Dear Friends,
I hope that this Easter week is a special one, and that these days leading up to Resurrection Sunday are filled with a renewed wonder at just how good the Lord really is!
During 2020, I put together some simple devotionals for families of our church to do together in the days leading up to Easter. (Note: They do not cover, or even attempt to cover, all of the events leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus.) They are simple but I hope your family enjoys them together! (Don’t feel pressured to do them all! Instead, pick and choose what best fits your family and the time you have.)
READING ONE:
Read: Mark 11:15-18
Note: This reading can be startling because it seems to be a moment of uncontrolled anger. However, Jesus may have been angry, but He hadn’t lost His temper! He had already been in Jerusalem and knew what was happening. When He took this action He did so because He was seeking to protect people from the exploitation of the religious leaders. His desire is, and always has always been, to remove the obstacles that separate people from entering into true worship and prayer–and true relationship with His Father. So, the best way to apply this reading may be to simply ask the question if there is anything that is getting in the way of your family (together or individually) spending time in connection with the Lord. If there is, remove whatever the obstacle is! (I suggest not using the same methods Jesus used in this passage though!) 😉 Then, commit to spending a short time together in prayer each day this week.
Optional Activities:
1. In the days of Jesus, the temple played an important part of worship for the Jewish people. Today, we have the joy of being able to worship Jesus in a different way. So, throw a family worship party! Some suggestions: put on some music and dance before the Lord; try painting or drawing as an act of worship; praise the Lord with your words during a time of prayer, etc.
2. Do some coin rubbings. This is a simple activity that you should have all the supplies for easily on hand. Find a variety of coins, some paper, and some crayons or pencils. Put the coins under the paper and rub the crayons back and forth over it until the image of the coin appears. As you do this, ask your kids why they think Jesus was so angry and the moneychangers. (They were exploiting people and interfering with their ability to worship God. They were being greedy. They were misusing God’s House.)
3. Look up the what the temple looked like in the day of Jesus. (You should be able to find this with a simple internet search.)
4. And, just for some fun that isn’t directly related to the lesson:Here is a Paper Doll Coloring Page created by my daughter, Eliana. Color, cut out, and have fun getting her dressed up for Easter!
READING TWO:
Read Mark 11:20-26
Discussion Questions:
1. What does Jesus command in this passage? (To have faith in God.)
2. According to this passage, what is the result? (That you will be able to pray without doubt.)
3. This passage also talks about forgiveness. How important is it to forgive?
4. How do you think faith is connected to forgiveness? (For example: we receive forgiveness through faith. Since we have received such great forgiveness for the Lord, how could we not forgive others?)
6. Can you think of a time you were forgiven by someone? Or, can you think of a time when you’ve had to forgive someone? How did it feel?
*This would be a perfect opportunity to take some time to release forgiveness over others as needed, as well as to receive forgiveness.
Optional Activities:
1. Taste test: Find an assortment of both sweet and bitter foods to taste test. Have some fun tasting them, and point out that not only do we need to forgive because the Lord commands it, but unforgiveness is bitter. It will make us sick if it stays inside of us too long. But, giving forgiveness freely is sweet. To take this lesson a little further, have fun making some spring themed sugar cookies.
2. Prayers of Faith: Find a jar or a box and some notecards or small pieces of paper. Have each person write down a prayer request that they have. (They don’t need to share it with anyone else.) As a family, prayer over the requests. Keep the jar over the next year & whenever a prayer is answered, make sure to keep track of that, too!
3. Here is a fun Bunny Coloring Page. Do your best to find the five eggs that are hidden in it!
READING THREE:
Read Mark 12:41-44.
This time of year, when we remember all that Jesus has given to us, it is important to take some time to consider our attitude in return. After all, how can we, who have received so much, not be generous in response?
Discussion Questions:
1. What is your most valuable possession? Is it easy or difficult to share? How about your favorite dessert? Is that easy or hard to share? What is something you have a difficult time sharing?
2. Is it easier to share with your friends than with a stranger? Why/why not?
3. The Lord is very generous with His kids. Why do you think that is?
4. What might make it easier for you to share with others?
5. What is something of value that you can offer God?
Optional Activities:
1. Brainstorm ways your family can practice generosity towards others. Then make a plan for putting one or two of those ideas into practice.
2. Practice Secret Generosity. Over the rest of this week, each person in your family should look for ways to be secretly kind and generous to one another. Then, at the end of the week, talk about the experience. Even without sharing specifics (although that is okay, too), discuss the impact on your home. How did it feel to do kind things for others? Was there a difference in the atmosphere in your home? Encourage your family to make this a normal practice.
3. Spend some time in prayer thanking the Lord for His generosity towards you. Be specific. Make a list and post it someplace you can see it to remind yourself everyday to be thankful.
4. Make one of the favorite desserts mentioned during the discussion questions as a special treat. Make an extra to deliver (while keeping your distance!) to a neighbor or friend.
READING FOUR:
Read John 13-14.
Note: If you have smaller children, you may want to only read John 13:1-30. After you read through the last supper that Jesus had with His disciples, the best activity I can suggest is to actually take communion as a family. Click here to watch a video to help walk you through this process, then gather the needed elements (and your family!) and do as Jesus commanded.
READING FIVE:
Read John 20-21
The reading today is all about the resurrection of Jesus! If your children have never prayed to receive Christ, this is the perfect opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus with therm. After today’s reading, simply ask your children if they understand why the death and resurrection of Jesus is so important. Explain that because Jesus died and rose again, those who believe in Him and receive Him as their Savior have the opportunity to live with Him forever in heaven someday, and also walk with Him here on earth! You can ask if they have ever asked Jesus into their hearts / if they have ever accepted Jesus death and resurrection as payment for their sins and made Him their personal Lord and Savior. If they haven’t, and would like to, simply lead them in a prayer like this: “Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross as payment for my sins. I believe in you and receive you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for coming into my heart and giving me life now and in eternity. Help me to walk with you and learn your ways. Amen.” If your children pray this prayer, make sure to celebrate big!
Optional Activities:
1. Jesus is ALIVE! So, celebrate with a time of prayer/worship. Thank Jesus for the cross and all that He has brought into your lives. Let the joy of that fill your hearts and homes with excitement as you celebrate together.
2. Here are some coloring sheets of the cross (from which Jesus has risen!!) Cross_Coloring_Page Cross_Coloring_Page 2
Cross_Coloring_Page 3
3. Play pin the tail on the bunny. Here is a template to use: Pin_The_Tail_On_The_Bunny_ 2.
4. Celebrate the empty tomb! First, colorJesus’s_Tomb. Then, color and cut out Jesus’s_Tomb 2 (including the “arm”). Finally, cut on the dotted line on the coloring page and slide the “arm” of the rock into the slit on the coloring page. Now you can open the tomb and celebrate that it is empty!
5. Color the Easter Eggs: Easter_Egg Coloring Sheet 1 Easter_Eggs 2 Easter_Eggs 3