Ages 4+ · Bible Stories · Easter and the early church
Easter morning
🌙the dark early morning🏺jars of spices🪨a big stone rolled away🌸flowers🐦birds singing
A morning in the garden.
The big ideaThe Bible tells us Jesus was alive, and Mary saw him in the garden.
How it works
The Bible tells us about a morning that began in the dark, long ago near Jerusalem. Jesus's friends were very sad, because he had died and they missed him.
Early on Sunday, Mary Magdalene and some other women tiptoed out with jars of sweet spices. At the garden the big stone was rolled away, and the cave was empty.
Mary stayed in the garden, crying. A man said her name, Mary, and she knew that voice at once. It was Jesus, and he was alive!
Jesus sent Mary to tell his friends, so she ran all the way. The sad night turned into a happy morning, and on Easter, Christians are glad that Jesus is alive.
The morning in a row.
🏺jars of sweet spices🪨a big round stone🪔a little oil lamp🌿a quiet garden
In the story.
Example 1: A morning that starts in the dark
Look at the sky at dawn together, or draw it.
The story begins in the dark, and then the sun comes up gold and warm.
The flowers open and the birds sing.
Example 2: Hear your name
Say your child's name gently.
Mary knew the voice the moment the man said her name.
A name said kindly can make us feel known.
Example 3: Good news is for sharing
Think of some good news from today.
Mary ran all the way to tell the friends.
Tell someone your good news, like Mary did.
Example 4: Find what makes you glad
Look for a flower or a bird, indoors or out.
Tell each other what makes you glad this morning.
That is the mission from the story.
Words to know
spices
Sweet-smelling things in jars. People gave them then to show love.
garden
A quiet place with plants, where the story happens.
cave
A room cut into a rock hill. A big round stone covered its door.
Easter
The happy day when this story is remembered.
Watch out
The women carried spices, a gift people gave then to show love.
Mary thought the man was the gardener, until he said her name.
Peter and John ran to see the cave and went home wondering. Mary stayed in the garden.
Try it
When did the women walk to the garden?
What did they find at the cave?
Who did Mary think the man was?
What did Mary do at the end?
Answers: 1. In the dark, very early · 2. The big stone rolled away · 3. The gardener · 4. Ran to tell the friends
Try at homeWith a grown-up, look for a flower or a bird today, and tell each other what makes you glad this morning.
For grown-upsTell it in the gentle words the story uses. If your child asks big questions about it, it is fine to say you will wonder about them together or ask someone you trust.
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