Dear Parents,

Thanks for joining us again as we do Children’s Worship from home!

Note: Please let us know about how your family is enjoying Children’s Worship! Take some pictures of your family participating in Children’s Worship or share a story. You can post to the Gold Avenue Church Facebook page or send by email at goldavechurch@gmail.com

Happy Easter!

Worldwide News!

Based on: Matthew 26:1—28:10

EQUIP:

(It’s not an activity, but just a little background on the story for you, the parent, to read.)

The story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is the high point in God’s big story of redemption. The amazing events of this first Easter give us the proof that God’s plan to save us is true. Because of Easter, we can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God loves us. We can be confident in the forgiveness of sin and in the promise that we can live now and forever in the presence of the risen Christ!

Activity One: Read the intro. Watch the video.

Activity Two: Discuss the story using provided questions as prompts. Prayer.

Worship: Singing

Activity Three: Respond to the story by doing the activity.

Activity Four: Bless your children

Activity 1: STORY

Introduction:To read the children:

Jesus had arrived in Jerusalem to shouts of joy, welcomed like a much-loved king. EVERYONE knew He was in town! And although many people loved Him, most of the religious leaders HATED Him.

Because of their hatred of Jesus, the religious leaders agreed to arrest Jesus and kill Him—but they wanted to be sly about it! With so many people in Jerusalem, arresting Jesus could start a riot, so they had to be careful. Judas, one of Jesus’ own disciples, came to them and offered to bring them to Jesus when there weren’t crowds of people around. The leaders gave him 30 pieces of silver for helping them arrest Jesus.

On the night Jesus was going to be arrested, He celebrated the Passover meal with His disciples. (Passover was a holiday to remember the way God had rescued His people from slavery in Egypt.) But this Passover was different! First, Jesus used the wine and bread on the table to explain to His friends that He was going to give His own body and His own blood so that their sins could be forgiven.

That same night, Jesus and His friends went to Gethsemane, the garden where they often gathered. Jesus prayed and prayed. What do you think Jesus prayed about? He knew what was coming—and He knew it was going to be painful. But Jesus prayed, “Father, not My will but Your will be done.”

Soon after that, Judas led a crowd of men with swords and clubs into the garden. After Judas greeted Jesus with a kiss, the men arrested Jesus—even though Jesus had done nothing wrong! Immediately, one of Jesus’ disciples took out a sword and cut off a man’s ear. “Put the sword back,” Jesus said. “My Father could send angels to protect Me!” Suddenly, even though Jesus didn’t seem to be afraid, ALL of the disciples were terrified. What do you think the disciples did? They turned and RAN!

Watch video:

Activity 2: DISCUSSION

Why do you think some of the people in Jerusalem first welcomed Jesus but then wanted Him to be killed? (They didn’t believe He was God’s Son.)

Why did Jesus have to die? (Jesus never sinned, so He is the only One who could take the punishment for our sins.)

What is the most important thing kids your age need to know about God’s plan for Jesus? (God sent Jesus to make a way for us to be part of God’s family forever.)

The story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is the part of God’s big story that we’ve all been waiting for! The amazing events of the first Easter show us that God’s plan to save each and every person is true. What better way for God to prove His love for us than to send His own Son to take the punishment for our sin—and then to raise Him from the dead so that we can live with Him now and forever!

What can you say to God for this great gift? Let’s pray and thank Him right now!

Encourage children to pray for these things with their own words. Then, transition into a time of prayer for personal requests.

Worship Songs:

Activity 3: RESPONSE ACTIVITY #1 Resurrection Buns

Here is a delicious and fun project to do with small children.

Ingredients

1 package refrigerated crescent dough
1 bag of large marshmallows
½ cup of butter, melted
¾ cup of white sugar
2 Tablespoons cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease a muffin tin pan and set aside.
Melt butter in a small bowl.
Mix together the cinnamon and sugar in a separate small bowl.
Unroll the crescent dough and separate into the triangles (along the dough perforations). Explain that the dough represents the tomb that they put Jesus into after his crucifixion.
Next, hold up a white marshmallow and explain that it represents Jesus. Roll the marshmallow in butter and then in the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Explain that it represents the oils and spices that was rubbed on Jesus after his death before they placed him in the tomb.
Place the marshmallow onto a dough triangle near the larger end. Wrap each side of the dough up and over the marshmallow and explain that the dough represents the tomb where they buried Jesus. Roll the dough in your hands until all of the marshmallow is covered and sealed.
Dip the rolled dough in butter and then dip in the cinnamon/sugar mixture and place in the greased muffin tin.
Repeat until all of the dough has been used.
Bake for 15 minutes.
Allow to cool then cut the “tomb” (rolls) down the middle. Before cutting, ask if the kids remember what happened on the third day (or why we celebrate Easter). Remind them that when they went to the tomb where Jesus was buried, the tomb was empty because Jesus rose. Cut through the roll and show the kids how the “tomb” is now empty.

Make sure you get the classic crescent dough that can be separated into triangles.

You may want to place the muffin tin on a cookie sheet before baking in case there is any spillover.

RESPONSE ACTIVITY #2 Paper Plate Empty Tomb

Here’s a simple craft for Easter. I couldn’t find instructions but it looks pretty simple to replicate. Notice the black background in the tomb. You could add an angel or the women for more detail. Use the coloring page to color and cut out the figures, if desired.

Activity 3: RESPONSE ACTIVITY #3 Print and Color

Activity 4: CLOSING BLESSING

(______________), May you always know that Jesus didn’t have to die on the cross. But He made that choice so you can be part of God’s family.