A Journal and Activity Book By: Ellen Mady

Transcription

1 A Journal and Activity Book By: Ellen Mady

2 Copyright 2014 Ellen Mady. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the publisher, except as provided by U.S. copyright law. YOU MAY: Use these files for personal use ONLY. Download the files to your personal computer. Print a maximum of two copies for use in your household. YOU MAY NOT: Edit any of the pages. Share my files with anyone else. Store them on any website or forum. Claim them as your own. Print and sell/distribute to others. To order additional copies, please visit All images used in this publication are public domain art, or have been personally designed or derived from public domain art. 2

3 Contents Activities 4 Reflecting on Scripture 5 Who Am I? 8 The Resurrected Lord in Art 9 Word Challenge 14 My Easter Story 15 Picto-Story 17 Decorate Your Own Easter Cross 18 The Easter Egg 20 Daily Journal Prompts 21 Notes/Reflections 62 3

4 Activities 4

5 Reflecting on Scripture Read John 20. Then respond to the following. 1. Why do you think John waited at the tomb and let Peter enter first? 2. The first thing Jesus told his disciples was Peace be with you. Why do you think he chose those as his first words? 3. What is something we can learn from doubting Thomas? 5

6 Read John 21. Then respond to the following: 1. Why do you think Jesus still chose Peter to lead the Church even after Peter had denied him during his Passion? 2. What is your favorite part of this Gospel passage? Why? 3. What are some things you can do to follow Jesus more closely> 6

7 Read Matthew 28 and Mark 16. What do the two passages have in common? What details are unique to Matthew or unique to Mark? Complete the Venn diagram accordingly. Matthew Mark 7

8 Who Am I? Use the clues to determine who each person is. Write the person s name next to the clue. 1. I run faster than Peter. 2. I was not with the other disciples when Jesus first appeared to them. 3. I was the first to bring word of Jesus Resurrection to the Apostles. 4. I jumped out of the boat and swam to shore when we saw Jesus on the shore. 5. I went to the tomb Easter morning with Mary Magdalene. I am not Mary the Mother of James. 6. I was one of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. 7. I waited in the tomb to tell the disciples that Jesus was not there because he had Risen. 8

9 The Resurrected Lord in Art Look at the pictures. Then answer the questions on the next page. Basilica of Notre Dame. {{PD-Old}} Noel Coypel, {{PD-OLD}} Jesus raises Adam and Eve. Chora Church (Istanbul). {{PD-Old}} 9

10 1. Which image of the Resurrected Lord do you like the best? Why? 2. Which do you think is most symbolic? Why? 3. Which do you think is the best piece of artwork? Why? 10

11 Draw your own depiction of the Resurrection. Then answer the questions on the next page. 11

12 1. What elements from the Gospel did you include? 2. What symbolism did you use? 12

13 3. What artistic techniques did you apply? 4. What is the main emotion you wanted to convey, and how did you transmit it? 13

14 Word Challenge Take each of the following words and rearrange the letters to make as many words as you can. No letter may be used twice. Words may include all of the letters of the initial word, or only some, but may not include more. Easter Ex: Star Resurrection Salvation 14

15 My Easter Story Write a true or fictional story about Easter including at least eight of the following words: Easter Faith Salvation Resurrection Joy Life Family Celebration Bubblegum Baseball Bicycle Pillow Charades Bonnet Beach Tree Lamp Librarian The story should have a clear plot and moral. 15

16 16

17 Picto-Story Tell a story about Easter using only pictures. Then show the series of pictures to someone and ask them to tell you the story. 17

18 Decorate Your Own Easter Cross 18

19 The Easter Egg Did you ever wonder why we associate eggs with Easter? Why eat candy eggs? Why dye eggs? Why have an Easter egg hunt? The egg is a two-fold symbol of Easter. 1. The egg gives life and symbolizes new life, an important Easter theme. 2. The chick pecks its way out of the egg and leaves the empty shell behind. The empty eggshell symbolizes the empty tomb of Jesus. Image derived from {{PD-Art}} 19

20 Design your own Easter egg using patterns, symbols or images that symbolize the Resurrection. 20

21 Daily Journal Prompts 21

22 Easter morning 22

23 My favorite part of the Easter Mass is 23

24 Write a new Easter hymn. Challenge: Make a tune to go along with your words. 24

25 Tell Our Lord in your own words how happy you are that he has Risen. 25

26 What do you think Mary (the Blessed Mother) and Jesus would have talked about the first time they saw each other after the Resurrection? 26

27 God renewed his call to Peter shortly after he rose, even though Peter had denied him. How can our mistakes help us in life? 27

28 Imagine that you are with the apostles in the boat on the Lake of Tiberius when you see Jesus alive on the shore. What are your thoughts/feelings? 28

29 If you were one of the disciples on the way to Emmaus, what questions would you ask Jesus, and why? 29

30 How would you explain the importance of Easter to someone who doesn t know Jesus? 30

31 How has the Resurrection made a difference in your life? 31

32 What are some Easter traditions in your family? Which one is your favorite, and why? 32

33 What can you do to make this Easter season special for others? 33

34 Write a poem or descriptive paragraph about Easter. 34

35 Easter is the greatest liturgical feast of the year. Why do you think this is? 35

36 What is the connection between Christmas and Easter, and why is it important? 36

37 We celebrate the gift of baptism every Easter. Why is baptism important? What do you do on a regular basis because you are a baptized Christian? 37

38 Jesus told Thomas that we are blessed when we believe without seeing. What helps you believe without seeing? 38

39 What is your favorite Gospel passage about Easter, and why? 39

40 The disciples of Emmaus recognized Jesus in the Breaking of the Bread. Why does the Eucharist play such an essential role in our life of faith? 40

41 Faith is an individual and communal experience. The disciples saw Jesus after the Resurrection both individually and as a group. How have you experienced God as an individual? How has your community (such as your family or Church community) helped you in your faith? 41

42 Jesus is abundant with his graces. We see this after the Resurrection when he gives his disciples a miraculous catch of fish. What are some ways God has blessed you and your family? 42

43 Can you think of any events in the Old Testament that foreshadowed Easter? How so? 43

44 The Resurrection was a life-changing event for mankind. What are some life-changing things that have happened in your life? What have you learned from them? How are you different because of them? 44

45 When the women found the tomb empty, the angel told them to remember the words Jesus had said. What are things God has done for you that you always want to remember? 45

46 What is your favorite symbol of Easter and why? 46

47 If you could summarize the significance of Easter in 3 words, which ones would you choose? Explain. 47

48 Many people get baptized at Easter. Write a letter welcoming all the newly baptized into the Church. If you know someone who has just been baptized, you can share your letter with them. 48

49 One thing I enjoy about the Easter season is 49

50 My favorite Easter memory is 50

51 You are talking to St. Peter. What do you want to ask him about his experience of Jesus Passion, Death and Resurrection, and why? 51

52 Easter is a season to 52

53 Why is Easter special to you? 53

54 We cannot have Easter without the cross because 54

55 The most important Easter lesson I ve learned is 55

56 Lent helped me prepare for Easter by 56

57 How has your understanding of Easter grown since 3 years ago? 57

58 Imagine that you were alive at the time of the Resurrection. Describe the day. Include sensory descriptions - what do you think you would have seen, heard, felt, smelt and tasted? You can do some research before responding. 58

59 After his Resurrection, Jesus told his disciples to spread the Good News to all the earth. What are some things you can do to share the Good News? 59

60 If you could talk to ONE person who was alive at the time of Jesus Resurrection, who would you choose and why? What would you talk with them about? 60

61 The Easter season is ending, but the joy of the Resurrection never ends. What are some things in daily life that can remind you of this joy? 61

62 Notes/Reflections 62

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66 40 Days of Easter A Journal and Activity Book By: Ellen Mady 66