New Testament Unit 7: Easter Lesson 5: Jesus Is …...“Mary.” Suddenly, Mary recognized it was Jesus! Jesus was alive! Jesus told Mary to go and tell the others He was alive. Mary

God’s Unfolding StoryHour B

Suggested Schedule:

ArrivalCenters – 25 minutes

Clean-up Time – 5 minutes

Bible Story Time – 15 minutes

Craft Time – 10 minutes

Snack Time – 10 minutes

Game Time/Dismissal

God’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT07 Lesson 5 Hour B Page 1

1. God created everything.

2. People disobeyed God.

3. God chose a special people.

4. God sent Jesus to help us.

5. Jesus began the Church.

6. Jesus is preparing heaven for us.

Unfolding God’s Story for TeachersJohn gave more attention to the resurrection account than any other gospel writer. This event was extremely important to this beloved disciple. When news reached Jesus’ followers that He was not in the tomb, John and Peter ran to investigate. John only observed from the outside that Jesus was not there. It was only after Peter went into the tomb that John stepped inside. He saw the grave clothes and head wrap lying as if they were an empty cocoon. Scripture says, “…he saw and believed” (John 20:8).

Another important person at the scene was Mary Magdalene. She had gone to the tomb first, before daylight possibly to anoint Jesus properly after His hasty burial. She and several other women came to give final care to the One who had given them freedom and unconditional love. They arrived to find the stone had been removed. Grave robbing was a common act and not beyond possibility because Jesus had been buried in a borrowed grave by a wealthy owner. Her first reaction was to run and tell the other followers.

After Peter and John observed the apparent tragedy, they returned home; but Mary, overcome by grief and sadness, stayed. She was not going anywhere without knowing what had happened to her Lord. She stepped inside and saw two angels. It’s interesting that Scripture does not indicate she was startled or afraid at their presence. The angels asked why she was crying. Mary responded with, “They have taken my Lord away, and I don’t know where they have put Him.” At that moment, Mary turned and saw someone she thought was the gardener. He called out, “Woman,” which was a polite address. Mary, so taken with grief and tears, did not recognize His voice and inquired if the Man knew where they had taken Jesus’ body. Then Jesus said, “Mary.” He called her by name, and suddenly she knew. She had been looking for a lifeless form and missed seeing the risen Savior!

One only can imagine her reaction. Grief and sadness surely left her countenance while being replaced with resplendent joy. Her need to hold on to what she thought was lost forever caused her to

cling to the Master ever so tightly. Mary still had not grasped that her risen Lord was now Savior of all mankind. Jesus tenderly asked Mary to tell the brothers (male disciples) what she has seen. Regardless of the fact that most had deserted Him on that Day of Atonement, Jesus called them “brothers.” Nothing can separate us from His love.

Our relationship to God the Father is certainly different from Jesus’ relationship to His Father. His relationship is based on nature, ours on grace. Because there is only one Father, we share in Christ’s victory. The same God that brought Jesus from the dead and enabled Him to ascend on high will allow us to dwell in heavenly places, as well. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

New Testament Unit 7: Easter Lesson 5: Jesus Is Alive

Arrival• Greet children at eye level and express how happy

you are to see them.• Be sure each child has a name tag and the security

measures of your church are followed.• Label all coats and personal belongings. Strongly

encourage children who have brought items from home, such as toys and books, to place them on a shelf while they are working with other materials. Assure children their items will be safe and they can take them home at the end of the session.

• Help each child make a choice where he or she would like to begin his or her Center Time.

Lesson Plan

Bible Story: Jesus Is Alive (John 20:1-18)Bible Phrase:

“Jesus is alive.” (Mark 16:6)Bible Truth: Jesus is alive.

Center TimeBlock CenterBuild with BlocksSupplies:

• Wooden blocksWhat to Do: Provide a small carpet if possible. Blocks are best located in a corner of the room away from the traffic flow. Encourage preschoolers to work together to build and construct.Link to the Bible Story: As children build, listen for opportunities to share the Bible Phrase or tell a part of the Bible story.

NT07 Lesson 5 Hour B Page 2

Art CenterWeave a Placemat

Supplies:

• Construction paper (white and other pastel colors) • Glue, scissors

What to Do: Fold a whole sheet of construction paper lengthwise. Cut lines across the length of the paper about

every inch starting at one end and cutting from the folded side. Stop cutlines about an inch before the edge of the paper.

Unfold the paper, so this becomes the loom for the child to weave strips of paper. Cut 1-inch strips lengthwise from the pastel colors of

construction paper. Demonstrate to children how to weave the strips of paper under and over the strips of the loom. This is a challenging skill

for older preschoolers but good for eye-hand coordination and problem solving. Acknowledge their efforts and accept their work.

Optional: Print today’s Bible Phrase at the bottom of the paper. Children can glue pastel strips of construction

paper to the white paper to make a design. Link to the Bible Story: Comment that in Bible

Story Time today we will hear the story of Mary going to the tomb where they put Jesus after

He died; but Jesus was not there, He was alive!

Puzzle CenterWork Puzzles

Supplies:

• Offer a variety of non-fantasy wooden or cardboard puzzles for

children to work.What to Do: Encourage children to finish

a puzzle before leaving the center. Give guidance rather than doing the puzzle for

the child. Link to the Bible Story: As children work, look for opportunities in conversation to say the

Bible Phrase or briefly tell the Bible story.

Home Living CenterPlay with FriendsSupplies:

• Small rocking chair, sink and stove unit and small table and chairs; plastic dishes, plastic food items; child pots and pans; and doll items such as a doll bed, doll bag, blanket, clothes, bottles and diapers. What to Do: Straighten and organize the Home Living Center each week. Make sure doll clothes and blankets are clean. Link to the Bible Story: Listen for opportunities while engaging in conversation with preschoolers to interject the Bible Phrase, Bible Story or Bible Truth.

God’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com

Bible Learning CenterBible Story Sequence

Supplies: • Copies of Activity Page, “Stories of Jesus”

(Reproducible)• Washable markers or crayons

What to Do: Ask children to use a crayon or marker to connect each picture to the number.

Link to the Bible Story: As children connect the lines to the numbers, briefly tell the highlights from each story

such as: 1) Mary showed her love for Jesus by washing His feet with expensive oil. 2) Jesus had a special

meal with His friends and asked them to remember Him and the things they had done. 3) People

honored Jesus by placing palm leaves and their coats on the ground for Jesus to ride across.

4) Mary went to the tomb where Jesus had been buried; but Jesus was not there, He

was alive!


Clean-up TimeEncourage

preschoolers to help at clean-up time.

Assign specific tasks for preschoolers to do such as

placing all the crayons in the basket, throwing away the trash,

gathering all the glue sticks, etc. Guide children to the

Bible Story Time area.

Introduction• Show the God’s Unfolding Story Cube. Point to each symbol and tell God’s Unfolding Story. (Refer to page 1.) Encourage children to say the story with you. • Comment to boys and girls today’s story is from the segment God sent Jesus to help us. (Point to that symbol on the cube.)• Remind boys and girls of last week’s lesson. Comment that boys and girls, moms and dads praised Jesus as He rode a donkey down the streets of Jerusalem.

• Express the following in your own words, “In our Bible story today, there were people who did not like Jesus. In fact, these people had Jesus killed. Friends of Jesus buried His body. Our story begins with Mary Magdalene going to visit the place where Jesus was. Listen to hear what amazing thing happened.”

Bible StoryJesus is Alive (John 20:1-18)Early in the morning, Mary Magdalene walked sadly toward a hill outside Jerusalem. Three day before, her friend Jesus had died and was buried. Mary was walking to the tomb where they had placed Jesus’ body.

When she arrived at the tomb, the large stone that had been placed in front of the opening was gone! She looked inside the tomb, but it was empty. Jesus was not there! Mary was very upset. She ran back to find Peter, John and the other disciples.

Seeing Peter and John, she cried, “They have taken Jesus, and I don’t know where they have put Him!”

Peter and John ran ahead to the tomb. Mary was right. Jesus was gone! Peter, John and the others went home sadly, but Mary stayed behind.

She stooped down and looked inside the tomb again and began to cry. Then Mary saw two angels sitting in the tomb. They said to her, “Why are you crying?” Mary

replied, “Someone took Jesus away, and I don’t know where He is.”

Mary turned around and saw a Man. She thought it was the gardener. He asked her who she was looking for. She told Him, “Jesus.”

Then the Man called her by name, “Mary.” Suddenly, Mary recognized it was Jesus! Jesus was alive!

Jesus told Mary to go and tell the others He was alive. Mary ran home to find Peter, John and the other disciples to tell them Jesus was alive! What a wonderful happy day!

Talk Time1. Show the teaching picture and ask the

following: “At the beginning of the story, why was Mary sad? What did she discover when she got to the tomb? What did Mary see in the tomb? Who called Mary by name?”

2. Point to the Bible Phrase at the bottom of the teaching picture. Say the phrase together. Reinforce to preschoolers that Jesus is alive and lives in heaven with God, and His Spirit lives in the hearts of those who believe in Him.

3. Close Bible Story Time by inviting children to join you in prayer. Pray, thanking God for Jesus.

4. Direct children to Craft Time.

Bible Story Time

Supplies:• Bible

• Teaching Picture “Jesus is Alive” (Reproducible)

• God’s Unfolding Story Cube (Reproducible/Cardstock)

Snack TimeBe sure to wash hands or use hand sanitizer. Say a thank-you prayer to God for the snack. When snack time has ended, encourage preschoolers to help with cleaning up.


Craft TimeSupplies: • Copies of “Jesus Is Alive Card” (Reproducible)• Crayons or washable markers• Glue or tape, scissorsWhat to Do: If time is an issue, precut the cards and figures of Jesus. Otherwise, invite children to color the tomb and the figure of Jesus. Then encourage preschoolers to cut along the dotted lines of each piece. Ask preschoolers to glue the figure of Jesus on the outside edge of the tomb. Link to Bible Story: As children work, review the Bible Story. Remind preschoolers that Jesus did not stay in the tomb, but is alive and lives with God in heaven, and His Spirit is in the hearts of those who love Him and believe in Him.

Game Time/DismissalButton, Button Who Has the Button?Supplies:

• Small button or other small object that will fit in a child’s hand.What to Do: Ask children to sit in a circle with their hands cupped behind their backs. The teacher begins the game by walking around the circle and pretends to put the object in each child’s hand. She does, however, place the object in one child’s hand. All children keep their hands cupped pretending they have the object. Then the teacher says, “Button, button who has the button?” The children guess who has the button. Play the game as long as children are interested. After the game, ask boys and girls to say the Bible Phrase with you, “Jesus is alive” (Mark 16:6).Dismiss children as parents arrive. Be sure to follow the security procedures of your church.

New Testament Unit 7: Easter

Lesson 5: Jesus is Alive

God’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT07 Lesson 5 Hour B

Resources and SuppliesStandard Art Supplies

(Supplies that are generally in the room)

Washable markersCrayons

Child scissorsPlaydough and accessories

Drawing paperEasel (optional)Glue/glue sticks

Tempera paint, 4 colorsTape/masking tape

Pencils/colored pencilsHole punch

Teacher scissorsStapler/staples

Permanent markersWatercolorsPaintbrushes

Yarn

Standard Equipment

(Equipment that is generally in the room)

Small beanbag for Bible Story TimeAssorted wooden/cardboard puzzles

Set of wooden blocksSmall cars and trucks

Doll bedBaby doll (soft plastic)

Stove/sink unitPlay dishes/pots and pans

Small table and chairsSmall carpet for block area

Play food itemsStorage shelf for blocks

Tables and chairs for art, puzzles, and Bible Learning Center

CD player/Children’s Worship CDs

Hour B

Reproducibles(Included with the lesson plan downloads)

Activity Page,”Stories of Jesus” – 1 copy per child“Jesus is Alive Card” – 1 copy per child

Teaching Picture, “The People Honored Jesus” – 1 copy per classGod’s Unfolding Story Cube – Cardstock - 1 copy per class

Parent Page – 1 copy per childColoring Page, “Jesus Is Alive!”

Additional Art and Bible Learning Center Materials

White construction paper – 1 sheet per childColored construction paper – 4 or 5 sheets

Additional Game Materials

Button

Stories of Jesus

1 2 3 4NT07 Lesson 5 Hour B Center Time: Bible Learning Center


Activity Page, “Stories of Jesus” Instructions: One copy per child. Tell highlights from each of the stories in the order they occurred. Children identify the picture and connect it to the number.

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Jesus is alive!

NT07 Lesson 5 Hour B Craft TimeGod’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com

“Jesus is Alive Card” Instructions: One copy per child. Children color the tomb and figure of Jesus. Encourage children to cut along the dotted lines. Ask preschoolers to glue the figure of Jesus on the outside edge of the tomb.

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God’s Unfolding Story CubeInstructions: Cut out on dotted lines, fold on solid lines. Glue or tape to form a cube.


Jesus is alive. Mark 16:6NT07 Lesson 5 Optional

God’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com“Jesus is Alive” Coloring Sheet

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Documents

New Testament Unit 7: Easter Lesson 5: Jesus Is …...“Mary.” Suddenly, Mary recognized it was Jesus! Jesus was alive! Jesus told Mary to go and tell the others He was alive. Mary