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Jesus Is Alive!

A peekaboo picture of Jesus, an Easter picture story, and the happiest empty box

  • ☀️ Sunbeam
  • Week 13
  • 📅 Sunday, March 28, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Jesus died for me and rose again. He is alive!

I can tell someone, “Jesus is alive!”

Come, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Easter Week)
Know the chapters

The Easter lesson walks through the last week of Jesus’s life. Crowds waved branches and shouted “Hosanna” as He rode into Jerusalem. That’s Matthew 21:8–9. He ate a special supper with His Apostles and gave them the first sacrament. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He suffered for our sins and sorrows. He was crucified and laid in a tomb. And on Sunday morning He rose again. See Matthew 26–28 and John 20.

Your one tiny truth today: Jesus is alive! Tell the hard part very simply and gently. “Jesus chose to die because He loves us. His friends were very sad.” Three-year-olds don’t need details. Spend your energy on Sunday morning. The stone rolled away, and the angel said, “He is not here: for he is risen.” Then Mary heard Jesus say her name. That’s John 20:11–16.

Because Jesus rose again, everyone will live again someday. See 1 Corinthians 15:22. Some little ones have lost a grandparent or a pet. If a child mentions it, you can say, “Because Jesus is alive, we will see the people we love again.”

The kids join the story from their spots. Folded arms for the quiet scenes, pushing hands to roll the stone, and arms up high for “Jesus is alive!” Nobody plays Jesus. You read His words. In the Mary scene, say “Mary” in a warm, gentle voice. Keep the room joyful and end with a quiet, happy testimony.

Only have 5 minutes?

Grab a picture of Jesus and a small box with a lid. Peek at the hidden picture. Tell the Easter story in Teach Mode while they listen for the word “alive.” Say “He is not here: for he is risen” with motions. Pass the empty box so everyone can peek and tell. End with, “Jesus is alive. I know it’s true.” Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing.” Point up for Jesus and use cupped hands for the box.

What to bring3 items

Tick what you have. Forgot something? Every step that needs a supply has a no-supplies version in the plan below.

Before class

  1. Put the lid on the empty box and set it by your chair. Tuck the picture of Jesus behind your back for the hook.
  2. Think of one simple sentence you want to share about why you know Jesus is alive.
  3. Practice once. Push both hands: “Roll the stone!”

If your class is wild

  • Crying at the door? Let the parent stay a few minutes. Give the child a job, like “Can you hold the special box for me?” If tears keep going, a parent can sit in the back.
  • Potty breaks happen. Follow your ward’s policy. Usually a parent or the second adult takes the child. Keep two adults with the children, and never leave the class alone.
  • Easter candy and new clothes can make the room extra wiggly. Scene 1 lets them wave and shout right away. Then fold arms for the quiet scenes.
  • For the sad scene, lower your voice and slow down. Then say quickly, “But wait! Something wonderful happens on Sunday!” Don’t linger.
  • Here’s your call-back today. You say, “Jesus is…” and the kids answer “Alive!” with arms up. Then fold arms. Practice it at the start.

The 25-minute plan22 min + bonus

Bonus steps are for when you have extra time. Steps that mention Teach Mode, the Sound Board or other class games refer to the Gospel Sparks app; on the web you can play Forehead Guess and Scripture Showdown from this page.

1. Hook

Peekaboo, Who Is It?

3 min

A peekaboo reveal of Jesus’s picture starts Easter with joy and wonder.

  1. SAY“I have a picture of someone very special behind my back. Let’s peek!”
  2. Show just a corner and let the kids guess. Count together, “One… two… three!” Show the picture and say, “It’s Jesus!”
  3. SAY“Today is about the happiest day ever. Something was empty. And it made everyone SO happy!”
  4. Teach the call-back. You say, “Jesus is…” and they answer “Alive!” with arms up.

Class screen: 🙈 Peekaboo! Who is it?

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A picture of Jesus Christ (from your meetinghouse library, a Friend magazine, or home)

Who Is It?

  1. SAY“I’m thinking of someone very special. He loves you. And He loves little children. Who is it?”
  2. Give one more clue, “He is Heavenly Father’s Son.” Let the kids guess. Then point up and say, “It’s Jesus!”
  3. SAY“Today is about the happiest day ever. Something was empty. And it made everyone SO happy!”
  4. Teach the call-back. You say, “Jesus is…” and they answer “Alive!” with arms up.

Class screen: ☝️ Who is it? Jesus!

2. Story

Picture Story: The First Easter Morning

6 min

Seven gentle picture scenes move from quiet to joy: Jesus died and rose again.

  1. SAY“This is the story of the very first Easter. Listen for the word ‘alive.’ When you hear it, throw your arms up high!”
  2. Swipe through the scenes. Read each one, and watch for arms up. Do a motion together when one shows.
  3. Go slow and soft in scenes 2 to 4. Speed up with joy in scenes 5 to 7. In scene 7, say “Mary” warmly before everyone cheers.
🌪️ If the cheers get too big, whisper the next scene. The quiet makes the joy feel bigger.

Class screen: 🌅 The first Easter morning! · 👂 Listen for “alive” · 🙌 Arms up!

3. Wiggle break

Sunrise Stretch

2 min

A slow sunrise stretch lets bodies move and repeats the Easter joy.

  1. SAY“It’s dark, early Sunday morning. Curl up small on your spot.”
  2. Call, “Here comes the sun!” Rise up slowly to your knees, then stand, then arms up high. Say, “Jesus is alive!”
  3. Play three times. The last time, come back down very slowly and sit.

Class screen: 🌅 Here comes the sun!

4. Scripture

Our Little Verse: Matthew 28:6

3 min

Empty hands and rising arms help Sunbeams remember the angel’s happy words.

  1. SAY“An angel said these words on Easter morning. Listen!”
  2. Hold up your scriptures and read slowly, “He is not here: for he is risen.”
  3. Teach the Key Verse motions. Say it together with the motions.
  4. Say it three ways: a whisper, a happy angel voice, then a big cheering voice.
  5. Say, “The tomb was empty because Jesus is alive!”

Class screen: 📖 “He is not here: for he is risen” · 🤲 He is not here · 🙌 for he is risen

5. Game

Peek and Tell

5 min

Peeking into an empty “tomb” and telling a friend practices what Mary did: tell someone, “Jesus is alive!”

  1. SAY“Mary ran to tell her friends that Jesus is alive! Let’s practice telling too.”
  2. Put the lid on the empty box. That’s the stone. Pass the box around. Each child pushes the lid away, “Roll the stone!”, and peeks inside.
  3. Everyone asks, “Is He there?” The child says, “No! He is risen!” Everyone throws arms up and says, “Jesus is alive!”
  4. The child tells a neighbor, “Jesus is alive!” Then they put the lid back on and pass the box along.
  5. Ask, “Who can you tell at home?” Help with ideas, like Grandma, a brother, a friend, or your teddy bear.
🌪️ The box stays in the circle and moves one way. Waiting kids practice the “Jesus is alive!” arms.

Class screen: 📦 Peek inside! Is it empty? · 🪨 Roll the stone! · 🙌 Jesus is alive!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A small box with a lid (a shoe box or gift box), empty inside

Hand Tomb

  1. SAY“Mary ran to tell her friends that Jesus is alive! Let’s practice telling too.”
  2. Cup one hand like a cave and cover it with your fist. Go around the circle. Each child rolls their fist-stone away and peeks inside.
  3. Everyone asks, “Is He there?” The child says, “No! He is risen!” Everyone throws arms up and says, “Jesus is alive!”
  4. Ask, “Who can you tell at home?” Help with ideas, like Grandma, a brother, a friend, or your teddy bear.

Class screen: 🤲 Peek inside! Is it empty?

6. Testimony

Quiet Easter Morning

3 min

A quiet, happy close where each child hears that Jesus loves them and is alive.

  1. SAY“Let’s be very quiet, like the early morning. Fold your arms.”
  2. Hold up the picture of Jesus. Say softly, “Jesus loves you so much. He died for you. And He rose again. He’s alive today. I know that’s true.”
  3. Name each child, like “Ruby, Jesus loves you.” Invite them to Tell Someone this week that Jesus is alive.
  4. Fold arms for the closing prayer. Whisper the words for the child who prays.

Class screen: 🌸 Jesus is alive! · 📣 Tell someone this week

7. Game

Easter Picture Quiz

3 minBONUS

Picture questions review the story if you have a few extra minutes, and every child gets to point.

  1. SAY“Let’s see what you remember! Point to the right picture.”
  2. Open Scripture Showdown. Read each question and point to each picture. Skip the teams. Everyone wins.
  3. After every answer, everyone throws arms up and says, “Jesus is alive!”
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 👉 Point to the right picture!

8. Game

What’s Hiding? Mystery Picture

3 minBONUS

A slow picture reveal reviews the story.

  1. SAY“A picture from our story is hiding! Let’s find out what it is.”
  2. Open Mystery Picture. Call out a “show me,” like “Show me quiet arms!” Tap away a tile after each one.
  3. Let everyone guess. When the picture shows, tell that part of the story together.
🧩 Mystery Picture (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🖼️ What’s hiding?

The story

The First Easter Morning

Matthew 21:8–9; 26–28; John 20:11–18 ↗

Optional helpers

  • Picture HelperSits by you and holds up the picture of Jesus in scenes 6 and 7.
  • Sound HelperTaps each scene’s sound on your phone or tablet with your help. Cheer, rumble, and fanfare!

Scenes

  1. 🌿🙌 Hosanna! Jesus comes to town

    Jesus rode into the city. Happy people waved branches and shouted, “Hosanna!”

    🙌 Arms up high and wave: “Hosanna!”

  2. 🍞🌳 A special supper and a prayer

    Jesus ate a special supper with His friends. Then He went to a garden to pray. He felt all our hurts and sad feelings. He did it because He loves us.

    🙌 Fold your arms and bow your head. Be very quiet.

  3. 💔😢 Jesus died because He loves us

    Then Jesus died. He chose to give His life because He loves us. His friends were very sad.

    🙌

  4. 🪨⛰️ A big stone closes the tomb

    His friends laid Him in a tomb. A tomb is like a little cave. A great big stone closed the door.

    🙌

  5. 🌅👼 Sunday morning, the stone rolls away!

    Early Sunday morning, the ground shook! An angel rolled the big stone away.

    🙌 Push both hands: “Roll the stone!”

  6. 👼✨ “He is not here: for he is risen!”

    The angel said, “He is not here: for he is risen.” The tomb was empty. Jesus was alive again!

    🙌

  7. 🥰🏃‍♀️ “Mary!” Jesus is alive!

    Mary was crying by the tomb. Then Jesus said her name: “Mary.” It was Jesus! She ran to tell everyone that Jesus is alive!

    🙌

Key verse

Matthew 28:6 ↗
“He is not here: for he is risen”
In kid words: The angel said, “Jesus isn’t in the tomb. He is alive again!”
🙌 “He is not here” = shake your head and show empty hands · “for he is risen” = raise both arms slowly all the way up high.

More verses

Matthew 21:9 ↗
“Hosanna to the Son of David”
In kid words: The happy crowd shouted praises to Jesus.
John 20:16 ↗
“Jesus saith unto her, Mary”
In kid words: Jesus said Mary’s name, and she knew He was alive.
1 Corinthians 15:22 ↗
“even so in Christ shall all be made alive”
In kid words: Because of Jesus, everyone will live again someday.

Forehead Guess words12 words

  • 🌿 Branches
  • 🫏 Donkey
  • 🍞 Bread
  • 🌳 Garden
  • 🪨 Stone
  • 👼 Angel
  • 🌅 Sun
  • 🕳️ Tomb
  • 🌷 Flower
  • 💛 Heart
  • 🙏 Prayer
  • 📖 Scriptures
Clues for each word
  • Branches: The crowd waved them: Hosanna!
  • Donkey: Jesus rode one into the city
  • Bread: Jesus shared it at the special supper
  • Garden: Jesus prayed there
  • Stone: Big and heavy; the angel rolled it away
  • Angel: Said, “He is risen!”
  • Sun: It came up on Easter morning
  • Tomb: It was empty!
  • Flower: It blooms in springtime
  • Heart: Jesus loves us with all of His
  • Prayer: Jesus did this in the garden
  • Scriptures: The book with the Easter story
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown7 questions

  1. What did the happy crowd wave?
    • A. 🌿 Branches
    • B. 🍕 Pizza
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🌿 Branches They waved branches and shouted, “Hosanna!”

  2. Where did Jesus pray?
    • A. 🚗 In a car
    • B. 🌳 In a garden
    • C. 🛁 In a bathtub
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🌳 In a garden Jesus prayed in a garden because He loves us.

  3. What closed the door of the tomb?
    • A. 🎈 A balloon
    • B. 🧸 A teddy bear
    • C. 🪨 A big stone
    Show answer

    ✅ C. 🪨 A big stone A great big stone closed the door.

  4. Who rolled the stone away?
    • A. 👼 An angel
    • B. 🐶 A puppy
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 👼 An angel An angel rolled the stone away on Sunday morning!

  5. Was the tomb full or empty?
    • A. 📦 Full
    • B. 🤲 Empty!
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🤲 Empty! Empty! He is not here: for He is risen!

  6. Whose name did Jesus say?
    • A. 👩 Mary
    • B. 🦖 Dino
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 👩 Mary Jesus said, “Mary,” and she knew He was alive.

  7. Is Jesus alive today?
    • A. 😢 No
    • B. 🙌 Yes!
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🙌 Yes! Yes! Jesus is alive, and He loves us.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • Did Jesus Really Live Again? Children’s Songbook, p. 64

    An Easter song that answers the big question: yes! Find it ↗

  • On a Golden Springtime Children’s Songbook, p. 88

    A springtime Easter song about Jesus rising. Find it ↗

  • He Sent His Son Children’s Songbook, p. 34

    Heavenly Father sent Jesus because He loves us. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Tell Someone!

Like Mary, tell someone this Easter week, “Jesus is alive!” Tell a grandma, a friend, or your teddy bear.

Text the parents

Today in Sunbeams we learned the Easter story. The stone was rolled away, and Jesus is alive! Ask your child, “What did the angel say?” The answer is “He is risen!” Then share with your child why you’re grateful that Jesus lives.

📝 After class

What worked? Who needs a check-in this week? Jot it here on a printed copy, or in the app’s private class notes.

Got extra time?

🍞 Remember Him at the Sacrament · 2 min

  1. Say, “At His special supper, Jesus asked His friends to remember Him. That’s why we have the sacrament.”
  2. Practice sacrament hands. Fold arms, look down, and keep mouths quiet.
  3. Say, “When we take the sacrament, we can think, ‘Jesus loves me. Jesus is alive.’”

🌷 Spring Flower Surprise · 2 min

  1. Show a real spring flower or a picture of one. Say, “In winter, plants look like they’re gone. In spring, they come back!”
  2. Everyone curls up like a flower bulb. Then bloom open slowly with wiggly petal fingers.
  3. Say, “Spring reminds us of Easter. Jesus rose again, and because of Him, everyone will live again.”

🏃 Run and Tell · 2 min

  1. Say, “Mary ran to tell the other friends that Jesus was alive!”
  2. Kids stand on one side of the room. Say “Go!” Everyone walks fast to the other side and says, “Jesus is alive!”
  3. Play three rounds. Walk, then tiptoe, then hop.

Sources

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, the Bible used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tap or click a reference to open it in Gospel Library. Start with the official Come, Follow Me manual; these ideas are here to help it come alive.

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