Mark 15:1-16:8

The Resurrection Bible lesson for kids

A complete The Resurrection lesson plan for Sunday school or homeschool — one version for each age band, from preschool to preteen. Pick the section that matches your kids and teach.

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Preschool & Kindergarten

Ages 4–6

Objective

Children will understand that Jesus died, rose again, and gives us hope.

Opening question

How do you feel when a sad surprise becomes a happy surprise?

Tell the story

Read Mark 15:1-16:8 together. Jesus died on the cross, and his body was placed in a tomb with a big stone at the entrance. Mary Magdalene and other women came to the tomb and discovered that the stone had been moved and Jesus was not there. A messenger told them that Jesus had risen and that his friends, including Peter, would see him again.

Hands-on activities

Open Tomb Picture

Materials: our free printable coloring page, crayons, gray paper or scrap paper, glue

  1. Color our free printable coloring page.
  2. Tear gray paper into small stone shapes.
  3. Glue the stones around the tomb.
  4. Point to the open tomb and say, “Jesus is risen!”

Sad Walk, Joyful Run

Materials: two chairs, a sheet or towel

  1. Place the chairs together and drape the sheet over them to make a tomb.
  2. Walk slowly toward the tomb with sad faces.
  3. Look inside and pretend to discover that it is empty.
  4. Run joyfully across the room saying, “Jesus is alive!”
  5. Freeze when the teacher calls your name and answer, “Jesus knows me!”

Talk about it

  1. What did the women find when they reached the tomb?
  2. How did sad news change into joyful news?
  3. How does it feel to know that Jesus knows you?

Closing prayer

Jesus, we thank you that you are alive and give us hope.

Early Elementary

Ages 6–9

Objective

Children will retell the resurrection story and explain why Jesus rising gives his followers hope.

Opening question

What news would be so exciting that you would run to tell someone?

Tell the story

Read Mark 15:1-16:8 together. Jesus truly died, and Joseph placed his wrapped body in a stone tomb while Mary Magdalene saw where he was laid. After the Sabbath, Mary and other women brought spices, but they found the large stone rolled away and the tomb empty. A young man in white announced that Jesus had risen and told them to carry the news to the disciples and Peter.

Hands-on activities

Resurrection News Comic

Materials: our free printable coloring page, crayons or colored pencils, pencil

  1. Color our free printable coloring page.
  2. Find Mary, the tomb, and signs that something surprising happened.
  3. Write one simple sentence beside the picture about the good news.
  4. Add a speech bubble showing what Mary might tell Peter without adding new events.
  5. Share your sentence with a partner.

Roll Away Relay

Materials: paper, markers, a crumpled paper ball, two bowls

  1. Write “sadness” on one bowl and “hope” on the other.
  2. Place the paper ball beside the sadness bowl as the tomb stone.
  3. Take turns rolling the ball toward the hope bowl.
  4. Name one fact from the story after each roll.
  5. Finish together by saying that Jesus really died and really rose.

Talk about it

  1. Why is the empty tomb important to Christians?
  2. Why do you think the messenger specifically included Peter in the message?
  3. Who could you encourage with the hope of Jesus this week?

Closing prayer

Jesus, we praise you for rising again and filling us with hope.

Upper Elementary & Preteen

Ages 9–12

Objective

Children will identify the evidence in Mark’s account and connect resurrection hope with courage during grief, doubt, and everyday challenges.

Opening question

What helps you believe surprising news when you did not see the event yourself?

Tell the story

Read Mark 15:1-16:8 together. Roman soldiers crucified Jesus, a centurion witnessed his death, and Pilate confirmed it before Joseph placed Jesus in a sealed stone tomb. Mary Magdalene and other women later found the stone moved and the tomb empty, where a young man in white announced that Jesus had risen. The women were frightened, yet they received a mission to tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus would meet them in Galilee.

Hands-on activities

Evidence and Response Page

Materials: our free printable coloring page, colored pencils, two different colored markers

  1. Color our free printable coloring page.
  2. Circle details showing that Jesus truly died and was buried.
  3. Underline details showing that the tomb was later found empty.
  4. Write one honest question you would have asked at the tomb.
  5. Write one way resurrection hope can change your response to fear.

Hope Scenario Cards

Materials: scrap paper, pencils, a bowl

  1. Write school, friendship, grief, or doubt situations on separate papers.
  2. Fold the papers and place them in a bowl.
  3. Choose one situation and read it aloud.
  4. Act out an unhelpful response to the situation.
  5. Act out a courageous and compassionate response shaped by resurrection hope.
  6. Explain why Christian hope does not mean pretending that pain is easy.

Talk about it

  1. What details in Mark show that Jesus’ death and empty tomb were real events?
  2. Why might God have entrusted this news to ordinary grieving women?
  3. How can resurrection hope affect the way you face exclusion, loss, or doubt?

Closing prayer

Jesus, help us trust your resurrection and carry your hope courageously.

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