Lessons Posted in this Topic by Jaymie Derden
- Art: make a fabric banner to illustrate “Hymn of Promise” using its special lyric-video.
- Computers: explore the story through software: Life of Christ, Actual Reality, and/or Kid Pix.
- Cooking: make Resurrection Rolls -- use Cathy's Cooking lesson here
- Shadow Theater Drama: focus on the good news of the resurrection and participate in a drama that retells key events.
- Movie: view the video “He is Risen" (Nest)
Scripture References:
Matthew, 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-10
Memory Verse:
“He is not here. He has risen!” Luke 24:6
Jaymie's Background Information for Teachers
The resurrection is central to our Christian faith. Through Jesus' resurrection, God made clear his intention for the world --- Jesus is indeed the Christ, the Savior of humankind. Paul declares that Christianity rises or falls with the resurrection. In dying Jesus brings us forgiveness and reconciliation. In rising, Jesus gives us new life.
Holy Week:
Jesus’ last week, the week we call Holy Week in the church, was an eventful one. He entered Jerusalem in triumph on Palm Sunday, taught in the Temple, ate the Last Supper with his disciples, prayed in the garden, was betrayed by Judas, was arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced to death by crucifixion. On Good Friday, Jesus hung on the cross at Golgotha and died. His disciples all fled, leaving primarily women to witness his death. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus (our previous month's rotation was about Nicodemus -- be sure to make this connection with the children) took Jesus’ body and placed it in a new tomb, hewn out of the rocky hillside. They brought spices to prepare his body for burial. They quickly did what they could before the Sabbath began at sunset.
Jesus lay in the tomb Friday night and all day Saturday. (note that Jesus was not actually in the tomb for three days. It was common for Jewish people to account for time in this way – Friday was the first day, Saturday was the second and Sunday was the third.) Early Sunday morning the women (Mary Magdalene and the “other” Mary) came to finish the burial ritual for his body. All four gospels record the fact that women were the first to find the empty tomb. It is interesting that Jesus would choose to appear first to women. At the time, women were not allowed to be legal witnesses. The fact that women were the first to witness Jesus’ resurrection speaks to their importance to Jesus and his ministry. It also lends credibility to the resurrection account. If the disciples had fabricated the story, would they have chosen women to be the first witnesses?
What is the resurrection of the body?
The concept of resurrection of the body is not clearly seen in the Bible until the Old Testament book of Daniel and was developed more fully during the inter-testamental period. Some of the apocryphal books (the non-canonical books or books generally believed to be useful, but non-inspired) describe a general waking of the dead for judgment. Jewish religious leaders held differing views about the resurrection of the body. The Sadducees denied the resurrection while the Pharisees (Paul was a Pharisee) believed in it. Most Jews believed that the body and soul were one and they would die and be resurrected together. Paul’s writing, especially in I Corinthians, helped formulate the resurrection faith of the early church.
Greek philosophers emphasized the value of the spiritual over the physical. Their influence helped fuel the first heresy called Gnosticism. Gnostics believed that physical, material things were evil and spiritual things were good. Gnostics promoted the idea that Jesus did not have a true physical body, it just seemed to be physical. To Gnostics, Jesus was really just a spiritual being.
Was Jesus’ resurrected body a real, physical body or a spiritual body? The resurrected Jesus did have a different body. The disciples did not always immediately recognize him. His wounds were healed (although he still bore the scars of the sacrifice he made for us all). He walked through doors; he appeared and disappeared at will. But he was not simply a spirit or a ghost. The disciples touched him. Thomas felt his hands and side. Jesus ate. Jesus encouraged the disciples to recognize his new spirit/physical body state. We cannot understand the mystery of the resurrected body, but we can be sure that Jesus indeed had one. And because Jesus is raised, we will be too!
Over the years many skeptics have attempted to "explain away" the resurrection. Matthew describes how the chief priests bribed the soldiers to say the disciples had stolen the body. Other theories state that the women went to the wrong tomb. Another suggests that Jesus was not really dead, but had simply fainted and revived later. Do these theories make sense? Discovery Interactive Life of Christ software lists ten reasons to believe Christ rose from the dead:
1. Jesus was publicly sentenced to death and was executed publicly.
Because of the approaching Sabbath, the soldiers broke the legs of the two criminals next to Jesus. But when the soldiers came to Jesus they found he was already dead. Surely these men knew death when they saw it! But just to be sure, they pierced Jesus’ side with a spear. This was no small fainting spell!
2. The tomb was secured by Roman guards.
Because of Jesus’ notoriety, the religious officials feared that the disciples might come up with a resurrection hoax. Roman soldiers guarded the tomb and the official seal of Rome was placed across the stone. (this is the meaning of the “sealing” of the tomb) The penalty for breaking the Roman seal or falling asleep on the job was death!
3. Despite the guards, the tomb was empty.
The huge stone was moved away. Stones covering tombs were rolled downhill in a groove in front of the opening to the tomb. Opening the tomb was no easy feat, requiring the heavy stone to be pushed uphill. Yet the stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty except for Jesus’ grave wrappings. The guards themselves were missing! They had gone to tell the Jewish religious leaders about the supernatural being who rolled the stone away. They were subsequently bribed to say that the disciples stole Jesus’ body while they slept. (remember the penalty for falling asleep at their post was death!) The religious leaders promised to intercede on their behalf if the soldiers were punished.
4. Many people claimed to see Jesus.
In the forty days between his resurrection and ascension, Jesus was seen by hundreds of witnesses. He was seen by the women, Peter and John, James in Jerusalem, the two on the Emmaus road, the apostles without Thomas, the apostles with Thomas, 500 in Galilee, Stephen and Paul.
5. The disciples were dramatically transformed.
Perhaps the most compelling evidence for the resurrection is the change in the disciples. When Jesus was arrested, his disciples fled. After his death, the disciples cowered in hiding, confused, lost and frightened. After seeing the resurrected Jesus, they were completely transformed! They were now courageous and bold. Peter, who betrayed Jesus three times the night of his arrest, boldly preached on the day of Pentecost when 3000 believed! The disciples came out of hiding and followed Jesus’ directive to take the good news to all the world.
6. Witnesses of the risen Jesus were willing to die for their faith. Another compelling argument for the truth of the resurrection is the fact that many of the disciples faced martyrdom. Countless others died refusing to deny their faith in the risen Christ. People are willing to die for what they believe is the truth, but who will die for what they know is a lie. If the disciples faked Jesus’ resurrection, would they be willing to die for a lie?
7. Jewish believers changed their day of worship from Saturday to Sunday.
Believers began to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection by worshiping on the day that Jesus was raised from the dead. This reflected the profound change in their lives. We continue to celebrate this each Sunday today. Sundays are called “mini-Easters.” (this is why Sundays are excluded during the season of Lent.)
8. Jesus’ death and resurrection were predicted.
The disciples were caught off guard by Jesus’ death. Jesus had clearly tried to explain to them what would happen, but their pre-conceived political notions of the Messiah and the Kingdom of God were too entrenched. They couldn’t comprehend Jesus’ words about going to Jerusalem to die and be resurrected. They didn’t put together Isaiah’s prophecy about the “suffering servant” until after the fact. As is so often the case, our hindsight is 20-20. The disciples got it, it just took awhile! When we are in the midst of something it is often difficult to see the big picture. Jesus’ death and resurrection illuminated God’s plan for the world. Looking at the Old Testament scriptures now, we see what has been there all along, only now our eyes have been opened.
9. What an amazing climax to Jesus’ miraculous life!
As God so often does, he takes the unlikely and the absurd and turns it around. Jesus hung on the cross while the crowds mocked him. His amazing three-year career of miracles seemed to be over in humiliation and degradation. But it was not the end! God has the last word!
10. Those who trust Jesus resonate with this experience.
When we become followers of Jesus, our lives are changed, our old selves “die” and we are made new in Christ. This spiritual power dramatically transforms us, just as it did the disciples. We are new creations. Those who experience new life in Christ understand the concept of resurrection. For we are resurrected with Christ. (I Corinthians 15:12-22)
The resurrection of Jesus is one of the best-attested events in history. Hundreds of witnesses saw the risen Jesus. The fearful and cowering disciples were transformed into courageous and bold apostles who took the good news throughout the known world. The evidence for the resurrection makes more sense than the theories of stolen bodies, misplaced tombs or a Jesus who merely fainted. But understanding the mystery of the resurrection is not something that can be accomplished through evidence and intellect alone. Indeed, our intellect tells us miracles are impossible! As we explore the mystery and joy of the resurrection during this rotation, help children think about the evidence for the resurrection. Help them realize that ultimately, they must accept it individually, as an act of faith. Help them to recognize that the disciples also doubted, but Jesus helped them understand and accept what had happened. Jesus pointed to himself, to the scriptures and to his teachings to help them understand. Thomas doubted until he had seen and touched for himself. Help the children understand Jesus’ words, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen me but still have believed.” (John 29:29) We may not be able to “see” Jesus physically in front of us as his disciples did, but what are other ways we can “see” Jesus? What are other ways we can be a witness to his presence in the world and our lives? How have we seen and felt Jesus before? How do we know Jesus is alive?
Additional Easter Story Notes:
Meaning of the Cross
Easter is the holiest day of the year for Christians. Without Easter, we would have no need to celebrate Christmas. But it’s not as easy to teach the Easter story as it is the Christmas story. The death of Jesus is not easy. Children may have many questions or they may accept this story without questioning at all. Many of their questions are the same ones with which we all struggle. Be sensitive to the mood of your class, but be prepared to discuss some of these questions with the children each week.
Why did Jesus have to die?
This is really the essence of our Christian faith. Jesus was obedient to God. He perfectly fulfilled the will of God, the Father. Jesus died as a perfect sacrifice for sin so that we could be made right with God.
Why didn’t Jesus save himself?
Young children may wonder why Jesus didn’t leave when he had the chance. He had the power to do so; he had escaped difficult times in the past. He had used his power to heal and perform many miracles. Jesus accepted this “cup of suffering and death” as part of God’s plan. He was obedient, even though it was the hardest thing he had ever done. Children must make choices every day. Families are faced with many demands on their time. Standing up for what is right can be extremely difficult and can require life-style sacrifices. Our children must see that Jesus is our example. When faced with his anguishing choice, Jesus turned to God in prayer. He was obedient to God. Our children can turn to God with their troubles as well. God did not remove the cup from Jesus and God does not always keep bad things from happening to us. But God is always with us, no matter what. His presence comforts and strengthens us just as it did Jesus. Jesus was obedient even to death, because of his great love for us. How many of us would be willing to give up our lives for another? All theories of atonement recognize that through Christ’s death, we are made right with God. Jesus died for US so that we might be in relationship with God for eternity! The cross reveals to us the extent of God’s tremendous love for us and his relentless pursuit of relationship with us. The cross reveals to us the new possibilities that exist for us in spiritual rebirth and new relationship with God and with our neighbors.
Why do we call it Good Friday, since that is the day Jesus died?
By calling it Good Friday, we remember that the death of Jesus is not the end of the story. We know that the resurrection is coming. We look forward to the empty tomb of Sunday morning and the rejoicing that will occur! We recognize that God’s love for us is truly good – so good that we cannot possibly describe it or thank him enough for it!
Possible Discussion Questions:
The book, Journey to the Cross by Helen Haidle has excellent pictures and discussion topics written on a child’s level. Consider purchasing this book to use as a resource for the different workshop leaders.
- How did the disciples react to Jesus’ arrest and death? (they ran away and hid)
- Why were they afraid? (the leaders might come after them, too)
- How did they change? (they became full of joy, courage and very bold, they spread the gospel all over, willing to die for their faith)
- What do you think of the various theories that deny Jesus’ resurrection?
- What do you think is the most convincing proof that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead?
- What safeguards were taken to keep Jesus’ body guarded in the tomb? (soldiers posted outside, tomb had official Roman seal)
- Who first found the empty tomb? (the women)
- Why were they going to the tomb? (to anoint Jesus’ body with spices for burial)
- What did the angel tell the women? (Jesus is risen)
- What did the Jewish leaders do when they heard about the empty tomb? (bribed the guards to say that the disciples had stolen the body)
- What did the disciples think when they first heard? (they didn’t believe, needed to see for themselves)
- Thomas is sometimes called “Doubting Thomas.” Why? (because he wanted to see for himself and didn’t believe what the other disciples told him)
- What helped Thomas believe? (he saw and touched Jesus, Jesus encouraged him)
- Have you ever doubted the things you hear about at church?
- What can help us believe?
- How can we help others believe something that seems impossible?
- The disciples were completely transformed. Has Jesus changed your life? In what ways?
Sources
- Langford, Thomas and Black II, C. Clifton. Jesus Christ: Holy Week and Crucifixion; Graded Press, 1985.
- Haidle, Helen. Journey to the Cross. Zonderkidz, 2001.
- Kalas, J. Ellsworth. Christian Believer: Knowing God with Heart and Mind Study Manual, Abingdon Press, 1999
- FaithQuest: The Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus, Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church, Cary, NC, 2002.
- Richards, Lawrence O. Bible Teacher’s Commentary. Cook Communications, 2002.
- Bible Zone #3 and #4: The Resurrection. Abingdon Press, 1998, 1999.
- Wingeier, Douglas E. Jesus Christ: Resurrection. Graded Press, 1985.
- Invitation Bible Studies, Abingdon Press, Spring 1989, 1991, 1994.
- Life Of Christ. Sky Media, Discovery House Publishers, 1997.