Powerful Easter Children’s Message for Upper Elementary: Jesus’ Suffering
Use this Easter children’s message about Jesus’ suffering in children’s church or Sunday school to help upper elementary-aged children understand what Jesus did for them.
Prepare for the Message
Before kids arrive read Matthew 27:27-36, 45-50. Spend time thanking Jesus for his sacrifice, and celebrate his resurrection and forgiveness of your sins!
You’ll need:
Dim the lights and play soft music in the background.
Lead a Message About Jesus’ Suffering
Say: Jesus died on the cross for our sins—the wrong things we do. He suffered a lot on the cross, but he did it because he loves us so much. Jesus didn’t want sin to be in our lives anymore. We’re going to do an activity and think about Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross.
Have kids put three to five pony beads in their shoes. Instruct kids to walk around the room silently while you read aloud Matthew 27:27-36 and 45-50 from a Bible.
Tip: Make sure YOU put pony beads in your shoes and walk around the room, too.
After you’re finished reading the passage, give kids time to take the pony beads out of their shoes. Then ask:
- How did it feel to have the pony beads in your shoes?
- What did you want to do with the pony beads?
- How do you think Jesus felt as he was crucified on a cross? Do you think he wanted to come down from the cross? Why or why not?
- Why didn’t Jesus get off the cross instead of dying?
Say: It was pretty uncomfortable to have the pony beads in our shoes. What Jesus did on the cross for us was way more than uncomfortable—it was horribly painful. And because Jesus is God, he didn’t have to stay on the cross. But Jesus chose to keep feeling pain on the cross because he loves you and you and you…(continue to point to each child). Dying on the cross hurt Jesus a lot, but he did it because he wants you to live with him forever in heaven. That’s pretty amazing love!
And the best part about Jesus’ story is that he didn’t stay dead. Three days after Jesus died, he rose to life again. Because Jesus is alive, he can save you from the wrong things you do, and he wants to be good friends with you, too!
Finally, close by thanking Jesus for loving us and suffering for us.
Mary Kim
Looking for more children’s messages? Check out these posts!
