Children's Liturgy Guide

Easter Sunday

Year A · Easter

The Empty Tomb

Reading: John 20:1-9

Leader Prep

Don't worry about doing this perfectly. If the children hear one good idea about God, Jesus, prayer, kindness, forgiveness, or the Gospel, this time has been worthwhile.

Summary

On Easter morning, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb where Jesus was buried and found the stone rolled away. Peter and another disciple ran to see, and they discovered that Jesus was not there anymore because he had risen from the dead, just as he promised.

Key Points

  • Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday morning
  • The empty tomb was the first sign that Jesus was alive again
  • The disciples saw and believed that Jesus had risen
  • Easter is the most joyful day because Jesus is alive

Background

This passage describes the discovery of the empty tomb, the foundational event of Christianity. John emphasizes the physical evidence: the rolled-away stone, the burial cloths lying there, and the face cloth folded separately. The 'other disciple' (traditionally understood as John himself) 'saw and believed,' suggesting that the empty tomb itself, along with the arrangement of the cloths, was evidence of resurrection rather than theft. The passage notes they did not yet understand Scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead, highlighting that their faith preceded full theological understanding. For children, emphasize the simple, joyful truth that Jesus is alive and that Easter morning is like the best surprise ever. Set aside the theological complexities of how resurrection works or what happens after death.

Session Flow

Opening Prayer

Invite the children to pray with you, then read the opening prayer below. If many don't know the sign of the cross, teach the whole group.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear Jesus, thank you for this most special day when we celebrate that you are alive. Help us feel the joy of Easter in our hearts and share that happiness with everyone we meet. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Warm-up

Ask the warm-up question before the reading. There are no wrong answers; this is just to help the children connect today's reading to their own lives.

Have you ever had a big, wonderful surprise that made you so happy you wanted to tell everyone about it?

Example: One time I woke up on my birthday and there was a puppy in the kitchen, and I was so surprised and happy that I ran to tell my brother right away!

Bridge to the reading: That feeling of an amazing surprise is just like what happened on Easter morning. In today's reading, we will hear about friends of Jesus who got the most wonderful surprise they could ever imagine.

Read the Scripture

Read the day's selected passage aloud. The full Scripture text is not included here. Use a Children's Lectionary if your parish has one available. A children's Bible may also be helpful for younger children. Otherwise, read from a standard lectionary, Bible, or USCCB.org. Read slowly, with short pauses.

Reading Questions

Ask the questions conversationally. You do not need to use every question if time is short. The example answers are for leader preparation, not scripts or required answers.

  1. Who came to the tomb very early in the morning while it was still dark?

    Example: Mary Magdalene came to the tomb really early in the morning when it was still dark outside.

  2. What did Mary see when she got to the tomb?

    Example: She saw that the big stone had been moved away from the opening of the tomb.

  3. What did Peter and the other disciple do when Mary told them the news?

    Example: They ran as fast as they could to the tomb to see what happened for themselves.

  4. Why do you think the tomb was empty?

    Example: The tomb was empty because Jesus was not dead anymore. He came back to life like he said he would!

Application Questions

Use these questions to help the children connect the reading to their own lives this week. Simple, concrete answers are best.

  1. How do you feel inside when you hear that Jesus is alive?

    Example: I feel really happy and excited inside, like when something wonderful happens and I want to smile.

  2. Who is someone you could tell the good news that Jesus is risen?

    Example: I could tell my grandma or my friend at school that Jesus is alive and it is Easter!

  3. This week, how could you show your Easter joy at home with your family?

    Example: I could be extra kind and helpful and tell my family Happy Easter and maybe draw a picture about Jesus being alive.

Recap

Today we heard about the first Easter morning when Mary Magdalene and the disciples found that Jesus was not in the tomb anymore. The tomb was empty because Jesus rose from the dead, just like he promised. This is the best news ever, and that is why we celebrate Easter with so much joy!

Prayer of the Faithful

Before returning to the assembly, invite the children to share their own prayer intentions. Their prayers may be serious, simple, funny, or very specific. After each child's prayer, the group may respond: "Lord, hear our prayer." Lastly, include the suggested prayer below.

For all the children around the world who are celebrating Easter today, that they may know the joy of Jesus being alive, we pray to the Lord.

Mass Connection

If time allows, point out this connection just before returning to Mass. This helps children see that Children's Liturgy is still part of the Mass.

When we sing 'Alleluia' before the Gospel, we are praising God with a joyful word that means 'Praise the Lord.' On Easter, we sing Alleluia with extra joy because Jesus is risen. During Lent we did not sing Alleluia, but now it returns because Easter is here.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for rising from the dead and being alive with us always. Help us carry Easter joy in our hearts this whole week and share your love with everyone. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ChildrensLiturgy.org

The Empty Tomb

John 20:1-9

Word Search

Optional activity: use the word search after the discussion if you have time, or send it home with the children. The words relate to today's Children's Liturgy Scripture passage.

O N Y M O R N I N G S S R D V
U N O U V N A S M E G Q U T K
V J Z Z K J L T A M S E G Y W
J W O T Y F I O P X A I A N Y
B F Y O M X V N X S E M R U U
T F H M U S E E T C P Q I K J
K N F B Q O R E W E H J Y J Q
I C C M A T R G T F P O W E A
N S T Q Z X K E Z P W Y V S B
J A F L P E R Z P R R U H U M
E E K T J S S L G F T E M S A
Z Q Y I K W Q Q Z J G U T X R
C C Q X N J T G P I Q Y C C Y
A S T G C A L L E L U I A R K
H S J H N J C E B G W Y B R C

Words to find

  • Easter
  • tomb
  • risen
  • Jesus
  • Mary
  • Peter
  • stone
  • alive
  • morning
  • joy
  • Alleluia

ChildrensLiturgy.org