5 Ways to Teach Your Children about the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter morning is the most important event in the history of the world. How can we share the importance of this event with our children and grandchildren? The following five tips can help you communicate the good news of the risen Jesus. Please use these ideas to help share the importance of the resurrection with your children or grandchildren.
1. The Resurrection Is a True Story Some stories about fairies or aliens might be fun to pretend or for “make believe,” but the resurrection is a true story that really happened. Try some of these ideas to help show children how “real” the resurrection is:
- Show where Israel is located on a globe or map
- Zoom in on an image of modern Jerusalem with Google Maps, Bing Maps, or Mapquest
- Look up a picture of the empty tomb online
2. The Resurrection Proves Jesus Is God’s All-Powerful Son Many stories exist where people have returned from the dead; but only Jesus has returned from the dead by his own power. You can use the example of superheroes to discuss this aspect with a child. Ask:
- What are some of your favorite superhero powers?
- What kind of power would it take to defeat death?
- How does having power over death make Jesus the greatest superhero?
3. The Resurrection Was Seen by Many People The Bible records many people who saw Jesus alive again after his resurrection. Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 in the NIRV for young readers:
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For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
How many people saw Jesus alive again? More than 500. This was not a made up story. Many people shared this information that is included in the Bible.
4. The Resurrection Showed God’s Predictions Were True Many people do not realize that the resurrection of Jesus fulfilled many Bible predictions (called prophecies). Some of these include :
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Psalm 16:10-11:
“You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
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Psalm 49:15:
“But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself.”
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Isaiah 53:11:
“After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied.”
In addition to predictions about the resurrection, there are literally hundreds of prophecies about the Messiah in the Old Testament. We examine 16 of these in detail in our video series,
“16 Prophecies That Prove Jesus Is the Messiah.” Ask your child,
“How would the people who wrote these words have known this information hundreds of years before the resurrection?” The best answer is that God gave them this information—showing again that Jesus really did return to life and that the Bible’s words are true.
5. The Resurrection Make a Way for Us to Go to Heaven Jesus taught,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Through Jesus and the power of his resurrection, we can believe in him and spend eternity with him in heaven. How can we receive eternal life? By faith. The Bible teaches,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). You can pray a simple prayer with your child to express faith in Jesus Christ.
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“Jesus, I believe you are God’s Son who rose from the dead. I trust in you as my Lord, the leader of my life. Forgive me of the wrong things I have done. Thank you for accepting me as your child and giving me eternal life. Amen.”
The resurrection is the most important story you can teach your children. Make time today to tell the “good news” and help the next generation learn about the day Jesus rose from the grave.
Let us know how this article has helped you. Contact us with your stories at jasnews@jashow.org. Thank you for sharing the hope that is within you!
This article was written for The John Ankerberg Show By: Dillon Burroughs; ©2015.
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