Easter

There are 2 different ideas here, I have used both of them.

Activity #1

Fill 12 easter eggs with the items listed below (number them, you will open them in order). Each item represents part of the Easter story. Hide the eggs and let your children find them. Then open them in order and read the scripture and talk about each one.

1. (Bread) Matthew 26:26
While they were eating Jesus took a piece of bread,gave a prayer of thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples."Take and eat it," He said, "This is My body."
2. (Coins) Matthew 26: 14-15
Then one of the twelve disciples, named Judas Iscariot, went tothe chief priests and asked, "What will you give me if I betrayJesus to you?" They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him.
3. (Purple cloth, representing a purple robe) Mark 15:17
They put a purple robe on Jesus. . .
4. (Thorns) Matthew 27:29
Then they made a crown out of thorny branches and placed it onHis head, and put a stick on His right hand; then they kneltbefore Him and made fun of Him. "Long live the King, of the Jews!" they said.
5. (Scourge-a small piece of rope or thick string) Mark 15:15
Pilate wanted to please the crowd, so he set Barabbas free forthem. Then he had Jesus whipped and handed Him over to becrucified.
6. (Cross) John 19: 17-18
He went out, carrying His cross, and came to "The Place of theSkull," as it is called. (In Hebrew it is called "Galgotha.") There they crucified Him.
7. (Nails) John 20:25
Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the scars of the nails in Hishands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in Hisside, I will not believe."
8. (Sign) Luke 23:38
Above Him were written these words: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
9. (Sponge) Matthew 27:48
One of them ran up at once, took a sponge, soaked it in cheapwine, put it on the end of a stick, and tried to make Him drink it.
10. (Spear) John 19:34
One of the soldiers plunged his spear into Jesus' side, and atonce blood and water poured out.
11. (Rock) Matthew 27:59-60
Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a new linen sheet, andplaced it in his own new tomb, which he had just recently dugout of solid rock. Then he rolled a large stone across theentrance to the tomb and went away.
12. (Empty) Matthew 28:6
He is not here He has risen just as He said.

Activity #2 (I can't remember where I found this idea, but I used it for sharing time and it was great!)

Gather pictures of Jesus Christ, the tomb, and a stone to cover the tomb. I just made my stone and tomb out of colored paper. There are some pictures here you could use.

Also, with the picture of Christ, cover it with wax paper and cut out the same shape. This will be Christ's Spirit.

Tell the story below using your cutouts:

"When Jesus was on Earth he taught that he would one day die but that he would overcome death. Many people didn't quite understand what he meant. Those who didn't believe His teachings wanted to kill him and finally they did. Jesus died on the cross. His spirit left to be with Heavenly Father. His friends took his body and laid it in the tomb (separate the spirit and body and place the body in the tomb and place the stone over it). Jesus' disciples and friends were so sad to think that He was gone forever. After three days Mary Magdalene went to the tomb but the stone was rolled away and His body was not there. She was afraid someone had stolen Him. Then she saw him. He was not dead but was alive again, resurrected. His spirit and body were reunited. Jesus then showed Himself to the disciples so they could testify that he lives. Jesus also showed himself to the Nephite people ion the American continent so they could also see that he was alive and loved them too. Because Jesus did this for us, all of us will one day be resurrected too. Someday our bodies and our spirits will be reunited and they will be perfect. We will not get sick or die again. "

You can then use the Christ and spirit cutout to explain more about what resurrection means. I then used this activity to review what we had talked about:

Cut a sheet of paper the same size as picture: The Resurrected Jesus Christ (Gospel Art Picture Kit 239; 62187), into eight pieces. Number the pieces from 1 to 8. Cover the picture by carefully fastening the pieces to the picture with paper clips or small pieces of tape.

Show the picture covered with the eight pieces of paper. Explain that hidden behind the papers is a special picture. Have the children take turns choosing a number from 1 to 8. After the question is answered, have a child remove the appropriate piece of paper, revealing part of the picture.

Use the following questions for the activity (or create some of your own):

1. Who will be resurrected? (Everyone.)
2. What does it mean to be resurrected? (To live again; to have our body and spirit joined again after death.)
3. What did the angel mean when he said, “He is risen”? (Jesus Christ had been resurrected.)
4. What are some of the things Jesus Christ did after he was resurrected? (He walked, talked, ate food, appeared to Mary Magdalene and to his disciples, let the disciples feel his hands and feet.)
5. Who is our Savior? (Jesus Christ.)
6. To whom did Jesus Christ appear after he was resurrected? (To Mary Magdalene and many of his disciples.)
7. Is Jesus Christ living now? (Yes, in heaven with Heavenly Father.)
8. Why was Jesus willing to die and be resurrected for us? (Because he loves us and wants us to be able to live again with him and Heavenly Father.)

When the entire picture is uncovered, explain that this is a painting of the resurrected Jesus Christ. When we see this picture, we can remember that because Jesus was resurrected everyone will be resurrected.

First Presidency & Apostles Matching Game

I always like to talk about the First Presidency and members of the Quorum of the Twelve just before we have General Conference. I think learning about our leaders helps us and our children make a connection with them and find it more interesting to listen to them speak.

So, this week we are having a lesson to prepare for General Conference and then next week we will have an Easter lesson.

My kids love matching games! This one has pictures of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve. When you get a match, read a little bit about them.

Click here for pictures.

Below is a copy of the info I am using with each picture. I found the info from their biographies on the church's website found here. You could read the entire biography if you wanted (they are short, but still too long for 4 year olds!)

President Thomas S. Monson has served as the 16th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since February 3, 2008. His testimony from General Conference October 2008: “I bear my testimony to you that this work is true, that our Savior lives, and that He guides and directs His Church here upon the earth. I leave with you my witness and my testimony that God our Eternal Father lives and loves us. He is indeed our Father, and He is personal and real.

President Henry B. Eyring is currently the First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has a degree in Physics, as well as a doctorate degree in business from Harvard. He has 4 sons and 2 daughters.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf was born on November 6, 1940 Czechoslovakia. He was raised in Germany, where his family joined the Church in 1947. He is a trained fighter pilot. He is now the Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Boyd K. Packer is the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He taught seminary and was also a bomber pilot during World War II. He is also an artist and loves to paint birds.

L. Tom Perry was born in 1922 in Logan Utah. He is 6-foot-3 inches tall.

Russell M. Nelson is an internationally renowned heart surgeon and medical researcher. He has earned many awards and honors. He has also written chapters for medical textbooks.

Dallin H. Oaks was called to be an apostle in 1984. He practiced and taught law in Chicago. He also served as a member of the Utah Supreme Court.

M. Russell Ballard sold cars and real estate. He served a mission for the Church to England. He was also a mission president in the Canada Toronto Mission. Much of his ministry has been focused on missionary work.

Richard G. Scott has a degree in mechanical and nuclear engineering. He worked for the Navy making nuclear fuel that made submarines go.

Robert D. Hales was born in New York City. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a jet fighter pilot. He was also a business man who held positions with three major national companies.

Jeffrey R. Holland served as the ninth president of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He is the author of eight books. He was called to be an apostle in 1994.

David A. Bednar was president of BYU-Idaho. Prior to his call to the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Bednar served as an Area Seventy, Area Authority Seventy, Regional Representative, twice as a stake president, and as a bishop.

Quentin L. Cook served as a missionary in the British Mission. He also served as an area Seventy in the Philippines and also the Pacific Islands.

D. Todd Christofferson was an attorney in Washington DC. He was also the senior vice president of a bank in Tennessee. He served a mission in Argentina.

Neil L. Andersen was called to be an apostle in April 2009. He was raised on a dairy farm in Idaho. He was involved in the production of The Testaments: Of One Fold and One Shepherd. He speaks French, Portuguese and Spanish in addition to his native English.

Prophets of God

Opening Song: "We Thank Thee, O God, For a Prophet," Hymns #19
Scripture: Luke 1:70 “He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began.”

Prophets are God’s Representatives on the Earth

As Latter-day Saints, we know the God communicates to the Church through His prophet. A prophet is a man called by God to be his representative on earth. When a prophet speaks for God, it is as if God were speaking. A true prophet is always chosen by God and called through proper priesthood authority.

Through the Ages God Has Called Prophets to Lead Mankind

There have been prophets on the earth since the days of Adam.

Activity (idea from Sugardoodle here)
Gather pictures of Prophets, ancient and modern. (GAK pics here)
Match the word bubble clues to the picture of the prophet.

We Have a Living Prophet on the Earth Today

We have a prophet living on the earth today. This prophet is President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. No person except the chosen prophet can receive God’s will for the entire membership of the Church. The prophet is assisted by his counselors in the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve.

We should do those things the prophets tell us to do. Pres. Wilford Woodruff said, “The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff [2004], 199).

Activity
Who is our prophet today? Thomas S. Monson
Play the matching game found here to learn more about our prophet.

(I originally found this on Sugardoodle back when Pres. Monson was called, but I can't seem to find it now, the site is having problems. It was a much bigger version of the matching game. You could try looking for it if you want a larger game with more stories.)

We Should Sustain the Lord’s Prophet

How can we sustain the prophet?
We should pray for him. He will be strengthened by our prayers.
We should study his words. We can listen to his conference talks and read other messages that he gives in the Ensign or Friend.
We should follow his inspired teachings completely, not just the parts we like.

Great Blessings Follow Obedience to the Prophet

When we do as our prophet directs, blessings pour down from heaven. We are blessed in this insecure world to have a prophet through whom the Lord reveals His will.

Praying to Our Heavenly Father

Opening Song: “I Pray in Faith,” Children’s Songbook, pg.14
Scripture: Jesus taught, “Ye must always pray unto the Father in my name” 3 Nephi 18:19

I was going to place each question in a bag and let the kids take a turn pulling them out and then we will discuss each one.

What is prayer?
Prayer is one of the greatest blessings we have while we are here on earth. Through prayer, we can talk to our Heavenly Father. We should pray to God and no one else.

Why do we pray?
An angel commanded Adam and Eve to pray to Heavenly Father. This commandment has never been taken away.
We should pray to choose the right.
We should pray and ask for forgiveness when we do something wrong.
We should pray for help.
We can pray for our family and friends.
We should tell Heavenly Father we love him.
We should thank Heavenly Father for all we have.

When should we pray?
We can pray whenever we need to or want to.
We pray in church meetings, at home, while working, or wherever we are or whatever we are doing.
We can pray any time of the day or night.
We should pray privately at least every morning and night.
We are commanded to have family prayers so that our families may be blessed.
We pray before meals to give thanks and ask a blessing on the food.

How should we pray?
You can stand or kneel, pray out loud or silently.
We should always pray in faith and make our prayers meaningful.
At the end of our prayer, we close in the name of Jesus Christ.
We use the words ‘thee’ and ‘thine’ and ‘thou.’
First we give thanks, then we ask for blessings.
When we can, we should fold our arms, bow our heads, and close our eyes.

How are prayers answered?
Our prayers are always answered.
Sometimes the answer is no because what we have asked for would not be best for us. Sometimes our prayers are answered right away, and sometimes we have to wait awhile.
Sometimes the Lord answers our prayers through other people.


Story: “Our Cow,” by Elder David B. Haight

My father died when I was nine years old, leaving my mother to raise our family. My mother was wise. She believed that boys and girls should have things to do. In small Mormon towns, “things to do” meant chores out-of-doors and duties around home. Some of my chores were chopping wood for the cookstove, raking leaves, and mowing the lawn.

Haying time was fun! I liked to help put the hay in our barn. Then my friends and I would play in the hayloft, tumble down the haystack, or hide from each other. How excited we were when we sometimes found eggs in a chicken nest hidden in the hay!

Mother knew we needed to have more to do in our lives than just work and play. Together we read the great stories from the Bible. She taught us to sing, to enjoy church, and to pray.
Mother always kept a cow so that her sons would have what she called “some real responsibility.” This included milking the cow every morning and every night, pitching hay down into the stall for the cow to eat, and watering her morning and night at a nearby stream. Unless we did these chores, the cow would be hungry and thirsty.

There were times when I would be a little late getting home, and then I’d wish I didn’t have to take care of that cow.

One evening when I returned home, I found that she had broken down the fence and run away. I looked in all of the usual places, but I could not find her. I looked everywhere imaginable—but no cow.

It started to grow dark, and I was desperate. I knew that my mother would be worried if she knew the cow was lost. We sold milk to some of our neighbors, and I could picture them waiting for me to take them their fresh milk.

How well I recall that evening! I had been taught to pray, and I knew I could ask the Lord for help. There was a little clump of bushes near the canal, and so I took off my cap, got down on my knees, told the Lord my problem, and asked Him to help me find our cow.

After my prayer, I started walking down the canal bank. And only a few yards from where I had prayed, I found our cow. She was almost hidden in the tall willows by the canal because she was about the same color as the willows. I was grateful my prayer had been answered and that our Heavenly Father had guided my footsteps down the canal bank to where she was.

The many nights my mother knelt by my bed to teach me how to pray helped me learn to talk to our Father in heaven. Ever since the night I prayed for help by that clump of bushes, I have continued to pray for His guidance.

And I know the Lord answers our prayers.

Conclusion:
As we live the gospel of Jesus Christ and pray always, we will have joy and happiness. “Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers” (D&C 112:10).