INTRODUCTION

Jesus is Alive!

Bible Point:

Jesus is alive.

Key Verse:

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” (John 11:25-26).

Big Picture:

Grow in your relationship with Jesus.

Jesus is Alive!

Mark 16:1-8

You probably remember Easter as a time for egg hunts and colorful baskets, but there’s so much more to it. The real meaning of Easter is about Jesus’ love and the power of life over death. Jesus gave up His life and then came back to life again to show that love is stronger than anything—even death itself. This week, you’ll learn how Jesus’ resurrection gives hope and the promise of eternal life to everyone who believes.

PLANTING THE SEED

Three women went to the tomb expecting to anoint Jesus’ body. Instead, they found a hole in the ground, no body, and an angel. They went away “trembling and bewildered” but also with a knowledge that they would see Jesus again. Could it really be that Jesus was alive? Yes! Let’s celebrate Easter!

• How does celebrating Easter glorify God?

• How can Jesus’ victory over sin and death help you?

FAMILY FUN

Get vulnerable as a family this week. Have everyone make a list of the things that they feel bind them, and stick the lists on the refrigerator. Get together one evening and pray for one another’s burdens. Then make a verbal commitment to one family member that you’ll pray for him or her this week. Write the day and time you prayed on his or her list.

READY, SET, GROW!

Choose a way to celebrate this week that Jesus is alive.

• If you’re not sure if Jesus has forgiven you, write a prayer to him, asking him to break you free from the bondage of your sins. He can and will.

• One way to grow closer to Jesus is by learning more about what he did for us. Read different perspectives of what Jesus did for you in Matthew 27:45–28:10; Mark 15:16–16:7; Luke 23:26–24:12; and John 19:28–20:18.

• Jesus gave his life so he could be with you. Paint or draw a portrait that expresses how you feel about Jesus’ love for you.