Prepare the space
Ideas for a focal point with children and young people
For children
Write out words of surprise, such as ‘Amazing!’, ‘Wow!’, ‘Incredible!’, ‘Stunning!’, ‘Hooray!’, ‘Hallelujah!’ and so on in large letters. Invite the children to colour in the letters in bright colours as they come in — then display them on the wall for the session.
Make a cave-like structure, large enough for a person to lie down inside, with upturned chairs or a table and dark sheets or blankets. The ‘door’ of the cave can be made from a large piece of cardboard, covering the entrance. Tell the children you will be using this later in the Bible story and ask them to be thinking about what may happen.
If you are using the Lent display, set it out again. It consists of a purple cloth draped on a table with a cross placed centrally on it. The number 40 is written in pebbles or on a piece of card on the table.
For young people
This session focuses on Jesus’ power over death.
Display pictures of graveyards and cemeteries, tombs and tombstones on dark paper or cloth. Above them, put a picture of a sunrise or a similar triumphant image.
Add a black scarf or tie, a sympathy card, and, if your church has one, a funeral service book.