At home

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

1. ​Excitement - Jesus arrives in Jerusalem
2. Confusion - What does he mean?
3. Fear - Jesus is arrested
4. Sadness - Jesus is killed
5. 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.

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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.

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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.