got to keep them. They nailed big nails through Jesus’ wrists and heels to put him on the cross. Jesus must have really wanted stop everything then! Maybe he thought about all of his apostles and friends. Since he knew the future maybe he thought about all of us who had not been born yet. He must have really loved us to suffer like that!
Jesus was crucified in between two criminals who had done very bad things. One of the criminals made fun of Jesus but the second criminal told the first to be quiet and said, “You and I did bad things and we deserve to die. This man has not done anything wrong.” The criminal thought that maybe Jesus really was the King of the Jews. He asked Jesus to remember him in his kingdom.
Jesus said to the criminal, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
Jesus’ mother, Mary stood near the cross along with John, the apostle. Jesus looked at them and said, “Dear woman, here is your son.” To John he said, “Here is your mother.” After that day Mary lived at John’s house so he could take care of her. (John 19: 26-27)
God had sent his son to die for the sins of the world. Even though it hurt very much Jesus decided to obey God. Still, when he was feeling very lonely, he called out to God, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” That means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)
The soldiers and rulers still made fun of Jesus. Instead of getting angry, do you know what Jesus did? He prayed for them. He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
Jesus knew it was time to die. He only asked for one thing. He looked down from the cross and said, “I am thirsty.” (John 19:28) Someone soaked a sponge with wine vinegar and used a plant stalk to lift it up to Jesus.
Even though it was the middle of the day the sky began to get dark. Darkness came over the whole land from noon until three in the afternoon. God had not forgotten Jesus!
Jesus prayed to God, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) Then he cried out in a loud voice, “It is finished” and he bowed his head and died. (John 19:30)
At the moment Jesus died, the great curtain in the temple of Jerusalem tore all the way from the top to bottom all on its own. The earth shook and rocks split. Tombs opened and many good people came back to life.
One of the Roman soldiers- a centurion in charge of 100 other soldiers said, “Surely he was the Son of God.”
Ways to Tell the Story:
This story can be told using a variety of methods. Always remain true to the facts found in the Bible but help children connect to its meaning by using drama, visual aids, voice inflection, student interaction and/or emotion.
Click here for visual aids and story-telling methods.
Click here to download these illustrations and slideshow. Be selective. Each teacher is unique so only use the illustrations that best relate to the way YOU are telling the story in THIS lesson. Too many illustrations can be confusing so eliminate any that cover other stories or details you do not wish to emphasise in this lesson.
- How did Jesus die? Crucified on a cross
- Name three miracles that happened when Jesus died. Earthquake, darkness, temple curtain tore by itself.
- Name one of the things Jesus said while he was on the cross. “It is finished” “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” “Dear woman, here is your son. Here is your mother.” “I thirst.” “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit”
- What did the sign above Jesus’ cross have written on it? “The King of the Jews”
- What day of the week did Jesus die on? Friday
Learning Activities and Crafts:
- Pre-view and show the crucifixion portion of a video from a video rental shop. Choose one carefully and be sure and point out any parts that are depicted in any way different from the bible.
- Sing songs from the church song book concerning the cross (The Old Rugged Cross, He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels, Hall