FAITH QUEST

 

Resurrection

 

 

Apostle’s Playhouse

 

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Scripture:  Luke 24

 

Memory Verse: Romans 10:9 If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.   

 

Concepts:      

 

·        Jesus was raised from the dead to give us new life.

·        Jesus helps us understand the Bible.

·        Jesus wants us to teach others about God.

·        Jesus promises to help us teach others about God.

 

Objectives:    

1.     The class will act out the resurrection of Jesus using music.

2.     The class will explore emotions of sadness, confusion and joy experienced by the disciples during Jesus’ resurrection using music as a guide.

3.     The class will discuss God’s plan for us in giving us his son.

 

Procedure:                        

Welcome and Introductions:

1.     Greet the children and introduce yourself.  Wear your nametag.

2.     Explain to the class they will be acting out the resurrection of Jesus using music to help tell the story.

 

Scripture/Bible Story:

1.     Luke 24

2.     Read the passage or you may choose to summarize if it is several weeks into the rotation. Discuss the meaning of the word resurrection with younger children.

3.     Discuss emotions that the participants may have felt at each event, the following include some ideas:

Knowing Jesus is dead- sadness

Finding empty tomb- confusion, sadness, fear

Women telling apostles about empty tomb- confusion

Apostles don’t believe- anger

Jesus walks with and teaches apostles- happiness, understanding

Jesus returns to heaven- joy

 

 

Application:

1.     Explain to the class they will be creating a drama to music. Music will help them express powerful emotions such as sadness and joy which the disciples experienced during Jesus’ resurrection.

2.     Play the music having the children listen to the emotions the music expresses: sadness, joy, etc. discuss briefly.

3.     One suggestion is Firebird suite finale (first 2-2 ½ min) by Igor Stravinsky or other music of your choosing. The music should be about 2-2 ½ minutes and evoke a range of emotions.

4.     Organize children in groups of 4 to 8. Give them an outline of actions to include in their drama (those mentioned under scripture/bible story above). Allow children time to discuss their roles and actions and get costumes if desired.

5.     Play music a second time while they begin to act.

6.     Play two more times as they act and rehearse. Between playing times give suggestions and help as needed.

7.     Have each group perform.

8.     Put away props.

 

 

Reflection Time:

Sharing

Play a game called Mirror Me.

Jesus taught the disciples by showing, telling, and by being a good example for them. He was a good leader and the disciples wanted to be like Jesus. In this game children can be leaders and followers (from Friend Makers and Crowd Breakers edited by J. Kershner 1997, p.61)

Ask kids to form pairs. Have kids in each pair choose who will be the Example and who will be the Follower. Have partners stand toe to toe, facing each other. Say: “If you’re the Example, it’s your job to make motions and facial expressions for the Follower to follow. Remember, this isn’t a competition, so you’ll need to keep your motions slow and simple enough for your partner to follow. Followers, it’s your job to try to mirror everything the Examples do.” Have kids play for a minute or two, then have them switch roles.

 

 

Discussion

1.     What does Jesus do after he appears to the disciples?

He walks with the disciples, eats with them but most importantly he teaches them and helps them understand the Bible and what God wants for us.

2.     Why was Jesus’ teaching the disciples so important?

It was important because the disciples taught many other people about God’s love and spread the good news when Jesus was no longer with them in person.

 

 

Journal

Ask the shepherds to pass out the journals and pencils/markers. Suggestion: You may wish to give the children a sticker or some memento to paste in their journal as a reminder of the story or activity.

 

Prompts for journal writing: Jesus was a good example for us and the disciples and he taught us about the Bible and God. Tell or draw how you could be a good example to others.

 

Ask the students to close their journals and sit quietly for prayer.

 

Closing:

Prayer:  Ask for prayer requests. Lead a prayer. A suggestion would be the Lord’s Prayer since it is a prayer Jesus taught his disciples.  

 

Tidy and Dismissal: Ask children to help tidy up. Put costumes back in the box on the stage.

 

 

Teacher preparation in advance:

1.     Read the scripture passages

2.     Prepare a closing prayer.

3.     Check out the room before your first Sunday workshop so that you know where everything is located.

 

Supply List

·        Costumes

·        Music and tape/CD player

 

References

·        Friend Makers and Crowd Breakers for Children’s Ministry. Ed. Jan Kershner. Loveland, Colorado: Group Publishing, Inc.,1997.

·        Ritz, Randy L. Act It Out! Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Publishing Co., 1999.

·        Notes supplied by Susan Mazzara for curriculum writers’ Bible study Jan. 2002.