In this lesson, children learn that Jesus rose from the dead and is alive today. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach. Use it on Easter Sunday or any week you want to remind your class of the good news of Jesus’ resurrection.
Big Idea
Jesus is not in the tomb. He is alive, and he loves us. Because he is alive, we never have to be afraid to tell others about him.
Memory Verse
Mark 16:6
He said to them, “Don’t be amazed. You seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen. He is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him!
(WEB)
Hold both hands up with palms facing out, then slowly open them wide like a stone rolling away from a door. Say the words “He has risen” as your hands open, and have the children copy you.
The Story: Mark 16 for Kids
Early on the first day of the week, three women named Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went to a tomb. They had bought sweet spices so they could care for the body of their friend Jesus. They had watched him die on a cross just a few days before, and their hearts were very sad.
On the way, the women worried about one thing. “Who will roll the big stone away from the door of the tomb for us?” they asked each other. The stone was very heavy. But when they got there, they looked up and saw that the stone had already been rolled back. The tomb was open.
When they went inside, they saw a young man in a white robe sitting on the right side. They were so surprised that they were frightened. The man said, “Don’t be amazed. You are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here. He has risen!” He told them to go and tell the disciples that Jesus would go ahead of them into Galilee, and they would see him there.
The women ran away from the tomb, shaking with fear. At first they did not tell anyone what they had seen. Later, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, and she went to tell his friends the good news. Some of the friends did not believe her at first, but Jesus showed himself to many more people.
Before Jesus went back up to heaven, he gave his friends a big job. He told them to go into all the world and tell the good news to everyone. Then Jesus was taken up to heaven, and his friends went out and preached everywhere, and Jesus helped them as they went.
Read It Together
Mark 16:15
He said to them, “Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus gave his friends a job to tell everyone about him. Ask the children who they might tell about Jesus this week, and why that would be good news for them.
Mark 16:9
Now when he had risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.
(WEB)
Show the children that Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene, a woman who had once been in great trouble. Explain that Jesus cares for every person, and he is never too far away to find us.
Mark 16:19-20
19 So then the Lord, after he had spoken to them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 They went out, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.
(WEB)
Point to the words about Jesus being taken up to heaven and the Lord working with his friends. Tell the children that Jesus is with us even now, helping us when we tell others about him.
Talk About It
- How do you think the women felt when they walked to the tomb, and how do you think they felt when they saw it was open?
- What did the young man in the white robe tell the women not to be?
- Why do you think the women were afraid to tell anyone at first?
- Who did Jesus first appear to, and what does that tell us about how much Jesus cares for people?
- What is one way you can tell someone about Jesus this week?
Activity Ideas
Empty Tomb Drawing
You will need paper, crayons, and a small stone or piece of cardboard. Have each child draw a dark tomb on one half of the paper, then draw a bright, open doorway with a stone rolled away to the side. Let them color the sunrise above the tomb. Talk together about how the empty tomb shows that Jesus is alive.
Stone Rolling Game
You will need a large empty box or a few pillows to act as the stone. Have the children take turns pushing the stone away from a doorway while everyone chants “He has risen!” Each time the stone rolls away, the group cheers. Play several rounds so every child gets a turn.
Good News Card to Take Home
You will need index cards, markers, and stickers. Have each child write or draw one sentence about the good news of Jesus rising from the dead. Encourage them to give the card to a family member or friend during the week. Explain that they are sharing the same good news the women shared at the tomb.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that the resurrection is the foundation of Christian hope. The women came to care for a body and found an empty tomb, and their fear turned into a command to share good news with the world. The chapter also shows that faith can start slowly, even among those closest to Jesus.
When teaching children, avoid overstating details that the text does not give, such as exactly how the women felt in every moment or what the young man looked like beyond his white robe. Stick closely to what the chapter says, and let the children wonder about the parts Scripture leaves open.
A Prayer to Close
Lord Jesus, thank you that you are alive and not in the tomb. Help us to not be afraid, and help us to tell others the good news about you. Stay with us this week as we share your love. Amen.
