How To Help Children Feel The Power Of Easter And Christ`s Atonement

[readstoomuch]

My oldest son and his wife are semi-active, secular humanist LDS members. They are going to church with us tomorrow. Hopefully, we have a great Easter program. I would like to provide some opportunities for my oldest son, as well as my two teenagers still at home to feel the power of Easter. We are going to go to Seventh Day Adventist Church for a representation that they have of the last few days of Jesus` life and resurrection. I have heard great things from prior years and we have seen some other great productions put on by the same congregation. They are actually a model of how we might provide the same kind of experiences within our wards.

I also watched much of the Passion of Christ on TBN the other day. I was impressed by the strength and respect that it gave me for Christ. I have heard others who did not have the same experience with it.

So, how can we help our children and for that matter ourselves to feel the spirit and power of Christ`s atonement this Easter holiday?

[The Nehor]

Start sinning and then repent. Really adds to the experience.

[readstoomuch]

As for myself, I have sinned enought to feel the power of Christ in my life. It seems harder for children, especially the 18-25 crowd. It was a serious question and I thought others might gain some insight or offer some suggestions.

[rpn]

The church has a video of the easter story that is not graphic, but you the soundtrack makes it pretty vivid.  I can tell you that my 11 year old son cried and said not just after watching it but on various occasions thereafter, that he didn't want to do anything that contributed to Jesus' pain.  (I know, kinda backwards, but showing understanding of the price He paid for their sins).

 

The most effective presentation of the atonement in practice I have seen, is  in the middle chapters of a book titled "in Quiet Desperation".  

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

My oldest son and his wife are semi-active, secular humanist LDS members. They are going to church with us tomorrow. Hopefully, we have a great Easter program. I would like to provide some opportunities for my oldest son, as well as my two teenagers still at home to feel the power of Easter. We are going to go to Seventh Day Adventist Church for a representation that they have of the last few days of Jesus` life and resurrection. I have heard great things from prior years and we have seen some other great productions put on by the same congregation. They are actually a model of how we might provide the same kind of experiences within our wards.

I also watched much of the Passion of Christ on TBN the other day. I was impressed by the strength and respect that it gave me for Christ. I have heard others who did not have the same experience with it.

So, how can we help our children and for that matter ourselves to feel the spirit and power of Christ`s atonement this Easter holiday?

Children learn of these things much better in the home...Church is important, but does not replace the home. Sometimes as parents we hope they will gain their love for such things at Church. I gained a love for doctrinal issue at the feet of my parents growing up. Our Church Bible Dictionary states (under the heading Temples)..."that only the home can compare with the sacredness of the Temple". One of our GA's said the the family and home are the first Church. My dad was a Pastor, so maybe my home was different than many...I hope or wish all were as mine.

[readstoomuch]

I saw one video. Is there more than one that the Church has?

[Tacenda]

I thought when I sat down in Sacrament that it would be any normal meeting when I looked at the program, two youth speakers, a married couple speaking and a choir number. It kind of made me mad. Then the youth spoke and did a great job, but when the woman spoke she testified about the truthfulness of the bible for one and proceeded to read the scriptures about Jesus death and resurrection. The way she spoke about Him was so powerful, she could very well have been a prophetess like in the bible. Then primary class we learned about Joseph and his coat of many colors, very good. Then in Sharing Time the chorister did an amazing job with teaching and singing about Easter. She did not dumb it down either, the spirit was so strong and the children so reverent!! Great day, and feel great and believe our church is Christian for sure, as are so many churches. Now hoping I can continue with the spirit and bring the reason of Easter up with my family and grandchildren. Hopefully it won't be all about the easter egg hunt and candy...

[Calm]

Before the hunt, explain the traditional meaning...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_egg

[Calm]

In SM today, one speaker related how his wife included in the hunt plastic Easter eggs that contained symbols of Easter which gave them a chance to discuss them with the kids as they opened their stash. One had a nail, another red M&Ms, another a flower, another was empty, etc.

Other ones I can think of is a little lamb (the animal, not the meat...though one could do the meat if one wanted to, just a little messy..)., a small piece of linen, perfumed ointment, a cross, unleavened bread, a red grape, an olive, probably more, just read the story and get creative...you could number them so they get opened in order so as to make a story....

How many I would chose to do would depend on the number of kids. Instead of just the person opening who found them, maybe have a special basket in the center of the kids sitting on the floor where they put all the numbered ones and then they take turns finding and opening them up, at least one for each, but have enough that each get an equal amount so no one fights about that.

Oh...also you might want to map where you put them to ensure they are all found.

[readstoomuch]

We had a great sacrament meeting and Sunday school. One of he nearby wards did a reenactment of Easter with another congregation and that was a good experience too. Thanks for all who made suggestions.