Day 1:  Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

   Day 2:  Passover Celebration and Gethsemane

   Day 3:  The Hearings and Trial

   Day 4:  Christ's Crucifixion and Burial

   Day 5:  Christ's Resurrection and Ascension

   Plus: The Good News of the Holidays

Our joyful celebration of the Lord's resurrection provides the opportunity for us to:

•  Teach our children the heart of the Gospel so that they will thoroughly and accurately understand this most important doctrine.

•  Proclaim to the world the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ – and salvation through faith in Him.

•  Remember, reflect on, and appreciate what the Lord has done for us – then thank and praise Him!

A variety of activities can enrich your teaching, contemplation, and proclamation of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ – both before and after Easter.

1.  Unit Study.  Substitute this study for your regular studies to provide a break and focus on the resurrection of our Lord.

•  Optional:  Continue math work and any other basic subject that needs daily attention.

2.  Bible Study / Devotionals.  Use the Scripture portions for your family's daily Bible and devotional time.

3.  Supplemental Studies.  Pick and choose any activity to enrich your family.

May the Lord bless you and your family for His glory.

Include the following activities in each day of The Teaching Home's 5-Day Easter Unit Study.

Reading the gospel account of Christ's life, death, and resurrection directly from God's Word is the most important and edifying way for your family to study and celebrate Easter. You can do this in three ways:

1.  Read from your own Bibles or online at BibleGateway.com.

2.  Listen to the Scripture on a CD, MP3, or online at BibleGateway.com.

3.  Watch the dramatization of the Gospels of John, $14.99; Matthew $12.99 (both of these Gospels are word for word from Scripture); and Luke (in the Jesus film, $6.99; or watch free online).

Read notes in your Bible, or from a Bible handbook, and discuss the selected passages using who, what, where, when, why, and how questions for comprehension and understanding.

4.  A Harmony of the Story of Jesus

Most of the Scriptures listed by topic for each day in this unit study are taken from "A Harmony of the Story of Jesus" with the Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John accounts combined and rearranged by subject and approximate chronological order.  Passages from each book are separate and follow in order of the four gospels.  The J.B. Phillips "Translation" (actually a paraphrase in modern English) is used, making it easier for young children to understand.

5.  The Fourfold Gospel

"The Fourfold Gospel," (or "A Harmony of the Four Gospels"), is a complete chronology of the life of Christ.  It is divided into titled sections and sub-divisions, with commentary (helpful explanations, Greek word meanings, historical information, comparison of Scriptures, etc.) injected in the text.  This is a little harder to follow (but offers more study aids) as it combines all four gospels together with extensive notes (scripture is in bold, interspersed notes are not in bold).

Pairs of references show predictions of the Messiah in the Old Testament and the fulfillment by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Choose a verse from the day's reading or one of the suggested verses.

Learn the meaning and spelling of words taken from the daily Bible reading and study.

We have linked these words to 1828 edition of Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language or Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary.

Have your children (even beginning readers, with help) read some of the Bible reading and study references directly from the Bible.

•  Ask your children to write 1-5 paragraphs (depending on their ability) on a topic of study for the day.

•  Assign a portion of Scripture or your memory verse for your child to write out.

•  Use writing and penmanship skills to make banners, cards, tracts, etc. (see "Evangelism" listings for each day).

Read Scripture listed below (with children reading too) from your own Bibles, online at BibleGateway.com, A Harmony of the Story of Jesus, or The Fourfold Gospel; and/or listen to the Scripture online.

•  Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19

•  Cleansing the Temple
Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48

•  Jesus Teaches about His Death and Resurrection
Matthew 16:21-23; 17:22-23; 20:17-19; 26:1-2
Mark 8:31-33; 9:30-32; 10:32-34
Luke 9:22; 9:43b-45; 18:31-34

•  Jesus' Anointing at Bethany
Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8

•  A Harmony of the Story of Jesus:
The Final Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem

•  The Fourfold Gospel (with notes):
Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

(References below are Prediction / Fulfillment.)

•  Triumphal Entry
Psalm 8:2 / Matthew 21:15-16
Zechariah 9:9a/ Matthew 21:8-10
Zechariah 9:9b / John 12:12-13
Zechariah 9:9f / Matthew 21:6-9

Christ's Purpose in Coming to Earth

Isaiah 53:5-12, 59:15-16a; Matthew 20:28; Luke 23:33, 46; John 1:29; 6:40; 1 John 2:2

John 1:29; John 6:40

•  Have children write 1-5 paragraphs on a topic of study.
    •  Assign a Scripture portion or memory verse to write out.
    •  Make banners, cards, tracts, etc. (see "Evangelism").

Disciple, triumphal, anoint, temple, Messiah.

•  "Isn't Easter a Pagan Holiday?" Excerpt: "The names that we use, indeed our entire vocabulary, is filled with pagan references. But the content of Easter, as true Christians practice it, is a celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ."

•  Also read articles by Roger Patterson on Answers in Genesis website: Is the Name "Easter" of Pagan Origin? and Is the Date of Easter of Pagan Origin?

"Messiah" by George Frideric Handel

Handel's Oratorio "Messiah" speaks of Christ's life, death, and resurrection.

•  Listen to Handel's "Messiah" online.

•  As you listen, follow the libretto (words) of "Messiah" and the Scriptures from which they were taken.  You can pause the music between pieces to look up and read the Scripture portion for the next song.

•  Get free sheet music for orchestra parts for the "Hallelujah Chorus."

•  Buy the DVD, Handel's Messiah (250th Anniversary Performance) plus "For Ever and Ever," ($21.36) a documentary on "Messiah" with an accompanying booklet.  This 1992 performance of Handel's great masterpiece was filmed at the Point Theatre, Dublin on the 250th anniversary of the work's premiere, which took place in Dublin on April 13, 1712.

•  On maps of Jerusalem and the Holy Land locate the following (possible) locations: East Gate, Herod's Temple, Golgotha, Garden Tomb, Garden of Gethsemane, Mount of Olives, Upper Room, Herod's Palace.  (For more Bible maps see www.bible-history.com/maps.)

•  See Early Maps and Models of Jerusalem.

•  See a map of the probable route that Jesus took after the Last Supper in the Upper Room.

•  See an "Outline of the Story of Jesus" using maps.

This pdf chart shows the final week of Jesus' earthly life, Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. The horizontal axis shows time, and the vertical axis shows space. Proximity of the lines shows who interacted with whom.

(Click on the "plus" sign at the top until it is "100%" to read the text, and then scroll across to see entire chart. Constructed from a harmony of the Gospels. This chart is an interpretation; the timing of some events in the Holy Week narrative is open to debate.)

Watch the full two-hour "Jesus" film for free online (in English or one of 1,480 other languages) or buy it for $6.99.  Christian Answers says, "This film was made entirely in Israel with a cast of over 5,000 Israelis and Arabs.  With a script taken entirely from the book of Luke, this is clearly one of the most accurate Bible dramas ever produced."

Watch the one-hour children's version, "The Story of Jesus for Children" (in English or one of 162 other languages) for free online, or buy it for $5.99.

The "Jesus" film has been translated into more than 1,700+ languages (including sign languages).  More than 500 million of people have indicated a decision to follow Christ after watching this film.  You can donate to this evangelistic project at www.jesusfilm.org.

1. Greeting Cards

A greeting card is a way to show thoughtfulness and love, as well as furnish an opportunity to witness at this Easter time.

•  Find detailed instructions to make elegant cards using a variety of materials and techniques at Spruce Crafts and Love To Know.

•  Write a poem about Christ's death and resurrection and its meaning to you and include it in a card, or include a few lines of an Easter hymn.

•  Use your best penmanship to copy the words of a hymn or Bible verse in your handmade cards and greetings.

•  Include gospel tracts or write out a verse in greeting cards to family and neighbors.

2. Gospel Tracts and E-Mail Cards

•  Order Easter tracts from Crossway.

•  Gospel of John. Pocket Testament League offers low-priced copies of the Gospel of John with many different languages and cover designs. All versions contain the plan of salvation and an opportunity to sign up for a free correspondence course.

Eggs, a symbol of new life, can be enjoyed at Easter time.  They do not need to be associated with "the Easter bunny" or detract from the celebration of Christ's Resurrection.

1. Resurrection Eggs

This visual/kinesthetic teaching aid uses 12 plastic eggs, each with an object (or picture of an object) and a Bible verse or passage that describes part of the Easter story.

You can buy a set, or make your own.

•  See directions and printable templates.

•  Watch a demonstration on YouTube.

•  See a preschool version with six eggs.

2. Dyed Eggs

•  See Martha Stewart's Egg Dyeing 101 and many ways to decorate Easter eggs.

•  Home Science Tools teaches your child how to Make Your Own Dye using natural ingredients – plus seven other egg-related experiments.

See 80+ Learning Activities & Crafts on The Teaching Home's Easter Pinterest page.

Read Scripture listed below (with children reading too) from your own Bibles, online at BibleGateway.com, A Harmony of the Story of Jesus, or The Fourfold Gospel; and/or listen to the Scripture online.

•  The Plot To Kill Jesus
Matthew 26:3-5; Mark 14:1-2; Luke 22:1-2; John 11:45-57

•  The Passover Instituted
Exodus 12:1-36

•  Celebrating the Passover / The Last Supper
Matthew 26:17-29; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-30; John 13:1-30; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25

•  Judas Iscariot's Plans To Betray Christ
Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6

•  In the Garden of Gethsemane
Matthew 26:30-46; Mark 14:26-42; Luke 22:31-46; John 13:31-38; 18:1-2

•  Jesus Betrayed and Arrested
Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-54a; John 18:3-12

•  A Harmony of the Story of Jesus:
The Last Supper
The Last Night Continues and the Garden of Gethsemane
Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested

•  The Fourfold Gospel (with notes):
Preparation for Passover
The Paschal Meal. Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet
Judas' Betrayal and Peter's Denial Foretold
The Lord's Supper Instituted
Going to Gethsemane, and Agony Therein
Jesus Betrayed, Arrested, and Forsaken

(References below are Prediction / Fulfillment.)

•  Messiah Betrayed
Psalm 41:9 / Mark 14:17-18
Zechariah 11:12-13a / Matthew 26:14-15

•  Messiah Abandoned
Psalm 22:11 / Mark 14:50
Psalm 69:20b / Mark 14:33-41

Jesus the Messiah

Read "How do we know that Jesus was the Messiah?" which states, "The Old Testament Messianic prophecies were found to be uniquely fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ. There are hundreds of these prophecies, so that the possibility of their accidental convergence on any ordinary man is completely ruled out by the laws of probability."

John 1:29 / 1 Peter 1:18-19

•  Have children write 1-5 paragraphs on a topic of study.
    •  Assign a Scripture portion or memory verse to write out.
    •  Make banners, cards, tracts, etc. (see "Evangelism").

Passover, communion, betray, a "Judas," arrested.

Continue exploring and listening to Handel's "Messiah" (see Day 1).

The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

"The Last Supper" is perhaps the most widely recognized piece of religious artwork in the world.

Jesus has just told his followers that he is about to be betrayed by one of them.  We see the reactions of each apostle in this painting.

•  Read more about the painting at ArtBible.info.

•  Watch a discussion of "The Last Supper" on YouTube.

•  Have a Family Seder (Passover) Meal.  This version has been shortened, simplified, and adapted so that families can have a sense of the ceremony.

•  Order "A Christian Passover Seder" (softcover or ebook) from Doorposts.

•  Read the "Introduction to a Christian Seder," with an explanation of terms and symbols of the Passover.

•  Read a sermon by C.H. Spurgeon, "Christ Our Passover."

•  Watch Christ in the Passover by Jews for Jesus on YouTube, a 38-minute video demonstrating how each item and tradition of the Passover represents the the life, death and resurrection of Christ.

"God's Story" is a visual exploration of God's revelations in chronological order.  Start at the home page to select language (27 available).  Then you can read the copy online, view the video, or listen to audio only.

•  The Betrayal and Crucifixion.

•  Resurrection to Eternity.

Consider writing your own tract including a short personal testimony and the Gospel.

•  Read about how you can write your own tract."

Obtain a supply of gospel tracts to hand out at this season and throughout the year.

•  Crossway

•  "God's Simple Plan of Salvation" in 122 languages.  Also read the inspiring story of the author of this tract, Dr. Ford Porter.

Include a Scripture portion, or the Gospel of John, with your greetings cards throughout the year.

•  The Pocket Testament League offers low-cost copies of the Gospel of John with different cover designs, translations, and 16 languages. Includes a section describing the plan of salvation with diagrams and Scripture verses.

See 80+ Learning Activities & Crafts on The Teaching Home's Easter Pinterest page.

Read Scripture listed below (with children reading too) from your own Bibles, online at BibleGateway.com, A Harmony of the Story of Jesus, or The Fourfold Gospel; and/or listen to the Scripture online.

•  Jesus Tried before Jewish Authorities; Peter's Denial
Matthew 26:57-27:2; Mark 14:53-15:1; Luke 22:54b-23:1; John 18:13-28

•  Judas Iscariot Commits Suicide
Matthew 27:3-10; Acts 1:18-19

•  Jesus before Pontius Pilate; the Sentence
Matthew 27:11-26; Mark 15:2-15; Luke 23:2-25; John 18:29-19:16a

•  Jesus Ill-Treated and Tortured
Matthew 26:67-68, 27:26b-31; Mark 14:64b-65, 15:15b-20; Luke 22:63-65; John 19:1-3

•  A Harmony of the Story of Jesus:
Jesus Is Tried before the Jewish Authorities; Peter Betrays Him
Jesus before the Roman Pontius Pilate; the Sentence
Jesus Is Ill-treated and Tortured

•  The Fourfold Gospel (with notes):
First Stage of Jewish Trial; Examination by Annas
Second Stage of Jewish Trial; Jesus Condemned by Caiaphas
     and the Sanhedrin
Peter Thrice Denies the Lord
Third Stage of Jewish Trial; Jesus Formally Condemned
     by the Sanhedrin, and Led to Pilate
First Stage of the Roman Trial; Jesus Before Pilate for the
     First Time
Second Stage of the Roman Trial; Jesus Before Herod
Third Stage of the Roman Trial; Pilate Reluctantly Sentences
     Him to Crucifixion

(References below are Prediction / Fulfillment.)

•  The Messiah Rejected
Isaiah 6:9-10a / John 12:37-40
Isaiah 49:4a / Luke 19:41-42
Isaiah 53:3b / Matthew 27:21-23
Isaiah 49:4b / John 5:43
Psalm 69:8a / John 1:11
Zechariah 11:12-13b / Matthew 26:14-15

•  Messiah Judged
Psalm 109:2 / John 18:29-30
Isaiah 53:8b / John 18:13-22
Isaiah 53:7b / Matthew 27:12-14
Isaiah 53:9b / Mark 15:3

Why Jesus Needed To Die

John 1:7, and "What about the death and resurrection of Christ was important and vital to Christianity?" with additional Scripture.

Isaiah 53:6

•  Have children write 1-5 paragraphs on a topic of study.
    •  Assign a Scripture portion or memory verse to write out.
    •  Make banners, cards, tracts, etc. (see "Evangelism").

Sanhedrin, Pharisees, High Priest, blasphemy, denial.

Continue exploring and listening to Handel's "Messiah" (see Day 1).

•  Read free 190-page, children's historical fiction eBook, Tor: A Street Boy of Jerusalem written by Florence Morse Kingsley (1904).

Order or rent, and watch these movies:

•  The Fourth Wise Man ($8). The fictional account of the fourth Magi who spends his life looking for Jesus his King. The story culminates on Easter Sunday. Easy-to-follow plot, a great film for family viewing.  Read review.

•  Word for word Scripture:  Visual Bible Gospel of Matthew (4.4 hours, $12.99) or The Gospel of John (3 hours, $14.99). This is The Gospel of John, every word, every incident, in the exact order of the book, no words added, no words subtracted (except for "he said," "they said," for spoken dialogue)  Read review of The Gospel of John which says, "This is the greatest film portrayal of the Jesus Christ of the Gospels produced so far, and the greatest film rendition of a Biblical book ever made."

Refer to a Christian history textbook (or the curriculum that you are using) and read about the Roman world in which Jesus lived.

•  Explore the many links to information on Ancient Rome at Bible-History.com.

Outside Banners and Window Signs

Let your neighbors and those passing by know that you celebrate the resurrection of our Lord.

•  Make a banner or inside window sign with fabric, butcher paper, poster board, etc.

•  Signs can say, "Our Redeemer Lives!," "He Is Risen!," "Our Savior Is Alive!," or "Hallelujah, Christ Arose!" See 7 pages of examples.

•  Also see instructions on how to make an indoor "He Is Risen" paper Easter banner.

See 80+ Learning Activities & Crafts on The Teaching Home's Easter Pinterest page.

Read Scripture listed below (with children reading too) from your own Bibles, online at BibleGateway.com, A Harmony of the Story of Jesus, or The Fourfold Gospel; and/or listen to the Scripture online.

•  Christ's Crucifixion and Death
Matthew 27:32-50; Mark 15:21-37; Luke 23:26-46; John 19:16b-30

•  Supernatural Events as Jesus Dies
Matthew 27:45,51-53; Mark 15:33,38; Luke 23:44-45

•  People at the Crucifixion
Matthew 27:54-56; Mark 15:39-41; Luke 23:47-49; John 19:25-26a

•  Christ's Burial
Matthew 27:57-66; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:31-42

•  A Harmony of the Story of Jesus:
His Crucifixion and Death
Supernatural event as Jesus dies
His Burial

•  The Fourfold Gospel (with notes):
On the Way to the Cross
Jesus Crucified and Reviled; His Three Sayings During First
     Three Hours
Darkness Three Hours; After Four More Sayings; Jesus Expires; Strange Events Attending His Death
Jesus Found to Be Dead; His Body Buried and Guarded
     in the Tomb

(References below are Prediction / Fulfillment.)

•  Place of Crucifixion
Genesis 22:14 / Luke 23:33
Isaiah 53:12c / Luke 23:32

•  Events during Crucifixion
Psalm 22:16c / Matthew 27:38
Psalm 109:4 / Luke 23:34
Psalm 69:20-21a / Matthew 27:34
Psalm 22:18a / John 19:23-24
Psalm 22:18b / John 19:23-24

•  Mocked by People
Psalm 22:17b / Luke 23:35
Psalm 22:7 / Matthew 27:39
Psalm 109:25 / Mark 15:29-30
Psalm 22:8 / Matthew 27:41-43

•  On the Cross
Psalm 22:14b / Matthew 27:35
Psalm 22:1a / Matthew 27:46
Psalm 22:1b / Mark 15:34
Psalm 22:15a / John 19:28

•  Messiah's Death
Zechariah 13:7b / Matthew 27:35
Psalm 22:17a / John 19:32-33
Zechariah 12:10a / John 19:34-37
Psalm 22:14a / John 19:34

The Importance of Jesus' Resurrection

Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 and the "Resurrection of Christ" with Scriptures included.

1 Corinthians 15:3-5; John 3:16

•  Have children write 1-5 paragraphs on a topic of study.
    •  Assign a Scripture portion or memory verse to write out.
    •  Make banners, cards, tracts, etc. (see "Evangelism").

Crucify, myrrh, Golgotha, transgressors, mocking, tomb.

"Raising the Cross" by Rembrandt

•  See this painting and read a insightful commentary by Matthew Barrett:

". . . notice in the painting that there is a man at the feet of Jesus wearing a blue painter's beret.  Obviously this man is not from the first century.  And yet, there he stands, lifting the cross with the others.  Who is this man?  Indeed, it is Rembrandt himself!  In a way, it is a self-portrait.

"Why would Rembrandt place himself at the feet of Jesus as he is being hoisted up and crucified?  For no other reason than to tell the world that Rembrandt is a sinner and it was his sins, like the rest of mankind, which sent Christ to the cross."

"Hallelujah! What a Savior!"

Words and music by Philip P. Bliss. Become acquainted with this great hymn of the faith and learn at least the first verse. See words, hear the music, read the story, and print music.

•  Explore the question: "Was Jesus crucified on Friday or Wednesday?"

•  What do B.C. and A.D. stand for, and why the change to BCE and CE?  BC stands for before Christ, and AD stands for the Latin phrase anno domini, which means in the year of our Lord. A recent push to replace this dating system with BCE and CE (before the common era and common era) to avoid religion designations is one of semantics because what distinguishes both designations is still the life and times of the Lord Jesus Christ – the turning points of world history. See Christianity.com and CompellingTruth.org.

"The Science of the Crucifixion"

Have your older students read one or two of the following (not appropriate for young children).

•  "How did Jesus Christ die?"

•  "The Science of the Crucifixion"

•  "A Physician Testifies About the Crucifixion"

Read and/or listen to "The Twelve Voices of Easter" online.  Each "voice" gives a perceptive of one of 12 characters involved in the Easter story.

Giving Gifts

Include a greeting card, tract, and/or Gospel of John in thoughtful greetings such as:

•  A baked gift to neighbors.

•  Gifts to shut-ins.  See "Gift Ideas for People in Nursing Homes."

•  Instead of giving children Easter baskets, give a new Bible (if needed), Scripture bookmark, prayer journal, or something that will encourage their spiritual life.

•  See how to make Wordless Book crafts such as booklets and bracelets.

Make Hot Cross Buns for Good Friday.

This sweet, yeast bun is traditionally served on Good Friday.

The buns include currants, raisins and/or candied fruit and have a cross of icing on the top.

•  Get a recipe and watch a teaching video at MarthaStewart.com.

These Easter treats make a nice gift for your neighbors – along with a gospel tract!

See 80+ Learning Activities & Crafts on The Teaching Home's Easter Pinterest page.

Read Scripture listed below (with children reading too) from your own Bibles, online at BibleGateway.com, A Harmony of the Story of Jesus, or The Fourfold Gospel; and/or listen to the Scripture online.

•  The Empty Tomb
Matthew 28:1-8,11-15; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-13

•  The Resurrection and Appearances to Disciples
Matthew 28:9-10,16-17; Mark 16:9-14; Luke 24:13-44; John 20:14-21:14; Acts 1:1-5; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

•  Christ's Commission
Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:45-50; John 21:15-23; Acts 1:6-8

•  The Ascension
Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:51-53; Acts 1:9-11

•  A Harmony of the Story of Jesus:
The Resurrection and Ascension
Appearances of Jesus after His resurrection
The empty tomb
Resurrection appearances of Jesus
Commission to preach the Gospel
Jesus ascends to Heaven
Epilogue to the Gospels

•  The Fourfold Gospel (with notes):
Angels Announce the Resurrection to Certain Women; Peter and John Enter the Empty Tomb
First and Second Appearances of the Risen Christ; The Resurrection Reported to the Apostles
Some of the Guards Report to the Jewish Rulers
Third and Fourth Appearances of Jesus
Fifth Appearance of Jesus
Sixth Appearance of Jesus
Seventh Appearance of Jesus
Eighth Appearance of Jesus
The Great Commission Given
Ninth and Tenth Appearances of Jesus
The Ascension

(References below are Prediction / Fulfillment.)

•  Resurrection of the Messiah
Psalm 16:8-10b / Acts 13:35-37
Psalm 16:8-10a / Matthew 28:6
Isaiah 53:10c / Mark 16:16

•  Ascension of the Messiah
Psalm 68:18a / Luke 24:51
Daniel 7:13-14a / Acts 1:9-11

Personal Application

Have I personally received the benefit of Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection?

•  See "The Good News of the Holidays" below.

1 Corinthians 15:3-5; Ephesians 2:8-9

•  Have children write 1-5 paragraphs on a topic of study.
    •  Assign a Scripture portion or memory verse to write out.
    •  Make banners, cards, tracts, etc. (see "Evangelism").

Resurrection, appear, commission, ascension.

"Christ, the Lord, Is Risen Today"

Words written by Charles Wesley in 1739. Become acquainted with this great hymn of the faith and learn at least the first verse (see words below).

•  See text, printable scores, and more information.

Stimulate your older children to think by examining and discussing one or more of these articles.

•  "Evidence for the Resurrection" by Josh McDowell

•  "Did the Resurrection Really Happen?" by Dr. Tommy Mitchell, Answers in Genesis

•  "10 Reasons To Believe Christ Rose from the Dead"

•  "Beyond Blind Faith" by Paul E. Little

Video: The Hope

•  View "The Hope," a free 80-minute online video of God's redemptive story from beginning to end (or just chapters 10-11).

This presentation shows the entire Grand Plan laid out in the Bible.  Starting in Genesis, "The Hope" visually teaches 36 key events of the Scriptures:  Read a review.

Skit

•  Read and act out the dramatic sketch "A Press Conference after the Resurrection."

Video: Ben-Hur (1959)

•  Rent (for $3.99 online) or buy ($10.39) the 3.5-hour movie, Ben-Hur, classic adaptation of the Lew Wallace story of Palestine in the time of Christ.

For further study, see a free 9-page study guide for Ben-Hur online. Also see information about the story, setting, characters, vocabulary, and discussion questions online here.

Invite Someone to Church or Look for a Visitor to Befriend at Church

Many people will go to church on Easter Sunday that would not at any other time. Take advantage of this to invite family, friends, or neighbors to attend with you (and hear the gospel message). Consider some of the following:

•  Send a hand-written letter of invitation and follow up with a telephone call.

•  Offer a ride.

•  Invite them to dinner with you after the service.

•  Pray before and after that they will be saved or renew their commitment to the Lord.

1. Resurrection Cookies

Make Resurrection Cookies for Sunday morning.

These are to be made the evening before Easter, and are easy to make with young children.

Each ingredient represents a part of the Easter story, along with a Bible verse or passage.

Cookies are "sealed" in a warmed (but turned-off) oven overnight, and provide an object lesson on Easter morning – they are hollow, as the tomb was empty!

•  Get directions with accompanying explanations at Christ-Centered Easter Activities for Your Family.

2. Resurrection Rolls

Resurrection rolls are a great treat to make with your little ones to share the meaning of Easter.  They are easily made with a can of crescent roll dough, marshmallows, butter, and cinnamon sugar.

•  See step-by-step instructions with accompanying photos online here.

If your church does not have an Easter sunrise service, your family can have one of your own – or invite another family to join you.

•  See suggestions on Annie's "Family Easter Sunrise Service" Page.

On Easter, greet each other with "Alleluia, Christ is risen!"

And reply, "He is risen indeed! Alleluia!"

Paschal Greetings from around the World gives this greeting in dozens of languages.

See 80+ Learning Activities & Crafts on The Teaching Home's Easter Pinterest page.

The spiritual significance of Christmas and Easter is the very essence of the Gospel – the Good News of God's love and gift of eternal life through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus is God's gift of love, celebrated at Christmas.

"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord'" (Luke 2:10, 11).

Because of the incarnation, Jesus is fully God and fully man.

God the Father calls His Son "God" in Hebrews 1:8 "But of the Son He says, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom.'"

At the same time Christ is fully man. "By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God" (I John 4:3).

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

The Gospel includes four historical facts – celebrated at Good Friday and Easter – concerning the God-man Christ Jesus, the object of saving faith.

"Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel, . . . that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time" (I Corinthians 15:1-6).

The death of Jesus Christ in our place is God's only provision for man's sin. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone" (Hebrews 2:9).

The burial testified that His body was really dead. "And Joseph took the body . . . and laid it in his own new tomb . . . and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb" (Matthew 27:59-60).

"He (Jesus Christ) was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification" (Romans 4:25).

The record that Jesus was seen by many assures us that the resurrection was genuine. "To these He also presented Himself alive, after His suffering, by many convincing proofs" (Acts 1:3).

God's gift of forgiveness and eternal life is yours when you accept it as an undeserved gift by faith as you personally receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9).

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you" (I Peter 1:3-4).

by Ray Comfort, Living Waters

It was the most profound sound ever heard in the history of humanity!

Two thousand years ago, in a rich man's grave, lay the three- day-dead, stone-cold body of a murder victim.

Suddenly, deep from within that shattered and bloody corpse came a whisper of a sound, the implications of which thundered across the face of the universe. It was the faint murmur of a heartbeat in the lifeless body of Jesus of Nazareth.

That tiny sound confirmed that the suffering on the cross was a finished work. Redemption of the human race was complete. The payment had been made, and the morally perfect thrice-holy Judge of the Universe was satisfied with the perfect sacrifice.

That spark of resurrected life was evidence of the unspeakable – death had been overcome. Everlasting life could now be given as a free gift to guilty and hell-bound sinners, because of the kindness and love of our beneficent Creator.

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