12 APRIL 2020

Lesson Summary for the Teacher

Jesus is Alive!

Bible Reference:
Matthew 26:20-50; 27:1-2; 28:1-7

Story Focus: Jesus Is Alive! Next is the most important thing we will ever share with preschoolers. It is the reason we follow Jesus and can truly be friends with Him forever. Jesus said He would go away but He would come back. Then He died. Jesus’ friends were so very sad. But on the third day, Jesus did come back, just like He said He would! This day is all about the truth that Jesus is alive!

Worship (Sing It)

Story (Watch It)

Story (Tell It)

WHAT YOU NEED: A Bible

LEADER: (Make a heart with your hands.)

“Okay, do you know what this is? (Pause.) Yes! This is a heart! Can you make a heart with your hands? (Pause while the children try.) Good job! I made a heart because the true story of Easter begins with God’s love for us. Give yourself a big hug . . . (Give yourself a hug.)

“. . . because God loves you SO much! God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus . . .

“. . . to be our friend forever. That’s right! God sent his Son, Jesus, to be our friend forever. But first something sad had to happen.

“One night, Jesus was having dinner with His friends.

“While they were eating, Jesus told His friends He would go away soon and then come back.
“After dinner, Jesus went to pray in a garden.

“While Jesus was in the garden, some angry people came and took Jesus away. The angry people hurt Jesus so bad that He died. All of Jesus’ friends were so very sad. Can you show me your sad face? (Make a sad face and encourage the children to do so as well.)

“Then Jesus’ friends put His body in a tomb . . .

“. . . with a big stone in front of it. Three sad days went by. Can you count them with me?” (Hold up your fingers while counting to three.)
CHILDREN AND LEADER: “One, two, three!”
LEADER: “On the third day, when some of Jesus’ friends went to the tomb, they saw the stone was rolled away and Jesus was not inside!

“Jesus came back, just like He said He would! Jesus is alive! Who is alive?”
CHILDREN AND LEADER: “Jesus is alive!”
LEADER: “Louder! Who is alive?”
CHILDREN AND LEADER: “Jesus is alive!”
LEADER: “And that is why we are celebrating. Easter is when we celebrate that Jesus is alive and He wants to be our friend forever.

“Okay, friends, it’s time to close our eyes and talk to God.”

PRAYER

LEADER: “Dear God, we celebrate that Jesus is Your Son. We celebrate that Jesus died and came back, just like He said. We celebrate that Jesus is alive and He wants to be our friend forever. Thank You for Jesus, and happy Easter, God! We love You. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Story (Practice It)

Memory Verse

“I am alive for ever and ever!” (Revelation 1:18 NIV)

Bottom Line

Jesus is Alive

Group (Link It)

JESUS IS ALIVE MEMORY GAME
WHAT YOU NEED: “Jesus is Alive Memory Cards” Activity Page and cardstock

WHAT YOU DO:
BEFORE THE ACTIVITY: Make two copies of the “Jesus is Alive Memory Cards” Activity Page on cardstock and cut apart. Shuffle and place cards face down on the table in a grid pattern.
DURING THE ACTIVITY: Call on the children to take turns turning over two cards to find a match. If a child finds a match, he may take another turn. If the child does not find a match, play moves to the next child. Once all matches have been found, lay out the cards in the following order to review today’s Bible story: Jesus by Himself, the mean soldiers, the closed tomb, and Jesus outside the open tomb with stone. Play again as time and interest allow.

WHAT YOU SAY:
DURING THE ACTIVITY: “Let’s play a memory match game! When it’s your turn, I want you to turn over two cards to try and find a match. If you find a match, you may take another turn. If not, another friend will have a turn! (Play the game.)
“Great job! Let’s see. First Jesus prayed on his own in the garden. Then some mean soldiers came and took Jesus away. Then Jesus died and they placed His body in the tomb. It was VERY sad, but then something amazing happened! Jesus appeared outside the tomb. How? Because Jesus is alive!”
AFTER THE ACTIVITY: “This is the most amazing TRUE story ever! Jesus is alive! Who is alive? Jesus is alive. It’s true. And Jesus wants to be your friend forever.”