Children enjoy many fun events during Easter. Egg hunts, colorful baskets, and candy are all exciting elements of the holiday. While these activities are an engaging way to connect to the true purpose of Easter, we should not let these events overlap or detract from the focus of Jesus’ resurrection.
When telling children about Christ’s death and resurrection, we should be careful with mixing in elements of the Easter bunny or using children’s Bibles that overly dramatize the Easter story.
The best “version” of the Easter story to tell children is the one found in the Bible. Parents, grandparents, and children’s ministry workers need to avoid using certain storybook versions of the Bible that might include too many unbiblical details or use distracting artwork.
We want to tell children the life-changing news of Jesus’ death and resurrection so that they may one day place their faith in Him for salvation. To help them understand, we need to keep the account simple and appropriate, but also biblical.
Children Learn Differently Than Adults
While this article is not about how children learn or the most effective methods to teach them, it is helpful to know the differences between how adults and children learn. Kids can learn different concepts at various ages and stages in their life.
Very small children, such as toddlers and early preschoolers, can comprehend the idea that God exists and love them, but they will have difficulty understanding Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.
Parents can and should talk to their smaller kids about Jesus, but they should allow them room for growth and understanding.
Children think in concrete terms. Abstract teachings, such as metaphors or symbolism, are confusing for them. For instance, when someone tells them that “Jesus will enter your heart when you trust Him,” they literally think Jesus will physically live inside their heart.
Hence, parents need to teach kids about the Bible in simple and short explanations without the use of theological or church “jargon” that is unfamiliar and incomprehensible to children.
Teaching kids about the Bible is challenging at times. However, children can often understand more than we give them credit for. Jesus welcomed little ones when he was teaching, and we should do the same (Matthew 19:14).
We just need to remember that simple explanations from the Bible are more valuable than flashy, but shallow lessons.
1. Be Simple, but Biblical
There are many ways to tell the biblical account of Jesus’ resurrection to children, but one of the more popular ways is to use a children’s Bible storybook.
Whether in print or an e-book, a Bible storybook presents the accounts of Scripture in understandable language for kids. Parents and grandparents can choose to use these resources to teach children about the Easter story, but they need to keep a few things in mind.
When using a Bible storybook to tell the account of the resurrection, they should make sure the pictures do not detract from the most important thing — the account of Jesus’ resurrection.
If a Bible storybook includes a picture of an angel sitting on the rock, children will likely focus on this interesting figure instead of the fact that Jesus has risen. They may ask questions about the angel and why he is there.
If a picture is used, it should be an uncomplicated illustration of the empty tomb. In this way, kids will not get lost in the details of the story and focus on the fact that Jesus rose from the dead and is alive! He is the reason we celebrate Easter.
Also, if a storybook version of a children’s Bible is used, parents or grandparents need to be wary of extra-biblical details. Stores and websites offer many beautiful Bible storybooks for sale, but not all of them stay solely with the facts of Scripture.
Many of these storybooks add elements to the biblical accounts to make the accounts read more like a children’s story. Such extra-biblical details may aid in understanding, but like some illustrations, they can detract from the focus on Jesus’ resurrection.
Furthermore, adding to the scriptural account downplays the authority of the Bible. More than anything, parents should demonstrate respect toward God’s Word, which is modeled in how they treat the Bible.
Children need to know the truth, not superfluous details, which distract from the Bible’s meaning and purpose.
2. Provide an Overview with Scriptural References
Scripture presents the account of the resurrection in each of the four gospels. We could choose one account to read to children or combine the accounts to present the whole picture of what happened on that Easter morning.
The women went early in the morning to visit the tomb but found it empty (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1-4; Luke 24:1-3; John 20:1). Angels told them that Jesus had risen from the dead (Matthew 28:5-6; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:4-8; John 20:11-12).
Mary Magdalene and the other women saw Jesus alive, and He commanded them to tell the 11 disciples about His resurrection (Matthew 28:9-10; Mark 16:7-11; John 19:14-18).
The wonderful news of Easter is that Jesus is alive. He died for our sins, but rose to life on the third day, defeating the power of death (2 Timothy 1:10).
To help children understand why Jesus came, died, and rose to life, parents could choose to provide an overview from Scripture.
In this way of teaching, parents or grandparents could start with the Genesis account of the creation of Adam and Eve, the Fall of Man, sin entering the world, and explain why we need a Savior.
Then, parents can tell children about how Jesus, who is God, came into the world as a man. He never sinned because He is perfect. Christ was able to die in our place on the cross. He paid the price for our sin.
Christ’s death was not the end. On the third day that He was in the tomb, He rose to life. He appeared to the women and His disciples, proving He is alive. Jesus freely offers forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life to all who believe in His death and resurrection.
In this method, children could read key Bible passages such as Genesis 1:27; Genesis 3:1-15 with Romans 5:12; Matthew 28:1-10; Luke 24:1-10; Mark 16:1-7; John 20:11-18; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; and Romans 10:9-11.
Children can and should be exposed to Scripture, even at an early age (2 Timothy 3:15). God’s Word is more powerful than any other written work (Hebrews 4:12). Thus, hearing about the account of the resurrection is more impactful when biblical passages are included.
3. Separate Images of Bunnies and Eggs from the Bible
There are many ways to present the Easter story of Jesus’ resurrection, either through a children’s Bible, combining the four gospel accounts, or presenting an overview of the entire message of the Bible, which points to Jesus’ death and resurrection.
However, one thing we should avoid doing is combining popular images of Easter, such as the Easter bunny or eggs, into the resurrection account.
Children could begin to associate the mythological character of the Easter bunny with Jesus, which is misleading. The Easter bunny is not real and has nothing to do with the resurrection or the gospel message.
Furthermore, kids are easily distracted and could miss the vital message of Jesus’ resurrection if pictures of Easter eggs or chocolate bunnies are included in presentations of the Easter Story.
There is nothing wrong with children enjoying an egg hunt or candy, but it should stay as a fun event, not the focus of Easter.
Since we want to keep the account simple and biblical for children, we should not mix the Easter bunny, baskets, or eggs into the account of the Resurrection.
Why Does This Matter?
On Easter, children will encounter various depictions of what the holiday means. The world proposes an image of egg hunts and chocolate bunnies as a welcome celebration of spring.
Scripture, however, presents the real reason for Easter, which is the wonderful news that Jesus has risen.
Parents, grandparents, and children’s ministry workers need to carefully consider how they present the resurrection account to kids to ensure they keep it simple for them to understand, but also biblical.
We do not need to mix the Easter bunny or other popular images into the biblical account of Jesus’ resurrection. Instead, we should stay true to the Bible and help children understand why Jesus died and was raised to life again.
No other message is as significant or life-changing, for adults and children alike, as the good news we encounter on Resurrection Sunday!
For further reading:
How Is the Easter Bunny Connected to Christianity?
Is the Goddess Eostre Connected to Easter?
Should Christians Celebrate Easter?
Can Children Truly Understand the Bible?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/monkeybusinessimages
Sophia Bricker is a freelance writer who enjoys researching and writing articles on biblical and theological topics. In addition to contributing articles about biblical questions as a contract writer, she has also written for Unlocked devotional. She holds a BA in Ministry, a MA in Ministry, and is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing to develop her writing craft. As someone who is passionate about the Bible and faith in Jesus, her mission is to help others learn about Christ and glorify Him in her writing. When she isn’t busy studying or writing, Sophia enjoys spending time with family, reading, drawing, and gardening.
