The Old Testament Testifies of the Savior’s Atoning Sacrifice.
- Prepare strips of paper. On half of them, write Old Testament scripture references of prophecies about Jesus Christ. On the other half, write corresponding New Testament scripture references about how these prophecies were fulfilled. (This week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families lists some examples.) Invite the children to read the verses and match the prophecies with their fulfillment.
“Lesson 45: The Gift of the Atonement (Easter)” Primary 6: Old Testament This lesson includes other great ideas about teaching about resurrection and death.
| Prophecies | Fulfillment of Prophecies |
|---|---|
| Isaiah 53:7—He opened not his mouth | Matthew 21:5 |
| Psalm 34:20—No broken bones | Luke 23:9 |
| Zechariah 9:9—Came riding on an ass | Matthew 27:9 |
| Psalm 22:1—Why hast thou forsaken me? | Matthew 27:35 |
| Psalm 22:18—Cast lots for his garments | John 19:36 |
| Zechariah 11:13—Thirty pieces of silver | Matthew 27:46 |
| Answers: 1-b, 2-e, 3-a, 4-f, 5-d, 6-c |
Jesus Christ is My Savior.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Easter” Easter Sunday is a good occasion to teach the children about the Savior’s Atonement in Gethsemane and His death on the cross. This can help them feel Jesus’s love for them.
Jesus Suffered and Died for Me
- Younger Children: Show pictures of the Savior in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families or other pictures of the Savior’s sacrifice (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 56, 57, 58), and let the children share with you what they know about the events depicted in the pictures. Tell the children about Jesus’s suffering in Gethsemane and on the cross (see Matthew 26:36–46; 27:35–50; Luke 22:39–46; John 19:16–30; “Chapter 51: Jesus Suffers in the Garden of Gethsemane,” in New Testament Stories, 129–32). Bear your testimony that Jesus was willing to suffer and die for us because He loves us. Invite the children to share how they feel about Jesus Christ.
- Older Children: Divide the children into three groups, and give each group one of the following scripture passages: Isaiah 53:4–12; Alma 7:11–13; and Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–19. Invite the children to look for words and phrases that describe the things Jesus Christ suffered for us. Ask them to write their answers on the board and share how they feel about the Savior after reading these scriptures.
For the Strength of Youth “The Suffering Savior”
Jesus Suffered for Our Sins so We might Return to Live with Heavenly Father
- Read John 10:9 to the children, emphasizing Jesus’s words “I am the door.” Because Jesus suffered for our sins, died, and was resurrected, He made it possible for each of us to live with God again. Use the door of your classroom to teach that Jesus is like a doorway that allows us to return to Heavenly Father.
- Read Isaiah 53:6 to the children, and show them a picture or drawing of a sheep. Let one of the children put the picture in a far corner of the room. Explain that when we make wrong choices, we are wandering away from Heavenly Father like a sheep going astray. Then invite the child to bring the sheep back, and bear your testimony that because Jesus Christ suffered and died for us, He can bring us back to Heavenly Father. (You might show a picture of Jesus as a shepherd, such as picture 64 in the Gospel Art Book.)
Friend January 1999 “The Good Shepherd” Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd. He suffered and died for us so that we could return to Heavenly Father. We are His sheep if we will listen to His voice and follow Him. We do this by keeping the commandments, studying the scriptures, and obeying the prophets and the promptings of the Holy Ghost. We may not actually see the Savior in this life. But if we have faith in Him and follow His voice, He will protect us and lead us in the correct paths.
- Help the children memorize the third article of faith. What does this scripture teach us about Jesus Christ’s Atonement and Heavenly Father’s plan for His children?
- Sing with the children a song about Jesus Christ, such as “I Feel My Savior’s Love” (Children’s Songbook, 74–75). Help them notice any feelings of peace and love they have as they sing. Also point out words in the song that describe the Savior’s love. How can we share His love with others?
- Ask the children how they would describe the Atonement of Jesus Christ to someone. Encourage them to use scriptures, hymns, or pictures to express what the Savior’s atoning sacrifice means to them. How are we blessed because of the Savior’s Atonement?
Jesus Died and Was Resurrected for Me.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Easter” How can you help the children learn that because of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection, we and our loved ones will be resurrected someday?
- Tell the children about Jesus’s death and Resurrection (see Mark 15–16). Use the pictures in this week’s outline, pictures 57–60 in the Gospel Art Book, or “Chapter 54: Jesus Is Risen” in New Testament Stories (pages 139–44) to help the children visualize the story.
New Testament Stories “Jesus is Risen” Images and video
- Help the children understand that resurrection means that after we die we will live again forever with a perfect physical body and will never die again. Share your testimony of the Resurrection, and let the children work on this week’s activity page. Invite the children to use it to share with their families the story of Jesus’s Resurrection.
- Read Alma 40:23 to the children. Show them your hand inside a glove. Tell them that your hand is like a spirit and the glove is like a physical body. Take the glove off to show that when we die, our spirit will leave our body. Put the glove back on to represent the Resurrection.
Teaching Children the Gospel: Easter Object Lesson
- Sing a song about Jesus Christ’s Resurrection, such as “Did Jesus Really Live Again?” or “Jesus Has Risen” (Children’s Songbook, 64, 70). Bear your testimony that because of Jesus Christ we will live again and have perfect bodies after we die.
- 1. Did Jesus really live again? Yes, when the third day came,He wakened and he left the tomb;He called Mary’s name.
- 2. Did Jesus come to those he loved?Yes, people touched his feet,And of the fish and honeycombHe did truly eat.
- 3. And there were nail-prints in his handsAnd a spear wound in his side.Did Jesus really live againAfter he had died?Oh yes! And so shall I!
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Easter” The reality of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection can bring us great hope and joy—especially when we experience the death of a loved one. How can you help the children find comfort in the Resurrection?
- Display pictures 57–59 in the Gospel Art Book. Ask the children to match the pictures with the following passages: Matthew 27:29–38; Matthew 27:59–60; and John 20:10–18. Then invite the children to tell the story of Jesus’s death, burial, and Resurrection in their own words.
- Read Job 14:14 with the children. Invite the children to share how they would answer Job’s question. Help them find scriptures that testify of the Resurrection (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Resurrection,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
- Read Moses 1:39 with the children. Ask them if they know the difference between “immortality” and “eternal life.” Invite them to look for answers in the first paragraph of “Eternal Life” (Gospel Topics, topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Who will receive immortality? What is required to receive eternal life? Bear your testimony that both of these precious gifts are possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
- Sing together an Easter song or hymn, such as “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Songbook, 34–35) or “He Is Risen!” (Hymns, no. 199). Invite the children to share how they feel when they sing these songs. What do these songs teach us about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? Invite the children to write their testimonies of the Savior to share at home with their families.
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Easter”
Music is a powerful way to remember the Savior and invite the Spirit into our homes. Family members could share and sing together hymns or songs about Easter or about Jesus Christ, such as “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” (Hymns,no. 200) or “Did Jesus Really Live Again?” (Children’s Songbook, 64). To find other hymns or children’s songs, look in the topical index of Hymns and Children’s Songbook .
As you celebrate Easter, your family could review what you learned about the Passover earlier this month. Why is it significant that the Savior’s sacrifice occurred at the same time as Passover?
For a summary of what happened during the last week of the Savior’s life, see “Holy Week” at ComeuntoChrist.org/2016/easter/easter-week. For scriptures about the events of the Savior’s final week, see “The Last Week: Atonement and Resurrection” in Harmony of the Gospels (in the Bible appendix).
Come Follow Me With Living Scriptures “Remember Him” Lesson ideas
Friend April 2022 “Come, Follow Me Activities: Extra-Special Easter”
Story: The prophet Isaiah said that Jesus suffered for our transgressions and understands our sorrows (see Isaiah 53:4–5). Jesus died for us and then lived again. Because of Him, we will all live again too.
Song: “Did Jesus Really Live Again?” (Children’s Songbook, 64)
Activity: Make Easter extra special this year by doing the activity on page 3. Each day the week before Easter, read about Jesus and color part of the picture.
Friend April 2022 “Jesus is Risen” Getting Ready for Easter: Starting a week before Easter, read a scripture each day and color in the matching areas.
Friend April 2022 “Easter Morning” Cut out and glue the figures on a piece of paper or inside a small box to make a scene about Easter morning. Then tell the story from Matthew 28:1–10 and John 20:11–18.
Latter Day Kids “The Easter Surprise: The Resurrection and The Atonement of Christ” Lesson ideas
For additional teaching ideas see “Teaching Children the Gospel: Jesus Christ: Death & Resurrection (Easter)” and Resources for Teaching Children “Easter”
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