“Jesus died on the cross and came alive again. Jesus is alive today and loves us.”

“Thank You, Jesus, that You are alive and love me.”

Luke 24 (simplified)

Children repeat after you:

“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Song 1 – B-I-B-L-E

• Bible hands, hug the “book,” step on “I stand alone.”

Song 2 – Love the Lord

Song 3 – “Easter Joy” 
(Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
“If you’re happy Jesus lives, shout ‘He’s alive!’ (He’s alive!)
If you’re happy Jesus lives, shout ‘He’s alive!’ (He’s alive!)
If you’re happy Jesus lives,
You can clap and sing and give,
If you’re happy Jesus lives, shout ‘He’s alive!’ (He’s alive!)”

Sit kids in a circle. Use: simple cross, tomb (box or paper cave), stone (ball/circle), a “woman” figure, angel figure, and Jesus.

a) Jesus dies on the cross (very gentle, brief)
Show the cross.

• “The Bible tells us that Jesus loves us so much that He died on a cross. He took the punishment for our sins so we can be forgiven and close to God.”
• “Jesus’ friends were very sad. They put His body in a tomb, like a small cave in the rock.”

Place “Jesus” inside the tomb; roll the “stone” in front.

• “A big stone was rolled in front of the tomb.”

b) The empty tomb
Move the scene to “early morning.”

• “On the third day, very early in the morning, some women who loved Jesus came to the tomb. They brought spices to care for His body.”

Roll the stone away.

• “But when they got there, the stone was rolled away. The tomb was open!”

Look inside the tomb (show it empty).

• “They looked inside, but Jesus’ body was not there. The tomb was empty.”

c) Angels and the good news
Place an angel at the tomb.

• “Two angels in bright clothes said, ‘Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!’ That means Jesus is alive.”

Show Jesus figure nearby.

• “Later, Jesus’ friends saw Him alive. He talked with them, walked with them, ate with them. Jesus really did rise from the dead.”

e) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:

• “Jesus died and rose again. Jesus is alive!”

Motions:
Arms out like a cross on “died.”
Crouch down and stand up quickly on “rose again.”
Hands up high and big smile on “Jesus is alive!”

Say it several times: loud, whisper, sitting and standing.

d) Jesus connection (for us today)
Hold Jesus close to your heart.

“Jesus is alive today. He will never die again. Because Jesus is alive, we can talk to Him, love Him, and follow Him. He forgives our sins and gives us new life with God.”
“Easter is our big ‘Jesus is alive!’ day.”

Goal: 
Simple empty tomb craft with the resurrection line.

Steps

• Give each child a half paper plate or cave shape. Let them color it gray/brown for a rock tomb.
• Cut or provide a simple opening in the front (or color a dark doorway).
  Glue the “stone” next to the opening (you can leave it moveable with a brad if you wish).
• On or above the tomb, write: “Jesus is alive!” or “He is risen!”
  Children can add a small cross above, grass, and a rising sun in the background.

Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)

• “Your craft shows Jesus’ tomb. The stone is rolled away and the tomb is empty. Jesus is not there because He is alive! Easter is not about candy first; it is about Jesus rising from the dead. When you see this, remember: ‘Jesus is alive!’”

When finished, have children hold up their tombs and say:

• “Jesus is alive!”