MARCH 2018 What ls Easter? 226Parenting.com
What ls Easter? MORNING PRAYERS PAGES 6-7 INTRODUCTION PAGES 3-5 DRIVE-TIME GAMES PAGES 8-9 DINNERTIME STORIES PAGES 10-11 BEDTIME QUESTIONS PAGE 12 WEEKLY BIBLE STORY & MEMORY VERSE PAGE 13
What ls Easter? Simply put, Easter is about life. For believers, Easter is a celebration of the resurrected life of Christ from the grave. Explaining Easter to children, though, is not easy. Especially for preschoolers and young kids, the abstract understanding of life and death is difficult for their concrete minds to grasp. That s why, as mentioned in the coaching video, we want to encourage you to do at least one, if not both, activities this month. Butterfly Activity: Purchase a caterpillar kit online. You can use the link in the recommended resource list below or find your own. Use the online article below for an understanding of how to use the caterpillar s process of turning into a chrysalis (the tomb) and coming alive again as a butterfly to explain the death and resurrection of Jesus to your kids. We include different questions and stories throughout the month to use this activity as a conversation starter with your kids. Resurrection Eggs: Purchase a set of Resurrection Eggs at the link provided below. The instructions are included. There are 12 lessons with a concrete symbol for each part of the Easter story to help our kids understand the events leading up to Jesus death on the cross and subsequent resurrection. We also include verses and prompts so you can use dinner time to talk about the eggs. Finally, as a parent, consider dying to or fasting from something in the weeks leading up to Easter Sunday. It s a great way to talk to your kids concretely about something in your life that hinders you from being fully alive in your relationship with Christ. Dr. Josh + Christi 3
What ls Easter? FOR MOM In the video this month Josh talked about the passage in Philippians 3:10-11. Paul writes that his goal is to know him and the power of His Resurrection (CSB). I (Christi) am no Greek scholar by any stretch of the imagination, but when I learned about the level of intimacy that the Greek word know (ginosko) in this passage has, I was convicted. I had to inventory my own relationship with God. To really know somebody, you have to spend time with that person. You also have to listen to them. Learn about them. And, as ginosko means, become fully known and understood. I don t know about you, but becoming fully known can feel quite scary. When we moved to Nashville, it took me awhile to find friends. One day, I made one of the bravest decisions of my life seriously. I invited other random women into my home women I had met at the park, church, or even at the gym. What I realized is that so many other women simply wanted to be invited and known. This month, let s get to know Jesus as moms in ways we haven t before. I m not talking know about Jesus. I m talking know (ginosko) Jesus. I ve been waking up at 6 a.m. each day to meet with Jesus, an hour before our kids come out of their rooms. Nothing has been as life-changing for me as a momma. Find what works for you. Whatever it is, ruthlessly eliminate anything in your life except your kids, of course preventing you from knowing Jesus intimately. FOR DAD I (Josh) love reading corny church signs. There s one I drove by a few years ago sitting along a country road that will forever remain etched into my mind. Expecting something corny, as usual, I was struck by its quite personal provocation. It read: Why did Jesus die for you? It was as if the word you jumped off the sign and into my passenger s seat. My initial reaction was to answer it with a pat Sunday School answer. Fortunately, I haven t stopped answering the question since then. God has this way of periodically revealing to me why Jesus died for me. I want to encourage you, each day this month, to reflect on this question for you. As you do, consider your role in growing deeper in your relationship with Jesus. What, in turn, do you need to die to this month to grow in Him? Consider dying to something that hinders your relationship with Jesus. Perhaps you fast from certain foods, screens, or even attitudes. You can even fast from 30 minutes of sleep in the morning to wake up and pray. I have found fasting and growing in relationship with Jesus to be much more fruitful when I consider what He gave up for me and why. Lead the way for your family this month as you show them what it means to come alive through death. 4
What ls Easter? FOR COUPLES God the Father uses marriage to describe His relationship to the Israelites. Jesus then comes to earth as fully man and declares His deity by describing us as the bride and Himself as the Bridegroom. In doing so, Jesus calls out the spiritual significance of your relationship with your spouse. His death for you and the new life that resurrects from it apply in no better place than in your marriage. When you choose to die to yourself for the sake of your spouse (which never feels good in the moment), the experiences and memories that come from it can breathe new life into your marriage. This month, choose one thing you ll die to for the sake of your spouse. Though you don t like Italian food that much, you choose it for date night. Maybe you give your spouse a foot massage. For more ways to do this together this month, see the article in the recommended resources below called How I m Dying in My Marriage, and Why That s a Good Thing. 5
MORNING PRAYERS 01 For your children to pray these prayers, simply change the pronouns from my children for the parent to me for the child, respectively. Father, like the woman with the alabaster jar of expensive perfume, give my children the faith, trust, and insight to anoint Jesus and give their all to Him (Mark 14:3,9). 02 03 Gracious Lord, I summon your angels to protect my child s heart from ever betraying the Lord and giving in to the pressures of man or money (Mark 14:44). Holy Spirit, as my children grow, convict their hearts of the things that keep them from being fully alive in You and knowing You intimately (Phil. 1:21). 04 05 Dear Lord, help my children learn what it means to die to self, and give me wisdom for showing them what that looks like each day (Rom. 6:6; Gal. 5:24). Lord Jesus, just as You washed the feet of the disciples, I pray my children will grow to be servant leaders, never with an attitude above that of the washing of feet (John 13:16-17). 06 07 Father, may my children learn to receive anyone You send, knowing they are also receiving You (John 13:20). Heavenly Father, I pray my children learn to forgive as Jesus forgives and that they learn to forgive those who persecute them (Luke 23:34). 6
MORNING PRAYERS 08 10 As our children mature, I pray they learn to take up their crosses and follow You, Lord Jesus (Matt. 16:24). 09 11 Father, because Jesus conquered death on the cross, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. Help my children learn to walk in His authority and declare it for their lives in Jesus name (Matt. 28:18). Lord Jesus, give my children the calling on their hearts to go and make disciples (Matt. 28:19-20). Father, help my children place their full trust in Jesus and be baptized into newness of life (Rom. 6:4). 12 As our children become united with Jesus in the likeness of His death, may they certainly grow to be also in the likeness of His resurrection (Rom. 6:5). 13 Father, may my children have such a great joy like that of the disciples after seeing the risen Jesus taken back home to heaven. Instill such joy in my own kids as they learn about what You have done for them (Luke 24:52). 14 15 God, I want my children to be truly alive in You! Help them to realize the life they have in and through You and to be alive to You in Christ Jesus (Rom. 6:11). Lord Jesus, I pray today that my children will offer all of themselves to You as weapons for righteousness (Rom. 6:13). 7
DRIVE-TIME GAMES Each month we provide a list of games related to that month s mile-marker. Simply choose the ones you enjoy as a family and play them often. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross As you drive, look out for a cross. Count how many crosses you can find either as a team, or make it a game and keep points. Count two points for an actual cross on a church or side of the road and one point for something that looks like a cross (i.e. a broken fence post). Serving Well The foot washing of Maundy Thursday is a humbling act. Take time to schedule a foot washing in your home. Tie a towel around your waist as Jesus did in John 13. Help your children understand Jesus desire for us to serve the way He served. Use drive time to talk about ways you can serve others. Come up with a bucket list of 2-3 ways you can serve your neighbors, family, church family, or community leading up to Easter. Use drive time to plan your family service days. 8
DRIVE-TIME GAMES A Family Poem Spend drive time writing a poem about Jesus death and resurrection. Make it a family poem you can have as a keepsake. Spend the time in the car throughout the month of March putting together the poem as a family. Then, on Easter morning, recite the poem. Another fun option is having it framed on your wall. Twenty Easter Questions One person thinks of something or someone that has to do with the Easter story (i.e. palm branches, a cross, Peter, Judas, a tomb, etc.). Everyone else in the car takes turns asking yes or no questions, like Is it round? or Was it made of wood? Once 20 questions have been asked, each person takes a turn guessing what it is. Pray. Use drive time to pray for those in need of love this month. Ask your kids to share who they want to pray for as well. 9
DINNERTIME STORIES 01 02 Tell your kids about Easter traditions you had growing up. Do you have a specific memory or tradition that really stands out? Everyone takes a turn answering the following two prompts: Tell me what you know about Jesus. 05 Tell your children a story about a family member who died, but who knew Jesus, and is now with Him in heaven. Explain the hope you have in the new heaven and the new earth. Use the butterfly illustration to show how we ll all come alive with resurrected bodies on the new earth, even with our loved ones. What does He mean to you? 03 04 During dinnertime this month, use the Resurrection Eggs to discuss the story each of the 12 symbols and how they relate to the Easter story. Whether you use the eggs or not, you can use dinnertime this month to tell your children developmentally and as concretely as possible the story of Jesus dying on the cross. We have included each of the passages relevant to their respective stories. Read the passages ahead of time so you can clearly communicate the narrative to your children. 06 Purchase the caterpillars and watch them become butterflies. Use each evening at dinner to discuss what your children see. How is it changing? What are they most looking forward to? Are they sad about anything right now? Use this article in the recommend resources below to give you ideas on how to discuss the process and compare it with the burial and resurrection of Jesus. 10
DINNERTIME STORIES 07 Answer any questions they have about the resurrection story. Don t discuss it all in one night. Take time to discuss each of the following and do so on different nights to spend time helping them learn the various parts of the story leading up to Easter. The Last Supper (Matt. 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:14-23; John 13:31-35) Jesus washed the feet of the disciples (John 13:1-20) The woman who anointed Him with all she had (Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-11) Judas betrayal (Matt. 26:14-25; 47-56; Mark 14:17-21; 43-52; Luke 22:1-6; 47-53; John 13:21-30; 18:1-11) Peter s denial and restoration after the resurrection (Matt. 26:31-35; 69-75; Mark 14:27-31; 66-72; Luke 22:31-34; 54-62; John 13:36-38; John 21:15-19) The triumphal entry (John 12:12-36) The Garden of Gethsemane (Matt. 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46) The two thieves (Matt. 27:32-44; Mark 15:20-32; Luke 23:32-43) Jesus before the Sanhedrin (Matt. 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; Luke 22:66-71) The death of Jesus and the Roman solider who believed (Matt. 27:45-56; Mark 15:33-41; Luke 23:44-49; John 19:16-37) How Jesus was buried and the tomb guarded (Matt. 27:57-66; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42) Those who saw Him alive after He rose from the dead (Matt. 28:1-10; 16-20; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21:1-14) 11
BEDTIME QUESTIONS What is one thing you don t What is one thing you ve 01 understand about Jesus? 08 been worried about lately? 02 03 In your own words, what is Easter? Describe what it means to be dead. What feelings do you have when you think about death? (Instead of closing the day with your child with a conversation about death, find a way to close this conversation by pointing to the fact that Jesus conquered death, and that when we trust in Him, we get to go to heaven). 09 10 11 When you feel alone or afraid, what helps make you feel safe and comforted? In the Easter story, Jesus goes back to heaven. Tell me what you think heaven is like. What questions do you have about heaven? 04 What is one behavior you have a hard time giving up (picking on my sister, complaining, not being grateful, disobeying my parents, etc.)? How can I help you pick one behavior to die to this month? 12 The disciples had great joy after seeing Jesus alive again. What gives you great joy? How do you express your feelings of great joy (i.e. dancing, laughing, singing, etc.)? 05 Describe what it means to be alive. What feelings do you have when you think about being alive? 13 If there is one thing we can do together as a family this weekend to tell others about Jesus or show others who He is, what could we do together? 06 What is your favorite part about Easter? 14 When you think about Jesus, describe what comes to your mind. 07 What would you like to do this Easter to celebrate that Jesus is alive? (Perhaps it becomes a new family tradition.) 15 When you think about Jesus, how does it make you feel inside? 12
WEEKLY BIBLE STORY & MEMORY VERSE WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 THE LAST SUPPER JOHN 13-14; MARK 14:3-31 THE CRUCIFIXION MATTHEW 27; MARK 15; LUKE 23; JOHN 19 THE RESURRECTION MATTHEW 28:1-10; MARK 16:1-8; LUKE 24:1-12; JOHN 20:1-10 THE ASCENSION JESUS RETURNS HOME MATTHEW 28:16-20; MARK 16:9-20; LUKE 24:36-53 Memory verse: By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35, CSB Memory verse: When the centurion, who was standing opposite him, saw the way he breathed his last, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God! Mark 15:39, CSB Memory verse: He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Matthew 28:6a, CSB Memory verse: Go, therefore, and make disciples And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19a, 20b, CSB Recommended Resources Downtown church uses butterflies to teach kids about Resurrection. King, Danae. (2017, April 16). Columbus Dispatch. How I m Dying in My Marriage, and Why That s a Good Thing by Joshua Straub. Caterpillar Kit Resurrection Eggs