First Thoughts: I want to focus the children's attention this Sunday on the importance of paying attention to God's movement -- particularly in the Easter story. The disciples were so overwhelmed by the horror of what they saw on Good Friday that they had a hard time even recognizing Jesus when he arrived. As Christians, we pass through some difficult times, but we must resist the temptation of giving totally in to despair. We must stay engaged and continue to watch for what God will do next.
Teaching On Your Own: You know, guys, I was really bummed out a few days ago when we had the Good Friday service. Were any of you there? What was the story about? Jesus was crucified. I just don't understand it. He was such a good man and he loved everybody. He only tried to do what God wanted him to do. It's just a really sad story, don't you think? I was so sad, in fact, that when I got to church this morning I didn't even look around too much. I didn't notice how much the church has changed since that service. Did you notice? What are some changes you see? (purple changed to white, flowers, other Easter changes). Those are important changes, because they show us something -- the story doesn't end with Good Friday. Today is Easter, the day Jesus was raised from the dead. But Jesus' friends didn't know that. They were heartbroken. They thought Jesus was gone for good. In fact, on Easter morning a group of women went to take care of the body. When they found the tomb empty, they figured someone had moved the body. Then Jesus himself showed up right in front of Mary, one of his best friends. She was crying so hard she didn't even recognize him. Like me -- she was so sad she wasn't really paying any attention. It was only when he said her name that she realized it was Jesus. Every life is full of hard times, and God understands how we struggle. But it's important even in those hard times to keep our eyes open, remembering that God is still with us, and God is still working for the good in our lives. Whatever happens, God will help us, and that's a promise! God may not always send us a happy ending, but God always sends us a new beginning.
Teaching As A Team:
(Leader 2 looks very sad)
Leader 1: Hey, (name). What's wrong? You seem really down.
Leader 2: I do feel pretty sad. I'm still thinking about that Good Friday service when we heard about how Jesus was killed on the cross. He was such a good man and he loved everybody. He only ever tried to do what God wanted him to do. I just don't understand why that happened to him.
Leader 1: You're right. That's a really sad story. I can understand how you feel. But I think maybe your sadness is keeping you from noticing something.
Leader 2: Really? What?
Leader 1: Look how the sanctuary has changed since Good Friday. What's different? (see if you can get the children to notice -- white linen replaces purple, lilies in sanctuary, and so on) Do you see that, (name)?
Leader 2: Sure. But what does it mean?
Leader 1: It means the story has passed Good Friday. Today is Easter, the day Jesus was raised from the dead. The cross isn't the final scene in the story.
Leader 2: I can see things have changed, but my heart still feels heavy.
Leader 1: It was hard for Jesus' friends too. When Jesus died they were heartbroken. They thought he was gone for good. In fact, on Easter morning a group of women went to take care of the body. When they found the tomb empty, they figured someone had moved the body. Then Jesus himself showed up right in front of Mary, one of his best friends. She was crying so hard she didn't even recognize him. It was only after he spoke to her that she realized it was Jesus.
Leader 2: That's like me, feeling so sad about Good Friday that I didn't even notice the lilies.
Leader 1: It's okay to be sad. Every life is full of hard times, and God understands how we struggle. But it's important even in those times to keep our eyes open, remembering that God is still with us, and God is still working for the good in our lives. Whatever happens, God will help us, and that's a promise!
Leader 2: So you're saying that God always sends us happy endings?
Leader 1: Not a happy ending -- a new beginning.
Closing Prayer: Thank you, God, for this Easter promise that no matter what happens you will be with us. We can count on you to turn our suffering into a bright new morning. Help us to keep our eyes and hearts open for you to rescue us. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.
Follow-Up Lesson: To reinforce this message in a home or classroom environment, encourage the students to talk about new beginnings in their own lives. Note that before there can be a new beginning there has to be an ending. For example, before you can enter first grade you must leave kindergarten behind. Before you can learn to ride a bike you have to give up the tricycle. If you want to see spring you have to wait patiently through the winter. You might also encourage the students to act out the tomb scene with the women going to take care of Jesus' body. They find the tomb is open and empty and they cry even harder because they're afraid someone has taken the body away. They go to the other disciples, who come and look at the tomb as well, scratching their heads in confusion. Everyone leaves except Mary, who sinks to the ground crying. Jesus comes up and asks her what's wrong. She tells him that she doesn't know where Jesus is. Then Jesus speaks her name, and she suddenly realizes it is him. Excited, she jumps up and goes to tell the other disciples. Allow the children to do the scene as many times as they want, giving them a chance to play different parts. Invite them to share how they feel about the scene.
For a craft idea, give each child half a plastic Easter egg, air-drying clay, a paper plate, green construction paper, and a wooden skewer cut in half. (You might want to have these cut in advance or even have them pre-glued into crosses.) You will also need glue. First have the children cut out a circle of green construction paper and glue to the center of their paper plate. Next take the clay and shape it around the half egg, making an open "tomb" which is placed on the green construction paper. Finally have the children glue the skewers together in the shape of a cross and have them stick the end of the cross into the clay on top of the tomb. Close with prayer.
