Easter

Memory Verse

“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Monday-The Triumphal Entry

  • Pray.
  • Practice the memory verse.
  • Read Matthew 21:1-11.
  • Talk about it.
    • Why did the people spread their coats and branches on the road?
      • The crowd that was with Jesus recognized that He was the the Messiah-the One they had been waiting for to deliver them. They had seen the miracles He had done and had listened to His teachings. They recognized His claim to be King, so they showed honor to him by laying their coats and branches on the ground before Him.
    • The people in the crowd were shouting, “Hosanna!” Do you know what Hosanna means?
      • Hosanna means “save us” or “give salvation now”.
    • We will see as this week goes on, that even though so many people wanted Jesus to save them, most didn’t understand what He came to save them from. They wanted a someone to meet their physical needs and save them from Roman oppression. Jesus came to meet our spiritual needs and to save us from our sin.
  • Song Ideas

Tuesday-Jesus Cleans Out the Temple

  • Pray.
  • Practice the memory verse.
  • Read Matthew 21:12-17.
  • Talk about it.
    • What happened at the temple that day?
    • Why did Jesus overturn the tables and drive out all of those people from them temple?
    • What made the temple such a sacred place?
      • The temple was the house of God (1 Kings 5:5). God’s presence was in the temple. Jesus reprimanded the people because God had intended His house to be a house of prayer and sacrifice (2 Chronicles 7:12, 14-16, Isaiah 56:7), but the people had disobeyed God and had made the temple a place of business which showed their irreverence and lack of respect for not only the temple, but for God Himself. Worship couldn’t happen the way God intended because of the greediness and that was taking place (Jeremiah 7:11).
    • We think of the temple as being like church, right? How should we behave when we go to church? What should our focus be on while we are at church?
    • But the church is only a building. The temple was where God dwelt. His presence was there.
    • Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 to see what God says about where the temple is.
      • For those of us who have trusted in Jesus to be our Savior and Lord, God’s presence is with us-The Holy Spirit. That means that our bodies are a temple because God’s presence is in us!
      • If we are a temple, how should we live? How should we treat our bodies? What should we allow into our bodies? (What do we watch? What do we read, What/whom do we listen to? How do we spend our time?) How can we use our bodies to worship God?
      • Jesus paid the highest price to save us when He died on the cross for us, so God tells us to glorify Him (represent Him/make Him known) in our bodies.
    • What is God wanting you to remember from what we read today?
  • Song
    • “My Heart Your Home” by Watermark

Wednesday-Jesus Teaches About What Will Happen

  • Pray.
  • Practice the memory verse.
  • Read John 12:20-26.
    • How does dead grain bear much fruit, and how does that relate to Jesus dying on the cross?
  • Read John 12:27-34.
    • Can you imagine being in the crowd that Jesus was speaking to and hearing a voice from Heaven? How do you think you would react?
  • Read John 12:35, 44-46.
    • What word stands out to you in these verses?
    • Who is the Light that Jesus is speaking about? (John 8:12)
    • Jesus said that “He who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.” How are you believing in Jesus today?
  • Song
    • “Here I am to Worship”

Thursday-The Last Supper

  • Pray.
  • Practice the memory verse.
  • Before you read, encourage your children to be listening for what we read about Jesus and to picture in their heads all that happened at dinner on this night.
  • Read John 13:1-38.
  • Read Matthew 26:26-29.
  • Talk about it.
    • What can you tell me about Jesus on the night of the last supper?
      • How did He treat His disciples?
      • What example did He give us to follow? (John 13:14-15)
      • How did Jesus treat Judas?
      • Did Jesus give any commands to follow? (John 13:34)
      • What was Jesus telling His disciples when He gave them the bread and the cup?
      • What will you remember about Jesus today?
  • Song
    • “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”

Friday-Jesus is Arrested and Crucified

  • Pray.
  • Practice the memory verse.
  • Have your kids recall the events that took place at the Last Supper. Our story today continues where we left off yesterday.
  • Read Matthew 26:36-27:61.
  • Talk about it.
    • What stands out to you about Jesus?
    • Is there anything in what we read today that you have never noticed before?
    • What words come to your mind today that describe Jesus?
    • How will you worship Jesus? Why does He deserve our worship?
  • Pray. Thank Him and praise Him for all He endured for our sake.
  • Songs
    • “The Power of the Cross” by Keith and Kristyn Getty
    • “My Jesus I Love Thee”
    • “Jesus Paid It All”

Saturday

  • Coloring Easter Eggs

Sunday-Jesus Rose from the Dead!

  • Pray.
  • Say the memory verse.
  • Read Matthew 28:1-10.
  • Talk about it and celebrate!
    • Jesus is alive. Death is no match for our Savior (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). He died to forgive us of our sins, and He rose to give us new life with Him (Romans 6:4)! He told the women who came to see Him, “Do not be afraid.” We can have confidence knowing that Jesus is in control (Matthew 28:18). When we put Him on the throne and make Him our Boss, we can live with peace (John 14:27) and without fear because we know that He will do as He says He will do (1 Thessalonians 5:24). He is Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11).