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Easter Extravaganza 2020: Thinking Big Questions
Session Overview
Session summary: This session presents a deliberately open-ended question to stimulate thinking, creativity and inquiry. It is the first in a series of ‘big question’ sessions
to help students unpack their typical big faith questions. Through the session it is hoped that each child will be able to seek, question and explore further from whatever
their starting place, previous understanding or learning journey so far. In addition, there will be opportunity for students to work with their different talents, skills, passions
and learning styles and to express their own understanding and discovery. Following an introduction from the ‘Any Questions?’ show, students will spend some time
thinking, creating and putting together their findings to answer the question: Who is Jesus? They will be introduced to different parts of the Jesus story (including Easter)
and given a variety of resources to creatively express their ideas (eg as a documentary, storyboard, cartoon, creative writing, building, modelling, in musical form etc.)
Psalm 8: 3 & 4 (MSG): “I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky-jewellery, moon and stars mounted
in their settings. Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?”
Luke 2:16-20 (Storybook Bible): “And they gazed in wonder at God’s great gift, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.”
Main Aim Session Objectives
We aim to:
Key Skills:
Students are given opportunity to:
Session outcomes
For students to find
out more about who
(Christians believe)
Jesus is, by asking
questions,
discovering and
thinking in their own
way.
The big idea for
students: Christians
believe that Jesus is
God’s greatest gift of
love to the world.
1. invite students to question and wonder about who
(Christians believe) Jesus is through a variety of
different resources
2. enable students to creatively express their
understanding and respond in their own way
3. work with a variety of different thinking and learning
styles (of volunteers and students)
4. provide time and space for creative thinking and
inquiry
5. help students place Jesus within God’s one big love
story (of Christian Bible)
a. Comprehend parts of the Bible as a
text - through listening, reading and
viewing (L)
b. Value their own beliefs and those
of others (IC)
c. Create connections with others and
cultivate mutual respect (IC)
d. Interact with and empathise with
others (IC)
e. Develop their own thinking and
ideas and work collectively with
others (PSC)
f. Think critically and creatively as
they question and explore for
themselves (CC)
We hope that all students will:
o wonder about who Jesus is
That some will:
o discover more about who
(Christians believe) Jesus is,
using a variety of different
resources
And others may:
o respond uniquely to the things
they discover (even in the form
of further questions)
Session Sequence: Who is Jesus?
Broad structure Who? Timing?
S
EE
K
1. Arrival activity/welcome: From Christmas and a baby……what happened next? Where does Jesus fit in? Students
order cards and pictures to think about where Jesus fits in the bigger picture of God’s one BIG love story told
through the Bible. Younger students might re/visit the ‘God’s Big Story’ book; could match cards to the book.
All/leader led 15 mins
2. Orientation/introduction (Watching): A short video clip introduces the ‘Any Questions’ show with the big question:
Who is Jesus? The show host reflects on this question by delving into the Bible and presenting some key characters:
shepherds, a disciple, a small boy and Mary.
(stories based on Luke 2: 1-20, Matthew 8:23-27, Matthew 14:13-21, Matthew 27/28, Mark 15/16, Luke 23/24, John 19/20)
All/leader led
3. Extra engagement (Wondering): Students are given some time to think more about the ideas presented. What did
you see? What did you hear? What action was happening? What did people hold/touch? Students share thoughts.
All/leader led
QU
ES
TIO
N
4. Group inquiry: Students divide into small groups and spend time at one station (with a volunteer).
Stations are based on 4 learning styles: Visual/seeing - auditory/hearing - kinaesthetic/doing - tactile/creating
Each station has a variety of similar resources (stories/a few items) and some resources unique to their group
learning style (e.g. musical instruments, dress-ups, objects/construction materials, paper/pens).
Each group will be asked to put together their ideas (in whatever way the group chooses) for the ‘Any Questions’
show (other students), to answer the question: Who is Jesus?
In each group students may spend time:
• searching for ideas and making connections with things they know already or with other stories (Webbing)
• organising ideas and starting to create to bring out the important ideas; think about how to link ideas (Weaving)
• putting ideas together: decide how to put ideas together and the creative form it will take (Wrapping)
• taking a moment to consider ‘Who is Jesus… today? For me?
Small groups
led by a
volunteer
(volunteers
could choose
the group with
learning style
of their
interest)
20-30
mins
EX
PLO
RE
5. Communicating/expressing their ideas (Waving)
Allow time for groups (pairs/individuals) to share their responses. This could be:
- at the front of the whole group, with a few select ideas brought back from each group OR
- at each station, if there is enough room for the big group to visit, see, hear
All groups
sharing ideas
15 mins
6. Reflecting (Wishing): A chance to think individually: What did I find out? Who do I think Jesus is? What thought or
question about Jesus will I take with me today?
All/leader led
7. Summary /conclusion: wrapping up the learning that has taken place.
- Christian’s believe Jesus is God’s greatest gift of love; the promised rescuer (friends)
- Christians celebrate Jesus at Easter; rescued from our sins/problems and from death being the end (forgiven)
- Christian’s believe God’s one big love story is still going; Jesus will come back, forever (forever)
All/leader led
Inquiry process This session offers students a process of discovery learning using stories of Jesus (including Easter) as the stimulus and foundation (provided in video form, in
segments from the Storybook Bible and as found in the Big Rescue Bible). The inquiry process is presented as ‘Christians believe’… then students creatively
explore their own ideas in small groups (according to learning styles). The cards pictured below are in the station resources to support the inquiry process:
And for consideration…
Group Guidance, Easter Extravaganza, 2020
Thinking Big Questions: Who is Jesus?
1. Visual group (seeing)
Story highlights: 1. A light to shine
Then quietly, they tiptoed inside. They
knelt on the dirt floor. They had heard
about this promised child and now he was
here. This baby would be like that bright
star shining in the sky that night. A light
to light up the whole world. Chasing away
darkness. Helping people to see. And the
darker the night got, the brighter the star
would shine. (Luke 2:1-20)
Story highlights 2: Captain of the Storm
Jesus’ friends had been so afraid; they
had only seen the big waves. They had
forgotten that, if Jesus was with them,
they had nothing to be afraid of. No
matter how small their boat or how big
the storm.
(Mark 4:35-41/Matthew 8:23-27)
Story highlights 3: Filled full
Jesus’ friends laughed when they saw
his little lunch. “That’s not nearly
enough!” they said. But they were
wrong. Jesus knew it didn’t matter how
much the little boy had. God would
make it enough; more than enough.
(Matthew 14:13-21)
Story highlights 4: The rescuer
Jesus said, “I am the Saviour and
Rescuer of the world.” And they knew,
because Jesus had come alive again,
that somehow everything would be all
right.
(Matthew 27/28, Mark 15/16, Luke
23/24, John 19/20)
Generic resources
• sections of Jesus story with
pictures
• items to connect with pictures
(light, boat, lunchbox, cross/tomb)
• a selection of key words that
might connect children to the
stories
• an A3 Inquiry Card (Wonder, Web,
Weave, Wrap)
• an A3 Ideas Card with questions
on reverse
• the key question ‘Who is Jesus?’
Additional visual resources: additional story pictures and photos (characters and scenes from the stories), props
and items that link with each story, fabric pieces, general collage items, paper, textas, feeling faces, hearts
Volunteer Instruction: Enjoy the student creativity and curiosity! We will be surprised by all we hear, see and what
students do. You are there to enable them to author their own questions, to build their own theories and construct
their understanding based on what they have seen and heard. Encourage them to tell the stories as THEY can
(rather than YOU the volunteer) and work from what they know.
Whatever they come up with does not need to be a perfect, finished piece! Do guide and suggest, though, where
necessary. Remember we are always focusing on what Christians believe but also giving students time and space
to think about their own understanding of the question.
Inquiry Stages
When students are at their station (using the stories, pictures and additional resources) they will work towards
putting something together inspired by the ‘Any Questions’ show and using the 3 inquiry stages – web, weave,
wrap. This should answer the question: Who is Jesus? but can take any form!
Volunteer schedule with small group – visual
1. Meet and greet your group of students – introduce yourself.
2. Encourage students to continue with the initial wondering (see inquiry card)
by modelling some questions or passing a story item around.
Use Jesus story pictures to help review and connect with story items.
(Can also read “story highlights” as needed.)
3. Remind students of:
- the big question: Who is Jesus?
- their task: to create something that answers the big question (ideas card)
4. Allow students time to work through the inquiry stages:
Students begin
searching and
making connections
• What do I remember most about what I have
seen?
• I am wondering about…?
• This has made me think more about…?
• What pictures came to my mind as I heard
the story?
• What can I see when I think about the Jesus
story?
Webbing ideas: selecting pictures, writing
words, sketching, sharing ideas, new words, etc.
Students organise
and create
• Which are the best ideas?
• What am I going to create?
• How do the ideas fit together?
• What do these pictures or words tell me
about who Jesus is?
• Do these ideas fit together in any way?
Weaving ideas: Putting ideas together in a
storyboard, picture board, mind map; putting
together picture or graffiti words
Students put ideas
together to present
• What will it look like?
• How is it going to be done?
• What ideas do I want to stand out?
• What colours, pictures or words would help
others see what I have found out?
• How can we put all our ideas together?
Wrapping ideas: story patchworks individual
ideas put together as a whole ‘Who is Jesus?’
patchwork, poems, Facebook page, newspaper
front page, ‘wanted’ poster
(NB: Younger children may need more support.)
inquiry card
ideas card
Group Guidance, Easter Extravaganza, 2020
Thinking Big Questions: Who is Jesus?
2. Auditory group (hearing)
Story highlights: 1. A light to shine
Then quietly, they tiptoed inside. They
knelt on the dirt floor. They had heard
about this promised child and now he was
here. This baby would be like that bright
star shining in the sky that night. A light
to light up the whole world. Chasing away
darkness. Helping people to see. And the
darker the night got, the brighter the star
would shine. (Luke 2:1-20)
Story highlights 2: Captain of the Storm
Jesus’ friends had been so afraid; they
had only seen the big waves. They had
forgotten that, if Jesus was with them,
they had nothing to be afraid of. No
matter how small their boat or how big
the storm.
(Mark 4:35-41/Matthew 8:23-27)
Story highlights 3: Filled full
Jesus’ friends laughed when they saw
his little lunch. “That’s not nearly
enough!” they said. But they were
wrong. Jesus knew it didn’t matter how
much the little boy had. God would
make it enough; more than enough.
(Matthew 14:13-21)
Story highlights 4: The rescuer
Jesus said, “I am the Saviour and
Rescuer of the world.” And they knew,
because Jesus had come alive again,
that somehow everything would be all
right.
(Matthew 27/28, Mark 15/16, Luke
23/24, John 19/20)
Generic resources
• sections of Jesus story with
pictures
• items to connect with pictures
(light, boat, lunchbox, cross/tomb)
• a selection of key words that
might connect children to the
stories
• an A3 Inquiry Card (Wonder, Web,
Weave, Wrap)
• an A3 Ideas Card with questions
on reverse
• the key question ‘Who is Jesus?’
Additional auditory resources: small musical instruments, simple objects that make various sounds (plastic cups,
sticks, combs), story props, magnetic words, speech bubbles, microphone, textas, paper
Volunteer Instruction: Enjoy the student creativity and curiosity! We will be surprised by all we hear, see and what
students do. You are there to enable them to author their own questions, to build their own theories and construct
their understanding based on what they have seen and heard. Encourage them to tell the stories as THEY can
(rather than YOU the volunteer) and work from what they know.
Whatever they come up with does not need to be a perfect, finished piece! Do guide and suggest, though, where
necessary. Remember we are always focusing on what Christians believe but also giving students time and space
to think about their own understanding of the question.
Inquiry Stages
When students are at their station (using the stories, pictures and additional resources) they will work towards
putting something together inspired by the ‘Any Questions’ show and using the 3 inquiry stages – web, weave,
wrap. This should answer the question: Who is Jesus? but can take any form!
Volunteer schedule with small group - auditory
1. Meet and greet your group of students – introduce yourself.
2. Encourage students to continue with the initial wondering (see inquiry card)
by modelling some questions or passing a story item around.
Use Jesus story pictures to help review and connect with story items.
(Can also read “story highlights” as needed.)
3. Remind students of:
- the big question: Who is Jesus?
- their task: to create something that answers the big question (ideas card)
4. Allow students time to work through the inquiry stages:
Students begin
searching and
making connections
• What do I remember most about what I
have heard?
• I am wondering about…?
• This has made me think more about…?
• What did I hear in the stories?
• If I was there with Jesus, what sounds
would I hear?
Webbing ideas:
listening words (what did I hear?)
sound games (make a sound - guess what it is)
Students organise
and create
• Which are the best ideas?
• What am I going to create?
• How do the ideas fit together?
• What did I hear in the stories and what does
it tell me about who Jesus is?
• Can I re-create any sounds that would tell
others who Jesus is?
Weaving ideas: creating sound effects, mood
music or rhythms (to fit with ‘Who is Jesus?’)
Students put ideas
together to present
• What will it look like?
• How is it going to be done?
• What ideas do I want to stand out?
• How can I help others hear who Jesus is?
• How can I put the ideas together?
Wrapping ideas: putting ideas together as raps,
poems, podcasts, voice-overs, audio narratives, a
talk-show (to answer the question ‘Who is Jesus?’)
(NB: Younger children may need more support.)
inquiry card
ideas card
Group Guidance, Easter Extravaganza, 2020
Thinking Big Questions: Who is Jesus?
3. Kinaesthetic group (doing)
Story highlights: 1. A light to shine
Then quietly, they tiptoed inside. They
knelt on the dirt floor. They had heard
about this promised child and now he was
here. This baby would be like that bright
star shining in the sky that night. A light
to light up the whole world. Chasing away
darkness. Helping people to see. And the
darker the night got, the brighter the star
would shine. (Luke 2:1-20)
Story highlights 2: Captain of the Storm
Jesus’ friends had been so afraid; they
had only seen the big waves. They had
forgotten that, if Jesus was with them,
they had nothing to be afraid of. No
matter how small their boat or how big
the storm.
(Mark 4:35-41/Matthew 8:23-27)
Story highlights 3: Filled full
Jesus’ friends laughed when they saw
his little lunch. “That’s not nearly
enough!” they said. But they were
wrong. Jesus knew it didn’t matter how
much the little boy had. God would
make it enough; more than enough.
(Matthew 14:13-21)
Story highlights 4: The rescuer
Jesus said, “I am the Saviour and
Rescuer of the world.” And they knew,
because Jesus had come alive again,
that somehow everything would be all
right.
(Matthew 27/28, Mark 15/16, Luke
23/24, John 19/20)
Generic resources
• sections of Jesus story with
pictures
• items to connect with pictures
(light, boat, lunchbox, cross/tomb)
• a selection of key words that
might connect children to the
stories
• an A3 Inquiry Card (Wonder, Web,
Weave, Wrap)
• an A3 Ideas Card with questions
on reverse
• the key question ‘Who is Jesus?’
Additional kinaesthetic resources: various dress ups, story props, frame, microphone, various fabric, textas, paper
Volunteer Instruction: Enjoy the student creativity and curiosity! We will be surprised by all we hear, see and what
students do. You are there to enable them to author their own questions, to build their own theories and construct
their understanding based on what they have seen and heard. Encourage them to tell the stories as THEY can
(rather than YOU the volunteer) and work from what they know.
Whatever they come up with does not need to be a perfect, finished piece! Do guide and suggest, though, where
necessary. Remember we are always focusing on what Christians believe but also giving students time and space
to think about their own understanding of the question.
Inquiry Stages
When students are at their station (using the stories, pictures and additional resources) they will work towards
putting something together inspired by the ‘Any Questions’ show and using the 3 inquiry stages – web, weave &
wrap. This should answer the question: Who is Jesus? but can take any form!
Volunteer schedule with small group - kinaesthetic
1. Meet and greet your group of students – introduce yourself.
2. Encourage students to continue with the initial wondering (see inquiry card)
by modelling some questions or passing a story item around.
Use Jesus story pictures to help review and connect with story items.
(Can also read “story highlights” as needed.)
3. Remind students of:
- the big question: Who is Jesus?
- their task: to create something that answers the big question (ideas card)
4. Allow students time to work through the inquiry stages:
Students begin
searching and
making connections
• What do I remember most about what I
have seen?
• I am wondering about…?
• This has made me think more about…?
• What actions do I remember from the
story?
• What was Jesus doing? What were the
other people doing?
Webbing ideas: action words (students take
turns to show what they remember), charades
Students organise
and create
• Which are the best ideas?
• What am I going to create?
• How do the ideas fit together?
• What does the story tell me about who Jesus
is?
• What actions or drama, mime or dance
moves could tell others who Jesus is?
Weaving ideas: talking puppets, freeze frames
(small groups create still poses/shots to show
their ideas
Students put ideas
together to present
• What will it look like?
• How is it going to be done?
• What ideas do I want to stand out?
• What can I do to show others what I have found
out?
• How can we put our ideas together?
Wrapping ideas: drama, dance, mime (to answer
the question ‘Who is Jesus?’), TV documentary or
an award ceremony
(NB: Younger children may need more support.)
inquiry card
ideas card
Group Guidance, Easter Extravaganza, 2020
Thinking Big Questions: Who is Jesus?
4. Tactile group (hands-on creating)
Story highlights: 1. A light to shine
Then quietly, they tiptoed inside. They
knelt on the dirt floor. They had heard
about this promised child and now he was
here. This baby would be like that bright
star shining in the sky that night. A light
to light up the whole world. Chasing away
darkness. Helping people to see. And the
darker the night got, the brighter the star
would shine. (Luke 2:1-20)
Story highlights 2: Captain of the Storm
Jesus’ friends had been so afraid; they
had only seen the big waves. They had
forgotten that, if Jesus was with them,
they had nothing to be afraid of. No
matter how small their boat or how big
the storm.
(Mark 4:35-41/Matthew 8:23-27)
Story highlights 3: Filled full
Jesus’ friends laughed when they saw
his little lunch. “That’s not nearly
enough!” they said. But they were
wrong. Jesus knew it didn’t matter how
much the little boy had. God would
make it enough; more than enough.
(Matthew 14:13-21)
Story highlights 4: The rescuer
Jesus said, “I am the Saviour and
Rescuer of the world.” And they knew,
because Jesus had come alive again,
that somehow everything would be all
right.
(Matthew 27/28, Mark 15/16, Luke
23/24, John 19/20)
Generic resources
• sections of Jesus story with
pictures
• items to connect with pictures
(light, boat, lunchbox, cross/tomb)
• a selection of key words that
might connect children to the
stories
• an A3 Inquiry Card (Wonder, Web,
Weave, Wrap)
• an A3 Ideas Card with questions
on reverse
• the key question ‘Who is Jesus?’
Additional tactile story resources: mini whiteboards, magnetic letters, creative craft materials (paddle-pop
sticks/pipe-cleaners/hearts/etc.) playdoh/mats, paper, textas, blocks, fabric, story props
Volunteer Instruction: Enjoy the student creativity and curiosity! We will be surprised by all we hear, see and what
students do. You are there to enable them to author their own questions, to build their own theories and construct
their understanding based on what they have seen and heard. Encourage them to tell the stories as THEY can
(rather than YOU the volunteer) and work from what they know.
Whatever they come up with does not need to be a perfect, finished piece! Do guide and suggest, though, where
necessary. Remember we are always focusing on what Christians believe but also giving students time and space
to think about their own understanding of the question.
Inquiry Stages
When students are at their station (using the stories, pictures and additional resources) they will work towards
putting something together inspired by the ‘Any Questions’ show and using the 3 inquiry stages – web, weave,
wrap. This should answer the question: Who is Jesus? but can take any form!
Volunteer schedule with small group - tactile
1. Meet and greet your group of students – introduce yourself.
2. Encourage students to continue with the initial wondering (see inquiry card)
by modelling some questions or passing a story item around.
Use Jesus story pictures to help review and connect with story items.
(Can also read “story highlights” as needed.)
3. Remind students of:
- the big question: Who is Jesus?
- their task: to create something that answers the big question (ideas card)
4. Allow students time to work through the inquiry stages:
Students begin
searching and
making connections
• What do I remember most about what I
have seen?
• I am wondering about…?
• This has made me think more about…?
• What did I see people doing in the stories?
• What was Jesus holding or giving? What
actions did you see?
Webbing ideas: doodle and graffiti boards
(mini whiteboards, paper and pens), hand
motions or actions
Students organise
and create
• Which are the best ideas?
• What am I going to create?
• How do the ideas fit together?
• What did the story tell me about who Jesus
is?
• What words or pictures could I create; what
could I build or make to show that?
Weaving ideas: picture mats (using different
materials, objects or textures), creating
scrapbook or album pages, building, modelling
Students put ideas
together to present
• What will it look like?
• How is it going to be done?
• What ideas do I want to stand out?
• What can I do to show others what I have found
out?
• How can we put our ideas together?
Wrapping ideas: putting ideas together as picture
boards, ‘Who is Jesus? story box or bag
(NB: Younger children may need more support.)
inquiry card
ideas card
1: JESUS’ BIRTH
That night some shepherds were out in the open fields,
warming themselves by a campfire, when suddenly the
sheep darted. They were frightened by something. The
olive trees rustled. What was that….A wing beat? They
turned around. Standing in front of them was an angel.
“Don’t be afraid of me!” he said. “I’ve come to bring you
happy news for everyone everywhere. Today, in Bethlehem,
God’s Son has been born! You can go and see him. He’s
sleeping in a manger.”
Then as quickly as they appeared, the angels left. The
shepherds stamped out their fire, left their sheep, raced
down the grassy hill, through the gates of Bethlehem,
down the narrow cobble streets…until at last, they
reached a tumbledown stable.
Then quietly, they tiptoed inside. They knelt on the dirt
floor. They had heard about this promised child and
now he was here. This baby would be like that bright
star shining in the star that night. A light to light up
the whole world. Chasing away darkness. Helping
people to see. And the darker the night got, the
brighter the star would shine.
(The Jesus Storybook Bible p.190)
2: CAPTAIN OF THE STORM
The sun was going down. The air was warm. Jesus and
his friends left the crowd and set out across the lake in a
small fishing boat. Jesus was very tired. He had been
teaching all day. He fell asleep.
They were only halfway across when, out of nowhere,
whirling winds swept across the lake. A blinding flash of
lightning lit up the sky, thunder roared right overhead!
Towering waves hurled the little boat up and down.
Jesus’ friends had been fishermen all their lives but no
one had seen a storm like this. They struggled with ropes
and sails, they couldn’t control their boat. The storm was
too big for them but Jesus was still sleeping!
“HELP!” they screamed. “Wake up!” Quick, Jesus!” Jesus
stood up and spoke to the storm. “Hush!” he said.
That’s all. And the strangest thing happened. The wind
stopped and the water calmed down.
Jesus’ friends had been so afraid, they had only seen
the big waves. They had forgotten that, if Jesus was
with them, then they had nothing to be afraid of. No
matter how small their boat- or how big the storm.”
(The Jesus Storybook Bible p.242)
3: FILLED FULL
There were once more than 5,000 tired and hungry
people sitting on a hillside. They had come to hear Jesus
that day but they had been so busy listening that they
had lost track of time. Now it was well past dinner.
Jesus’ friends had an idea. “Let’s send everyone home for
dinner.”…“They don’t need to go”, Jesus said. “You can give
them something to eat.” Jesus’ friends panicked. “But we
don’t have enough money!”
“What food do you have?” Jesus asked. “Go and see.”
Now there was a little boy in the crowd. He had brought a
lunch that his Mum had made him that morning; just 5
small loaves and 2 fish. It wasn’t much. “I have some” he
said. Jesus’ friends laughed when they saw his little
lunch. “That’s not nearly enough!” they said. But they
were wrong. Jesus knew it didn’t matter how much
the little boy had. God would make it enough, more
than enough.
The little boy gave Jesus his lunch. Jesus took it and
thanked God then gave it to his disciples to hand out. As
they started to hand out the food, no matter how much
they gave out- there was always more, and more, and
more. Enough for over 5,000, with leftovers!
4A: THE RESCUER
“So, you’re a King, are you?” the Roman soldiers jeered.
“Then you’ll need a crown and a robe.” They gave Jesus a
crown made of thorns. And put a purple robe on him.
Then they beat him and spat on him. The soldiers made
him a sign- “Our King” and nailed it to a wooden cross.
Jesus carried the cross up the hill outside the city. He had
never done anything wrong but they were going to kill
him the way criminals were killed.
They nailed Jesus to the cross. “Father, forgive them, they
don’t understand what they’re doing,” he gasped.
“You say you’ve come to rescue us but you can’t even
rescue yourself!” people shouted. But of course, Jesus
could have rescued himself. He could have just said a
word and made it all stop; like when he stilled the storm
and fed 5,000 people. But he stayed. It wasn’t the nails
that kept Jesus there. It was love. “It is finished” he
shouted. And he died.
Jesus’ body was placed in a tomb made of rock. They sent
soldiers to guard the tomb and rolled a huge stone in
front of the door.
(The Jesus Storybook Bible p.304)
4B: THE RESCUER
Jesus’ friends were sad. How could this happen? Wasn’t
Jesus the rescuer, the King God had promised? It wasn’t
supposed to end like this. Yes, but whoever said anything
about the end?
Just before sunrise on the third day, Mary and the other
ladies headed to the tomb with some spices. They walked
quietly along the hilly path until they reached the tomb.
Immediately they noticed something odd- it was wide
open. Jesus’ body was gone!
And something else: there was an angel there! “Don’t be
afraid,” the angel said “Jesus isn’t dead anymore! He’s
alive!”
Could this be true? Could Jesus be alive? Just then Mary
heard someone else in the garden. “Mary!” Only one
person said her name like that. She wasn’t dreaming. She
was seeing. “Jesus!”
….Jesus said “I am the Saviour and the Rescuer of the
world” And they knew, because Jesus had come alive
again that somehow everything would be alright.
(The Jesus Storybook Bible p.310)
A collage of student responses from EE2016 (this same session held in schools 4 years ago)