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, Hallelujah! What a Saviour, Tell Me the Story of Jesus, etc.) Try inviting a few singers to visit your classroom to explain and sing some of these songs. If you arrange it with the song leader early in the week, he might be able to lead one of the songs in the worship service this Sunday.
- Guide the children in reading today’s scripture references. Then have them draw about what they have read. Use a blank piece of paper or print this worksheet: The Crucifixion of Jesus_Writing Response
- This story is part of a bigger story about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. A simple way to tell the story is to open plastic Easter Eggs one at a time. Each egg reveals something about the story. If you are telling the stories about the death, burial and resurrection over a few weeks why not try repeating this method every week. The children will really know the story after this! Click here to learn how to do it.
- Stories about the Death, Burial and Resurection of Jesus:
- Draw a large and simple cross shape on a paper and divide it into seven parts like a puzzle. Using a version of the bible with Jesus’ words in red, help children find the last seven statements Christ made on the cross.
- Use craft method to make a “cross”: finger-paint, paper mache’, ice-block/craft sticks, seeds glued on a board, etc.
- Use large pieces of wood to make crosses- one for each child and the teacher. You might want to ask someone for help on this. You and the children should write sins (bad things) on plastic bags with sharpee markers and then fill the bags with sand. Use string or strong tape to tie the bags to the cross. Each person should now carry their cross for a short distance. Make it harder to carry by using one hand or holding behind your back. Now, guide the children in transferring all of the bags to your cross. Now you should walk a distance carrying everyone’s bags. Discuss how Jesus bore the weight of everyone’s sins on the cross. (Thanks to Kayla Robinson for this idea!).
- Use these instructions for The Story of the Cr