This lesson teaches children that Jesus willingly died on the cross for us because He loves us, and that He rose again. It works well for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Keep the tone calm and gentle, since this is the most serious chapter in the Gospels for little ones.
Big Idea
Jesus loved us so much that He let Himself be hurt and die on the cross to take away our sins. He did it because He loves us, and God was with Him the whole time.
Memory Verse
John 19:30
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished.” He bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.
(WEB)
Teach the children to slowly lower their heads and then fold their hands over their hearts while saying “It is finished.” The motion of bowing helps them remember the moment Jesus gave up His spirit.
The Story: John 19 for Kids
Pilate was the Roman governor, and he did not want to punish Jesus. The soldiers were mean to Jesus. They made a crown out of sharp thorns and pushed it onto His head. They dressed Him in a purple robe and made fun of Him, calling Him King of the Jews. Jesus did not fight back.
Pilate brought Jesus out to the crowd and said, “Look, here is the man!” But the leaders shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate said, “You take Him and crucify Him yourselves,” but they insisted that Jesus should die. Pilate was afraid, but he still gave in to the crowd.
Soldiers led Jesus out to a hill called Golgotha, which means the Place of the Skull. They nailed Jesus to a cross, and two criminals were nailed up on either side of Him. Pilate put a sign above Jesus that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews,” so everyone could read it.
Jesus looked down and saw His mother Mary standing near the cross with His friend John. Jesus said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then He said to John, “Here is your mother.” John took care of Mary from that day on, because Jesus cared about His family even while He was suffering.
When Jesus knew that everything was finished, He said, “It is finished.” Then He bowed His head and died. Some friends, including a man named Joseph, asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. They wrapped it in linen cloths with spices and laid it in a new tomb in a garden.
Read It Together
John 19:17-18
17 He went out, bearing his cross, to the place called “The Place of a Skull”, which is called in Hebrew, “Golgotha”, 18 where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the middle.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus carried His own cross to the place of crucifixion. Ask the children to notice that He was not alone in the sad moment, and that He was willing to go all the way for us.
John 19:26-27
26 Therefore when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour, the disciple took her to his own home.
(WEB)
Show the children that even while Jesus was hurting, He thought about the people He loved. Point out that He made sure His mother had a caring friend to look after her.
John 19:38-40
38 After these things, Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission. He came therefore and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds. 40 So they took Jesus’ body, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.
(WEB)
Explain that Joseph and Nicodemus were brave friends who cared for Jesus’ body with love. Remind the children that even on the saddest day, God had people ready to honor Jesus.
Talk About It
- How do you think Jesus felt when the soldiers were mean to Him?
- Why do you think Jesus was willing to die for us?
- What did Jesus think about when He saw His mother standing by the cross?
- How did Joseph and Nicodemus show they loved Jesus?
- What is one way you can show someone you love them this week?
Activity Ideas
Paper Cross Craft
You will need two strips of brown or gray construction paper, glue, and a few cotton balls. Glue one strip across the other to make a cross. Let the children dab glue on the cross and press cotton balls onto it to make a soft, cloud-like cross. As they work, talk about how Jesus carried His cross for us.
Follow the Leader Game
Have the children stand in a line and take turns being the leader. The leader walks slowly, bowing their head to show how Jesus carried the cross and gave up His spirit. Everyone else copies the movement quietly. End by having the leader say “It is finished” softly.
Take-Home Reminder Card
You will need an index card, a marker, and a rubber band. Let each child write “Jesus loves me” on one side and draw a small heart on the other. Show them how to slip the card under a rubber band on their wrist or keep it in a pocket. Encourage them to read it aloud at bedtime that week.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that Jesus went to the cross freely, out of love, and that He trusted the Father through the suffering. For adults, it points to the cost of forgiveness and to the faithfulness of those who stayed near Jesus, including His mother, John, Joseph, and Nicodemus. It also shows that the cross was not the end, because the tomb that follows points to resurrection.
Be careful not to overstate the violence for young children. Keep the focus on Jesus’ love and His words, not on graphic detail. Avoid making the crowd or Pilate into simple villains for children to hate, since the lesson is about God’s love for everyone, not about blaming a group of people.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank You for loving us so much that You gave Your life for us. Help us remember that You never stopped caring for the people You loved, even when things were very hard. Help us be kind and loving to others this week, just like You were. Amen.
