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John 18:12-20:23 (supporting: John 16, Matthew 26)
This week, we celebrate the most important event in all of history. Easter is the day we celebrate that Jesus is alive! After Jesus died, they placed His body in a tomb with a huge rock rolled over the entrance. When Jesus’ friends went to the tomb on Sunday, they found the stone rolled away and an empty tomb. Jesus wasn’t there because Jesus rose again!
We celebrate Easter because Jesus conquered the grave and is alive. Because of what He did for you and for me, we can have a relationship with God forever.
Traditions
What is your favorite Easter tradition? Do you hunt for Easter eggs, gather with family for a big
meal, or try your best not to eat all that chocolate bunny in one sitting? Easter candy and family
meals are awesome but the real reason we celebrate is because of what Jesus has done! At your next family meal, read Matthew 28:5-6 aloud and then spend some time talking about why Easter is important to you!
On the Sunday morning after Jesus died, Mary went to the tomb. We can imagine that she felt sad and hopeless. Jesus, her teacher and friend, had died.
And when she saw that empty tomb, she must have been so confused. Where had they taken Jesus’ body? But then Jesus appeared to her – ALIVE! His death wasn’t the end. Her sadness was replaced with joy.
We celebrate Easter because Jesus rose again! Did you catch the very last part of today’s verse? Mary told the disciples what she had seen and heard. Pray and ask God to help you celebrate by telling others about what Jesus has done for you!
When we think about freedom, sometimes we think about a life without rules. Jesus didn’t see things that way. He gave up control, allowed those people to arrest, convict, and crucify Him so that you could be free. At any moment, Jesus could have called down an army of angels to rescue him. But He didn’t. Jesus humbled himself so that we could experience real life.
The best way we can celebrate that freedom is by choosing to follow Jesus every day. When we follow Jesus and share His love with others, we can lead them to know Jesus too!
Fill in every other word of the verse. Then read it aloud and say “THANK YOU” to God for the freedom you have through what Jesus has done.
“_____________ have _____________set _____________ because _____________what _____________has _____________ . Because_____________ bled _____________ died _____________ sins _____________ been _____________. We _____________ been _____________ free _____________ God’s _____________ is _____________ rich.
Ephesians 1:7, NIrV
When someone puts you first, helps you, encourages you, and loves you completely, doesn’t it make you want to put them first, encourage, and love them right back?
Jesus did that for us! He died on the cross for us. Instead of living lives for ourselves, as followers of Jesus, we should live like He did. We should treat others the way we want to be treated.
The best way to celebrate and show our gratitude for what Jesus has done is by choosing to follow Him and show His love to others. We can do that when we put others first.
Write down the name of someone you can put first! How will you do that? Make a plan to share Jesus’ love with that person today.
As your kid starts their day, tell them something specific you love about them.
At a meal, have everyone at the table answer this question: “What can we do to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection? What is something new we can do or continue to do?”
While on the go, ask your kid: “What is your favorite way to celebrate something really good happening?”
Pray for each other: “Help us to never forget what Jesus did for us through the cross and the resurrection. May we remember Your love for us is huge, and there is nothing that You can’t do.”
