You can read from a Children’s Bible, your Bible or use the following story.
Jesus Is Risen
Matthew 28:1-10
After Jesus died, some of his friends laid his body in a big tomb. They closed it with a large round stone. Soldiers guarded the tomb. Three days later, there was a violent earthquake. An angel of the Lord came down from heaven and went to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. When the soldiers saw the angel they were so afraid of him that they fell to the ground.
Mary was walking to the tomb with some of her friends. They saw the angel, who said, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus. Jesus 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.'" So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Suddenly Jesus met the disciples. "Greetings," he said. The disciples came to him, held onto his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
God had kept his promise and brought Jesus back to life.
Bible Story Questions & Answers
Talk about what the Bible story was about by asking the children questions. You can decide ahead of time how you want them to answer the questions. I like to have the children raise their hand to answer the question. If they are incorrect that is fine. You can say what the answer is or ask: “Does anyone else have a thought or answer to the question?”
Questions to ask if you like:
- After Jesus had died where did his friends put his body? (In a big tomb)
- What went over the front of the tomb to close it? (A large round stone)
- Who guarded the tomb? (Soldiers)
- What happened after three days? (An earthquake)
- What came down from heaven? (An angel)
- Were the soldiers afraid when they saw the angel? (Yes)
- What happened to the soldiers? (They fell to the ground)
- What did the angel say to Mary? (Do not be afraid)
- What did the angel say about Jesus? (He is not here; he has risen)
- Where was Jesus? (He was going ahead of them to Galilee)
- Did Jesus meet up with his disciples? (Yes)
- Were they happy to see him? (Yes)
- Did God keep his promise to bring Jesus back to life? (Yes)
Prayer
While sitting on the floor with criss cross legs, have the children repeat after you. You can have them fold their hands and close their eyes or just sit quietly and say after you. Following is a prayer written out that you can use, or you can make up your own.
Dear God (children repeat)
Thank you for this day. (children repeat)
Thank you for dying on the cross (children repeat)
and coming back to life. (children repeat)
Thank you for keeping your promises. (children repeat)
Please help me to follow you (children repeat)
and listen to you. (children repeat)
I love You (children repeat)
Amen (children repeat)
