As the season of Easter approaches, along with the influx of bunnies, chicks, Peeps, and plastic grass in the stores, I am reminded once again of the importance of teaching my kids about the power of the resurrection of Jesus. It is the hinge on which our entire faith rests. The reason that our chains are gone and we are set free from sin. Yes, He died on the cross for our sins, but had He not risen three days later, where would the power of the cross be?
I am absolutely convinced that I must teach my kids about the resurrection. The question I have each year is how to best go about this teaching in a meaningful way. Here are some traditions we’ve found to be especially helpful in our quest.
Reading Picture Books about the Resurrection
Even for older children, seeing the story unfold through pictures is a powerful way to introduce the concepts of Jesus’s divinity, His trial, His death, His burial and His resurrection. We have a small collection of excellent picture books to read during the two weeks leading up to Resurrection Sunday.
A re-enactment of the Lord’s Supper
We aren’t well-versed in the tradition of a true Passover feast, but we do our best to celebrate by asking the questions, telling the stories, and sharing in communion as a family. The Israelite passover event told in Exodus is a foreshadowing of the passover we find through Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. This puts a whole new perspective on Jesus’s celebration of the Passover in the final week before His death.
Drawing the story of Jesus’s Passion Week
Using the powerful methods in Grapevine Studies Resurrection unit, each of us will actually draw the story of Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection as we read it moment-by-moment from God’s Word. Because Grapevine uses a stick-figure approach, even the youngest in our family is able to draw and visualize this true story. Something about drawing as you listen helps cement the facts and truth of God’s Word in our brains.
Hands-On Visual Aids for the Resurrection of Jesus
Besides Grapevine Studies, we have a few other visual aids we love to use with story-telling to share the story of the Gospel with our kids. One of our favorites is Benjamin’s Box with Resurrection Eggs – a small collection of treasures saved by a little boy who followed Jesus’s ministry from beginning to end. My kids love this fictional story! Check out our huge list of excellent resources for teaching your kids the Resurrection of Jesus.
Using the Power of Song and Art to tell God’s Story
I love to teach my kids the old hymns and new songs that celebrate God’s Word. Old hymns like “He Lives” and “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” are etched into memories of my own childhood along with sunrise services, cantata performances, and dramatic plays presenting the gospel. I am always thrilled to find excellent concerts or drama to share with my kids, but we also just love to sing the hymns at home and enjoy the music of our church during this time. Isn’t the music of this season so incredibly upbeat and joyful?
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