Inspire

More than Easter Eggs

I think the first thing to realize about attempting to explain Easter to a child is the fact that there is no human alive that adequately understands and can explain every aspect of Easter. Simply put, no one has all the answers. Easter is just bigger than our human minds can fully comprehend. Think about it ... The cross? The tomb? Christ coming back from the dead? We simply have to apply faith to the parts that we can't explain, knowing that the reality of God's redemptive plan isn't hinged on our complete understanding.
To further add to the equation, the basic Easter facts related to Christ's death alone are difficult for children to grasp, especially if the child is younger. Face it, even though most children are exposed to death in some way during childhood (a grandparent or even a pet), they have a difficult time understanding the reality and finality of this greatest loss. Children will often attend funerals and ask when the departed will come back or how long they will be gone. Now add to the mix the complicated and even graphic way the Jesus died, and it is easier to see why it is probably best to use a basic guideline for communicating the entire Easter account to children ... the younger the child, the more basic (and less graphic) the information.
Another key thing to remember is that when children can't fully understand an issue or aren't given all the facts, they most likely will consider and lean on the source of that information (parent, teacher, etc.) as a way to "fill in the gaps". For instance, if the communicator is upbeat and is someone that child can trust, then the child will most likely lean on the emotion and stability they can see, instead of continue to pursue that which they don't know or can't understand (at that time). Wow, isn't that a beautiful picture of our faith in Christ anyway? As adults, when we don't understand our circumstances, we can simply trust our Savior to be there for us at all times and still trust, even though we don't have all the answers.
Now concerning the beautiful Easter account from scripture, there is not in life a more beautiful picture of sacrifice, redemption and victory! Using a version adding detail contingent upon the chronological and developmental age of the child, discuss Palm Sunday, the rejection of Christ, the last days before the cross and His ultimate sacrifice there for us. Conclude with the glory of Easter Sunday morning, how the fact that Jesus' resurrection not only elated his friends and followers on that day, but that this is what our faith is built on, how we can have life through Him today!
There are several teaching aids I have used over the years to illustrate the resurrection. These include teaching with resurrection eggs and also baking special "resurrection cookies' which actually when baked are hollow inside (representing the empty tomb). Parents can easily find the resurrection eggs, as they are a common product sold both locally and online. I have included the directions on how to make the "resurrection cookies" below.

RESURRECTION COOKIES
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 cup sugar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
wooden spoon
zip lock bag
tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300F. Place pecans in zip lock bag and let the children beat the pecans with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman Soldiers.
Read: John 19:1-3
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put one teaspoon of vinegar into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.
Read: John 19:29-30
Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us eternal life.
Read John 10:10-11

Sprinkle a little salt in each child's hand. Let them taste it and put a pinch into the bowl.
Explain this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers and the bitterness of our own sins.
Read Luke 23:7
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and and belong to him.
Read: John 3:16 and Psalms 34:8
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color of white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sin have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3
Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheets.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read Matthew 27:57-60
Put the cookies in the oven, close the door and TURN OFF THE OVEN. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.
Read Matthew 27:65-66
Explain that they might feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22
On Easter morning open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. Inside the cookie you'll find a small hollow hole.
Explain that on the Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matthew 28:1-9
HE IS RISEN!

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