Quick Info
2020 Kid City Easter Experience
Hello Kid City!
THIS EXPERIENCE MAY HAVE BEEN INITIALLY CREATED AS AN EASTER EVENT, BUT IT COVERS GOD'S WONDERFUL PLAN TO RESTORE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM FROM CREATION TO JESUS' RETURN, AND THEREFORE MAY BE EXPERIENCED AT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR.
Welcome to your Easter Experience! This experience is quite a bit different than what we were originally planning for this year, but we hope you are able to enjoy these activities as a family and experience the story of Easter in a new way. This is the last of 7 experiences. You may choose to do one each day, or group them together throughout the week. Following are a few helpful notes to make this experience a little easier. Many of the scriptures provided in the “Read” section have already been read in the audio files. These scriptures are provided as a resource or additional reading for you to do as a family if you would like to do so.
Some of the video might be long for young children (5 minutes or less). You might want to have some play-doh or Legos available for them to play with or make an item applicable to the experience while the audio is played (suggestions are provided for each experience).
Please review the supply list early. Most are common things you likely have in your home already, and a few are things you might want to pick up when you complete your next run for essential items, or have your groceries delivered. Please note that all materials are optional, and alternatives may be used.
Most important: have fun and enjoy this time as a family! Know that we are thinking of you, and looking forward to seeing you all again soon. Click the Experience below to be taken to that section!
Supply List
Experience 1
Your favorite fruit
Paper
Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
Experience 2
Rock for each participant (or book or can of food)
Marker
Backpack
Experience 3
Bowl or container (large enough for feet)
Water
Towel
Unleavened bread or crackers
Grape juice
Experience 4
Small foam cups
Whole cloves
Scissors
Experience 5
30 coins or “pieces of silver”
Paper (colored or patterned paper would be great)
Scissors and Glue
Marker or pen
Experience 6
Red marker
Ice cubes
Plate
Water
Red food coloring
Small candle
Penny
Drinking glass (large enough to fit over the candle)
Experience 7
Crescent roll dough
Large marshmallows
Cinnamon, sugar or other spices
Butter or oil
Baking pan
Oven
Experience 1
Perfect World
PREPARATION:
Your favorite fruit
A sheet of paper for each person
Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
LISTEN/WATCH:
God created a perfect, sinless world. If using dough or Legos for young kids, have them make their favorite animal during the audio. Watch the video before proceeding.
READ:
Genesis 1 and 2
John 1:1-4
DO:
Imagine your favorite fruit, or if you are fortunate enough to have it in your home, hold it in your hand. Taste it, smell it, and imagine if it were perfect. God wanted only the best for us. Have each family member draw a picture of their favorite fruit. While drawing, take some time to answer and discuss the questions below.
Questions for younger kids:
Q: Who created the world?
A: God, Jesus
Q: What job did God give us?
A: To take care of the fish, birds, animals, and other creatures
Q: When you imagined living in the perfect world that God created, what did it look like?
Questions for older kids:
Q: Why did God create us?
A: So we could have a relationship with Him.
Q: How was God's creation of man and woman different from all His other creations?
A: God created us in His likeness.
Q: Do we still have the job that God gave to the first people to rule over the world? If so, what does it look like for us?
A: Yes. We should care for God's creation like good stewards. We should use what He gives us wisely and not ruin it or waste it. We show dominion over creation by managing it well, using it for the good of people, discovering new ways to manage it and use it more wisely.
Questions for adults:
Q: What does the creation story reveal about God’s character?
A: He loves us and wants a relationship with us.
Q: How does the fact that you are made in God’s image affect the way you feel about yourself?
A: You have infinite value and you are loved more than you can understand.
Q: How does the fact that people are made in God’s image affect the way you treat other people?
A: We should love others and treat them with honor because they have infinite value are and are loved by God more than we can understand.
Application questions:
Because of what you have learned from today's lesson, what do you want to thank God for? Thank Him for that now.
Do you have negative thoughts about yourself that need to change because of how God sees you and loves you? Pray for His help in changing those negative views and growing new views that better match His attitude toward you.
Think about one specific attitude about others or behavior towards others that needs to change because they are made in God's likeness. Pray for God's help in making that change and commit to making that change today.
experience 2
The Fall
PREPARATION
A rock (preferably heavy) for each participant (or book or can of food) Marker
Backpack
LISTEN/WATCH:
Unfortunately, God’s perfect world did not last long before sin made an entrance. If using dough or Legos for young kids, have them make a serpent, or a pile of rocks during the video. Watch the video before proceeding.
Additional optional video:
READ:
Genesis 3
Romans 6:23
DO: (included in audio)
Find a rock for each member of your family, or have each participant find a rock. If you do not have rocks nearby, books or cans of food would work as well. Feel the weight of the rock. Pass the rock from hand to hand. Sin enters the world and we become separated from a perfect relationship with God.
Take a marker and write a sin you struggle with, or bad choices you make on the rock. Or draw a picture of something you have done to a sibling that isn't kind.
Put all the rocks into a bag or backpack and have each member try it on and carry it around. How hard is this burden to bear? It is too heavy for any of us isn't it? Is this the world you want to live in? Me neither. The good news is, we don't have to. The burden can be lifted from our backs, the sin removed from our hearts by the actions of one man, one perfect man born into this very imperfect world. Jesus held the weight of everyone’s sins. God chose to come to earth to offer a way to live in perfect relationship with Him again.
Questions for younger kids:
Q: What is sin?
A: Disobeying God, doing something that God doesn't want us to do
Q: What did Adam and Eve do wrong?
A: They ate the fruit that God told them not to eat.
Q: Have you ever wanted to do something, but your parents told you not to? Like eating candy before dinner or staying up past your bedtime? How did you feel? Did you ever disobey and do it anyway?
Questions for older kids:
Q: Adam and Eve hid from God when they disobeyed Him because they were ashamed. Do you think God wants us to hide from Him when we do something wrong?
A: No. He wants us to talk to Him about it. He also wants us to repent, which means to change our minds about disobeying Him and make a commitment to not do it again.
Q: What was the consequence or result of Adam and Eve being separated from God?
A: They couldn't live with God in a perfect world like they did before. They had knowledge of evil and now tended towards selfish behavior, resulting in hurting others. The physical world lost its perfection and disasters and sickness started happening.
Q: What is temptation? What can you do to resist temptation?
A: Temptation is wanting to do something that you shouldn't do. You can resist temptation by praying to God and asking for His help, reading the Bible, or serving someone else like Jesus always did.
Questions for adults:
Q: What makes forbidden things so tempting?
A: We inherited a sin nature from Adam and Eve, and that nature is tempted by forbidden things.
Q: How does the original sin affect us on a daily basis?
A: We get sick. We have wrong thoughts about ourselves and others. We have broken relationships with God and others. Our sin can make us feel far from God. We are tempted to disobey God and do wrong things.
Q: How does God want us to deal with the sin in our lives?
A: If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9 (NIV)
Application questions:
What is one thing you can do to improve your relationship with your best friend or spouse? Ask for God's help to do it and commit to doing it today.
What is one thing you can do to improve your relationship with God? Set aside a time to spend with God every day. Talk to Him throughout the day about your feelings and needs, not just at special prayer times. Be real with Him by talking to Him about your hurts, fears, and doubts.
Experience 3
Last Supper
PREPARATION:
Bowl or container (large enough for feet)
Water
Towel
Unleavened bread or crackers
Grape juice
LISTEN/WATCH:
The disciples expected a mighty king, a warrior, one who would mightily, physically rescue them. They didn't understand that Jesus would win through unconditional love and grace. If using dough or Legos for young kids, have them make bread and juice during the audio.
Watch this video before proceeding to “Foot washing”
Watch this video before proceeding to “Communion”
Additional optional videos:
READ:
John 13:3-17
Luke 22:14-20
DO:
Foot washing: (included in audio)
As a family, take turns washing each other’s feet. Was it funny to have someone wash your feet? What it did feel like to wash someone else’s feet? What do you think it was like when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet? The disciples’ feet were probably very dirty from walking on dusty roads. Jesus was really being nice to them, wasn’t He? He was showing them how to love and serve other people. Jesus showed us how to be a servant and how to love others by dying on the cross for us. He is God, but He is also a servant!
Communion:
Jesus and His disciples were eating a special, traditional meal called “Seder.” This meal reminded them of many things God had done for the Israelite people in the past. Then, Jesus takes the bread in the meal and uses it to tell His friends what God was going to do very soon. What did He do with the bread? That’s right, He broke it. Jesus already told us that He is the bread of Life (John 6:35). So, He used bread to show us what would happen to His body--that it would be broken and hurt for us when He died on the cross. When we eat this bread, let’s imagine what it was like when Jesus broke the bread and explained this to the disciples.
Read the story of the original Passover in Exodus 12 and share communion together, have some crackers and grape juice (or whatever you have available).
Here is a recipe if you would like to make your own unleavened bread.
If you feel extra adventurous, plan a Seder meal.
Questions for younger kids:
Q: What Jewish holiday did Jesus and the disciples celebrate?
A: The Passover, the Jewish celebration of Moses leading the nation of Israel out of captivity in Egypt.
Q: How did Jesus show His disciples that they should serve other people?
A: By washing their dirty feet.
Q: What did Jesus say the bread and the cup of wine represent?
A: His body and His blood.
Questions for older kids:
Q: Why were the disciples confused by Jesus?
A: They thought He was going to be a conquering warrior and King, but He told them He was going to suffer and leave.
Q: Why do you think Peter didn't want Jesus to wash his feet?
A: Because Jesus was the teacher and lord, and Peter thought he should wash Jesus' feet. Peter didn't understand that Jesus was teaching His disciples a lesson.
Q: Why did Jesus ask His disciples to take the bread and cup of wine in remembrance of (to remember) Him? Why do we do the same when we take communion all these years later?
A: To remember and honor the sacrifice He made to suffer and die on a cross for our sins.
Questions for adults:
Q: What does Communion mean to you personally?
A: Jesus' sacrifice for us. God's faithfulness in providing a way for our salvation. A time to confess our sins and commit to following Jesus.
Q: How does the fulfillment of Jesus’ predictions encourage you to trust Him?
A: He knows what's going to happen. He is in control.
Q: How is the old covenant God made with Israel similar to and different from the new covenant He made through Jesus' blood?
A: Both are a sacrifice of a perfect lamb. Both are fully dependent on God's faithfulness, not ours. The old covenant reveals sin, the new covenant covers sin. The old covenant was for the Israelites, the new covenant is for all people. The old covenant needed continuous sacrifices to pay for the people's sins, the new covenant paid for all sins forever through Jesus' one sacrifice.
Application questions:
How can we follow Jesus’ example of servanthood? What opportunities for serving others has God already put in front of you?
What do you need to do today (or stop doing) to be a fully obedient servant of Jesus?
Experience 4
Garden of Gethsemane
PREPARATION:
Small foam cups
Whole cloves
Scissors
LISTEN/WATCH:
When faced with a struggle and something hard - Jesus went to the Father in prayer. If using dough or Legos for young kids, have them make an olive tree during the audio.
Watch this video before proceeding.
Additional optional video:
READ:
Matthew 26:36-46
DO:
Jesus had a choice, He could have chosen the easy road, but He didn't. He had you on His mind and was willing to make the sacrifice for you. When you are facing a choice - a hard one - what do you choose? Discuss some situations you have faced or might face that would include making a tough choice.
Take this cup from me: Have each child cut the top half off a plastic foam cup to make a shallow cup. Give each child a small handful of cloves. Then have kids push the cloves through their cups, starting at the inside bottom and working their way up to create a “thorny” cup of suffering.
Have kids smell their cups. Whenever you see the cup of suffering you’ve made, you’ll see its thorny appearance. Sometimes our responsibilities look threatening or even scary. When you hold the cup, the spikes poke into your hands. Sometimes our responsibilities feel unpleasant or difficult. But when you smell the cup, its sweet scent overwhelms you. And when we fulfill our responsibilities, even if they seem unpleasant or difficult, we please God and we feel a sense of accomplishment. Every time you smell the cup, remember the sweet reward of Jesus’ sacrifice when he fulfilled God’s Word by giving his life for us.
Questions for younger kids:
Q: What did Jesus do when He was worried about suffering and dying? What should we do when we are worried about something?
A: Pray
Q: Where did Jesus go to pray?
A: The Garden of Gethsemane
Q: Who did Jesus take with Him to pray?
A: Peter, James, and John (the sons of Zebedee)
Questions for older kids:
Q: What did Jesus mean by "not as I will, but as You will?"
A: Jesus didn't want to go through the pain and suffering, but it was more important to Him to obey the Father (and to save us!)
Q: What did Jesus mean by "the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak?"
A: Sometimes we want to obey and serve God, but things like being tired or afraid stop us. In this situation, the disciples were tired and didn't understand what was going to happen next.
Q: What is something hard that God has asked you to do? What did you do?
Questions for adults:
Q: What does the fact that God did not grant Jesus’ request teach us about prayer?
A: God always has our best interests in mind, but sometimes we get a "wait" or "no" answer because there is a larger purpose involved.
Q: What kind of reaction would friends get from you if they called you in the middle of the night with a huge problem?
Q: What generally wins out when you face the big decisions in life — your feelings or your commitments?
Application questions:
How can you be a better friend today to someone who is going through a difficult situation?
In what area of your life do you need to say to God, "not as I will, but as You will"?
Experience 5
The Betrayal
PREPARATION:
30 coins or “pieces of silver”
Paper (colored or patterned paper would be great)
Scissors
Glue
Marker or pen
LISTEN/WATCH:
Jesus was betrayed by some of his closest friends. Do we betray Jesus with some of the choices we make? If using dough or Legos for young kids, have them make 30 pieces of silver or a rooster during the video.
Watch this video before proceeding.
READ:
Mark 14:10-11, 43-45
Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75
DO:
Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Have the kids count out 30 coins, and pass them from person to person. What might that 30 pieces of silver look like today? What about 30 toys? What about 30 video games? Discuss items that are important to you today, and ways to avoid them becoming a betrayal.
Peter also betrayed Jesus. Three times Peter denies knowing who Jesus was. Print out or trace over the rooster outline. If you want, cut it out on colored or patterned paper, and glue it onto another piece of paper. Use a pen or marker to write “I do not know Him” on the paper. Read John 21:15-17. Use the pen or marker to cross out “I do not know Him”, and write “You know I love you”. Look at your pictures and use them as a reminder to tell everyone you know about Jesus. Let’s remember never to be afraid to talk about all the great things Jesus has done for us!
Questions for younger kids:
Q: Which disciple betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver?
A: Judas
Q: Who wanted to kill Jesus?
A: The chief priests, scribes, and elders – the religious leaders
Q: Which disciple denied knowing Jesus?
A: Peter
Questions for older kids:
Q: If Judas had gone to Jesus and asked Him for forgiveness, would he have received it?
A: Knowing what you know about God's forgiveness and love, what do you think? For an answer, look up Daniel 9:9, 1 John 1:9, Isaiah 55:7
Q: Why do you think Peter lied about knowing Jesus?
A: He was afraid that he might be punished or killed.
Q: Have you ever been shy or embarrassed about being a Christian? If you were in the same situation today, would you feel and act the same way as Peter?
Questions for adults:
Q: What do the examples of Judas and Peter teach us about human weakness?
Q: If wide-scale persecution of Christians broke out in this country, how would you respond?
Q: In what ways can you rely on more mature Christians to keep you accountable so that you don't drift in your commitment to Jesus? Who can you turn to this week for accountability in your walk with God?
Application questions:
What evidence of selfishness and greed do you see in your own life? Pray for the Lord's help in those areas.
In what settings do you need to acknowledge God more consistently by your actions and words? Make a commitment to be more consistent.
Experience 6
Crucifixion
PREPARATION:
Red marker
Ice cubes
Plate
Water
Red food coloring
Small candle
Penny
Drinking glass (large enough to fit over the candle)
LISTEN/WATCH:
Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. If using dough or Legos for young kids, have them make a cross or crown of thorns during the video.
Watch this video before proceeding.
Optional video:
READ:
Matthew 27:27-66
DO:
The Nails:
Draw a red dot on the palm of each hand.
In Jesus’ time, criminals were nailed on crosses. We know that Jesus was not a criminal! In fact, He had never done anything wrong. It was horrible to be nailed to the cross. It was painful and embarrassing. Why did He have to die like that? Why didn’t He do a miracle and get off the cross? He died on the cross because He loves you. He let them nail His hands and feet to the cross so He could die in your place. (Romans 3:23, 6:23, Romans 5:8)
We’re going to put this red dot on our hands to remind us of the marks where the nails went into Jesus’ hands. When we see them today, remember how much Jesus loves us! Jesus could have saved Himself, but He chose to die for our sins.
Ice challenge:
Place a piece of ice in the palm of your hand and see if you can keep it there for 2 minutes. Did you make it? Did you want to put the ice down? Jesus could have come off the cross, but he chose to suffer through the pain.
Light of the world:
We can't overcome problems without God's help. Psalm 103:6-12 - plate of red food coloring with candle representing Jesus and a penny representing us. Put a glass over the candle and watch the "sins" get sucked into the glass. Jesus is the Light of the World.
Questions for younger kids:
Q: What did the Roman soldiers do to Jesus before He went to the cross?
A: They beat Him and made fun of Him
Q: How did Jesus die?
A: He was crucified on a large wooden cross (Parents: talk to your children about what being crucified means)
Q: What miraculous things happened when Jesus died?
A: The sky got dark, there was an earthquake, and the curtain that separated the people from God's presence in the temple tore in two. (Elsewhere in the Bible, we read that some people who had died came back to life!)
Questions for older kids:
Q: Were the religious leaders sorry for sending Jesus to the cross? A: No, they mocked Him and they taunted (bullied) Him.
Q: How do you think Jesus' mother, who was there to see her son die, feel? How does it make you feel when you think about Jesus being beaten and killed because of the wrong things we do?
Q: Jesus died on a Friday, and we call this day "Good Friday." Why do we call the day Jesus died "good?"
A: Hundreds of years ago, people used the word "good" to mean "holy." But we can also think of this day as good because it is an important part of God's wonderful plan to save us from our sin and making a way for us to have a perfect relationship with Him again.
Questions for adults:
Q: Do you remember the first time you had an encounter with Jesus? What was it like? What do you remember about how you felt?
Q: What did Jesus do for all people with His death on the cross?
A: Some but not all of the things Jesus accomplished: taking our punishment for the sins we have done, restoring our relationship with the Father, bestowing on us His righteousness, making us acceptable to enter Heaven, and freeing us from the bondage of sin.
Q: How is it possible to love people who are cruel to us or do horrible things?
A: It is possible to love them when we realize that God sees infinite value in them just like He sees it in us AND because Jesus was willing to die for them like He died for us.
Application questions:
In what way can you show your gratitude to Jesus today in light of all He suffered for you?
What person or people do you have a hard time seeing the way God sees them, loving them the way God loves them? Ask God to work a miracle in your heart to begin to love them the way He does.
Experience 7
Empty Tomb - Resurrection
PREPARATION:
Crescent roll dough
Large marshmallows
Cinnamon, sugar or other spices Butter or oil
Baking pan
Oven
WATCH:
The tomb was empty! Jesus has risen! Celebrate! If using dough or Legos for young kids, have them make an empty tomb during the audio. Watch this video before proceeding.
Optional videos:
READ:
Matthew 28:1-10
DO:
Make some Resurrection Rolls
Have a dance party to celebrate our risen King! Here’s some music to get you started
Questions for younger kids:
Q: Who were the first people to visit Jesus' tomb after His body was placed there?
A: Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary."
Q: What happened when the two women arrived at the tomb?
A: An angel came down and opened the tomb, there was an earthquake, and the angel scared the guards that were outside the tomb.
Q: Who were the first people that Jesus met when He came back to life?
A: The two women that went to His tomb.
Questions for older kids:
Q: What day of the week was it when Jesus came back from the dead?
A: Sunday. That's why we get together every Sunday as a church family to celebrate Jesus!
Q: How do you think the women felt when they met Jesus outside the tomb? Have you ever been that excited and joyful about something God has done?
Q: What does Jesus mean by "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life?”
A: The Jewish people thought of "light" as all good things like salvation, knowledge, and life. Jesus is saying He is THE light of the world. We can both know and have the light Jesus is talking about if we follow Him.
Questions for adults:
Q: What do you think was the most significant event in all of history? Have a debate with your family on whether Jesus' birth, death, or resurrection was more significant.
Q: Why do you think the resurrected Jesus appeared first to the two women? What do you think this says about who God speaks to and uses? Women at that time in that culture were not considered as important as men. But God proved that wrong by entrusting the most important news of all time to these women. God loves to do awesome things through the small, the weak, the humble.
Q: What does Jesus' resurrection mean to you? How does it make you feel when you take time to think about it? How has it changed your life?
Application questions:
In light of the message of the resurrection, what is one concrete step of faith you can take this week? Now would be the perfect time to say "YES" to that thing that God has been talking to you about.
We end this Kid City Easter Experience inviting you to celebrate the RISEN LORD. Show the Lord your love and appreciation by really worshiping Him with all your heart. And, if you can, please share your celebration with your church family by sending us a picture or video.