Preschool WEEK 1 (April 31/1st) Jesus crucifixion and resurrection(32.2) Bible Passage: Matthew 26:36 28:10; John 18:1 20:18 Main Point: Jesus is alive Key Passage : We know that Christ will never die again Romans 6:9 Big Picture Question: Who saves us from our sin? Jesus saves us from sin. Leader Bible Study God s law for the people was plain. Read Deuteronomy 6:5. But God s people, and all people, have broken the law. We have loved other things more than we love God. That is sin. Jesus purpose for coming to earth was to save us from our sin. (Matt. 1:21) Why did Jesus have to die? Why couldn t He just say, You are forgiven? God is just and requires due payment for sin. To simply forgive sin without requiring a payment would be unjust. According to God s Word, the payment of sin is death. (Rom. 6:23) But not only is God just, He is also loving. That is why Jesus was willing to die in our place. Jesus came to live and die to show God s love to us (Rom. 5:7-8) so that whoever believes in Him might not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) Jesus came to die so that we would be forgiven. (Eph. 1:7) Jesus came to die to bring us to God. (1 Pet. 3:18) Jesus died on the cross to satisfy the wrath of God toward sin. Jesus resurrection proved that God was satisfied with Jesus sacrifice, and forgiveness and life are found in Him. (See 1 Cor. 15:17.) If Jesus had died but not been raised up, He would have been like military leaders who died without a throne. (Acts 5:33-37) But Jesus conquered death, just as He said He would. (John 2:19-21) Jesus resurrection gives us hope for our resurrection. (Rom. 6:5) Romans 8:11 says that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will raise our bodies to life. Jesus crucifixion and resurrection are not the end of the story, but the center of it. Everything that was written about Jesus in the Old Testament and spoken by the prophets was coming true. As you teach preschoolers this Bible story, emphasize the gospel: the good news of who Jesus is and what He has done. BEFORE THE SERVICE: Be sure music is playing as kids arrive. Set out today s Activity Page and some crayons at the tables. Review the activities to make sure you re prepared for the day. 1
WELCOME Greet children by name as they arrive, welcoming the parents as well. Direct them to play together. At 5 minutes after the beginning of service, have them sit at the table to complete today s Activity Page. 1. ACTIVITY PAGE: Color by number Guide preschoolers to color each space the appropriate color based on the number. Say: Look at your beautiful stained glass window! What is the shape in the middle of the window? Yes, a cross. The cross reminds us of the most important thing that ever happened. We will hear more about that in today s Bible story. 2. COLLECT THE OFFERING Pass around the offering bag or bucket to collect any offering for today. Say: Why do we collect offering? (Answer: To pass the blessings God has given us back to His church!) LARGE GROUP 1. MUSIC While the kids finish playing or coloring, get the worship DVD ready. Choose 3 or 4 songs to sing today. Say: It s large group time! Come sit in a circle with us! We re going to sing some fun songs together that worship God! Why do we sing to God? (Answer: To honor Him with our worship!) 2. STORY TIME Lead children to sit down, and cross their legs and listen as you read the story or as they watch the bible story video. Pass an empty box. Ask children to guess the contents of the box. Open the box to reveal that it is empty. Say: In today s Bible story, two women discovered something that was empty. Listen to hear what was empty and why this was the best news ever! Jesus crucifixion and resurrection Matthew 26:36 28:10; John 18:1 20:18 Jesus and His friends went to a garden. Jesus was very sad. He prayed to God: My Father! If it is possible, let Me save Your people another way. But if this is Your plan, I will do it! While Jesus prayed, His friends fell asleep. Get up, Jesus said. It is time. Then Judas, one of Jesus disciples, came with a large crowd. Judas kissed Jesus to show the crowd which person was Jesus. The men in the crowd arrested Jesus. Peter tried to stop the men, but Jesus told Peter not to fight them. Jesus knew this was all a part of God s plan. Jesus followers ran away, but Peter stayed nearby and watched. Three times, people saw Peter and said, Aren t you friends with Jesus? Peter said, No! each time. Jesus was taken to the high priest. Are You really the Messiah, the Son of God? the high priest asked. Yes, Jesus said. He has spoken against God! He deserves to die! the men said. They did not believe Jesus was God s Son. 2
When morning came, the men took Jesus to see Pilate (PIGH luht), the governor. Are You the King of the Jews? Pilate asked. Yes, Jesus said. What should I do with Jesus? Pilate asked the people. Kill Him on a cross! the people replied. Crucify Him! Pilate s soldiers made a crown of thorns and put it on Jesus head. They put a purple robe around Him and pretended to bow down to Him. Then they led Jesus away. Jesus was nailed to a cross. They put a sign above Jesus head that said: THIS IS JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two criminals were crucified next to Jesus. Darkness covered the land. In the afternoon, Jesus cried out, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Jesus died and was buried in a tomb. A large stone was rolled in front of the tomb, and Pilate s soldiers guarded the tomb so that no one would steal Jesus body. On the third day, two of Jesus friends, both named Mary, went to the tomb. They were very sad. Suddenly there was a big earthquake as an angel came down from heaven. The angel rolled away the stone and sat on it. The guards fainted. The angel spoke to the women, Do not be afraid! Jesus is not here! He has been raised from the dead, just as He said He would. The women were so happy! Jesus was alive! Just then, Jesus met them. He said, Good morning! The women worshiped Him. Jesus said, Do not be afraid anymore. Go and tell My friends to go to Galilee. I will meet them there. Christ Connection: The most important thing that ever happened is that Jesus died and was raised from the dead. Jesus never did anything wrong, but He was punished because we sinned. God forgives us for sin because Jesus died for us. God raised Jesus from the dead to be King over everything. 3. TALK ABOUT THE BIBLE STORY Say: The most important thing that ever happened is that Jesus died and was raised from the dead. God sent Jesus to earth for this reason. It was very hard, but Jesus wanted to do God s plan no matter what. Jesus died on the cross and is alive. Because Jesus died and came back to life, we can be rescued from sin. Point to the Bible story picture on the giant timeline or big story circle as you ask the following review questions: The sign above Jesus head said He was King of the Jews. Was that true or not true? (true) Who guarded Jesus tomb so no one could steal His body? (soldiers) What happened three days after Jesus body was put in the tomb? (Jesus rose from the dead.) Who discovered the empty tomb? (the two Marys) Whom did the women see after the angel told them Jesus was alive? (Jesus) 3
4. KEY PASSAGE Read the key passage aloud several times. Sing together the key passage song. Say: Our key passage reminds us about what we heard in our Bible story Jesus is alive! Jesus died on the cross and is alive. Jesus did everything needed to rescue people from sin. He will never die again! We know (point to your head) that Christ (point to heaven) will never die again (shake you finger to make NO) Romans 6:9 (open hands like a book) 5. PRAYER REQUESTS Say: Why do we pray? (Answer: To open our hearts to God and talk to Him!) Ask the group if anyone has any prayer requests. Write their prayer requests in the notebook, then finish by praying, being sure to pray for each request BIBLE STORY ACTIVITIES 1. Make cross art Provide each child with a sheet with a large cross shape on it. Have a variety of items such as colorful tissue paper, foam shapes, jewels, stickers and other items for toddlers to decorate the cross. You can write the Main Point on each child s art. Say: God sent Jesus to earth because He loves us. Jesus is alive! 2. n/a SNACK & PLAYTIME Go around and give each child a little bit of hand sanitizer to clean their hands, then give them each a graham cracker and small cup of water. Once snack is done, have a teacher lead the kids in the game while the other(s) can begin cleaning up the room and set out any take-home papers in the hallway where you or parents can get them easily at pick-up (coloring page, any craft and Big Picture Cards). GAME OPTION #1: Roll the stone Guide preschoolers to stand in a large circle. Roll an exercise ball to a preschooler and encourage him to roll it to another preschooler in the circle. Sing the following lyrics to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb as preschoolers roll the ball. Make sure each child gets a chance to roll the ball. Jesus died, but He s alive, He s alive, He s alive! 4
Jesus died, but He s alive! The stone was rolled away! Say: A big earthquake came as the two Marys were at Jesus tomb. An angel came down from heaven and rolled away the stone that sat in front of Jesus tomb. Jesus died on the cross and is alive. Jesus never did anything wrong, but He was punished because we sinned. When we put our trust in Jesus, God forgives our sin because Jesus died for us. GAME OPTION #2 Parachute games Some ideas are: Popcorn : Place a number of bean bags, small balls, or cotton balls onto the parachute. Shake to make them pop up like "popcorn". Merry-Go-Round : Children turn their bodies sideways and hold the chute with one hand. They then walk around in a circle, making a "Merry-Go-Round." For variety, children can hop, skip, jump, etc. You can stop music as a cue to reverse and go the other direction. Ball Roll : Have the children try to roll the balls into the hole in the middle of the parachute. (Or have children try to keep the balls from going into the hole in the center.) Making Waves : Children can make small, medium, or large movements to make various types of "waves." All Change : The Teacher calls out birthday months, pre-assigned numbers, colors, etc, and those children swap places under the chute before it falls, and run to an empty space. Beach Ball Fun : Use a beach ball, moving it with waves, around on the parachute. Parachute Tag : Lift the parachute high overhead. Call one child's name and have her run (skip, hop, twirl or crawl) to the other side before the parachute comes down and tags her. DISMISSAL Greeter should stand just outside the classroom door with the attendance sheet, calling kids to come one at a time. Check that the parent and child tags match and collect them both at the door before allowing the child to leave. If parent lost their security tag, greeter should send parent to the check-in desk for approval (never allow a child to go to a parent unless they have the security tag). As children leave with their parents, remember to say: It was wonderful having you join us today! See you next week! and distribute the preschool lesson cards for families. 5