This Children’s Sermon will teach kids that Jesus is Alive. It’s based on John 20:1-18 and tells the Story of Easter for children. The Bible object lesson teaches about that God raised JESUS from the dead, so we can put our hope in Him. Download the teachers notes, watch our Children’s Message example, and gather your supplies. Then you’re ready to share this message in your church next Sunday!
Children’s Message Ideas: He is Risen!
Bringing the Bible to Life for Easter
Main Objective: Easter should be the central holiday of the Christian faith. We rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus, and give thanks for the fulfillment of God’s promises. There are many methods we can use for celebrating Easter, as we focus on the joy of the completion of Christ’s work. Drama can be a particularly meaningful way to bring the story to life. This message uses a slightly different approach, with recommendations for re-enacting the Easter story or discussing it through eyewitness perspective. When children take part in the telling, or view it in a novel way, they will hopefully broaden understanding and appreciation for it.
Law/Gospel Theme: At His death, Jesus accomplished what He came to Earth to do. He became the atoning sacrifice for sins, and by giving up His life, He gave us ours. He conquered death, so that we can know eternal life. Even though our Earthly bodies will pass, we know that one day we will be with Christ in Heaven. What a joy and comfort that can be for us, on Easter and always!
Optional Materials: Biblical costumes, props, Bibles or Bible storybooks (all dependent upon how you wish to present the story).
Bible Passage: John 20:1-18; Matthew 28:1-10
*Note: choose your preference of Gospel accounts, as the Resurrection is found in all four of them.
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Easter Children’s Sermon
Message: He is risen! The story of Easter is the pivotal moment of our Bibles and our lives. Why not communicate it in a creative way? Here are several ideas for sharing the events of the resurrection. Note that some of these might lend themselves more to “performances” for several children, while other methods can be used with a small group working together. The important thing is to emphasize the glory and beauty of Christ’s resurrection. It is also essential to provide life application for kids. Why does all of this matter? For one thing, we know that because Jesus laid down His life for us, we should respond with praise and love, and want to tell others that good news. Additionally, though, we can take comfort and hope in Easter. Jesus rose from the dead, and one day we will share eternity with Him. Even though bad things happen, and we know that one day we will die, we are promised that through Christ’s work, we have a place in Heaven, where death and sorrow are no more! We rejoice that through Jesus, we become sons and daughters of God.
Ready to get interactive? Consider some ideas:
- Dramatic monologue: dress up in first century garb and take on the character of one of the witnesses of the first Easter. You may act the part of one of the Marys (at least three are mentioned), or of John, or Peter, or even a tomb guard. Consider what your character might have seen and felt. Read about your character in the Gospel accounts for Biblical accuracy, but add emotional inflection as appropriate. Use a first-person narrative to share the enthusiasm of Easter joy. This is a great “assignment” for older students, as well!
- Easter interview: Using the same initial model of “becoming” a character, take questions regarding what happened at the resurrection. You may choose to stage the interview with another person posing scripted inquiries; or you could invite children to ask questions at random and answer them as they come.
- Skit: Stage a skit of the events at the empty tomb. Consider one of the more involved or active Gospel versions (such as the story from John 20), and act out the story with dramatic flair and excitement.
- Skit: Assign roles for students, and invite them to read the story and create a thespian production of their own.
- Mimed Skit: Read the story out loud, and assign children parts to silently act out as you read. You may even have them mouth the words as you read them.
- Puppet show: Put on a puppet show to reenact the story. Jazz up the creativity with music and costumes, and use whatever you have on hand for puppets!
- Dear diary: not into acting? Have kids write a letter or “journal” account, taking on the role of one of the eyewitnesses, and considering their thoughts and feelings.
Whatever method you choose, create an atmosphere that focuses on the glory of the Gospel. Remind children why this is such an integral event, and give thanks to God for giving us JESUS! He is risen! We can be with Him now and always. Hallelujah!
Children’s Prayer Moment
Prayer:
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus
Thank you that we will live with Him in Heaven
Thank you for the joy of Easter
Help us to share that good news with one another
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
John 20:1-18 New International Version (NIV) The Empty Tomb
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene 11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. John 20:1-18 NIV