Let’s Tell the Easter Story

Our Christian Faith is one that reminds us we need to spread the good news!  Yet when it comes to Easter and children we get very nervous.  The Easter story has some pretty sad and scary stuff in it!  How do we share it with our kids in a way that will help their faith life grow?

First, you know your kids best, so always start with your intuition. 

Second, remember they see and hear about scary stories all the time on the news, with friends, and don’t forget, every Disney story has a scene or two that make us question why we brought our kids to this movie in the first place.  (Or is that just me? I might get scared right along with them!)

Third, this is our story.  Don’t be silent about it! 

How do you tell this story? The Bible is always a good starting point:

Mark 14: The Last Supper, Jesus Prays in Gethsemane,Jesus is Betrayed and Arrested: 

Mark 15: Jesus is Crucified and the Death and Burial of Jesus

Mark 16: The Resurrection

 

Early Childhood-Preschoolers:  If talking about death and killing is a bit much for your children, frame the Easter story that people wanted to take away our love (Jesus).  The people did succeed in taking the love and Jesus died. (Pause) But, this is NOT the end of the story.  Jesus came back from death to save us all.  Some good books to read together:  

What is Easter? by Michelle Medlock Adams

The Easter Story, by Tracy Harrast

The Parable of the Lily by Liz Curtis Higgs

 

 

Early Elementary:  This is when you can add some details of how people were so mean to Jesus.  We have to remember that our kids deal with people every day, and they see kindness and they seen people being unkind.  This story reminds us what can happen when a group is VERY unkind.

Late Elementary:  It is my honest opinion that you need to tell the full story.  This is an age where they are in a questioning phase of faith development and this story is VITAL to whom we are as Christians.  

Here are some resources that I use for Easter:

• United Methodist Discipleship Info- Easter with your Family

• ResurrectionEggs with Booklet and Stickers -Tells Full Story of Easter- available on Amazon

• Resurrection Rolls family baking activity.

• Blogs with good articles about Easter and Family: 

Leanne Hadley: http://www.leanne-hadley.com/#!blog/c1lkj

UMC Ministry with Children: http://ministrywithchildren.com/category/liturgical-year/

Please reach out to me this week if you have any questions about how to walk Holy Week as a family.  We have created a Holy Week Coloring Book to help you tell the story.  I also invite you to all of our Holy Week services and activities (listed below).  The pot lunch dinner is an addition to our Maundy Thursday celebration I am excited about.   I would love to see your family telling our Christian story through worship this Holy Week. 

CLICK HERE to visit St. Andrew Holy Week and Easter Services: