This lesson teaches children that Jesus went through terrible things for us, and that God was with him even in the hardest moment. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Parents and teachers can use it with a Bible open and a few simple props.
Big Idea
Jesus was treated unfairly and died for us, but God never stopped loving him, and Jesus never stopped loving us. Mark 15 shows us the saddest day in the story of Jesus.
Memory Verse
Mark 15:34
At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is, being interpreted, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
(WEB)
Cross your arms over your chest like you are hugging yourself, then say the verse slowly. Let your voice get quieter at the end to show how sad the moment was. Repeat it together three times, changing your hug each time to a big open-armed hug.
The Story: Mark 15 for Kids
Early in the morning, the leaders of the Jewish people got together and decided to take Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. They tied his hands and led him away. Pilate asked Jesus a question: “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus gave a quiet answer, and the leaders kept saying many things against him.
Pilate wanted to let Jesus go, but the crowd yelled for a different man named Barabbas to be set free. Pilate asked the crowd what he should do with Jesus. The people shouted, “Crucify him!” Pilate gave in to the crowd, let Barabbas go, and handed Jesus over to be punished.
The soldiers dressed Jesus up like a mock king. They put a crown of sharp thorns on his head and made fun of him. They forced a man named Simon from Cyrene to carry Jesus’ heavy cross. Then they took Jesus to a place called Golgotha, which means “the place of a skull.”
Jesus was nailed to a cross, and two robbers were crucified beside him. Some people walked by and shouted insults at him. At about three in the afternoon, the sky went dark over the whole land. Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and then he died.
When the Roman captain saw how Jesus died, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” That same evening, a good man named Joseph asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. Joseph wrapped Jesus in a clean linen cloth and laid him in a tomb carved out of rock, and a big stone was rolled across the door.
Read It Together
Mark 15:15
Pilate, wishing to please the multitude, released Barabbas to them, and handed over Jesus, when he had flogged him, to be crucified.
(WEB)
Point out that Pilate wanted to please the crowd instead of doing what was right. Ask the children how it feels when they go along with a group even when they know it is wrong. Remind them that Jesus was treated unfairly, and he did not do anything wrong.
Mark 15:21
They compelled one passing by, coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them, that he might bear his cross.
(WEB)
Point out that a stranger named Simon was made to carry the cross. Explain that Jesus was too weak to carry it all by himself after everything he had been through. Talk about how helping someone carry a heavy load is a way to show love.
Mark 15:39
When the centurion, who stood by opposite him, saw that he cried out like this and breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
(WEB)
Point out that the Roman captain, who had watched everything, recognized who Jesus really was. Explain that even a person who did not know Jesus well could see that something special had happened. Tell the children that many people came to believe in Jesus after seeing his death.
Talk About It
- How do you think Jesus felt when his friends were not around him?
- Why do you think the crowd wanted Barabbas to go free instead of Jesus?
- What is one way you can help someone who is carrying a heavy load?
- What do you think the Roman captain saw that made him say Jesus was the Son of God?
- When you feel scared or alone, what can you say to God?
Activity Ideas
Draw the Hill and the Cross
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a hill with three crosses on top, then a dark sky above them. Encourage them to color the sky dark gray or black to show the darkness that covered the land. Let them add a small sun or light shape at the edge to remind them that the story does not end there.
Carry the Cross Relay
You will need a small wooden block, a cardboard box, or a rolled towel to act as the cross. Divide the children into two teams and have them pass the “cross” down a line, with each child carrying it a short distance before handing it to the next. Talk about how Simon helped Jesus carry his cross, and how helping one another is part of showing love.
Lovingkindness Jar
You will need an empty jar, paper, a pen, and tape. Have each child write one way they can help someone this week on a slip of paper, then fold it and drop it into the jar. Explain that the jar is a reminder of how Jesus carried the weight of our wrongs and how we can carry each other’s burdens. Read a few slips together at the end of the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Mark 15 shows Jesus facing rejection, injustice, and death, and it presents the crucifixion as the center of the Gospel. The chapter ends in grief and quiet hope, with Jesus laid in the tomb and the women watching from a distance. Adults can reflect on how God’s faithfulness is shown even when things look like failure.
Be careful not to make the crucifixion sound scary or graphic for young children. Focus on Jesus’ love and God’s presence rather than on the physical details of the suffering. Avoid telling children that Jesus had to suffer so they would never be sad, since that can make suffering seem like something they should not have at all.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us even when things were very hard for you. Help us to be kind to people who are hurting, and help us to carry each other’s burdens. Thank you that you were never alone, because God was always with you. Amen.
