This Easter season are you wondering about how you can be very purposeful in sharing the truths of Easter with your grandchildren? Do you desire to help them be focused on rehearsing, remembering, and reflecting on Jesus, his death, and resurrection? God calls us to remember because he knows we can so easily forget [Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:12; Luke 22:19]. God calls us to remember so that we may know him and believe his Word [John 2:22]. God calls us to remember as an opportunity to share his story as well as our own story or testimony about his wonders and his works [Joshua 4:21-24]. Let’s look at some ways to rehearse, remember, and reflect on Jesus this Easter.
Rehearse
These ideas center around retelling or reteaching. Keep in mind the ages of your grandchildren. Always start with the Scripture. Consider memorizing a scripture such as 1 Corinthians 15:3–5. As you spend time together, seek to bring Christ into conversations. Any other book you use should line up with Scripture, so be careful what you choose to read to them. Recommended books include Forever Falls by Glen Keane and My Wish of All Wishes by Larry Fowler.
Using objects is another great way to keep young ones interested. There are tools like “Resurrection Eggs” that have items inside that stand for parts of the story. For older grandchildren, challenge them to make up their own set. Give them 12 or more empty plastic eggs and a Bible. Have them look up the story in the Gospel accounts and write down objects that will remind them of the story. They could also write down the reference of the object. Have objects available for them to fill their eggs, or they can draw the object on slips of paper.
Another great way is to make story stones. Give each child a few stones and have them draw or paint on the stone objects that help them rehearse the Easter account. Each year they could add to their collection of stones. While they are working, point them to the stone that was rolled away to reveal Christ’s victory over sin, death, and Satan.
Remember
These activities are designed to bring back to memory things that have been experienced previously. Think of traditions that your family would like to pass on to this generation and beyond. What would you like the great-grandchildren of your grandchildren to remember and do at Easter? What are those special things your family does?
Maybe it centers around certain foods that are served. Have you ever held a Seder meal*? It is a powerful way to share the history leading up to the fulfillment of Jesus as the Passover lamb. Do you host family gatherings? Think about how to be intentional about sharing your faith using some of these ideas. There are recipes for empty tomb cakes, resurrection cross cupcakes, and resurrection rolls on the internet. Capitalize on mealtimes by asking questions that connect to the Easter story, family traditions, memories, as well as your testimony. Do you remember when you first realized that Jesus died for you? This could be asked of grandfather or grandmother at this meal: How did you celebrate Easter as a young person?
Share some of your Easter experiences with your grandchildren—how did you celebrate? In my family, a special treat was getting a new outfit to wear to sunrise service. Tie in the traditions you do with the spiritual truth if applicable. Did you go to special church services like Maundy Thursday or Good Friday? Did you have a time of washing feet or celebrate the Last Supper? Maybe it is the music of Easter that speaks so powerfully to you. Share those songs with your grandchildren. Ask what their favorite Easter song is. Whether a hymn or contemporary song, raise your voices in praise of the One who is worthy of all glory and honor.
With each tradition, remember to answer when your grandchildren ask, “Why do we do this?” What a great opportunity to share your faith and why it is important to you.
*You can find resources to do a Christian seder at https://www.crivoice.org/seder.html.
Reflect
Depending on where your family is spiritually in their faith journey, consider adding activities where they can think deeply and carefully about Easter. This is especially important as grandchildren get older. Our family uses a practice called ponder–pray–picture. We think deeply about a scripture passage, pray to the Lord, and picture in our journals what it means to us. This is done individually but often shared.
Encourage grandchildren to journal what it would have been like to be there as an eyewitness. Whether they choose to be a soldier, disciple, one of the women, or someone else; what would they have heard, seen, and felt? It is amazing to see what the older grandchildren put in their journals now. It is a quiet time, allowing God to speak to each heart and soul. Life is so full and busy that we often forget to be still and listen to God’s voice.
There are wonderful Easter movies that can be watched and later discussed, such as The Story of Jesus for Children by the Jesus Film media. This film is a good option for early elementary students as it presents the gospel well without being too graphic. The Gospel of John is better for older elementary as it is more detailed and graphic. Finally, The Passion is a film that is best for mature grandchildren as it is the most graphic but realistic depiction of the crucifixion. Films such as these lead to impactful conversations.
Acts of kindness are also wonderful and tangible ways to live out our faith before our grandchildren. What are some things you could do this season with your grandchildren to show kindness to someone else? Remember God loved us even when we were his enemies, sending Jesus to die for us.
Above all, set aside time with your grandchildren to thank Jesus for his incredible love and sacrifice, which we remember at Easter. As the patriarch or matriarch of the family, your example lived out authentically before them will yield far-reaching fruit and opportunity to influence beyond your time here. May God bless you and your family with a Christ-filled, Christ-centered Easter!
Additional ideas
- Easter Pictionary – If you have grandchildren who like to draw and play games, this is a fun option. Write out Easter words on index cards. Place them face down in a stack and take turns choosing a card and drawing the image for the others to guess the word using only the drawing.
- Resurrection Scavenger Hunts – Provide clues to items around your home where they can find objects or projects connected to that Easter story. Be creative and have fun. Search online or create your own.
- Resurrection Tree – Gather branches and place them in a vase with water. Create cards with words or symbols of the Easter account. Hang one on the tree each day leading up to Easter.
- Easter Escape Room – Escape rooms are fun gatherings where a group solves a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, strategy, and hints. You can find samples online such as deeperkidmin.com/product/empty-easter-escape-room.
Deb del Villar is a follower of Christ, a devoted wife, mom of three adult children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She loves studying and teaching the Bible to the ladies at her church as well as mentoring young people. Deb serves as the Director of Communications for Legacy Coalition, a grandparenting ministry deeply devoted to helping grandparents pass on their faith so multiple generations of their family follow Christ. Check out Legacy Coalition at legacycoalition.com.
