Easter: Old and New

Written by Landry R. Holmes

This article is courtesy of ParentLife.

I am into “old.” Beside the fact that both my children think that I am old, I do like some old things. The padlock I use at the gym is from my junior high school days. I have a shelf dedicated to old books. The car I drive is the first vehicle my wife and I purchased. I own a wooden record player and radio that belonged to my wife’s grandparents. My kitchen table is over 100 years old.

I also like new—the smell of new books, the crispness of new clothes, the speed of a new computer, the clarity of a DVD player. I also am fascinated by new life, especially the sweetness of a newborn child. In fact, the older I become, the more I like what is new.

Easter is like that. Easter is about what is old and what is new. Easter is when Christians celebrate the fact that Jesus died to forgive us of the sin of our old lives and that He rose from the dead to give us new life. When I think of children, I remind myself that boys and girls are learning about what is new all the time. Children are constantly learning. We can help children learn about the newness of Easter by focusing upon God’s love as shown through His Son, Jesus.

Regardless of our children’s ages and what they already know about Easter, we as Christian parents have the opportunity and responsibility to make sure they hear that Jesus loves them unconditionally. How effectively we do this during the Easter season depends upon their individual levels of understanding.

Infants, Toddlers, and Twos

During the first few years of life, young children grow at a rapid rate. Everything they experience through their senses is new to them. At this stage, preschoolers experience God’s love through their interactions with parents and other loving adults. As they enjoy the calming pastel colors of spring, tell the story of how Jesus loved the children. (See Mark 10:13-16.) Repeat often the biblical truth that Jesus loves them.

Threes and Fours

“Jesus died,” 4-year-old Bradley said in a matter-of-fact manner as he played with blocks in Sunday School on Easter. Bradley’s statement surprised me. I was not sure where he had heard this fact, but I wanted to make sure he heard the other facet of this truth. With affirmation I said, “Yes, Bradley, Jesus did die; but He is now alive.” That was the end of our conversation regarding the matter. Bradley was content and continued to play with blocks.
Bradley, like most 3- and 4-year-olds, did not need a long explanation. He just needed an adult to listen and give him reassurance. Three and 4-year-olds need to hear that Jesus loves all people. If your young child initiates conversations about Jesus’ death, assure him that Jesus did die, but that He is alive and loves him.

Kindergartners

Kindergartners are excited about learning new things. They enjoy learning new words and achieve a sense of accomplishment when they learn new facts. Easter offers kindergartners the opportunity to build upon the foundational concept of Jesus’ love.

The focus for kindergartners is that although Jesus died on the cross, He is now alive. Boys and girls will not understand all of the implications, but parents and teachers can reassure them that Jesus loves them and is alive. One way to do this is to show your kindergartner a realistic biblical illustration of the empty tomb. The picture will reinforce visually the truth that Jesus is alive.

First and Second Graders

Discovery is important to young children. First and second graders will be eager to discover more about how Jesus died and rose from the dead. Like kindergartners, they may have difficulty figuring out how that could happen, especially if they have experienced the finality of the death of a family member. However, reinforce the fact that the Bible is true, that Jesus is God’s Son, and that He can do things people cannot do. Emphasize that God was the One who raised Jesus from the dead and that Jesus is alive today.

Third and Fourth Graders

If first and second graders discover how Jesus became alive again, third and fourth graders will want to know why Jesus had to die and be raised from the dead. At this point, the Easter story may become more personal for your child. As you explain that Jesus died because of sin, help your child understand that God loves her so much that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for her sin. Remind your child that God raised Jesus from the dead and that Jesus is alive.

Preteens

Does your fifth or sixth grader ever say, “I don’t get it”? Preteens are sometimes caught in limbo between concrete and abstract thinking. At times you may catch yourself thinking: “My son is really maturing. He understands so much more than I did at his age.” Conversely, you probably also find yourself thinking, “I can’t believe he acts so childishly!” That is because preteens are really “in-between.”

The fact that Jesus’ death and resurrection are part of God’s plan to forgive us of our sin may be difficult to comprehend for the preteen. It is difficult for the preteen who is trying to reconcile concrete and abstract thought. However, your preteen needs to be reassured that God loves her. Help your child comprehend that Jesus’ death and resurrection are evidences of God’s love and that God loves her even when she does not love herself. Give your preteen hope with the fact that Jesus is alive.

Experiencing Easter Together

Whether your child is an infant or a second grader, a pre-kindergartner or a preteen, Easter can be a special time for your family. Attend Sunday School and church every Sunday, not just on Easter. Enjoy a special family devotional on the night before Easter. If Easter egg hunts and new clothes are part of your family’s tradition, help your child understand the difference between the fantasy of the Easter bunny and the fact of Jesus’ resurrection. Most of all, be sure to focus on the joy that Jesus loves us and is alive!

Landry R. Holmes is a managing director of Childhood Ministry Publishing at LifeWay Christian Resources.