Easter is a special time of the year when Christians all over the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As a parent or guardian, it can be challenging to talk to your children about such a profound subject, especially if you want to help them internalize the message of Easter. However, with the right guidance, you can have meaningful conversations with your kids about Easter and the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross.
There are many activities that parents and kids can engage in together to start conversations about the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus as they internalize the same. Here are a few ideas:
DAILY BIBLE READING: Spend some time each day reading a portion of the Easter story from the Gospels. You can also read other relevant scriptures and discuss their meaning as a family.
Maundy Thursday: On Maundy Thursday, you can read the story of the Last Supper (Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-30, or John 13:1-38) and have a family communion service. You can also wash each other's feet to symbolize Jesus' act of service to his disciples.
Good Friday: On Good Friday, you can read the story of the crucifixion (Matthew 27:27-56, Mark 15:16-41, Luke 23:26-49, or John 19:16-37) and discuss the significance of Jesus' sacrifice for us. You can also create a cross out of sticks or craft materials to symbolize Jesus' sacrifice.
Easter Sunday: On Easter Sunday, you can read the story of the resurrection (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, or John 20:1-18) and celebrate with a special family breakfast or dinner. You can also make resurrection rolls or an Easter craft to remember the joy of Jesus' resurrection.
ACTS OF KINDNESS: Encourage family members to perform acts of kindness each day. This can include writing a note of encouragement to someone, sharing a meal with a neighbor, or giving a small gift to a friend.
EASTER CRAFTS: Create Easter crafts that reinforce the message of the death and resurrection of Jesus. You can make a cross out of twigs, paint Easter eggs with symbols that represent Jesus' death and resurrection, or make a resurrection garden.
Resurrection Garden: Create a miniature garden that depicts the empty tomb of Jesus. Use a shallow container, soil, small stones, and plants to create a garden. Place a small tomb made of a rock or clay pot in the center and add a small cross. On Easter Sunday, remove the rock or lid from the tomb to show that it is empty.
Cross crafts: Make a cross out of twigs, popsicle sticks, or pipe cleaners. Decorate the cross with beads, ribbon, or flowers.
Easter Eggs: Paint or decorate Easter eggs with symbols that represent Jesus' death and resurrection. For example, use the colors of purple, red, and white to represent royalty, sacrifice, and purity. You can also draw or paint a picture of Jesus on the egg.
PRAYER: Set aside time each day to pray together as a family. You can pray for each other, for others, and for the world.
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