This lesson teaches children that Jesus is alive after he rose from the dead, and that he is still with his friends today. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jesus is alive! He rose from the dead, he walks with us, and he gives us joy even when we feel sad or confused.
Memory Verse
Luke 24:6
He isn’t here, but is risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee…
(WEB)
Have the children stand up and raise both arms high when they say “He is risen!” Then have them slowly lower their arms and sit down while they say “He is not here.” Repeat the motions three times until the words feel familiar.
The Story: Luke 24 for Kids
Early on the first day of the week, some women went to the tomb where Jesus had been buried. They carried sweet-smelling spices because they wanted to honor him. When they got there, the big stone at the entrance had been rolled away. Their friend Jesus was not inside the tomb, and they did not know what to think.
Suddenly two men in shining clothes stood beside them. The women were so scared that they bowed their faces to the ground. The men said, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? Jesus is not here. He is risen, just as he told you he would be!” The women remembered Jesus’ words, and they ran back to tell the others.
That same day, two of Jesus’ friends were walking to a village called Emmaus. They were sad and talking about everything that had happened. A stranger came up and walked with them. He asked them why they looked so unhappy, and they told him all about Jesus. The stranger explained from the Scriptures how the Christ had to suffer and then enter his glory.
When they reached the village, the friends asked the stranger to stay and eat with them. As he broke the bread and handed it out, their eyes were opened, and they saw that it was Jesus. Then he disappeared from their sight! They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts feel warm while he talked with us on the road?”
They hurried back to Jerusalem to tell the other friends. While they were talking, Jesus himself appeared in the room and said, “Peace be with you.” The friends were frightened, but Jesus showed them his hands and feet. He even ate a piece of fish in front of them so they would know he was real. Then he blessed his friends and was taken up into heaven, and they returned to Jerusalem full of joy.
Read It Together
Luke 24:5-6
5 Becoming terrified, they bowed their faces down to the earth. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He isn’t here, but is risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee…
(WEB)
Point out that the women were frightened at first, but the angels gave them good news. Ask the children what news could make someone’s sad heart happy. Remind them that the women had the most important news to share.
Luke 24:31-32
31 Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished out of their sight. 32 They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?”
(WEB)
Show the children that the friends did not recognize Jesus at first, yet they felt something special while he talked with them. Explain that Jesus is close to us even when we cannot see him with our eyes. Invite them to name a time they felt God near.
Luke 24:36-37
36 As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.” 37 But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus came into the room and said “Peace be to you,” even though his friends were scared. Tell the children that Jesus brings peace when we feel afraid. Ask them to notice how kind his first words were.
Talk About It
- How do you think the women felt when they saw the empty tomb?
- What did the friends on the road do when they felt sad, and how did Jesus help them?
- Why do you think Jesus let his friends touch his hands and feet?
- What can you do this week to tell someone that Jesus is alive?
- When have you felt Jesus with you, even when you could not see him?
Activity Ideas
Empty Tomb Craft
You will need a paper plate, a paper cup, markers, and a small piece of cotton. Have each child draw a rock on the paper plate and cut a window into the cup so it looks like a tomb. Glue the cup onto the plate and place the cotton inside as the empty tomb. Talk about how the stone was rolled away and Jesus was no longer there.
Road to Emmaus Walk
Clear a path in the room or hallway and have children walk slowly in pairs, pretending to be the friends on the road. Ask one child to be Jesus and join them partway, then stop and pass out a small snack, like a cracker, to show the breaking of bread. When the “eyes are opened,” have the children cheer and say “Jesus is alive!”
Take-Home Peace Card
You will need index cards, crayons, and a pen. Let each child draw a picture of something that makes them feel peaceful, then write or have a parent write the words “Jesus said, Peace be to you.” Encourage them to put the card somewhere they will see it during the week, like by their bed, and to share it with a family member.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Luke 24 shows that the resurrection is the foundation of Christian faith, and that Jesus opened the Scriptures so his followers could understand his death and rising. The chapter also shows that Jesus meets people in ordinary moments, on the road and at the table, and that the good news is meant to be shared with everyone.
With children, avoid overstating the details of how the risen body works or what heaven is like, since the chapter does not describe these fully. Keep the focus on the simple truths that Jesus is alive, that he is with us, and that he brings peace.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you that you are alive and that you walk with us every day. Help us to feel your peace when we are scared or sad. Help us to share the good news with our friends and family. Thank you for loving us so much. Amen.
