He
is not here, He has risen!Mark 16:6And
he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus ofNazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold
the place where they laid him.
Their
hearts were broken. The women stood in the distance and watched as Jesus was
shamefully crucified. Crucifixion was reserved for the most vile criminals
and now they watched as their Lord hung on two rough boards fashioned into a
simple cross.
They stayed until the very end. They were too far away to
understand His words, but they saw His bleeding body, and His struggle for
every breath. Then it was over- Jesus was dead. Even though they had cried
all day, fresh tears came. How could it end like this? Jesus was a good man,
a kind man. How could He be dead? Even nature grieved,. at the moment of The
Messiah’s death, the earth shook violently in convulsive grief. Jesus was
dead.
He was more than
a friend. They had watched His miracles. They had cooked for Him, provided
Him with lodging and even contributed financially to His ministry. They
believed He was the promised one, but things were not working out as they
had expected- Jesus was dead.
They
watched as Joseph, a wealthy man took the body of Jesus carefully and
lovingly down from the cross. They followed in the distance so they would
know where to go after the Sabbath to demonstrate their love with one last
act of service.
Spring
was in the air, but I’m sure these women didn’t feel much like enjoying
Spring. The air was sweet and fragrant, but their noses refused to smell the
sweetness. Their hearts were heavy. The man they believed to be The Messiah,
Jesus-- was dead. They loved Jesus, but now their hope was gone.
Mary,
the mother of James and John, was in the group that morning. It was early,
the sun was just peeking its head above the horizon. The birds were singing
Spring’s glorious song. The flowers were beginning to bloom and the leaves
were budding on the trees. It was a rich man’s garden they were walking
through, it must have been beautiful, but Mary didn’t even notice. She had
grand dreams of her sons becoming powerful men as Jesus’ personal
assistants when Jesus ascended to His throne. She had even mentioned it to
Jesus once. What would her sons do now? Their death might be immanent as
well.
Mary
Magdalene knew Jesus had to be more than just an ordinary man. She had been
completed possessed by demons. The thought of the torment and fear she had
experienced still made her tremble. Jesus had cast out the demons, she was free and now she had peace, real peace, like she had
never known before. But Jesus was dead. It was all over. What would life be
like without Jesus? How could the Savior be dead?
They
felt the ground tremble under their feet, another earthquake like the one
when Jesus drew his last breathe. Would everything, always be a reminder of
that horrible day? “The stone,” one of the ladies spoke the thoughts of
all the women, “Do you think we can move it? But they had to try, it was
the last thing they could do to demonstrate their love and loyalty to Jesus.
But
when they arrived, the stone was moved away from the doorway of the tomb.
Sitting on the stone was a magnificent angel. I’m sure their hearts began
to pound and their tired minds and bodies trembled.
The
angel spoke first. “Don’t be afraid. You’re looking for Jesus of
Nazareth. They crucified Him, but He’s not here. He has risen from the
dead. Look for yourself. See, He’s not here.” I’m sure they looked
inside the tomb to verify these strange words.
You
must hurry. Go tell His disciples and Peter that Jesus is alive. They
hurried away to tell the wonderful news. But when the women reported the
good news to the disciples, they refused to believe them.
It’s
not like they didn’t know. Jesus plainly told them in Matthew 20:18,19
that He was going to die, but He would rise again on the third day. They
knew, but they didn’t know. John 20:9 (NIV)(They still did not
understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)
Maybe
they were in shock. Maybe they were so wrapped up in grief that they forgot,
but the facts remain they didn’t believe. When Jesus finally appeared to
the disciples as a group, He reprimanded them strongly for their unbelief.
Mark 16:14 (NIV) Later Jesus appeared
to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith
and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had
risen.
Their
lack of understanding of the Word of God and unbelief was keeping them from
walking in peace. It will keep you from walking in peace, too. No matter
what your circumstances, God wants you to know He is more than enough. It
may not look like things are working out the way you planned, but it
doesn’t mean God won’t keep His promises. Get
a strong grip on the promises of God.
The Resurrection message is the greatest story of triumph every
told.
Jesus was triumphant over Death, Hell and the Grave. Because Jesus lives in
every born again Christian through the power of the Holy Ghost you can be
triumphant too.
You will need two people puppets
for this Easter skit. A boy and an adult. Click
here to see our complete selection of beautiful people puppets to make
your Resurrection Celebration special.
Teacher:
Reggie, are you back there?
Reggie:
Yes, ma’am. Are there any pretty girls out dere?
Teacher:
Aren’t there always?
Reggie:
Just a minute let me fix my hair. (Spitting sound)
Teacher:
Reggie, what are you doing?
Reggie:
I’m spit shining my hair. I want to look handsome for all dose girls out
dere.
Teacher:
Are you looking for a girl friend?
Reggie:
I’m always looking, but de girls seem to be looking de utter way.
Teacher:I want to teach the class the real meaning of Easter. I thought you
might help me.
Reggie:
You asked the right person. It's in my basket. I got it right here, just a
minute. (Brings up basket.)
Teacher:
you don’t understand, Reggie, Easter is much more than an Easter basket
filled with goodies.
Reggie:
I know dat. But dis is a special basket.
Teacher:
It looks like a basket filled with toys and treats to me.
Reggie:
Let me splain (explain) it to ya. These are marshmallow chicks.
Teacher:
Reggie, what do marshmallow chicks have to do with the real meaning of
Easter?
Reggie:
I’m getting to that part. What do chicks grow into?
Teacher:
Chickens.
Reggie:
And when somebody is ‘fraid of something, folks say they’re chicken. God
didn’t want folks living like a chicken, always afraid of stuff. So Jesus
bought our peace just like I bought these chicks at the store.
Teacher:
And how did he buy it?
Reggie:
(Show chocolate coins) He couldn’t buy peace with money, not even
chocolate money. He bought it when He died on the cross.
Teacher:
Is that bubble gum? What does that have to do with the real meaning of
Easter?
Reggie:
Sometimes, I forget to take my gum out when I go to bed. And guess where I
find it in the morning?
Teacher:
In your hair?
Reggie:
How did you know? Does your gum end up in your hair too?
Teacher:
No, Reggie, I don’t go to bed with gum in my mouth. I’m waiting to hear
this profound explanation of what gum is doing in that basket.
Reggie:
I like to chew bubble gum. It taste so good and I chew and chew it and chew
it.
Teacher:
No, I mean what does gum have to do with the real meaning of Easter?
Reggie:
Gum gets stuck in my hair and the only way to get it out is to cut my hair,
cause gum is really sticky. I wuz thinking, what held Jesus to that cross? I
mean Jesus was God’s son. He never did nothing wrong and it really hurt to
get put on a cross like that. And with him being God’s son, He could have
come down from the cross anytime He wanted to. So I figure something held
Him to the cross- something really strong.
Teacher:
And what do you think that something might be?
Reggie:
Oh, I know what it was.
Teacher:
You do? Will you tell us?
Reggie:
I didn’t think you would ever ask. It was love. Love held Jesus on that
cross. He loved everybody that would ever be born so much that he stayed on
that cross when He could have come down.
Teacher: Is
that all you have in your basket? Now your basket is empty.
Reggie:
On Sunday morning when his friends went to the grave- it was empty.Jesus was gone.
Teacher:
You’re right, that is the best part. Jesus was alive. Death could not hold
him, because he had won over death. Reggie, I’m amazed. You really do
understand the real meaning of Easter.
Reggie:
And I know how to pick good candy too. I think I’ll start on my chocolate
bunny. See ya.
A picture of Jesus is wrapped in several pieces of papers.,
representing the story of His burial. First wrapped in the
burial cloth, then placed in a tomb and finally sealed
inside by a large rock covering the mouth of the tomb. As
the papers are unfolded the picture of Jesus has vanished.
Easy to Do-Yet so effective!
Are you looking for a new way to tell an awesome old story? These trick
bags will amaze and captivate your audience. When you turn the bag once they
are not surprised, but when you turn it again and again they are amazed.
Each of the colors in this beautiful pastel bag is a visual for the
Resurrection Story. We used John 20 for this story.
Easter Print
Easter is a wonderful celebration. The chocolate bunny,
marshmallow chicks and new clothes are ways to celebrate Easter, but they do
not give us a picture of the real meaning. Easter is a Resurrection
Celebration. Jesus really came back to life. The resurrection story isn’t
a sweet little story someone made up and put in a book. Many eyewitnesses
documented his resurrection.
It is easy to get so carried away celebrating that we
miss the real meaning of the event. The sweetest part of Easter is enjoying
the life long benefits that come from experiencing the real meaning of
Easter. I’d like the share with you the real Easter Story using the colors
of Easter. The only bunny in this story is any bunny that might have tried
to find a hole to hide during the rock and roll performance, (better known
as the earthquake) in the garden.
Green
This green makes me think of the new green of
springtime. Springtime is a glorious time of new beginnings. The grass is
turning green. The flowers are blooming, but more important springtime is
planting time. Jesus had explained just as a seed must be buried in the
ground to produce a harvest, so He would have to die so He could bring new
life to many. The message of the resurrection is illustrated every time a
farmer reaps a harvest. Because Jesus died on the cross you can have new
life. This new life is real life. It means having the giver of all life
living inside you so you can do and be what God put you here to accomplish.
Not only does nature illustrate the resurrection
message, nature was affected by the resurrection. The lifeless body of Jesus
lay in the tomb of a rich man for three days. The tomb was in a garden.
I’m sure the wild flowers were peeking their heads out of their blooms on
that warm morning. The ground began to shake with a violent earthquake. The
rocks began to roll back and forth, even the huge rock that had been rolled
in front of the garden tomb opening. The stone was rolled away not so Jesus
could get out. The stone was rolled away so witnesses could see Jesus was
gone. Nature was shaken by this glorious event, but so was the world. This
news affected different people very differently.
Now we can only imagine how the soldiers must have
felt. Here they were with the no-brainer job of guarding the tomb of a dead
man when suddenly everything turns topsy-turvy! Earthquakes can be
terrifying even when you are in a protected area, but it must be horrifying
if you are in the mountainous area with rocks tumbling down from all
directions.
White
But the sight of the angel scared them even more!The angel shined like lightning and his clothes were as white as
snow. The soldiers were…what’s a word that means you’re more
frightened than terrified, you’re more frightened than horrified. They
were trembling and shaking like a leaf in the wind. They were so frightened
they passed out! Now that is major frightened!When they looked inside the tomb Jesus was gone. Now they were in big
trouble.
The guards hurried to tell their unbelievable story to
the priest in their white, linen robes in the temple. The priest had to hush
this story. If word got out that Jesus was alive then everyone would believe
that Jesus really was the Messiah. They understood that only God could
perform a miracle of that magnitude!That
had to keep the soldiers from telling anyone their story, so the religious
leaders agreed to pay the soldiers a large sum of money to tell a “little
white lie”. They were instructed to tell everyone that the disciples of
Jesus stole his body. If the governor hears the story, we’ll cover for
you, they promised. So the soldiers took their money and repeated the story
as the priest instructed.
The coins jiggling in their moneybag could never
outweigh what they could have had if they had understood the meaning of what
had just happened before their very eyes. They saw, but they didn’t
believe.
Blue
There are just no words to describe the empty aching
pain that Jesus’ disciples felt that morning. To say they were blue
doesn’t begin to describe their loss. They loved Jesus. They saw his
miracles. They carried the twelve baskets overflowing with bread and fish
that started from a little boy’s lunch. They saw him walk on water. They
saw blind eyes opened. They followed Jesus. They believed He was God’s
Son, now Jesus was dead. It was too sad to be true, but it was true. They
had witnessed the horrible scene themselves.
Jesus had tried to prepare them for this event. He had
tried to explain that he would suffer and die, but they weren’t looking
for a suffering savior, they were looking for a powerful King. Suffering
didn’t fit in their picture of what the Messiah would be like. They
didn’t understand Jesus came to deliver all mankind from a power greater
than that of the Roman government. Jesus had come to deliver them from the
strong hold of sin! He came to pay the price for sin, so anyone that would
believe could go free. But they didn’t understand, they didn’t believe
and now their loss was overwhelming.
Pink
Pink is for the ladies that were the first visitors to
the tomb that morning. Mary had risen early that morning with a mission. It
was still dark as she made her way to the garden tomb carrying fragrant
spices to anoint Jesus’ body. It was the least she could do for Jesus. She
was worried, how could she get the stone rolled away so she could get
inside. But as usual, there was no need to worry God had everything under
control. When she got there the stone was rolled away, but when she looked
inside the tomb, the body of Jesus was gone.
Mary ran to tell Peter and John. They would know what
to do. When Mary came running into the village, they heard her before they
saw her. “Peter! John! Come quickly!” Breathless she told what she had
seen- an empty tomb.
Peter and John raced toward the tomb. John got there
first. They saw the grave clothes folded and lay neatly in place. The face
napkin was folded and laying by itself. They couldn’t explain what had
happened. They had seen Jesus die. They saw his body removed from the cross.
Where was He now? The book of John records that he saw and believed. John
left that empty tomb believing. But Peter saw the empty tomb and left
confused.
Blue
They went back home, but Mary stayed outside the tomb
crying. Blue doesn’t describe Mary’s pain. Mary didn’t understand what
was happening. Her sweet Jesus was gone. She had been a tormented woman,
racked with pain when she first met Jesus. He had healed her and set her
free from the torment that had gripped her life. She knew he was more than
just an ordinary man. She knew He was from God, but how could He be dead?
Where was his body? She wiped the tears with the back of her hand and
stooped to look into the tomb again, but this time she saw two angels.
White
Two angels dressed in dazzling white sat at each end of
where the body had lain. The angels asked her, “Why are you crying?”
Because they have taken away my Lord and I don’t know
where they have put Him. When she turned back around she saw a man standing
there.
It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. “Woman,
why are you crying?”
Green
Mary thought the man was the gardener. He wasn't
the gardener, but she thought he was. She knew
if anyone would know where Jesus was, he would. “Sir, please tell me where
you have moved him.”
Then Jesus spoke her name, “Mary.” She
recognized him immediately. No one said Mary, like Jesus. “Master,” Mary
squealed!
Don’t touch me. I must go to my Father. Go to my
brethren and tell them that I am going to my Father and your Father.”
Mary didn’t need a green light. She wanted to
tell everyone that Jesus was alive. Jesus really was the Son of God. Jesus
had won over death. Can you imagine her excitement? This was news worth
sharing.
But the news has not grown stale or powerless.Not only does Jesus offer new life, His resurrection means we can
have eternal life. Life in Christ is not a life stripped of everything good.
It is a life full of all the things that are really important. Mary must
have looked like a wild woman as she ran back through the garden to where
the disciples were. She told them everything Jesus had said.
Easter Print
That evening all the disciples except Thomas were
together. They locked the doors, afraid that they might be the next to be
arrested. As they were sitting together, Jesus was suddenly in the room. He
spoke a greeting of peace to them. He showed them the scars in his hands and
his side. They were overjoyed when they saw Jesus.
Many others saw Jesus. Everyone that saw Jesus
didn’t believe. Seeing isn’t always believing, but believing is always
seeing. Faith lets you see it before you see it.
Easter is a wonderful celebration, but it’s
more than a celebration. Easter is all about receiving new life in Jesus,
abundant life, yes, even eternal life. Easter is about experiencing peace in
troubled times and joy during dark trials. Easter is God’s ultimate
triumphant over death, hell and the grave.
For this skit you will need 2 men in biblical costume and 2 women.
Mary
Magdalene: Peter! John! you've got to come quickly!
Peter:
What's wrong now?
Mary:
He's gone. Jesus is gone.
John:
Calm down and come inside. I'll get you some water.
Peter:
Mary, we saw Him die. We know he's gone.
Mary
Magdalene: No, you don't understand.
John:
Just calm down. I know you're upset. Come inside and sit down.
Mary:
Please listen to us. We went to the tomb this morning to anoint Jesus' body.
We were worried that we might not be able to move the stone out of the way.
Mary
Magdalene: But when we got there not only was the stone gone, so was Jesus.
Peter:
And you're sure you went to the right place.
Mary:
Of course we're sure. We followed Joseph when he took the body down from the
cross.
John:
And you're sure the tomb was empty?
Mary
Magdalene: We're not a bunch of crazy women. I'm telling you what I saw.
Jesus is gone.
John:
I got to see this.
Peter:
Wait, John I'll go with you.
(all
exit)
Later
that day.
(Peter,
John and Mary enter) Peter: I just don't know what to believe. I don't
understand this.
John:
I believe He is alive.
Mary:
But John, how could he be alive? You saw him die. I saw Joseph place
him in the garden tomb. He died a horrible shameful death.
Peter:
I never dreamed any of this could ever happen. I thought Jesus was going to
save us from the Romans.
Mary:
So did I. I could just see Jesus as our new king. Remember, I asked for that
my both of my sons be given jobs as his right hand associates and look what happened to
Him. I can't believe any of this has happened.
Mary
Magdalene: (hollering) I saw Him. I saw Jesus. He's alive.
John:
I knew it.
Peter:
Calm down and tell us what happened.
Mary
M: I went to the tomb. Jesus was gone. I saw a man. I thought he must
be the gardener. So
I begged him to please tell me where he had put Jesus.
Peter:
Gardner?
Mary
M: No, it wasn't the gardener. It was Jesus.
Peter:
I know you've been through so much. I mean after all
he did for you, it must be very hard to lose a friend like that. I'm sad
too, but Jesus is dead.
Mary M:
No, He's alive. I recognized his voice. It was Him. He told me to come tell you.
He really is alive. I saw Him. He's alive.
Peter: I want to believe.
If only it really were true!
Mary: It is true. You'll
see.
You
could use these puppets for the skit above. I recommend that use GS2602;
GS2609; GS2605; GS2607 for the skit above.
This
is a great trick for your Resurrection Celebration. I like it because it
is very easy to do and the message is strong. Kids love it.
Pick
up the yellow and green silk to illustrate how God walked with Adam and
Eve in the garden, but sin separated them. God did not want to be
separated from his precious creation so he sent his Son into the world
(represented by the red silk). The red silk is tucked into the Crystal
Tube. Then the green silk is tucked into one end of the tube, followed
by the yellow. You raise tube to your mouth and blow down tube. Silks
fly out knotted together to represent because of Jesus, believers can
have fellowship with God. Trick complete with gospel illustration. Story
included.
It was over. He was dead. Death –the ultimate
defeat-had taken Jesus from them. His disciples believed He was the promised
one from God. Now their Messiah was dead. While some followers scurried away
in fear, others watched in horror and disbelief as their leader was brutally
killed. How could this be happening?
The
perfect Son of God was dead. The Earth shuddered and quaked. The sky
darkened as the sun hid its glory. God could not wink at sin. The penalty of
sin had to be paid. Jesus paid the debt with the ultimate gift-- his life.
He paid a debt He didn’t owe. He paid a debt mankind could never pay.
The cross, the place ofHis death, birthed the ultimate victory. The cross was not
final defeat, but a final triumph for anyone that would believe and receive.
The cross is where Jesus purchased our salvation. Jesus wasn’t defeated.
It only looked like defeat. The cross is not a place of defeat, but of
victory. He won.
Jealousy wounded his back, but healing was purchased.
Angry crowds drove him up the rocky path, but peace and kindness flowed back
through gentle words.Hate
nailed him to the cross, but love held him there. Rejection mocked and
ridiculed him far worse than the painful thorns and torn beard, but purpose
and God’s high calling was triumphant over the pain of rejection. He was
offered gall, the bitter gall of self-pity. It’s purpose was to dull the
pain, like we think self pity will dull our pain, but Jesus spit it out. He
was victorious over self-pity. He was victorious over sin so that you can be
victorious over sin. He was victorious over rejection so you can be
victorious over rejection. He defeated hatred with love. He defeated
jealousy and cruelty with forgiveness.
He did it for you, so you could walk in newness of
life. That new life is a life that is triumphant over sin. You need to stop
saying, “Oh, I’m like my mama. She had a bad temper. I have a bad
temper.” Oh, I’m like my aunt, she was a worrier, I’m a worrier.”
No, Jesus purchased your peace. Jesus purchased your victory over sin. You
can enjoy more than just than a secure future. You can enjoy living in the
victory Jesus provided for you. It’s yours. He bought and paid for it.
Bring
a helium balloon into the class on a string tied to your wrist. Play with
the balloon, pulling it down and letting it float back up.
Let the children explain to you why the balloon rises. It is filled with helium. Helium is lighter than air, so the balloon
rises. The helium gives the balloon rising power.
Bring
a roll or a pack of yeast into the class. Talk about yeast, explain that
bread without yeast is flat. When you mix yeast with warm water and sugar it
produces a gas that causes the bread to rise. Yeast gives bread rising
power.
Jesus died
on the cross for of the world, but Jesus had never sinned. He had
never said a curse word. He had never stolen money from his mother’s
pocket. Jesus never sinned. Because Jesus never sinned death could not hold
Him captive. God’s outstretched arm brought rising power that set Jesus
free from the bondage of death, hell and the grave.
Because Jesus arose from the
dead, He promised that every believer would rise again. That rising power or
resurrection power is called the Blessed Hope of the church. One day Jesus
is coming back again. The dead will rise first, and all that remain will
rise to be with the Lord.
Packs
Flat, Plays Big.
This should be in every gospel performers "bag of tricks".
Three large jumbo cards are shown. Each have printed crosses on them, but
the center card is in a different color easily depicting it as Christ on the
cross between the two thieves. Usually a child is asked to come to the
platform and hold a large folder with a picture of the tomb printed on it.
The three cards are placed in the tomb as the crucifixion story is told. The
two thief cards are removed leaving only the Christ card in the tomb.
However the folder is shown to be empty except for a card with the words
"HE IS NOT HERE". When the audience thinks that the Christ card is on
the reverse side and indicate they would like to see it turned over, the
words "HE IS RISEN" appear on the back. Very, very strong Gospel
magic and very easy to do. Many performers use it in all of their programs,
but a must for any program around the Easter season.
You can use this story two ways. 1. Make a rock
puppet from foam. Put a moveable mouth in it or without a mouth, just move
the rock on a rod. 2. Become the rock and tell the story as if you were a
rock.
Now I’m no dummy. I know rocks can’t talk, but if
they could and if this rock was from the hillsides of Israel, I wonder if
his story would go something like this. What a great day. The trees are
budding. The breeze is cool. The kids are a little loud, but all in all
being a rock isn’t so bad. Oh no! Here we go again. Can’t those kids
find any other games to play beside kick the rock. I mean come on…go
play with a donkey or something. I always wind up in strange places when
kids start kicking me around. Last week I ended up on a great big hill
listening to some guy talk. The kids really liked the man. He seemed to
like the kids. He took them in his lap and spent time with them—ya know
like he really cared about them.
Oh, here we go into the boy’s pouch. I wonder where
we’re off to this time. It’s not too bad being a rock in a little
boy’s pouch. I bounce a little more than I like, but I’d rather be a
rock than that man last night. to hurt somebody. I could see through his
fingers, we were in a beautiful garden. It was night, but the torch light
flickered on their faces. Their teeth were clenched and their eyes glared with hatred. Their voices were loud, not like the
kids this morning, but angry voices.Speaking of kids why do kids always run? Ya bounce a lot harder in
a kid’s pouch when they run.Quit
running kid. There that’s better. Let me finish my story. Then I spotted
the kind man.
A man moved out of the crowd and kissed him on the
cheek. Immediately, the crowd moved in to take the kind man away, but
suddenly one of the kind man’sfriends
pulled his sword and cut off an ear. It was awful. Blood was gushing
everywhere. Something like that could make you loose ya jelly beans. But
then the kind man did the strangest thing. He picked up the ear and put it
back in place. I saw it. I tell you he healed the man’s ear right in
front of everybody. That’s when the man dropped me in the dirt. And the
crowd took away the kind man. I wonder what they were gonna do to him.
What’s that? I hear angry voices.
Hey kid, your parents aren’t going to like this.
You better go home! Let me see there’s a hole in this bag, if I could
just get a little peek. Now I know you’re mama’s gonna be mad. I see
crosses. We can’t go there. This place is really scary. No place for
kids. Hey kid, let’sgo play
by the lake. Ya know skip stones across the lake. What are they saying?
They’re so angry it’s hard to under…crucify. Oh yuck. They’re
yelling crucify him. That’s really mean. Hey kid, what ya doing?
You’re not gonna throw me, no don’t throw me. You might hurt somebody.
Those Roman soldiers can be really….ahhh!. Whew, he missed, ohh! I hate
it when kids throw me on the ground.
Where am I? Oh no, the soldiers are gambling.
They’re always gambling for something, what’s the prize now? Oh that
man is crying, whoa, and that man looks really mad. Who are they
crucifying—it’s him. The kind man. The one that likes kids. The one
that raised one kid from the dead one time and healed that man’s ear
last night?
Wonder what his name is. Oh there, his name must be
written over the cross, hey somebody kick me closer so I can read the
sign. Maybe if I just rolled a little closer. Yeah, that’s
better—King… King of the Jews. Wow that sounds really important. But
why would they kill a king? I don’t understand it. Why would they kill a
kind man like him? I’m just a rock, but do you know why they did it?
Wouldn’t it be cool to continue the story the next
week on the resurrection from the view point of the rock. You could call
it the Rock and Roll Story.
Performer
shows a small packet of business size cards, with a large cross printed on
them. He has spectator initial the top card. The performer removes this card
from the packet and hands it to him. He finds his initials still on the card
as well as a large sign on the cross stating: "He Died For You". This is
easy to do and you get a generous supply of cards.
At
the beginning of the service, bunny ears should be seen hopping across
the stage. Repeat several times. You want to get a reaction from the
class. The teacher doesn't see the bunny ears at first, but finally,
he/she goes to the stage and grabs the ears and gently pulls the rabbit
up.
Leader:
What are you doing?
Bunny:
Who me? Oh, I was just hiding.
Leader:
Why are you hiding? Today's a day to celebrate, not hide. It's Easter.
Bunny:
That's why I'm hiding!
Leader:
What?
Bunny:
Cause sometimes kids think I'm the Easter Bunny. They mob me wanting
more chocolate bunnies and marshmallow chicks.
Leader:
But these children know that Easter is more than chocolate bunnies and
marshmallow chicks.
Bunny:
They do?
Leader:
They do!
Bunny:
You mean they know Easter celebrates the Jesus' resurrection. I have
a special song 'bout the real meaning of Easter.
Leader:
Well, let's hear it.
Bunny
sings "The Bunny Song" on Puppet Trax Vol. 4.
I love this song. It is really clever. Another really great song on
the CD is the Parody of I Found My Thrill on Blueberry Hill --I Found My
Thrill on Calvary's Hill. The best of all Jim Wideman's puppet trax are
now on CD. Click here to see all the song
titles of all 5 CDs.
Do
you need a rabbit puppet? These little fellows don't have a
moveable mouth, but you can get great movements with these glove
puppets. So life like. So cute. Order extra for your child's Easter
Basket.
Click on any of the titles below to see a larger picture and a
description.
Holidays
4.0 (holidays)
These songs are so good you'll use them again and again. Use it for
birthdays, Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving.
Joy To The World (PT Vol.
5/Christmas)
Rejoice With Great Joy (PT Vol. 5/Christmas)
We Wish You A Merry Christmas (PT Vol. 5/Christmas)
It's A Special Day (Birthday Songs/Birthday)
Happy Birthday (Birthday Songs/Birthday)
Don't Be A Turkey, Just Say Thanks (PT Vol. 8/Thanksgiving)
I Found My Thrill On Calvary's Hill (PT Vol. 9/Easter)
The Bunny Song (PT Vol. 8)
Up From The Grave He Arose (Trax Vol. 9/Easter)
Christ The Lord Is Risen Today (PT Vol. 9/Easter)
Happening
Holidays Thru the Year
CD
$14.99
Valentine,
Easter Song, Christ Arose, The Bunny Song, Mama Said I should Serve the
Lord, M-O-T-H-E-R, Father O Mine, Battle Hymn Boogie, Knockin' On My
Front, Door, Turkey On My Plate, Thanksgiving Polka Medley, G-L-O-R-I-A .
Eggs are
wonderful tools to use as you teachthe real meaning of Easter. Just look at them differently this
year.
First, I used the colors of the eggs to represent
the following: the darkest egg-our hearts are dark with sin, red is for
the blood of Jesus; whitefor
purity; green for growth, blue for heaven and yellow for streets of
gold.
Maybe you have seen the carton of eggs with symbols
of the crucifixion story. They can be purchased from Bible books stores.
They are a wonderful object lesson leading up to the resurrection story.
I personally think a dozen eggs is too many for my teaching style so I
made my own usingonly 6
large eggs that can be purchased at most department stores.
Explain that eggs are a reminder of new life. A
baby chick cracks the egg open and begins its new life in this world.
Then I open the eggs to explain the enormous price Jesus paidto purchase our salvation-to purchase new life.I put a different object in the eggs.Dimes to illustrate the pieces of silver that bought the betrayal
of Jesus. A piece of purple fabric for the robeand a piece ofa rose bush for the crown that was put on Jesus to mock Him
as the King of Jews, a piece of leather for the whip, nails used to nail
Him to the cross and a sponge soaked in vinegarto illustrate what they offered Jesus when he was thirsty on the
cross. Open each egg as you arrive at that point in the story.
Bring a
hollow chocolate bunny to use this illustration in your class.
Did you get an Easter Basket this morning? Did you
get jelly beans? Malted milk balls? What about a chocolate bunny? Chocolate
is so good! Now if you are like me you probably dug the bunny out first
because chocolate is my favorite.
But have you ever reached in the box to pull your
chocolate bunny out and you broke a hole in his belly or broke off an ear
pulling him out? Sometimes the belly will cave in, even if you pull it outreally careful. (illustrate) Why did his belly cave in? It caved in because it was
hollow.
Now
it’s one thing for a chocolate bunny to be hollow, but it’s a really sad
thing for boys and girls to be hollow. If you don’t have Jesus in your
heart, then you are hollow inside.
Sometimes people try to fill that hollow spot with all kinds of
things. (Try to stuff the hollow spot with tissue paper.) But chocolate
bunnies weren’t made to be stuffed with tissue paper. Stuff just won’t
fill the hollow place in your life. Only Jesus can fill that hollow place in
your life. If you have never asked Jesus into your heart you can invite Him
to come into your heart right now.
Rising
Explain that eggs are a reminder of new life. A
baby chick cracks the egg open and begins its new life in this world.
Then I open the eggs to explain the enormous price Jesus paid