Free Gospel-Centered Sunday School Curriculum
for Elementary Kids

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The Crown of Thorns and the King's Sacrifice
(Matthew 27:27-56)

After Jesus was arrested, the Roman soldiers took him into their headquarters called the Praetorium. They gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped off his clothes and put a scarlet robe on him. Then they twisted together a crown made of thorny branches and pressed it onto his head. They put a stick in his right hand like a pretend king's scepter. Then they knelt down in front of him and made fun of him, shouting, "Hail, king of the Jews!" They spit on him and took the stick and hit him on the head with it again and again. When they were done mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him away to be crucified.

On the way, they forced a man named Simon from Cyrene to carry Jesus' cross. They came to a place called Golgotha, which means "the place of the skull." There the soldiers offered Jesus wine mixed with bitter stuff to drink, but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. They nailed him to the cross. They divided up his clothes among themselves by rolling dice to decide who would get each piece. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there.

Above his head, they put a sign that told why he was being punished. It read: "THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS." Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. People walking by shook their heads and insulted him. The religious leaders mocked him too, saying, "He saved others, but he can't save himself! If he really is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him." Even the rebels who were crucified with him joined in the insults.

Then something amazing happened. At noon, darkness came over the whole land and lasted until three in the afternoon. Around three o'clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Some people standing nearby thought he was calling for Elijah. One man ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a stick to give Jesus a drink. But the others said, "Wait, let's see if Elijah comes to save him."

Then Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. At that very moment, the curtain in the Temple that separated the people from God's special presence was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs broke open. When the Roman soldier and the others watching Jesus saw the earthquake and all that happened, they were terrified. They said, "Truly this was the Son of God!"

Many women were watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee's sons. They had seen everything that happened to their Lord on the cross.

A Curious Question

Why do you think the Roman soldier, who had probably seen many people die on crosses, suddenly knew that Jesus was the Son of God?

Old Testament Connection

This story fulfills many Old Testament prophecies written hundreds of years before Jesus was born. King David wrote in Psalm 22 about being mocked, having his clothes divided, and feeling forsaken by God. The prophet Isaiah wrote about a suffering servant who would be "pierced for our transgressions" and "crushed for our iniquities" (Isaiah 53). The darkness over the land reminds us of the plague of darkness in Egypt when God judged Pharaoh. The torn Temple curtain showed that because of Jesus' sacrifice, everyone could now come close to God. The Abrahamic Covenant promised blessing to all nations, and here Jesus, the Promised Messiah, is making that blessing possible through his atoning death.

Discussion Questions

  • How do you think the women who loved Jesus felt as they watched him on the cross, and why did they stay there instead of running away?
  • What do you think it means that the Temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom, and why is that important for us today?
  • Why did the Roman soldier, who wasn't a Jew and didn't follow God, say that Jesus was the Son of God?

So What? What Can I Do?

  • When people make fun of you for believing in Jesus, how can you remember that Jesus was also mocked and still loved his enemies?
  • Jesus felt completely alone on the cross so that we would never have to be alone. When do you feel lonely, and how can you remember that God is with you?
  • What are some ways you can thank Jesus for being willing to suffer and die for you?

Memorize God's Word

Matthew 27:54

"Truly this was the Son of God."

• Truly point to your head and nod to show you are speaking truth.

this was point both hands toward the ground to show you mean right here, right now.

the Son of God point one hand up to heaven and one hand to your chest, then place both hands over your heart.

Praying with Kids

Dear Father, thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for us. Help us to understand how much you love us. When we feel sad or alone, remind us that Jesus was with us and will never leave us. Give us courage to tell others about your great love. In Jesus' name, amen.

Craft or Activity

Torn Curtain Craft

Materials Checklist:

How to Make the Torn Curtain Craft:

  1. Take the dark paper and fold it in half like a card. This will be your background.
  2. Cut the red or purple paper to look like a large curtain that covers the inside of the card.
  3. Glue the curtain onto the inside of the dark card so it covers both pages.
  4. Cut a cross shape from the gold or yellow paper.
  5. Now use your scissors to make a big tear right down the center of the curtain from top to bottom.
  6. Glue the cross in the middle of the torn curtain.
  7. On the outside of the card, write "The curtain was torn in two" and decorate it with a picture of the earth shaking or the sky turning dark.

Effective Teaching Techniques

For Younger Children: Focus on the feelings of the story. Ask them how they would feel if someone treated their friend badly. Help them connect to the women who stayed with Jesus because they loved him.

Prep Shortcut: Pre-tear one curtain sample so children can see what the finished craft looks like. This saves confusion during the activity time.

Classroom Management: During the discussion, use a "talking stick" or pass around a small cross to indicate whose turn it is to speak. This helps children listen respectfully to each other.

For Older Kids: Challenge them to find Psalm 22 and read verses that match what happened to Jesus on the cross. Have them list the prophecies they can find and match them to the gospel account.