The BIG Search: Helping Kids Believe in the Resurrection

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene stepped into the darkness—physically and spiritually. The tomb where Jesus was laid was empty, and all she could feel was confusion and despair. But that moment of uncertainty would soon become the turning point of all human history.

As children’s ministry leaders and parents, we have the honor of walking with kids through the same “BIG Search”—the journey from doubt to faith, from darkness to light.

A Search That Begins in the Dark

John 20 begins in the early morning hours. Mary goes to the tomb and finds the stone rolled away. Disturbed and unsure, she runs to Peter and John. Together, they rush to the tomb. When they arrive, they find something strange: Jesus’ grave clothes are lying there, folded neatly. His body is gone. And for John, this moment was enough—he saw and believed (v. 8).

But not all questions are answered immediately. Verse 9 reminds us that even though John believed, they didn’t yet understand the full picture. Sound familiar? Our kids live in a world of confusion, questions, and shifting truths. But this passage teaches us something essential: you can still believe even in the midst of uncertainty.

What This Passage Teaches Us About God

God is not afraid of doubt. He invites us to explore, to seek, to wrestle with hard questions. And He gives us evidence—even through something as ordinary as folded linen cloths.

The grave clothes left behind serve three powerful purposes:

1. They show us Jesus’ body was really there. The tomb wasn’t metaphorically empty—it was physically empty. Jesus was really dead, and now He was really alive.
2. They prove Jesus’ body wasn’t stolen. Grave robbers wouldn’t leave expensive linen behind, especially not neatly folded. This was no rushed theft—it was a miraculous resurrection.
3. They reveal His divine authority. When Lazarus rose from the dead, he needed help removing his grave clothes (John 11:44). But Jesus? He left them behind because death had no hold on Him.

God not only raised Jesus from the dead but also left behind signs to help us—and our children—believe.

What This Passage Teaches Us About People

Every person has faith in something. Some trust in themselves, their job, their finances, their relationships. Others trust in systems, governments, or science. But the real question is: Who or what do we trust when life doesn’t make sense?

Children are naturally curious. They ask deep questions:

• “Is Jesus really alive?”
• “Why did He have to die?”
• “How do we know it’s true?”

And often, they’re not looking for textbook answers—they’re looking for truth that holds up when life gets messy. John’s Gospel helps us show them that faith in Jesus is not blind belief—it’s anchored in history, testimony, and transformation.

Even in verse 9, when the disciples didn’t fully understand the Scriptures, they still believed. That should be an encouragement to every child (and every adult). You don’t need all the answers to start following Jesus—you just need to trust that He’s alive.

How Can We Respond?

As parents and ministry leaders, we must guide our kids on their own “BIG Search.” We should:

• Encourage curiosity. Questions are not threats to faith—they are doorways to deeper belief.
• Point to the evidence. Scripture, history, and the transformed lives of believers all shout: Jesus is risen!
• Acknowledge mystery. It’s okay not to understand everything. Faith is not the absence of doubt—it’s trusting God in spite of it.
• Live the resurrection. Let our own lives reflect the hope, peace, and purpose that only the risen Christ can give.

Who Needs to Hear This?

Maybe there’s a child in your ministry struggling with questions. Maybe there’s a parent in your church unsure how to answer them. Or maybe it’s you—wondering if you really believe Jesus conquered death.

Here’s the truth: Jesus is alive. The tomb is empty. And that changes everything.

So when your kids search for hope…
When they wrestle with doubt…
When they ask hard questions…

Take them by the hand. Point them to the empty tomb. And say with confidence:

“He is not here. He is risen.” (Luke 24:6)