Youth will have a quiz for which the losing team will receive punishment, but one of the youth leaders will step in and take the punishment on their behalf. The activity is a metaphor for the exchange that took place when Christ took our place and died for our sins on the cross.
Resources
- Bibles
- Uncracked Raw Egg
- Disposable Raincoat or garbage back with holes cut in it for arms and the head
- Garbage bags or newspaper to place on the floor to make it easy to clean up any splattered egg.
- Damp towel for clean up.
What to do
- Divide the youth into two teams.
- Each team of youth must choose someone to represent them for an Easter Quiz.
- Only the team representative can answer the questions, but the team can help them with the answers by using their bibles and discussion the answer. The choice of representative is final and the team cannot choose a replacement.
- Once a representative has been chosen, and the final decision has been made. Explain that the losing team’s representative will be punished by having a raw egg cracked on his or her head.
- Scoring: The first team representative to answer correctly scores a point. Wrong answers lose a point. The first team get 5 points wins the game.
- After you have declared a winner, have the losing representative prepare for his or her punishment.
- Have him or her sit on a folding chair with a sheet of plastic underneath to protect the floor.
- Bring out the unbroken raw egg. Talk about how the egg is going to make such a mess and how it runs down your face. Be sure to tell them to plug their ears with their fingers and close their eyes to prevent the raw egg from getting in them.
- Then, when they are all prepared, have another leader take the place of the youth and crack the raw egg on the leader’s head.
- Encourage the youth to cheer for the volunteer and let them leave the room to clean up.
Questions about the crucifixion
- Who was forced to carry the cross for Jesus?
Simon of Cyrene (Matt. 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26).
- What is the name of the way that Jesus walked to His crucifixion?
The Via Dolorosa, “Way of Suffering.”
- What is the name of the place where Jesus was crucified?
In Hebrew, Golgotha (Matt. 27:33; Mark 15:22; John 19:17).In Greek, the skull (Luke 23:33).In Latin, Calvary.
- What was the purpose of the writing attached to the cross?
They gave the crime for which the person was being executed.
- What inscription did Pilate put on the cross of Jesus?”
Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” (John 19:19).
- What were Jesus’s first words on the cross?
“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
- In what languages was it written?
Aramaic, Latin, and Greek (John 19:20).
- What is the first prophecy that was fulfilled by those who crucified Jesus after He was nailed to the cross?
They cast lots over Jesus’ garments (John 19:24).
- Who are the three women named in scripture who stood by the cross (John 19:25)?
Mary, mother of Jesus, Mary’s sister–the wife of Cleopas, Mary Magdalene
- What was the second thing Jesus said from the cross and to whom was it given (John 19:27)?
To Mary: “Woman, behold, your son”; to John, “Behold your mother!”
- At what hour was Jesus actually crucified?
The third hour–nine a.m. (Mark 15:25).
- At what hour did darkness cover the earth?
The sixth hour (Matt. 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44).
- How long did the darkness last?
Three hours (Matt. 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44).
- Around the ninth hour, what did Jesus cry out?
“My God, My God, why has Thou forsaken me?” (Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani).
- What was Jesus’ next-to-last utterance from the cross and to what did it refer?
“It is finished.” It referred to the penalty He paid on the cross (John 19:30).
- At the death of Jesus, what strange things occurred?
a. The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 21:45).
b. There was an earthquake (Matt. 27:51).
c. Rocks were split apart (Matt. 27:51).
d. Tombs were opened (Matt. 27:52).
e. There were many resuscitations of the dead. They entered into the city, appeared to many, and stayed alive until after Jesus’ resurrection (Matt. 27:52-53).
- The fear occasioned by these awesome events moved the centurion at the foot of the cross to make what profession?
That Jesus was a righteous man and truly the Son of God (Matt. 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 23:47).
- How did the multitudes respond to these strange events?
They returned to the city beating their breasts (Luke 23:48).
- What reason did the Jews give to have Pilate break the legs of those crucified?
So as not to defile the sabbath-day Passover (John 19:31).
- Instead of breaking Jesus’ legs, they did something else to Him, since He was already dead. What?
They pierced His side (John 19:33-34).
- What resulted from the piercing, signifying that death had occurred?
Blood and water flowed out (John 19:34).
- What two prophecies relate to Jesus’ legs not being broken?
a. No bone shall be broken (Exod. 12:46; Num. 9:12; Ps. 34:20).
b. They will look on me, the one they have pierced (Zach. 12:10).
- Who asked Pilate for the body of Jesus for burial?
Joseph of Arimathea (Matt. 27:54; Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50; John 19:38).
- How did Pilate confirm that Jesus had in fact died?
He called in the centurion in charge of the crucifixion (Mark 15:44-45).
Take it to the Next Level
Make it Spiritual
- Ask the team leader, “How did it feel to let someone else take your punishment?”
- Ask the teams, “What were your thoughts as you watched an innocent person suffer?”
- How was this activity similar to what Jesus did on the cross?
- Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?
- How does it make you feel knowing that Jesus exchanged his life for yours on the cross?
- How do you think his mother and the disciples felt as they watched Jesus suffer and die?
- He told them many times about his death, but do you think they really understood?
- Read John 3:16.
Make it Practical
- Lets look at what really happened from Mark 15:16-37
- Ask the youth to follow along as you read the passage. Explain that when you come to a part where someone is speaking (people, soldiers, etc) you will stop and they must read aloud the words of the people in the passage. Say they words with full emotion as if you were really there at the crucifixion. (Don’t worry about different translations as it will make it seem more real like various voices in a crowd)
- If you want to add even more realism, have someone strike a hammer on a nail in wood every, or two hammers together, every few seconds while reading.
- Read the passage out loud. Pause at verses 18, 29-30, 31-32, and 35-36.
- To add even more meaning, grab some large square nails or long nails from the local hardware store and give one to each youth. Ask them to hold the nail and think about what Christ went through when he exchanged his life for theirs on the cross.
Make it Personal
- If you were the only person alive, Christ would have still died for you.
- How do you personally feel, knowing Christ, perfectly innocent, died for you?
- How does it make you want to respond? to live your life differently?
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All of us face tough situations in our lives. We could be having the time of our lives but when bad things happen, the good times are forgotten, and all we can see ahead of us is despair. Christ passed through the gates of Jerusalem triumphantly, people waved palm leaves, cloaks were laid at the feet of the donkey He rode on, the crowds cheered and welcomed Him. Barely a week later, the cheers turned to jeers, it was His cloak that was ripped from Him and it was a whip that greeted Him. This Easter themed object lesson uses a walnut to teach the youth that even in the darkest hour and hopeless situations, something good awaits for those who know the plan of the Master.
Resources
- Walnuts, one for each youth
- Fine tipped markers, one for each youth
- Bibles
What to Do
- Give each youth a walnut and a fine tipped marker.
- Ask youth to think of some difficult situations Bible Characters faced that turned out for good. They can search their Bibles for more examples. (See Examples Below)
- Ask the youth to think of difficult times that could end up working out for good for people today? (e.g. Failing a test might lead a youth studying harder and passing a class)
- Then ask the youth to think a situation in their own life where something difficult turned into something good. Once they think of something, have them come up with a word, phrase or symbol that represents that situation.
- Ask the youth to write the word of phrase or symbol onto the shell of the walnut.
- Ask for volunteers to share the word or phrase with the rest of the youth and a little about what happened.
- After the sharing, ask the youth to take their walnuts outside and do whatever it takes to crack open the walnut. (You could also provide a hammer or nut cracker if you wish).
- When everyone has cracked the walnuts, ask the youth to collect all the pieces and return to the room. Encourage them to taste and eat the walnuts.
Biblical Examples:
- Moses: Murder and ran away to desert – Exodus 2:11-22
- Joseph: Sold into slavery – Genesis 37
- Daniel: Carried off as a captive to Babylon – Daniel 1
- Joseph: Accused by Potiphar’s wife – Genesis 39
- Esther: Forced into a harem for a pagan king – Esther 4:14
- Jonah: Swallowed by a whale – Jonah 1
- Paul: Imprisoned in Rome – Philippians 1:12-14
Take It to the Next Level
- How did you feel as you crushed the walnut that represented the difficult situation?
- How is breaking open the walnut and finding something good inside similar to the difficult situations in life – when something good comes out of a bad situation?
Make it Spiritual
- How is Jesus’ death on the cross similar? (Acts 4:27-28)
- What good came out of Christ’s death? Resurrection?
- How is Jesus’ resurrection like tasting the good meat inside the walnut?
Make it Personal
- What does Christ’s death and resurrection mean to you personally?
- How has Christ’s death made a difference in your life for good?
- Psalm 34:8 tells us to taste and see that the Lord is good. How does this relate to the object lesson?
Make it Practical
- What are some tough situations you’re struggling with?
- How does Romans 8:28 and the Easter story give you hope and strength to crush these situations in your life?
Scripture References
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
– Psalm 34:8 (NIV)
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
– Rom 8:28 (NIV)
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”
– Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Easter Collection
Games and Activities in celebration of Easter.
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Use a tea bag as an object lesson to tell the story of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.
Materials
A tagged tea bag, two saucers, a clear glass of hot water, and a match or lighter.
NOTE: Please test first as not all brands of tea bags will float when lit.
Scripture
Ephesians 2:5-10
Objective
Use a tea bag as an object lesson to tell the story of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. It’s the Easter message for children and adults.
Object Lesson
The Label
- Remove the tag/label and hold it up for the children to see.
- Explain: The label identifies the tea. Jesus was labeled with many tags. He was called Christ, Messiah, teacher, Savior, the King of Kings, the man from Galilee, the carpenter, the Son of God, Redeemer, friend of sinners, good shepherd, Great Physician, King of the Jews and much more. Then at the cross, a sign was placed over his head – “King of the Jews.” Jesus was in the very nature God, but he wasn’t concerned with titles. He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. Instead, he took the nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. He emptied himself and made himself nothing.
The String
- Remove the string and show it to the children.
- Then explain: People often become attached to things here on earth. They are often attached to possessions, pleasure, and power. Jesus was tempted by Satan after 40 days in the desert with the very same things. But Jesus was not attached to these things. Instead, his focus was on doing the will of God. He came to earth with a purpose. And that purpose was yours and my redemption.
The Staple
- Carefully remove the staple and show it to the children.
- Explain: This tea bag was pierced and has holes from a staple. Jesus was not pierced with a staple but with nails and a spear. Soldiers nailed his body to a cross.
The Tea
- Carefully open the tea bag without tearing it. Display the bag of tea leaves to the children.
- Then explain: Tea looks like dirt. If you put it in water, it will change the water to the color of the tea. It will no longer be clear and pure.
- Demonstrate by dropping a bit of tea into the glass of hot water and stirring it around.
- Explain: Like this tea bag, we all have dirt in our lives. We are not pure. The Bible calls this dirt, this impurity, sin. We need help from God to remove the sin from our lives. That’s exactly why Jesus came – to help us remove the sin from our lives. We must trust Jesus to remove the sin from our lives. When we ask him for forgiveness, he will make us clean and pure again.
- Then empty the tea leaves into the saucer.
The Tea Bag
- Carefully open up the tea bag completely. It will open into a long tube that you can stand on the second saucer.
- Explain: When Jesus removes the sin from our lives we can stand pure and proud in the sight of God. We will become a light for God. Philippians 2:15 says that among the perverse generation we will shine as lights in the world.
Lights for Christ
- Light the bag from the top and allow it to burn.
- Explain: As you shine for Jesus you become closer to God in your Christian walk, and one day your soul shall join him for eternal life. Just as Christ was resurrected and went to be with the Father, we will also rise up to be with him. We will be exalted and raised with him.
- The tea bag floats up as it burns.
Summary
That’s the story of Easter. Jesus set aside his titles and emptied himself and became one of us. He came with a purpose, to cut us free from the things of the world. He was pierced for us. And when we ask his forgiveness, he will take away the dirt from our lives and make us pure. We can stand strong and become his light to the world. And, just as he has risen we will also rise to be with him.
MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”
200-page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.
Learn More…
Easter Collection
Games and Activities in celebration of Easter.
Get more than 80 creative ideas for planning a Youth Easter celebration or Easter Party. You can immediately download my best Easter Icebreakers, games, illustrations, Easter activity ideas AND MUCH MORE in a useful ebook!
=> Tell me more about the Easter Collection
Creative Youth ideas: 1700+ Resources for youth leaders, pastors, ministers to help plan camps, retreats, and meetings using games, illustrations, Children's Worship, Bible Studies, object lessons, sermons, creative ideas,creative activities
