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Bible Lesson: John 20:1-18 “ is Alive!” (Adapted from Ministry-to-Children & Sunday school zone)

Read & Discuss Scripture – John 20:1-18 “Jesus is Alive!” (Feel free to read aloud or take turns reading. For younger students, please read the pdf pages shown below.)

“Now on the first day of the week came to the tomb early, while it was still dark and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other , the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” –John 20:1-2

Remember when Joseph and took Jesus down from the cross, they were in a hurry to bury Him, since it was almost the Sabbath. Mary wanted to finish the job of anointing the body. When she arrived, she found the tomb empty. In distress, Mary panicked, thinking the body might have been stolen. She hurried to find the disciples for help.

“So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus'[a] head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.” –John 20:3-10

What did it mean that the cloths wrapping Jesus were in the tomb, and His body was not? These cloth wrappings would not have been easy to strip off. The fact that they were just sitting there in the tomb, with the body evaporated out of them, was significant. Peter and John seem to understand, in some way, what that indicated, or at least John believed. When they left, Mary was still there, apparently too distraught to understand or even take in what was going on. Her last moments with her Lord, and she couldn’t even find His body!

“But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” -John 20:11-13

The absence of the body is still ALL Mary can think about. It seems like she hardly even realizes that she’s talking with angels. Maybe her tears blurred her vision...maybe her sadness was just too great. All of her hope seemed to be lost. Has there ever been a time that you felt so sad, you didn’t know what would make you happy again?

“Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic,[b] “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘ ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.” -John 20:14-18

Again, Mary has trouble recognizing what is before her. At first, she thinks Jesus is the gardener. Maybe the body Jesus had after the Resurrection looked different than it had before. When He says her name, though, Mary understands who is speaking. Her Lord, her teacher, her Messiah. Imagine that deep sorrow, suddenly transformed into joy, realizing that His body wasn’t missing—it was made new! Mary would have stayed there clinging to Christ, but He warned her that was not her role. She was to go tell others what she had seen. She must have been full of excitement to share the good news!

Are we excited? Regardless of how we celebrate, we can still be glad that Jesus has risen. Because of that, we don’t have to fear the future. Our earthly bodies will pass away, but that’s not the end for us. We will gain Heaven and Eternal life, because of Jesus. That gives us Easter hope every day. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ4gQniUVO8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL8R158Ujp4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2TiXMhATPg

Review Questions 1. What was put in front of the tomb where Jesus was buried? 2. Whom did Jesus first speak to when he had risen? 3. What had happened to Jesus? 4. Why should we celebrate Easter?

Prayer – Dear God, we thank you that Jesus, our Savior, is not in a grave. He is alive! We serve a risen Savior! Hallelujah! Amen.

Bible Activities Coloring pages – https://sundayschoolzone.com/activity/jesus-is-alive-coloring-page/view/ https://meaningfulmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Easter-Cross- Printable-Final.pdf

Crossword – https://sermons4kids.com/easter_2006_crossword.htm?fromSermonId=422

Word Search – https://sermons4kids.com/easter_2006_wordsearch.htm?fromSermonId=422 Song – “On This Happy Easter Day” (Tune: The Farmer in the Dell) Oh, we remember Jesus.. Oh, we remember Jesus. Oh, on this happy Easter Day, Oh, we remember Jesus.

Oh, Jesus is alive! Oh, Jesus is alive! Oh, on this happy Easter Day, Oh, Jesus is alive!

Craft 1 – Make your own Resurrection Eggs Using plastic eggs to teach children the resurrection story. Get children to help you gather the items for each egg. Retell the Easter story. These can also be used for an egg hunt game. http://playeatgrow.com/2012/03/play-and-grow-homemade-resurrection.html/ Resurrection Eggs for Preschoolers - https://i0.wp.com/happyhomefairy.com/wp- content/uploads/2012/04/easter-0011.jpg?ssl=1

Craft 2– “The ” Materials needed: *Paper plate * 2 popsicle sticks *Markers or crayons *Scissors *Glue or tape * Brad fasteners

Directions: 1. Cut the plate in half. 2. Decorate the plate in “stone-like” colors. 3. Cut an upside down “U” shape out of the bottom of the plate to create a stone “door”. 4. Attach the “stone to the “tomb” with a brad fastener. 5. Glue the popsicle sticks int o the shape of a cross, and attach it to the side of the plate. 6. Write “Christ is risen!” on the tomb.

Snack – Resurrection Rolls – https://www.apinchofjoy.com/2012/04/resurrection-rolls/