Joy: Jesus is alive

The disciples thought it was all finished but it was not the end. Jesus had told them the truth, Jesus would keep his promises. God's plan was much bigger than anyone knew until 3 days after Jesus' death.

Click here for the downloadable version.

---

The story

Read Luke 24:1-9 or listen to the story here.

Jesus' death had felt like the end and in a way it was. But it was also a beginning. People kept making mistakes and every mistake took them further away from God. Jesus lived a perfect life and when he died he took on the mistakes and bad choices of everyone alive and everyone who wasn't born yet. So anyone that follows him can always be forgiven. That means you too.

---

Ask each other...

If you had been with the women, what would you have said to Jesus?
How do you think the disciples felt hearing that Jesus was alive?
How does it feel that Jesus means you can always be forgiven?
​Who would you share the news with?

Make sure everyone has a chance to think and to share their thoughts. There are no right or wrong answers!

---

Respond

We all enjoy different things and we all respond to God in different ways. So here are five ways you might choose to respond together. Click on the + to see what you need to do.

Song: Way maker

Craft: Colour of life

Equipment
​Paper, PVA glue preferably in a squeezy bottle with a nozzle, any salt, a paint brush, paints or food colouring.
​

Instructions

1. On your paper, draw the outline of a cross shape with your glue. You can add some extra designs around the cross if you like too. We have added some lines to look like a burst of light.
   
2. Cover your glue design in salt and then lift your paper up to shake off the excess salt.
   
3. Dip your paintbrush into some water and then into your paint. Once you have some watery paint on your brush, touch it gently to the salt on your picture. The colour should spread throughout the salt!
   

When Jesus died on the cross, it was incredibly sad. I wonder how many salty tears were cried? But actually, it was the most amazing gift that God and Jesus could ever have given to us!

N.B On our example cross, we tried food colouring (the red colour), normal poster paints mixed with plenty of water (the yellow colour) and water colours. The food colouring worked brilliantly but the colour seeps through to the paper, so would be best on black or dark paper. The poster paints worked well when watered down but the colours might be less vibrant. The water colour paints worked best.

Bake: Empty tomb scones

This is a fun (slightly experimental) baking one today. We don't know whether Jesus rose before or after to tomb stone was moved, these tend to do both! Either the marshmallow escaped when the tomb is opened or when you open it you find it gone (or nearly gone).

​With this in mind we used it to have a chat about what might have happened before the women appeared and found that Jesus was alive.

Ingredients:

• 175g self raising flour
• Pinch of salt
• 40g butter (you can use margarine)
• 1 tblsp caster sugar (optional)
• 75ml milk
• Marshmallows (not mini ones)

You will also need a mixing bowl, spoon to mix and a baking tray.

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C
2. Put the dry ingredients into the bowl with the butter.
3. Use your fingers to rub the butter into the dry ingredients. You are finished when it looks like crumbs.
4. Add the milk and stir until it becomes a ball of dough. If it is too sticky to pick up then add a little more flour.
5. Cut the dough into pieces (weighing about 40g each)
6. Roll one piece flat until you can put a marshmallow in it and wrap it in the dough. Roll it into a ball being careful to seal all the gaps, else they will through the tomb door off like some of ours.
7. Repeat with all the pieces of dough.
8. Place them on a baking tray.
9. Put in the oven for 10-15 minutes until they are golden brown. Leave to cool.

When they are cooled, if you cut them open the marshmallow will have disappeared and it is the scone version of the empty tomb.

Playdough: New life

Using something tactile can be a great way of thinking and talking about the story.

Create a sun (or flower or something that makes you think of new life). As you add rays share something that brings you joy or happiness.
​
Click here to download the mat.

Outside: Just be

Let God guide you on your walk. Perhaps go somewhere new or with lots of options and take in turns to pick a direction (make sure you can find your way back). Talk about the things that bring you joy, the things you see right now and the things God brings to mind.

If you are feeling creative. Pick up some rocks, twigs, etc and use them to build your own 'open tomb' scene when you get home. Can you put it somewhere others will see it too?

---

Talk to God

King Jesus,
​
Give me joy! Joy for the life you have given me.

​Thank you for...

​Amen.