The Life Of Christ
The Life Of Christ
D. Geoffrey Hill
Props List:
Each prop should be in quantities so each participant can hold their own in hand without sharing.
- Blindfold, one per participant
- Soft cloth, baby soft, one per participant
- A Piece of Rough wool, real sheeps wool works good, one per participant
- Water to sprinkle onto participants during storm segment
- Sheet of Cardboard to fan the air
- Leaves and branches, one per participant
- Sacrament Cup, one per participant
- Wet Washcloth/Towel, baby wipes work good, one per participant
- Rock, rough texture, one per participant
- Crown of thorns, a small wreath made of barbed wire works well, one per participant
- Giant Life Size Cross, one per participant group so each person can carry a cross and experience what it must have been like
- Large nail or railroad spike, old square nails work great too, one per participant
- Sponge with vinegar
- Flashlight, one per group
The setting:
Gather all participants in one area. Divide them into small groups of 5 to 7 people with at least one youth leader assigned to the group. Issue blindfolds and instruct participants to put on the blindfold. Each group leader helps participants stand and form a line. Walk participants around a bit so they’re unsure where they’re at anymore. This activity will help them focus better. Seat participants group by group. Start playing the first track after all participants are seated and quietly waiting. A brief one minute of silence helps calm and focus the mind prior to pushing play.
The Program:
PLAY - Program Track 1 
Time: 00:00:00 Drums play
NARRATOR: We affirm on the authority of the holy scripture that the being who is known among men as Jesus of Nazareth and by all who acknowledge his Godhood as Jesus The Christ existed with the Father prior to birth in the flesh and that in the pre-existing state was chosen and ordained to be the one and only Savior and redeemer of the human race. And there stood one among them that was like unto God. And He said to those who were with Him, “We will go down for there is space there and we will take of these materials and we will make an Earth whereon these may dwell. And we will prove them herewith to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord, their God, shall command them. And the Lord said, “Whom shall I send?” And one answered like unto the Son of man, “Here am I, send me” And another answered and said, “Here am I, send me. And the Lord said, “I will send the first”.
Move all the participants around/ they shouldn’t know who they are sitting by. Signifying the departure from the pre-existence.
NARRATOR: And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife being great with child. And so it was while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
Time: 3:30:00 Pass out cloth, one for each participant
Music: Angels we have heard on high - Janette Proctor
Time: 4:11:00
NARRATOR: At the age of 12 a jewish child was allowed to attend the feast of the Passover. At the end of Jesus first Passover, his parents left for home thinking he was with them. After realizing he was still in Jerusalem they turned back finding him in the temple. Now, for jewish children to be taught in the temple by the priest was not uncommon. But what was uncommon was that Jesus was not being instructed, but was answering all the questions of the priest with an understanding that was astonishing. Mary, as a parent, chided Jesus and said, “Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? And Jesus answering said, “How is it that ye sought me? Would ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? Jesus showed in this statement that He understood His mission on the Earth and his own divinity.
Time: 5:40:00 Take back cloth
Music: He sent his son - Janette Proctor
Time: 8:10:00
NARRATOR: When Jesus was about 30 years old He came from Nazareth to the river Jordan and was baptized by John the Baptist. John knew that Jesus had no sinned so he did not think Jesus needed to be baptized. Instead, John felt that Jesus should baptize him. Jesus explained to John that even the Savior of the world must be baptized. And John went down unto the water and baptized Him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water and John saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon Jesus. And lo, he heard a voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well-pleased hear ye him.” By being baptized, Jesus promised Heavenly Father that He would keep the commandments. He also set the example for us to follow. By baptism we make certain covenants with Heavenly Father. We promise to come unto the fold of God and be called his People. We promise to bear one anothers burdens, mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places.
Time: 9:53:00
Music: No ordinary man - Candace Hill-Dawley
Time: 14:21:00
NARRATOR: Jesus Christ gave so many wonderful teachings and doctrines during his mortal ministry. He taught by example those things that he taught by precept. One man once asked him, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said unto him, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law.”
Time: 15:06:00
Music: How gentle God’s commands - Janette Proctor
Time: 16:30:00 Pass out wool
NARRATOR: Much of Jesus teachings were done through the use of parables, stories that ordinary people could understand and relate to in their own lives. Speaking to the pharisees and the scribes, Jesus asked, “What man of you having an hundred sheep if he lose one of them doth not leave the 90 and 9 in the wilderness and go after that which is lost until he find it?” Then, answering his own question, Jesus continued, “And when he hath found it he layeth it on his shoulders rejoicing and when he cometh home he calleth together his friends and neighbors saying unto them, “Rejoice with me for I have found my sheep which was lost.” “I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth more than over 90 and 9 just persons which need no repentance.”
In other words, even though it grieves our Father in Heaven when we sin, there is greater rejoicing in heaven for those who struggle to repent and return to the fold. “For they that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me.” Continuing on this theme, Jesus taught of the prodigal son who was given an inheritance and he went away and spent it on riotous living until he had nothing. When he was about to die of hunger he decided to return to his father and beg to be his servant. But when he was yet a great way off his father saw him and had compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. He dressed his son in the finest robes and shoes and ordered his servants to kill the fatted calf that they might eat and be merry.
Time: 18:53:00 Take back wool
Music: The prodigal son
Time: 23:00:00
NARRATOR: Jesus Christ had been preaching by the seaside. He said unto them, “Let us pass over unto the other side.” And when they had sent away the multitude they took him, even as he was, in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships and there arose a great storm of wind and the waves beat into the ship so that it was now full. And Jesus was in the hinder part of the ship asleep on a pillow and they awake him and say unto him, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” And he arose and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, “Peace, be still.” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm and he said unto them, “Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly and said to one another, “What manner of man is this that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Time: 24:05:00 Splash with water/ fan with cardboard when the storm arises, continue until the Savior rebukes the wind.
Dramatization: The storm rises, apostles are afraid, Christ calms the waters
Time: 25:48:00
NARRATOR: Jesus Christ performed many miracles. His power is great. He healed so many and restored their faith. He caused the lame to walk, the deaf to hear, the blind to receive their sight. The Messiah has power over death. He raised Lazarus from the dead. He restored life. Christ has power over nature. He turned water into wine. He fed five thousand with five loaves and two fishes. He withered the fig tree. He calmed the sea. He is our Savior and redeemer. If we will turn to him with a broken heart and contrite spirit, we can be forgiven. He can heal us and make us whole.
Time: 26:40:00
Music: Whole again - Candace Hill-Dawley
Time: 29:55:00 Hand out Leaves and branches
NARRATOR: And the disciples brought the colt and set Jesus upon it. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way. And others cut down branches from trees and strawed them in the way. And they that followed cried, “Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.”
And when he was come into Jerusalem all the city was moved saying, “Who is this?” And the multitude said, “This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.”
Time: 30:34:00
Music: The Holy City - Tabernacle Choir
Time: 32:00:00
NARRATOR: And after Jesus had entered Jerusalem he came unto the temple and cast the money changers out. Then he taught his apostles a valuable lesson and he said unto them, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you. Continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
Take back leaves and branches
NARRATOR: “These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment that ye love one another as I have loved you.”
“Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you. Hence forth I call you not servants. For the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth. But I have called you friends. For all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”
Time: 33:10:00
Music: Love One Another - Tabernacle Choir
Time: 34:18:00 Pass out sacrament cup
NARRATOR: And then Jesus took his apostles up into a room so He could eat one last supper with them. And he took bread and gave thanks and break it and gave unto them saying, “This is my body which is given for you. This do in remembrance of me.” Likewise also, the cup, after supper saying, “This cup is the new testament of my blood which is shed for you.”
Time: 34:45:00
Dramatization: The Last Supper - Sacrament
Time: 35:43:00 Take back sacrament cup, Wash feet or ankles with baby wipes
NARRATOR: And when they were done Jesus rose from supper and took a towel and girded it about himself. And after that He poureth water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet and to wipe them with a towel wherewith he was girded. And after he had washed their feet and had taken his garments and was set down again, He said unto them,
Time: 36:00:00
Dramatization: Christ washes feet
Time: 38:12:00
NARRATOR: And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives and they came to a place which was named Gethsemane. And He sayeth to his disciples, “Sit ye here while I shall pray.” And he sayeth unto them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful even unto death. Tarry ye here and watch.” And he went forward a little and fell on the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass from him.
Time: 38:45:00
Dramatization: Christ at Gethsemane, Hand out rock
NARRATOR: The only support Jesus had at that time, while he suffered, for all the sins of the world, was the support of a hard cold rock that he rested upon while he pled with The Father.
“For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all that they might not suffer if they would repent. But if they would not repent they must suffer, even as I, which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit and would that I might not drink the bitter cup and shrink. Nevertheless, glory be to the Father. And I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.”
Time: 40:49:00 Take back rock
NARRATOR: And after this, Jesus spoke once more to his apostles. “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, The Son of God. I am the same that came unto mine own and mine own received me not. I am the light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not.”
And then soldiers came into Gethsemane and took Jesus.
Time: 41:20:00 Pass out the crown of thorns
Dramatization: Christ meets the soldiers in Gethsemane
Time: 42:15:00
NARRATOR: And they took him into the common hall and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns they put it upon his head and a reed in his right hand and they bowed the knee before him and mocked him saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit upon him. And took the reed and smote him on the head.
Time: 42:50:00
Dramatization: Christ is whipped If you have bull whips you could crack them behind the audience. It creates a very realistic ambiance.
Time: 43:50:00
NARRATOR: And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked him saying, “Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?” and many other things blasphemously spake they against him for they had brought him before Pilot and Pilot said, “I find no fault in this man touching on those things wherefore you accuse him. Lo, nothing worthy of death has he done.” But, at this certain judgement, Pilot was supposed to release one of the accused unto them at the feast. And the people cried, “Not this man, but Barabas! Release Barabas unto us.” And again Pilot said, “What evil has he done?” But the voices were loud and were requiring that they might crucify Jesus and they continued to cry, “Crucify! Crucify! Crucify!”
Time: 44:48:00
Dramatization: Christ is before Pilot “Free Barabas, Crucify Him”
Time: 46:15:00 Take Back Crown Of Thorns
NARRATOR: And Pilot washed his hands of innocent blood and delivered him to be crucified. And as they came out they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to bear his cross to the place called Golgatha or a place of a skull.
Time: 46:30:00 Take blindfolded participants to crosses one by one so each participant has a chance to carry a cross blindfolded.
The song Behold! The Lamb Of God - Tabernacle Choir from “The Messiah” will loop for about 20 minutes. If there are participants who still have not carried a cross by the time track 1 finishes, play track 2.
Track 2 will loop for another 20 minutes. When all participants have carried a cross, slowly fade out track 2 and immediately play Track 3.
PLAY - Program Track 3
NARRATOR: And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary there they crucified him and the malefactors one on the right hand and the other on the left. Pass out spike
Time: 50:26:00
Dramatization: Christ is crucified, nails are driven
Time: 50:52:00
NARRATOR: Then said Jesus, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Then the soldiers when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts to every soldier a part and cast lots for his coat. And Pilot wrote a title and put it on the cross and the writing of his accusation was “This is Jesus, The King of the Jews”. And they that passed by reviled him wagging their heads and saying, “Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, “He saved others; himself he cannot save.” The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
Now from that time there was darkness over all the land and Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished sayeth, “I thirst” And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. Sponge with vinegar, hold to their nose
He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon him. And with his stripes we are healed.
Time: 52:50:00
Dramatization: Christ begs forgiveness for them
Time: 53:30:00 Take sponge and spike
NARRATOR: When Jesus, therefore, had received the vinegar he cried. And again, when he had cried with a loud voice, he said, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
Time: 53:54:00 Fan participants with cardboard to simulate wind during the entire earthquake segment
Dramatization: Earthquakes
Time: 55:10:00
NARRATOR: And when the sabbath was passed Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; had brought sweet spices that they might come and anoint him. And now, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. Behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.
Flash their faces with a flashlight
NARRATOR: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, “Be not affrighted: Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
And they remembered his words, And Mary Magadalene went and told his disciples.
Begin taking them to the amphitheater, continue wearing blindfolds.
The song "He Is Risen will play for about 3 minutes. If you are moving participants to a different area for testimony meeting you can play track 4 when you run out of music at the end of track 3. Track 4 is just the song "He Is Risen" and will give you an additional 2:36 minutes to move everybody.
If you are not moving people to another location, skip track 4 and play track 5 immediately upon the conclusion of track 3.
Music: He is risen - Tabernacle Choir
PLAY - Program Track 5
NARRATOR: Afterward he appeared unto the eleven, his apostles, as they sat at dinner, and he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened and they knew him.” And he said unto them, “These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled. Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in my name among all nations… and ye are a witness of these things.” And he blessed them and said “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.”
And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And while they looked steadfastly to him as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel which also said, “ye men of galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude gathered together of the people of Nephi roundabout the temple which is in the land bountiful conversing about this Jesus Christ of whom the sign had been given concerning his death. And it came to pass that they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven. And it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice. Nevertheless and not withstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that they did hear it to the center. Insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake. Yeah, it did pierce them to the very soul and it caused their hearts to burn. And it said unto them, “Behold, my beloved son in whom I am well-pleased in whom I have glorified my name, Hear ye him.”
Immediately after the narrator says "Hear Ye Him" tell participants to remove their blindfolds.
Music: I know that my Redeemer Lives - Candace Hill-Dawley, Instruct somebody, ahead of time, to start singing along so the audience continues singing with them. This segment is intended as a guide for the audience to sing with. You could slowly fade out the music and let the audience continue singing on their own. This can make a very nice transition into a testimony opportunity for participants.