A Holy Week Video Workshop Lesson Sketch
for Younger Children

Video: “Rez, the Rock that Rolled” (available for free on YouTube)

Scripture Reference:

Matthew 21:1-11
Mark 11:1-10
Luke 19:28-44
John 12:12-19

Leader Preparation:

• Review the lesson plan, background materials, and Bible passage(s) for the workshop.
• Preview the video and make sure you know how to use the equipment to access the video and show it on a large screen.
• On the morning of the workshop, set up the popcorn machine and fill two pitchers with drinking water.
• Gather the Materials

Materials List:

• Video: “Rez, the Rock that Rolled” (God Rocks Bibletoons) for younger children.
• Popcorn maker and popcorn
• Paper bowls/cups for serving popcorn
• Napkins
• Pitcher(s) of drinking water and cups

Opening:

Welcome the children and introduce yourself. Make sure you are wearing your name tag and that the children are wearing theirs. Take a few minutes for the children to introduce themselves if appropriate.

Discuss and Show:

• Introduce the lesson: this month we are learning about Holy Week and Easter. Ask: Who can tell me why we celebrate Easter every year? Talk a little about what the children know about Easter.
• Introduce the video “Rez, the Rock that Rolled.” Explain that the movie is about the last week of Jesus’ life on earth – his arrival in Jerusalem for Passover, his arrest, his death on the cross, and his resurrection (when he came back to life). The movie tells the story of Jesus last days through the eyes of Gracie, a little bird, and Tombstone, the large rock that guarded Jesus’ tomb.
• Pass out popcorn and napkins and play the movie.

When the movie is over, talk with the kids a little about the story:

• What was Tombstone the rock guarding? (a tomb)
• What is a tomb? (a small cave or carved hole in rock where people in Bible times were placed after they died)
• What animal did Jesus ride into Jerusalem? (a donkey)
• What did the people do when Jesus rode into Jerusalem? (cheered, shouted “Hosanna!”, waved palm branches)
• What happened when Jesus was praying in the garden at night? (soldiers came and arrested him)
• What happened when Jesus was hung on the cross? (the earth shook and the sky went black; a great storm came)
• What did one of the soldiers say when he saw Jesus on the cross? (“Surely he was the son of God.)
• Where did they put Jesus’ body after he died? (in the tomb, with a large stone rolled in front to keep the tomb closed)
• What happened on the third day after Jesus died? (he came back to life; he walked out of the tomb)

This lesson sketch was originally posted by member Bravo5.