Post your Sunday School video, A-V lessons, ideas, activities, and resources for the Trial and Crucifixion.
Topics 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.
Related Forums: Jesus from Palm Sunday to Easter, More Trial and Crucifixion teaching ideas
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Trial and Crucifixion
Video Workshop
Summary:
Children will view the video,The Story Behind The Cross. And make a wood cross necklace like the one featured in the video.
This 25 minute video uses footage from the Visual Bible's MATTHEW video interspersed with scenes/storyline of a teacher (actor Judge Reinhold) and his school kids on an outing having a discussion about Jesus' death. The kids in the video ask questions. The video itself is out of print, but available on YOUTUBE. Originally published by Tommy Nelson, A division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. Running Time – 25 minutes.
Alternatively, you could show the trial and crucifixion scenes from Matthew (Visual Bible) or Son of God (2014). Preview first to make sure the depiction of the story's violence in these scenes is appropriate for your audience.
Matthew 26:47-60
Tell the children that today we will be learning about Jesus’ trial and crucifixion using our Bibles and by watching a video. We will learn that he loved us so much that he was willing to sacrifice himself on the cross as a symbolic "payment" for our sins, and to let us know that God was not against us, but for us!
The video shares the scriptural story. The Visual Bible's "Matthew" follows the scripture word for word and the teacher reads scripture at various points in the video.
Distribute the popcorn once children are seated and begin the video.
After the video is finished use the background information and some of the following questions for classroom discussion:
Make a cross like the one seen in the video. Attach it to a leather string to make a necklace or keep it in your pocket.
There are several VERY inexpensive wood cross necklace kits on Amazon. You can also look on Oriental Trading Co. Colorful beads can also be added to the necklace.
Close with prayer.
A lesson written by Jaymie Derden and updated by the Rotation.org Content Team.
Video: The Miracle Maker
We have used the crucifixion scene from the video "The Miracle Maker" It is a very realistic claymation type of animated video. The crucifixion scene is very powerful - in fact, if you have not seen this movie about the ministry and life of Christ I highly recommend it. I have used it to teach the Road to Emmaus, Holy Week and the Crucifixion.
The studio has posted it on YouTube. Unfortunately, it has some ads with it.
Faith Quest for Grades 1 & 2
Uses the video- The Easter Story (from the Hanna Barbera series)
Yes, it's the old "Hanna Barbera" video series, but when we updated this lesson we watched the video and it is still pretty good! See it on YouTube here:
Mark 11-16
Concepts:
Note for workshop leader: The trial and crucifixion movie for grades 3-5 is based on the Gospel according to Luke. It presents the story in images that are too graphic for younger children. We are showing the younger children a video that is based on the Gospel according to Mark
Greet the children and introduce yourself. Wear your nametag.
Explain the purpose of this workshop. This unit is a study of the Trail and Crucifixion. The other workshops will focus on Jesus’ trial and what it means to us. We will look at the main events that took place during Holy Week when Jesus was put on trial and crucified.
Bible Story:
1. Set up the story for the children. In the interest of time, start the video a few minutes into the story. You should already have it cued to the segment as Mark begins to tell the story and the two disciples are sent to fetch a donkey. Explain that the story is about three kids who are sent back in time and they talk to Mark, one of the gospel writers. Mark is telling the story about the last week of Jesus’ life.
You may wish to define the words: blasphemy (making fun of God), “betray” (to help the enemy), “fall away” (run away from Jesus).
2. Start the video. It’s about 24 minutes long if cued as suggested.
3. Distribute the popcorn with help from the Shepherds or volunteer children. (Popcorn should already be made)
Application:
1. Story sequencing. Clear space in the middle of the room. The story sequence statements (see below) should be printed on large cards/paper (without numbers or Bible references) and handed out randomly to the children. Ask the children to put the statements in order according to the story. The 3 colors represent the beginning, middle and end of the story.
2. You can lead the discussion by asking what happened first in the video? Who has a statement they think was one of the first events of Holy Week? Continue until you have put all in order. Arrange the cards on the floor in proper sequence. When you are done, ask the children to read it.
If you wish, remove some of the statements to further simplify the activity. When you are finished sequencing, read the story from the cards.
Reflection:
Prayer: Thank you God for sending your son to us. Even though Jesus was innocent of crimes, he died on the cross so that our souls can live forever. Thank you for your amazing love.
References:
Hanna Barbera – The Easter Story – The Greatest Adventure Stories From the Bible, distributed by Sparrow Communications Group.
Statements:
A lesson written by Kirk from: Kildaire Presbyterian
Cary, NC
This lesson is copyrighted by the Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian, Cary, North Carolina.
It may be used for non profit purposes only
A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.
Uses the video: "JESUS" from Inspirational Films Inc.
Luke 23
Lesson Plan
Opening:
Greet the children and introduce yourself. Wear your nametag.
Explain the purpose of this workshop. This unit is a study of the Trail and Crucifixion. We will look at the main events that took place during Holy Week when Jesus was put on trial and crucified. We will look for evidence that Jesus was innocent of the crimes for which he was accused.
Dig:
Bible Story:
Say: Today when someone is accused of breaking the law he or she is charged with a crime or crimes.
Ask: What crimes was Jesus accused of committing? Gather ideas from the children. (If this is early in the rotation, they may not know. If later in the rotation, write down their ideas on the whiteboard.)
Do: Ask for a volunteer to read from Luke 23:1-2.
Ask: Was Jesus guilty of these crimes?
Say: Today you are going to pretend that you are lawyers for Jesus. Watch the movie and look for evidence that might be used to show that Jesus was not guilty of these crimes. Also, look for actions that were used to make Jesus look guilty. A good lawyer needs to know what the prosecuting lawyers might use against our client Jesus.
Do: Distribute the popcorn with help from the Shepherds or volunteer children.
Start the video. It’s about 30 minutes long if cued to the beginning of the scene where Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey. Give the children a warning: the scene in which Jesus is crucified is very graphic and sad. If you need to, please close your eyes or look away.
Stop/pause the movie briefly at the scene when Jesus is brought before Pilate. Remind the children of the crimes for which Jesus was being accused.
Stop the movie at the end of the scene when Jesus is laid to rest in the tomb.
Application:
1. Briefly recap the sequence of events leading to Jesus’ arrest.
2. Discuss. What events occurred that might give the prosecutors a reason to think Jesus was guilty of the crimes? List them on the board. (See chart below.)
3. What events occurred that a lawyer might have used to defend Jesus against each accusation? List them on the board. (See chart below.)
4. Note that Jesus did not defend himself. Why? Jesus was obedient to God. He knew that he had to die on the cross in order to save our sins. Jesus paid the price for our sins – every one of us -- so that we are forgiven. Now nothing can separate us from God.
Write these headings across the top on the whiteboard:
Crime Yes, he is guilty No, he is not
Below each heading, gather the evidence to support guilt or not for each crime.
Crime: Getting people to riot
Yes - Overthrowing the tables in the temple
Crime: Telling people to stop paying taxes
No - Jesus could not be tricked into telling people not to pay taxes. Jesus said to pay to the emperor what belonged to the emperor and pay to God, what was God’s (Luke 20:20-26).
Crime: Claiming to be the Messiah or King.
Yes - The people praised Jesus and called him king when he entered the city (Luke 19:38).
No - When Pilate asked Jesus if he was king of the Jews, Jesus did not say yes. He said “You say so” (Luke 23:3).
Prayer: Thank you God for sending your son to us. Even though Jesus was innocent of crimes, he died on the cross so that our souls can live forever. Thank you for your amazing love. Amen.
References:
From A Brief Statement of Faith
We trust in Jesus Christ,
fully human, fully God.
Jesus proclaimed the reign of God:
preaching good news to the poor
and release to the captives,
teaching by word and deed
and blessing the children,
healing the sick
and binding up the brokenhearted,
eating with outcasts,
forgiving sinners,
and calling all to repent and believe the gospel.
Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition,
Jesus was crucified,
suffering the depths of human pain
and giving his life for the sins of the world.
God raised this Jesus from the dead,
vindicating his sinless life,
breaking the power of sin and evil,
delivering us from death to life eternal.
A lesson written by Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church
Cary, NC
This lesson is copyrighted by the Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian, Cary, North Carolina
...consider using the short film titled, "Palm Sunday from http://palmsundayfilm.com/
It won the Telly Award for the "Best Short Religious Film" of 2012. It features two boys goofing off during Holy Week services, only to find themselves suddenly transported to Golgotha.
It's an interesting discussion starter. 5 minutes long. One boy seems to be "going along" and seems to "get it" more than the other.
Note: the film isn't really about Palm Sunday as it is titled, but rather, it's more about Good Friday.
Here's a YouTube version of it posted by the producer:
Mercy Me's "Flawless" music video -lyrics and images- are great for starting a discussion about "what the cross does for us." The words and images are particularly geared for those who don't feel worthy, those who feel "flawed" by sin or by a condition.
My approach to teaching with the video would also include having my kids "recreate" the video and record it ...recreating the visual "mud" to clean transformation, holding signs, etc. like the people seen in the video.
I'd have my kids come up with their own ideas of what people think of as their "flaws" that make them feel "less than" worthy. (For example, a kid with a sign who feels guilty about not coming to church).
The image of the band in white clothes "stained" by mud, then paint, and increasingly "cleaner" as the music progresses is interesting and might be fun to recreated as well.
Perhaps the only theological quibble I have is with some minor "phrasing" in lyrics which suggest that grace is conditional on our acceptance (works). In fact, being the good Reformed character that I am, me and John Calvin teach that justification (acceptance by God) is unconditional and already given by the offering on the cross. It is Sanctification (the process by which we acknowledge and participate in God's Kingdom) that requires our acceptance and forward movement! Failure at sanctification then or now, however, is a forgone conclusion (though still we are called to keep trying). Only Jesus succeeded!
Jesus carries his cross to Calvary
The Crucifixion
Son of God (2014) has an extensive (and intense) trial and cross scene, and a well-done
resurrection scene.
Of course, the depiction of the Trial and Crucifixion presents a challenge to teachers of younger children, and those older children who may struggle with seeing Jesus beaten and killed.
Looking over the various videos, you can go from "sad but sanitized" to full-on bloody torture (which is to say, "true"). The level of graphic violence in Son of God falls somewhere between movingly appropriate and graphic enough.
You can purchase the Son of God DVD or find it on-demand online. Below is a very modest quality preview of the movie found on YouTube that's for previewing, not for showing.
"Matthew" (Visual Bible) has a word-for-word narrated and dramatized retelling of the story of the Cross (according to Matthew). It is generally less bloody and less graphic than other movie depictions.
"Matthew" movie is the same one used in the lesson above that recommends using "The Story Behind the Cross." The difference is that in that movie, they inter-splice scenes of a teacher talking to students about the cross.
Link to a preview of Matthew on YouTube.
Worthy is the Lamb from Nest Family/Nest Entertainment presents an animated version of the Crucifixion suitable for younger children. It limits the graphic depiction of the story without skipping its drama.
Here's a low-resolution preview of part of the DVD on YouTube.
Here's a higher-res version of just the crucifixion scene on YouTube.
This 4-minute video from Crossroads Kids' Club is not as much about the crucifixion itself as it is about the idea of sacrificial lamb that begins in the Old Testament and culminates at the Cross.
God's Story: Preparing for Jesus from Crossroads Kids' Club on Vimeo.
"Throughout the Bible, God prepared us for his son, Jesus, the one who rescued us from all the wrong things in the world. We see examples of this in the story of Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19), the Passover (Exodus 12:1-30), the prophecy of Isaiah (Isaiah 53), and the Last Supper (Luke 22)."
A dramatic visualization from Igniter Media set to the famous words of "Sunday's Comin'" by Pastor S.M. Lockridge.
Link to the text: https://www.thegospelcoalition...aybut-sundays-comin/ Printing it would be helpful for discussion.
This three minute video from Pursue God would be a good discussion starter or introduction to a lesson on the Trial of Jesus. It's angle is "5 things you need to know about Jesus before he went to the cross." Top 5 List: the Trial of Jesus
The Five Points:
There is a K-1 lesson plan pdf at the video link above that includes a coloring sheet if your kids like to color while discussing things.
Video: “Rez, the Rock that Rolled” (available for free on YouTube)
Matthew 21:1-11
Mark 11:1-10
Luke 19:28-44
John 12:12-19
Welcome the children and introduce yourself. Make sure you are wearing your name tag and that the children are wearing theirs. Take a few minutes for the children to introduce themselves if appropriate.
When the movie is over, talk with the kids a little about the story:
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