ParentLife - March 2008 - On the Cover (Page 20)

Easter Books

Try these age-appropriate, biblically accurate books.

Preschoolers

• The Read-to-Me Bible for Kids (Holman Bible Publishers, 2005)

• The Toddler’s ABC Bible Storybook by Carolyn Larsen (Crossway Books, 2007)

• The Story of Jesus by Patricia Pingry (Ideals Publications, 2006)

• The Story of Easter: The Giant Flap Book (Concordia Publishing, 2004)

Added Note: Guide your 1- to 2- year-old child to look at picture books emphasizing Jesus’ love for children. These truths are foundational to children learning later about how Jesus showed God’s love by dying on the cross.

School-Age Children

• The Best Thing About Easter by Christine Harder Tangvold ( Standard Publishing, 2006)

• The Easter Story by Allia Zobel-Nolan (Kregel Publications, 2006)

• He Is Risen Indeed! by David Erick-son (Concordia Publishing House, 2006)

• The Illustrated Study Bible for Kids (B&H Publishing, 2005)

• Jesus Must Be Really Special by Jennie Bishop (Standard Publishing, 2007)

• The Legend of the Easter Egg by Lori Walburg (Zonderkidz, 2004)

• Jesus, the Friend of Children by Richard Hook and Frances Hook (David C. Cook, 2006)

• Lola Mazola’s Happyland Adventure: My John 3: 16 Book by Robert J. Morgan (B&H, 2008) (especially for those who have begun to ask questions about becoming a Christian)

Preteens

• The Case for Christ for Kids by Lee Strobel and Rob Suggs (Zonderkidz, 2006)

• The Case for Faith for Kids by Lee Strobel and Rob Suggs (Zonderkidz, 2006)

• The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt (David C. Cook, 2003)

20 PARENTLIFE MARCH 2008

4 Ideas for Churches

The following ideas are four simple approaches that children’s leaders can take to underscore the truth that “Jesus really is the best thing about Easter.”

Idea 1: Newsletter to Parents — Develop a newsletter that includes tips on talking with children about Easter; an overview of the symbolic things that children see and hear at Easter; suggestions for family experiences related to Easter conversations; and encouragement to explain symbolic words that come up in everyday conversations.

Idea 2: Palm Sunday — Utilize palm branches in the Bible story and activities. Sing songs to praise Jesus, bringing the triumphal entry story to life.

Idea 3: Passover Meal With School-Age Children — On the Wednesday evening prior to Easter, focus on the Feast of the Passover. Enlist men to dress in biblical clothing and act out the Last Supper. Children can sit in groups on blankets with Bible foods (grapes, cheese, bread, olives). Emphasize that this is not the Lord’s Supper but an experience to help them understand the last meal that Jesus had with His chosen helpers.

Idea 4: Family Worship — Plan an additional child-friendly Easter service. Include drama, visuals, and songs. Provide each child with a bag of drawing materials, stickers, writing utensils, and a snack. Outside set up Bible-times market scenes. Maybe include a live donkey, chickens, and “actors” dressed in Bible costumes talking about Easter.

Let your child see you during your own personal quiet time.

experience

the Season

Together

Plan times of family worship. Include brief times of discussing a verse about Jesus. Also sing simple songs that your child can understand. A great time of teaching occurs when your child catches you reading the Bible for your own personal quiet time as well as singing and whistling praise songs that communicate your happiness and joy about the Easter season.