Scripture: Matthew 27:57-66, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn two of the Pharisees believed in Jesus and helped bury him. (Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea)
- Students will learn Jesus was definitely dead after the crucifixion.
- Students will learn Roman soldiers guarded the tomb so no one could steal the body of Jesus.
- Students will clean up and/or decorate a neglected cemetery.
Guiding Question: How can we help families who have lost loved ones?
Materials: Dependant upon cemetery you choose to work with
Procedure: Share the story of the burial of Jesus from the scriptures above. Explain to the students that the way that people were buried during Jesus’ time was very different from our culture today. Tell students that where Jesus was buried was “impossible” to leave yet when Jesus rose and the stone was rolled away, it further proved Jesus as the Son of God and fulfilled prophecies.
Introduce the service project. Explain to the students what a cemetery is. Tell students that most cemeteries have people who work there to keep the grounds clean and protected. However, some cemeteries (especially smaller ones) can be neglected and get dirty. Lead a service project with the students to clean up a neglected cemetery and/or put plants on graves *MAKE SURE to have permission first prior to going to any cemetery and have guidelines of what you are and are not allowed to do there.
Additional Questions: How can students help keep up a cemetery’s appearance?
Supplemental Activity: Have the students create decorations to donate to a local cemetery to use for the graves there.