Elementary Ash Wednesday Lesson: Jesus Rescues Us!
On Ash Wednesday, we remember our sins and our need for forgiveness through Jesus. What a perfect opportunity to remind kids that Jesus rescues us from our sins!
In this Ash Wednesday lesson, kids will step into Luke 23 when Jesus forgave the thief on the cross. Through a short activity, an experiential Bible story, and a game, kids will learn that Jesus rescues them from their sins—even when they don’t deserve it.
Introduce the Ash Wednesday Lesson
You’ll need:
- paper
- classroom objects (like Bibles or blocks)
- roll of masking tape
Make a paper bridge over two objects. Can you make it sturdy enough to roll the masking tape across?
Ask: Tell about a time you went over a bridge. Where did it lead?
Say: A bridge keeps us from being stuck on one side of an obstacle, like water or a ravine. Friendship with Jesus keeps us from being stuck away from God. Jesus rescues us.
Experience the Ash Wednesday Lesson’s Bible Story
You’ll need:
Prior to the story, use masking tape to make three cross shapes on the floor at the far corner of your room. Place a row of chairs, like a city wall, between where the kids initially gather and the crosses.
Say: Today’s Bible story comes from the book of Luke in the Bible. Jesus had lived on the earth for more than 30 years. And now it was time for him to do what he came here to do. Our story takes place outside of Jerusalem—a pretty big city for Bible times. Shout out some big cities you’ve been to before. Welcome a few responses.
Well, we’re going back in time to Jerusalem. I’m no longer [your name] your leader. Instead, I’m a Roman guard who witnessed everything that went down with Jesus that day.
Step Into the Bible Story
Face away from the kids, then turn back to them. Well, hello there, visitors. I’m a Roman guard. I work for the emperor of Rome, trying to keep the peace around here. I deal with criminals most every day. It’s not easy, but I do my best. Sigh. Wish your visit to Jerusalem could have come at a happier time. I’ll fill you in on what’s been happening.
Point toward the tape crosses.
Say: Outside Jerusalem is a place called The Skull. Creepy, huh? A Jewish man named Jesus has been arrested and sentenced to die there. The Jewish leaders don’t like him, and the Roman leaders don’t want him to make trouble. Me? I’m not sure he did anything wrong.
Did you bring a Bible with you from the future? Wait for kids to locate a Bible. Great. It tells this story. Let’s read about it.
Read aloud Luke 23:32-33.
Say: Let’s head over to The Skull. It’s already an upsetting day, and I don’t want us drawing attention to ourselves, so please move quietly.
Walk over past the chair “wall” and have kids sit in front of the crosses on the floor.
Say: Like the Bible says, one criminal was there. Point to the cross on the left. And one was there. Point to the cross on the right. Jesus was in the middle. He’d been betrayed, arrested, beaten, and lied about. It was awful. Jesus said some things when he was on the cross, and even after all they’d done to him, his words were filled with love rather than hate. Listen to what he said.
Read aloud Luke 23:34.
Look sheepish.
Say: Yeah. We did. While Jesus was forgiving, we were stealing.
People nearby weren’t behaving too well, either. They said terrible things to Jesus. I heard someone shout something like, “If you’re really the rescuer sent from God, then rescue yourself!” Mean words hurt. Let’s talk about that with our friends.
Respond to the Bible Story
Have kids sit in knee-to-knee circles. (Small groups are ideal if possible.)
Tell about a time someone said something mean to you. How did you feel? Invite leaders to share first.
Leaders give thumbs-up when everyone has shared.
Say: Words can really hurt—especially if you haven’t done anything to deserve them! Here, by the crosses, it was hard to hear everything people said. It sounded like a big, grumpy, yucky, mean-fest. Do you know what I mean? If you do, make cranky growling noises, and I’ll tell you if you’re close. Pause while kids growl and mutter. Not bad. But you all seem to be friends with Jesus. It must hurt your heart to think of people being so cruel to him. It hurts mine now.
Let’s pause for a second and think in our minds what kind words we’d say to Jesus to make him feel better…something like “I love you” or “You are brave.”
Distribute sticky notes and pencils.
Say: If you could have said something to Jesus when he was on the cross, what would it be?
Give kids one minute to quietly think and write their responses.
Say: I’m sure those words would have meant a lot to Jesus, especially since everyone else was saying such mean things. I heard the other guys on crosses talking, too. The criminals. Believe me, they were bad guys through and through. Based on our Roman laws, they deserved to die.
Conclude the Bible Story
Stand by the cross on the left. This guy shouted at Jesus, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”
Stand by the cross on the right. But the other guy? He gave his criminal buddy a piece of his mind. He said something like, “Don’t you respect God, even right before you die? We deserve to die, but he’s done nothing wrong.” Turn and look at the middle cross. Then he said to Jesus, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
I don’t want to mess up this next part, so I’ll read it to you. Move to the middle cross. Here’s what Jesus said.
Read aloud Luke 23:43.
Say: Paradise? That word makes me think of a beautiful place people go after they die, and they’re with God. Jesus said he was going there and the criminal would be there, too.
How do you think the criminal felt after hearing Jesus’ response? Invite a few responses from the whole group.
Hope. Peace. Relief, even. The criminal didn’t deserve it, but Jesus rescued him from forever death and offered him forever life. Jesus rescues us, too!
Apply the Story to Ash Wednesday
Say: It’s me, [your name]. I’m back!
Jesus didn’t rescue only this criminal that day; he rescued all of us. Even though we don’t deserve it, Jesus rescues us!
Friends, it’s OK if you’re not perfect. Sin happens, and Jesus knows it. But he still loves you. And his death on the cross can give you hope and peace, too.
Briefly tell about when you first believed and became friends with Jesus.
Say: Because of Jesus, sin doesn’t win anymore! Love does. We get to be Jesus’ friends right now. And someday, we’ll be in paradise with him, too.
Earlier you thought about what you’d say to Jesus on the cross. Let’s tell him right now. Let’s put our sticky notes on a wall, then huddle up for a prayer. Invite everyone to place their sticky notes on a wall.
If you’re Jesus’ friend, or want to be, pray this prayer with me. Do what I do.
Jesus, when we needed help, (lift your arms in the air)
You came to earth. (brings arms down.)
You gave up everything for us. (make an “X” with your arms, then push arms down to your sides)
There is nothing we can do to deserve your love. (shake your head no)
But you give it to us anyway. (hug yourself)
Read some of the responses on the sticky notes.
Say: Jesus, you rescue us!
Because Jesus rescues us, we can be friends with God! Let’s celebrate that by acting out this verse together. I’ll say a line, and then you repeat after me.
“He saved us, (extend arms out at your sides to form a cross)
not because of the righteous things we had done, (shake head no)
but because of his mercy.” (give yourself a hug)
(Titus 3:5)
(If you want, you can hand out these Bible Memory Buddy Stickers. Each time kids look at their stickers, they’ll remember that Jesus rescues them!)
Say: When we have mercy on someone, we forgive them. We may even take away a punishment they deserve. Jesus rescues us. His death on a cross took away our sin once and for all. We’re free to be friends with God!
Play a Game
- Form two teams.
- Have teams face each other. Designate the wall behind each team as its “jail.”
- If someone from the other team tags you, you must go to the other team’s “jail” for the rest of the game.
- If a teammate can successfully run to the other team’s “jail” and high-five a teammate, then all the “prisoners” go free.
- Continue playing as time allows.
Ask: How did it feel to set your friends free?
Say: Jesus loves rescuing us, too! He loves it when people believe he’s their Rescuer and become his forever friend. In this game, you couldn’t free yourself, but you received the gift of freedom and a second chance. And even though we still struggle with sin, Jesus’ death on the cross gives us freedom and second chances. Jesus rescues us.
This Ash Wednesday lesson is adapted from Group’s Simply Loved curriculum, which guides preschool and elementary-age kids to know and love God—it’s that simple!
Preparing for Easter, too? We’ve got you covered! Check out these Easter-themed activities for your children’s ministry. Or you can check out this Blooming Cross craft for an all-ages Ash Wednesday service!
