Crafty Crafters: Easter (Colors of Christ Cross)

So how crafty are you?

What is your favorite religious craft you make for Easter?



Here is a craft that I like to make with my students using pony beads:




christiancrafters.com- The Colors of Christ Cross

crafts.kaboose.com- change the colors of the beads to make this cross


*Tip: Hot glue the blue, white, and red beads together.


Each of the bead colors are intended to remind us of Biblical truths:


Black = Sin
The black bead reminds us of our sin which separates us from God and dooms us to eternal darkness. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (see also Ephesians 2:11-13)

Red = Christ’s blood
The red bead symbolizes Christ’s’ blood shed for you and me. Romans 5:8-9 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us...we have been justified by his blood...”

White = Prayer of Repentance For Cleansing
The white bead represents the cleansing that occurs when a sinner repents and turns to God. Psalm 51:1-2 “Have mercy on me, Oh God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”

Blue = Water/Spirit Baptism
The blue bead represents baptism. Ephesians 4:5 “...one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” We are baptized with water to identify ourselves with Jesus. The Holy Spirit baptizes those who trust in Jesus and takes up residence in the believers heart. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. Romans 8:9

Green = Christian Growth
The green bead represents growth in our faith. Colossians 1:10 “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God...”

Gold = Eternal life
The gold bead represents eternal life with Jesus in Heaven. John 3:16 “ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”



Please comment so I can add the link to your blog to this post. We would love to see what you do!



Alicia made FiberOne Easter Egg Nests one year and discussed the new life of Easter- through-my-is.blogspot.com

Easter

Easter

Easter/Empty Tomb- (Pre K – K) lesson plan with: Objectives, Word Wall, Bible Story with questions, Songs and/or Finger Plays, Activities, Crafts, Games, Snacks, Coloring/Puzzles

Easter/Empty Tomb- lesson plan for 1st grade on up with: Objectives, Review, Vocabulary Words, Bible Story with questions, Activities, Crafts, Games, Snacks, Puzzles/Mazes/Worksheets

engagingfaith.blogspot.com- Easter/Resurrection Lesson Plan: Compare and Contrast the Gospel Accounts of the Resurrection

sundayschoolsources.com- Jesus' Burial and Resurrection lesson with discussions, songs, crafts, games, questions, worksheets, memory work, etc.

kidsclubs4jesus.com-

Jesus' Burial
Roll the Stone Away
Two Angles in White
He's Alive!

lessons with puzzles, coloring sheet, Bible readings, questions, memory verses, key points, object lesson, drama, puppets, etc. (These files are set up and formatted so that they can be easily made into weekly booklets for your children's ministry, youth ministry, etc., with 4 sheets of legal paper and two staples).

mssscrafts.com- The Resurrection (look under Jesus’ Final Days) with tons of resources for illustrating the story, coloring pages/activity sheets, crafts, and songs.

dltk-bible.com- Jesus is Alive! lesson with introduction, message, welcome, craft/baking time, Bible story time, and closing.

children.calvarychapel.com- Jesus is Risen! lesson with memory verses, circle the correct words, true or false, fill in the blanks, puzzles, and color sheets.

children.calvarychapel.com- Peter & John Visit Jesus' Tomb lesson with memory verses, circle the correct words, true or false, fill in the blanks, puzzles, and color sheets.

thereligionteacher.com- Catholic Easter Activities

lambsongs.co.nz- Easter booklets and coloring books (in color or black and white)



Coloring:

sermons4kids.com- He’s Alive

psscentral.com- Jesus is Risen (mini book to color)

lambsongs.co.nz- 5 booklets to print out for the children to color



Crafts:

Easter Lapbooks- Make an Easter lapbook to celebrate the Easter season.


Introduce craft: Did they find Jesus in the tomb on Easter? Let’s make something that shows what they found.

The Empty Tomb- A cute craft that the children will get to "roll the stone away" on Jesus' tomb to retell the story of the resurrection. (Preschool Christian Crafts by Linda Standke, page 57 & 58).

Resurrection Story Wheel- Children turn their story wheel dials to retell the Bible story they learned over and over again. (Preschool Christian Crafts by Linda Standke. Directions on page 37 - 39, craft template on page 40 & 42.)

Easter- Bible Story Wheel (Bible Wheels to Make and Enjoy by Carmen Sorvillo, page 57 & 58.)

catholicicing.com- Printable Resurrection Set



Introduce craft: Who died for our sins and rose again on the third day?

annieshomepage.com- Jelly Bean Prayer
Prayer with activities to go with it: cards and jar craft

kinderart.com- Jelly Bean Sweet Jar (craft)

mama-jean.blogspot.com- Jelly Bean Prayer label (printable)



Introduce craft: Remember the caterpillar we made at Lent? We made a caterpillar to remind us that we are to change during Lent and become more like Jesus. Now the caterpillar has changed. What did he change into? A butterfly. Let’s have our caterpillars change into a butterfly.

Butterfly- A butterfly is made from using the child's handprints. The butterfly represents how the caterpillar changed and became a butterfly and received new life. (From the Hands of a Child by Anthony Flores, page 40).

crafts.kaboose.com- Coffee Filter Butterfly
Make a beautiful butterfly using a coffee filter.

freepreschoolcrafts.com- Plastic Bag Butterfly
Make this butterfly according to the directions or use a painted clothes pin for the body that has googly eyes glued on it. Gather the plastic bag together at the center and slide it between the clamps of the clothes pin. Shape some pipe cleaner into antennae and glue the center of the pipe cleaner between the clamps of the clothespin. You can make this into a magnet by putting a sticky magnet on the back of the clothespin.



Introduce craft: Who died for our sins and rose again on the third day?

christiancrafters.com- The Colors of Christ Cross

crafts.kaboose.com- change the colors of the beads to make this cross

*Tip: Hot glue the blue, white, and red beads together.



Games:

Introduce game: What was rolled away from the tomb where Jesus laid?

Who’s Got The Stone?

Need: One small rock

Directions: One student is picked to be “It”. All the students (except "It") put both of their hands together and form a cup with just a little hole up on top. The teacher walks around and pretends to put the stone in someone's hand. One student will actually get the stone. The student who is “It” is then asked by the teacher, "Who's got the stone?". Whoever has the stone is "It". (Game is like “Button, Button, Who’s Got the Button?).


You Can’t Keep Jesus Down- Your children will discover that even thought people tried to keep Jesus in the grave, they couldn’t; just as Jesus said. (The Encyclopedia of Bible Games for Children’s Ministry, page 148).

kidssundayschool.com- In the Tomb, Out of the Tomb
A good energy burner, game can be adjusted to fit many different themes.

christianpreschoolprintables.com- Easter Bingo
This is a fun game you can play with your classroom around Easter time. The pictures depicted tell the true Easter story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Scroll down to this.)

Impossible Knot! (Jesus Rises From the Dead)- This game will seem impossible to kids at first, just as Jesus’ resurrection must have seemed impossible at the time. (The Encyclopedia of Bible Games for Children’s Ministry by Group Publishing, page 100 & 101.)

Sight Seeing (Jesus Appears to Mary)- As kids explore Jesus’ appearance to Mary, they will learn that god always keeps his word, no matter how hard it is to believe. (The Encyclopedia of Bible Games for Children’s Ministry by Group Publishing, page 102 & 103.)



Easter- lots of games listed in this lesson (scroll down to Games)

Empty Tomb- lots of games listed in this lesson (scroll down to Games)









The Empty Tomb File Folder Game- The objective of the game is to get to the empty tomb first. Players take turns spinning the spinner and then moving their marker ahead to the next space of that color. (Like Candy Land)














Jelly Bean Prayer File Folder Game- The objective of the game is to collect the most Jelly Bean jar cards by answering questions about Jesus and get to FINISH.

2 different game boards to choose from!










Puzzles:

first-school.ws- He Is Risen
Children color then make an easy puzzle that they can put together.

sermons4kids.com- The Empty Tomb (maze)

The Empty Tomb- lots of puzzles posted in this lesson (scroll down to Puzzles)



Worksheets:

Pflaum Publishers- Click on Seasonal Family Pages. Sign up for FREE. Inside you'll find features on Saints of the Season, Feasts of the Season, Catholic Culture, and Family Prayer - plus reproducible activities for preschool through junior high.

Easter Match Up- Match the words in the first column to the best available answer in the second column.

sadlierreligion.com- Kindergarten activity sheet (mobile)

sadlierreligion.com- 1st grade activity sheet
During Easter we celebrate that Jesus rose to new life. Trace the words on the Easter banner. Decorate the banner with signs of new life.

sadlierreligion.com- 2nd grade activity sheet
During the Easter season the Church sings the song of “Alleluia.” The word Alleluia means “Praise God!” Write a song to celebrate the Easter season. Include an Alleluia in your song.

sadlierreligion.com- 3rd grade activity sheet
Make an Easter Cross

sadlierreligion.com- 4th grade activity sheet
With a partner, write dialogue for a skit that tells a story of “meeting” the risen Jesus in someone around you. Use the lines below to get started. Be creative! Include props in your skit, too.

sadlierreligion.com- 5th grade activity sheet
How does your parish celebrate the Easter season? Record your observations below.

sadlierreligion.com- 6th grade activity sheet
Complete the following Easter season questionnaire.

Crafty Crafters: Easter

So how crafty are you?

What is your favorite religious craft you make for Easter?



Here is a craft you can make using a tissue box:

catholicicing.com- Make an empty tomb craft (scroll down for this)



Please comment so I can add the link to your blog to this post. We would love to see what you do!



Here is what Jennifer is doing: crafolic.com- The Symbol of the Easter Egg ~ Craft

Easter Report

Leave it to me to come up with neither a spiritually significant nor an emotionally evocative post title. Oh well.

A report is a report is a report, right?

Well, let me report this: as I'm typing this post, I'm eating my 2nd piece of Key Lime Pie. And the crumbs are falling into the keyboard, but I don't care.



I feel as though I am eating Florida sunshine. Because the last time we were there, on Anna Maria Island, we bought a Key Lime Pie just about every single day and ate it. Did you catch that? Practically a pie a day.

I think it's called "Key Lime" because it holds the key to my happiness.

Where was I? Oh, the report.

Here is a thumbnail of any holiday at the Crow house when the kids are all home: The driveway looks like a car lot. A football and Frisbee lie on the breakfast bar and kitchen table. Mountains of laundry appear. Food disappears. Silliness at every turn. I love it.

Saturday evening, I cooked. Sunday morning, I cooked. Then we went to church. GREAT service.

Here are my girls and I just before lunch. I don't know if you can tell or not, but the younger one is so hungry here that she's about to gnaw on her sister's arm. She always was the biter in the family.



Then we ate.



Then I took a walk around my neighborhood. I felt like a giant Humpty Dumpty deviled egg waddling through my neighborhood, but I did walk.

Then I went to see my friend, Diane, at the hospital. That was hard.

Then I came home and sat down to write this post and realized I needed some key lime motivation.

My emotions are pretty tricky right now. I'm keeping them smashed down until the appropriate moment to grieve fully. Maybe that's why my writing has lacked emotion lately.

I will tell you the last thing Diane whispered to me today (she actually called me back to her bed so that I would lean down to hear her): "Keep writing. Keep writing. Keep writing."

I will, Diane.

Thought I'd share this with you. I liked it a lot.

Link Up for Easter's Random Dozen & Springtime Fun

I went on my first real walk with Zoe this year because it's just now getting warm enough to take her out. She carried a Ritz cracker the whole way, except when she stopped to read "pee mail" at the hydrant and put her FACE on the hydrant and relieved herself in the other direction. ? I picked her up to avoid a mud puddle but stumbled and stepped into the La Brea Tar Pit of Muncie in my neighbor's yard. Mud squished all up over my flip-flops and between my toes. Fun times.




1. How do you feel about the marshmallow Easter Peeps?
2. Chickens are notoriously nervous creatures. When you are nervous, what is the best way to calm down?
3. People say, "April showers bring May flowers." Do you enjoy Spring rains?
4. When I was randomly flipping through TV channels this week, I saw a show in which tattoo parlor employees received tattoos of a co-worker's face on their bodies. I can't imagine having a portrait of a colleague tattooed on me. But if someone forced you to receive a portrait tattoo (face only) of anyone, who would it be? Why?
5. Would you rather have a tattoo (any kind) or a nose ring?
6. Do you have any special plans for Easter?
7. Cadbury Eggs or Reese Eggs?
8. What was the last thing/person you took a picture of?
9. What book are you reading now, or what was the last one?
10. What do you think is the most difficult task when it comes to Spring cleaning?
11. How many pairs of flip-flops do you own?
12. Which color makes you happiest?

Flashback Friday

What was Easter like when you were little? For example, did you receive a basket with toys and candy? Was the Easter Bunny part of your family's celebration? Did your family integrate both secular and spiritual aspects of the day? Did you dye Easter eggs. . . .and did your family eat them afterwards? Did you usually get a new outfit? (Post a picture if you have one!) Does any Easter stand out particularly? You might also share how your Easter today is similar or different to your childhood?

Easter was a wonderful holiday for me when I was little. I was reared in a home of faith, so going to church and remembering the meaning of Easter was important.

Now that that important stuff is out of the way, let me just say I also loved Easter for the "most wrong" of reasons: les bonbons.

My mom was not the sentimental type when I was young. She bought the dime store baskets woven of plastic straw wrapped in cellophane, which, looking back seems kind of disappointing considering all I did for my kids in the way personalizing each basket which they've had assigned to them since their first Easters.

But I am not my mom.

Not yet, anyway. But give me a couple of years because every day I'm becoming her more and more. Just ask my husband.

Anyway.

I have to admit I loved my ugly yearly baskets. So thank you, Mother.

Also, I have an affinity for pastels, so Easter decor and colors appeal to me, except for the Peeps. I cannot do Peeps.

Every Easter my mom would buy me a new church outfit, usually a dress with matching hat, gloves and purse. Oh, and anklets and white patent-leather type shoes that went "tip tap" when I walked across the kitchen linoleum.

That enchanting "tip tap" almost catapulted me into my tap dancing career, except dancing was against the law in my church of origin, so I didn't get far. In fact, I only got as far as the church sidewalk where the adults gathered after church for talk for 17 hours. With a little blonde heretic tap dancing around them.

The best Easter I ever had was the year aliens invaded my mother's body, and she somehow decided to give my brother and me two live chicks and a duckling, which we kept in a cardboard box for a couple of weeks. Heaven for a few weeks. I LOVE baby chickens.

So here are some pics from Easters past. I will probably do a post closer to Easter to comment on the Easter finery. For now, simply gaze upon the awkward family photos.






Thanks, Linda, at Mocha With Linda!

Easter Lapbooks

Make an Easter lapbook to celebrate the Easter season. You can adjust each of them to fit your needs.

squidoo.com- Jesus Is Alive Lapbook

homeschoolshare.com- The Legend of the Easter Egg Lapbook

albright-news.com Easter Lapbook that entails the whole story and not just His resurrection.

lapbooklesson.com- Resurrection Lapbook

homeschoolblogger.com- Resurrection Eggs Lapbook

confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com- Easter Activities & Lapbook



Activities that you can put into your lapbook:

Easter- (Pre K – K) lesson with word wall, Bible story with questions, songs and/or finger plays, activities, crafts, games, coloring, puzzles, etc.

Easter/Empty Tomb- lesson plan for 1st grade on up with: Objectives, Review, Vocabulary Words, Bible Story with questions, Activities, Crafts, Games, Snacks, Puzzles/Mazes/Worksheets

Lesson Plan- (Pre K - K): Easter

Easter/Empty Tomb


Objectives: The children will be able to
- retell the Easter/Empty Tomb story
- explain that on Easter Jesus rose from the dead
- discuss resurrection



Review:
Prayer and questions from last week’s lesson.



Vocabulary Words:

dltk-bible.com- Easter Word Wall Word Templates (scroll down for this.). Word wall templates are large flash card printables that you can hang on the wall to aid children when they are learning or using new vocabulary words. Use the cards you want that are posted.

christianpreschoolprintables.com- Easter Word Wall (scroll down for this.). Use the Word Wall Sets you want that are posted.



Plan:


Circle Time:


Read your Easter/Empty Tomb story to the children or ”The Easter Story” (start where Mary comes to the tomb and stop at the end of the page). Then ask the questions from below:

Where was Jesus buried? (In a tomb.)

Why were guards placed around the tomb? (The Jewish leaders asked Pilate to put guards at the tomb because they were afraid someone might try to steal the body and claim that Jesus had come alive again.)

Later when Jesus’ friends came to the tomb, was Jesus inside? (No)

Why was Jesus' body not in the tomb? (Because he had risen from the dead.)

What day did Jesus rise from the dead? (Easter Sunday)



Songs and/or Finger Plays:

Introduce songs and/or finger plays:

shirleys-preschool-activities.com- Easter Finger Play (scroll down to 10)

rotation.infopop- Go and Tell (Wiggly, Giggly Bible Stories about Jesus by Group Publishing)
Children stand in a circle and complete the actions with the children standing next to them. (Scroll down to this.)

Go and tell a friend (Have children repeat the phrase.)
That Jesus was buried in a grave. (Have children repeat phrase.)
Now go and tell everyone while you sadly pat a back. (Encourage each child to turn to the child next to him or her, gently pat his or her back, and repeat the phrase “Jesus was buried in a grave.”)

Go and tell a friend. (Have children repeat the phrase.)
Jesus was dead for three days. (Have children repeat the phrase.)
Now go and tell everyone as you count to three. (Encourage each child to turn to the child next to him or her, count to three, and repeat the phrase “Jesus was dead for three days.”)

Go and tell a friend. (Have children repeat the phrase.)
The sad women went to the grave. (Have children repeat.)
Now go tell everyone as you hug and cry. (Encourage each child to turn to the child next to him or her, hug him or her, and repeat the phrase “The sad women went to the grave.”)

Go and tell a friend. (Repeat)
There was a giant earthquake. (Repeat)
Now go and tell everyone as you tremble and shake. (Encourage children to move around and shake as they repeat the phrase “There was a giant earthquake.”)

Go and tell a friend. (Repeat)
That an angel met the women. (Repeat)
Now go and tell everyone as you cover your eyes from the brightness of the angel. (Encourage children to turn to the child next to them and repeat the phrase “There was a giant earthquake,” as he or she covers his or her eyes.)

Go and tell a friend. (Repeat)
That Jesus is alive! (Repeat)
Now go and tell everyone as you pass out hugs of happiness!
(Encourage children to share hugs with the children next to them as they repeat the phrase “Jesus is alive!”



hubbardscupboard.org- Jesus Died For You and Me, Jesus Died For All The Children, Jesus Saved Me (songs)
Scroll down to these.



Activities:

Introduce activities: What day did Jesus rise from the dead? (Easter Sunday)

dltk-bible.com- The Easter Story lesson with memory verse, teacher's guide, puzzles, take home sheet, coloring pages, crafts, etc.

baptist-church.suite101.com- The Resurrection of Jesus lesson with activities

childrensermons.com- He Is Risen! object lesson

daniellesplace.com- Easter Message object lesson and craft

clclutheran.org- The Resurrection lesson with activities

Easter Lapbooks- Make an Easter lapbook to celebrate the Easter season.



Crafts:

Introduce craft: Did they find Jesus in the tomb on Easter? Let’s make something that shows what they found.

The Empty Tomb- A cute craft that the children will get to "roll the stone away" on Jesus' tomb to retell the story of the resurrection. (Preschool Christian Crafts by Linda Standke, page 57 & 58).

catholicicing.com- Printable Resurrection Set

Resurrection Story Wheel- Children turn their story wheel dials to retell the Bible story they learned over and over again. (Preschool Christian Crafts by Linda Standke. Directions on page 37 - 39, craft template on page 40 & 42.)

Easter- Bible Story Wheel (Bible Wheels to Make and Enjoy by Carmen Sorvillo, page 57 & 58.)



Introduce craft: Who died for our sins and rose again on the third day?

annieshomepage.com- Jelly Bean Prayer
Prayer with activities to go with it: cards and jar craft

kinderart.com- Jelly Bean Sweet Jar (craft)

mama-jean.blogspot.com- Jelly Bean Prayer label (printable)



Introduce craft: Remember the caterpillar we made at Lent? We made a caterpillar to remind us that we are to change during Lent and become more like Jesus. Now the caterpillar has changed. What did he change into? A butterfly. Let’s have our caterpillars change into a butterfly.

Butterfly- A butterfly is made from using the child's handprints. The butterfly represents how the caterpillar changed and became a butterfly and received new life. (From the Hands of a Child by Anthony Flores, page 40).

crafts.kaboose.com- Coffee Filter Butterfly
Make a beautiful butterfly using a coffee filter.

freepreschoolcrafts.com- Plastic Bag Butterfly
Make this butterfly according to the directions or use a painted clothes pin for the body that has googly eyes glued on it. Gather the plastic bag together at the center and slide it between the clamps of the clothes pin. Shape some pipe cleaner into antennae and glue the center of the pipe cleaner between the clamps of the clothespin. You can make this into a magnet by putting a sticky magnet on the back of the clothespin.



Games:

Introduce game: What was rolled away from the tomb where Jesus laid?

Who’s Got The Stone?

Need: One small rock

Directions: One student is picked to be “It”. All the students (except "It") put both of their hands together and form a cup with just a little hole up on top. The teacher walks around and pretends to put the stone in someone's hand. One student will actually get the stone. The student who is “It” is then asked by the teacher, "Who's got the stone?". Whoever has the stone is "It". (Game is like “Button, Button, Who’s Got the Button?).

You Can’t Keep Jesus Down- Your children will discover that even thought people tried to keep Jesus in the grave, they couldn’t; just as Jesus said. (The Encyclopedia of Bible Games for Children’s Ministry, page 148).

kidssundayschool.com- In the Tomb, Out of the Tomb
A good energy burner, game can be adjusted to fit many different themes.

christianpreschoolprintables.com- Easter Bingo
This is a fun game you can play with your classroom around Easter time. The pictures depicted tell the true Easter story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Scroll down to this.)



This game is free, however it can only to be used for classroom and personal use. It may not be published on any websites or other electronic media, or distributed in newsletters, bulletins, or any other form or sold for profit.



The Empty Tomb File Folder Game: The objective of the game is to get to the empty tomb first. Players take turns spinning the spinner and then moving their marker ahead to the next space of that color. (Like Candy Land)

Directions- Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.

Game Board- Print out Game Board, trim and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.

Spinner- Make spinner according to the directions.



Snacks:


Introduce snack: What did they find in the tomb? It was empty.

christiancrafters.com- Empty Tomb Snacks


Note: You can make these cookies below the night before and have the students make another batch during class and seal up the oven. While the students are doing another activity, you can remove their cookies and add the batch you made the night before.

betterbudgeting.com- Resurrection Story Cookies


Introduce snack: Jesus died and received new life. A caterpillar changes into something. What does he become?

christiancrafters.com- New Life Butterfly Snack



Coloring/Puzzles:

Prayers while students are doing coloring and/or puzzles.

sermons4kids.com- Jesus is Alive! (coloring)

psscentral.com- Jesus Is Risen! (mini book)


lambsongs.co.nz- “The Easter Rhyme” by Wendy Webster (booklet for the children to color)

Cover

Booklet


first-school.ws- He Is Risen
Children color then make an easy puzzle that they can put together.

christianpreschoolprintables.com- Resurrection (handwriting)

sermons4kids.com- Butterfly (maze)

sermons4kids.com- The Empty Tomb (maze)

Jesus Lives for You (find the hidden picture)- Hidden Pictures Explore Hidden Treasures in God’s World: PK – K by Linda Standke, page 29.

Where Is He? (dot-to-dot)- Dot-To-Dot Bible Pictures PK-K by Linda Standke, page 29.

Jesus Lives for You (find the hidden picture) page 128, Where Is He? (dot-to-dot) page 129, and Jesus Lives (put the pictures in order) page 130- Bible Story Puzzle ‘n’ Learn! PK-K

The Folded Napkin

Why did Jesus fold the napkin?

This is one I can honestly say I have never seen circulating in the e-mails.

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never noticed this.......

John 20:7 tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Early that Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, "They have taken the Lord's body and I don't know where they have taken Him!"

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the napkin that had covered Jesus face was folded up and lying to one side.

Is that important? Absolutely!

Is that really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about the Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the Servant set the dinner table for the Master, he made sure it was exactly the way the Master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the Master had finished eating. The Servant would not dare touch that table until the Master was finished.

If the Master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, "I'm finished".

I did not know this....

If the Master got up from the table, and folded his napkin beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because....the folded napkin meant, "I'm coming back!"

He is coming back!

During this Holy season, I pray that you are blessed with peace and joy in the knowledge that He IS coming back.

Lesson Plan- Easter/Empty Tomb (1st grade on up)

Easter/The Empty Tomb


Objectives: The students will be able to
- explain that Easter is the celebration of Jesus' rising from the dead with new life
- retell the Easter/Empty Tomb story
- define resurrection



Review:
Prayer, Take Home Sheet, and vocabulary from last week’s lesson and also Objects Used as Mass cards: (show picture cards that we have done thus far)



Vocabulary Words: (Write words on the board and discuss with class)

Easter- celebration of Jesus’ resurrection
Resurrection- coming to new life after death
Faith- the gift that helps us believe and trust
Tomb- a cave used to bury the dead



Plan:

Read story: "The Empty Tomb" and ask questions from Take Home Sheet that will be sent home today.



Activities:

Introduce activities: What happened on Easter?

sermons4kids.com- It’s Empty object lesson with coloring page

sermons4kids.com- I’ve Just Seen Jesus object lesson with coloring page and puzzles

sermons4kids.com- The Case of the Empty Tomb object lesson with coloring page, puzzles, multiple choice

sermons4kids.com- The Case of the Empty Tomb (group activities) crafts, games, songs, etc.

sermons4kids.com- Surprise! Object lesson with coloring page

sermons4kids.com- The Faces of Easter object lesson with coloring page, puzzles, quiz

sermons4kids.com- The Faces of Easter (group activities) crafts, games, songs, etc.

childrensermons.com- He is Risen! object lesson

childrensministry.com- a number of activities for teaching and celebrating Easter

dltk-bible.com- The Easter Story lesson with memory verses, circle the correct words, true or false, fill in the blanks, puzzles, and color sheets.

kidsclubs4jesus.com- Roll That Stone Away, Two Angels in White, He’s Alive lessons with puzzles, coloring sheet, Bible readings, questions, memory verses, key points, object lesson, drama, puppets, etc. (These files are set up and formatted so that they can be easily made into weekly booklets for your children's ministry, youth ministry, etc., with 4 sheets of legal paper and two staples).

children.calvarychapel.com- Jesus is Risen!, Peter and John Visit Jesus’ Tomb lessons with memory verses, circle the correct words, true or false, fill in the blanks, puzzles, and color sheets.

engagingfaith.blogspot.com- Easter/Resurrection Lesson Plan: Compare and Contrast the Gospel Accounts of the Resurrection



More Crafts

christiancrafters.com- The Colors of Christ Cross
*Neat tip at the bottom for younger students.



Introduce craft: Did they find Jesus in the tomb on Easter? Let’s make something that shows what they found.

The Empty Tomb- A cute craft that the children will get to "roll the stone away" on Jesus' tomb to retell the story of the resurrection. Even though this comes from a preschool craft book, it is appropriate for older children to do. (Preschool Christian Crafts by Linda Standke, page 57 & 58).

catholicicing.com- Printable Resurrection Set



Introduce art activity: Remember the caterpillar we made at Lent? We made a caterpillar to remind us that we are to change during Lent and become more like Jesus. Now the caterpillar has changed. What did he change into? A butterfly. Let’s have our caterpillars change into a butterfly.

Butterfly- A butterfly is made from using the child's handprints. The butterfly represents how the caterpillar changed and became a butterfly and received new life. (From the Hands of a Child by Anthony Flores, page 40).

crafts.kaboose.com- Coffee Filter Butterfly

freepreschoolcrafts.com- Plastic Bag Butterfly
Make this butterfly according to the directions or use a painted clothes pin for the body that has googly eyes glued on it. Gather the plastic bag together at the center and slide it between the clamps of the clothes pin. Shape some pipe cleaner into antennae and glue the center of the pipe cleaner between the clamps of the clothespin. You can make this into a magnet by putting a sticky magnet on the back of the clothespin.



Introduce craft: Have you ever heard of the Jelly Bean Prayer?

annieshomepage.com- Jelly Bean Prayer
Prayer with activities to go with it: cards and jar craft.

kinderart.com- Jelly Bean Sweet Jar (craft)

mama-jean.blogspot.com- Jelly Bean Prayer label (printable)



More Games

Introduce game: What was rolled away from the tomb where Jesus laid?

Who’s Got The Stone?

Need: One small rock

Directions: One student is picked to be “It”. All the students (except "It") put both of their hands together and form a cup with just a little hole up on top. The teacher walks around and pretends to put the stone in someone's hand. One student will actually get the stone. The student who is “It” is then asked by the teacher, "Who's got the stone?". Whoever has the stone is "It". (Game is like “Button, Button, Who’s Got the Button?).

Impossible Knot! (Jesus Rises From the Dead)- This game will seem impossible to kids at first, just as Jesus’ resurrection must have seemed impossible at the time. (The Encyclopedia of Bible Games for Children’s Ministry by Group Publishing, page 100 & 101.)

Sight Seeing (Jesus Appears to Mary)- As kids explore Jesus’ appearance to Mary, they will learn that god always keeps his word, no matter how hard it is to believe. (The Encyclopedia of Bible Games for Children’s Ministry by Group Publishing, page 102 & 103.)



These game are free, however they can only to be used for classroom and personal use. They may not be published on any websites or other electronic media, or distributed in newsletters, bulletins, or any other form or sold for profit.



The Empty Tomb File Folder Game: The objective of the game is to get to the empty tomb first. Players take turns spinning the spinner and then moving their marker ahead to the next space of that color. (Like Candy Land)

Directions- Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.

Game Board- Print out Game Board, trim and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.

Spinner- Make spinner according to the directions.






Jelly Bean Prayer File Folder Game: The objective of the game is to collect the most Jelly Bean jar cards by answering questions about Jesus and get to FINISH.

2 different game boards to choose from!
Directions- Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.

Game Board- Print out Game Board, trim and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last. 2 Game Boards to choose from.


Game Board #1

Game Board #2

Game Cards- Print Game Cards out on card stock. Cut out Game Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last. Use only the cards that reflect your students abilities.

Jelly Bean Jar Token Cards- Print out several pages of tokens on card stock. Cut out tokens. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last.

Questions and Answers- For the teacher to check answers.




Snacks:

Introduce snack: What did they find in the tomb? It was empty.

christiancrafters.com- Empty Tomb Snack


Note: You can make these cookies below the night before and have the students make another batch during class and seal up the oven. While the students are doing another activity, you can remove their cookies and add the batch you made the night before.

betterbudgeting.com- Resurrection Story Cookies



Introduce snack: Jesus died and received new life. A caterpillar changes into something. What does he become?
christiancrafters.com- New Life Butterfly Snack



Puzzles, Mazes, Worksheets:

More 365 Activities for Kids (do any of the Empty Tomb puzzles, mazes, dot-to-dot, spot the difference, etc. from November 22 - 24).

Jesus is Alive (maze)- Amazing Bible Mazes by Anita Reith Stohs

sermons4kids.com- Butterfly maze

sermons4kids.com- The Empty Tomb (maze)

biblewise.com- He is Risen! (maze)

dltk-bible.com- Easter puzzles (several to choose from

He’s Not Here! (find the hidden pictures)- Hidden Pictures Explore Hidden Treasures in God’s Word: Grade 1 – 3 by Linda Standke, page 29.

sermons4kids.com- The Empty Tomb (word search) John 20:1-18

sermons4kids.com- The Case of the Empty Tomb (word search) John 20:1-18

sermons4kids.com- Easter Sunrise Surprise (word search) Luke 24:1-12

sermons4kids.com- He Is Not Here. He Has Risen (crossword) John 20:1-18

sermons4kids.com- The Case of the Empty Tomb (crossword) John 20:1-18

sermons4kids.com- Easter Sunrise Surprise (crossword) Luke 24:1-12

sermons4kids.com- Easter Sunrise Surprise (word shape) Luke 24:6a

sermons4kids.com- He has risen! He is not here. (jumble) Mark 16:6

sermons4kids.com- I have seen the Lord! (jumble) John 20:18

sermons4kids.com- Easter Sunrise Surprise (decoder) Luke 24:6a

biblewise.com- The Women and the Angel (decoder)

sermons4kids.com- Easter Sunrise Surprise (multiple choice) Luke 24:1-12

sermons4kids.com- The Case of the Empty Tomb (multiple choice) John 20:1

biblewise.com- True or False with answers

biblewise.com- Jesus Is Alive: Who am I? Draw a line from each sentence to the persons or persons who did it.



Homework: Prayers and Take Home Sheet (It is in MS Word and can be changed any way you like according to your student’s abilities.)

Easter Games

These activities are free, however they are only to be used for classroom and personal use. They may not be published on any websites or other electronic media, or distributed in newsletters, bulletins, or any other form or sold for profit.


The Empty Tomb File Folder Game: The objective of the game is to get to the empty tomb first. Players take turns spinning the spinner and then moving their marker ahead to the next space of that color. (Like Candy Land)

Directions- Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.

Game Board- Print out Game Board, trim and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.

Spinner- Make spinner according to the directions.






Jelly Bean Prayer File Folder Game: The objective of the game is to collect the most Jelly Bean jar cards by answering questions about Jesus and get to FINISH.

2 different game boards to choose from!
Directions- Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.

Game Board- Print out Game Board, trim and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last. 2 Game Boards to choose from.


Game Board #1

Game Board #2

Game Cards- Print Game Cards out on card stock. Cut out Game Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last. Use only the cards that reflect your students abilities.

Jelly Bean Jar Token Cards- Print out several pages of tokens on card stock. Cut out tokens. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last.

Questions and Answers- For the teacher to check answers.