The Resurrection

A Storytelling Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

The children will participate in a creative reading of Matthew 28. They will play “Jesus says” to remind them of what Jesus calls us to do. They will use feathers to explore faith and the presence of the Holy Spirit

Scripture Reference:

Matthew 28 (entire chapter)

Memory Verse:
“Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:19-20 CEV)

Concepts:

• Jesus Christ is always present with us and with his church
• Jesus tells us to teach others how to be his disciples
• Even Disciples sometimes doubt.

Leader Preparation:

• Read the scripture passages.
• Prepare a closing prayer.
• Check out the room before your first Sunday workshop so that you know where everything is located.
• Make cue cards for the story sound. Use markers to make cue cards on strips of poster board or card stock paper. Make one card for every sound and put the cards in order so that you can simply raise the next card. This is easier than shuffling around for a particular cue card.
• Gather the materials.

Materials List:

• Cue cards
• Feathers
• Masking tape for finish line
• Journal page
• Pens, pencils

Lesson Plan

Opening:
Greet the children and introduce yourself. Wear your nametag.

Explain the purpose of this workshop.

Dig:

Scripture/Bible Story:
Tell the Bible Story. Read the scripture from the attached version that shows where sounds can be made. You are going to read the scripture as the children respond, in unison, to cue cards, held up as the story is told. The kids are to make the sound or noise for that card. Practice a couple of lines and cues before you begin.

Younger kids: Show the kids a sample of each card and practice the corresponding sound.
Older kids: Show them a couple of cue cards so they get the idea, but let the kids make up the sounds as they see the cards. They will need to listen closely to the text to figure out the sound and emphasis eg: Ahhhh, a snake picture is translated: Hiss!

Optional: Ask a helper to hold up the next cue card for you.

Application:

1. Play a version of Simon Says called Jesus Says.
Ask the kids to stand. You are going to make some “Jesus Says” statements. If the statement is true, start acting it out. If the statement is false, do nothing.

Anyone who gets it wrong, takes a step back (behind the other where they can watch for clues) Discuss why and then continue. Those who get it right, stay in front or step forward if they were behind.

Jesus says: Go everywhere and baptize people.
Jesus says: Do unto others only when you are mad.
Jesus says: Feed the poor and needy.
Jesus says: Pray to God.
Jesus says: Love only your friends.
Jesus says: Tell the Good News about me to everyone.
Jesus says: Don’t do homework on Sunday.
Jesus says: Play with matches
Jesus says: Smile and be happy.
Jesus says: Only tell little lies.
Jesus says: Love yourself.
Jesus says: Love others
Jesus says: Fight with your siblings if they are mean to you.
Jesus says: Help each other make good choices.

2. Discuss that all of these actions are ways that Jesus has taught us to be his disciples.

Do you believe it? Do you believe everything you are told? What if I told you I was a sky diver. Would you believe me? Why or why not? What would make you believe me? (If I saw it)

So, you only believe what you see? Give everyone a feather. They are to move the feather at least 3 feet without touching it. Older kids: Blow the feather across a finish line set up with masking tape on the floor. Let the kids figure out that they can blow the feather to move it.

What moved the feather? (Blowing, air) Did you see the air? (no) then how do you know it was there? (experience, feel)

What other things do we know are true and work, but we can’t see or understand how it works? (Airplanes in the sky, radio waves, TV broadcasts, cell phones)

Even the disciples doubted that what the women told them was true until they saw Jesus. So, how do we know that Jesus was resurrected when none of us saw it happen? (The Bible is our authority). That is what faith is: believing in the Bible and what it tells us about Jesus even when we didn’t see it for ourselves.

The Holy Spirit is like the wind that moves the feather along. It gently moves us to be more like Jesus. Whenever you feel a soft breeze, remember the Holy Spirit is with you at that very moment and every other moment.

Reflection:

Ask the shepherds to pass out the journal sheets and pencils/markers. Suggestion: Paste your feather on your journal page and tape another one to your clothing as a reminder to share the Resurrection story with a parent or friend. Remember: the Holy Spirit is with you.

Prompts for journal writing: What can you do this week to go and teach others what Jesus taught his disciples? What things does Jesus want us to teach others? What did He teach his disciples?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for your son Jesus. We know he is with us always. Help us follow your actions. Remind us to be kind to others. We pray for your guidance in learning to be disciples. Amen

Tidy and Dismissal: Ask children to help tidy up.

Matthew 28 Contemporary English Version

1The Sabbath was over, and it was almost daybreak (rooster) on Sunday when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb (footsteps). Suddenly a strong earthquake struck (Oh-No!), and the Lord’s angel came down from heaven (Ahhh!) He rolled away the stone and sat on it.

3The angel looked as bright as lightning (Ahhh!) and his clothes were white as snow. The guards shook from fear (Oh-No!) and fell down, as though they were dead.

5The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was nailed to the cross (nail). He isn’t here! God has raised him to life, just as Jesus said he would (Happy Face). Come, see the place where his body was lying (footsteps). Now hurry! Tell his disciples that he has been raised to life and is on his way to Galilee (Ahhh!) Go there, and you will see him. That is what I came to tell you.”

8The women were frightened (scared face) and yet very happy (happy face), as they hurried from the tomb and ran (footsteps) to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and greeted them. (happy face). They went near him, held on to his feet, and worshiped him. (Praise) Then Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid! Tell my followers to go to Galilee. (footsteps). They will see me there.”

11While the women were on their way (footsteps), some soldiers who had been guarding the tomb went into the city (footsteps). They told the chief priests everything that had happened. (Ahhhh!) So the chief priests met with the leaders and decided to bribe the soldiers with a lot of money (hiss!) “Tell everyone that Jesus’ disciples came during the night and stole his body while you were asleep” (boo!)

14If the governor hears about this, we will talk to him (Hiss). You won’t have anything to worry about.” The soldiers took the money (boo!) and did what they were told. The people of Judea still tell each other this story (boo!)

16Jesus’ eleven disciples went to a mountain in Galilee (footsteps) where Jesus had told them to meet him. They saw him and worshiped him (Praise), but some of them doubted (Ahhh!)

18Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and earth (Ahhhh!). (Point to a display of the memory verse and recite in unison) Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.

Cue Card picture ideas sound or word

• Rooster cockadoodle doo!
• Happy Face Hoo-ray!!
• Feet footsteps (shoes on floor)
• Ahhhhh! Ahhhh! (knowing sound)
• Scared face Oh-No!
• Nail (fist on floor) pound pound
• Hands in prayer “Praise God” or some other praise sound
• Boo! Boo!
• Snake Hiss!

A lesson written by Catherine from: Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church
Cary, NC
A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability