Home Connection

Early Elementary
Today your student learned the good news that Jesus is alive. Jesus’
followers went to His tomb but He was not there. We can have forgiveness
of our sins because of His death and resurrection. We also know that God’s
words and promises never fail. Jesus is worthy of our praise.
Upper Elementary
Today your student learned the good news that Jesus is alive! Jesus’
followers went to His tomb but He was not there. We can have forgiveness
of our sins because of His death and resurrection. We also know that God’s
words and promises never fail. Jesus is worthy of our praise.Listen to God: Read John 20:1-31
The resurrection of Jesus Christ was the event that changed everything.

When chapter
19 of John ended, it seemed all hope was lost. Christ was dead and because the Sabbath
was approaching, His burial was hastened. Chapter 20 allows John to tell the exciting
story that never gets old. Mary Magdalene and several other women, according to other
gospel writers, headed to the tomb early on the first day of the week to demonstrate their
love for Jesus by completing the necessary burial preparations that had been postponed
due to the approaching Sabbath. Once they arrived the issue would be how to get into
the sealed tomb. Imagine how the concern must have quickly turned to amazement when
they found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Lead your family in a discussion of
the many emotions and reactions Jesus’ friends must have felt during that time.
Talk to God
The reality of the Resurrection compels us to demonstrate our faith in the Lord
and share the message of God with others. Your family will likely encounter
family members, neighbors, and others this week who do not know the Savior.
How will you share the story with them? Pray together for opportunities to share
the message of the cross with those God puts in your path this week. Perhaps there
are specific people the Lord is placing on your heart. Pray for them to be receptive to the
true meaning of the celebration of Easter.
Walk With God
Option 1: The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation for the Christian faith. In the midst of
candy and egg hunts, be intentional in sharing the true meaning of Easter with others you know.
Plan a family dinner, activity, or playtime and invite a non-Christian family to visit. Use this as an
opportunity for your family to display the love of God that you are telling them about. Before your visitors arrive,
talk with your child about the importance of telling others about Jesus, and encourage him or her to do the same.
As a family, pray for different unsaved individuals every day.
Option 2: Visit a local bookstore or look online to order a set of “Resurrection Eggs.” If you can’t find them, you
can make your own. (The Internet will help with this.) In this set are 12 eggs, each containing something relevant
to the account of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Label the eggs 1-12. Pass them out to family members
and instruct them not to open them until you call the number. Call out each number, asking the person with the
corresponding number to open the egg and explain the significance of the item inside. Be prepared to help with
explanations where needed. Proceed until all eggs have been opened. Once you’ve reached number 12 and the
final egg is empty, you will have retold the Resurrection account from a simple, easy to understand point of view.
Children can do this even with friends in an effort to share the real meaning of Easter.
Week 6
April 8, 2012
D6 Family Theme: REsurrection
The Point: Christ’s resurrection calls us to faith in Him.

SPLINK

Too Good to Keep to Yourself

Make a yummy treat and declare that you have an announcement. "I have good news! I made a yummy treat. But I have decided that I will eat it all myself." After hearing groans and complaints, act surprised and then ask: "Would you like me to share this with you?"

Share the treat and talk about the good news that Jesus is alive.

Students should have come home with a tool or tract to share the good news. If they didn't, buy one at a Christian book store or ask them to make one by writing a Bible verse(s) about the Resurrection on a card; 1 Corinthians 15:3b, 4 is a good one.

Discuss with whom they might share this good news and make a plan to do so. Say a prayer for the person who will receive the card.

The good news about Jesus is just TOO GOOD to keep to ourselves.

Resurrection Rolls
Make resurrection rolls to keep the celebration going and remember that Jesus' tomb was empty!

Items needed:
8 large marshmallows
1/4 cup melted butter
Sugar/cinnamon mixture (approximately 2 tablespoons cinnamon to 2 tablespoons sugar)
10 ounce can of crescent rolls

1. Open can of crescent rolls and separate into triangles. The rolls represent the linen cloths used in covering the dead.

2. Dip and roll one marshmallow (representing the body) into melted butter. The butter represents the oils used in anointing the dead body.

3. In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon and sugar together. Roll the marshmallow in the mixture. The mixture represents the spices used in burials.

4. Place the marshmallow in the center of the crescent triangle and carefully fold the dough around the marshmallow. (Pinch the edges tightly to seal in the marshmallow as it melts.) Put each crescent-wrapped marshmallow on a slightly greased cookie sheet or in a greased cupcake pan.

5. Bake the rolls in a 350 degree preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes or until they are golden brown. The oven represents the tomb.

Let them cool. When the kids bite into them, they will see that the inside is empty!

Scripture Egg Hunt

Items needed: plastic Easter eggs

Slips of paper

Bible (with a marker at John 14:6)



If you have older children, let them look up the Bible verse (John 14:6) and write each word on a slip of paper. Put one word in each plastic egg and hide them. You might divide into two teams and one team will hide the eggs for the other team; kids love, not only finding, but also hiding the eggs. Don't forget to count them before you hide them.



After all the eggs have been found, open them and put the words of the verse in correct order. Say the verse together.



Put the word slips back in the eggs and repeat for the other team.