SCRIPTURE TO READ
Matthew 28:1-9
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
CHILDREN’S BIBLE READINGS (OPTIONAL)
- Big Picture Story Bible (pages 383-395)
- The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible (pages 256-259)
- Jesus Storybook Bible (pages 310-317)
- The Gospel Story Bible (pages 234-235)
APPLICATION: NEWS TO SHARE
What do you do when you hear breaking news? You share it!
Jesus’ death and resurrection, and its implications for sinners is the greatest news the world has ever known.
“For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” (Romans 10:13-15).
You might not be called to preach on a stage, but you have been called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the world around you. You might not have the opportunity to speak to hundreds of people at once, but you do get the opportunity to speak with your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers.
Ask them if they’ve heard of a man who death couldn’t keep.
Invite them in.
Have beautiful feet.
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age’” (Matthew 28:18-20).
PRAYER
Jesus, thank you for today and what it means, not just for the here-and-now, but for eternity. Thank you for your sacrifice, and for the way you love us not just with words, but with action. We pray that we would not take for granted what you’ve done and are still doing in us and in the world. Save people today. Move people to trust in you. Bring people from death to life in the way only you can. And be with us now as we go forward. Would you help us remember that this good news isn’t confined to this day? Help us share your hope with the world around us.
OPTIONAL FAMILY DISCUSSION GUIDE
- What happened when Mary went to the tomb? (There was an earthquake and an angel appeared. Mary was told that the tomb was empty and that Jesus was not there because he had risen.)
- What does it mean “He is Risen”? (Jesus was no longer dead. He is alive!)
- Why do we celebrate Easter? (We celebrate Easter because Jesus is alive! God’s rescue plan was fulfilled through the death and resurrection of Jesus.)
- Talk about why the resurrection is so important. When Jesus was resurrected, he defeated sin and death. He proved everything he said was true. If he had not risen, he could not have been God.
- Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus today!
- Think about who you can tell about the Good News of Jesus.