Mary Magdalene's Children's Study
Mary Magdalene’s Love for Jesus
Mary Magdalene had seven bad spirits inside her that made her very sad and scared. But one day, Jesus said, “Come out!” and the bad spirits left her forever. Mary was so happy! She loved Jesus more than anything.
Mary traveled with Jesus and His disciples. While the disciples were strong helpers, Mary and other women cooked food and made sure everyone had what they needed. Mary always walked first among the women, she was their leader.
When Jesus was nailed to a cross, almost everyone ran away. But Mary stayed. She stood right at the foot of the cross, watching her best friend suffer. Her heart was breaking, but she would not leave Him.
After Jesus died, Mary went to the tomb where His body was placed. But the stone was rolled away! The tomb was empty! Mary cried because she thought someone took Jesus’ body. Then a man said, “Mary.” She looked up and saw JESUS! He was alive again! “I have seen the Lord!” she shouted.
Devotional Lessons
Lesson 1: Jesus Has Power Over Evil
Mary had seven bad spirits inside her. She couldn’t make them leave by herself. But Jesus spoke just two words “Come out!” and the bad spirits ran away. Jesus is stronger than any scary thing.
Big Truth: Jesus has complete power and authority over all evil spirits.
Study Questions:
- How many bad spirits did Mary have?
- Could Mary make the spirits leave by herself?
- What did Jesus say to the spirits?
- Is anything too hard or too scary for Jesus?
Lesson 2: Followers of Jesus Serve Others
Mary and the other women didn’t just sit around. They cooked meals, washed clothes, and made sure everyone had food to eat. They used their money and their hands to help Jesus and the disciples. Serving is a way of saying “I love You, Jesus.”
Big Truth: True followers of Jesus joyfully serve Him by serving others.
Study Questions:
- What are some ways Mary helped Jesus and the disciples?
- Did Mary just watch or did she help?
- How can you help someone in your family today?
- Is serving others a way to show Jesus you love Him?
Lesson 3: Stay Faithful Even When It's Hard
When Jesus was arrested, most of His friends ran away and hid. But Mary stayed. When Jesus was hurting on the cross, Mary stayed. Even when it was scary and sad, Mary would not leave Jesus. She loved Him too much to run away.
Big Truth: True love for Jesus means staying faithful to Him even during difficult and scary times.
Study Questions:
- Where did most of Jesus’ friends go when He was arrested?
- Where did Mary go during the crucifixion?
- Was it easy or hard for Mary to stay?
- How can you stay faithful to Jesus when things are hard?
Lesson 4: Tell Everyone Jesus Is Alive
Mary was the very first person to see Jesus alive again! She was so excited she couldn’t keep it a secret. She ran as fast as she could to tell the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” Jesus wants us to tell everyone that He is alive.
Big Truth: Every follower of Jesus is called to share the good news that He has risen from the dead.
Study Questions:
- Who was the first person to see Jesus alive?
- What did Mary shout to the disciples?
- Did Mary keep the good news a secret?
- Who can you tell that Jesus is alive?
Big Ideas for Children
- Jesus is stronger than anything scary—even bad spirits have to obey Him.
- You can serve Jesus right now—by helping your family and friends.
- Don’t run away when things get hard—stay close to Jesus like Mary did.
- Jesus is alive, and you can tell everybody! —That’s the best news ever.
Children's Activities
- “I Have Seen the Lord” Cards — Give each child a piece of paper to draw a picture of Mary seeing Jesus at the tomb. On the back, help them write: “I have seen the Lord!” Let them take the cards home to tell their family the Easter story.
- Empty Tomb Craft — Give children a paper cup and a round cookie. Place the cookie over the cup opening (like the stone). Say, “The tomb is empty!” Then lift the cookie and put a small toy figure inside to represent Jesus alive. Roll the “stone” away!
- Faithful Follower Race — Set up a simple obstacle course. Have children take turns walking slowly through it while others try to distract them. Remind them that Mary stayed faithful even when others ran away. After the race, ask: “What helped you keep going?”