This lesson teaches children one simple truth: Jesus rose from the dead, and because he is alive, we have hope that we will live with him forever. It is best for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jesus is alive! He beat death, and because he did, God’s people will be raised to new life too. We never have to be afraid of the end of life.
Memory Verse
1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both fists up high, then open their hands wide like a victory cheer on the word “victory.” Have them do it together three times so the words and the motion stick.
The Story: 1 Corinthians 15 for Kids
A long time ago, a man named Paul wrote a letter to the church in the city of Corinth. The people there had heard the Good News about Jesus, and they had believed it. Paul wanted to remind them of the most important part of that message.
Paul told them that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and then rose again on the third day. This was not a made-up story. Many people saw Jesus alive after he rose. Peter saw him, and so did his twelve friends. Later, more than five hundred people saw him at one time. Paul even said that Jesus appeared to him too.
Some people in Corinth were saying that dead people would never come back to life. Paul said that if that were true, then Jesus would not be alive either. But Jesus is alive! Paul wrote that Jesus was the first of many, like the first fruit of a harvest, and that everyone who belongs to him will be raised too.
Paul asked a fun question. When you plant a tiny seed in the ground, it looks like it dies. But out of it grows a beautiful plant. God can make our bodies new in the same way. Paul told the people that the day is coming when death will be swallowed up in victory. He said, “Death, where is your sting?” Death does not get the last word. Jesus does!
So Paul ended with encouragement. He told his friends to stand strong and keep doing good work for the Lord, because the work they do for him is never wasted.
Read It Together
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…
(WEB)
Point out the words “died for our sins” and “raised on the third day.” Ask the children to say “Jesus died, Jesus rose” with you, so they know the story from the very start.
1 Corinthians 15:20
But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep.
(WEB)
Show the children that Jesus is called the “first fruits.” Explain that the first crop of a harvest is a promise that more is coming, just as Jesus’ rising is a promise that his people will rise too.
1 Corinthians 15:42-44
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown perishable; it is raised imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body.
(WEB)
Bring out a seed or a small bean and let the children look at it closely. Explain that the seed is planted and seems lost, but God raises it up as a plant, which is a picture of how God will make our bodies new.
Talk About It
- What did Jesus do when he was on the cross, and what happened three days later?
- How did the people who saw Jesus after he rose feel, do you think?
- What does it mean that Jesus is the first fruits of God’s harvest?
- How can knowing that Jesus is alive help you when you feel sad or scared?
- What is one good thing you can do this week to show that you belong to Jesus?
Activity Ideas
Seed to Flower Drawing
You will need paper, crayons, and a few dry bean seeds. Have each child glue a seed to the bottom of the paper, then draw a green stem and a bright flower growing up from it. As they draw, talk about how the seed looks like it dies but grows into something new, just as Jesus rose and we will be made new.
Victory Cheer Game
Gather the children in an open space. Call out “Death!” and have them crouch down low like they are hiding. Then call out “Victory!” and have them jump up with arms raised high and shout “Jesus is alive!” Play several rounds, mixing up the order, so the children remember that victory always comes after the hard part.
Take-Home Seed Packet
Give each child a small paper envelope and a few bean seeds to take home. On the front, have them write “Jesus is alive!” Ask them to plant the seeds with their family this week and watch them grow, reminding everyone at home that God makes new life.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is one of the clearest teachings in the Bible about the resurrection. Paul shows that Jesus’ rising is the foundation of Christian hope, and that God’s people will one day receive new, imperishable bodies. The chapter also reminds us that the work we do for the Lord is never in vain.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the details of what heaven or the new body will be like. Paul himself uses pictures like seeds and stars, and he admits that the full mystery is larger than our words. Keep the focus on the simple promise that Jesus is alive and that death has lost.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that Jesus is alive! Thank you that he beat death and that we will live with him forever. Help us to stand strong and to do good work for you every day. Help us remember that you always keep your promises. Amen.
