Seasonal lessons · Holy Week and Easter
Easter Bible Lessons for Kids
Holy Week and Easter in order, from Palm Sunday to the risen Jesus.
Easter is the center of the whole Bible story. These lessons follow Jesus through the last week before the cross, to the empty tomb and the forty days He spent with His friends before going back to heaven, so kids understand what Jesus did for them and why it's the best news there is.
The lessons, in teaching order 10 lessons
Start on Palm Sunday and teach through the weeks after Easter, or choose the lessons that fit your calendar. Jesus Dies for Us and Jesus Is Alive fit Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday: Jesus Rides into JerusalemMatthew 21:1-11; Matthew 21:14-16Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey, just as the prophet Zechariah had said the King would come. Crowds spread their cloaks and branches on the road and shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" Even children praised Him in the temple. Hosanna means "Save us!" That same week, Jesus saved us by dying on the cross and rising again. Jesus is the King who deserves our worship.New TestamentWorshipHoly Week
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ FeetJohn 13:1-17At supper the night before He died, Jesus got up, wrapped a towel around His waist and washed His disciples' dirty feet. That was a servant's job! Peter didn't want Jesus to wash his feet, but Jesus said, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me." Jesus served us first, so we serve others.New TestamentServing othersHoly Week
Do This in Remembrance of Me: The Last SupperLuke 22:7-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26On the day of the Passover, Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare the meal in a large upper room. That night, Jesus ate the Passover with His disciples. He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it and said, "This is My body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me." Then He took the cup and said, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you." The very next day, Jesus died on the cross for us. Christians still remember Him this way, with thankful hearts.New TestamentThankfulnessHoly Week
The Rooster Crows: Peter Denies JesusLuke 22:31-34; Luke 22:54-62At the Last Supper, Peter said he would never leave Jesus. But Jesus said that before the rooster crowed, Peter would say three times that he didn't know Him. Jesus also said, "I have prayed for you." That night, Jesus was arrested. By a fire in the high priest's courtyard, Peter said three times, "I don't know Him!" The rooster crowed, and Jesus turned and looked at Peter. Peter went out and cried hard. But Jesus had already prayed for him. Peter turned back, and Jesus forgave him.New TestamentRepentanceGood Friday
Jesus the KingJesus Dies for UsLuke 23:13-49; Isaiah 53:4-6Jesus was innocent, but He let Himself be put on a cross. He forgave the people who hurt Him and died in our place, because He loves us.New TestamentLoveEaster Sunday
Jesus the KingJesus Is Alive!Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18On the third day, the women found Jesus' tomb empty. Angels said, "He is not here; He has risen!" Jesus is alive, and because He lives we have hope.New TestamentHopeAfter Easter
The Road to EmmausLuke 24:13-35On the first Easter afternoon, two of Jesus' followers walked sadly from Jerusalem to a village called Emmaus. They thought their hope had died with Jesus. Jesus Himself came and walked with them, but they didn't recognize Him. He explained how all the Scriptures, from Moses to the prophets, pointed to Him. When He broke bread at their table, they suddenly saw it was Jesus! They ran back to Jerusalem to tell everyone. God's Word gives us hope because it shows us Jesus.New TestamentHopeAfter Easter
Thomas BelievesJohn 20:19-31Jesus rose from the dead and visited His disciples, but Thomas wasn't there. Thomas said, "Unless I see the nail marks, I will never believe." A week later Jesus came back and showed Thomas His hands. Thomas said, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus is truly alive, and we can believe in Him even though we haven't seen Him.New TestamentFaithAfter Easter
Breakfast on the BeachJohn 21:1-19Peter had said three times that he didn't know Jesus. After Jesus rose, Peter went fishing and caught nothing all night. In the morning, Jesus filled their net with fish and made them breakfast on the beach. Then He asked Peter three times, "Do you love Me?" Jesus forgave Peter and gave him a new job. Jesus forgives us and gives us a fresh start.New TestamentForgivenessForty days later
The Church BeginsJesus Goes Back to HeavenActs 1:1-11; Matthew 28:18-20Forty days after He rose, Jesus gave His friends a job, to tell the whole world about Him, and promised the Holy Spirit's power. Then He went up to heaven, and angels said He will come back.New TestamentResponsibility
Every lesson includes
- A Teacher Guide with a 45-minute class plan
- Preschool, K–2nd, 3rd–4th and 5th–6th grade versions
- Printable activity sheets and a take-home page
- A Christ Connection: how the story points to Jesus
Included in every membership
Every seasonal lesson comes with your membership, along with the full library of Bible lessons for the rest of the year.
Questions
What Bible stories should I teach kids at Easter?
The Easter story begins with Palm Sunday and Holy Week (Jesus washing feet, the Last Supper, Peter's denial and the cross) and continues with the empty tomb and the risen Jesus meeting His friends on the road to Emmaus, in the locked room with Thomas and on the beach. Each one is a full lesson here.
How do I explain the cross to young kids?
Jesus Dies for Us tells the story truthfully with no physical detail. Preschoolers hear that Jesus died, that it was very sad, and that He did it because He loves us, and every age ends looking ahead to Easter morning. Parents get a heads-up note so they're ready for questions at home.
What ages are these Easter lessons for?
Preschool through 6th grade. Every lesson comes in four versions (Preschool, K–2nd, 3rd–4th and 5th–6th grade) with one Teacher Guide.
Are the lessons free?
The lessons are included in a Teach Them Jesus membership. You can try a full lesson for free, and our coloring pages and other printables are free for everyone.
