How To Teach Your Kids About Easter

Matt Wright

Matt Wright

Kkids Creative Programmer

There is a ton of fun to be had in our culture during Easter, and that always makes it special; but for Jesus-followers, Easter should mean more than chocolate bunnies, fluffy bunnies, jelly beans, and brightly colored eggs.

This is the time when we remember and celebrate the most world-changing event in all of history: the resurrection of Jesus.

The resurrection of Jesus has been the focus of Christian preaching and teaching for nearly 2,000 years now, and for good reason. The book of Acts gives an account of what happened with the first Jesus followers once they had seen the living and risen Jesus. You can find a reference to Jesus being raised from the dead in almost every single chapter. Every time they are speaking to a group of people, it is to testify that Jesus is no longer dead, but risen and alive.

The early church used the first Easter as the foundation for faith, and the great writer/missionary/church-planter Paul went as far as to say that if the resurrection of Jesus is a lie, then “your faith is useless” (1 Corinthians 15:14) and Christians are “more to be pitied than anyone in the world” for buying into a lie (1 Corinthians 15:19).

But thank God it isn’t! Jesus is alive, and because of that we know that nothing at all can separate us from God’s love. Easter means that sin is forgiven, death has been beaten, and our hope for life with God forever is sure. This is Good News!

If there was only one story you could tell your kids from the Bible, it should be this one. But again, if your family is anything like mine, it’s hard not to let that story get swallowed up by everything else that comes along with Easter. The struggle is real! If you find yourself in the same boat as me this year, here are three things I’m planning to do to keep the real reason for Easter fresh in the mind of my daughter.

1. Read the story for yourself, whether it’s for the first time or fiftieth.

When we pass along the foundations of faith to our kids, what we’re doing is called ‘discipleship.’ And any good leader will tell you that you can’t lead someone well if you haven’t ever been where you want them to go. As parents who want our kids to know and love Jesus, we have to make sure our own relationship with God is a top priority. Spend some time reading the Easter story for yourself each day, (and let your kids see you doing it if you can.) It doesn’t seem to matter how many times I’ve read it, there is always something that pops out to me as if it were brand new. Personally, I love reading through Luke’s account because he lays everything out very clearly and with great detail. Start with Jesus’ triumphal entry in to Jerusalem (Luke 19:38) and go from there. This way it will all be fresh in your mind as you think about going into the next two steps.

2. Tell the story “as you are going.”

In the Old Testament, God told the Jewish people to teach their kids of the things God had done for them any chance they got (Deuteronomy 12:19). These were the foundational pieces of their faith, just like the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of ours. We don’t have to wait for the calendar to officially tick over to Easter Sunday to start the story, and there are probably at least a few key times in your daily routine where you have a somewhat-captive audience: driving to or from school, sports practices, during breakfast, dinner time, or bedtime. Take advantage of those 10- to 20-minute windows and tell the Easter story in bite-size pieces. Use a kids’ storybook Bible or, better yet, your own re-telling of some of the key scenes like Jesus’ last supper with the disciples, the prayer in the Garden before his arrest, his words from the cross, and of course the shock of his followers when they finally realized Jesus is alive!

3. Tap into their sense of wonder.

The last week that Jesus spent on earth before Easter is filled with drama and emotion, and I think you’ll be surprised just how quickly they can get caught up in it along the way. As you see this happening, stay in that moment with them and engage them with questions that are designed to put them right into the story. Ask them: How would you feel if…? What do you think you would have done if…? Every person that shows up in the Easter story is an opportunity to tap into a child’s natural curiosity, so don’t miss it!

Kkids at Kensington
All of this can still feel overwhelming, but don’t worry: you are not alone! I know I need a whole team of people pouring into my daughter and showing her God’s love alongside me, because we were created for community. If you need community for your family as well, now is the perfect time to find it! And if you have children between birth and fifth grade, our Kkids program is ready to welcome your little ones while you enjoy service. Learn more about our kids programming at kensingtonchurch.org/kids.

Get your free tickets for our Easter services at kensingtonchurch.org/easter.

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You don’t have to go through the pain and stress of divorce or separation alone. Our Divorce Recovery workshop combines expert speakers, small group discussion and a time of community with people on the same journey.

Divorce Recovery Winter Session

    • Troy Campus: Mondays, 7-9pm, beginning February 5, 2024
    • Orion Campus: Tuesdays, 7-9pm, beginning February 6, 2024

Cost: $45
The cost includes a workbook, snacks at each meeting (including coffee), and dinner at end of session. Childcare available.

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At Kensington’s Grief Recovery support group, you can find hope and healing after the loss of a loved one. It’s a place where you’ll encounter caring people who can empathize with your pain because they’ve been through it themselves.

Winter Grief Recovery | Feb 6 – April 30 | Orion campus
Loss of a Spouse Workshop | Jan 23 | Orion campus

Find a Grief Recovery group near you: griefshare.org

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Our dedicated volunteers bring encouragement and prayers of faith to those who are in local hospitals, medical centers, recovery centers and homebound. If you or someone you know would like to be blessed by such a visit, email visitation@kensingtonchurch.org or call the Troy Campus during business hours at 248-786-0600.

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Members of our Pastoral Care Team are trained by the nationally known Stephen Ministry program and are compassionate listeners who walk alongside others to provide skilled and distinctly Christian care in times of need. They can’t promise to have all the answers, but they can promise their focused support. To receive care from one of our Pastoral Care Team members, call us at 248.786.0600 and ask for a Campus Care Provider – they can get the process started.

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5pm | 12/23
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11am | 12/24
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2pm | 12/24
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10am | 12/24
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We are offering a time for our congregation to gather after the 10am service for prayer in the Groves Auditorium, 20500 W 13 Mile Rd, Beverly Hills, MI 48025.

On Sunday evening, Dec 5, parents of high school and middle school students are invited to the second half of our Edge gathering at Genesis Church, 309 N Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067, at 6:15pm. We will have a breakout to equip parents in caring for themselves and processing pain with their children in times of tragedy.

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Orion Campus

We believe that unity at this time is more important than ever. Several churches in the area are partnering together to offer space for students to begin the process of healing.

We will have several grief and trauma specialists on site this Sunday evening at our Orion Campus (4640 S Lapeer Rd Lake Orion, MI 48359) from 5-6:30pm and will have a night of prayer, worship and an opportunity for students to process with each other.

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We will be offering a time for our congregation to gather after each service for a time of corporate prayer in the Greatroom. Prayer will be offered at 10:15 am and 12:15 pm. (25000 Hall Rd, Charter Twp of Clinton, MI 48036)

This Sunday at 3:30 pm as a community we want to gather, pray and mourn together. We are all looking for answers and wondering why tragedy happens but we can find hope and peace in Jesus. 

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Join us Sunday night, December 5th for a Community Prayer Vigil at Kensington Church at 6:00 pm. Invite friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers to come together for a time of hope and prayer. 

Following the Vigil, at 7:00 pm, there will be breakouts for students and for parents to process and be equipped in caring for themselves and those around in times of tragedy.

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What grows marriages? Focusing on the two of you and being in community!
The Marriage Course includes seven sessions, designed to help couples invest in their relationship and build a strong marriage. Some couples do the course to intentionally invest in their relationship, others are looking to address more specific challenges. Either way, the course offers essential tools and practical ideas to help you build a relationship that lasts a lifetime. The Marriage Course is based on Christian principles but designed for all couples with or without a church background.

Please email marriage@kensingtonchurch.org with any questions.

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Financial Compass is designed to help you discover the freedom found in wisely managing the resources God provides. To find out more, please email discipleship@kensingtonchurch.org.

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Whether you are brand new to the Bible or have been reading it for decades, Bible Basics is a course that will help you understand the overall flow of the Bible. Over the course of several weeks, learn how the Bible came from the original writers to the English versions we have today. We’ll look at the big-picture story of the Bible and how all the individual books add to the whole. We’ll even learn a little about the history of the Jewish nation. But most of all, we’ll grow in our awe of the amazing author of this amazing book!

Please email discipleship@kensingtonchurch.org with any questions.

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Alpha

What is my purpose? What value does the Bible have in my life? How do I pray? How can I grow in confidence to share my faith? These are the big questions that are at the heart of what it means to have a relationship with God. Alpha is a space to explore life’s big questions, to say what you think and to hear other people’s points of view. Over ten-weeks you will explore and discover while listening to weekly topics, participating in table discussion, and developing community. Alpha courses meeting in-person gather around a meal.

You don’t have to come for the whole series—just check it out for the first session and see what you think. No pressure.

Please email discipleship@kensingtonchurch.org with any questions.

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