February 22
Hey Everyone!
This week your kids are starting to get ready for the hearing of the Easter story on March 24th. Instead of starting at the beginning of the Easter story, we're starting with the telling of John 11 (Lazarus is raised from the dead). The story of Lazarus gives us a glimpse of not only Christ's power, but of Christ's death and resurrection too. So for the next month we are going to start at Lazarus' resurrection and end at Christ's resurrection. It could not be a more appropriate beginning.
Because our kids are such "black and white" thinkers it's hard to explain things like someone being raised from the dead, and have them actually "get it." So I've researched a few resources/ideas to help you out, and I'm giving them to you now in case you want to get ready for Easter a little early. Imagine how it would help your kids to spend a little extra time talking about the single most important Truth in the world...Christ's Resurrection!
Early Elementary ideas:
Use this activity to help your kids understand that Christ's resurrection means that we can have eternal life!
Lay a skein of yarn on a table and pull 2 inches of yarn from one end. Ask your child to slowly pull on this piece, and when she has pulled out about an arm's length of yarn, snip it off with scissors. Tell your kids that this piece of yarn has a beginning and an end, just like our lives here on earth.Take the snipped piece of yarn and tie it back onto the skein, explaining that, through Christ, we are free to live with God forever. When Jesus died and rose again, He gave us eternal life. Although our time on earth will come to an end, our life with God will go on and on forever. Celebrate the power of the Resurrection by allowing your kids to pull freely on the piece of yarn and run with it as it unravels from the skein. Let them run out of the room! Up the stairs! Pray together, thanking God for sending His Son and welcoming us into eternal life with Him.
-Vance Fry
Lay a skein of yarn on a table and pull 2 inches of yarn from one end. Ask your child to slowly pull on this piece, and when she has pulled out about an arm's length of yarn, snip it off with scissors. Tell your kids that this piece of yarn has a beginning and an end, just like our lives here on earth.Take the snipped piece of yarn and tie it back onto the skein, explaining that, through Christ, we are free to live with God forever. When Jesus died and rose again, He gave us eternal life. Although our time on earth will come to an end, our life with God will go on and on forever. Celebrate the power of the Resurrection by allowing your kids to pull freely on the piece of yarn and run with it as it unravels from the skein. Let them run out of the room! Up the stairs! Pray together, thanking God for sending His Son and welcoming us into eternal life with Him.
-Vance Fry
Here's another idea, put on an old, white T-shirt. Then discuss what sin is by asking your child to share some examples, such as lying or envy. Invite them to use permanent markers to write their examples on the shirt. Explain that our sins create a divide in our relationship with God and keep us from experiencing His love. To be reconciled with God, we need to get rid of the sin that separates us. Ask for ideas on how to remove the marker stains from the shirt. If the kids suggest washing it, try scrubbing it in the sink. Let them see that the stains are permanent. Also note how the "sins"can't be hidden, even if the shirt is turned inside out.Ask: "If we can't remove our own sin, who can help us?"Guide your child toward understanding that only Jesus, through His death and resurrection, has the power to get rid of our sins. Take the old, dirty shirt and place it in a trash bag near a Bible or a cross, where you've also set a new, clean white shirt. As you put on the clean shirt, talk about how Christ takes away our sin and gives us His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).
-Jeannie Vogel
Older Elementary ideas:
Below are a couple of good resources to start the discussion with your kids about whether Jesus' resurrection was real. These 2 resources are very in depth, which I believe your 4th-5th graders can handle. Don't sell them short or be intimidated to ask questions alongside them. When in doubt say, "I don't know, but I can find out the answer." Then go find the answer out by doing your own reading, talking with a trusted teacher/friend, or emailing me.
A very interactive app...I love this app: Resurrection iWitness (it's all about the resurrection's historical accuracy)
This book covers the same topics as the app above. It covers them in a traditional book format: The Case for Christ for Kids
The details for Kidstuf this week are:
Scripture: John 11:1-44
Memory Verse: "What is impossible for people is possible with God." - Luke 18:27
Prayer for the Nations: USA
Please let me know if there is any way I can serve and help your family!
Jared Norris
Children's Minister
The Glade Church
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