For a free pdf download of this resource click here
Aim:
To hear the story of Easter and reflect on what it means for Christians
Bible base:
MARK 15–16
Equipment:
Three Easter eggs (one with a treat inside, two hollow); a different treat to put inside one of the eggs; a Bible; one or more children’s Bibles
– look for one suitable for KS1 children, such as The Big Bible Storybook (Scripture Union), Baby Bible (Lion Children’s) or My Very First Bible
(Lion Children’s). If you have a large group, look for suitable royalty-free artwork on the internet and create your own picture story on a slide
show. Prep someone for the ‘Ask a leader’ activity.
Opening activity
Before the assembly, carefully open up one of the hollow eggs and place a treat inside (make sure it’s different from the brand of the egg).
Wrap the egg back up and place it back in the packaging, making sure it doesn’t look like you have tampered with it.
At the start of the assembly, show the children your three Easter eggs. Choose the already filled one, and ask the children to guess what is inside. Hopefully, they will say what is on the box! Ask for a volunteer to open up the egg. When it’s been opened up, comment that the children were right!
Hold up the egg that you have put a different treat inside. Again, ask the children what they think is inside. They will probably say what is on
the box again. Ask for another volunteer to open it up. Express surprise when the treat isn’t what is on the box. Were the children expecting that? Finally, show the hollow egg, once again asking the children what they think is inside. Get one final volunteer to open the egg. Are they
disappointed with what they find (or don’t find)?
Bible Story
If you have a small group of children, show them your children’s Bible. With a larger group, either gather the children around different leaders,
each with their own copy of the Bible, or show a slide show of pictures.
Say that the story you’re going to hear today comes from the Bible. Show the Bible to the children, then explain that you’re using a children’s version. Use it to tell the Easter story, showing the pictures as you read. Read the crucifixion part of the story, being aware that this might be sad for some children, particularly if they have never heard it before. After reading about Jesus being put into the tomb, ask the children:
- How do you think Jesus’ friends felt?
- What do you think happens next?
Then read the resurrection story. Ask how the women and disciples might have felt when they found out the tomb was empty. Remind the
children how surprised they were when they found out the Easter egg was empty. This must have been 100 times more surprising!
Why did it all happen?
Briefly explain what Jesus’ death and resurrection means to Christians in your own words, or use this paragraph:
Jesus died because some people didn’t like him, but he came back to life three days later! Why? Well, often people aren’t very loving and
don’t do the right thing. We hurt each other and, Christians believe, we make God sad because we don’t love him. God sent Jesus to do something about it. Jesus hadn’t done anything wrong, but he was punished for all the wrong things other people have done. He let it happen because he wanted us to know how much he loves us. Christians believe that we can be friends with God again, because of what Jesus did.
Ask a leader
Ask a leader to explain what the Easter story means to them. Make sure they have practised what they’re going to say, so that it is simple and understandable for KS1 children. Encourage them not to use any jargon or assume any knowledge on the part of the children.
Prayer
If appropriate, finish with a simple prayer, thanking Jesus for what he did for us. Then wish the children a happy Easter. As the children
leave, you might like to give everyone a piece of your Easter egg, or leave it with the teachers!
