Easter – Trial and Crucifixion

Computer Workshop

State Street UMC G.R.E.A.T. Adventure

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Uses the Life of Christ, Play and Learn Bible, and Kid Pix 4 (or 3D) software programs.

The first two software have gone out of print, but many Rotation churches have them. Discovery Interactive’s "Life of Christ" CD (its material has been turned into an online course). Learn more here! Play and Learn Children's Bible CD (only works on Windows Me/XP/Vista, and Windows 7- 32 bit.)

Scripture Reference:

Matthew 26:47-56

Leader Preparation:

• Review the Background Information, Behavioral Covenant, Teaching Tips and Lesson plan.
• Preview the software prior to teaching. Feel free to borrow a CD and take home or make arrangements to come to the computer lab before teaching.
• Turn computers on, insert CDs and open programs at each computer station before class.
• Make copies of the Navigation tips for each computer station.

Materials List:

• Life of Christ
• Play and Learn Bible
• Kid Pix 4 (or 3D)

Time Guidelines:

• Introductions/Opening Prayer: 5 minutes
• Computer Exploration 15 minutes
• Bible Study/Discussion 20 minutes
• Illustrated Verses 15 minutes
• Reflection/Closing Prayer: 5 minutes

Notes for Computer Teachers:
As much as possible, try to sit with your students as you go through the software together. The lesson is not what’s on the computer. It’s what you and the students do with what’s on the computer. Guide your students through the content, share yourself and facilitate their sharing with each other. Model your enthusiasm for the Word of God. The Shepherd can also sit with the children, although the Shepherd is not expected to teach the lesson. For grades 1-2, it is especially important that an adult be close by to assist in discussion and reading. For the 10:45 session, use the 5th-6th grade helpers and assign one to each computer station to assist the children.

Lesson Plan

Opening:

Gather the children together at the large center table 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 FastPass.

Opening Prayer: Pray something like this: “Dear God, Thank you for this day and for all the people who are here today. Thank you for sending Jesus to give his life for us, so that we can live with you forever. Help us to open our hearts and minds to learn more about your great love for us. AMEN.

Dig:

Usually our lessons begin with the Bible Study. We are going to mix things up a bit during this session. The children will use the computers to find the answers to questions in their navigation tip sheet. After 15 minutes of research, bring them back together to the large group for discussion.

Computer Exploration – Grades 3-6
Journey to the Cross

Software and Navigation Tips Life of Christ CD

1. Insert Life of Christ CD and click on the icon on the desktop.
2. Click on New Exploration.
3. Type in your name/initials of your group.
4. Click on file crate (labeled King’s Oranges) on the Professor’s desk.
5. In Lesson index, click on 27-33 - The Road to the Cross.
6. Click on Lesson 32 – Arrested, Tried and Tortured.
7. Listen to the lesson carefully. (See printout of the narrated story at end of this lesson)
8. Answer the questions in your group:
   a. What is blasphemy?
   b. Why was it such a big deal to the Jewish religious leaders?
9. Click YES to take quiz.
10. Read all the questions carefully.
11. Choose the best answer by clicking on the circle next to the answer.
12. Move to the next question by clicking on the arrow at the lower right.
13. After the quiz, click BACK to return to the lesson index.
14. Click on Lesson 33 – Jesus Goes to the Cross to Die for Us.
15. Listen to the lesson carefully.
16. Answer the questions in your group:
    a. What was the name of the place where Jesus was crucified? (Golgotha, “the skull")
    b. What is the Latin (Roman) word for “skull?” (Calvaria)
    c. What did the sign say that was placed above Jesus? (This is the King of the Jews)
17. Click YES to take quiz.
18. Read all the questions carefully.
19. Choose the best answer by clicking on the circle next to the answer.
20. Move to the next question by clicking on the arrow at the lower right.
21. After the quiz, move to the left of the screen to display tools.
22. Click EXIT.
23. Click QUIT.

Computer Lesson – Grades 1-2
Play and Learn Bible

1. Insert the Play and Learn CD.
2. Click on the icon on the desktop.
3. Click Bible Stories.
4. Click Jesus is our Friend.
5. Click Jesus Dies on the Cross.
6. Click YES. “would you like us to read the story to you?”
7. Click on the arrow on the bottom right to go to the next page.
8. Answer the question:
   a. Why did God let Jesus be punished? (for us so we could be with God forever)
9. Click EXIT.

Large Group Bible Study: Matthew 26:47-56, Little Kids’ Adventure Bible - pages 348-355

Introduce the Story:
Ask: Where would we find this story in the Bible? (gospels in the New Testament). Today’s story is found in all four gospels. (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). We are going to do our Bible study from the gospel of Matthew. Say: I’m counting on you to help me tell this story…

When Jesus raised Lazarus, he really angered the religious leaders. They were determined to find a way to kill him. So Jesus and his disciples left the area for awhile. But now they have come back. They are in Jerusalem for a very important Jewish feast called ____________. (Passover) When Jesus rode into Jerusalem people waved palm branches and welcomed him. They shouted out Hosanna, and called him King! They were so excited. We call this special Sunday __________ ___________ (Palm Sunday) Then on Thursday night Jesus ate his last meal with his disciples. We call this the ______ _______. (Last Supper). We remember this meal today whenever we celebrate the sacrament of Communion. After the meal, they went out to the Mount of Olives in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus needed to pray. He knew what was coming and he needed God’s strength and closeness and to be with his best friends. But…the disciples all fell asleep. Jesus had hoped they would stay awake and pray with him…
Suddenly, there were loud shouts and noises. What was happening?
(A crowd of soldiers and people rushed up. Judas had betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. With a kiss, on Jesus’ cheek, Judas let the soldiers know who to arrest. The guards arrested Jesus and took him away to the house of the chief priest.)

Let’s find the story in our Bibles now… The bold sentences reflect the headings in the children’s Bibles. Point out these headings and have them locate them in their Bibles. Discuss the questions with the children.

Jesus is Taken to the Sanhedrin (Grades 1-2: page 348, Grades 3-6: Matthew 26:57)
The soldiers and crowd took Jesus away to the house of ____________ (Caiaphas), the high priest and president of the Sanhedrin. What is the Sanhedrin? (look up the Bible note if needed)

"Did you Know" Bible note (Grades 1-2: page 348 and Grades 3-6: page 1159): What was the Sanhedrin?
(The Sanhedrin was a very powerful Jewish court. They didn’t like Jesus and what he had been teaching. They had been looking for a way to get rid of Jesus since Lazarus was raised from the dead. They were more interested in following the rules that they made up, rather than really doing what God wanted. The Sanhedrin was very powerful, but the Romans were really in charge. As long as the Sanhedrin kept things peaceful and quiet, the Romans let them do their own thing. Caiaphas was the high priest and the president of the Sanhedrin. He was afraid that Jesus was getting people too riled up – all this talk about new Kings and all. Maybe the people would even riot. If that happened, the Romans would take over and take away the Sanhedrin’s power. Caiaphas thought it would be better for Jesus to die, since he was just one man. Then everything would get back to normal.)

Say: The Sanhedrin was known throughout the world for their just laws. But this night, they broke many of their own laws! (See Background Information for list of broken laws.)

**What did Jesus say that made Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin so angry? (he called himself the Son of Man and Son of God and I AM which is the name God calls himself – Jesus was saying he was God’s Son, and equal with God.) This is an important concept. Make sure the children get it! Have them look up the Bible note:

**People in Bible Times: "Jesus" (Grades 1-2: page 289, Grades 3-6: page 1176). Jesus called himself the Son of God and the Son of Man. This means that Jesus is both God and human.

"Peter Says He Does Not Know Jesus" (Grades 1-2: page 349, Grades 3-6: page 1159)

1. What did Peter do? (said he didn’t know Jesus three times)
2. Who had warned Peter that this would happen? (Jesus)
3. What did Peter do after he realized what he had done? (cried, sobbed)
4. How do you think Peter felt? Have you ever been so scared that you did something wrong? How did you feel afterward?

"Jesus Goes Before Pilate" (Grades 1-2: page 350, Grades 3-6: page 1231)

1. Who did the Sanhedrin take Jesus to see next? (Pilate, the Roman governor)
2. Why did the Sanhedrin take Jesus to Pilate? (only the Roman governor could put someone to death)
3. If children do not seem to remember who Pilate is, review the note below:

People in Bible Times Note: "Pontius Pilate" (Grades 1-2: page 351, Grades 3-6: page 1160)

1. What did Pilate do? (asked Jesus lots of questions)
2. Did Pilate think Jesus was guilty and deserved to die? (No, he thought he was innocent)

Grades 3-6 only:

1. Who was Herod? (The governor of Galilee, where Jesus was from – he was in town for the Passover, so Pilate sent Jesus to him.)
2. Why was Herod excited to see Jesus? (he wanted Jesus to do some miracles for him)
3. What did Jesus do or say? (nothing)
4. What did Herod and his soldiers do? (made fun of Jesus, put a purple robe on him and mocked him)
5. Where did Jesus go next? (back to Pilate)
6. Why did Pilate offer to release Jesus? (it was the custom during Passover to release one Jewish prisoner)
7. Who did the Jews want released? (Barabbas)
8. What did Pilate do with Jesus? (had him whipped, then ordered to be crucified)
9. Describe crucifixion. What made it such an awful death? (pain, suffering, long time to die, the humiliation)
10. Why were prisoners whipped first? (to weaken them)
11. Why did the soldiers break the legs of people who were crucified? (to hasten their deaths)
    If children do not remember much about this, read the notes below:

Life in Bible Times note: "Flogging" (Grades 1-2: page 352, “Whipping” Grades 3-6: page 1188)
Life in Bible Times note: "The Cross" (Grades 1-2: pages 352-353, Grades 3-6: pages 1188 and 1232).
Grades 3-6 can also read People in Bible Times: "Simon" (page 1232)

1. Who was Simon? (the man who helped carry Jesus’ cross)
   (Explain that Simon would have carried just the horizontal cross piece of Jesus’ cross, not the entire cross as we typically see in pictures. The older children will probably be interested in more of the details of crucifixions. Use the background information to discuss with them)
   "Jesus is Nailed to a Cross" (Grades 1-2: page 352, Grades 3-6: page 1232)
2. What was the name of the place where Jesus was crucified? (Golgotha, Place of the skull)
3. Why is it sometimes called Calvary? (the Latin/Roman name for skull is calvaria)
4. Who else was crucified alongside Jesus? (2 criminals)
5. What did the criminals say to Jesus? (one mocked him, the other asked for Jesus’ to remember him)
6. What did the soldiers do with Jesus’ robe? (cast lots for it)
7. What is casting lots? (playing a gambling type of game, like rolling dice)

"Jesus Dies" (Grades 1-2: page 354, Grades 3-6: page 1232) (there is good background information in Journey to the Cross about this section - you might want to have it out for the children to see)

1. What time was Jesus hung on the cross? (9:00 a.m.)
2. What happened at 12:00 noon? (sky turned black)
3. When did Jesus die? (3:00 p.m.)
4. What happened when Jesus died? (earthquake, tombs opened, rocks split open, lightning, Temple curtain ripped from top to bottom)
5. What was the purpose of the Temple curtain? What did it mean that it was torn? (it kept people from the presence of God, Jesus made a way for us to be with God)
6. What is a shofar? (ram’s horn) Why was it blown at 3:00 every afternoon? (to announce the sacrifice of a lamb in the Temple)
7. Which lamb died on this afternoon at 3:00? (Jesus, the Lamb of God!) – isn’t it amazing that it happened at the very same time!
8. What did the Roman commander say about Jesus? (Surely Jesus was the Son of God)

"Jesus is Buried" (Grades 1-2: page 354, Grades 3-6: page 1189)

1. Who took Jesus’ body to bury it? (Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple of Jesus)
2. What did Joseph do with Jesus’ body? (prepared it for burial) – Burial customs should be familiar to the children as we have studied them in detail this winter. If they still have questions have them read the note below:

Life in Bible Times note: "Burial" (Grades 1-2: page 355, Grades 3-6: page 1265).

1. Where was Jesus buried? (in a tomb)
2. If children have questions about this, read the note below:

Life in Bible Times note: "Jesus’ Tomb" (Grades 1-2: page 356, Grades 3-6: page 1162).

1. Jesus’ friends and disciples and family watched all of this. What do you think they were thinking when they saw that Jesus had really died?
2. How do you think they were feeling?
3. How would you have felt if you had watched Jesus die and seen him buried?

But we know that this is not the end of the story… because three days later, what happened? We know that Jesus rose from the dead and is alive today! And that is what we celebrate at Easter!

Memory Verse: Each rotation the children are asked to memorize one scripture verse. Locate and review the memory verse with them at this time. Note that we will use the version that corresponds to the Music CD.

Additional Discussion Questions:
For questions, refer to the Background Information and the section "Meaning of the Cross - FAQs".

Computer Activity: Illustrating the Memory Verse Kid Pix 4 (or 3D) CD

Samples for children to view.
Divide children into pairs at the computers.

Kid Pix 4 Navigation tips:

1. Insert CD into drive and click on icon on the desktop to open the program.
2. Type in initials when asked.
3. Click on text box on the left.
4. Type in the memory verse. You can adjust the size or font by clicking on the tool box at the bottom of the screen. You can also change the color of the font by clicking on the color palette on the left. Use the hand tool on the left hand tool bar to reposition your text box.
5. Click on the pencil on left hand tool bar to draw. (Choose size of line by clicking on circle at tool bar on bottom. Medium sized lines are easiest to use and permit easier fill-in of color)
6. Click on a box shape at the bottom of the tool bar and enclose your text box in different rectangles.
7. Or use the pencil to illustrate your memory verse.
8. Click paint can on left hand tool bar to color in drawing. Choose solid colors/colored textures, stripes or patterns by clicking on the paint buckets at lower tool bar. Use the up and down arrows for more selections.
9. Mistakes can be erased by clicking on the “oops” face in the middle of the left-hand tool bar. Important: You can only erase the immediate last thing you did!
10. Click green arrow on upper right hand of screen and the computer will read back to you what you have typed!
11. Click the disk icon on the right hand side of the screen to save.
12. Type in name or initial.
13. Click printer icon on right hand tool bar to print.
14. Be sure to click “landscape” orientation.
15. Click on the door on the right tool bar to exit the program.

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: Why did God let Jesus die?
Grades 3-6: Jesus died a very horrible and painful death. Why did Jesus have to die?

Prayer: Gather the children together in a circle. Review with them one word or concept that they learned during today’s session. (Believe, Resurrection, Love 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, Thank you for the gift of Jesus. Thank you for making a way for us to be with you forever. Help us to always remember the great sacrifice Jesus made for us because he loves us. Help us to share that love with others. AMEN.

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

Navigation Tips - Life of Christ CD

1. Insert Life of Christ CD and click on the icon on the desktop.
2. Click on New Exploration.
3. Type in your name/initials of your group.
4. Click on file crate (labeled King’s Oranges) on the Professor’s desk.
5. In Lesson index, click on 27-33 - The Road to the Cross.
6. Click on Lesson 32 – Arrested, Tried and Tortured.
7. Listen to the lesson carefully.
8. Answer the questions in your group:
   a. What is blasphemy?
   b. Why was it such a big deal to the Jewish religious leaders?
9. Click YES to take quiz.
10. Read all the questions carefully.
11. Choose the best answer by clicking on the circle next to the answer.
12. Move to the next question by clicking on the arrow at the lower right.
13. After the quiz, click BACK to return to the lesson index.
14. Click on Lesson 33 – Jesus Goes to the Cross to Die for Us.
15. Listen to the lesson carefully.
16. Answer the questions in your group:
    a. What was the name of the place where Jesus was crucified?
    b. What is the Latin (Roman) word for “skull?”
    c. What did the sign say that was placed above Jesus?
17. Click YES to take quiz.
18. Read all the questions carefully.
19. Choose the best answer by clicking on the circle next to the answer.
20. Move to the next question by clicking on the arrow at the lower right.
21. After the quiz, move to the left of the screen to display tools.
22. Click EXIT.
23. Click QUIT.

Computer Lesson – Grades 1-2 Play and Learn Bible

1. Insert the Play and Learn CD.
2. Click on the icon on the desktop.
3. Click Bible Stories.
4. Click Jesus is our Friend.
5. Click Jesus Dies on the Cross.
6. Click YES. “Would you like us to read the story to you?”
7. Click on the arrow on the bottom right to go to the next page.
8. Answer the question:
   a. Why did God let Jesus be punished?
9. Click EXIT.

Computer Lesson – Grades 1-2 Play and Learn Bible

1. Insert the Play and Learn CD.
2. Click on the icon on the desktop.
3. Click Bible Stories.
4. Click Jesus is our Friend.
5. Click Jesus Dies on the Cross.
6. Click YES. “Would you like us to read the story to you?”
7. Click on the arrow on the bottom right to go to the next page.
8. Answer the question:
   a. Why did God let Jesus be punished?
9. Click EXIT.

Kid Pix 4 Navigation Tips

1. Insert CD into drive and click on icon on the desktop to open the program.
2. Type in initials when asked.
3. Click on text box on the left.
4. Type in the memory verse.
   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
5. You can adjust the size or font by clicking on the arrows at the bottom of the screen. You can also change the color of the font by clicking on the color palette on the left. Use the hand tool on the left hand tool bar to reposition your text box.
6. Click on the pencil on left hand tool bar to draw. (Choose size of line by clicking on circle at tool bar on bottom. Medium sized lines are easiest to use and permit easier fill-in of color)
7. Click on a box shape at the bottom of the tool bar and enclose your text box in different rectangles.
8. Or use the pencil to illustrate your memory verse.
9. Click paint can on left hand tool bar to color in drawing. Choose solid colors/colored textures, stripes or patterns by clicking on the paint buckets at lower tool bar. Use the up and down arrows for more selections.
10. Mistakes can be erased by clicking on the “oops” face in the middle of the left-hand tool bar. Important: You can only erase the immediate last thing you did!
11. Click green arrow on upper right hand of screen and the computer will read back to you what you have typed!
12. Click the disk icon on the right hand side of the screen to save.
13. Type in name or initial.
14. Click printer icon on right hand tool bar to print.
15. Be sure to click “landscape” orientation.
16. Click on the door on the right tool bar to exit the program.

A lesson from State Street UMC
Bristol, VA

This lesson created and copyrighted by State Street UMC, Bristol, VA, 2003. Permission granted for non-commercial, local church use, provided credit is give to the source.

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

The 7 Last Words teach children the extreme grace and obedience of Jesus at the most profound moment in all of history and most difficult moments of his life.  They are especially personal words which further reveal the love and humanity of Christ.

It should be noted that the Gospels are not in agreement about what Jesus said on the cross. Indeed, according to Mark he said nothing!  There has been a lot written about why the four Gospels have differing accounts of the same event. Suffice to say that each writer wrote many decades after the event and depended on outside sources, persons, and traditions. What is MOST important is to ask WHY did the writer write that Jesus said that particular thing? Each utterance is a lesson to itself.

MEMORIZING GAME TIPS

Older Children and teens should type in these verses to the Cal & Marty verse editor. They enjoy “programming” the game and the typing begins the memorization process.

Early Readers can easily learn the Last 7 Words in a Word Search or Scripture Memory Game. While they may not be able to “read” these short verses, then can identify keywords by the SIGHT AND SHAPE of the words.

In Cal and Marty software you can add quiz questions and a comment for each verse.

Example quiz question: In which Gospel do you find this “last word”?  Luke, John or Matthew?

Example of a comment question: What do you think Jesus is feeling at the moment he says the words, “It is finished”.  How do those words make YOU feel?

For a non-computer game using these seven last words:

Create duplicate stacks of index cards --writing the last words on once side of an index card, and the Gospel/Chapter on the other.  Now play a game of "concentration" where student turn over the cards to find matched pairs.

When the game is over, ask questions to the students about their matched pairs.

Note: I'm obviously the owner of the software mentioned. It happens to be the only scripture memory software which kids and teachers can edit-in their own verses/translations.

The Story of the Cross has many different presentations found in the SunScool Bible App for Kids. The presentations and their titles change depending which age-level you select when you start the app.

Here's is a comprehensive listing from our Outline showing all of the presentations for all four levels that appear in "The Cross" menu within the app.

The Cross

• B4-1: Jesus dying (Levels 1, 2), Dying (L3), His Death (L4)
  Luke 23:32-56; Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; John 19:16-42
• B4-2: Jesus dies and is buried (L1,2)
  Luke 23:44-56
• B4-2 Rising (Level 3), His Resurrection (L4)
  John 20:10-18, Mark 16:9-11
• B4-3: Jesus rising (Levels 1 and 2)
  John 20:1-18
• B4-3: Leaving (L3), His Ascension (L4)
  Luke 24:45-53; Acts 1:1-12, 4:31-33; Mark 16:19-20
• B4-4: Jesus leaving and returning (Levels 1,2)
  Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:4-12
• B4-4 : Returning (L3) His Second Coming (L4)
  John 14:1-6; Acts 1:9-11;

Here's a screenshot of the four story presentations seen when you select Level 3 (grades 2-5):

The App is free, ecumenical, and can be downloaded for use on tablets, smartphones, Windows, and Mac!    Get the download link and look up the story you need in our Outline of all 170+ stories in SunScool. That page also includes app helps.