The resurrection of Jesus is undoubtedly central to our Christian faith. As the apostle Paul emphatically declares in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”
As we approach Easter, let us reflect on how Jesus conquered death, not just for himself, but for all who put their faith in him.
Let us also consider how we may pass on the truth of Jesus’ resurrection to the next generation. One resource to consider is the Lost Easter Egg Pop-up Tract from Let The Little Children Come. This Easter Tract features clever pop-ups and tells the story of three children in search of a lost Easter egg. The three friends really, really want to find the lost Easter egg, just as God really, really wants to be with each one of us.
Another great kid-friendly way to tell the story of Easter is with Resurrection Eggs. These plastic eggs each contain various items that represent the story of Easter. You can purchase ready-made Resurrection Egg sets or easily put one together yourself.
Here’s how you can make your own set of resurrection eggs using items that are readily available. Alternatively, you can use these printable Resurrection Eggs Cards from Bible Games Central which feature images of these items.
Bible Games Central also provides a printable Resurrection Eggs script for telling the story of Easter.
How To Make Your Own Resurrection Eggs
Place the following items (or the egg-shaped Resurrection Eggs Card) in each plastic Easter egg. Write the corresponding number on the outside of each egg with a permanent marker.
Resurrection Egg #1
Any leaf to represent the palm branches that the people of Jerusalem spread on the road as they welcomed Jesus. You may like to cut the leaf to resemble a palm branch.
Resurrection Egg #2
Three coins to represent the 30 pieces of silver that Judas Iscariot received to betray Jesus.
Resurrection Egg #3
A small piece of terry cloth to represent the towel that Jesus used to dry his disciples’ feet after he had washed them.
Resurrection Egg #4
A small communion cup to represent the last supper.
Alternatively, use a communion wafer or a small piece of bread.
Resurrection Egg #5
A flower to represent the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus went with his disciples to pray before he was arrested.
Resurrection Egg #6
A piece of string to represent the rope that was used to tie Jesus up when he was arrested.
Resurrection Egg #7
A small stem of any plant with thorns to represent the crown of thorns that the soldiers put on Jesus’ head as they mocked him.
Resurrection Egg #8
A small cross to represent the crucifixion of Jesus.
Alternatively, use 3 small nails.
Resurrection Egg #9
A toothpick with one tip dipped in red paint or nail polish to represent the spear used by the soldier to pierce Jesus’ side.
Resurrection Egg #10
A small strip of white cloth to represent the strips of linen used to wrap the body of Jesus before he was placed in a tomb.
Resurrection Egg #11
A small stone to represent the large stone placed in front of the entrance to Jesus’ tomb.
Resurrection Egg #12
Leave the 12th egg empty to represent the empty tomb.
Resurrection Eggs Script
Use this Resurrection Eggs Script to tell the story of Easter.
Resurrection Egg #1 – Palm Branch
Jesus went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. He rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey.
A large crowd spread their coats and palm branches on the road. The people shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Matthew 21:7-9; Mark 11:7-10; Luke 19:35-38; John 12:12-13
Resurrection Egg #2 – 30 Pieces of Silver
Judas Iscariot, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They gave him 30 pieces of silver.
Matthew 26:14-15; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-5
Resurrection Egg #3 – Towel
During the Passover meal, Jesus got up, took off his outer clothes, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a large bowl
and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
John 13:4-5
Resurrection Egg #4 – Bread and Wine
Jesus was eating the Passover meal with his 12 disciples. He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, Jesus took the cup and said, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” They all ate the bread and drank from the cup.
Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20
Resurrection Egg #5 – Garden
After the Passover meal, Jesus went with his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.
Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46
Resurrection Egg #6 – Rope
When Jesus had finished praying in the garden, Judas came to the garden with some soldiers and officials. The chief priests and the Pharisees had sent them. They carried torches, lanterns and weapons. They arrested Jesus and tied him up.
Matthew 26:47,50; Mark 14:43,46; Luke 22:47-48; John 18:3,12
Resurrection Egg #7 – Crown of Thorns
The soldiers took off Jesus’ clothes and put a purple robe on him. They twisted thorns together to make a crown and placed it on his head. Then they spit on him, hit him repeatedly on his head, and pretended to worship him as the king of the Jews.
Matthew 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-20; John 19:1-3
Resurrection Egg #8 – Cross
After they had finished mocking Jesus, the soldiers took Jesus to the place called Golgotha and nailed him to a cross.
Matthew 27:31; Mark 15:22-24; Luke 23:33; John 19:17-18
Resurrection Egg #9 – Spear
After Jesus’ crucifixion, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear before his body was taken down from the cross.
John 19:31-34
Resurrection Egg #10 – Strips of Linen
A man named Joseph approached Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. Joseph wrapped the body in spices and strips of linen, then placed it in a new tomb cut out of the rock.
Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:42-46; Luke 23:50-53; John 19:38-42
Resurrection Egg #11 – Stone
Joseph placed Jesus in a tomb, rolled a large stone in front of the entrance and went away. Later, the chief priests and the Pharisees put a seal on the stone and posted some guards there.
Matthew 27:59-66
Resurrection Egg #12 – Empty
On the third day after Jesus’ crucifixion, the women brought spices to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body. But they saw that the stone in front of Jesus’ tomb had been rolled away and the body of Jesus was not there. An angel told them, “Jesus is not here; he has risen from the dead!”
Matthew 28:1,5-7; Mark 16:1-6; Luke 24:1-6; John 20:1-2
Be sure to check out www.BibleGamesCentral.com for more Easter games and creative Easter egg hunt ideas.