He Is Risen: Our Story Continues - Easter Plays For Black Churches

He Is Risen: Our Story Continues is a powerful Easter drama that traces the journey of Jesus from the joyful praise of Palm Sunday through the pain of the cross and the silence of the tomb, culminating in the triumph of the resurrection. Through dramatic storytelling, narration, and worship elements, the skit invites the audience to walk with the disciples, the women at the tomb, and the crowd as their faith is tested, shaken, and ultimately renewed. The story highlights how quickly praise can turn into fear, and how God’s promises remain true even in seasons of waiting and uncertainty.

The final movement powerfully bridges the biblical resurrection with the lived experience of the African American faith tradition, showing how resurrection power did not stop at the empty tomb. Through testimony, spirituals, and spoken word, the play affirms that the same Christ who rose on Easter morning has sustained generations through slavery, segregation, injustice, and personal trials. The skit concludes with a unified declaration that Easter is not only a historical event but an ongoing reality—resurrection then, and resurrection now.

Theme

The true meaning of Easter is resurrection—then and now. Because Jesus lives, hope rises, faith endures, and our story continues even after hardship.

Characters

(20–26 actors)

• Jesus – The risen Savior whose life, death, and resurrection anchor the entire story

• Narrator – Guides the audience through time, connecting biblical events to present-day faith

• Peter – A passionate disciple who struggles with fear and failure but is restored by grace

• John – A faithful disciple who witnesses the cross and believes at the empty tomb

• Mary Magdalene – A devoted follower and first witness of the resurrection

• Mary (Mother of Jesus) – A grieving yet faithful presence at the cross

• Judas – The disciple whose betrayal sets the arrest in motion

• High Priest – Religious authority driven by fear and control

• Pilate – Roman governor torn between justice and public pressure

• Angel – Heavenly messenger who announces the resurrection

• Women at the Tomb – Faithful witnesses who come expecting death but encounter life

• Disciples (Ensemble) – Followers who move from fear to bold faith

• Elders/Ancestors – Voices representing the African American faith legacy

• Modern Believers/Testifiers – Present-day voices showing resurrection at work now

When

Biblical times (Palm Sunday through Resurrection morning), blended with historical and modern-day settings representing the African American faith experience.

Props & Costumes

• Palm branches

• Wooden cross

• Linen burial cloths

• Stone or tomb façade

• Lanterns or torches

• Simple biblical robes

• Contemporary church attire

• Choir/worship garments

Why

Luke 24:6–7 – “He is not here; He has risen!”
This verse anchors the story’s meaning: Jesus’ resurrection is God’s final answer to sin, suffering, and death. It declares that what looks finished is often the very place where God begins something new.

How

The skit is staged as a flowing Easter worship experience, combining scripted drama, narration, music, spoken word, and congregational participation. Scenes move seamlessly from Jerusalem to the cross, from the tomb to modern testimony, creating a unified journey of faith and hope.

Time

60 minutes