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
Option 1:
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
Option 2:
Provide each child with a small slip of paper and a pen. Invite each child to write down their greatest fear. Remind them that this will all be anonymous, so they can be honest. Collect all the responses in a bowl and then redistribute the responses randomly. Have children read the fear that is on their paper one by one. This will help you, as a servant, gauge where the fears of your children are. This can serve as an entry point to the discussion below.
Why do you think people are scared of death? If you are scared of dying, why?
Maybe because of the uncertainty, many people aren't sure what will happen after they die. Maybe because we don't want to leave our loved ones and they don't want to leave us. Maybe because we love the earth and love all the things we can do or the things we own.
It is a scary thought and many people are scared to even think about it.
Do you think we should be scared of death? No Today we are going to talk about why we should not see death as something scary.
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)
"that I may know Him and the power of His Resurrection.." (Philippians 3:10)
CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 20 Minutes
God knew that the only way to save everyone from sin was to send His only begotten Son 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. The two disciples of Emmaus 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
From the story of Resurrection, what were some ways the power of Resurrection was manifested and what was its impact?
- Christ came out of the tomb while it was closed. He had also come out of St.Virgin Mary's womb with her virginity sealed. Also in His appearances to His disciples after Resurrection He came into the place where they were assembled while "the doors were shut" (John 20:19).
- 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 Himself rose by Himself because He had the power of Resurrection in Him. St. Paul says to death "O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" (1 Corinthians 15:55)
- And Christ rose regardless of the tight guarding, the tomb securing, the stone sealing and the large stone which was against the door of the tomb. Therefore when St. Paul the apostle knew Him, he said: "that I may know Him and the power of His Resurrection" (Philippians 3:10). He knew the power of His Resurrection because He saw Him after this Resurrection when a great light appeared to him on his way to Damascus (Acts 9). His power while He was inside the tomb was stronger than every power standing outside His tomb. He left the tomb at a time that nobody knew, on Sunday at dawn, and the large stone remained in its place until an angel came and rolled back the stone to announce the Resurrection which had already happened. And thus, the women were able to see the empty tomb.
- His power converted the disciples from weak frightened people to heroes preaching with all their strength.
- His power between death and Resurrection: This was His power after His death with which He was able to open the doors of Hades, and get out the spirits after He preached salvation to them (1 Peter 3:19).
- The Lord Christ indicated with His Resurrection that He was more powerful than death and that His death was not a weakness of Him.He gave us hope through His Resurrection.."We look for the Resurrection of the dead."
Our beautiful church reminds us of this fact in many ways, such as:
- Every Sunday we remember the Resurrection of Christ.
- In the litany of the departed in the Vespers,the priest prays: "For there is no death for your servants but a departure."
- We have icons of our beloved saints in church all around us, to remind us that our beloved saints are alive in heaven and they are praying for us.
The Coptic Feast of Resurrection:
- It is one of the seven Major Feasts of the Lord.
- It is preceded by Great Lent (55 days). Its delight continues for fifty days until the Pentecost. Resurrection is also essentially celebrated on every Sunday, for the church wishes that all believers may enjoy the new risen life in Jesus Christ (Romans 6:4).
- 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.
- It is celebrated with joyous festive tunes.
DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 10 Minutes
- 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 didn't Jesus save Himself from the cross?Because He knew it was only through His death and Resurrection that we would be saved.
- 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.
- What are the biggest fears we have?How can we conquer them?Allow kids to talk about them.
- Mention a few ways where the power of Resurrection was manifested.Mentioned above.
LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes
The Son of God came in human form to bring redemption and salvation to anyone who would believe in Him.Therefore we should not be afraid of death because we know that there is no death, but a departure. So where are we departing to? Christ told us that once He rises from the dead He will prepare for us a place in heaven (John 14:2-3).
For us to inherit the Kingdom of God we need to follow His words, such as:
- Love one another
- Help the poor and needy
- Fast and pray
- Give alms
- Attend church liturgies and take communion.
We might see that our path is different or harder than others, but we need to remember that we are just preparing ourselves for God's kingdom.
ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes
Option 1: A Ticket to Heaven
Print a blank ticket for each kid and let them write down things they can do to inherit the kingdom of heaven ,as shown in the model ticket.
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 the memory verse 'He is not here, but is risen'
You can also get brown rock paper through this link: Brown Rock Paper - 8 1/2" x 11" | Hobby Lobby
SERVANT RESOURCES
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. Encourage the kids to pray the 1st hour (Prime) Agpeya prayer every morning as it reminds us of Jesus' Resurrection.