Well… can you believe it’s Easter? wasn’t Christmas last week?
Easter is an awesome time of celebration but many ask, "how do we share such an abstract concept with preschoolers who think so concretely?"
Good question… and I wanted to share some thoughts that might help as you work this Sunday with the preschoolers in your ministry. These thoughts were taken from an article that you can read in it’s entirity here. I think it will help!
Know the understanding level of each child
Each child develops in different ways according to God’s plan for her life. It’s important to present concepts and stories that children can understand.
The concept of Jesus’ love for people is foundational to the Easter story. It helps prepare a child to understand Jesus’ gift through His death and resurrection when the child is older. The story of Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection becomes the next foundational teaching concept, building on the understanding of Jesus’ love for all people.
Telling the Easter story
By laying foundations for spiritual conversion, teachers and parents become partners with the Holy Spirit as He prepares and calls the child to accept Christ as Savior.
- Tell the story in a way that does not create fear.
- Read the Scripture passage as realistic portrayals of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Children need to know that Jesus’ death is not the end of the story. He arose from death and is alive. The focus is to offer hope to the children.
- Avoid using props or pictures that may distract from the story or that mix secular traditions with this Holy story. The message of the Easter story can stand on its own.
Clarify terms or words
Preschoolers may have questions about words they hear. Use these brief definitions.
- Angel: A messenger from God.
- Cross: A wooden structure where Jesus died.
- Disciple: Someone who follows and learns from Jesus.
- Savior: Someone who saves people from danger; the name "Jesus" means Savior.
- Tomb: A place to bury people who are dead; it was usually a cave with a big stone door.
The home offers the best place for biblical instruction because truths can be explained and reinforced frequently over time. Parents know their child and their child’s level of understanding. With support and partnership from the church, we can effectively lay foundations for conversion and spiritual transformation.
So… celebrate Easter with young children and do so with purpose and intention. Kids love to celebrate, let’s make sure thiey’re celebrating the right reason for this most important season!