Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection
Each spring, we see reminders of new life and rebirth. Trees bud, flowers bloom, and butterflies emerge from their cocoons. For Christians, the most important celebration of new life is Jesus’ death and resurrection at Easter. Children may associate this holiday mainly with bunnies, baskets, and candy. So it’s important to share with them the real reason we rejoice: the empty tomb.
Use these creative ideas to share the Easter message with children of all ages. Let them know that Jesus, our loving Savior, died and rose again so we can go to heaven and be with him forever.
Palm Sunday—Make “praise shakers” to celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Decorate the bottoms of paper plates, fill them with beads or unpopped popcorn, and then staple together the edges. Add streamers and then have a parade. Shout out praises to Jesus and make noise to celebrate that he is our King.
Good Friday—Buy a small vine wreath at a craft store and insert toothpicks to resemble the crown of thorns Jesus wore. Whenever a family member makes a sacrifice for someone else, they should remove one thorn. On the night before Easter, after your children are asleep, remove the remaining thorns and decorate the crown with white ribbons and bright flowers.
Easter Sunday—Using a stamp pad and colored pencils, make thumbprint pictures that tell the Easter story. For example, draw a tomb with a rolled-away thumbprint rock and a butterfly with thumbprint wings.
Faith Findings
· Researcher George Barna found that children are most likely to believe in Jesus as their Savior and form a lifelong relationship with him between the ages of 5 and 13. According to Barna’s findings, people are up to eight times more likely to become Christians before age 13 than they are after age 13.
· According to a Gallup Poll, 84% of people who don’t go to church believe that Jesus rose from the dead.
Ask God:
1. To bless your Easter celebrations and keep your focus on his resurrection.
2. To help your children know that Easter is for them.
3. To keep the joy of Easter in your hearts all year long.
Parenting Insights
These age-level insights from Children’s Ministry Magazine will help you share the Easter message with kids of all ages.
Ages 2 to 5
Tell young children that people who hated Jesus nailed him to a cross and left him there until he died. Explain how sad and afraid Jesus’ friends were but emphasize their joy when Jesus returned to life three days later.
Ages 6 to 9
Fairness is a big deal at this age, so explain in simple language that Christ willingly died in our place because he loves us. Kids may be fascinated by crucifixion details. Avoid euphemisms for death such as sleeping.
Ages 10 to 12
Kids who are familiar with the details of the Easter story are ready for the “why.” Explain why it was necessary for Christ to die, referring to the blood sacrifices of the Old Testament.
April 2010
--
Stevens Street Baptist Church
269 S Willow Ave
Suite E
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931)526-6398
--
Each spring, we see reminders of new life and rebirth. Trees bud, flowers bloom, and butterflies emerge from their cocoons. For Christians, the most important celebration of new life is Jesus’ death and resurrection at Easter. Children may associate this holiday mainly with bunnies, baskets, and candy. So it’s important to share with them the real reason we rejoice: the empty tomb.
Use these creative ideas to share the Easter message with children of all ages. Let them know that Jesus, our loving Savior, died and rose again so we can go to heaven and be with him forever.
Palm Sunday—Make “praise shakers” to celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Decorate the bottoms of paper plates, fill them with beads or unpopped popcorn, and then staple together the edges. Add streamers and then have a parade. Shout out praises to Jesus and make noise to celebrate that he is our King.
Good Friday—Buy a small vine wreath at a craft store and insert toothpicks to resemble the crown of thorns Jesus wore. Whenever a family member makes a sacrifice for someone else, they should remove one thorn. On the night before Easter, after your children are asleep, remove the remaining thorns and decorate the crown with white ribbons and bright flowers.
Easter Sunday—Using a stamp pad and colored pencils, make thumbprint pictures that tell the Easter story. For example, draw a tomb with a rolled-away thumbprint rock and a butterfly with thumbprint wings.
Faith Findings
· Researcher George Barna found that children are most likely to believe in Jesus as their Savior and form a lifelong relationship with him between the ages of 5 and 13. According to Barna’s findings, people are up to eight times more likely to become Christians before age 13 than they are after age 13.
· According to a Gallup Poll, 84% of people who don’t go to church believe that Jesus rose from the dead.
Ask God:
1. To bless your Easter celebrations and keep your focus on his resurrection.
2. To help your children know that Easter is for them.
3. To keep the joy of Easter in your hearts all year long.
Parenting Insights
These age-level insights from Children’s Ministry Magazine will help you share the Easter message with kids of all ages.
Ages 2 to 5
Tell young children that people who hated Jesus nailed him to a cross and left him there until he died. Explain how sad and afraid Jesus’ friends were but emphasize their joy when Jesus returned to life three days later.
Ages 6 to 9
Fairness is a big deal at this age, so explain in simple language that Christ willingly died in our place because he loves us. Kids may be fascinated by crucifixion details. Avoid euphemisms for death such as sleeping.
Ages 10 to 12
Kids who are familiar with the details of the Easter story are ready for the “why.” Explain why it was necessary for Christ to die, referring to the blood sacrifices of the Old Testament.
April 2010
--
Stevens Street Baptist Church
269 S Willow Ave
Suite E
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931)526-6398
--
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