The Jelly Bean Prayer: A Sweet Way to Share the Easter Story

Did you know there’s a secret meaning behind your favorite Easter treat? There sure is, and it’s a sweet way to tell your kids about the true meaning of Easter. The Jelly Bean Prayer just might become your new favorite part of Easter Sunday!

cup spilling colorful jelly beans on a light blue background

Jelly beans were always a special treat in my house growing up. My dad was a big fan, and his favorite brand had to be purchased at a specialty store. He didn’t have them very often, but when he did, we always sat nearby hoping he’d pass a few our way. (Of course, he did!)

That was many years ago and I can now buy my own jelly beans–and I do! But that memory of jelly beans with my dad sticks out to me.

Something as simple as eating jelly beans together can be turned into a teachable moment when you’re prepared. Using this poem and a bag of jelly beans, you can introduce your kids to the story of Easter and share how Jesus died for them.

sample of the jelly bean prayer printables

In This Post

What is the Jelly Bean Prayer?

The jelly bean prayer comes from a poem written by Charlene Dickerson. It’s a sweet reminder of Easter’s true meaning! The Jelly Bean Prayer uses the different colors of jelly beans to represent different parts of the Easter story.

The red jellybean represents the blood Jesus Christ shed on the cross for our sins.
The green jellybean represents the grass and the yellow jellybean represents the sun. These remind us that Jesus was the Creator of the world.
Orange jelly beans remind us of the beautiful sunset.
The black jellybean represents our sin, so dark.
White jellybeans represent God’s grace, and how Jesus washed our sins away.
The purple jellybean reminds us of the purple robe Jesus wore, and how He suffered on the cross.
The pink jellybean reminds us of the dawn of a new day–like the beauty of the first Easter morning.

Jelly beans might seem like simple candy. But they can be so much more during the Easter season. Or any time you want to share the good news of the Gospel.

So, as you enjoy your jelly beans this Easter season, take a moment to reflect on each color and what it represents in the Jelly Bean Prayer. It’s a fun and meaningful way to celebrate Easter with family and friends.

And it’s a fun way to share the story of Easter with your kiddos.

How to Use the Jelly Bean Prayer

You can use the jelly bean prayer any time you want to talk to kids about the truth of the Gospel. But it’s especially helpful at Easter. Just a few jelly beans can go a long way. Since they’re so fun and colorful, (not to mention sweet!) they make a great object lesson.

Make a Jelly Bean Prayer Jar

Fill a jar with jelly beans. Let the children take turns choosing a color of jelly bean during Holy Week. Talk about what that color represents in the Easter story. The best part of this object lesson is eating the beans!

Put the Jelly Beans in Your Easter Baskets

Every kid loves an Easter basket filled with plastic eggs and candy. Why not make it even more special by tucking the jelly bean poem inside? Attach it to a package of jelly beans, or tie it to the handle.

Give the Poem to Your Sunday School Class

The jelly bean poem makes a great little gift for Sunday school kids. Pick up a bag of jelly beans at the Dollar Store, Separate them into little bags, and add the free printable tag. Use the jelly bean colors to talk about the meaning of Easter. Then, pass the bags out as little favors.

By incorporating the jelly bean prayer into your family or Sunday School, you can teach kids this important part of God’s Word in a fun and engaging way. They’ll remember this lesson every time they eat a jelly bean!

The Jelly Bean Poem

Red is for the blood He gave.
Green is for the grass He made.
Yellow is for the sun so bright.
Orange is for the edge of night.
Black is for the sins we made.
White is for the grace He gave.
Purple is for His hour of sorrow.
Pink is for a new tomorrow.
And handful of jelly beans,
Colorful and sweet,
Is a prayer, a promise,
A loved one’s treat!
Charlene Dickerson

Tell the Story of Easter With Jelly Bean Colors

Grab a handful of jelly beans and use them to share the story of Easter with your kids. Here’s how to do it.

You’ll need one of each color jelly bean in this order; green, yellow, orange, black, purple, red, pink.

First, explain that Jesus created the world. Use the green, yellow, and orange jelly beans to represent all the things He made. He created the green grass, the bright yellow sun and the beautiful sunset.

Then, use the black jelly bean to symbolize our sin. Tell the children that we weren’t able to cleanse ourselves of our sins, so Jesus came to earth to die for us. Use the purple jelly bean to talk about Jesus’ suffering. They placed a purple robe on Him and a crown of thorns on His head.

Use the white jelly bean to show that Jesus was sinless and perfect. He took all of our sins on Himself and died on the cross. He took our hearts that were black with sin, and made them clean and pure.

Lastly, use the pink jelly bean to discuss how Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. The pink represents the color of the sky at dawn and reminds us that Jesus left the grave as the sun rose on Easter morning.

Using one jelly bean of each color to symbolize the Easter story creates a powerful memory your kiddos won’t soon forget!

Jelly Bean Prayer Printable

The jelly bean prayer shares the story of redemption with children. It’s the perfect resource for kids ages 4-12. (Yes, that much of an age difference–everyone loves candy!)

Make it even easier with my free jelly bean prayer printables! The printable poem comes in two sizes. One that’s perfect to display on a wall, and another that’s perfect for tucking in Easter baskets or attaching to a jelly bean prayer jar. Each one shares the different colors of the candies and what they symbolize in the story.

Make the most of this yummy and simple teaching tool this Easter!

Download the Jelly Bean Prayer Cards

Want to make it even easier to share the jelly bean prayer with your kids? Simply download the free printable cards and share them with your kids. It’s a great way to get them talking and asking questions about salvation.

More Kids’ Resources for Home or Church

If you’re looking for more ways to share the gospel or encourage your kids to learn about Jesus, check out these other resources. Use them in your Sunday school, children’s ministry or family devotions.

How to Share the Easter Story Using the Jelly Bean Prayer (free printable)