Resurrection eggs: printable story script
Quick answer
Resurrection eggs are 12 plastic eggs, each holding a small object that tells part of the Easter story, from the donkey on Palm Sunday to the empty 12th egg for the empty tomb. Below is what goes in each egg, the Bible reference, what to say and a question to ask.
How to use resurrection eggs
- Number 12 plastic eggs and fill them with the items below (or a drawing of each item).
- Open one egg a day for the 12 days before Easter, or all of them in one lesson.
- For each egg, show the item, read the reference, say the script and ask the question.
- Save egg 12 for last: it is empty, because Jesus is risen!
What goes in each egg
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Egg 1: A small donkey (or a leaf)
Read: Matthew 21:1–11
Say: Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey. Crowds waved palm branches and shouted "Hosanna!"
Ask: Why do you think the people were so excited to see Jesus?
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Egg 2: Three coins
Read: Matthew 26:14–16
Say: Judas, one of the twelve disciples, agreed to hand Jesus over for thirty pieces of silver.
Ask: How do you think Jesus felt when a friend turned against him?
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Egg 3: A small cup (or a piece of cracker)
Read: Matthew 26:26–29
Say: At the Last Supper, Jesus shared bread and a cup with his disciples and asked them to remember him.
Ask: What are some ways we remember Jesus today?
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Egg 4: Praying hands (or a small stone)
Read: Matthew 26:36–46
Say: Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He told God, "Not my will, but yours."
Ask: When is it hard for you to trust God?
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Egg 5: A piece of rope or leather
Read: Matthew 27:26
Say: Pilate had Jesus whipped by the soldiers, even though Jesus had done nothing wrong.
Ask: Jesus suffered for us. How does that show his love?
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Egg 6: A thorny twig or toothpicks
Read: Matthew 27:27–31
Say: The soldiers twisted thorns into a crown, put it on Jesus’ head and mocked him as "King of the Jews."
Ask: Jesus really is a King. What kind of king is he?
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Egg 7: A nail
Read: John 19:17–18
Say: Jesus carried his cross to a hill called Golgotha, where he was nailed to the cross.
Ask: Why did Jesus choose to die for us?
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Egg 8: A die (dice)
Read: John 19:23–24
Say: At the foot of the cross, soldiers cast lots to decide who would keep Jesus’ clothing.
Ask: The soldiers were close to Jesus but missed who he was. Why does that happen?
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Egg 9: A toothpick spear
Read: John 19:33–34
Say: After Jesus died, a soldier pierced his side with a spear to be sure he was dead.
Ask: Jesus really died. Why does that matter for the Easter story?
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Egg 10: A strip of white cloth
Read: John 19:38–42
Say: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus wrapped Jesus’ body in linen cloths with spices.
Ask: How did Jesus’ friends show love even when they were sad?
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Egg 11: A small stone
Read: Matthew 27:59–66
Say: Jesus was laid in a tomb cut out of rock. A large stone was rolled across the entrance and guards stood watch.
Ask: What do you think the disciples were feeling that Saturday?
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Egg 12: Nothing — the egg is empty!
Read: Matthew 28:1–7
Say: On Sunday morning the women found the stone rolled away. An angel said, "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said!"
Ask: Jesus is alive! What difference does that make for you this week?
Frequently asked questions
What goes in resurrection eggs?
1 donkey, 2 coins, 3 cup or bread, 4 praying hands, 5 rope or leather, 6 thorns, 7 nail, 8 die, 9 spear, 10 cloth, 11 stone, and 12 empty, for the empty tomb.
When should you start resurrection eggs?
Start 12 days before Easter Sunday to open one egg a day, or use all 12 in a single Sunday school lesson during Holy Week.
What age are resurrection eggs for?
They are designed for ages 3–10, but the questions work for families with older children too.
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