Ministry-To-Children.com » Easter Ideas

Adorable Boys Sing “He Arose”

Tony Kummer — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 20:10:16 +0000

I was looking for Easter hymn “Low in the Grave” or “Up from the Grave He Arose” and found this adorable clip on YouTube. It appears to be a recording of two brothers presenting a music special at a small church.

They really sing their hearts out and get most of the words correct. This may be my new favorite version of that classic hymn. I’m pasting the lyrics below so you can follow along.

Up from the Grave He Arose Lyrics

Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Refrain:
Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o’er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!
(Refrain)

Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;
he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!
(Refrain)

Click above to watch on YouTube

Last Minute Ideas for Easter

Tony Kummer — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 15:31:02 +0000

If you’re looking for a last minute supplement to your Easter Bible Lesson, this page is a great place to look.

Here are some of the most popular free resources from our website, plus a few more from other sites that we recommend.

We also recommend the following from other websites.

If you need even more help, you can browse all our Easter Resources on the website.

Jesus’ Resurrection Video for Children

Tony Kummer — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 19:45:59 +0000

The Jesus Storybook Bible does a wonderful job telling the story of Easter morning in the Bible. Here is the animated video clip of that chapter. It would be a powerful addition to any children’s Bible lesson about Jesus rising for the dead.

You can watch the video directly on YouTube also, but no download is available. So you will need an Internet connection to watch online with the children in your ministry.

"God's Wonderful Surprise" from the Jesus Storybook Bible

Video: The Easter Story Using Candy & Peeps

Tony Kummer — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 19:34:04 +0000

I found this playful version of the Easter Story on Jenny Funderburke’s blog. I thought it would be a nice option for teenagers and feed some good conversation about what the Resurrection really means. It includes scenes from the Gospel’s acted out using traditional Easter candy.

You can watch it on YouTube, but you’ll need an Internet connection to use it in your ministry. Leave a comment below to let me know what you think.

For younger children, you could show the video along with your Easter Bible lesson, then have them act out the story using their own candy

Story of Easter Told Using Candy

“Easter God’s Story” Video Clip for Kids

Tony Kummer — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 19:04:56 +0000

We just discovered another helpful video that presents the Easter Story for children. This one is just over 4 minutes long and would be a perfect supplement to any lesson plan about Jesus’ Resurrection.

The download is free on Vimeo.com if you sign up for their free account. I love they way they show that Jesus was motivated by God’s love and desire to save us from our sin. Very child appropriate and fun to watch.

“The Last Supper” Video for Kids

Tony Kummer — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:54:48 +0000

The animated clips form the Jesus Storybook Bible are perfect media tools to supplement my children’s ministry lesson. Here is a new one, just released for Easter, that tells the story of Jesus and the Last Supper.

The download is free on Vimeo.com if you sign up for their free account. I love they way they capture the essence of Jesus as the Servant King. His humility comes through as he washes the feet of his disciples, only hours before he would lay down his life to save them.

Jesus Washing Feet & the Last Supper Video Animation

3 Egg Object Lessons for Easter

Mimi Bullock — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 17:13:16 +0000

The unassuming egg plays no role in the true, Easter story but kids don’t care. Thousands of little ones wake up expecting a basket and eggs to hunt every year. As teachers, I think it’s a smart move to capitalize on popular culture. In my children’s church, Spongebob Squarepants got saved and declared, “I’m ready! I’m ready! I’m ready for kids’ church!” (Followers of the animated series will understand.) Another time, we used the Cars craze to declare, “Life is a Highway — and God’s driving me!” The egg is no exception to my team’s creative ideas! We came up with 3 egg object lessons for Easter to use for our kids’ ministry.

The incredible egg drop: Boy with this fun! I loved it as much (or more) than the kids. Here’s what we did. We brought four eggs to church. (We only needed two but brought extra in case of cracking.) I set a clear, glass bowl on the floor to catch the dropped egg but I wanted kids to see the impact.

I told a story to give an example of God’s protection. We chose the story of the three Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meschach and Abedneggo. My class heard about God’s protection and how prayer helps strengthen that protection. I held up the egg and I said, “This egg is like you and I without God living in our hearts, protecting us from the invisible world.” I dropped the egg into the bowl from a height of about 5 feet. Splatter city!

“But, what happens if we live a life of prayer and are covered in His protection?” My assistant and I added three layers of bubble wrap around the egg. We talked about each layer. These layers were prayer, worship and faith. We dropped the egg to the ground and it didn’t break. The kids were amazed! We cut away the bubble wrap to prove that there were no cracks.

God colors our lives: I ask parents to send kids to church in play clothes this day or I provide smocks to protect their clothes. Backwards button downs work great. My volunteers boil dozens of eggs and we prepare bowls of color. Before we have our egg coloring activity, I hold up a plain, white hardboiled egg. I demonstrate how all the eggs in the carton look the same. Boring! But God colors our lives. When we live for Him, every life is lovely, special and important.

What’s inside? I prefer to give this object lesson using a hardboiled egg but you can use it raw too. I say, “Like the apple, the egg has three parts: A yolk, a white and a shell. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are like this egg. They all work together perfectly.” We peel away the outside layer, (the Holy Spirit) to see the egg white (Jesus). We cut through the white to see the yolk at the center, (God.) My kids loved it!

I hope these egg object lessons for Easter help you bring the gospel to your kids this year!

Read more from Mimi by visiting her blog at Encouragement for Christians.

M&M Easter Poem for Children

Guest Writer — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:15:11 +0000

* This idea was submitted by Bethany Tapp, the director of children’s ministries at the United Christian Church of Dubai.

I’d seen Christmas M&M poems and decided to come up with an Easter version that included as much of the truth of the gospel as possible. I’m excited about being able to give these to the kids in our church this week, and hope they make a big impact on the families of the church.

Original 3 columns per sheet PDF download
Half-sheet bulletin insert (PDF or Word)

This free printable would be a simple gift to offer all the children on Easter morning. You could even use the poem for a children’s sermon or object talk about the Gospel. Please leave a comment below to share your creative ideas for using this resource. You can find even more resources from Bethany on her children’s ministry website.

Poem: The SWEET Truth of Easter

These candies tell a story~
the best news you’ll ever hear.
~It’s about Jesus dying on the cross
so that we could be brought near.

So hold them and turn them and you will see…
the “M” become a “W”an “E” and then a “3″

The “E” stands for… Easter….
God’s everlasting love and His eternal plan.

It reminds us of the cross
and the way God rescued sinful man

The “3″ represent the 3 days Jesus spent in the grave….
By His death, His children He did save

The “M” reminds us of the mercy the Messiah showed
as He died in our place.
and the miracle of the resurrection
so we can see Him face to face.

The “W” reminds us… that He alone
is worthy of our worship and praise
and calls us to be His witnesses
around the world for all of our days.

Written by Bethany Tapp

How to Host an Easter Auction

Mimi Bullock — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:36:48 +0000

Recently, I was looking for fundraising inspiration – we needed some new equipment and the church’s budget was tight. I wanted an idea that would excite the supporters of my ministry but that donors would like too. After attending my son’s school’s spring fling, I found holiday inspiration. Today, our kids’ church Easter auction is the talk of the church, in a good way!

Here’s how to host an Easter auction successfully.

Ask for volunteers to donate Easter goodies. My closest friend loves making wreaths. She makes a few Easter egg wreaths and other craft goodies she comes up with. (She’s so creative!) I place a few large wicker baskets in my kids’ church to collect Easter toys, jewelry, coloring books and even Bibles. I start collecting a month in advance.

Create flyers to advertise the Easter auction. I give clues about cool baskets and make sure people know why we hosting the Easter auction.
Post updates on your social networking pages. I show pictures of the baskets. I reserve the largest basket for the silent auction. That way, people everywhere can bid on the basket.
Set the baskets out on a decorated table. Place a descriptive sheet in front of each basket. This allows everyone to get a clue about the goodies inside.

Tips for a Good Auction

My kids create numbered paddles with posterboard and paint stirrers. Anyone participating in the auction must use the number paddles when they bid.
I have a good auctioneer! He sets the tone and keeps the auction moving. We don’t start too low. Starting low makes it hard to get the auction bids up.
We end the auction by collecting what we earned and by thanking everyone for their donations and purchases. I like giving away a few door prizes too!

Easter Auction Basket Ideas

You don’t have to auction baskets but I find they are easy to assemble and seem to excite the bidders. These popular baskets make a big impact every year.

The Easter Eye Opener: A bag of whole bean coffee, two Easter mugs, and a devotional book.

The Easter Artist: Easter egg dyes, dye cups, stickers, egg trays, paint brushes and a smock. Great for kids!

These are just a couple of ideas that I use but the options are endless. A fun auction is a great fundraiser! Host an Easter auction and raise funds for your children’s ministry.

Read Mimi’s parable, The Young Boy and the Great Mountain or visit her blog, Encouragement for Christians.

Easter Lesson: Resurrection Facts from Acts

Kelly Henderson — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:00:24 +0000

This Easter lesson was created to focus on the importance of the resurrection and reviews what the students have learned from studying the Book of Acts.

This lesson was prepared for older students but can be adapted to the needs of your ministry.

Learning Goal: Students will learn that the resurrection is vitally important in sharing the Good News.

Optional Activities: You can print our free Easter coloring sheets or watch a video clip about Jesus Resurrection. If time allows, you might consider a special craft for Easter.

Bible Story: Resurrection Facts from Acts
Scripture: Various verses from Acts
Target Age Group: Age 9 – 11 (U.S. 3rd – 5th Grade)
Learning Context: Sunday School
Target Time Frame: 60 minutes
Printer Friendly Bible Lesson: Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it. this lesson plan
You Can Help: Please share your feedback and suggestions to improve this children’s Bible lesson. Click here to respond

Supply List: Bibles, Visuals for the lesson, verses on slips of paper for students to look up in advance of Bible lesson, Easter Books, Resurrection Eggs, plastic eggs for memory verse,

Learning Activity #1: As students arrive they can choose a slip of paper with Bible references verses on it from this lesson. Using their Bible they will discover who the resurrected Jesus appears by locating these scripture passages.

Learning Activity #2: Use resurrection eggs to tell the Easter Story.

Memory Verse: John 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Memory Verse Activity: Place words/phrases of verse in plastic eggs and have an egg hunt looking for all eggs. When all eggs are recovered put the verse together in the correct order.

Bible Lesson: Resurrection Facts from Acts

(Open with prayer.)

For several months we have been journeying through the Book of Acts. We have discovered that the followers of Christ have been powerful in spreading the Good News because after Jesus ascended into heaven God sent the Gift of the Holy Spirit. In our last lesson we learned that the Holy Spirit empowered Paul to be patient as he was imprisoned waiting to be sent to Rome. This week we are going to pause and have a lesson to prepare our hearts to celebrate Easter.

Why do Christians celebrate Easter? (Allow responses) Christians celebrate Easter because Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried and was raised to life on the third day.

We live in a cultural with many different beliefs about God. Christians hold a very different worldview than the different religions. A Christian is a follower of Christ who has placed his/her faith in Jesus. We believe that all men, women, boys and girls are born sinners because Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s one commandment (Romans 3:23). Through Adam and Eve’s sin, death entered God’s created world (Romans 5:12). Sin separated God’s most special creation, people from Him. God cannot allow sin in His presence. God had a remedy for the sins of all people. Before Adam and Eve ever sinned, before the foundation of the world, it was God’s plan to send Jesus His Son to die and shed His blood (Revelation 13:8) to cleanse people from their sins and make them righteous in His sight. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

What we are going to do today is take what we have learned from the Book of Acts so far and refresh our hearts with the truth about Jesus’ resurrection and why it is an important truth that cannot be removed from the message of the Good News.

Convincing Proof

In one of our earliest lessons from our study of the Book of Acts we learned that Jesus stayed on the earth for 40 days after His resurrection. In Acts 1:3 Luke tells us that over those 40 days Jesus gave many convincing proofs of His resurrection.

Who saw the resurrected Jesus? (Allow students who have looked up the Scriptures of witnesses of Christ’s resurrection to share. Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:9-11, Luke 24:13-15, 33-34, 36-43, John 20:24-29, John 21:1-14, Mark 16:14, 1 Corinthians 15:6, 7)

Each of these eyewitness accounts of seeing a resurrected Jesus is recorded in God’s Word so by faith we can believe that Jesus died was buried and is alive!

Convicting Truth

In Peter’s first sermon after God sent the Gift of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost he boldly proclaims the Good News which includes the resurrection of Jesus. Choose volunteers to read Acts 2:22-24 and 2:31-33.

When the crowd heard Peter teach about Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection there was a response. They were convicted. Let’s read Acts 2:37.

There will always be a response when the Good News of Jesus is shared. Either a person will respond by believing in Jesus or by rejecting Jesus. As the person hears that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third the Holy Spirit convicts his/her heart to respond. He/she will respond by rejecting the message or accepting the message.

Accepting the message: Acts 2:41, 4:4

Rejecting the message: Acts 4:1-3, 18 The religious leaders were very disturbed by what the apostles were teaching so they arrested Peter and John and put them in jail.

How did Peter respond to their question of what power or name was the lame man healed? Read Acts 4:10-12. (Notice that each time Peter shares the Gospel message it always includes Jesus’ death and resurrection.)

The religious leaders did not accept the Gospel message and believe. Instead they commanded the apostles not to teach at all in the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:18)

The message of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection is powerful. A person who accepts by faith that Jesus is the Savior will be saved and receives eternal life. A person who hears this same message and chooses to reject the gift of salvation remains in his/her sinful state and is an enemy of God who will face the punishment for sin. (Death and separation from God forever (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9))

We have seen throughout our study in Acts those who have believed the message of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection and those who have rejected the message.

Those who have rejected the message persecuted believers. Can you remember any examples from Acts where believers were persecuted by those who don’t believe? (The apostles Acts 5:17-42; Stephen Acts 7; the Church Acts 8; Paul Acts 9:23-30, 14:19-20, 16:22-24, etc.)

Which of these groups do you belong to?

Committed to Truth

From our study in Acts so far we have seen that Christ followers are committed to sharing the truth about Jesus no matter what. They didn’t allow trials or persecution keep them from spreading the Good News throughout the world. They didn’t change the message of salvation to make their life easier. They were committed to the truth.

In our current lessons about Paul we see that he is on trial because of his belief in the resurrection. (Acts 23:6, 8; 24:15, 21; 25:19) Paul was being unfairly treated by those who didn’t believe that Jesus died, was buried and rose again. He faced some very difficult circumstances as a result in his decision to obey God and clearly proclaim the truth about Jesus. He didn’t compromise the message of salvation so his life would be free of difficulty.

The same is true for believers today. Believers must be committed to the truth of the message of salvation. Believers have been commanded to go into all the world and make disciples. To make true disciples of Jesus we must be committed to the truth from God’s word no matter what trials or difficulties we face as a result.

Just as it was for the believers in the Book of Acts all believers have the privilege and responsibility of proclaiming the truth about salvation. Many people today add to or take away from the truth about how to be saved. The message of salvation is very important! It is a matter of eternal life or death!

In a day when there are so many beliefs about God, it is very important to know why we believe what we believe and that what we believe is found clearly taught in Scripture. (“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” Jude 3)

To be committed to Truth we must:

Study and know what God’s Word teaches. (2 Timothy 2:15)
Obey God’s Word. (Acts 5:29)
Boldly proclaim the Truth. (1 Peter 2:9)

Let’s close in prayer asking God to help us to boldly proclaim the message of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection during this week before Easter and every day after. If you are not a believer and want to know more about how you can be saved please speak to us and we will show you from Scripture how you can be saved.

(Close in prayer.)

Review:

How long did Jesus remain on the earth after His resurrection? (40 days)
Name some witnesses who saw the Resurrected Jesus?
What is the Good News that all believers are to share? Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried and was raised from the dead three days later.
What do you do on a daily basis that reveals you are committed to the truth of the Gospel?