kids northview · the redemption story that began in genesis and continues through the gospels. the...

NORTHVIEW K I D S

EASTER DEVOTIONAL

Easter is the highlight of the Christian Church. It is the apex ofthe redemption story that began in Genesis and continuesthrough the Gospels. The death and resurrection of our Savior isthe reason for the hope that is within us. So, we CELEBRATEbut sometimes our children can’t quite understand the meaningof all that is going on. It is our prayer that the followingdevotionals, set in the form of readings and questions, will igniteconversations in your home and help your children understandmore fully the context and significance of the ‘Easter’ narrativetaken from the Gospels. We encourage you as a family to domore than just the readings. We have included with the dailydevotional some ideas for family activities that will enhance thelesson by making it practical.

PARENTS,

N O R T H V I E W K I D SEASTER DEVOTIONAL

DAY ONETRIUMPHAL ENTRY Long ago the prophet Zechariah said; “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout,Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious,lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zech. 9.9). AsJesus sat upon the donkey entering Jerusalem, He did so to fulfill what wasspoken long ago. As Jesus went along, a very large crowd gathered and theyspread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees andspread them on the road. They were honoring Jesus the same way they wouldhonor a king. The whole crowd began to joyfully praise God in loud voicessaying, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed isthe coming kingdom of our father David! Peace in heaven and glory in thehighest!” Some of the teachers of the Law (the Pharisees) were upset this washappening because they did not like Jesus. They wanted Jesus to get Hisfollowers to stop shouting. Jesus said to them, “If they keep quiet, the stoneswill cry out.” - Adapted from Matt. 21. 1-11; Mk. 11.1-10, Lk. 19.29-44; Jn.12.12-19

THINK ABOUT IT

Read Psalm 118.25-26 & Zechariah 9.9.Long before Jesus came to earth, God gaveHis people a message. He told them thattheir king would come riding into Jerusalemon a donkey. What was recorded inZechariah really happened when Jesusrode in on a donkey, and the peoplehonored Him as they would honor aking. But that did not last. Over the nextseveral days we will see that instead ofshouting praise to Jesus, they shouted,“Crucify Him.” But this was a part of God’splan to save His people from sin, and as Hispeople, we can praise Jesus as the kingwho gave His life for us.

REFLECTION

How can we bless God in oureveryday lives? How can we make sure that we arealways praising Jesus? How did the crowd react to Jesus?Why do you think they were soexcited? As a family, look up the word“Hosanna” and discuss what itmeans. What did the crowd say aboutJesus?What was the Pharisee’s reaction?What did Jesus say in response tothem?

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DAY ONETRIUMPHAL ENTRY

image from Saddle Back Kids

ACTIVITY

Spend some time thinking of all the ways in which God has blessed you.Be sure that each family member shares at least one.Then list at leastone way you will each share God’s blessing with someone else.

DAY TWOJesus Washes the Disciples' Feet Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come to leavethis world to go to the Father. Having loved his disciples, he continued to lovethem right to the end. It was suppertime. Jesus knew that Judas was going tobetray Him. So, he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put onan apron. Then he poured water into a bowl and began to wash the feet of thedisciples, drying them with his apron. Simon Peter did not want Jesus to washhis feet, so he said to Jesus, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus saidto Peter that if he did wash his feet, Peter would have no part with Him. Peter,still trying to understand all that Jesus was saying, then told Jesus to wash allof him; his hands, feet, and head. Jesus said to Peter, “Those who have had abath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean.” Jesus knew whowas going to betray him, that’s why He said to Peter, “Not every one of you isclean.” After Jesus had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it backon, and went back to his place at the table. He asked His disciples if they knewwhy He had washed their feet. Jesus was setting an example for them tofollow. In the same way that he served His disciples and washed their feet, thedisciples were to serve one another. - Adapted from John 13:1-17 When welook at the life of Jesus, we can see the way in which He wanted His followersto live. Jesus’ disciples were eager to learn from Him and so should we.


THINK ABOUT IT

Foot washing was a basic practice of hospitality inthe Middle East. You can find examples of this inseveral old Testament passages (Genesis 18, 19, 43,Judges 19, I Samuel 25). You can just imagine howdirty their feet got as they were walking around thedesert with only sandals on or bare feet! Typically, aservant would be presented to the guests as theyentered a home to wash the feet of the guests. In thisstory, Jesus takes on the role of a lowly servant withhis disciples. This was a powerful move on his part.They would not have expected their leader to washtheir feet. This is why Peter objected so strongly toJesus doing this for them. Jesus used this act ofservice to teach them one of the most importantlessons in the Kingdom of God; in order to beconsidered great in the Kingdom of God, you must bea servant.

REFLECTION

Why do you think Jesus decided to washthe disciples’ feet? How did Peter respond to Jesus washinghis feet? How would you haveresponded? What does the passage say about howJesus feels about the disciples? Howdoes He feel about you? If you’re not sureread John 3:16 and Psalm 103.

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ACTIVITY

Use a washcloth and basin of water to take turns washing each other’sfeet and praying for each person in your family.

DAY TWOJesus Washes the Disciples' Feet


DAY THREEThe Last Supper Every family has traditions, and for Jewish people in the time of Jesus, muchlike today, they would gather to celebrate the Passover Feast and rememberhow God rescued His people out of Egypt. On the first of the Days ofUnleavened Bread, Jesus told His disciples to go into the city and tell a certainman that Jesus plans to celebrate the Passover at his house with thedisciples.The time for the meal came and Jesus was sitting at the table withHis disciples when He said, “I have something hard but important to say toyou: One of you is going to betray me.” Jesus was talking about Judas. Duringthe meal, Jesus took and blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to hisdisciples, saying, “Take, eat. This is my body.” In the same way, Jesus took thecup and gave thanks, and gave it to His disciples. He then said, “Drink this, allof you. This is my blood, God’s new covenant poured out for many people forthe forgiveness of sins.” They sang a hymn and went directly to the Mount ofOlives where Jesus would be arrested and later sentenced to be crucified. -Adapted from Matthew 26:17-20 & Luke 22:1-20


THINK ABOUT IT

Jesus taught his followers about beingprepared to make even greater sacrifices.Jesus used the bread and wine, traditionalelements to the Passover meal, to show Hisdisciples how He was soon going to giveHis life for others. Just as the Passoverlamb’s blood set the Jews free from theslavery of the Egyptians, Jesus’ blood setsus free from our slavery to sin.

REFLECTION

What did Jesus say at the supper ashe gave his disciples the bread?What did he say as He gave themthe cup of wine?What did Jesus do after supper?Where did He go with the discipleson that night?

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ACTIVITY

(Have bread/crackers and grape juice set up) ASK: How do these things help us remember Jesus? Share the following information about communion with your children. Be sure to mentionthat communion is reserved for those who have already put their faith in Christ. Duringcommunion, we remember Jesus and all that He taught us. During communion, we askGod to help us live more like Jesus. During communion, we eat bread and drink the juice.Sometimes the bread is cut in small bites. Sometimes we break the bread from a largeloaf. Sometimes the bread is like a small cracker.I n some churches, each person has asmall cup of juice.In other churches, people dip their bread into a large cup of juice.

DAY THREEThe Last Supper



DAY FOURIn The Garden After the Passover Feast, Jesus and His disciples went to the garden ofGethsemane. When they arrived at the garden, Jesus said to them, “Pray thatyou don’t give in to temptation.” He said this because He knew that they wouldleave Him just as it was prophesied by the prophet Zechariah when he said,“I’ll strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” Peter promised Jesusthat He would never leave, but Jesus told him, “Before the rooster crows, youwill deny me three times.” Then Jesus went into the garden to pray. When hecame back to his disciples, he found them sound asleep. Twice more Jesuswent to pray, and when He came back to His disciples a third time, He said,“Get up! Let’s get going! My betrayer is here.” Judas (one of the disciples)showed up and with him a gang from the high priests and religious leadersarmed with swords and clubs. Jesus was arrested, taken to unfair trials, beatenand mocked. - Adapted from Matthew 26:34-51

THINK ABOUT IT

Jesus went into the garden to pray to HisFather. No matter what the future would belike, no matter how hard or painful, Jesuswanted to do God’s will. Doing God’s willisn’t always easy. But it is always the best.Make sure you take time to talk to Godtoday and ask Him what His will is for yourlife and family.

REFLECTION

Where does Jesus go to pray? Doyou need to be alone to pray? Why do you think Jesus wanted tobe alone? What did Jesus pray for? What canyou pray for? (See verses 39 and44)

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DAY FOURIn The Garden

ACTIVITY

Make a prayer book to write your prayers in. Decorate it with markers orcrayons. Encourage your kids to write out prayer requests, then they canwrite when those prayers were answered. Encourage them with this everyday and keep it going through the year and watch how God answersprayer.



DAY FIVEPeter Denies Christ Two of Jesus’ followers followed at a safe distance as they marched Jesus offand took Him into the house of the Chief Priest. The young woman who wasthe doorkeeper said to Peter, “Aren’t you one of this man’s disciples?” He said,“No, I’m not. In the middle of the courtyard, some people had started a fire andwere sitting around it, trying to keep warm. A servant girl sitting at the firenoticed Peter and said, “This man was with Jesus!” Peter lied and said, “I don’tknow Him.” One of the men who had seen Peter in the garden recognized himand said, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?” Again, Peter denied it. Justthen a rooster crowed. Peter went out and cried and cried and cried. - Adaptedfrom John 18.18-1 & Luke 22.54-62

THINK ABOUT IT

Have you ever made a mistake andthought that no one would forgive you?Maybe you took your brother’s favorite toy,or you told a lie. Peter must have thoughtthat after denying Jesus three times, Jesuswould never forgive him, but the greatthing is that after Jesus rose from the dead,He found Peter and told him that he lovedhim. Jesus forgave Peter for denying him. Forgiving someone who has hurt you canbe one of the hardest things you’ll ever do.Yet, forgiving someone is the greatest actof love you can do for yourself and forthem.

REFLECTION

Why do you think Peter cried afterhe heard the rooster crow? Whotalked about a rooster crowingbefore this even happened? Is there someone in your family youneed to forgive? Is there anythingyou need to ask forgiveness for?

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DAY FIVEPeter Denies Christ

ACTIVITY

Before and after pictures: Have your children draw pictures of Peter crying.Discuss that Peter felt guilty about lying. Ask them if they feel bad whenthey do something wrong. Talk about how we can ask God to forgive us,as Peter did. And that God is faithful to forgive us! Then have your childrendraw a picture of Peter after Jesus forgave him—he was happy! Play the Casting Crowns song “East to West.” The chorus says that thedistance between the east and the west is “from one scarred hand to theother.” Talk about the great love Jesus had for us to go to the cross so wecan be forgiven.



DAY SIXThe Trials of Jesus Then the high priests took Jesus to Pilate and began to bring up chargesagainst him. Pilate asked him, “Is this true that you are “King of the Jews”?“Those are your words, not mine,” Jesus replied. Pilate told the high priests andthe crowd, “I find nothing wrong here. He seems harmless enough to me.” Thatmade the people very upset, and so they brought Jesus to Herod. Herod washappy when Jesus showed up. He had wanted for a long time to see him, he’dheard so much about him. He hoped to see him do something spectacular. Hepeppered him with questions. Jesus didn’t answer—not one word. Offended,Herod turned on Jesus. His soldiers joined in, taunting and jeering. Theydressed him up in an elaborate king costume and sent him back toPilate. Pilate wanted to let Jesus go, but the crowd kept shouting back,“Crucify! Crucify him!” So Pilate gave in and gave them what they wanted. Hehad Jesus whipped. The soldiers made a crown of thorns, set it on his head,threw a purple robe over him, and shouted at him saying, “Hail, King of theJews!” Then they greeted him with slaps in the face. They took Jesus away.Carrying his cross, Jesus went out to the place called Golgotha where theycrucified Him. Then the whole earth was dark. At around mid-afternoon, Jesuscried loudly, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Jesus cried outagain and died. - Adapted from Matthew 27.11-50

THINK ABOUT IT

Jesus, God’s perfect Son, was arrested andnailed to a cross. He did no wrong, brokeno law. He was perfect in every way. He isthe Son of God. Yet He was crucified like acriminal for our sins. He took ourpunishment.

REFLECTION

What is the crowd’s response toJesus? What was their response to Himearlier this week? (At first, theywelcomed him, but now they turn onHim). In Luke 23.44-46, what does Jesussay to God? Why do you think Hesaid that?How do the two criminals respond toJesus? What is Jesus’ response tothe second man?

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DAY SIXThe Trials of Jesus

ACTIVITY

On separate pieces of paper, write out different words that describe Jesus.Give each child one or two of the cards that describe Jesus. Ask thechildren to tell you what they thought of when they read the words on theircards. Ask them to decide in their minds if they really know that Jesus is theSon of God, the Savior, The Redeemer, and so on. Invite the children todescribe how this knowledge of Jesus has blessed them.



DAY SEVENJesus' Burial Late in the afternoon a wealthy man from Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus,arrived. His name was Joseph. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.Pilate granted his request. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in clean linens,put it in his own tomb, a new tomb only recently cut into the rock, and rolled alarge stone across the entrance. Then he went off. - Adapted from Matthew27:57-66

THINK ABOUT IT

Jesus had come to live the Law perfectly andfulfill God’s requirements for obedience. He liveda sinless life and was the perfect sacrifice foryou and me. He showed us the way to have aright relationship with God. Jesus is the only wayto the Father! This week, I hope you’ll thinkabout what Jesus came to do. I hope you’ll thinkabout how his life, his death, and hisresurrection bring us joy and hope. This week, ifyou see something in the news that makes yousad, or if something happens in your life that isjust plain nasty, remember that even at thedarkest hour in history, when Jesus was hangingon the Cross, there was great hope. God wasdoing something good then, and God is stillworking all things together for good for thosewho love him and are called according to hispurpose.

REFLECTION

What did Joseph do with Jesus’body?Why do you think Joseph wanted togive Jesus a proper burial?

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DAY SEVENJesus' Burial

ACTIVITY

Make a “tomb” out of a cardboard box or kitchen container. Take a teddybear or lego man toy, which represents Jesus, and wrap it in toilet paper,just like Jesus was wrapped in linens. Place the wrapped toy in the tomb,just as Jesus was placed in his tomb. Finally, place something in front of thetomb to symbolize the stone being rolled across the tomb. Explain that thedisciples thought this was how the story would end, and they were verysad that Jesus was dead and buried. But remind them that we know moreand that this is not the end of the story! We are sad that Jesus died, but wehave joy because something incredible happened next.



DAY EIGHTJesus is Alive! The earth trembled and shook as if it understood the importance of what washappening. Jesus watched as an angel slowly moved the stone from theentrance to the tomb. Morning light filled the tomb and Jesus walked out. Laterthat morning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the tomb whereJesus had been buried. They saw the angel and he told them that Jesus wasno longer there, he was no longer dead. The women ran from the tomb inamazement to find Jesus’ disciples so they could tell them the good news. Asthey were going they saw someone ahead; it was Jesus. The women ran toHim, fell at His feet and worshipped Him. “Don’t be afraid,” Jesus told them.“Go to the disciples and tell them to meet me in Galilee.” - Adapted fromMatthew 28:1-10

THINK ABOUT IT

Read I Corinthians 15.3-8: Discuss the central elements of the Easter story.(Died, buried, raised, appeared to witnesses). Discuss the importance of the phrase “accordingto the scriptures.” Explain that Jesus’ death was predicted andpromised in the Old Testament. Discuss the importance of Jesus appearing tomany witnesses (Matthew 28.1-10, Mark 16.9-11, Luke 24.13-15, 33-34, 36-43, John 20.24-29,John 21.1-14, Mark 16.14, 1 Corinthians 15.6&7). Explain this was a real historical event, notsomething imaginary. Many real people saw it.

REFLECTION

Who were the first people to seeJesus alive? How did they respond?What do you think it would be like tosee Jesus die on one day, and thensee him alive again a few days later?If Jesus is powerful enough to risefrom the dead, what else is hepowerful enough to do?

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DAY EIGHTJesus is Alive!

ACTIVITY

Have a cross tape on your wall along with index cards and a pen/pencil. Because of Jesus,we can be forgiven and spend forever with Him in heaven. That’s a wonderful gift! Showyour children the cross on the wall and let them know that you’re going to play someworship music in the background. Let them know that when they’re ready, they can comeand take an index card and a marker (or crayon) to write or draw a message to Jesus.After that, you can tape your response to the cross. Jesus’ resurrection gives us so manyreasons to celebrate. He made the way for us to be in a relationship with God forever!Spend some time praising Jesus together this Easter. You can choose to praise Jesusthrough dancing, singing, kneeling, lifting your hands … or any other way you’d like!


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