Risen: A Thorn Easter Experience Planning Guide
Copyright 2013 by Outreach Publishing
Published in partnership with The Thorn LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced
in any form or by any electronic or mechanical mean, including
information storage and retrieval systems, without permission from
the authors, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in
a review.
Outreach, Inc., Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Outreach.com
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from
The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973,
1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
Used by permission of Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.
Printed in the United States of America
Contents
Overview of Risen: A Thorn Easter Experience................4
About Risen: A Thorn Easter Experience........................6
Benefits for Your Congregation and Community...............7
Inspire Your Congregation
Reach Your Community
Inside Risen: A Thorn Easter Experience......................10
Implementing Risen: A Thorn Easter Experience...........16
Suggested Order of Service
Using the Digital Resources During the Service
Steps to Success.......................................................19
Pray
Plan
Promote
Plug In
Overview of Risen: the
thorn easter experience
This year, what if your church didn’t just listen to the
Easter Story—what if they witnessed it?
Before ascending to heaven, Jesus gathered His disciples on a hillside
and gave them some final instructions. He told His followers they would
become His witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to
the ends of the world. Essentially, Jesus was saying, “You have seen me
open blind eyes, champion the disadvantaged, befriend the forgotten,
and love the unlovable. My time on earth has come to an end, so now it
is your turn.”
Jesus’ disciples did exactly what He asked of them. Filled with God’s
Holy Spirit, they poured their lives into sharing the message and
building the Christian church.
Now almost two thousand years have passed since Jesus taught, healed,
loved, died, and rose again. Your congregation knows the story of Jesus’
crucifixion and resurrection, and many of those who will visit your
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church this Easter know the story, as well. But in the midst of our busy,
modern lives, many hear the Easter story at a surface level rather than
allowing it to sink into their hearts…and to change their lives.
You can make a difference by using Risen: A Thorn Easter Experience to
help your church know the joy, the compassion, and the incredible power
of Jesus’ life and ministry. Let their hearts ache with the reality of His
death on the cross. Renew their hope with the triumph of His resurrection.
The Risen: A Thorn Easter Experience Church Kit includes realistic videos,
beautiful music, compelling dramas, and an inspiring message to help your
church not just hear the Easter story but experience it.
Our hope is that all who come to Risen: A Thorn Easter
Experience will leave not as listeners, not as spectators,
but as…witnesses.
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit
comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.”
—Acts 1:8
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about the thorn
The Thorn (TheThorn.net) is a spectacular, live dramatic presentation
of the story of the cross. It is a complete production that encompasses
music, acting, dance, martial arts, gymnastics, pyrotechnics,
video, and more. With its focus on the gospel story and its unique
presentation, The Thorn has enabled audiences to experience—hear,
see, and feel—the very presence of God.
Beginning as a small regional play in 1997, The Thorn has grown to
become the largest perennial, volunteer-based Easter production in
the United States. Over the past fourteen seasons, nearly one million
people have witnessed this dramatic live event, and more than one
hundred thousand people are expected to see the 2013 version.
The Thorn has also been used to bring people into a relationship with
Jesus Christ. During the 2012 tour, tens of thousands responded to
the story and received prayer for a variety of needs.
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Risen Planning guide
Benefits for Your
congregation and Community
Inspire Your Congregation
In the western world, Christians are incredibly blessed to live in a time
and a location where we can freely worship God and openly belong
to a church. Each year we participate in an Easter service and hear
the amazing story of God’s love demonstrated through the life, death,
and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Easter story inspires sorrow and
repentance for the sin that required Jesus’ sacrifice, awe for God and
His unmatched love, and gratitude for His grace and forgiveness.
Yet we humans have a tendency to become complacent—to go from
being passionate about our faith to becoming distracted by the things
of the world. Many of the early Christians had personal experiences
with Jesus; others heard the gospel account from eyewitnesses.
They were courageous in the face of persecution and passionate in
reaching out to others. As Jesus addressed the church in Ephesus, He
commended them for their hard work and perseverance, yet He also
said this:
“Yet I hold this against you: You have
forsaken the love you had at first.”
—Revelation 2:4
Like the Ephesians, we can over time allow our devotion to Christ and
our emotional response to the Easter story to fade. How many times
have the people in your congregation listened to the biblical account
of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection? They may have attended Easter
services for years, if not decades. This year, let them experience the
story of the first Easter in a fresh, new way.
The combination of a compelling, Bible-based message, live drama,
realistic videos, and inspiring music can have a strong emotional effect
on people. It has been almost two thousand years since Jesus died on
the cross, but a realistic drama like Risen can help your congregation
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have a better understanding of what Jesus went through to redeem us
from our sins. Likewise, songs like “Arise, My Love,” “How Could You
Say No,” and “Christ is Risen” will present the triumph and meaning
of the resurrection.
Special Benefits for Your Worship Team
Chances are, your team works hard every week to come up with new
ways to inspire your congregation and help them draw near to God. The
digital resources and drama instructions in the Risen: A Thorn Easter
Experience Church Kit may give them fresh ideas about how to blend
music, video, and drama
into your weekly services.
Plus, your worship team
will probably be the most
affected by Risen since
they will be spending
hours practicing the
music and the dramatic
monologues.
Even if you do not
typically use video or
drama in your services,
consider doing so this
Easter. The people who
volunteer to act in the
drama may stretch
their skills or even
step outside their
comfort zones to be
a part of this special
service. Likewise,
using a dramatic
video background for
your music will give
it added impact and
make it even more
special for your choir
or praise team.
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Risen Planning guide
Reach Your Community
As you plan Risen for your church, remember to include outreach in
your plans. Risen was specifically designed to reach the unchurched
with the good news of the gospel, and during this special time of year
people are open to an invitation to church. In addition, the beautiful
graphics and unique dramatic nature of Risen will help steer new
visitors to your church.
Use Risen to:
• Attract visitors. For more information on attracting visitors, see
the “Promote” portion of “Steps to Success” at the back of
this planning guide. The “Marketing Tips” document on the
Communication Resources CD has additional information.
• Give people an opportunity to accept Christ. Risen: A Thorn Easter
Experience has a strong gospel message, and the sermon includes
an invitation to enter into a relationship with Jesus. You may
want to do an altar call or ask those who accepted Christ to
indicate their decisions by raising their hands, filling out cards,
or coming to the front after the service. Consider purchasing
low-cost evangelistic books as a gift for new believers. See the
resource guide included in this kit for more information.
• Motivate visitors to return to your church. Risen: A Thorn Easter
Experience should leave visitors impressed with your church and
your worship team. For more information on connecting visitors
to your church, see the “Promote” portion of “Steps to Success”
at the back of this planning guide. The “Twenty Tips for a Great
Service” document on the Communication Resources CD has
additional information.
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inside Risen: A Thorn Easter
Experience church kit
This church kit includes everything you need to plan and lead an
inspiring Easter service using resources from Risen.
The Risen: A Thorn Easter Experience Church Kit includes the
following components:
Planning Guide
Digital Resources
This case holds three DVDs and one CD containing all of the videos,
graphics, audio tracks, templates, and instructions you need for Risen.
The list of contents for each DVD/CD matches that disk’s menu.
Video Resources DVD. These are videos you will use before and
during your Easter service.
• Promotional Video This video will introduce your congregation to
Risen: A Thorn Easter Experience and build excitement for your
service. This video is similar to a theatrical trailer for a movie.
• Sermon Illustration Video This video has scenes from Risen along
with a voice-over. It illustrates the three sections of the sermon
which focus on Jesus’ ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection.
• Service Video Bumper This is a short video you can use before the
whole service, before the first drama, or before the sermon. The
service video bumper helps build anticipation and set the tone
for the service.
Communication Resources CD This CD contains text files and
graphics that will help you plan and promote Risen: A Thorn
Easter Experience.
Sermon. This is a three-point sermon in Word format. You can
easily customize the sermon to meet your congregation’s needs and
your personal style. There are places in the sermon where you can
insert the drama of your choice and the sermon illustration video.
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Templates
• PowerPoint Template. This template includes multiple slides
featuring graphics from Risen. Customize the slides to fit your
sermon and worship service.
• Bulletin Insert. This file has graphics to create 4.25 x 5.5”
inserts for your church bulletin. The file is in Word format so
you can easily add text for announcements, sign-ups, or sermon
notes. Note: If you print the file on a standard printer, a band of
white will border the graphics.
• Event Planning Template. This file is in Word format with a table
you can use to plan your Easter service. The table lists common
tasks and time frames associated with using Risen: A Thorn
Easter Experience for your Easter service.
• Postcard Printing Template. This church kit includes two hundred
small postcards you can use as invitations to your Easter service.
The postcard-printing template is a Word document specifically
sized for the 4.25 x 5.5” postcards. Use the template to print
text and graphics on the reverse side of the postcards.
Promotional Resources
• Print Ad Sample. This Word document has sample text for
an ad in a newspaper or periodical. If you would like to
include a graphic in your ad, use the Risen logo, also on the
Communication Resources CD.
• Press Release Template and Instructions. This is a press release
you can customize and send out. This file is in Word format and
comes with instructions.
• Promotional Announcement Samples. This is a Word document
with sample announcement for church bulletins, websites, or
e-mails. The file also includes suggested text for a weekend
service announcement.
• Marketing Tips. Read this document for tips on how to promote
Risen: A Thorn Easter Experience at your church. These tips will
help you build excitement and maximize attendance.
• Twenty Tips for a Great Service. These are additional tips for
preparing your church and having a great Easter Service.
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• Free Google Advertising Info. This document explains how to get
free Google advertising for your church.
• Web Images. These include banners and buttons you can use on
your website to help promote Risen: A Thorn Easter Experience.
• The Risen Logo. This is a .JPG file you can use for print ads in
newspapers and other periodicals. See the print ad sample on
the disk for suggested text.
Note: Please do not use this file to print other promotional tools.
It is licensed only for use in print ads for your Easter service.
Worship and Drama Resources DVD.
This DVD contains all necessary videos, audio tracks, chord charts,
and instructions for three songs and three dramas.
“Arise, My Love” Song Resources
• Audio Track (Length 5:13). The audio track is in .WAV format and
includes music and background vocals for “Arise, My Love.”
• Background Video with Vocals (Length 5:13). This file has video
content from Risen along with the audio track, lead vocals, and
background vocals for “Arise, My Love.” The video complements
the lyrics and timing of the song.
• Background Video without Vocals (Length 5:13). This file is
similar to the background video described above but without
the lead vocals. It does include instrumental music and
background vocals.
• Chord Chart. This .PDF file has lyrics and chords for “Arise,
My Love.”
“How Could You Say No” Song Resources
• Audio Track (Length 3:27). The audio track is in .WAV format
and includes music and background vocals for “How Could
You Say No.”
• Background Video with Vocals (Length 3:27). This file has video
content from Risen along with the audio track and background
vocals for “How Could You Say No.” The video complements the
lyrics and timing of the song.
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Risen Planning guide
• Background Video without Vocals (Length 3:27). This file is
similar to the background video described above but without
the lead vocals. It does include instrumental music and
background vocals.
• Chord Chart. This .PDF file has lyrics and chords for “How Could
You Say No.”
“Christ Is Risen” Song Resources
• Audio Track (Length). The audio track is in .WAV format and
includes music and background vocals for “Christ is Risen.”
• Background Video with Vocals (Length). This file has video
content from Risen along with the audio track, lead vocals, and
background vocals for “Christ is Risen.” The video complements
the lyrics and timing of the song.
• Background Video without Vocals (Length). This file is similar
to the background video described above but without the
lead vocals. It does include instrumental music and
background vocals.
• Chord Chart. This .PDF file has lyrics and chords for “Christ
is Risen.”
Adulterous Woman Drama. A short dramatic monologue based on the
story of the adulterous woman in John 8, this drama includes a modern
application of the biblical story.
• Script. This Word document is the monologue script with
blocking. The Word format enables you to customize the script
for your drama team.
• Instructions. This file has recommendations on costumes,
makeup, blocking, performing/acting, and music.
• Training Video (Length 2:00). This video shows actors from Risen
performing the monologue on a plain stage.
Peter Denial Drama. A short dramatic monologue based on the Apostle
Peter’s denial of Jesus, this drama includes a modern application of
the biblical story.
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• Script. This Word document is the monologue script with
blocking. The Word format enables you to customize the script
for your drama team.
• Instructions. This file has recommendations on costumes,
makeup, blocking, performing/acting, and music.
• Training Video (Length 1:36). This video shows actors from Risen
performing the monologue on a plain stage.
Lazarus Drama. A short dramatic monologue based on Lazarus being
raised from the grave and given a new life.
• Script. This Word document is the monologue script with
blocking. The Word format enables you to customize the script
for your drama team. Script includes recommendations for
costumes, blocking and music.
Crucifixion Worship Background Video. This is a video loop with
crucifixion-themed graphics.
Resurrection Worship Background Video. This is a video loop with
resurrection-themed graphics.
Resource Guide. This guide includes pictures and
descriptions of the promotional tools and resources you can use to help
make your Easter service a success.
Sample Invitational Tools. See the resource guide
for more information on invitational tools like direct-mail postcards,
DoorHangers, posters, banners, and more. This kit includes samples of
these tools.
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Risen Planning guide
risen Evangelistic Booklet.
See the resource guide
and the cover wrap on the booklet for more information.
Postcards.
This kit contains two hundred small postcards
you can use to invite people to your Easter service. Use the postcard
printing template on the Communication Resources CD to print text
on the reverse side of the postcards. See the resource guide for more
information.
Posters.
Hang the three enclosed posters in your church or at
local businesses. See the resource guide for more information on
Risen posters.
Live Drama DVD. The Thorn Live dramatic portrayal of the
passion of the Christ like you have never seen it before, featuring
live music, dance, special effects, aerial gymnastics, and a cast of
hundreds.
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Implementing Risen: A
Thorn Easter Experience
This section includes a suggested order of worship for Risen: A Thorn
Easter Experience along with recommendations on how to use the
digital resources in this kit for a unique and effective Easter service.
The order of service that follows is only a suggestion, and we
recommend that you develop an order of service that is similar to your
normal weekend service. For example, if you usually have worship
songs at multiple times during your service, we recommend that you
do that with Risen, as well. You may want to do announcements and
receive an offering in your normal manner; however, after you review
our suggested order of service and the digital resources, you might
choose to place your offering early so you don’t disrupt the flow of the
drama, videos, sermon, and final song.
For Risen, you will be inserting unique videos and possibly a drama
into your normal order of service. In addition, you may want to follow
our suggestion to use an illustration video and even a drama during
your sermon.
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Risen Planning guide
Suggested Order of Service
Worship
If you normally do most of your worship songs first, do that but mix in
Risen’s featured song “Christ is Risen.”
We recommend that you use one of the worship background videos
during every song except “Christ is Risen.”
Suggested Song List:
•My Savior Lives
•It Was for Freedom
•Overcome
•Stronger
•What the Lord has Done for Me
•In Christ Alone/The Solid Rock
•Cornerstone
•Christ is Risen (use background video on Resources DVD)
Announcements
If you normally do announcements at a later point in the service, stick
with that order of service. However, try to avoid doing announcements
in between the key elements of Risen – the dramas, video bumper,
and sermon.
Suggestions: See “Twenty Tips for a Great Service” for
more information.
•Include special announcements to visitors, telling them
what you have planned for the next several weeks.
•Make sure you invite visitors to return.
•If you are offering a gift for visitors, mention that as well.
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Offering
If you normally do your offering at a later point in the service, you may
need to stick with that order of service. However, we recommend that
you move the offering up in the order of service so it doesn’t break the
flow of the Risen video, drama, sermon, and final song.
Meet and Greet
The Risen Service Video Bumper
Drama
Risen includes three dramas. If you don’t have time for all three or
you feel that doing all three would be too much, we recommend that
you skip the Peter Denial drama and the Adulterous Woman drama.
The Lazarus drama is part of the sermon illustrations suggested in the
sermon outline.
The Risen Sermon
This is a standard three-point sermon with special illustration and
features suggested throughout.
•Point 1. Our Past can be Forgiven.
•Point 2. Our Future can be Secure
•Point 3. Our Present can be Made New
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Risen Planning guide
Steps for success
pray
Praying for your Easter service and successful outreach to your
community is a key first step. Ask God to:
•Give you wisdom and guidance as you plan, promote, and
implement your Easter service
•Raise up volunteers for your Easter service
•Soften the hearts and prepare the minds of those you want to
reach in your congregation and community
•Bless and multiply your efforts
“ Devote yourselves to prayer,
being watchful and thankful. ”
—Colossians 4:2
PLAN
Step 1. Review Risen: A Thorn Easter Experience Resources
After you read this planning guide, read, watch, and listen to all the
digital resources. Also review the Risen Resource Guide and the
sample invitational tools and evangelistic booklet.
Step 2. Determine Your Order of Service
The first consideration is the length of your service. Estimate the
length of the sermon based on the three-point outline or by practicing
the sermon and timing it. The length for each of the videos and
dramas (based on their training videos) is included in the “Inside the
Risen: A Thorn Easter Experience Church Kit” section of this guide.
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Step 3. Determine Your Schedule and Volunteer Requirements
This is a special service, and it will likely take additional volunteers
and more rehearsal time than your standard weekend services. Use the
“Event Planning Template” on the Communication Resources CD to
help you with your planning.
Step 4. Communicate with Your Team
This kit includes a number of resources you can use to communicate
your plan for Risen: A Thorn Easter Experience. You can share
the “Marketing Tips” document, “Twenty Tips for a Great Service”
document, and any other resources contained in the digital resources.
PROMOTE
Cast a Vision for Your Leadership Team
Before launching the planning and rehearsal phases of Risen: A Thorn
Easter Experience, meet with your leadership team and cast a vision for
how you believe this unique Easter service will affect your congregation
and your community. Consider using three of the following methods of
creating a shared vision for the success of this Easter service.
• Play the promotional video.
• Use the Risen branded PowerPoint slides for your meeting.
• Pray together for the success of your Easter service and
outreach efforts.
• Pass around some of the sample invitational materials and the
Risen evangelism booklet.
• Play the training video for the Adulterous Woman drama.
• Play one of the featured song videos, such as “Christ is Risen.”
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Risen Planning guide
Cast a Vision for Your Congregation
Good leaders are critical to the success of any effort. Most members
of a congregation rise only as high as the expectations set by their
leaders, so cast a vision of complete participation.
Then I said to them,
“You see the trouble we are in:
Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates
have been burned with fire. Come, let us
rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will
no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them
about the gracious hand of my God upon
me and what the king had said to me.
They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.”
So they began this good work.
—Nehemiah 2:17–18
Good leaders cast a vision for what the group can do together that
they can’t do as well as individuals. Encourage everyone to invite
at least one individual or family to Risen: A Thorn Easter Experience.
Ask everyone to pray for success of the service and for your
outreach efforts.
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Extend Invitations
Use creative ideas and high-quality communication tools to reach
out to your community!
• Use a direct-mail program to invite your
community to this special Easter service.
Direct-mail typically has a .25 to 1
percent response rate, and the appeal of
a unique Easter experience can bring new
visitors to your church. Visit Outreach.com
or call an Outreach Specialist at 800-9916011 for assistance in planning a directmail campaign.
• Hang an eye-catching Risen banner outside your church to
attract people passing by. Remember to include your service
times and either a phone number or web address.
• Display Risen posters in local Christian bookstores and in
area businesses. Be sure to include information about your
upcoming sermon series, groups, and events.
• Organize volunteers to distribute Risen DoorHangers
in the neighborhoods closest to your church.
• Hand out copies of the Risen evangelism booklet in
surrounding areas. See the resource guide for more
information about using the Risen neighborhood
invitation kit to distribute booklets.
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Risen Planning guide
In-Reach Ideas
• Include information on Risen in your church newsletter and in
the announcements during your weekend services.
• Get your congregation excited about Risen by showing the
promotional video two to four weeks in advance of Easter. Let
the congregation know this will be a special, unique service and
encourage everyone to invite at least one person to the service.
• Use indoor banners to build excitement
and awareness for Risen: A Thorn Easter
Experience.
• Send an e-mail to your church list outlining
the importance and appeal of Risen: A Thorn
Easter Experience and encouraging everyone to
invite friends, co-workers, and neighbors.
• Use Risen bulletin shells
during your Easter service.
• Hang Risen posters inside
your church.
• Use Risen bulletin inserts
for announcements, sermon
notes, and as visitor
response sheets.
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Equip Your Members to Be Inviters
It’s one of the key tenets of successful outreach—equipping your
congregation to invite others to your church and into a personal
relationship with Christ. But many Christians don’t take the steps
necessary to invite unchurched friends, family members, or neighbors.
Risen provides the encouragement as well as easy tools for your
congregation to use in extending an invitation to others.
Help your members extend winning invitations by:
• Asking your members to pray about those God may want
them to reach.
• Providing Risen DoorHangers, evangelistic
booklets, and invitational tickets for your
members to use to invite friends, neighbors, and
co-workers to your service.
PLUG IN
Your church is about to have a number of visitors. How do you ensure
that most of them come back, get connected, and become a part of
your congregation?
Visitor Follow-Up
During your campaign you will reach out to the unchurched in your
community, touching their lives and encouraging them to begin
attending church. A key step to keeping them involved is to provide
clear information on how they can get involved. Think about how you
will provide information on how they can attend Sunday school classes,
join small groups, become involved in your women’s ministry, or attend
events for couples. Also, after the campaign you will have an excellent
opportunity to plug new attendees into programs designed to help them
learn more about God, your church, and your ministries and programs.
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Risen Planning guide
Gather visitor contact information and be sure to engage your visitors
in next steps. If you can make phone calls or send personal letters or
postcards welcoming visitors to your church, it will go a long way toward
making new people feel welcome.
What Is Next?
While you have a church full of new visitors, you have an excellent
opportunity to invite them to return. One of the best incentives you can
provide is information about upcoming events and sermon series. Customize
some of the announcements in the promotional announcement samples on
the Communication Resources CD and encourage visitors to return and find
new friends and great faith-building programs at your church!
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Notes
RM1089799 01/13