Easter Sunday school lesson by age (the resurrection)

One Easter story, four ready-to-teach outlines, so every class in your church can celebrate the resurrection at the right level.

Updated 1 November 2026 · How we pick resources

Bible passages: Matthew 28:1–10, Luke 24:1–12, John 20:1–18, with 1 Corinthians 15:3–8 for older students.

Big idea: Jesus died for our sins and rose again, so we can have new life with him.

Each outline fits a 45–60 minute class.

Preschool (ages 3–5)

Memory verse: "He is not here; he has risen!" (Matthew 28:6)

1. Welcome (5 min): Show an empty egg. "Today we'll hear about something that was empty, and why that's the best news ever."
2. Story (10 min): Tell Matthew 28:1–10 simply: the women walk to the tomb, the stone is rolled away, an angel says Jesus is alive, and the women run to tell the disciples.
3. Game (10 min): He is risen! freeze.
4. Craft (15 min): An empty-tomb picture with a paper stone that rolls aside (see the printable picks below).
5. Prayer (5 min): "Thank you, Jesus, for being alive!"

Kids (ages 5–11)

Memory verse: John 11:25: "I am the resurrection and the life."

1. Opener (5 min): "What's the best surprise you've ever had?"
2. Bible story (15 min): Read Luke 24:1–12. Ask: why were the women carrying spices? What did the angels say? How did Peter react?
3. Holy Week in order (10 min): Teams put eight scene cards in order (instructions).
4. Review game (15 min): The Kids level of an Easter Bible game show, or our free Easter trivia.
5. Response (5 min): The women ran to tell others (Matthew 28:8). Who will you tell that Jesus is alive?

Preteens (ages 11–14): the evidence

Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 15:3–4: "…Christ died for our sins… he was buried… he was raised on the third day."

1. Opener (5 min): "If you had to prove something happened 2,000 years ago, what would you look for?"
2. Investigate (15 min): In pairs, list the witnesses in 1 Corinthians 15:5–8 and the clues in John 20:1–9 (the stone, the strips of linen, the folded cloth).
3. Discussion (10 min): Why did the disciples go from hiding (John 20:19) to telling everyone (Acts 2:32)?
4. Review game (15 min): The Preteens level of a game show, or the 11–14 questions on our trivia page.
5. Take-home (5 min): What difference does it make to you that Jesus is alive?

Teens (ages 14–18): why it matters

Memory verse: Romans 6:4: "…just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too may live a new life."

1. Opener (10 min): Read 1 Corinthians 15:14 and 17. Ask: why does Paul say everything depends on the resurrection?
2. Read and discuss (20 min): John 20:24–29 (Thomas) and Luke 24:13–35 (the road to Emmaus). How did Jesus meet doubt and disappointment?
3. Review game (15 min): The Teens level of a game show.
4. Response (5–10 min): Where do you need "new life" this week? Close in prayer.

Ready-made review game for every class

Our game

Bible Showdown: The Easter Story

Ages 5–18 (3 levels) · $11.99

A click-to-play Bible game show on Holy Week and the resurrection. Kids, preteens and teens each get their own 25 questions plus a Final Round, all with Bible references. Plays in any web browser with automatic scoring, or as a PowerPoint, with printable cards for classes without a screen.

Get it on Etsy Gumroad TpT

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