Hey families,

This weekend we talked about Jesus' crucifixion & resurrection over the Easter weekend. Here's some more thoughts for you to talk & read about in your homes over the holidays.

God’s law for the people was plain. Together, read Deuteronomy 6:5. But God’s people, and all people, have broken the law. We have loved other things more than we love God. That is sin.

Jesus’ purpose for coming to earth was to save us from our sin. (Matt. 1:21) Why did Jesus have to die? Why couldn’t He just say, “You are forgiven”? God is just and requires due payment for sin. To simply forgive sin without requiring a payment would be unjust. According to God’s Word, the payment of sin is death. (Rom. 6:23) But not only is God just, He is also loving. That is why Jesus was willing to die in our place.

Jesus came to live and die to show God’s love to us (Rom. 5:7-8) so that whoever believes in Him might not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) Jesus came to die so that we would be forgiven. (Eph. 1:7) Jesus came to die to bring us to God. (1 Pet. 3:18)

Jesus died on the cross to satisfy the wrath of God toward sin. Jesus’ resurrection proved that God was satisfied with Jesus’ sacrifice, and forgiveness and life are found in Him. (See 1 Cor. 15:17.) If Jesus had died but not been raised up, He would have been like military leaders who died without a throne. (Acts 5:33-37) But Jesus conquered death, just as He said He would. (John 2:19-21)

Jesus’ resurrection gives us hope for our resurrection. (Rom. 6:5) Romans 8:11 says that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will raise our bodies to life.

Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection are not the end of the story, but the center of it. Everything that was written about Jesus in the Old Testament and spoken by the prophets was coming true. As you teach your kids this Bible story, emphasize the gospel: the good news of who Jesus is and what He has done

The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus is the center of the gospel. We deserve to die because of our sin, but Jesus died in our place. He was the blood sacrifice made once and for all for the forgiveness of sin. God was pleased with Jesus’ sacrifice and raised Jesus from the dead to reign as King over all creation. We are forgiven only through Jesus. (Acts 4:12)

Family Activity

This week, during the holidays, choose a favourite story book to read or movie to watch together. Consider hosting a 'movie night' together as a fun holiday activity.  Pop some popcorn together, spread the bean-bags & blankets out on the floor and get cosy!

Choose one that has a good plot line – maybe an adventure book where a character has a moment of uncertainty. (Toy Story, Inside Out, the Lego Movie etc). As you read or watch, pause or stop the book/movie right at the climax of uncertainty or just when things start to look really bad for the lead character. While you're stopped, talk about how bad it would be if the story ended there. Talk about how bad it would be, likewise, for us, if Jesus had died and not risen again. But that was not the end of God's Story. Finish the book or movie, and reflect on the victorious ending. Talk together of how wonderful it is that Jesus did come back to life and is able to rescue us from death, too. How death, for the Christian, is not the end of the story, but that we are saved for eternal life, even after death – life with Jesus forever.

Have a great week!