NOTE TO THE TEACHER

He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

Just as members of a family may have their own unique account of a holiday celebration, each of the four Gospel writers offers their own Easter story. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each discuss the impact of the empty tomb on those who knew and loved Jesus best. But other details and styles differ. Today, we focus on the account in Matthew but encourage students to look at the other three Gospels on their own during the week following Easter.

ICEBREAKER – PEEP, PEEP! (10 MINUTES)

Option 1: Low-Tech

Divide students into teams or let the youth select partners. Provide a variety of Peeps colors and flavors for students to create an Easter diorama, incorporating characters and scenes from this week’s lessons. Set a timer for five minutes for each group to work. At the end of the five minutes, allow time for presentations and Peep taste testing.

Option 2: High-Tech

Watch Stacking Peeps Game YouTube video (4/18/19, three minutes), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a6uTwVBu3k. Use the remaining time and Peeps to play Peeps Jenga and have a taste test of assorted colors and flavors.

READ SCRIPTURE (10 MINUTES)

Read Acts 10, Psalm 118, and Matthew 28:1-10.

Acts 10 CEB talks about God being available to anyone, anywhere, at any time, and Psalm 118 CEB reminds the Israelites of God’s faithful love. Read both passages aloud to the students and then re-read Psalm 118:2b: “God’s faithful love lasts forever!” and Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the Lord acted; we will rejoice and celebrate in it.” Have the two key verses written on a chalkboard, whiteboard, or butcher paper taped to the wall before the lesson begins. Make sure there is space around the verses to allow students to write. Read Matthew 28:1-10 CEB aloud as the last scripture passage, asking students to listen for details about the setting, especially the angel who rolls the stone away.

DISCUSSION (15 MINUTES)

Matthew, the author of the first book in the New Testament, presents Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. The Gospels talk about how he fulfills Old Testament prophecy by highlighting the offering of salvation to everyone, anywhere, at any time. Matthew might be considered the special effects expert of the Gospels. His version of Easter morning is bold, exciting, and filled with colorful detail.

Give each student chalk or markers to write around the posted verses from Psalm 118 what they hear from Matthew that indicates God’s faithful love, as well as moments of joy and celebration. Read slowly for effect and repeat verses as needed. Then discuss:

If you were a famous photographer, what photo would you take that best depicts the Resurrection scene?
What were the emotions of the women, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, who had come to the tomb that first Easter morning (v. 8 – “great fear and excitement”)?
Think about a time when you felt afraid and excited at the same time. How can those two emotions co-exist?
In verse 10, the resurrected Jesus confronts the women. At that moment, do you think they are more excited or more afraid?
How does your world change after Easter, knowing that Jesus rose again to offer God’s love to everyone – all people, any place, at any time?

ACTIVITY AND DISCUSSION (15 MINUTES)

If the weather permits, take a ten-minute walk outside and conduct a physical or photographic scavenger hunt, looking for signs of new life. Ask students to work in pairs or teams to produce at least ten items – written about or placed in a basket if physical (flower, description of baby animal, clump of dirt from new building site) or photographed via smartphone.

If the weather is inclement, provide building supplies for teams to create a structure symbolic of the abundant life Jesus offers. Structures can be built from any type of building blocks with leftover Peeps as accessories to illustrate the gifts of hope, grace, serving others, and living differently than the culture around us suggests.

Reserve the last five minutes for teams to present scavenger hunt findings or “new life” structures. Close with this or another favorite Easter blessing:
The story of Easter is the story of God’s wonderful window of divine surprise. May you find the renewal of hope, health, love, and the spirit of God.