Resurrection

OBJECTIVE

The children will learn that they should have hope in Christ, who conquered death. Though fear can often disturb our faith here on earth, the children will be encouraged to not be afraid of anything on earth because of Resurrection.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 10 Minutes

Bring the following supplies :

A dirty penny
A cup
1 tsp. salt
¼ cup of vinegar

With the kids, combine the vinegar and salt in a cup.

Drop the dirty penny into the cup and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes.

When you pull the penny out of the cup, you will find the old, dirty penny has been transformed into a clean, shiny penny.

Discuss how the penny demonstrates sin in our lives. The dirty penny is like our sin-filled lives, but when we accept Jesus as our Savior and receive His forgiveness, He washes away our sin and we're made "new" -- just like the penny

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

Biblical narratives of Jesus' Resurrection:

Matthew 28:1-20
Mark 16
Luke 24
John 20

Memory Verse: "I am the Resurrection and the life." (John 11:25)

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 15 Minutes

God had sent His son to die for the sins of the world. Even though it hurt very much, Jesus decided to obey God.

Jesus could have called all of the angels in heaven to come and help Him,but He did not do anything to save Himself because He knew that the only way to save everyone from sin was to die on the cross and rise from the dead.Today we will revisit the story of Resurrection and learn about the importance of this great event to humanity.

The Story of Jesus' Resurrection

After Jesus' crucifixion, a man named Joseph of Arimathea wrapped His body in white linen and buried Him in a new tomb.

Early morning on the third day after Jesus's death and burial, a few of the women decided to go visit the tomb. They planned to take care of His body and anoint it, but when they came to the tomb, they were shocked to find the stone was already removed from the door.

Angels stood outside the tomb and told the women, "He is not here,but is risen" Mary Magdalene was standing outside the tomb wondering what had happened. She was confused and thought that somebody had taken Jesus' body. She did not understand what the angels were saying.

Then she heard a voice behind her saying, "Woman, why are you weeping?" Mary didn't recognize the voice but thought it must be the gardener who worked near the tomb. "Please Sir, If you have taken His body, please tell me where you put it."

"Mary" the voice came again. But this time, Mary recognized the voice. "Teacher" she said as her heart flared up with gladness. It was Jesus. He was really alive. "Go and tell my brothers," Jesus said. Mary turned and ran as fast as she could. It was true Jesus was alive She had just seen Him with her own eyes. She was so excited and could not wait to tell the disciples and all the people that Jesus had truly risen.

After He rose from the dead He appeared to many people. Two men were walking along a road talking about Jesus when He just appeared right there with them.

His disciples had gathered and He appeared right there in the room with them. He ate with them and even let them touch the scars He had from when He had been crucified.

More and more people began to realize that Jesus was no longer dead. JESUS WAS ALIVE

Christ rose from the dead by Himself without ‎anybody raising Him... All those who were raised before, were raised by others: The daughter of Jairus, the son of the widow of Nain, ‎and Lazarus were raised by Christ. But Christ rose by Himself because He had ‎the power of Resurrection in Him.

The Coptic Feast of Resurrection:

It is one of the seven Major Feasts of the Lord.
It always lies on Sunday that follows Holy Pascha week.
The church celebrates it with a Eucharistic liturgy on Saturday evening that concludes at midnight.
The Gospel reading for the feast is John 20:1-18.

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 10 Minutes

Who rolled away the stone from Jesus' tomb? An angel.
Who did Jesus first appear to after His Resurrection? Mary Magdalene.
Who did Mary Magdalene think He was? The gardener.
Why is the feast of Resurrection always on Sunday? Jesus rose from the dead early Sunday morning.
Is this feast one of the major or minor feasts of the Lord? It is one of the Seven Major Feasts of the Lord.
Why is crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ so important to us? The Son of God defeated death by rising from the dead to grant us salvation and eternal life.

LIFE APPLICATION - 10 Minutes

We thank God every morning as sunrise reminds us of Jesus' Resurrection.

We should not be afraid of death because we know that there is no death, but a departure. Jesus went to heaven to prepare places for us there,and for us to go to heaven we need to follow His words, such as:

Love one another
Help the poor and needy
Pray and read the bible
Give alms
Attend church liturgies and take communion.

ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes

Option 1: Word search

See attachment below

Option 2: Resurrection Craft

Materials needed:

Blue, brown and black construction paper
Scissors
Metal split pins
Sticker crosses
Glue
Pen

Cut out one brown half circle and one smaller black half circle and glue them to each other as shown.Glue the back of the brown one to the blue construction paper sheet.Cut out a brown circle and fix it with the metal split pin to serve as the stone at the door of the tomb.Let each kid attach a sticker cross to the tomb and write down 'Jesus is risen' or the memory verse ' I am the Resurrection and the life'.

You can also get brown rock paper through this link: Brown Rock Paper - 8 1/2" x 11" | Hobby Lobby

Videos:

SERVANT RESOURCES

SUSCopts - Feast of the Holy Resurrection

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

Review the story of Resurrection with the kids and encourage them to attend the Eve of the feast of Resurrection in church. Parents need to emphasize that the feast of Resurrection 'Easter' is not just about the Easter bunny and eggs

Encourage the kids to memorize parts of the 1st hour (Prime) Agpeya prayer (depending on their age)as it is a reminder of Jesus' Resurrection.