You Are Looking for Jesus

Icebreaker: Tricky Images (15 minutes)

If you have a larger group, divide students into small groups. Each group receives a series of scrambled words related to Easter and the Resurrection story. Their task is to unscramble the words as fast as they can. The first group to unscramble correctly wins.

Discuss the meaning of the unscrambled message/verse concerning Easter. Here are fifteen to get you started:

1. Resurrection
2. Crucifixion
3. Jerusalem
4. Disciples
5. Betrayal
6. Last Supper
7. Garden of Gethsemane
8. Pontius Pilate
9. Calvary
10. Tomb
11. Mary Magdalene
12. Apostles
13. Passover
14. Ascension
15. Angel

Scrambled Versions:

1. rerctoreins
2. ixfcicuorin
3. sejueraml
4. lscipesid
5. tayabelr
6. tslrpsuaep
7. goehnnegadetamrfse
8. seittinapoulp
9. ylvaacr
10. mTob
11. agalrmmandeey
12. seotalsp
13. eoprssav
14. isasconne
15. enagl

Read Scripture (5 minutes)

Read John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8.

Discussion (15 minutes)

• What are the main differences between John’s and Mark’s telling of the Easter story? Make sure to write these down.
• How does Mark’s portrayal of the women’s journey to the tomb reflect our own journeys in times of uncertainty?
• In what ways might we be looking for the “wrong Jesus”?
• Share a time when you felt like you were trying to do what was expected of you in a hard time, similar to the women going to the tomb. What helped you get through that time in your life? What did you learn about yourself by doing a difficult thing?
• If you were one of the women at the tomb, how would you have reacted to the angel’s message?
• How can we, as modern believers, “roll away the stone” and share the message of the risen Christ with others by allowing people to explore it for themselves?

Activity and Discussion (20 minutes)

This activity will help students think about the things in their lives that are blocking them from exploring their faith more fully. Begin by giving each person a stone. Remind them that in the Easter story, the stone had to be rolled away to show that the tomb was empty. Once the stone was rolled away, people had to go inside the tomb to see for themselves.

Then, invite them to spend some time looking at the stone they are holding in their hand and consider what things in their lives might be holding them back from exploring or engaging more deeply in their faith.

After some time for them to think, ask them how they could roll away the stones in their lives that hold them back. What actions could they take to help them move whatever is holding them back?

After a couple of moments, invite them to decorate the stones in ways that will remind them what they want or need to do to roll away the stones in their lives. If the decorating will take a while to dry (as with paints), keep the stones for a future time when youth can claim them.

*Remind youth that the stones are for the activity, not for causing pain to others or throwing around. Injuries on Easter are never that fun.

As you have time, conclude with this discussion/reflection:

• How does the message of Jesus' resurrection give us hope when facing our own personal "stones" or challenges?
• In what ways can our faith in the risen Christ empower us to address and overcome the difficulties we face in life?
• Share a situation where you felt overwhelmed by a challenge (a "stone") in your life. How does the Easter message inspire you to view and handle this situation differently?

Total time: 55 minutes

Needed Resources:

• Scrambled words on 3x5 cards
• Rocks (1 per student)
• Craft supplies to decorate rocks