Welly Church Kids Lessons

Kids · 4-8 · Lesson 21

Jesus Dies and Rises

Luke 23:44-49; 24:1-12

Jesus died and was raised, bringing the centre of God's rescue story into view.

Teach the lesson

Goal: Retell the main action in Luke 23:44-49; 24:1-12 and explain in simple language that jesus died and was raised, bringing the centre of God's rescue story into view.

Pick how long you want to teach. The plan updates to fit.

Short · 25 minutes
  1. 3 min
    Connect

    Connect the lesson to the biblical storyline.

  2. 8 min
    Read

    Read and observe the principal passage.

    Ask: What does the passage directly say or narrate?

  3. 5 min
    Understand

    Work from the text and keep observation distinct from interpretation.

    Ask: How does the big idea arise from the passage? · What should we avoid claiming from this passage?

  4. 6 min
    Do

    Complete Cross and Empty Tomb Sequence.

    Activity: Cross and Empty Tomb Sequence

    Printable: K1-L21-P01-cross-empty-tomb-sequence

  5. 3 min
    Respond

    Name one faithful response and pray.

    Ask: What is one faithful response that follows from this lesson?

Standard · 35 minutes

  1. 4 min
    Connect

    Connect the lesson to the biblical storyline.

  2. 4 min
    Context

    Connect the lesson to the biblical storyline.

  3. 9 min
    Read and observe

    Read and observe the principal passage.

    Ask: What does the passage directly say or narrate?

  4. 7 min
    Discuss

    Work from the text and keep observation distinct from interpretation.

    Ask: How does the big idea arise from the passage? · What should we avoid claiming from this passage?

  5. 7 min
    Activity

    Complete Cross and Empty Tomb Sequence.

    Activity: Cross and Empty Tomb Sequence

    Printable: K1-L21-P01-cross-empty-tomb-sequence

  6. 4 min
    Respond

    Name one faithful response and pray.

    Ask: What is one faithful response that follows from this lesson?

Extended · 45 minutes
  1. 4 min
    Connect

    Connect the lesson to the biblical storyline.

  2. 6 min
    Context

    Connect the lesson to the biblical storyline.

  3. 10 min
    Read closely

    Read and observe the principal passage.

    Ask: What does the passage directly say or narrate?

  4. 8 min
    Interpret

    Work from the text and keep observation distinct from interpretation.

    Ask: How does the big idea arise from the passage? · What should we avoid claiming from this passage?

  5. 8 min
    Activity

    Complete Cross and Empty Tomb Sequence.

    Activity: Cross and Empty Tomb Sequence

    Printable: K1-L21-P01-cross-empty-tomb-sequence

  6. 5 min
    Extension

    Work from the text and keep observation distinct from interpretation.

    Ask: How does the big idea arise from the passage? · What should we avoid claiming from this passage?

  7. 4 min
    Respond

    Name one faithful response and pray.

    Ask: What is one faithful response that follows from this lesson?

Close the class

Memory verse: Luke 23:44-49

Prayer: Thank God for the truth in this passage and ask for wisdom to respond faithfully.

Take-home line: Jesus died and was raised, bringing the centre of God's rescue story into view.

More help: full script, questions, and printables

A word-for-word way to run the lesson, plus every question, activity, and printable.

Teach now

Retell the main action in Luke 23:44-49; 24:1-12 and explain in simple language that jesus died and was raised, bringing the centre of God's rescue story into view.

Read
Luke 23:44-49; 24:1-12
Opening
Ask: What do you notice first in this passage before we explain what it means?
Say
  • Jesus died on the cross.
  • Jesus’ body was placed in a tomb.
  • The women found the tomb open and did not find Jesus’ body.
  • Jesus died and was raised, bringing the centre of God's rescue story into view.
Ask
  • What happens or is said in the passage?
  • What does this show about Jesus, God, people, or the biblical story?
  • Which statement is directly in the text?
  • What is one careful response for us?
Do
Complete the Cross and Empty Tomb Sequence activity.
Close
Pray using one truth from the passage and one faithful response.
Materials
  • Bible
  • Cross and Empty Tomb Sequence

Discussion questions

  • What does the passage directly say or narrate?
    Simple answer: Name one thing you can point to in the passage.
    Going deeper: Which details are most important to the author’s argument or narrative?
  • How does the big idea arise from the passage?
    Simple answer: Which verse best supports the big idea?
    Going deeper: What interpretive steps connect the text to the conclusion?
  • What should we avoid claiming from this passage?
    Simple answer: Name one detail the passage does not say.
    Going deeper: Where would broader canonical or historical evidence be required?
  • What is one faithful response that follows from this lesson?
    Simple answer: Choose one concrete response.
    Going deeper: Explain why the response fits the passage rather than merely sounding religious.

Activities

Cross and Empty Tomb Sequence · 8 min

Materials: Cross and Empty Tomb Sequence; Pens or pencils

  1. Work through the resource using the passage.
  2. Mark observations separately from conclusions.
  3. Discuss one careful application.

Low-resource option: Use blank paper and create the same categories by hand.

Observation or Conclusion? · 8 min

Materials: Bible

  1. Read five statements aloud.
  2. Students identify whether each is directly in the passage or a conclusion.
  3. Ask what evidence would be needed for each conclusion.

Low-resource option: Use verbal thumbs-up/down responses instead of cards.

Printables

Prepare before class (optional, about 25 minutes)

Passage context

Jesus' ministry: Jesus died and was raised, bringing the centre of God's rescue story into view.

  • Jesus died on the cross.
  • Jesus’ body was placed in a tomb.
  • The women found the tomb open and did not find Jesus’ body.
  • The messengers told them that Jesus had risen.
  • Start with the principal passage before moving to broader synthesis.
  • Keep genre, original audience, and immediate context visible.
  • Label synthesis, inference, historical context, and application rather than presenting them as quotations.

Keep it faithful

  • Use non-graphic language about crucifixion for this age group.
  • Do not tell a grieving child that resurrection means current grief should disappear.
  • Do not pressure children toward baptism or a public conversion response in this lesson.

Questions children may ask

Did Jesus really die?
Will people we love come back tomorrow like Jesus did?

Every child can join in

  • Offer verbal or written response options.
  • Preview the activity sequence.
  • Allow students to pass on personal-sharing questions.
  • No sensory simulation is required.
  • Read the passage aloud and use icons, sequence cards, or oral choices.
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