweroverdeath!We’regoingtousethesemessagesinaminute,butfirstlet’spickuptheballoonscrapsandthrowthemaway!

Monitorthiscleanupactivityclosely.Makesurethekidsthrowawayeveryscrapofballoonandthatnoonekeepsanyscrapstoplaywith.Ifyoungchildrenusetheroomyoumeetin,vacuumtheroomthoroughlyassoonastheworshipsessionisover.Eventinyscrapsofballoonscanbechokinghazardstoyoungchildren.

*CelebrationEggs

Setoutthemessagestripscutfrom“ResurrectionMessages”onseveraltables.Putbowlsofcandy,plasticEastereggs,andbasketsonthetables.

We’regoingtomakecelebrationeggstospreadthenewsofJesus’resurrectiontoeveryoneinourchurch.I’vesetout

enoughsuppliesforustomakecelebrationeggsforeveryonewho’sheretoday.Let’smaketheseeggsquicklysowecanhandthemouttotheadultsastheyleaveworship.

HavethechildrenmeetaroundthetablesandputamessagestripandafewpiecesofcandyintoeachplasticEasteregg.Havethechildrenputthefinishedeggsinthebaskets.Continueuntilalltheeggshavebeenfilled.

Whilethechildrenareworking,wanderaroundthetablesofferinghelptochildrenwhoneedit.Askquestionssuchas“HowdoesyourfamilycelebrateJesus’resurrection?”and“WhyisitagoodideatospreadthenewsofJesus’resurrection?”YoumaywanttoplaytheEastermusicfromtheSongsFromFaithWeaverCDwhilethechildrenareworking.

Whenthebasketsofeggsarecomplete,havethechildrenputthebasketsnearthedoor.ContinuewithLet’sPray!butkeepaneyeontheclock.Allowplentyoftimeforchildrentogetinpositiontohandoutcelebrationeggstotheadultcongregationaspeopleleavetheworshiparea.

TheOffering

Puttheofferingbowlsatthefrontoftheroom.

Jesushaspoweroverdeath.That’sanamazingthing!ItprovesheisGod.Itmeanshedeservesourworship.Beforewegiveourofferingstoday,thinkofthenumberonereasonyou’regratefulthatJesushaspoweroverdeath.Whenyouhavethatreasoninmind,thankGodsilentlywhileyouwalktothefrontandplaceyourofferinginthebowl.Thensitdownquietly,andwaituntileveryoneisfinished.

Play“IAmtheResurrectionandtheLife”(John11:25)whilechildrenbringtheirofferings.

Track16

ClosingPrayer

God,youaresogoodtous!Hereweare,Lord,thankingyouforsendingJesusforus.Jesus,thankyoufordyingforoursins.

ThankyouforrisingfromthedeadtoprovethatyouareGodand that you have power over death. We give our hearts andlives to you. We love you, Lord. In Jesus’ name,amen.

ResurrectionMessages

Heisrisen,indeed! / Heisrisen,indeed! / Jesus isalive! / Jesus isalive!
Jesus died foryoursins! / Jesus died foryoursins! / Christ theLordisrisentoday! / Christ theLordisrisentoday!
PraiseGod!Thetombisempty! / PraiseGod!Thetombisempty! / IcangotoheavenbecauseJesus isalive! / Icangotoheavenbecause Jesus isalive!
Heisrisen,justashesaid! / Heisrisen,justas hesaid! / BelieveinthepoweroftheResurrection! / BelieveinthepoweroftheResurrection!
Upfromthegravehearose! / Upfromthegravehearose! / Christisrisen!Shout,“Hosanna!” / Christisrisen!Shout,“Hosanna!”