Easter Children's Sermons

[Holly]

Hey everybody! Each Easter my pastor does a special children's sermon where kids come to the steps and hear a mini-lesson about the Easter story using an object lesson. In years past, we have used objects such as eggs, chocolate bunnies, and butterflies to illustrate different points about what Christ did for us on the cross.
We need something NEW this year... so I thought I'd open the discussion to see what you have done in the past. We are still planning on a children's sermon, but what ways are you teaching kids about Easter? What objects are you using to illustrate?

Any help or comments you may have are greatly appreciated!

[Jen Galley]

You could try using a giant "evangecube". http://www.e3resources.org/kids_eecubepage.aspx

[Andrew Kable]

I don't know how well this would work in an adult church setting, but a few years ago we had someone tell the story from Peter's perspective, as if they were Peter on Easter morning. It really drew the kids into how amazing this event actually was! We then had someone else take over and wrap up the application side of things. This year we're having three different speakers take on the roles of (probably) Judas, John, and Mary Magdalene who each talk about their side of things, we're ending with the idea that resurrection is for all of us (and the various ways that actually happens). We haven't come up with a visual to help with this yet...

[Tim Carpenter]

Holly, Check this out.

http://www.kidsinministry.org/store/index.php/media/reversible-cate...

I use it all the time and the kids LOVE it while they get the point of what it means to be born again.
It is a reversable caterpillar/butterfly.
I can tell you some of the ideas we use with it

Quick Overview
One of the most incredible tools for evangelism you can find! This butterfly makes it so easy to explain to a child that "old things pass away and all things become new," not to mention the concept that we become "new creatures in Christ" when we become born again.

Start with your caterpillar in your story, then pull apart the velcroe seam underneath. Flip it inside out, seal the velcroe back up, and your caterpillar turns into a gorgeous full-winged butterfly!

There is also a cool "Cross Trick" that we have used a lot. Here is the link for that.

http://www.billyburnsministries.com/index.php?page=shop.product_det...

Either one of these is a winning presentation. I hope this helps.
We actually had the Easter Bunny come to our Easter service last year and get saved. He discovered the true meaning of Easter. He raised his hand during the altar call. It was hilarious and powerful.
I know.... maybe you could have the Easter Bunny ride in on a Harley and get saved.

See ya,
Tim

[Holly]

Thanks guys! Keep em coming!!! :)

[Sarah Iddon]

Last year I did a trick in our main Church meeting that worked really well.
Have a clean white handkercheif and talk to the kids about how God wants to be like this - perfect.
Then talk about how we 'mess up' and do things wrong. Give examples and as you do drop iodine solution into the handkercheif (you can buy iodine from your local chemist)
We try and make ourselves clean by doing good deeds/going to church. As you talk about this dip the handkercheif into a bowl of clean water (I labelled the edge of the table with the words GOOD DEEDS). The water truns brown and the handkercheif looks worse than before! Talk about how that good deeds dont make us perfect.
There is only one way that we can be made clean again - that is through Jesus and his death and resurrection.
Now dip the handkercheif into a sencond bowl (labellend JESUS) This bowl is full of photographic fixer solution
Instantly the handkercheif turns white again.
The trick hasn't ended yet even tho that gets a wow from teh audeience
Once you know Jesus can make you clean you then want to go into the world and tell others - dip your now clean handkercheif into the muddy coloured water in your first bowl - it changes it back to clean water and doesn't stain the hanky!
Great visual aid of the power of the cross to make us clean

[Holly]

Where do you get the photo solution?

Sarah Iddon said:

Last year I did a trick in our main Church meeting that worked really well.
Have a clean white handkercheif and talk to the kids about how God wants to be like this - perfect.
Then talk about how we 'mess up' and do things wrong. Give examples and as you do drop iodine solution into the handkercheif (you can buy iodine from your local chemist)
We try and make ourselves clean by doing good deeds/going to church. As you talk about this dip the handkercheif into a bowl of clean water (I labelled the edge of the table with the words GOOD DEEDS). The water truns brown and the handkercheif looks worse than before! Talk about how that good deeds dont make us perfect.
There is only one way that we can be made clean again - that is through Jesus and his death and resurrection.
Now dip the handkercheif into a sencond bowl (labellend JESUS) This bowl is full of photographic fixer solution
Instantly the handkercheif turns white again.
The trick hasn't ended yet even tho that gets a wow from teh audeience
Once you know Jesus can make you clean you then want to go into the world and tell others - dip your now clean handkercheif into the muddy coloured water in your first bowl - it changes it back to clean water and doesn't stain the hanky!
Great visual aid of the power of the cross to make us clean

[Todd Hampson]

Holly,
We have 2 short cartoons (1 too use Palm Sunday and the other on Easter). Here's a link if you would like to see a preview.
http://www.timbuktoonstore.com/eachedc.html

the full movies are also up here in CMConnect. Hope that helps!
Todd

[Kristi West]

Karyn Henley has an entire chapter devoted to object lessons to present the salvation message to kids in her book, "100 Ways to Teach Your Child About God." Most objects she uses are easily accessible--a paper cup, your hand, etc.--which is great for the budget. For more info on the book, go to www.karynhenley.com. Hope it helps.

[John Mozingo]

Try a photography supplier or go online to a chemical supplier. You can also do this by adding the iodine to water in a container large enough for the audience to see. It does not take much to discolor the water. Then take a large cross made from two pieces of bamboo. In the bottom of the cross, place about two table spoons of the photographic fixer solution in powder form wrapped in a piece of tissue. Put the end of the cross in the muddied water and stir vigorously. This releases the photo fixer into the water and makes it clear again.

Holly said:

Where do you get the photo solution?

Sarah Iddon said:

Last year I did a trick in our main Church meeting that worked really well.
Have a clean white handkercheif and talk to the kids about how God wants to be like this - perfect.
Then talk about how we 'mess up' and do things wrong. Give examples and as you do drop iodine solution into the handkercheif (you can buy iodine from your local chemist)
We try and make ourselves clean by doing good deeds/going to church. As you talk about this dip the handkercheif into a bowl of clean water (I labelled the edge of the table with the words GOOD DEEDS). The water truns brown and the handkercheif looks worse than before! Talk about how that good deeds dont make us perfect.
There is only one way that we can be made clean again - that is through Jesus and his death and resurrection.
Now dip the handkercheif into a sencond bowl (labellend JESUS) This bowl is full of photographic fixer solution
Instantly the handkercheif turns white again.
The trick hasn't ended yet even tho that gets a wow from teh audeience
Once you know Jesus can make you clean you then want to go into the world and tell others - dip your now clean handkercheif into the muddy coloured water in your first bowl - it changes it back to clean water and doesn't stain the hanky!
Great visual aid of the power of the cross to make us clean

[Lana Newsome]

A long time ago I saw a demonstration similar to this that a red solution (representing Jesus blood) made the black solution go clear. I still cannot work out how it was done. Any ideas?

John Mozingo said:

Try a photography supplier or go online to a chemical supplier. You can also do this by adding the iodine to water in a container large enough for the audience to see. It does not take much to discolor the water. Then take a large cross made from two pieces of bamboo. In the bottom of the cross, place about two table spoons of the photographic fixer solution in powder form wrapped in a piece of tissue. Put the end of the cross in the muddied water and stir vigorously. This releases the photo fixer into the water and makes it clear again.

Holly said:

Where do you get the photo solution?

Sarah Iddon said:

Last year I did a trick in our main Church meeting that worked really well.
Have a clean white handkercheif and talk to the kids about how God wants to be like this - perfect.
Then talk about how we 'mess up' and do things wrong. Give examples and as you do drop iodine solution into the handkercheif (you can buy iodine from your local chemist)
We try and make ourselves clean by doing good deeds/going to church. As you talk about this dip the handkercheif into a bowl of clean water (I labelled the edge of the table with the words GOOD DEEDS). The water truns brown and the handkercheif looks worse than before! Talk about how that good deeds dont make us perfect.
There is only one way that we can be made clean again - that is through Jesus and his death and resurrection.
Now dip the handkercheif into a sencond bowl (labellend JESUS) This bowl is full of photographic fixer solution
Instantly the handkercheif turns white again.
The trick hasn't ended yet even tho that gets a wow from teh audeience
Once you know Jesus can make you clean you then want to go into the world and tell others - dip your now clean handkercheif into the muddy coloured water in your first bowl - it changes it back to clean water and doesn't stain the hanky!
Great visual aid of the power of the cross to make us clean

[Tiffany J. Crawford]

thanks Tim. I love the butterfly. Gonna get that one.

Tim Carpenter said:

Holly, Check this out.

http://www.kidsinministry.org/store/index.php/media/reversible-cate...

I use it all the time and the kids LOVE it while they get the point of what it means to be born again.
It is a reversable caterpillar/butterfly.
I can tell you some of the ideas we use with it

Quick Overview
One of the most incredible tools for evangelism you can find! This butterfly makes it so easy to explain to a child that "old things pass away and all things become new," not to mention the concept that we become "new creatures in Christ" when we become born again.

Start with your caterpillar in your story, then pull apart the velcroe seam underneath. Flip it inside out, seal the velcroe back up, and your caterpillar turns into a gorgeous full-winged butterfly!

There is also a cool "Cross Trick" that we have used a lot. Here is the link for that.

http://www.billyburnsministries.com/index.php?page=shop.product_det...

Either one of these is a winning presentation. I hope this helps.
We actually had the Easter Bunny come to our Easter service last year and get saved. He discovered the true meaning of Easter. He raised his hand during the altar call. It was hilarious and powerful.
I know.... maybe you could have the Easter Bunny ride in on a Harley and get saved.

See ya,
Tim

[Tiffany J. Crawford]

You can also use Water with Food Coloring...and then add bleach....after the bleach sits for about 3 or 4 minutes, it bleaches out the color in the water and you end up with clear water!

Lana Newsome said:

A long time ago I saw a demonstration similar to this that a red solution (representing Jesus blood) made the black solution go clear. I still cannot work out how it was done. Any ideas?

John Mozingo said:

Try a photography supplier or go online to a chemical supplier. You can also do this by adding the iodine to water in a container large enough for the audience to see. It does not take much to discolor the water. Then take a large cross made from two pieces of bamboo. In the bottom of the cross, place about two table spoons of the photographic fixer solution in powder form wrapped in a piece of tissue. Put the end of the cross in the muddied water and stir vigorously. This releases the photo fixer into the water and makes it clear again.

Holly said:

Where do you get the photo solution?

Sarah Iddon said:

Last year I did a trick in our main Church meeting that worked really well.
Have a clean white handkercheif and talk to the kids about how God wants to be like this - perfect.
Then talk about how we 'mess up' and do things wrong. Give examples and as you do drop iodine solution into the handkercheif (you can buy iodine from your local chemist)
We try and make ourselves clean by doing good deeds/going to church. As you talk about this dip the handkercheif into a bowl of clean water (I labelled the edge of the table with the words GOOD DEEDS). The water truns brown and the handkercheif looks worse than before! Talk about how that good deeds dont make us perfect.
There is only one way that we can be made clean again - that is through Jesus and his death and resurrection.
Now dip the handkercheif into a sencond bowl (labellend JESUS) This bowl is full of photographic fixer solution
Instantly the handkercheif turns white again.
The trick hasn't ended yet even tho that gets a wow from teh audeience
Once you know Jesus can make you clean you then want to go into the world and tell others - dip your now clean handkercheif into the muddy coloured water in your first bowl - it changes it back to clean water and doesn't stain the hanky!
Great visual aid of the power of the cross to make us clean