The death of Jesus on the Cross on a Friday afternoon and his Resurrection Sunday morning bear significance that we want our children to both recognize and understand.
Death and Resurrection of Jesus
Through his sacrificial, atoning death on the Cross, Jesus took away the sins of all who believe in him, confess their belief, and repent of their sin. All of Scripture points to this amazing reality.
The Resurrection of Jesus proves his death was effectual for our salvation. It proves the truth of the promise that we, too, will be raised with Jesus to eternal life.
These two events lie at the heart of the gospel. In Communion, we remember what Jesus has done for us. On Resurrection Sunday (Easter), we praise God that Jesus conquered sin and death, and that he will one day return for his people–both the living and the dead, who will be raised. We thank God for his promise of eternal life.
Your kids can read all about the death and Resurrection of Jesus in my two narrative history and theology books from Christian Focus Publications, What Was the Cross? and Why Did the Resurrection Happen?. The books are a fun way for your kids to learn about how all of Scripture points to Jesus’ work on the Cross, and why the Resurrection means so much to us.
This fun craft will allow your kids to construct scenes of both the Cross and the empty grave.
What Was the Cross?
Discover the amazing story of the Cross in this special book from the Who, What, Why? series! With fun black-and-white illustrations and easy-to-understand explanations, young readers will explore one of the most important events in the Bible.
Why did Jesus die on the Cross? What does it mean for us today? Author Danika Cooley takes kids on an exciting journey through time, starting in the Garden of Eden and following God’s incredible rescue plan all the way to Jesus. Along the way, readers will meet fascinating characters like Isaiah who told people about Jesus hundreds of years before He was born, John the Baptist who called Jesus “the Lamb of God,” and the disciples who followed Jesus everywhere.
The Cross is the most important event in all of human history because it is the moment when Jesus, who is God the Son and the Son of God, paid for the sins of all who believe in him. Sin makes us enemies of God. Not only did Jesus bring about the forgiveness of sin for all believers, but at the Cross Jesus also made his followers friends of God instead of his enemies.
What Was the Cross?, Danika Cooley (Christian Focus Publications, 2025), page 8
Jesus’ Death and Resurrection Craft
You can help your kids commemorate what they’re learning about biblical history in a hands-on way! Check out this fun video of the Jesus’ Death and Resurrection craft!
Resurrection Craft Supplies
You’ll need a few supplies to make your Resurrection craft:
- Cardstock (colored and white)
- Scissors
- Glue
- Pencil
- Permanent Marker
- Toilet Paper Rolls
- Printable Templates with Instructions
- Don’t forget this fun book that will teach your kids about the Cross: What Was the Cross?
Jesus’ Resurrection Craft for Kids | Instructions
Your child’s representation of the death and Resurrection of Jesus is a great way to help them consider what they learn as they read What Was the Cross? from the Who What Why series!
1) Print your templates and labels.
Print the Cross and empty grave scenes templates on cardstock. Each toilet paper roll will need a scene base template.
2) Assemble your Cross scene.
Print the template page from the step-by-step instructions and cut out the pieces.
Lay the template pieces over the cardstock in the colors your child would like to use for the Cross scene. Trace the pieces on the cardstock and cut out the pieces.
Glue the cross beams to each of the taller cross pieces to create three crosses.
Use a permanent marker to make an X across the cross beam to represent the rope tying the cross beam to the cross.
Glue the center of the sun to the sun with the rays. Glue one cloud over the top of the other, as shown.
Glue the three crosses behind the the larger part of the hill with the tallest cross in the middle.
Cut out the cardstock background for the scene using the scene base template.
Glue the hill and crosses to the middle of the background, as shown.
Glue the cloud and sun above the crosses.
Glue the colored cardstock around the toilet paper roll.
3) Assemble your empty tomb scene.
Print the template page from the step-by-step instructions and cut out the pieces.
Lay the template pieces over the cardstock in the colors your child would like to use for the Empty Tomb scene. Trace the pieces on the cardstock and cut out the pieces.
Glue the center of the sun to the sun with the rays.
Glue the door to the tomb to the upper right side of the tomb, as shown.
Glue the rock base along the bottom of the tomb, and the stone door to the left side of the door.
Use a permanent marker to outline the pieces of the tomb.
Cut out the cardstock background for the scene using the scene base template.
Glue the empty tomb to the middle of the background, as shown.
Glue the cloud and sun above the empty tomb.
Glue the colored cardstock around the toilet paper roll.
Display your craft as you read What Was the Cross? to remember Jesus’ atoning sacrifice for Christians on the Cross!
Learn more about the Who What Why series and get your FREE Resurrection Lapbooks here.
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids
Christian History Matters for Our Kids.
History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.
Here’s why:
- God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings.
- Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
- Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.
- Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.
- Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history.
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