Issuu

PRESENTATION GUIDE

Behold the Lamb Eyewitnesses of the Savior (John the Baptist, Peter, James, John & Mary Magdalene) Presented On Sabbath, April 24, 2027 Welcome to our Passover presentation! To help bring these historic figures to life each child will create a colorful Display Board, wear a Character Costume, and carry a Special Prop. Here are the children’s assignments:

Character assignments John the Baptist: Aiden Mary Magdalene: Ariel Peter: Carter James: Andrew John: Matthew

PART 1 • PREPARATION

The Creative Display Board Each actor needs a standard trifold presentation board (or a large poster board). The goal is to make it bright, creative, and highly visual!

What to Include on Every Board The Big Name Title: Write the character's name at the top in large, colorful, easy-to-read letters. Relationship with Christ: A section (or drawing) explaining how they met Jesus and what they meant to Him. Special Works: Pictures or written bullet points of the amazing things they saw or did. Passover Connection: A small corner dedicated to where they were during the Passover / Resurrection weekend. Visual Decor: Use stickers, colored paper borders, drawings, and printed photos.

PART 2 • COSTUMES & BOARDS

John the Baptist & John John the Baptist (The Messenger) The Costume: A simple tunic made of brown, tan, or burlap-style fabric. A faux-leather belt or rope tied around the waist. The Prop: A long wooden walking staff or branch. Display Board Ideas: Use earthy colors like green, brown, and tan. Decorate with pictures of a river, sand, wild honeybees, and a dove descending from heaven.

Apostle John (The Beloved Disciple & Son of Thunder) The Costume: A light blue, cream, or white tunic with a simple rope belt. The Prop: A small wooden communion cup or a small piece of twine fishing net. Display Board Ideas: Use oceanic colors like blues and teals. Decorate with drawings of fishing boats, waves, a heart (symbolizing love), and a cross.

PART 2 • COSTUMES & BOARDS

James, Peter & Mary Apostle James (The Son of Thunder) The Costume: A dark green, brown, or grey tunic with a fabric sash. The Prop: A traveler's scroll or small piece of twine fishing net. Display Board Ideas: Use bold, energetic colors like deep red, green, or gold. Decorate with pictures of lightning bolts (for the "Sons of Thunder"), a bright mountain peak (the Transfiguration), and fishing nets.

Apostle Peter (The Rock) The Costume: A sturdy brown or dark blue tunic. Can wear a simple vest or dark fabric sash over it. The Prop: A smooth, heavy-looking stone or a short piece of thick rope. Display Board Ideas: Use strong textures and colors like grey, deep blue, and brown. Decorate with a giant rock drawing, a rooster, a fish, and keys (symbolizing leadership).

Mary Magdalene (The First Witness) The Costume: A colorful dress or tunic (like purple, pink, or deep blue) with a matching head scarf or shawl draped over her shoulders. The Prop: A small decorative jar (representing the burial spices) or a white linen cloth. Display Board Ideas: Use beautiful, bright colors like purple, gold, and sunrise yellow/orange. Decorate with an empty tomb, a bright rising sun, a garden of flowers, and an alabaster jar.

OPENING PROLOGUE • 1 OF 2

The Eyewitnesses of the Savior Sister Elisabeth Welcome, friends, to a sacred view, Of an ancient story, forever new. Come step back in time to the holy ground, Where the greatest love in the world was found. Today we will look through the history page, As the Eyewitnesses of the Savior take the stage!

Sister Michelle First speaks John the Baptist, a voice in the wild, Who knew that Messiah was no ordinary child. He lived in the desert, eating honey and wood, And baptized the Savior in the river where he stood.

Sister Elisabeth Then young Apostle John, the one Jesus loved, Who saw the great mercy sent down from above. At the Passover supper, he leaned in quite near, To listen to the heartbeat of his Master so dear.

OPENING PROLOGUE • 2 OF 2

The Eyewitnesses of the Savior Sister Michelle Next is Apostle James, a brave Son of Thunder, Who saw Christ on the mountain in glory and wonder. Though he ran from the garden when darkness was deep, The love of the Savior was his promise to keep.

Sister Elisabeth Then Apostle Peter, the rock Christ had chosen Remembering the words and the vows he had spoken. Though he wept in the courtyard and fell to his fear, The Lord met him with mercy and wiped every tear.

Sister Michelle And finally, Mary, who stood by the cross, Weeping in the garden, mourning the loss. But she was the first one to see the stone rolled away, Shouting, "He is alive!" on that bright & glorious Sunday.

Sister Elisabeth For Christ is the center, the Lamb who was slain, The Passover Savior who rose up to reign! So listen quite closely to the stories they bring, And behold the great glory of Jesus, our King! Amen

CHARACTER SPEECH • AIDEN

John the Baptist Hello everyone. My name is John the Baptist. For a long time, I lived out in the wide, quiet desert. I wore simple clothes, and I ate wild locusts and honey. My special job from God was to talk to the crowds of people who came out to see me. I shouted out to them in the wilderness. I told them to repent, to turn away from their sins, and to wash their hearts clean. I told them that someone very special was coming soon. He is someone so great that I am not even worthy to bend down and untie His sandals! His name is Jesus. He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He is our Holy Savior, and He has come to save His people from the darkness. Before He went out to do His great work upon the earth, Jesus came down to meet me at the Jordan River. He asked me to baptize Him. I could completely feel how holy He was. It was the greatest, most wonderful honor of my entire life to lower Him into that water and watch the Holy Spirit come down on Him like a beautiful dove. My time has passed, and His time is now. Open your hearts and listen to Him."

CHARACTER SPEECH • MATTHEW • 1 OF 2

Apostle John ”Hi, my name is John. My brother James and I used to spend our days by the Sea of Galilee. Our hands were always rough from mending heavy fishing nets, and our clothes always smelled like salt and fish. We thought our lives were planned out. We would be fishermen, just like our father. But one ordinary afternoon, Jesus walked along the shore. He looked right at us and said two words that changed everything: 'Follow me.' We dropped our nets and never looked back. Jesus used to call James and me the 'Sons of Thunder.’ What I remember most about Jesus isn't just the lightning or the storms—it was His love. He showed me what true love looks like. On the night of the Passover supper, the atmosphere in Jerusalem was heavy. We gathered in an upper room, and the air was filled with the smell of roasted lamb and unleavened bread. Jesus did something I will never forget. He took off His outer robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and washed our feet like a servant. During the meal, I sat right next to Him. I leaned my head back against His chest, close enough to hear His heartbeat. He took the Passover bread, broke it, and told us that His body would be broken for us. He gave us a new commandment: to love one another just as He loved us.

CHARACTER SPEECH • MATTHEW • 2 OF 2

Apostle John On the day he was captured, the darkness was terrifying. Almost everyone ran away and hid in fear. But I followed Christ and the soldiers back to Jerusalem. And it was hard to watch what they put our Savior through. When he was on the cross and in agonizing pain he said “forgive them Father for they know not what they do.” Even while He was dying, He showed mercy and love. Now, after everything that has happened—after seeing the empty tomb and meeting Him alive again—I know what my mission is. I am John, the disciple Jesus loved. My nets are gone, but now I am a fisher of men, and my message to the world is simple: God is light, God is love, and His love never fails.”

CHARACTER SPEECH • ANDREW • 1 OF 2

Apostle James "I am James, the son of Zebedee, and the other 'Son of Thunder.' My brother John and I have seen things with our own eyes that sound like they belong in ancient storybooks. Peter, John, and I were invited into moments with Christ that I will always hold dear to my heart. I remember when Jesus took the three of us up a high, quiet mountain. We were exhausted from traveling, but suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. Right before our eyes, Jesus was transformed. His face shone bright like the midday sun, and His clothes became a blinding and radiant! Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared out of nowhere, standing there talking with Him! A thick, glowing cloud overshadowed us, and a voice boomed from heaven, saying, 'This is my beloved Son: hear him!' We fell facedown on the ground, trembling with pure terror. But suddenly it was just Jesus and he told us not to tell anyone what we saw.

CHARACTER SPEECH • ANDREW • 2 OF 2

Apostle James For a long time, I thought following Jesus meant we would always be walking in that kind of glorious victory. I thought we were going to march into Jerusalem, overthrow the Romans, and rule as kings. But this Passover taught me what God's kingdom really means. It isn't about weapons, crowns, or earthly power. On the night Jesus was betrayed, we went to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus asked Peter, John, and me to stay awake and pray with Him because His soul was overwhelmed with sorrow. But we just couldn’t do it. We fell asleep over and over again. When the torches flashed through the trees and the temple guards marched in with swords, panic took over. I watched them bind His hands. Out of fear for my own life, I turned around and ran into the shadows. I abandoned my Teacher. The guilt of that night almost crushed me. I thought I was a coward. But when Jesus rose from the dead, He didn't come back with anger or words of revenge. He came back to us with open arms. He showed us the scars on His hands and His side, and the very first thing He said to us was, 'Peace be with you.' He took away our shame and replaced it with a burning fire. I am James. I am a servant of the Living King. I know the road ahead will be difficult, and I know the authorities are still watching us, but I am not running away anymore. Jesus conquered death, and because He lives, I will be brave and shout His truth to the ends of the earth!"

CHARACTER SPEECH • CARTER • 1 OF 2

Apostle Peter My name is Simon, but Jesus gave me a new name: Peter, which means 'The Rock.' It’s a strong name, isn't it? A rock is solid, unmoving, and dependable. But if I am being completely honest with you, there have been times where I felt more like shifting sand than a solid rock. I’m the first one to jump out of a boat onto stormy waves, the first one to draw a sword in a fight, and the first one to speak up—even when I have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about. I always wanted to prove to Jesus that I was His most loyal follower. On the night of the Passover, we gathered together to celebrate how God delivered our people from slavery in Egypt. But Jesus did something I’ll never forget. He took a basin of water, knelt on the dusty floor, and began washing our feet. When He got to me, I said, 'Thou shalt never wash my feet"!' It felt completely wrong for the Messiah to act like a servant. But Jesus looked up at me with those piercing eyes and said, 'If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.' Later that night, when Jesus told us that we would all fall away and scatter, I proudly stood up and boasted, 'Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.!' Jesus just looked at me sadly and replied, 'Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice..’

CHARACTER SPEECH • CARTER • 2 OF 2

Apostle Peter I didn't believe Him. But just hours later, in the cold courtyard of the High Priest, my courage evaporated. As Jesus was being mocked and beaten inside, people around the fire noticed my accent. A servant girl pointed at me and said, 'You were with that Nazarene, Jesus.' Terror gripped my chest. I lied and said, 'I don't know what you're talking about.' Two more times, people accused me, and each time, I swore and shouted, 'I do not know the man!' Right then, across the courtyard, a cock crowed. At that exact microsecond, Jesus turned and looked straight into my eyes. My heart shattered into a million pieces. I ran out into the darkness and wept until my chest ached. I had betrayed my best friend. I had broken my promise. But our God is a God of resurrection. After He rose from the dead, Jesus didn't fire me or replace me. He met us on the shore of the sea, cooked breakfast for us over a charcoal fire, and pulled me aside. Three times I had denied Him, so three times He asked me, 'Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?’ Each time, I told Him, 'Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee..' He looked at me and after each my replies he said, 'Feed my sheep.’ My name is Peter. I am not standing in fear in the courtyards anymore. I am standing on the truth, and I will shepherd His people until my very last breath."

CHARACTER SPEECH • ARIEL • 1 OF 2

Mary Magdalene "I am Mary Magdalene. Before I met Jesus, my life wasn't just difficult—it was a living hell. I was trapped in a heavy, suffocating darkness, tormented by seven demons that stole my sanity, my peace, and my dignity. People avoided me. They looked at me with fear and disgust. I was completely lost, cast out by society, and waiting for death to finally release me. But then, Jesus came and he didn't turn away from me. Instead, He looked at me with absolute, pure compassion. With a single command of authority, He drove those demons out of my soul and pulled me out of the kingdom of darkness into His marvelous light. He gave me my mind back. He gave me my life back. From that profound day forward, I dedicated everything I had to Him. I traveled with Him, supported His ministry, and served alongside the other women who loved Him. When Jesus was arrested during the Passover, I wouldn’t leave Him. I stood at the hill of Golgotha, beneath the shadow of that terrible wooden cross. I watched the sky turn pitch black at midday. I heard Him cry out in agony, and I watched Him take His final, agonizing breath. I followed His body to the tomb, watching as they wrapped Him in linen and rolled a massive, heavy stone across the entrance. It was painful to watch.

CHARACTER SPEECH • ARIEL • 2 OF 2

Mary Magdalene Sunday morning was completely dark when I started walking back to the tomb. I was carrying burial spices to his tomb. But when I arrived, I stopped dead in my tracks. The stone was rolled away! The tomb was completely empty. I ran to get Peter and John, and they came and saw it too. He wasn’t there. So they went home. But I stayed behind, standing outside the tomb, weeping uncontrollably. Through my tears, I noticed a man standing nearby. Thinking he was the gardener, I sobbed, 'Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. The man looked at me and spoke just one word. He said my name: 'Mary.' The moment that voice hit my ears, the entire universe shifted. The darkness vanished, and a blinding light filled my soul. I knew that voice! It was my Savior! It was my Lord! He wasn't a ghost, and He wasn't a memory—He was alive, standing right in front of me in the morning sun! I fell to my knees, shouting, 'Rabboni!' He told me not to touch because he had not gone up to his Father yet. Instead, I immediately had to tell the apostles Imagine that! Jesus chose me—a woman who used to be broken and forgotten—to be the very first to see him after his resurrection. I turned around and ran as fast as my feet could carry me through the streets of Jerusalem. I burst through the locked doors of the disciples, shouting the four words that changed the world forever: 'I have seen the Lord!'"