This lesson teaches children that Jesus is alive after he died, and that he keeps his promises. It is written for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Use it with a small group or at home, and adjust the pace to the youngest child in the room.
Big Idea
Jesus came back to life on Easter morning, and he is still with his friends today. Nothing is too hard for him, not even being dead.
Memory Verse
John 20:29
Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.”
(WEB)
Cup both hands together like a little box, then slowly open them, like a flower or a surprise. Say the verse while you open your hands. Let children do the motion with you each time you say it.
The Story: John 20 for Kids
Early on the first day of the week, a woman named Mary Magdalene went to the tomb where Jesus had been buried. It was still dark outside. When she got there, the big stone in front of the tomb had been rolled away, and Jesus was not inside. She was very sad and worried, and she ran to tell Simon Peter and John, two of Jesus’ best friends.
Peter and John ran to the tomb to look. John got there first, and he looked inside. Then Peter went in, and he saw the linen cloths that had wrapped Jesus lying on the stone. Nobody was there. John looked too, and he believed what Jesus had said about rising from the dead. Then the two friends went home.
Mary stayed outside the tomb and cried. Two angels in white sat where Jesus’ body had been, and they asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She told them that someone had taken her Lord away. Then she turned around and saw a man standing there. She thought he was the gardener.
The man said her name, “Mary.” Right away she knew it was Jesus. She said, “Teacher!” Jesus asked her to go tell his brothers that he was going back to his Father. So Mary ran to tell the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!”
That night the disciples were hiding in a room with the doors locked, because they were afraid. Jesus walked right through the locked doors and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” He showed them his hands and his side, and they were so happy to see him.
One disciple, Thomas, had not been there. He said he would not believe unless he could touch the holes in Jesus’ hands. A week later Jesus came again and invited Thomas to touch him. Thomas said, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus told him that people who believe without seeing him are blessed.
Read It Together
John 20:1-2
1 Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the tomb. 2 Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid him!”
(WEB)
Point out that Mary came to the tomb early, and that she was sad. Ask children to notice what she found and what she did next. Remind them that God knows when we are sad and worried.
John 20:11-16
11 But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb, 12 and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 They told her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!”
(WEB)
Show children how Mary did not recognize Jesus at first, until he said her name. Point out that Jesus knows each person by name. Explain that when Jesus calls us, we can know him too.
John 20:19-20
19 When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle, and said to them, “Peace be to you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord.
(WEB)
Point out that the friends were scared and hiding, but Jesus came to them and said, “Peace be with you.” Show that Jesus brings peace even when we feel afraid. Explain that the disciples were glad when they saw him.
Talk About It
- How do you think Mary felt when she saw the empty tomb, and what made her feel happy again?
- What did Jesus show his friends so they would know it was really him?
- Why do you think the disciples were hiding behind locked doors, and how did Jesus help them feel safe?
- What is something you could tell a friend about Jesus being alive?
- How can you show Jesus that you trust him even when you cannot see him?
Activity Ideas
Empty Tomb Craft
You will need a paper plate, a small bowl or paper cup, markers, glue, and a few paper flowers or cotton balls. Have children color the plate green and glue on a grass border. Cut the bowl or cup so it looks like a cave, and glue it to the plate with the opening facing up. Let them place the cotton balls or a small paper stone beside the opening to show the stone has been rolled away.
Hide and Find Game
You will need a blindfold or a scarf and a small object such as a plastic egg. Choose one child to be Mary and have her close her eyes. Hide the egg in the room while the other children stay still. When Mary opens her eyes, she searches for the egg, and the children gently call out, “Mary!” to help her find it. Let each child have a turn being Mary.
Peace Card to Take Home
You will need an index card, crayons, and a pen. Have children draw their own hands on the card, then write “Jesus says peace be with you” in large letters. Encourage them to take the card home and show it to someone who needs comfort that week. Remind them that Jesus is alive and keeps his promises.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows the resurrection as the central event of the Christian faith. Mary, Peter, John, and Thomas each respond differently to the empty tomb and the risen Jesus, and their stories show that faith can grow from sorrow, confusion, and doubt. The chapter also highlights Jesus’ commission to his followers and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
When teaching children, avoid overstating how Thomas’s doubt is portrayed. Children may think doubt is always wrong, but Jesus meets Thomas with patience and invites him to believe. Focus on Jesus’ kindness and the peace he offers rather than on the disciples’ failures.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you that you are alive and that you keep your promises. Help us to trust you even when we cannot see you, and to remember that you are always with us. Give us your peace when we feel scared or sad. In your name we pray, Amen.
