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Bible Skills and Games Lessons, Ideas, Activities, and Resources for teaching the stories of Jesus' Trial and Crucifixion

Including: Cross, Jesus, Caiaphas, Pilate, Scourging, Nails, Centurion, Golgotha, Place of the Skull, Calvary, and related. Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22; John 18, etc.

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Go back to other teaching techniques for teaching Trial and Crucifixion
Additional Holy Week Stories (such as Gethsemane, Easter)

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The Arrest, Trial, and Crucifixion of Jesus

Games and Bible Skills Workshop

A lesson originally written for State Street UMC, Bristol VA

Summary:

The children will read, complete, and reassemble a shortened version of the story, then play a relay designed to help them remember the parts of the Holy Week story using symbols.

Scripture Reference:

Mark 14:43-15:47

Supply List

  • Print the Story PDF and make copies for as many teams as you will have play the "reassemble" game (details below)
  • White linen strip
  • Length of rawhide
  • Praying hands
  • Bag of spices
  • Crown of thorns
  • Real crown
  • Cross
  • Sign that says, “This is the King of the Jews”
  • Feather
  • Die
  • Silver coin
  • Communion cup
  • Picture of a sword
  • Stone
  • Nail
  • Card with “Jerusalem” written on it
  • Card with “Passover” written on it
  • Picture of a skull
  • Purple cloth
  • One can of Play-Doh
  • Basket
  • Symbol slips

Important Note for Games Workshop Leaders:
The purpose of the games workshop is two-fold: to develop Bible skills and to reinforce that knowledge by having fun with games. The games are not frills and fluff! Playing games helps to cement the knowledge and reinforce the skills you introduce during the Bible lesson. Please do not skimp on the games portion of the lesson! Use the time guidelines to keep your lesson on track. Remember -- children are spending 4 weeks on this story, so if you can’t cover every single aspect of the story, it’s ok!

Time Guidelines:

  • Introductions/Opening Prayer: 10 minutes
  • Bible Study 15 minutes
  • Games 25 minutes
  • Reflection/Closing Prayer: 10 minutes

Lesson Plan


Opening:

Gather the children together in the Temple area with their Bibles. Welcome the children and introduce yourself. Always begin each class with introductions. Remember that workshop leaders rotate often and the children may not know you. Make sure you are wearing your name tag and that the children have picked up their nametags from Fast Pass. Tell the children that today you will be hearing about the Easter Story – Jesus’ trial and how he was killed – and then what happened on Easter Sunday!

Opening Prayer: Open with prayer: “Dear God, Thank you for this day and for all the people who are here today. Help us to open our hearts and minds to your Word as we study and play here today.” Amen

Introduce, Read, Complete, and Reassemble the Story:

Ask: Where would we find a story about Jesus’ life and death? (gospels in the New Testament). Today’s story is found in all four gospels. What are the gospels? (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – first four books of the New Testament)

The story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is found in all four gospels, but we are going to study the account from the gospel of Mark. Open your Bibles to Mark 14:43-15:47. (Note what else is in this section and any features, such as a map of Jerusalem, that your classroom Bibles may have.)

Say: Today’s story is pretty long, so we won’t read the whole thing from our Bibles. Instead, I am going to tell you the story by reading each of these paragraphs in the correct order. I have some "blanks" in my story script that I'm going to ask YOU to fill in as I read this.  After we're done hearing the story and filling in the blanks, then we're going to split into two teams and each team will be given a copy of these story paragraphs and we're going to see which team can put the story back in the correct order the fastest!   

How to Print and Play:
Print copies of the story seen below (available as an attachment at the end of this lesson) and cut them into slices, keeping the copies in separate piles.

Game: Holy Week Story Symbols Relay

Play a relay game designed to help them recognize and remember the meaning of various parts of the Holy Week story.



Supplies and Preparation:
Variety of Holy Week Story Symbols:

Note:
Adjust the number of items depending on the age of your students and the extent to which you want them to remember every possible part of the Holy Week story.

White linen strip – Jesus’ burial
Length of rawhide - Jesus was whipped Palm branch – Palm Sunday
Praying hands – Jesus praying in the garden
Bag of spices – preparing Jesus’ body for burial
Crown of thorns – put on Jesus’ head by the soldiers
Real crown – symbolizing that Jesus is a real King of Kings!
Cross – Jesus’ crucifixion
Sign that says, “This is the King of the Jews” – sign put on the cross above Jesus’ head
Feather – from the rooster who crowed when Peter denied Jesus
Die – the soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ robe
Silver coin – Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver
Communion cup – Last Supper
Picture of a sword – Peter cut off the servant’s ear when Jesus was arrested
Stone – stone rolled away from the tomb
Nail – nails used to put Jesus on the cross
Card with “Jerusalem” written on it – where the Temple was located, where the story took place
Card with “Passover” written on it – the Jewish feast that Jesus was celebrating with his disciples
Picture of a skull – Golgotha, Place of the Skull where Jesus was crucified
Purple cloth – color of the robe the soldiers put on Jesus
Basket or bag

Place the Story symbols in the basket.
Set the basket at one end of the playing area

To Play:

  1. Divide the children into two teams.
  2. Place both teams at the opposite side of the room from the basket.
  3. First player on first team must hop to the basket, take one item from it and hop back to his/her team.
  4. Once back, the team must identify the symbol and tell its relevance to the Holy Week/Easter story. Everyone must listen carefully to make sure the answer is correct. All answers must be done as a team! (No individual calling out allowed!)
  5. If the team cannot answer, the other team gets a chance to steal a point by answering.
  6. Play passes to the next team.
  7. Continue alternating teams until all symbols are gone.
  8. Alternate hopping, skipping, walking, jumping, walking backwards, walking on tiptoes, etc. to add some fun and challenge to the game.


Reflection:

The last 10 minutes should be reserved for Journal Reflection time. This is an opportunity for processing and reflection about what the children have learned. Ask the shepherds to pass out the journals and pencils/pens and the journal question sticker for the day. Workshop leaders and shepherds should sit down with children in small groups to facilitate discussion and writing in Faith Journals. Memory verse stickers are also included for each lesson. Children may copy the memory verse and illustrate it as an alternative to journal questions.

Journal Questions:
Grades 1-2: Jesus loves you. Draw a picture showing how you can show love to Jesus.
Grades 3-6: Jesus loves you. He died for you. How can you show Jesus your love for him?

Extra Activities:
If you have extra time, review the memory verse together with these games. Be sure to play the music CD while playing!

Verse Pop Up – Grades 1-4
Supplies:
construction paper (six sheets)
Tape
Divide the memory verse into six sections and write each section on a piece of construction paper.

For God so loved the world
That he gave his only begotten son
That whoever believes in him
Will never die
But have eternal life.
John 3:16

Tape each section to the wall, leaving about one foot between sections.

To Play:

  1. Divide the children into six groups and have each group squat down underneath their section of scripture. The first group “pops up” and recites their section of the verse, then squats back down.
  2. The next group then “pops up” to say their part and then squats back down.
  3. Repeat for the entire verse.
  4. At the end have everyone “pop up” and repeat the verse together.
  5. Next shift each group one section to the right, so that they are at the next section of the verse.
  6. The last section moves to the first section.
  7. Repeat as above.
  8. Play until everyone has been at every section, or until you all run out of breath!


Prayer: Gather the children together in a circle. Review with them one word or concept that they learned during today’s session. (Believe, Love, Resurrection are some suggestions) Encourage children to come back next week for another workshop, and to invite their friends, especially their friends who do not belong to a church. Remind them to bring their Bibles. Ask for prayer requests and pray together. You may ask one of the children to say the closing prayer, or you may pray something like this, Dear Lord, You are so wonderful and awesome! We thank you for sending Jesus to show us how to live and love. We thank you for sending him to be our Savior. Help us to always remember the wonderful love and grace you have given us and to remember that far beyond this Easter season. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Release children only to parents or by prior arrangement with parents.


A lesson originally written by Jaymie Derden for State Street UMC Bristol, VA, and updated by members of the Rotation.org Content Team

Attachments

Last edited by Neil MacQueen

Trial and Crucifixion

Bible Skills and Games Workshop Lesson


Ping-Pong-Ball-Jesus-MessageSummary:

Children will play a ping-pong ball "Egg Carton Toss" game to review details of the story and reinforce them. They will conclude by creating a ping-pong ball message they can take home.

Scripture Reference:
John 19:1-30, the Trial and Death of Jesus


Leader Preparation:

  • Review the scripture and game rules
  • Gather the Materials
  • Print the abbreviated retelling of the story or find the story in a Bible storybook.
    Note: You will need to adjust the story questions found below in this lesson if you are using the abbreviated retelling or a storybook Bible. Otherwise the story questions found below are drawn from the story in John 14: 1-2, and 14-30.
  • Prepare the egg carton:
    · Take a clean, empty egg carton (Or two), leaving the 12 compartments and lid intact
    · With a marker, number the bottom of each of the 12 compartments (Doesn’t matter what order they are in or if you choose 2,4,6,8 or 5,10,15,20 – more than one compartment can have the same number) Number the lid with the lowest value.
    · Place the egg carton (Or 2) in the middle of the room – on the floor or a bench
    · Mark the floor with masking tape – 3 foot away from the carton on all sides. (If this is way too easy for them, increase the distance.)  Optionally, you can create two sets of lines, one 3 feet and another 5 feet away and award more points to those throwing from the 5 foot line.


For non-readers and very young students:
Pick a storybook version of the story of Jesus' death and adjust your quiz questions to match how the storybook told/phrased the story.  You may also want to use small bean-bags instead of ping-pong balls (like a "hacky-sack" that won't bounce).

Materials List:

  • An egg carton with the holes numbered from 1 to 12.
  • 1 ping-pong ball per student
  • Paper/pen (optional)
  • Permanent marker with fine point (for marking their ping-pong ball)
  • Bibles or Storybook or Copy of the abbreviated retelling of Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion (attached)
  • Masking tape
  • Scoreboard/flipcart/chalkboard


Lesson Plan


Opening:

Welcome the children and explain what they'll be doing today and what you hope they will learn.

Open with a prayer.

Read and Study:

Tell the students that they are to listen carefully and take notes if they like, because after the story is read they're going to play a memory game with the carton and ping-pong balls to see how much of the story they remember!

Read John 19:1-30, the story of the Death of Jesus. Use a storybook or shortened version if needed. This link goes to a shortened version of the Arrest, Trial, and Crucifixion story prepared for another lesson here at Rotation.org.

Play the Review Game:

  • Divide into 2 teams (More if you want).
  • Each team appoints a captain who is the only one who can "officially" answer the question.
  • Give the team 10 seconds to decide how their captain should answer the question.
  • Answer the Bible story question correctly to win 10 points. Then the team members get to toss their ping-pong balls into the carton to earn BONUS points for each question!
  • Award 10 points for a correct answer PLUS whatever the numbers add up to that their ping pong balls land in.
    Wrong answer – no points – no tosses – and play goes to the next team
  • Tossing the ping-pong balls: Have all children on the team stand behind the tape line. Each child has 1 ball. On the "count of three" all the team members toss their balls into the egg carton. If they toss all at the same time, they might knock the other balls out. They need to learn teamwork. When all the balls are tossed, add up the score and have the students retrieve their ping pong ball.

  • Go to the next team, and have them answer a Bible trivia question. And repeat the tossing process.
  • Winner goes to the team with the highest score.
  • Adjust the answering and tossing process to suit the needs of your students.


Here are the Bible Trivia Questions from the Bible Study on John 19:1-2 and 14-30. (The original writer of this lesson didn't include questions about verses 3 through 13 in order to speed up the game and focus the story. If you are using the abbreviated version or a storybook Bible you will need to come up with your own questions that match the source you are using).

As usual, every question and answer is an opportunity to add insight and ask a question! Pick your spots.

  1. What book of the Bible is our text located in? (John)
  2. Is the book of John in the Old or New Testament? (New – Jesus is in the New)
  3. What book of the Bible is before John? (Luke)
  4. What book of the Bible is after John? (Acts)
  5. There are 4 special Books at the beginning of the New Testament. John is one of them. What are they called altogether? (The Gospels)
  6. Pilate whipped Jesus. Then a crown was placed on his head. What was the crown made of? (Thorns) John 19:1
  7. Who placed the Crown of thorns on Jesus’ head? (Soldiers) John 19:2
  8. The soldiers placed a cloak around Jesus. What was the robe’s color? (Purple) John 19:2
  9. What did the crowd of Jews yell to Pilate when he said, ‘Here is your King!” (Away with him – Crucify him) John 19:14
  10. What time of the day was Jesus turned over to be crucified? (The 6th hour – about 12 noon on the day before the Passover) John 19:14
  11. Jesus was taken out of the city, carrying his cross to the place where he would be killed. What was this place called? (The Skull– Golgotha – Calvary) John 19:17
  12. We know Jesus was not the only one that they crucified. How many more people were killed at the same time as Jesus? (Two) John 19:18
  13. When Jesus and the other two criminals were hanging on the cross, where was Jesus positioned? Right, Left, or Center of the two criminals? (could draw 3 crosses on the chalkboard and ask where was Jesus positioned?) (Center – in the middle) John 19:18
  14. Pilate hung a sign over Jesus. What did the sign say? (Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews) John 19:19
  15. Pilate wanted to make sure lots of people read the sign. How many languages was it written in? (3 – Hebrew, Latin, and Greek) John 19:20
  16. When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they put his garments in 4 piles. Who were the clothes for? (The 4 soldiers – divided among the soldiers) John 19:23
  17. Jesus also had a robe. The soldiers didn’t want to tear it and divide it between them. How did they decide who was going to get the robe? (They gambled for it – they threw dice to see who would get it – they cast lots) John 19:24
  18. Who stood at the foot of the cross beside Jesus? (John and 3 Marys – Mother Mary – Jesus’ aunt, Mary, the wife of Cleopas – Mary Magdalene) John 19:25
  19. What instruction did Jesus give to John about Jesus’ mother? (Jesus’ mother was to be treated like John’s mother – John was to take Jesus’ mother to his home and care for her like she was John’s own mother) John 19:27
  20. When Jesus said he was thirsty, what happened? (Sour wine/vinegar was offered to him) John 19:29
  21. Since Jesus was hanging on the cross and higher off the ground than everyone, how did they get the wine/vinegar up to his mouth? (On a branch/stick – on a hyssop branch and held up to his lips) John 19:29
  22. After Jesus had tasted the wine/vinegar he bowed his head and said something. What did Jesus say? (It is finished) John 19:30
  23. After Jesus bowed his head, he said these important words: (“It is finished” John 19:30)

    FOLLOW UP DISCUSSION:  "What" is finished?  What did Jesus accomplish by offering his life for the sins of the world?
  24. Are we glad or sad that Jesus died for us? (???????? – maybe both – sad that he had to die to save us, sad that people are so sinful that they would kill goodness and their savior – but glad that he died to wash away all of our sins, instead of condemning us!)
  25. Why did God send Jesus to us if he was just going to let the people of earth kill him? (God so loved the world that he gave his only son)


Ping Pong Ball Reflection:

Using the fine-tip permanent markers to write on their ping-pong ball, have students write a thank you to Jesus for the forgiveness he gave us on the cross. Discuss possible words, keywords they can FIT on the ping-pong ball that others would understand if you showed it to them. Add a cross. Close with prayer.

Important Tip: Show students how to hold the ball with two fingers while they write and NOT smudge the permanent ink while it is drying (takes about 20 to 30 seconds to dry).


A lesson originally written by Rachel Haugland at Bethel Lutheran
Story City, IA, and improved by members of the Rotation.org Content Team

Attachments

Last edited by Neil MacQueen

Trial and Crucifixion

Bible Skills and Games Workshop Lesson

A lesson written by Kirk from: Kildaire Presbyterians Church Cary, NC and updated by members of the Rotation.org Content Team!

Summary:

Children will play a team quiz game that reviews and reinforces the Luke 23 story of Jesus' Trial and Crucifixion.

Scripture Reference:

Luke 22 (for background) and Luke 23 (Jesus with Pilate and Herod, and the Crucifixion )

Luke 23 is long, so you will likely wish to read a shortened version of it, or from a storybook. The questions provided below assume students have read the entire chapter, so adjust which questions you ask accordingly.

Members of the Rotation.org Content Team have created a "shortened" version of Luke 23 based on the New Living Translation that's suitable for children and this lesson. The PDF is attached to this lesson. It includes verses you can skip if you're really short on time or working with younger students. As you or your students read it, you may wish to show illustrations.  Links to recommended children-friendly illustrations are found at the end of this lesson.

Concept: Jesus was killed by people who did not understand who he was, and were afraid of what he might do. Jesus suffered and died on the cross as a sign of God's forgiveness of our sins and that we might enjoy eternal life with him.

Lesson Objectives:

Participants will:

  1. Be able to find the story of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion in the Bible (grades 3-5).
  2. Learn the context (Luke 22) of the events of Luke 23
  3. Learn the details of the story as told in Luke 23.
  4. Discuss why Jesus suffered and died.

Leader Preparation:

  • Review the scripture and game rules
  • Gather the materials.
  • Make four small signs saying Red, Green, Purple, and Orange. Have questions for the game ready. You can read them off the sheet or put them on index cards for easy mixing.  If you don't have enough for four teams, reduce the number of colored signs.
  • Practice using the answer-buzzer box and be sure you understand how it works.  See "ball grab" alternative to "buzzer box" below.
  • Post the signs designating Red, Orange, Green, Purple teams in different areas of the room. Display the Scripture memory verse somewhere in the room. (Not on the white board; you’ll need that for scorekeeping.)


Materials List:

  • Print the Luke 23 PDF for use as your scripture text (It's based on the NLT)
  • Buzzer system or ball to grab.
  • Timer
  • Dry-erase marker
  • Stickers or other mementos for journals
  • Skittles (optional)
  • Four signs with colors
  • Maps (optional) of Judea, Galilee, Jerusalem and possibly Arimathea for use in storytelling.
  • Any pictures of props you choose to use for storytelling.

Alternative to the Buzzers:
Give each team an object that makes a distinct sound. Rhythm instruments, such as bongos or tambourines and cymbals are good. Their different sounds will help the Game Leader determine which team "buzzed in" first. You can also use "balls" that the players grab when they think they know the answer. See below!



Lesson Plan


Opening:

Greet the children and introduce yourself. Explain what they'll be doing today and what you hope they will learn.

As the children come in the door, count them off by color -- Red, Orange, Green and Purple -and have them go to the area of the room that is designated with their color.

Study:


Scripture/Bible Story
:

If you're using classroom Bibles, help the students find the book of Luke. (Get the shepherds to go around the room and help with this.) If necessary, review the organization of the Bible: The Bible is divided into two big parts, the Old and New Testaments. Each part is made up of books, which are divided into chapters and verses. The first four books of the New Testament are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – the gospels, which tell the stories of Jesus’ life.

Show them that if they open their Bible in the middle, they’ll usually land in the book of Psalms in the Old Testament. Point out that the book name is at the top of each page. After finding Psalms, if they then take the pages on the right side and divide them in half, they’ll land in one of the gospels. From there they can find Luke. (Some of the older children should know the books of the Bible. Encourage everyone to learn them.)

After they’ve found the book of Luke, help them find chapters 22-23, and tell them this is one of the places where the story of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion is told in the Bible. Some of the children will confuse chapters and verses. Show them that chapter numbers are the big ones, and also are at top of every page.

If applicable, let them know that because of its length, you'll be reading a shortened version of the story.

2. Tell the story using the shortened version of the Luke 23 story attached as a PDF to this lesson. Links to free images online that are suitable for children are found at the end of this lesson.  Otherwise, read it from your classroom Bibles. You may invite students to help you read. Be sure to read it dramatically!  -- because the story is full of voices, drama, and emotion.

Tell the children that even though they’ve heard the story before, they need to listen very carefully and remember the details in order to play the game that’s coming up.

To Play the Quiz Game

Below in this lesson plan you will see two lists of possible questions to ask. Use those you think are most approprirate and don't forget that every question and answer is an opportunity to add insights and ask more questions!

1. The children are already divided into four teams, named for the four colors on the buzzer box – Red, Orange, Green, and Purple. Have either four (one from each team) or eight players (two from each team) gather around a table with the buzzer box in the middle. Each player holds a buzzer (the buzzer wires are color-coded; players on the same team hold the same color wire).

2. Explain that you will call out a question and players who think they know the answer should press their buzzer. The first to buzz gets to give the answer. After several questions, switch to the next group of players. Make sure everybody gets to play.

3. Questions: At the end of the lesson plan you’ll find two lists of questions. The ones for the younger kids are in multiple-choice format. Feel free to improve the questions or add to the list. If you have the younger kids early in the rotation, you might ask the questions in the order given, to reinforce the sequence of events. If it’s later in the rotation, they might know the story well enough to mix the questions up.
Older kids:
Let players use their Bibles to find the answers. Be ready to switch to the multiple-choice questions if needed.
Younger kids:
The buzzers are tricky for first-graders. If you’d rather not tackle using buzzers with first and second graders, you can just divide them into two teams and alternate asking questions of each team. Let children take turns answering. (Or you might have a better idea! Feel free to devise your own game for them.)

4. Scoring: Ask the shepherd keep score on the white board. Award 5 points for a correct answer. No points for a wrong answer; let anyone who knows the correct answer tell it. (You can use a different scoring system if you prefer, but keep it simple.)

Tips: Try not to let one knowledgeable or fast-fingered child dominate the game. Rotating the players partially takes care of the problem, but you might run into a team that doesn’t want to rotate, wants to let the sharpest member play the whole time. In this case you can announce that anybody who answers three questions in a row will be retired as permanent champion (with a big round of applause) to give everybody else a chance to compete. (You might as well make this announcement in the beginning when you have fifth-graders). Also, don’t let non-playing team members help the players; this in effect lets the fast kid answer by proxy.
Be sure they know the answer before buzzing. If they are buzzing and then taking too long to think of the answer, use the timer in the supply bin and give 5 seconds to answer after buzzing (this has not been a problem in the past).
You might have to adjust the game as you go along. If it turns out that eight players make the game chaotic, try letting just four play at a time.

Wrap-up:

  1. Gather the children and discuss: The people in the crowd and the soldiers and one of the criminals on the cross all made fun of Jesus and said, “If you’re the Messiah, save yourself.” Do you think that a temptation for Jesus? Why didn’t Jesus save himself? Jesus loved people so much that he suffered and died for them. That includes us. Jesus died so that our souls can live forever.
  2. Have the children recite the memory verse: “God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die” (John 3:16, CEV). Emphasize: Jesus’ death shows us how much God loves us.


Close as is your custom.

Grab Ball Alternative to Answer Buzzer Boxes

If you don't have the coveted "answer buzzer boxes" available to you, try this:  Place a foam ball or one of thosevery inexpensieve colorful fiber-fill balls on a table in front of EACH TEAM or answerer. This makes it easier to see who grabbed the ball first. Whoever grabs the ball first after the question is read gets to answer it first. To keep kids from grabbing without knowing the answer,  penalize the first-grabber's team a point if they:  (a) didn't wait for the entire question to be read, or (b) take more than 5 seconds to provide the correct answer, or (c) provide the wrong answer.  Have a "spotter," such as your scorekeeper, pay attention to who grabbed first, second, and third, etc.

Very inexpensive fiber-filled "splash" balls, such as the ones pictured above, are found in many corner stores and big box stores, especially in the "water toy" aisle.

Speaking of "Answer Buzzers"
Many Bible Skills and Games Workshops have a set on-hand for regular use!
Go to an online retailer and shop around.
A simple buzzer system that lights up will alert the "spotter" to who answered first.


Questions for Game (Grades 3-5)


When Jesus was brought before Pilate, which one of these three things was what he was accused of doing?
Was it...
Trying to get people to riot
Trying to get people to stop paying taxes
or Claiming to be the Messiah

What was another thing Jesus was accused of?
Answer: one of the two remaining answers from above

What was another thing Jesus was accused of?
Answer: the final remaining answer from above

When Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” What did Jesus answer?
“Those are your words.”

Where was Jesus from?
Galilee

Who was the ruler of Galilee?
Herod

Why was Herod happy to see Jesus?
He wanted to see him perform a miracle.

Herod asked Jesus a lot of questions. How did Jesus reply?
He did not answer.

What did Herod do then?
He and his soldiers made fun of Jesus, put a fine robe on him and sent him back to Pilate.

When Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate, what did Pilate tell the Jewish leaders and the crowd?
“I have not found Jesus guilty of anything you said he has done, and neither has Herod.”

What did Pilate say he would do to Jesus instead of having him put to death?
Have him beaten with a whip and set free.

How did the crowd react to that proposal?
They shouted, “Kill Jesus! Give us Barabbas!”

Why was Barabbas in jail?
He had started a riot and murdered someone.

How many times did Pilate speak to the crowd, saying that Jesus was innocent and he would have him beaten, not killed?
Three times.

What did Pilate finally do?
Gave into the crowd, freed Barabbas and handed Jesus over to be crucified.

Whom did the soldiers force to carry the cross?
Simon of Cyrene.

Not everybody in the crowd wanted to see Jesus killed. How do we know that?
A lot of women in the crowd were crying for him.

What was the name of the place where Jesus was crucified?
The Skull

Who else was crucified at the same time?
Two criminals

As Jesus was nailed to the cross, what did he say?
Father, forgive these people. They don’t know what they're doing.

What did the soldiers do with Jesus’ clothes?
They gambled to see who would get to keep them

The Jewish leaders, the soldiers, and one of the criminals all insulted Jesus. What did they say?
If you are the Messiah, save yourself.

What did one criminal say to the criminal who insulted Jesus?
We are getting what we deserve, but this man didn’t do anything wrong.”

What did the second criminal say to Jesus?
Remember me when you come into power.

What did Jesus say to the second criminal?
I promise that today you will be with me in heaven.

What happened to the sky?
It turned dark in the middle of the day.

What happened at the temple?
The curtain split down the middle.

What did Jesus say before he died?
Father, I put myself in your hands!

What did the Roman officer say when he saw what had happened?
Jesus must really have been a good man!

What did Jesus’ friends do after Jesus died?
They stood at a distance and watched.

Who took Jesus’ body down from the cross?
Joseph of Arimathea.

What did Joseph do with Jesus’ body?
Wrapped it in cloth and put it in a new tomb cut from rock.

After Jesus’ body was placed in the tomb, what did the women who had followed him do?
They prepared sweet-smelling spices to put on his body.

Why didn’t they put the spices on the body right away?
It was time for the Sabbath, and the law commanded them to rest.


Questions for Game (Grades 1-2)

When Jesus was brought before Pilate, what was one thing he was accused of doing?
Stealing food
Trying to get people to riot
Killing someone

What was another thing Jesus was accused of?
Cheating poor people
Robbing rich people
Trying to get people to stop paying taxes

What was another thing Jesus was accused of?
Claiming to be the Messiah
Smuggling drugs
Frightening children

Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” What did Jesus answer?
“Those are your words.”
Yes, I am.
No, I am not.

Where was Jesus from?
Jerusalem
Galilee
Judea

Who was the ruler of Galilee?
Pilate
Simon of Cyrene
Herod

Why was Herod happy to see Jesus?
He wanted to see him perform a miracle.
He wanted to have Jesus put to death.
He wanted to give a party for Jesus.

Herod asked Jesus a lot of questions. How did Jesus reply?
He gave answers that were very clever
He answered angrily.
He did not answer.

What did Herod do after he questioned Jesus?
He ordered Jesus put to death
He and his soldiers made fun of Jesus, put a fine robe on him and sent him back to Pilate.
He set Jesus free

When Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate, what did Pilate tell the Jewish leaders and the crowd?
“I have not found Jesus guilty, and neither has Herod.”
“Herod and I both find Jesus guilty as charged.”
“This man deserves to die.”

What did Pilate say he would do to Jesus instead of having him put to death?
Set him free with no punishment.
Have him beaten with a whip and set free.
Make him pay a big fine and set him free.

How did the crowd react to that proposal?
They agreed and shouted, Hooray!
They shouted, “Kill Jesus! Give us Barabbas!”
They shouted, “Kill Barabbas! Give us Jesus!”

Why was Barabbas in jail?
He had stolen money from the temple.
He had started a riot and murdered someone.
He had claimed to be the Messiah.

How many times did Pilate speak to the crowd, saying that Jesus was innocent and he would have him beaten, not killed?
Two times.
Three times.
Seven times.

What did Pilate finally do?
Ignored the crowd, set Jesus free and kept Barabbas in jail.
Gave in to the crowd, freed Barabbas and handed Jesus over to be crucified.
Handed both Barabbas and Jesus over to be crucified.

Whom did the soldiers force to carry the cross?
Joseph of Arimathea.
Barabbas
Simon of Cyrene.

Not everybody in the crowd wanted to see Jesus killed. Who in the crowd showed their support for Jesus?
The Roman soldiers
Some disciples who tried to fight the crowd and free Jesus
A lot of women who were crying for him.

What was the name of the place where Jesus was crucified?
The Skull
Mount Sinai
The temple

Who else was crucified at the same time?
Two women
Two criminals
Two Jewish leaders

As Jesus was nailed to the cross, what did he say?
“Father, punish these people for what they’re doing to me.”
“Father, help these people to see what they're doing.”
“Father, forgive these people. They don’t know what they're doing.”

What did the soldiers do with Jesus’ clothes?
They burned them.
They gambled to see who would get to keep them
They took turns trying them on.

The Jewish leaders, the soldiers, and one of the criminals all insulted Jesus. What did they say?
“If you are the Messiah, save yourself.”
“If you are the Messiah, turn this water into wine.”
“If you are the Messiah, heal a sick person.”

When the first criminal insulted Jesus, what did the second criminal say to him?
“You’re right, if he’s the Messiah he should save us and himself.”
“We are getting what we deserve, but this man didn’t do anything wrong.”
“You are getting what you deserve, but I didn’t do anything wrong.”

What did the second criminal say to Jesus?
“Help me get down from this cross.”
“Today I’ll be with you in paradise.”
“Remember me when you come into power.”

What did Jesus say to the second criminal?
“You’re right, you’re getting what you deserve.”
“Today you will be with me in paradise.”
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

What happened to the sky?
It turned dark in the middle of the day.
It turned cloudy and started to rain.
It got unusually sunny and bright.

What happened at the temple?
The door fell off.
The curtain split down the middle.
The ceiling came falling down.

What did Jesus say before he died?
“Father, don’t let me die.”
“Father, punish my enemies.
“Father, I put myself in your hands!”

What did the Roman officer say after Jesus died?
“I’m glad that’s over with.”
“Jesus must really have been a good man!”
“Jesus must really have been a bad man!”

What did Jesus’ friends do after Jesus died?
They stood at a distance and watched.
They helped to take down his body.
They started a riot in the city.

Who took Jesus’ body down from the cross?
Simon of Cyrene.
Joseph of Arimathea.
The Roman officer.

What did Joseph do with Jesus’ body?
Wrapped it in cloth and put it in a grave he had dug in the ground.
Wrapped it in cloth and put sweet-smelling spices on it.
Wrapped it in cloth and put it in a new tomb cut from rock.

After Jesus’ body was placed in the tomb, what did the women who had followed him do?
They did nothing.
They prepared sweet-smelling spices to put on his body.
They put sweet-smelling spices on his body.

Why didn’t they put the spices on the body right away?
It was time for the Sabbath, and the law commanded them to rest.
They were afraid of the crowd.
It was nighttime and too dark.


SUITABLE ILLUSTRATIONS TO SHOW WITH THE STORY

We’ve identified the following free collections of Trial and Crucifixion images that would be suitable to show children. These can be downloaded and printed for free from freebibleimages.org

1. Trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin (for children) https://freebibleimages.org/il...pi-090-trial-begins/
2. Jesus before Pilate, Barabbas (for children) https://freebibleimages.org/il...rations/ac-barabbas/
3. Crucifixion images (for children) https://freebibleimages.org/il...6-jesus-crucifixion/
4. Jesus’ death on the Cross (for children) https://freebibleimages.org/il...esus-crucified-dies/

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Last edited by Neil MacQueen

Last Words of Jesus Lesson Plan

Game Workshop


Summary of Lesson Activities:

Wheel of Faith Game focusing on things Jesus said.

Memory Verse: “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’”  (Luke 23:34)


Supply List:



Lesson Plan


Opening:

Greet the children and introduce yourself.

Open with a prayer.

Dig:

The day that Jesus was crucified, nailed to the cross and died for our sins was one of the most important days in all of human history.  It has been remembered for generations and is called Good Friday, a Christian holiday, during Holy Week, in which Christians reflect on what happened the day Jesus died.

For Jesus’ family and disciples, to have experienced this first Good Friday first hand, wouldn’t have been considered a good day at all.  It had to have been a horrible day to see Jesus betrayed, in the middle of the night, to watch him in the early morning stand on trial before Pontius Pilate as the crowds cried out that he should be crucified. Then he was beaten by Roman soldiers.  He was whipped.  Stripped of his clothes.  Spit upon.  A crown of thorns was placed upon his head.  Then the soldiers forced him to carry the heavy wooden crossbar through the streets of Jerusalem, up to the hill outside of the city, called Golgotha, which means “the place of the skull.”  There, they nailed him to the cross and left him there to die, between two thieves, as Roman soldiers stood guard.

As Jesus hung on the cross, he spoke seven different times.  Sometimes he addressed the soldiers and the crowd who mocked him. He spoke to one of the dying thieves.  Once he addressed his mother and one of his disciples.  The rest of the time, Jesus directed his final words to God, his Heavenly Father.  These last words were recorded and written down by the writers of the four Gospels.  They were considered very important words, and have been shared by Jesus’ followers in the Church for generations.  Today, we will explore these last sayings of Jesus as we think about his suffering on the cross.  But more importantly, as we think about the day Jesus suffered and died, we thank God that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and that three days later he rose again from the grave.  It is this gift of love and victory over death that makes Good Friday so good for all of us today.

Then say, Today we are going to discover the last words that Jesus spoke from the cross by playing “Wheel of Faith” which kind of resembles the “Wheel of Fortune” game on TV.

Wheel of Faith Game:

  1. Divide the kids into two teams.
  2. Have kids from each team take turns spinning the wheel to solve the puzzles (see list of Wheel of Faith Puzzles below).
    • for each puzzle draw a line, for each letter, leaving a space between words, on a dry erase board.
      Example:

      __   __ __    __ __ __ __ __ __ __.Wheel of Faith

      I     a m     t  h  i  r  s  t  y.

    • on the spinning wheel can be points, such as: 5, 10, 25, 100, lose a turn, etc.
    • first they spin, then guess a letter, if they guess correctly, they receive that many points, if there for example are 3 E-letters, then they would get 3 x points they spun.
    • they can play until they get one wrong or lose a turn, then the play goes to the other team.
    • at anytime they can guess what the full puzzle is, but will lose a turn if they get it wrong.
  3. Take a moment, after each puzzle is solved, to put the saying of Jesus in context. What was happening that caused Jesus to say this?
  4. Recruit a volunteer to keep score and announce the scores between puzzles to drive up enthusiasm.
  5. If kids struggle in solving the puzzles, give them freebie letters from time to time as helpful hints.  Try to have kids solve as many puzzles as time allows, but allow time at the end of the session for review questions.

Wheel of Faith Puzzles:

  1. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.  (Luke 23:34)
  2. Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.  (Luke 23:43)
  3. Woman, here is your son.  Here is your mother.  (John 19:26)
  4. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34)
  5. I am thirsty.  (John 19:28)
  6. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.  (Luke 23:46)
  7. It is finished.  (John 19:30)
  8. The following puzzles are taken from the Apostles Creed:
    1. He suffered under Pontius Pilate
    2. He was crucified, dead and buried
    3. The third day he rose again from the dead

Ask

  • What do you think it was like to stand at the foot of Jesus’ cross, as he suffered, and to hear him say these things?  Would you have been sad?  Why? How do you think the other criminals crucified with him reacted? (see Luke 23:39-43) How about the Roman soldiers who nailed him to the cross and stood guard? (see Matthew 27:54)
  • Why do you think the writers of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John recorded these last words of Jesus from the cross?
  • If you had last words that you could speak to your family, friends and God, what would they be?
  • Who stayed by Jesus’ side when Jesus suffered and died on the cross? (Mary, his mother; John, his disciple and best friend; Mary Magdalene)  Who do you want to be by your side when you’re hurting?
  • Why do you think Jesus forgave the soldiers who nailed him to the cross?  Why do you think he forgives us today?

Reflection:

Have the class recite this month’s memory verse together and close with prayer, thanking God for Jesus’ great love for us that led him to die on the cross for our sins.




A lesson written by Rev. Ron Shifley from Scotland United Church of Christ
Scotland, SD

More detailed game instructions added by Rotation.org Tech Team along with a sample wheel photo.

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

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Last edited by Luanne Payne

Sculpt the Scripture ~  A "Play Doh" Sculpting Game

The  idea for the following game was originally suggested in another lesson here at Rotation.org. Your Content Team has updated and improved it and combined it with a story PDF already created for another lesson in this topic!

TO PLAY:

Print the Story PDF, one copy for the teacher and another copy that you cut up into strips and place in a basket for the game.  The Story is an abbreviated version of the Arrest, Trial, and Crucifixion of Jesus.

After reading and discussing the story PDF, students split into two teams and then one person from the first team steps forward to pull a story strip from the basket. After SILENTLY reading it, they then have 60 seconds to sculpt something from that part of the story they just read and their team tries to guess what part of the story they are sculpting.

After a team correctly guessed that part of the story being sculpted, the sculptor reads their entire story slip to the class, and play switches to the next team.

Keep track of how many seconds it takes each team to guess the sculpture. Lowest number of seconds/minutes wins.

SUPPLIES:

  • Print two copies of the Story PDF and cut one into strips.
  • One can of Play-Doh
  • One Basket
  • A cellphone with the stopwatch feature on the screen
  • A scorepad to record times


Possible Sculpting Rules (or make up your own)

  1. The sculptor cannot talk or make motions.
  2. Have a player from the first team choose a slip of paper from the basket without letting anyone else see what is written on the slip of paper.
  3. That player must then use the Play-Doh to sculpt the story or something from it.
  4. The player’s team has one minute to try to guess the part of the story that is being sculpted.
  5. They are only allowed two wrong guesses (this keeps people from blurting out parts of the story).
  6. If the player’s team does not guess correctly in one minute, the other team has a chance to guess.
  7. Once the story has been correctly identified, have the children explain how the symbol fits into the Easter story.
  8. Play then rotates to the next team.
  9. Continue playing until everyone has had a chance to sculpt part of the story. Repeat parts if necessary, but tell them they cannot reuse what the first sculptor did.



Optional Game of Sculpting OBJECTS from overall Holy Week Story, including Palm Sunday and Easter

Write each of these symbols on a small slip of paper and place in a basket.
Cross
Crown of thorns
Stone
Palm branch
Cup
Sheep or lamb
Donkey
Nail
Tomb
Money
Praying
Garden
Temple
Soldier
King
Temple Curtain
Rooster
Kiss
Angel
Whip
Earthquake
Love
Sword
Golgotha – place of the skull

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Last edited by Neil MacQueen

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