Discussion Guide for Easter

First of all - Happy Easter, everyone!!  I know this year will probably go down as the most bizarre Easter celebration of most of our lives, but I do hope you find ways to make this day special - whether it's watching a church service later, or just sitting down for a good meal with those you love.  If you're worried about your kids not making it through a service, though, that's hopefully where this short lesson can help!

In order to do this lesson as a family, set aside 15-20 minutes and grab a Bible, whether that's looking at the biblical text with older kids, or at the Spark Story Bible that we use for younger kids.  And while it's obviously not the same as going to church, I'd encourage you to think about ways to help make your home a worshipful space: light a candle, say a prayer, sing a hymn or a Chapel song, or maybe take a moment of silence and some deep breaths.  Everything listed below is meant to be optional -- you can pick and choose what will work best with your family.

Opening Your Time Together:

• Checking In - Although our schedules and routines have been disrupted for weeks, being home during Easter might elicit fresh disappointments both for kids and adults!  So, as usual, take some time before you begin to ask your kids where they're at.  How are they feeling?  What are some things that they are really missing right now?  Ask them if there are ways that they'd really like to celebrate the day - or traditions that you might modify together.

 

• Opening Prayer - Loving and awesome God, we are filled this day by your promises and your hope.  Jesus being raised from the dead reminds us that there is nothing that is beyond your love.  So help us to celebrate that love today.  Help remind us of the gift that we have in one another.  Help remind us that we have a church family who loves us deeply.  But above all, Holy God, remind us that because Jesus has risen, nothing will ever be the same.  Amen.

 

• Opening Hymn - Jesus Christ is Risen Today - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMwPEmUMP7U - the link is to an organ and choir version of this song.  
  • Verse 1 - Jesus Christ is ris'n today, Alleluia!  our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!  who did once upon the cross Alleluia!  suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
  • Verse 2 - Hymns of praise then let us sing Alleluia!  unto Christ our heav'nly King, Alleluia! who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia! sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
  • Verse 3 - But the pains which he endured, Alleluia! our salvation have procured; Alleluia! now above the sky he's King, Alleluia! where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
  • Verse 4 - Sing we to our God above Alleluia! praise eternal as his love; Alleluia! praise him, all ye heav'nly host, Alleluia! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

Reading the Bible:

• Open up to the passage, whether in the Bible or the Spark Bible.  Ask your kids if they are familiar with this passage and, if so, what they remember.  
• Read the passage together.  Bible - Luke 24:1-12,  ​Spark Bible - pages 482 to 487
• (Optional) You can also practice something called lectio divina, which basically means you read through the passage once, asking kids to listen for a word or phrase that jumps out at them.  After reading, everyone shares their answers and then you read the passage again, listening for new insights!

Discussing the Passage:

• For Younger Kids 
• ​What would you have said or done if you were one of the women at the empty tomb??  Do you think it was easy or hard for them to believe the news the angel told them?
• The women who came to the tomb were so excited to see Jesus again - who are you excited to see that you haven't seen in a long time?  What will you do or say when you see them?
• One of the best parts of Easter is being able to share joy, hope, and love with others.  How might you do that today?

 

• For Older Kids 
• Put yourself in the position of the angel... what would you have said to the women visiting the tomb?  How would you have convinced them that Jesus was actually alive?​
• The women who came to the tomb were so excited to see Jesus again - who are you excited to see that you haven't seen in a long time?  What will you do or say when you see them?
• Jesus appears first to Mary and the other women who came to the tomb, then to Peter, then to the other disciples - and all of them are asked to share the good news about Jesus.  What might that mean for us as disciples today?  How are we called to share the good news of Easter with others, whether through our words or actions?

 ​
Closing Your Time Together:

• Closing Prayer - God, may the joy of this Easter morning be with us long after this day has ended.  Give us hope in the gift of new life that we have all been given.  Help our hearts to sing along with the Hallelujah chorus, praising you and your kingdom.  This day is a celebration of joy, hope, and love - and so may each of those things be born anew within us.  Alleluia - and amen!

 

• Closing Hymn - Hallelujah Chorus - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI6dsMeABpU - there isn't a better way to end an Easter service (even a modified one) than with the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah.  Enjoy!​
  • Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
    For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
    Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
    For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
    Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
    The kingdom of this world
    Is become the kingdom of our Lord,
    And of His Christ, and of His Christ;
    And He shall reign for ever and ever,
    For ever and ever, forever and ever,
    King of kings, and Lord of lords,
    King of kings, and Lord of lords,
    And Lord of lords,
    And He shall reign,
    And He shall reign forever and ever,
    King of kings, forever and ever,
    And Lord of lords,
    Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
    And He shall reign forever and ever,
    King of kings! and Lord of lords!
    And He shall reign forever and ever,
    King of kings! and Lord of lords!
    Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!