From the excitement of Palm Sunday to fear and sadness as Jesus is arrested and killed and then joy at his resurrection. The Easter story of a rollercoaster of emotions. Join us as we delve into the story and jump up with our own thoughts and ideas.
The sessions
Excitement - Jesus arrives in Jerusalem
Confusion - What does he mean?
Fear - Jesus is arrested
Sadness - Jesus is killed
Joy - Jesus is alive
Each session includes:
The story: Watch the video or read it yourself.
Ask each other...: Questions to think and talk about.
Response: A song, craft, baking, outdoors and play dough option for you to choose from. for each session.
Prayer.
How might I use this?
As a church
Use as your Sunday or midweek group resource.
Run as a short daily holiday club during Holy Week (the week before Easter)
Send bags with the resources for the responses you have chosen to do together or to do as a family.
Use the whole resource alone or add your own videos or live elements.
Send the link to local families, for the school newsletter with a sentence to invite parents to have a look and join in,
Encourage families to share their thoughts and responses in some way.
Link it in as a wider church with the accompanying resources for worship, schools and community.
As a family
Use it as a weekly activity over Lent or each day in the week before Lent (Holy Week).
Choose one or more response activities that suit your family. Do check what you might need beforehand.
Try and find a time you can all sit down together without distractions.
Make sure both adults and children are involved in sharing thoughts and ideas.
Invite a friend or two to do it to and share what you have each been up to.
Perhaps have a box before you start with everything you will need so you have less preparation before each session.
Jesus enters Jerusalem
Linking in
As a household
Have a look at the community trail, this may be more engaging and relevant to teenagers and young adults. You may still enjoy the response ideas through this too.
Find your local church and see what they are doing to celebrate over Lent and Easter.
Join the DBE 'Way of the cross' service as part of your home learning (See collective worship page)
As a church
If you are running this as a group or sending resources out, you might want to include the image pack of the stations of the cross or use them as part of your offering.
Think about how children and families in your local school could engage with this. You may offer craft bags more widely or send a link to the website for the school to send out.