Welcome!
We’re so excited that you stopped over to see what’s happening in kids ministry! Each week we’ll have all information and links you need to stay up-to-date right here in one convenient place.
We have options for you to work through the lesson with your family or set your kids up to watch one of our virtual lessons.
What we’re studying this month
LEVEL UP: A 4-WEEK SERIES ON EASTER
When we think of Easter, we may think of dying eggs, egg hunts, the Easter bunny, and dressing up in your Sunday best on Easter Sunday. But there’s so much more to Easter than that. What really happened to Jesus over 2,000 years ago, and how does it affect us today? In this series, kids will become detectives to look for clues and discover the true meaning of Easter. Kids will learn about Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey, Jesus celebrating a special meal with His disciples, the crucifixion and resurrection, and Jesus ascending to heaven and giving His followers a special mission.
DOWNLOAD THIS MONTH’S ELEMENTARY PARENT GUIDE
DOWNLOAD THIS MONTH’S PRESCHOOL PARENT GUIDE
How to Study at Home
Get your Child a snack
Read the Bible Story to your child and/or
Click on the link to the YouTube Playlist for that week and watch the videos. Lessons each week brought to you by our Children’s Director Melissa. “in-person” lessons complete with worship music, videos, games, memory work, and more.
Review Memory work and Pray with your kids when they are done
If you have time or the desire - choose one of the follow-up activities to help the kids engage with the lesson
Weekly Lesson Plan -
INSTRUCTIONS: Look up the story in your Bible. See if your kids can guess the Big Idea.
THE BIBLE: The Crucifixion and Resurrection: John 18:28-20:18
BIG IDEA: Every Easter, we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.
INSTRUCTIONS: So far, our lessons have told us that, every Easter, we worship Jesus. (Remember the story of the donkey and the people with palm branches?) And every Easter, we remember Jesus’ sacrifice. (Remember the special meal Jesus shared with His disciples?)
Our Bible story today is awesome, but it does have some parts that are sad and sometimes hard to hear. I promise that the ending is the most important and best part of God’s story! As we’re listening to the story, think about the clues that help us figure out what Easter is about.
Look up the story in your Bible and read it to your preschoolers.
Did Jesus ever do anything wrong? No, Jesus never did anything wrong, He was without sin. But Jesus still died on the cross.
Why did Jesus die on the cross?He had to die so he could take away all our sins, and he did that because he loves us so much.
After He died, Jesus’ body was put inside a tomb. Three days later, what did Mary find at the tomb? An empty tomb! Jesus was alive! The news of Jesus being alive is great news for those who believe in Him! It means we can be forgiven of our sins and have a relationship with Jesus! I think that’s reason to celebrate!
When Jesus rose from the dead on the first Easter Sunday, everyone celebrated. Thousands of years later, we still celebrate Easter because we want to continue celebrating that Jesus is alive!
Additional SCRIPTURE| Hosea 13:14; 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
INSTRUCTIONS: Read Hosea 13:14; 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
We’ve been talking about clues from the Old Testament, called prophecies, that point to the story of Easter. First, I want to read you a verse from the Old Testament in the book of Hosea. Then I want to read you a book from the New Testament in the book I Corinthians.
What does 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 say about death and the grave? It says death has no power over Christ.
How did Jesus overcome death? When He rose from the grave He proved that He could beat death. It had no power over Him!
Because Jesus rose from the dead, He gives us that power to beat sin and separation from God. Let’s celebrate Jesus’ resurrection together!
DISCUSSION: Snack and Discussion
INSTRUCTIONS: Pass out a snack to all of your preschoolers and ask them to sit and listen while they eat. Your discussion will be more effective when they're busy sitting and snacking!
Did Jesus ever sin?(No, Jesus never sinned)
Why did Jesus die on the cross for us?(Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins so we can be forgiven and be best friends with God.)
What happened after Jesus died? (They put His body in s tomb and rolled a heavy stone over the entrance.)
What did Mary find when she went to the tomb three days later?(The tomb was empty and Jesus was not there.)
Is it great news that Jesus came back to life? (Yes!)
PRAYER
Toddler Tips: A toddler needs may have trouble understanding the concept of prayer because they cannot see God. Echo Prayer is a good strategy to encourage and teach kids how to talk to God. The teacher or parent speaks aloud a short segment of the prayer, and the children echo back the same sentence or phrase.
Dear God, thank you that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and that He rose from the dead. We are celebrating today that Jesus is alive! We love you, amen.